Living Hopefully

Living Hopefully

A Way of  Christian Discipleship

 “Many were baptized and were added to the community.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, 

to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

– Acts 2.41f- a description of the Way of Life of the first Christian Church.

“Living Hopefully “ is a simple Way of Life which  many of the people of Gosforth St. Nicholas have used as a toolkit for discipleship since Pentecost 2007.

It is a toolkit—not a set of rigid rules. The suggestions offered are just that: suggestions –each based on the Way of Life lived in the North East  since the days of  the northern saints:  Aidan, Hilda, Cuthbert.  Its as if we can hear them  saying to us: “We found this helpful  - why not give it a try?” This became the Way in which Anglican Christians try to follow Christ.

At Gosforth St. Nicholas  we renew our  commitment to this Way every year at  Pentecost—the festival of the Holy Spirit. This annual  renewal reminds us that  just as our  personal situation changes over time so must our  practice of discipleship. 

All of us are given different talents and gifts to use in God’s service —to love God and love our neighbour.  Everyone needs a personal Rule. What is appropriate  for  someone who is retired is  different for someone in a   demanding job and different again for a young mum with children. What matters is that we grow in  Christian Discipleship. These are suggestions to help us do that—NOT demands to make us feel guilty!

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 1. Pray daily

Worship and prayer are at the  heart of the life of the Church. Our prayer and praise form us into Christ-like people to serve and love others.

At  Gosforth St. Nicholas we pray Morning and Evening Prayer in church most days. All are welcome to join in.  Or perhaps you could  say  the Lord’s Prayer at the same times as we are praying in church? When you are on the way to work, school or whatever ?  

 2. Read the Bible regularly

The Bible is the story of God’s love. By reading the Bible our faith grows. But  how  do we know what to read to make it manageable?

 Here are some suggestions: 

· Each week  use the Eucharist readings  printed on  the pew leaflet taking one reading each day—so using  each reading twice in the week .  What is God saying to you for today?                                                                                      

· Come to the Saturday Vigil. We hear the  Sunday readings with a reflection as we prepare for Eucharist  next day.

· Use the Bible Reading Fellowship notes. There are various forms to suit your need. For details on both have a word with the Vicar  or visit a Christian bookshop.                                        

· Or what about using the Daily Office Lectionary?  In it are  all the readings we use in Church  as we pray Morning and Evening Prayer together. 

3. Attend public worship faithfully

To be  a disciple of Christ we need to be  faithful worshipping members of Christ’s Church. We need the community of the church to grow in faith, service and love. For Anglicans this normally means worshipping  in Church every Sunday—usually at the  Holy  Communion . Some can also be present at midweek worship. 

 4. Commend the Christian Faith by deed and word

All of us who are members of Christ’s Church need to “know” the Faith—and to do all we can to live it and to tell others about Christ.  We need to consider each year how we are going to grow in faith, how we are going to share our  faith with others. What about joining one of our Diocese’s “Faith and Life” courses? Can you be in one of our  Choirs?  Or be a server?  A Holy Duster? A  Coffee maker? Do the flowers? Or take out parish invitations at Christmas and Easter? Are you praying for others to come to know Christ? 

 5. Fashion my life according to the example of Christ

In Baptism we become  members of  “the Body of Christ” We are called to be Christ-like. Are you   trying to be more like Jesus?  Do you  need to talk to a wise fellow Christian about prayer? Could you go on a Retreat ?  How does your daily life and work witness to Christ? How as a Christian can you serve others?

 6. Give and forgive as generously as God has given to and forgiven me

6A Look at Jesus on the Cross  and think  : “This is how much Jesus loves me”. You need to receive Jesus’ love –and to share his love with others. God gives you  your life, the world, friends and family;  God gives you  Jesus; God gives you the Holy Spirit; God gives prayer; God gives the Church ; God gives  us  cooking, painting, music, poetry, sport, books, theatre, TV. God gives us the ability to work, to make a living, to care for others; God gives us the Holy Eucharist, the Scriptures, the Gospels; God gives you  food and drink, tea and fine wines.  All  from God. Jesus asks us to  give thanks, to enjoy, to be generous, loving,  a blessing to others.  How are you doing that?

6B We all have a duty to give money for the work of the Church. Most of our giving helps pay for clergy—this is called “parish share” and some goes to  keep the roof  on and pay heating bills. The General Synod of the Church of England asks every member to give 5% of their weekly take home pay as a basic minimum. Whether you are a millionaire or only  have only pocket money  we should all give generously in thanks to God.

Our Church also supports: USPG, Christian Aid and the People’s Kitchen .

 7. Promote Christian Unity

Our  Parish Church welcomes all: women/men, young/old, rich/poor regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. At St. Nicholas all Christians are invited  to share in Holy Communion. Jesus calls us to share  together as a sign of the Kingdom of God. We are called to love one another, even when that  hurts. What can youdo to help us be more of a community? How can you show greater commitment and offer greater encouragement to fellow disciples?  Who can you invite to join our worship? We pray regularly for other Christian Churches in Gosforth and world-wide and seek to work supportively together.