Angharad Clague
I got the devastating new tonight that Angharad Clague had been killed in a car crash. It's so hard to believe that she isn't with us any more - just writing this seems totally unreal.
Annie has been on the year team since last September working with our children. In that time we saw an incredible transformation in her life as God powerfully got hold of her - just take a look at this entry from her blog for a sense of how passionate for Him she'd become. I'm so proud to be able to say that I knew her and that she was a part of our community - I'm going to miss her immensely and I know many of you will too.
In moments like these we need to cling on to the promise of the gospel that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). We know that Annie has gone to a better place, what Jesus described to the thief on the cross as paradise, and that because of that we don't "mourn as those who have no hope" but instead have great hope because of what Jesus achieved through his death and resurrection. Let's pray for Bill and Anne, Annie's parents, and for Annie's brothers that as they grieve they will know God's comfort and strength. Let's pray for our children, young people, and many others in our community who loved Annie so much - that they too will know God's comfort as they mourn the loss of a dear friend. And let's pray for good to come from this tragedy - that God will take this and use it for His glory.
I'm not going to talk about Reveal at tomorrow nights prayer meeting. Instead we're going to worship, share communion and pray about what has happened. Please can I encourage you to be there too, even if you didn't know Annie well, as we work our way through this as the family of God.
Simon.
Annie has been on the year team since last September working with our children. In that time we saw an incredible transformation in her life as God powerfully got hold of her - just take a look at this entry from her blog for a sense of how passionate for Him she'd become. I'm so proud to be able to say that I knew her and that she was a part of our community - I'm going to miss her immensely and I know many of you will too.
In moments like these we need to cling on to the promise of the gospel that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28). We know that Annie has gone to a better place, what Jesus described to the thief on the cross as paradise, and that because of that we don't "mourn as those who have no hope" but instead have great hope because of what Jesus achieved through his death and resurrection. Let's pray for Bill and Anne, Annie's parents, and for Annie's brothers that as they grieve they will know God's comfort and strength. Let's pray for our children, young people, and many others in our community who loved Annie so much - that they too will know God's comfort as they mourn the loss of a dear friend. And let's pray for good to come from this tragedy - that God will take this and use it for His glory.
I'm not going to talk about Reveal at tomorrow nights prayer meeting. Instead we're going to worship, share communion and pray about what has happened. Please can I encourage you to be there too, even if you didn't know Annie well, as we work our way through this as the family of God.
Simon.