Church News – October 2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters
“I’m not an optimist. I’m a prisoner of hope.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
The news recently seems to be torn and in a hot debate within itself. Which thing will destroy the earth first? Climate change, AI or World War Three? It can be overwhelming and terrifying looking ahead to the future and to the future for our children and whilst I am going to be focusing my message this month on hope, I am not dismissing those worries or saying we should be blind to those concerns. Whilst I was at the Greenbelt Festival during August Bank Holiday, one comment someone made has stuck in my head. Perhaps the most radical thing Christians can have in today’s world is hope.
I’ve always loved the quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu that I began with. It was part of a longer interview where he talked about the difference between optimism and Christian Hope. utu explained that Christian faith is centred on death and resurrection: even when Good Friday looked utterly hopeless, Easter followed, and therefore Christians are called to become “prisoners of hope.” That context makes the phrase much more powerful. Tutu isn’t saying, “I expect everything to turn out nicely.” He’s distinguishing hope from optimism. His hope is rooted in the conviction that suffering, injustice and even death don’t get the final word.
Being a prisoner of something means that it is inescapable and his hope is something that he simply cannot avoid, however illogical it might seem. Hope can be found, it just takes some digging because fear sells and grabs attention. I look at our young people and see in their actions and words a chance for things to turn around. They have and increasingly strong sense of social justice, climate activism and an acute awareness of Ai which means they can spot things really quickly and dismiss it as just Ai and they know what is real and what isn’t. I am aware that these are just my experiences and that not every young person is the same but there are good news stories out there and signs of hope if you look.
As Christians we have the hope of a new world and the belief that nothing can separate us from the love of God and so we have hope as part of our DNA. It is not enough however to pray thy kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven, without being part of the movement of people that brings that kingdom of justice and joy to fruition. But take heart, there is hope, do not give up, there is hope, and do not simply be an optimist but have hope.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
God bless, James
NEWS
We are grateful to welcome Sr Jane Carter back to the Lancashire District. She has now taken on the role of Minister to the Fairfield church, following the retirement of Br Peter Gubi. We look forward to welcoming her to our service on 11th October. On that date, also, please don’t forget to take part in our Congregation Council Meeting which follows the service.
Aberfan – 60 years on
On 21st October 1966 the Aberfan disaster took place in South Wales. A colliery slag heap collapsed, releasing a torrent of slurry onto the village. It engulfed a number of houses and Pantglas Junior School, killing 116 children and 28 adults. It was a disaster that shocked the nation. As we reflect on it today, we are left asking the question, ‘where was God when this happened?’
At the time there was a mixture of strong emotions: grief and sadness over the loss of those who had died, and anger against the Coal Board in allowing the disaster. However, people gave their energy to support each another. A local Baptist Minister, Revd Kenneth Hayes, who lost his eldest son at the school, responded in this way: ‘For 36 hours he was working non-stop either at the school, or going around comforting bereaved and stricken families and kept open house for many who came seeking news and comfort.’
How should we respond to such an incident? ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?’ (Romans 8:35). Paul reminds us that even in our darkest times of loss, God is with us to bring comfort. ‘Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.’ (34). Paul also tells us that Jesus understands our suffering and is praying for us. ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (31). We can let go of bitterness and blame, because God is a God of justice.King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) on the 50th anniversary summed up the community’s response: ‘darkest sorrow, but also the most shining
| WHAT’S ON IN OCTOBER 2026 | |||
| SUNDAY | 4th | MORNING WORSHIP with Sr Lesley Benedek | 11 am |
| Monday | 5th | Church Committee on Zoom | 7.30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7th | M.W.A. in Schoolroom | 1.15 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10th | Lancs District Council on Zoom | 9.30 am |
| SUNDAY | 11th | MORNING WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION with Sr Jane Carter CONGREGATION COUNCIL MEETING | 11 am 12 noon |
| SUNDAY | 18th | MORNING WORSHIP with Sr Kerry Cain | 11 am |
| SUNDAY | 25th | PARADE AND YOUTH SERVICE led by Br James | 11 am |
Prayer for harvest
Dear Lord,
As we give thanks for the harvest and pray for the farmers who have struggled through the summer’s drought and heatwaves, we also give thanks and pray for those who work to share the good news of Your kingdom, to bring in Your harvest of people who are searching for You.May we, who know You, join those workers and share the good news that Jesus brings.
So many people are lost and without hope or direction. Help us to reach out to them, maybe with an invitation, or simply a smile, or an act of kindness. May they see Your love reflected in us and turn to You. May they put their trust in Jesus, who alone is the answer to all life’s great questions.Lord, may we be workers in the harvest field where You have placed us, for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
