It’s never too late for a new beginning in your life.

November 15, 2019
12:25 pm

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending St John’s Church, Burscough for the Baptism of Ron Snape .

I first met Ron two years ago when he visited our Café Vista with his late wife Pauline. Ron was the main carer for Pauline who in 2013 fell down the stairs in their home and broke her neck. Thanks to the swift action of the Air Ambulance, Pauline was taken to hospital and went on to live for five more years with her soul mate Ron until she sadly lost her battle on 4^th August last year.

At Ron’s baptism I was struck by the power of his testimony and how at the wise age of 82 he was embracing a new beginning in his life, he had found faith in Jesus. Ron described how after losing Pauline he had felt the pain and sense of loss at losing “the love of his life”, he admitted he had even prayed for God to take him too. However, Ron didn’t’ give up he started attending the Tuesday shoppers service at St John’s, he also joined our luncheon club on a Wednesday. Ron described how through generous welcome, hospitality, conversation and people who were prepared to listening he has found faith, which in turn has helped him find contentment and peace.

I share Ron’s story, with permission, as my contemplation today because so often people are afraid to explore faith, to step inside church to take their pain, despair, doubts and fears and to ask God to show them a new beginning. If we are honest we are all in search for contentment, peace and hope and I am so pleased that Ron has found this in Jesus. Ron is a true inspiration not just in his Christian witness but also in all he does in Pauline’s memory. To date Ron has raised over £6,000 for the Air Ambulance and Parkinson’s which I think you will agree is a huge achievement.

I hope reading Ron’s story today you too may be inspired to explore Faith. Here at Christ Church we are launching a new ‘Start’ course in the Ministry Centre on Tuesday 14^th January 2020 7:30pm – 8:30pm for seven weeks. There will be an opportunity in an informal setting to ask questions, watch a video and discover more about the Christian faith. Why not make 2020 a time for a new beginning come and join us and discover the contentment that Ron has found. If you want to hear more about Ron’s story then join us on Sunday 24^th November 10:45 am and meet him in person.

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I was sat on the top of Clieves Hill eating a jar of chilli pickles with my sister, discussing how stressful my life was, how unhappy I was with my financial situation and trying to be the perfect Mum. I was looking for work and trying to fight my son’s corner who was being bullied in secondary school. I was feeling very alone, worse than I have felt in a long time. Things had now got the better of me and I was starting to crumble big time and my marriage was falling apart. My sister had just completed the Alpha Course and she told me how it had changed her life. She was eager to share her story and convinced me that the Alpha Course would be spiritually beneficial to me and my family. I agreed with my sister and suggested to my husband that the Alpha Course could be beneficial to both of us. He agreed and my sister kindly baby sat for us. My sister, my rock: I believe that God was working through her that night. My husband and I decided to give our marriage one last go. The Alpha Course has helped me to become more spiritually aware. It has saved my marriage and I have allowed Jesus to become part of my everyday thoughts and prayers since doing the Alpha course.”

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