On the 8th December we held a special service to celebrate 30 years of Church @ the Pines. We gave thanks for the last 30 years and all who have been involved with the Church's ministry over those years. We prayed for and looked forward to the future together. We heard from some of our young people about their recent time at 3Generate and we enjoyed singing a special anniversary song, with words written by Pauline Matondo, together. We were delighted to have so many people with us on the day, including Rev'd Helen Cameron who gave the sermon, with input to the service by Rev'd Soba Sinnathamby, Rev'd Gareth Morley and Brian Gennery. We are very much looking forward to the next 30 years!

We had an amazing weekend at 3Generate! 16 young people ventured to 3Generate for the first time. We thought about being wrapped up in God, had meaninful, prayerful moments, made new friends, learnt new things, sang new songs, the list goes on! We are already thinking about next year and we can't wait to share what we found exciting and what we want to remember all year long with everyone at Church @ the Pines. 

Today in Sunday School we spoke about how all of God’s children are important, even the very smallest. We thought about how all people are important, because they are loved by God and how we might help others to see this too. Then we made some paper children and decorated them. Some of our young people joined theirs together to make a really big chain!

Fantastic to see 12 of our young people in Sunday school today, where we thought about listening to God’s word and listening to others, even when it’s hard to hear what they are saying. We spoke about some things we might do to make the world a better place; things like picking up litter, playing with someone who is alone in the playground, helping a friend and planting trees to help with climate change!

Sunday School is out for summer! In our final session before the break, we spoke about compassion and ways we can show it. We look forward to worshipping together in all age worship services over the summer. Our first Sunday school back together will be Sunday 8th September, when we look forward to continuing to learn together about God's love. 

Whilst adults enjoyed a contemplative Good Friday service, our young people enojyed an extended time together in Junior Church. We thought together about what happened on Good Friday and why we call it that, we made Easter gardens together, did Easter crafts and created footprints walking in Jeses' lead. We also enjoyed lunch together, before rejoining with the rest of the congregation after their service. 

As we gathered together to celebrate the wonder of the Christmas story, we had services focussed on this every Sunday during December. Starting with our Christingle Service where we thought about the Light of the World, followed by our Carol Service, where we raised the roof with songs and music, then our young people brilliantly told the Christmas Story with a scratch Nativity. 

In our final Sunday school before we break for the summer holidays, we talked about the parable of the weeds and how God forgives us when we say sorry for things we have done wrong. We wish our young people and our Sunday School team a wonderful break and we look forward to seeing them at our all age worship services over the summer.

On the 16^th January 2022 we held our Covenant service.

This is the first time it has been held at the usual time, in January, for several years.

It was moved to September as it had to be cancelled two years in a row because of very bad weather.

Revd Soba Sinnathamby presided with members of the congregation assisting. 

We were able to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion as the Methodist tradition is to distribute the wine (non alcoholic) in individual cups.