What happened to delight and tenderness?

Hello,

What a gear shift September is in so many areas of life, not least the Church! We have been so busy with guests and new folk, programmes re-starting and lots of energy for re-connecting. There were 70 guests at Alpha this week and 400 young people art the Mix last Friday.

This September we have re-emphasised that the Evening Service at Woodlands Central exists for the whole Woodlands Church Family as a Celebration context for all congregations as well as 6.30 regulars and it has been great to gather there and share in vibrant worship.

Last month we looked at 'The Blessed Life'. This month we are looking at the implications of our life as community and one thing we will be speaking about later in this series is sex.

I was impacted recently by this podcast hosted by Danielle Strickland. It re-enforced my awareness about how much pain and brokenness there is in human sexuality in our culture right now. There is pain for married people, single people, young people and children, LGBTQ people and Church people! The levels of sexual abuse in our society are epidemic, and the commodification of sex and its effect on children from primary schools onwards is destroying what God intended as a vehicle for (in the words of the marriage service) 'delight and tenderness'. 

I recommend giving the podcast a listen. Sometimes it seems to me there is a 'sex god' out there, an idol that seeks to draw worship to itself. If that metaphor works for you, let's  become part of the resistance and discover the good that God intended in the creation of sexuality for human flourishing.

As well as our regular evening programme don't forget the existence of the 'Quiet Service' which meets in the Crypt at 6.30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month for intimate worship and communion. The Quiet Service will be reflecting on John 14 this Sunday.

Much love to you,

David Mitchell

Senior Leader
Woodlands Church Family