Henley-in-Arden Parish Church

Extracts from the 2002 Annual Report

So that God may be glorified

The Annual Report
Beaudesert with Henley-in-Arden Parish Church
April 2002 AD

Welcome to the Annual Church Report!

Christianity, Judaism and Islam, are known as the religions of The Book. This is because we all have sacred scriptures that we use as our inspiration and guide. Our book is the Bible. The Bible not only introduces us to God through Jesus Christ, but it also shows us the foundations of the Church. Our understanding of what we are about has to be rooted in the Bible. Today, as a Church, we are no different from the New Testament Church in our ambitions and aims.

In the Acts of the Apostles we read that Christians naturally grouped together and acted as one family, and found this unity vital if they were to be faithful to their God given tasks. How do we compare?

It is inevitable that some people will use the local church for their own private devotions; we will see them come and go within the busyness of their lives. Many would see the church as a place of refuge, away from the incessant demands of daily life. The last thing they want is to be pressurised in church to get involved, and to do this and that. They just want to worship and go. Whilst this private use of church is understandable, we still have to honour our baptism through which we became part of God’s family. And in whatever way we do it, we are invited to show our sense of belonging to the church. The church’s business is our business because it’s God’s business! Organising fetes and door to door collections, mowing grass and painting walls, reading Lessons and ringing bells – these things might not be overtly ‘Kingdom of God business’, but they are! They all add up to making us a good, healthy, presentable, welcoming and caring church. We all play our part, and together we witness to God in our town. Together, we can offer space for those who need it, and activity for those who can manage it.

Thank you for being part of this church, and I hope you will find this Report encouraging. This Report covers the church’s year from May 2001 to April 2002, and the church’s finances for the calendar year of 2001. I hope you will spend time reading this Report, giving thanks for all we have done, and looking forward to the months ahead.

Yours, in Christ,

John Ganjavi
April 2002