Service Ministry

Currently we have one service aspect of our ministry but we are committed to seeking out the poor whoever and wherever they may be so we will be looking to create new initiatives in the future.

Every Wednesday 6.30-8.00pm in the Narthex of St Wilfrid’s Church, Preston City Centre
A weekly drop-in where we provide clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, toiletries etc to anyone in need. We also spend time listening and chatting with those who attend in order to share the Father’s love with them. If you have any spare toiletries, sleeping bags or clothes, particularly men’s t-shirts, jeans, tracksuit bottoms and trainers then please leave them in the box in the narthex of St Wilfrid’s or drop them off at our office.

Metanoia Project Operations and the Coronavirus. (3/19/2020) - Dear Young People, Parents, Friends and Supporters, Because of recent guidance from both the Government and the Bishops’ Conference, and in consultation with the schools and Parishes with which we work, we have made the difficult decision to suspend all of our groups and events except our work with the Homeless. Therefore, there will be no youth groups at St Clare’s or St Mary’s Lea Town, no talks for adults at St Wilfrid’s, no meetings for our Young Leaders or for the Students and Young Adults, no sessions for Young Families, no Adoration with Praise and Worship etc. until further notice. During this time, when many of our usual ways of expressing our Faith have been removed, and we can no longer gather together, it is all the more important that we find ways to invest in our relationships with God and each other. Although our regular groups and events will not be able to continue for the foreseeable future, the Metanoia Project Team will continue to be here to support you in any way we can and we will be finding different avenues to build and maintain community in ways that do not require physical contact. We will also continue to offer spiritual input, scripture reflection and prayer resources through various means so look out for ways to stay involved and nourish your Faith! You can let us know what sort of thing you would / would not like to hear about by filling in our ‘contact preferences’ form here: http://metanoiaproject.co.uk/contact-preferences/ If you are fit and well and do not support any vulnerable people in your work or household, why not consider helping us serve the homeless at our Wednesday Drop-in? Our usual team of volunteers is somewhat depleted due to the need to self-isolate so any help will be gratefully received. We will miss meeting with you all but hope that we will be able to see you all again in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, look after yourselves, keep praying and keep in touch! God bless Ruth and Joe
Rucksack Delivery (2/25/2018) - Having spent a frantic few weeks fundraising, the staff and pupils at Corpus Christi High School presented us with 20 Rucksacks all full of underwear, socks, sleeping bags, chocolate, t-shirts, shower gel and a New Testament. They also had a few items spare! We were blown away by their efforts and generosity especially in such a short space of time. The people who attend our Wednesday Drop-In were delighted to receive such a useful gift for Christmas and were so touched by the love and care that was demonstrated to them. If you would like to be involved in a similar project in the future then please get in touch.
Advent Rucksack Appeal Assemblies (12/13/2017) - Corpus Christi High School are generously helping us to provide a rucksack full of useful things and a message of love to each person who uses our Wednesday Drop-In over the Christmas period. We went into School on Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th to address two assemblies about the appeal. We took some time to […]

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Metanoia Project

1 day ago

**Today we hear Christine’s thoughts on the day’s Gospel.**

**Please join in and share your thoughts too !**

**Gospel**

**John 14:23-29**

Jesus said to his disciples:

‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him and make our home with him.

Those who do not love me do not keep my words.

And my word is not my own:

it is the word of the one who sent me.

I have said these things to you while still with you;

but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you everything

and remind you of all I have said to you.

Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you,

a peace the world cannot give,

this is my gift to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me say: I am going away, and shall return.

If you loved me you would have been glad to know that I am going to the Father,

for the Father is greater than I.

I have told you this now before it happens,

so that when it does happen you may believe.’

**Reflection**

Today we hear part of the farewell discourse that Jesus gave to his disciples at The Last Supper.

Jesus said “peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid”. When we look at our world there is such a lack of peace, with the war in Ukraine and wars happening in other parts of the world. Even in our own country we see conflict, anger, disharmony, uncertainty, fear. I know families where there is disunity and misunderstandings. In our own hearts there can be a lack of peace, perhaps fear, anxiety, anger, unforgiveness, etc.

So where is this peace that Jesus talks about and how do we experience it?

The Hebrew word for peace is ‘shalom’, which is used as a greeting and a farewell used Jews. It’s meaning involves everything necessary to have deep down peace. It means reconciliation with God, harmony and wholeness. This is the peace Jesus talks of.

When we go back to the beginning of creation, the garden was a place of peace and harmony with God. God walked in the garden with Adam and Eve and was in close relationship with them. But sin came into the world through their disobedience and lack of trust and everything changed.

Jesus came to bring back that harmony and to give us peace with God. When Jesus died on the cross, he took all the sin (past, present and future) on himself and when he rose from the dead he conquered sin and death. He made a way for us to be reconciled with God, and for peace and relationship with God to be restored. It’s a free gift but one we need to receive. No matter what sin we have committed there is forgiveness and healing when we bring it to Jesus.

As well as peace **with** God, Jesus gives us peace **in** God. “If anyone loves me he will keep my word and the Father will love him and we shall come to him and make our home with him”. We are given the presence of God to live in us so we are never alone. Peace is not the absence of trouble, there will be difficulties in this life as we all know, but it is the presence of God with us. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “cast your cares on him (Jesus) because he cares for you”. We all need God. St Augustine said, “you made us for yourself O God and our hearts are restless until they rest in you”. Do I come to Jesus with my difficulties, or do I seek peace from other people and worldly things – “the peace the world cannot give”?

Jesus said to keep his word. He has given us his word to follow and this word brings life and peace. So, what is his word? When we read the scriptures we learn about Jesus, we read the promises that we have as followers of Christ and we receive instruction on how to live. We hear Jesus say to love our enemies, to forgive, to serve and bless others, to trust in God, to not fear, to pray – the list goes on. When we spend time reading and reflecting on Jesus’ words, they become part of us so that we don’t just listen but we start doing and living them. When we follow Jesus’ word we live in peace with God and also with others. Imagine this world if everyone loved their enemies and forgave those who hurt them. But it starts with me. Do I truly keep Jesus’ word and live it?

God knows we need help to live his word and it’s not something we have to do on our own, in our own strength. He has sent us the Holy Spirit as Jesus said, “the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you”.

Advocate means the one who comes alongside, who helps and supports. The Holy Spirit is with us to help, guide and teach us how to love and have peace. Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

As we approach Pentecost it is a good time to renew our relationship with the Holy Spirit. To ask him to help us experience the peace that Jesus promised and to come to know his friendship, love, support and guidance more in our lives. He does speak to us and wants us to call on him. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God to us, so we are never on our own.

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Amen”

- Christine ... See MoreSee Less