23/12/2020
As the year draws to a close, so does Kennington Vineyard. It has been an odd few weeks not meeting since our amazing Thanksgiving service and I've missed being together. I pray that in the New Year as you look to find a new community, you find somewhere to grow, encounter God a new and serve.
Our website is still up with stories and videos for you to read and we’d love to hear any other stories or memories you’d like to share.
In this tier 4 lock down Christmas not how we imagined - with the deep sense of loss, longing to be with those we love, fearful and uncertain of how what the future holds, I pray you will encounter Emmanuel, God with you. Even if it’s in city you don’t want to be. That you find joy in unexpected places, the quiet birth of new life deep inside yourself and hear the painful cry that shatters dark silence with the announcement of hope.
"O Emmanuel, our King and our lawgiver,
the hope of the nations and their Saviour:
Come and save us, O Lord our God."
*First Coming by Madeleine L’Engle*
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.
He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine. He did not wait
till hearts were pure. In joy he came
to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.
He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.
We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!
All the love,
Roanna
