Christmas greetings to friends of Pilgrims Hall
With Christmas Day fast approaching, Christians around the world will once again be celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle John reminds us that ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him will not die but live for ever’.
John further reminds us that ‘This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins’. The coming of Jesus Christ was, as the angels announced to the shepherds at the time of his birth, as Saviour. Whatever our personal circumstances are at this season, and despite all the problems that beset this world, all those that know and love the Lord Jesus Christ can and should marvel in his incarnation. We can rejoice in our salvation achieved through Christ’s redemptive work and the gift of faith that we are forgiven, made right with God and have eternal security in Him as adopted children.
I take this opportunity to thank you for your support for Pilgrims Hall over this past year. We are grateful for your prayers, financial gifts, practical help and other forms of support that have helped to facilitate the ongoing life and ministry of Pilgrims Hall. We recently held our Annual General Meeting and it was encouraging to look back over the previous year and see God’s faithful provision over that time. We were able to operate over a full year without any Covid19 restrictions. It was pleasing that we were able to re-open the Hall to retreat guests and welcome new people and for churches and Christian organisations to return and make use of the facilities. The Rendezvous Tea Room and Wellspring bookshop fully reopened and we were also able to provide a programme of Bible ministry. I want to publicly thank the Resident Team for their dedication, commitment and hard work in running the day-to-day operations, together with the team of volunteers and Trustees for their service and support.
What are we doing in 2023?
Looking forward to 2023, we plan to operate all our facilities, details of which can be found on our website.
In terms of Bible ministry, we aim to complete the current studies on the book of Isaiah early in the New Year, after which there will be a rerun of a series of studies on the fundamentals of the Christian faith that will take place on Saturday mornings starting from 25 February and throughout March. There will also be studies which address covenant relationship that will be held on each Wednesday morning in March.
On Saturday 4th February, Tony Brown, from the Reachout Trust, will be leading a seminar on the beliefs of Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses to help our understanding in witnessing to them. Again, details will be published on our website and advertised nearer the time.
Meanwhile, may you truly know the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding as you celebrate Christmas and look forward to the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour.
Steve Dodgson
Chairman of Trustees
