Letter from Jon, May 2020
Dear Family and Friends
This is the second monthly letter I have written under lockdown, and things don’t seem any clearer for us as a nation than they did last month. We are starting to get used to a different way of living and of communicating, and it has affected all of us in different ways – some positively and some negatively.
It has also meant significant adjustment to how we continue to be Liberty Church through this season. One of the biggest changes is not being able to physically meet and having to rely on technology to keep in touch, and whilst Liberty On Line can never take the place of physically gathering together, we have realised that it is a powerful resource for us as a Church. We have had so much positive feedback to our Sunday LOLs both from the Church family and from others who are connecting with us and hearing the message of hope of the Gospel. We have very purposefully geared these online services to make them relevant not just for the Liberty family but also for our friends and family who don't yet know Jesus. I would encourage us all to recommend and share LOL with those around us
One of the effects of not meeting physically is the decrease in income from Sunday offerings. I am extremely grateful to all who have moved their giving online in this season and would encourage us to continue to do so, at the same time being very much aware of the financial strain that some are experiencing, and the need to review giving. All we ask, as we have always done, is that each of us would consider our giving in a prayerful, proportionate, and planned manner. We will continue to monitor our financial position through this season and have already made some key adjustments in terms of staffing. I have already communicated that Tracy is currently on sabbatical at her request and is not receiving a salary at this time. Last week we made the decision to place Helene on furlough in her role of CAP Centre Manager and, as of today, Stan too is on furlough. We realise the huge contribution these people make to the life of Liberty Church but we believe it is wise to conserve finances where we can and take advantage of government funding. Fiona and I continue to work, and George continues to coordinate the complicated finances of the Church at this time as well as providing the new teaching environment starting on Tuesday.
At the same time we continue to push ahead with purchase of Liberty Centre and our mortgage is in the final stages of completion. Whilst we are not using our home at present it continues to be a hub for Foodbank, which is feeding hundreds in our community, and we believe that when we come back together we are going to need this building more than ever. This season of uncertainty is turning many towards God. The Google searches on ‘prayer’ have surged in the last weeks as people cry for help and look for answers beyond themselves. This is one of the reasons why our on line presence is so important in this season, and we believe that this crisis will give us so many opportunities to connect with our community and our families, bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
We started this year with a desire to see ‘more’; more of the Spirit of God in our midst, and more people added into the Liberty family. This has not changed and my ongoing prayer is that each of us would know God’s power and presence during lockdown, and that God would continue to draw many to faith as we continue to proclaim the hope of Christ online. God is still on the move with his restoring and redeeming power and I pray that he would bless you and keep you and make his face to shine on you and your family
Much love
Jon
|
Jon Farrimond, 01/05/2020