'Let’s be a people and place where God’s seeds can grow healthy, robust and fruitful and in doing so, let the landscape and environment of our homes, neighbourhood, nation and world be changed.' This is the message of our verse for the year 2026, and was first brought to St Denys Church by Rev'd Sera Rumble at our Annual Church Meeting 2026, and is offered to all for whom St Denys feels like home.

God’s Life

Today we have heard so much that is encouraging, and that speaks of God at work. 

God is growing his kingdom, bringing water to the thirsty, walking through the valleys and mountains, and providing the resources, people and wisdom needed. 

God’s life is flowing in and through the people and space of St Denys Church, in ways that are distinctly St Denys, because that is who we are called to be. The Bishops, Diocese and National Church see this, affirm it and want to support this and to help build on what God is already doing (to help 'the good things of God run wild'  -to paraphrase one of Bishop Philip's favourite quotes.)

Invited to 'Grow'

As we look ahead, we need to hear the invitation to ‘GROW’, individually and collectively. 

Let’s recognise that it is invitation to God-shaped growth: to grow deeper into God as his friends and followers, to grow more diverse in who is encountering & knowing God; to grow in being fuller, healthier versions of ourselves as image-bearers of God; & to grow in fruitfulness of impacting society for good. We hope to develop our ministry to kids, youth and families; to see what worship and discipleship looks like for hungry, homeless and vulnerable folk; to be a worshipping community that tends to the journeys of the discombobulated and disillusioned.  

This is a continuation of what is already going on and a development of the itch that is in the collective hearts of many folk, and whilst change can be uncomfortable, we believe that threefold love of God, others and ourselves will keep us rooted.

A Verse and A Story to Anchor Us

Paul and I want to offer you a verse for the year that will anchor our imagination, actions and expectations in healthy, God-shaped growth. It’s a verse that points to a story, points to an explanation all from Jesus. And it’s the verse many of you have been praying through over the weekend in our weekend of prayer and which we hope you’ll ponder and explore in the coming days and weeks. 

‘‘A farmer went out to sow his seed…’ (Luke 8:5 – NIV, and the rest of the story in verses 5-14)

Jesus paints of picture of God lavishly (and maybe even haphazardly) sharing the Word of His ways and His love and His calling into the hearts of people and communities. It doesn’t all lead to healthy growth in people’s lives, some growth is fast and fickle, and some gets overwhelmed and suffocated. 

But Jesus speaks also of growth that is resilient, deep-rooted and fruitful, growing despite (and maybe because of) the challenges and context it is in. This growth is not separate from ordinary life but grows within normal life lived in homes (or wherever we lay our heads) workplaces, social clubs, school, online, voluntary roles, out in nature, and in the hidden moments too.

Let’s Be Part of It 

As the church of St Denys, let’s be a people and place that helps God’s seed to grow. 

Let’s be part of that scattering and sowing, telling our stories of God in ways that are gentle and honest;
let’s be people who pray and do the spiritual warfare that is quietly needed so the seeds take roots;
let’s build bonds of friendship and support to that mean the thorns of life don’t dig so deep,
let’s take discipleship seriously, our own and others', so all can be anchored when the storms of life come. 

Let’s be a people and place where God’s seeds can grow to be healthy, robust and fruitful and in doing so, let the landscape and environment of our homes, neighbourhood, nation and world be changed.

Our PCC Prayer for the Year 

Loving Lord,
Thank you for Your faithfulness, Your provision, and Your calling.
Help us become a beacon of Your love that draws others to You.
Equip us as people of passion and wisdom who walk alongside others as they seek You.
Help us to be good stewards of the future you are unfolding.
Help us to recognise Your Spirit at work and to step out in courage, giving of ourselves when needed.
Deepen our faith and root us in Your love so that we may be gentle and kind to all.
May we see in tangible ways Your kingdom coming, in lives transformed and faith matured.
In the name of Christ, and through the power of the Spirit, we pray. Amen