Skip to main content

You too?


One of our distinctives at Kerith, and therefore also at REAL is that we love to work with friends! We choose to work with friends, and so love to invite those we already have a relationship with to speak into our community and stand alongside us. We share ethos and values...and we have fun! 

Last year at REAL we were so blessed to have Cathy Madavan with us - I know that God used her words in a really significant way for many women. In fact, one of our small groups has been studying her book Digging for Diamonds this last year, and have really loved it! They also highly recommend her James Devotional 
Simon and I visited Cathy and her husband Mark (who leads Locks Heath Free Church) in their beautiful home this last Tuesday evening, and shared a really lovely evening together, devouring the largest pan of Paella I've ever seen, plus stories, laughs, friendship, wisdom and honesty - it was so good to be with friends.


On Thursday I had a great time chatting via FaceTime with Kemi Koleoso.  We laughed, shared stories, and encouraged eachother. 
I'm really excited that Kemi's going to be joining us at REAL this year. Kemi's based at Jubilee Church where her husband Tope is Senior Pastor - we've had the privilege of having him speak at Kerith. Kemi has been such a faithful friend to REAL, she's come every year since 2013, bringing a  group of friends and fellow leaders. Then last year, she launched her own annual gathering for women - Courage Conference - it was fabulous! She'll host Courage for a 2nd year, two weeks after REAL, so if you'd love to hear more of Kemi, plus her special guest Priscilla Reid and Bianca Olthoff (we share our friends!) book in and pop along to north London.


I know that I'm the richer for these two women's input in my life. I thank God that He joined our hearts. In the best possible way, being able to chat, share and say "you too?" is so great for building friendship. One of the ways I'm clearly experiencing Jesus making a difference in my life is by Him by helping me be committed to going deeper, to honesty and to vulnerability. It's not easy (at all!) but it's worth it.

PS This Sunday at Kerith we're joined by our friends Krish Kandiah and Canon Andrew White :)


Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blog: Esther in Indonesia

I'm delighted to welcome Esther Ross-Watson to my Blog today! She is a dearly loved member of our Kerith family. She and her late husband Michael served as missionaries for many years. Esther bravely made the decision to travel again, and she has recently returned from Indonesia. Here's her story:  Whilst Michael was on his last days on earth in August 2017 he received a request from the Island of Madura, Indonesia asking us to return to the town of Pamekasen, Madura, Indonesia where we had begun our Missions work in July 1973 exactly one year after we were married. They were keen to have us see what God had been doing in the years since we’d moved on and we excitedly said ‘Yes’ we will come!   Obviously that had to go on hold for a while because I didn’t feel I could, or even wanted to go alone! Anyway around March/April time 2018, I begun to feel a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit urging me to think some more about it! It was like a feeling of wanting to know
Read more

Our Living Hope

Not sure what happens with my blog...or me writing my blog! Can't believe I've been away from it for almost two months. Oh well, no condemnation! Let's pick it up and start again :) Yesterday was a great day in Church! I was so challenged and encouraged - I love Sundays and all the different ways God shows His love and who he is to us. Natalie Jones preached at both our morning meetings in Bracknell , she gave such a good message on generosity, be sure to catch it when the podcast comes on our website, but for now, watch a  summary of Natalie's preach At the 6pm meeting, we had Paul Manwaring sharing about culture : the 4 Gamechangers - again, a really challenging message to check out if you didn't get to hear it live. I wore my HOPE earrings yesterday - sometimes I deliberately  choose to wear them as a practical symbol that I am choosing HOPE - that I choose Jesus, I choose trust, I choose hope. I'm so glad I did, as throughout the day I felt God speak
Read more

3 Little Bottles

Thought I'd mix it up today and do something lighthearted here. I popped into town this morning (as an aside, anyone else still incredulous that "new Bracknell / The Lexicon is so great and that it's really here to stay?!)  Anyhow, I popped into town for a quick wander and bought 3 "essentials" I'd run out of, so I thought I'd share them with you - and of course I'd love to hear about your 3 recent essential purchases. 1 Contact lense solution I've worn glasses since Secondary school, and contact lenses since I left Uni. Gas permeables - great for me - slightly perilous in swimming pools / the sea / other people's sinks (£80 to replace). They work for me - and so a couple of bottles of solution each month keep me going.I ran out a couple of days ago, so it was £4.70 well spent for clean lenses and clear eyesight. 2. "Buffet" by The Ordinary This was a new one for me, a present I received last Christmas. I LOVE it and can
Read more