It’s mid June 2025 and Spring in the Netherlands seems to have been warming up as we approach Dutch summer. If you are here in the country, hope you have been able to enjoy the sunshine! Maybe you have a holiday in the coming months or at least some slower days? If so, may these be refreshing!
I am very aware as I type that conflict is raging in the Middle East and in Ukraine/Russia to name but two areas of the world experiencing trouble. How do we pray and how do we speak up/respond to such situations? What would it mean to speak up for peace and justice? I realise we may come up with different answers to such questions. Is it something that you have even considered? If not, I encourage us to do so.
I can give no easy answers here.
Let me ask, more generally – is faith still relevant now in 2025?
A few days ago I finished reading ‘Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever: A New Generation’s Search for Religion’ by British writer Lamorna Ash. It was fascinating. I am grateful for the author’s own vulnerability in print as she went on her own journey. Lamorna Ash explores young adult’s searching for meaning and how some (not all) have been drawn to Christianity. A warning – if you are a Christian, you may not like all that is written but I found it well worth taking the time for – the author is very open about faith having a real connection for life. I read the book in the light of my reflecting on the UK Bible Society’s report ‘The Quiet Revival’, which is about how Gen Z (18-24 year olds) attendance in church services in England and Wales has increased. Here is a link if you want to read more: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival
Of course, there will be different views on what is the cause of this upturn. Whatever view you may have, I think it is something that is pertinent to the question of faith’s relevance.
In the coming weeks between now and the end of July, as a church community we will be on with various things as our focus. For some of the talks, I will finish off our Revelation series, ‘What’s in the Box?’. It has been stretching and fulfilling preparing these talks and I admit I have had a few moments of thinking why did I go for this part of the Bible!?!
The first century church communities in the Roman province of Asia Minor faced all kinds challenges that could have caused them to question their faith, to have queried is Jesus really ‘reigning’, if He is truly ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’ as Revelation 19 puts it, then where is the evidence of this? Just as we might also have questions, doubts even when we think about life now – armed conflict, climate concerns, human trafficking and migration realities among other things.
Three recurring words in the New Testament about following Christ are faith, hope and love. Perhaps the most well known verse touching mentioning all three is found in 1 Corinthians 13:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 New International Version
Words relevant for those first Jesus followers? How about us? I leave that with us to ponder.
Below is a brief overview of things coming up as we spring towards summer! All are welcome at our gatherings and events.
If you read this far, thanks for doing so!
Much grace,
Andy
ICL Spring into Summer:
(All activities at Op Eigen Wieken, Valkenpad 5, Leiden unless stated otherwise)
Sunday 22nd June:
11.00 Worship together- guest speaker Matt Thijs from St James Church (speaking on Luke 15:1-2, 11-32)
13.30 Radiate student group BBQ – location to be confirmed in Radiate WhatsApp chat.
Sunday 29 June:
11.00 Worship together – including talk from Revelation 20 – What to make of all this judgment stuff?
15.00 Corrie Ten Boom Huis Haarlem tour – organised by Dientje (sign up via the ICL app) – or send a message to info@ichurchleiden.nl if interested.
Wednesday 2 July:
19.30 ICL Park Walk – beginning at the car park at Ommevoort in Oegstgeest. The walk will be for about 80 minutes with the opportunity to have a drink in a cafe together towards the end. Number in the ICL app to express interest or message to info@ichurchleiden.nl
Sunday 6 July:
11.00 Worship together including communion
Sunday 13 July:
11.00 Schools Out Sunday – a one hour All-In service for all ages followed by food and community activities.
Sunday 20 July
11.00 Worship together including communion. The last talk in the ‘What’s in the Box?’ Revelation series (chapters 21/22)
15.00 Outdoor baptism celebration – Vlietland lake
Sunday 27 July and on – to be confirmed as it is the school summer holidays.