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The New Wine Event, 2013

This year was the 25th Anniversary of New Wine. From small beginnings it has steadily grown and is now attended by over 25,000 people spread across two separate weeks at Shepton Mallet in Somerset and a week at Newark in the Midlands.  This year, four people from Blacklands attended this inspiring event. It is always encouraging to see large numbers of folk from all age groups coming to New Wine from churches right across the country.

Throughout each week there are seminars on many social and ethical issues, church life, personal discipleship and Bible based teaching which is relevant for everyday life. Each day there is an Evening Celebration  as thousands gather to worship and listen to God’s word.  In the first week at Shepton Mallet Justin Welby, the new Archbishop of Canterbury spoke at one of the evening celebrations. He has attended many New Wine events as a delegate with his wife and young family. In his talk he explained how Britain is going through a cultural revolution in which Christians need to listen and respond.  We need to be people of hope in the face of death, steadfast in suffering and overflowing with the good news of Jesus.  He outlined three priorities

Firstly: Renewal in prayer and communities of prayer

Secondly: Reconciliation in the Church and overflowing into our communities

and Thirdly: Making disciples.

At New Wine great importance is attached to the local church. Part of the New Wine vision is to see local churches having an impact upon our national life. Our churches must be welcoming and accessible for all: building up family and community life; Jesus centred; filled with the Holy Spirit; peace proclaiming and disciple making.  Though we may be part of a struggling church,  New Wine  is  a powerful reminder that we are part of something bigger, a world wide fellowship of Christians who are called to be focused of Jesus, empowered by the Spirit and  steadfast in adversity.

John Fletcher

One of our members, Vincent Saunders, writes: “This year I attended the New Wine conference for the first time. I worked on the Catering Team and met so many lovely people and made so many new friends. My heart has grown deeper in God’s love and in the power of the Holy Spirit. I had a good week and aim to be back there again next year, serving people in the love of God.”

Vincent