Solo or not so solo

Everyone has a back story, an origin tale.  
That new guy at the office, the single mum who moved in next door, the woman who just opened your newest local coffee shop: they each have a back story.
I went to see 'Solo' this weekend and we heard how Hans got his name, we saw Hans meet Chewy for the first time (mud and chains are involved) and we got to know Lando a little better (he has a lot of capes). Okay, it's not up there with The Force Awakens, but it's a very entertaining film and touches on key aspects of Hans' character, giving fans much to talk about.  ( The question of 'did he draw first?' is revisited which got us talking to a complete stranger on the way out.)
I've got a back story too.  I'm in my fifties and have a definite 3 act story line playing out.  But I get to chose who I tell that story to, who I share my defining moments with.
One of the places I get to do this is at Redeemer, my local church in Ealing.  Whilst it's still true that only my God knows the full story, I can say that I've found honest people with whom I get to reveal the cards held close to my chest, share my tears and disclose my scars. 
It's my prayer that you too will find a community in which you can tell your story: the mud, the chains and those capes. 
May God's grace be with you. 

Let's Meet Up This Summer...

Well, the sun is here.* 

(*Based on 3 days at the end of April.  Sunshine is not a guarantee of sustained hot weather.  Temperatures can go down as well as up.  Other weather conditions may be experienced.)

Whatever the weather, it's a perfect time to be launching our Summer Meetups at Redeemer Church London - you can sign up today at redeemerlondon.org/meetups. Don't miss out!

We're excited about these groups - partly because of the calibre of leader and quality of topics on offer - but also because getting together with real people in real life makes for powerful encounters.
Acquaintances become friends.
Questions become answers.
Curiosity becomes passion. 
Meeting up brings people together to create thriving communities.

But don't listen to me, listen to the folk at Redeemer London:

"We had people who had been in the church since the start, people who were totally new... Sharing hobbies such as running is a great way not only to improve in it but  also to connect and do life with others."

"I was blown over by people's honesty and openness.  From the first night it was really encouraging."

"I really appreciated the pearls of wisdom from a conversation in a pub. It was a real eye opener."

"It has certainly made me more mindful of allowing yourself time to ‘be’ and not always having to ‘do’."

So there you have it - go to http://redeemerlondon.org/meetups/
and select one of the 14 on offer. 

We hope to see you soon, whatever the weather.