The CDSCs met at Milton Keynes to be fired up and refilled with God' s Spirit to help them focus on mission, writes Andy Drozdziak.
65 people heard about an exciting vision for CCR at a gathering of CDSC teams from across England and Wales in Milton Keynes from 9th to 10th November 2024.
CDSCs are Charismatic Diocesan Services of Communion-diocesan teams in England and Wales serving the vision of CHARIS, the vast majority of whom were represented at the weekend. They spent the weekend exploring vision together, supporting each other in prayer and interceding. There were anointed times of praise and worship during the weekend, led by Fran McLean and Vicky Bunting, and inspirational teachings were given by various leaders.
Former CNSC (CHARIS National Service of Communion) chair Maria Heath spoke of the importance of memory in helping us to worship the God of the present moment. Bishop of Northampton David Oakley, link bishop with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, spoke about the fullness of Baptism. He said: ''Our God is potent. Our bodies, too, are made in God's image and likeness. Our bodies, too, are destined for eternal life."
Focusing on baptism, Bishop David urged those present to 'lean into supernatural grace because of what has happened in our baptisms.' He encouraged an attitude of service to the Church by 'rebirth' and using the charisms, saying: "Baptism is the gateway to life in the Spirit. We are reborn as sons of God, reborn like Jesus.We have to be evangelisers."
Stuart Burman from the Arundel and Brighton CDSC was inspired by Bishop David's talk, saying: "The calling of the attendees in our diocesan roles is to take these supernatural charisms given by the Holy Spirit, to use them in a new way to help us serve our Bishops and our local churches."
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FOOLS for Christ
Abhy Thomas, introducing himself as the current chair of the CNSC, spoke of the priority of sharing the Gospel to the ends of the earth in readiness for 2033, which will mark 2000 years since the death and resurrection of Christ. He urged all present to ensure that every person in the world has heard about the transformative power of Jesus by 2033. Using the acronym FOOLS (Focus Only On the Lord) for Christ, Abhy encouraged all to be ready to PUSH-Pray Until Something Happens. "How beautiful it will be when gifts all come together. I sense deeply that the Lord is going to use CHARIS to lead the Church in England and Wales and to guide this country into a new springtime. Bring the love of God to the ends of the earth."
He also shared a video about the mission of 2033, which you can watch below.
Crying out to God
Michelle Moran from the Sion Community shared about her role in helping establish CHARIS, the new structure for Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic church. She also encouraged all to have a spirit of expectancy, saying: "Move in the power of the Holy Spirit now. When we seek the God of surprises, He will come. A season of grace is a season of deep water, a season of surprises. Be prepared to be surprised by the Spirit."
Michelle Moran also led a period of intercession, in which participants cried out to God for the nation and for the mission as CDSCs. Michelle reminded all to use the charisms in power, and words, pictures and prophecies were shared. God was speaking powerfully, clearly calling the teams to be beacons of light, to shine bright with the Gospel and to let their witness be strong and clear. A word was shared from 2 Chronicles 7:14, encouraging humility and repentance: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
God's presence was tangible throughout the session.
Alex Burmester-Weedon (left) with Michelle Moran, Frank O'Neill and Joan Fernandes
The Current of Grace
The weekend began on Saturday with the theme 'Shaping the Vision' and, on Sunday, 'Bringing the Vision to Life.' Michelle Moran encouraged all CDSCs to 'mobilise' and 'get ready'. She said: "Don't wait for tomorrow because people are dying today. Mobilise- get ready. Stand up. God is at work. The current of grace is still flowing."
"It's a season of the harvest. The Lord has promised it. We're seeing it in faith. There's no place the Lord cannot reach. The Lord is very close to His people."
There was a focus on personal prayer-particularly personal prayer, as Abhy Thomas shared how God was speaking to him during his holy hour. Rosanne Walker from the Portsmouth CDSC was encouraged to go 'deep'. She said: "I personally made a commitment to be faithful to a deep prayer life so I stay in that current of grace, which enables God to work through us powerfully.
"I was really edified by the beautiful and powerful times of praise and intercessory prayer: I found that and the prophetic words of knowledge very uplifting and encouraging."
Abhy Thomas and Dan Rodrigues pray together
Stepping out with 'courageous faith'
Feedback from the weekend was very positive, with many feeling encouraged to be bold in sharing faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. Rosanne Walker was impressed with the talks, telling CCR England and Wales: "I loved the framing of the weekend around the inspiring and challenging talks which took us on a journey looking at where we’ve come from, where we are now and where we are being called to.
"We were reminded we are still in that season of grace, so we must stay awake and focused on Him so we don’t miss opportunities the Lord is giving to us. We must live in and step out with courageous faith, expecting God to act."
Alex Burmester-Weedon from the Arundel and Brighton CDSC gave a powerful testimony, sharing how his life was miraculously turned around from Atheism and addiction to becoming a joyful follower of Christ. John Wheeler from the Hexham and Newcastle CDSC called the weekend 'an exciting time to be in our Church, and for us as a team an exciting time to be serving as we are called to do.'
Rosanne Walker (left) enjoys spending time with Michelle Moran, Chris Thomas, Moira Meeghan and Maureen Goldsmith
Joe O'Brien from the Shrewsbury CDSC shared her own experience of the Holy Spirit at the weekend. She said: "We should be ambitious in serving our Lord, the good news is very important and very real. I feel a sense of not urgency, quickening maybe.
"I had a feeling over the weekend of a vacuum waiting to be filled.If I open an even a tiny space, the Spirit will rush in - ‘as of a mighty wind’ (Acts 1:8). There is no vacuum he cannot fill with his life-breathing air, his searching light, his rushing water, his boundless love."
For further information about CDSCs, please visit https://www.charisuk.com/cdscs
Michelle Moran joins the Hexham and Newcastle CDSC for a selfie
Pictures: Andy Drozdziak
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