Every one of us has stories of faith, hope, love, and mission unfolding in our lives and communities. Sometimes these stories are dramatic moments of transformation, and sometimes they are simple experiences of God's presence in everyday life. Together, they help tell the story of who we are as a church.

This week, you'll find two wonderful examples of the kinds of stories we love to share. Bill Gillard invites us to reflect on the question, When do you feel closest to God? As you read his article, consider your own answer. You may be surprised by the memories, experiences, or moments of God's presence that come to mind.

You'll also read Emma Ghazarian's thoughtful reflection on how participating in Of Water and Spirit classes prompted her to look back on the childhood experiences that shaped her faith and inspired her to invest in the spiritual formation of the next generation. It's a beautiful reminder that some of the most meaningful stories begin with simply taking time to reflect.

Perhaps one of those reflections will spark a story of your own.

Have you had an experience, reflection, testimony, ministry moment, or personal insight that you would like to share with the wider church community? We are always looking for stories to feature in the Weekly Newsletter and the Australia Herald—stories that inspire, encourage, and connect us.

If you have something you would like to share, please reach out. And if writing feels like the difficult part, don't let that stop you! I am happy to help shape, edit, develop, or even help write your story so that your voice and experience can be shared with others. By sharing our stories, we strengthen and encourage one another in faith.

You'll find my contact details below. I'd love to hear from you if you have a story, reflection, or testimony you'd like to share.

Calee Loughran
Communications Coordinator

Email: cloughran@cofchrist.com.au
Phone: 0448 769 913