God Shares.  The Bible teaches us that sharing has always been right there in the heart of God – from eternity. God willingly shares.

So when we imagine God’s Kingdom here in Tulse Hill we see a community in which people recognise that all we have comes from God and belongs to God. This makes a radical difference to the way share what we have: our time, our energy, our care, our possessions, our money.

In this world there will always be all sorts of inequalities. Over history, various groups have attempted to live out a communitarian vision in which all things, gifts and skills were pooled. These visionary ventures offer a heady experience, and an insight into God’s Kingdom. But they have never lasted.

However, when our hearts are truly touched by God’s Spirit, we do find ourselves set free from that need to hold on so much to what we have. This is why we encourage generous giving in Holy Trinity Tulse Hill – not just in financial terms, because not everyone is able to give much money, but in all sorts of ways.  It’s about responding to needs, and sharing – sometimes putting ourselves out to do so.

Acts 435

One way in which anyone can do this is through Acts 435, which was set up by one of our former vicars, Rt Rev. John Sentamu. The name, Acts 435 refers to a moment in the life of the earliest church, when everyone shared what they had so that no-one went without. As an Acts 435 partner church, we are able to nominate the needs of individuals, which are then posted on the Acts 435 website with the prayer and hope that someone else will meet that need. for all we know, it may have been someone from our own church who offered to meet the need; or it could be someone from the other end of the country.

Check out Acts 435 yourself. It is a simple mechanism which embodies much of what we aspire to as we share the life God gives.

Another way we share beyond our immediate church, is by contributing to the West Norwood Foodbank, and being distributors of their vouchers.