Sam Brewster, Trinity Henley’s new vicar, shares his thoughts about his journey as he prepares to take over the friendly flock from Duncan Carter
Two things have filled my Decembers the last few years: Jesus and 5ks. The 5ks have been a more recent addition since my brother-in-law introduced me to the concept: run 5k every day in December. Including Christmas Day. Even when you’re a vicar. Which brings me to the first thing that fills my Decembers: Jesus. I’ve recently been appointed as the vicar of Holy Trinity Church Henley. It’s a dream job: filling my hours with a single task – helping people get to know Jesus better. As you can imagine, there are also quite a few nuts and bolts that need attending to, and it’s strikingly easy for vicars like me to lose track of the big thing we’re meant to be all about. But the heart of the job is clear and glorious.
My journey to Christian faith was a somewhat meandering one. Mum and Dad are Christians and did a wonderful job encouraging us all to church, which I and my two siblings generally loved. But like so many things in life, it’s easy to underappreciate what you have always grown up with. It wasn’t till I attended a summer holiday camp run by Christians that I engaged more personally with Jesus. It dawned on me then that Jesus was real, and was calling me personally to follow him. It also stuck me that Jesus was much better than I had previously realised. He wasn’t an unattainable moral example which I should strive, but always fail, to match. He wasn’t a kindly, but slightly disapproving headteacher figure up above. I encountered a Jesus who pulsated with life, and was constantly giving himself out to others in love. I still remember when the penny dropped about his death on the cross. It wasn’t just an inspiring gesture of self-sacrifice. It was an actual sacrifice for me. Jesus died for me. Such was his love that he effectively said: you’re in a mess you can’t get yourself out of; you’ve rejected God and deserve his rejection. But God loves you, and I’m here to lift you out of the mess, and back into a relationship with God. The only way that can happen is if I die for you. So be it.’
Following Jesus is like seeing the world in colour for the first time. Everything makes sense. But it’s no easy path. Jesus called it ‘the narrow way’. There have been plenty of times I’ve nearly fallen off that narrow way. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t just set us off along it with a ‘good luck – hope to see you at the end!’ Rather, he walks with us every step of the way: Leading us through times of tragedy and sadness, guiding us back on track when we wander away, and gently reminding us of his love through it all.
For me that pathway led me through some years leading youth work at a church in Leicestershire, a call to get ordained in the Church of England, a happy three years at Wycliffe Hall, a vicar college in Oxford, meeting my wife Lucy who was training to be a teacher at the same time. After five happy years working as a curate at St Mary’s Church Maidenhead, we moved to Henley in 2018, with two small children (three and 18 months at the time), and a vision to launch a new Sunday congregation to reach out to the many families in Henley with the good news of Jesus.
Six years on, and it’s been an amazing journey to look back on. We’ve now got four kids (Amelie – nine, Jojo – seven, Barney – four and Esther two!). Our new congregation, Trinity at Four (meeting each Sunday at 4pm) has grown. We now regularly have 70 adults and 50 children Sunday by Sunday. We have fallen in love with Henley – not just the place, but the people. It’s been a wonderful privilege to help lots of people from lots of different starting points get to know Jesus better. It’s been wonderful to see so many children and young people. It’s been amazing to serve the wider community with mid-week baby and toddler groups and after-school clubs.
And now, a new chapter, as Trinity Church’s much loved and long-standing vicar, Duncan retires, and I step into the role. As well as continues to lead our 4pm congregation, I’m now also lead our 10am service and take responsibility for ministry in the parish as a whole. I’m excited to keep doing what I’ve always been most passionate about: helping people get to know Jesus better. I hope that Trinity Church Henley will be a place full of the life and love of Jesus, and where many more people in and around Henley, young and old, can get to know Jesus better themselves. Why not come join us one of these days? We’d love to see you! And now I’d better get on with today’s 5k.
Christmas Services 2024
Sunday, 15th December, 4pm – Community Carols
Sunday, 22nd December, 10am – All Age Carol Service. 7pm – Candlelit Carols
Tuesday, 24th December, 4pm – Christingle, 7pm – Candlelit Carols, 11.30pm – Midnight Communion
Wednesday, 25th December, 10am – Christmas All Age Celebration
All services will be held at Holy Trinity Church, RG9 1SE. No booking required.
Follow the Star 2024
Take a magical journey through the first Christmas story. An interactive, immersive experience for the whole family, 13th-14th December. Book your free place today at Christmas 2024 | Trinity at Four.
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