North Norfolk pastor’s advent calendar of faith

A Baptist minister living in Aylsham has just published an Advent calendar with a difference, and copies are now available.

The book is called “An Advent Calendar of God’s Gifts - 25 gifts from God linked with the birth of Jesus” and it has been written by local author Patrick Coghlan, pictured above, who is also Pastor of Worstead Baptist Church in Meeting Hill, near North Walsham.
 
Each daily session, from December 1 through to 25, combines mindful meditation to centre the reader’s heart, reflective prayer responses to receive God’s gifts, and intimate letters to God to express their gratitude.
 
Whether the reader is established in faith or still searching, this accessible, Bible based resource will guide them through quality time with God each day. They can discover how ordinary people like Mary, the shepherds, and Simeon were chosen for extraordinary purposes and how God sees the same potential in all of us.
 
Patrick started writing in 2001, with ‘Anytime! Chats with God’, and since then has had 42 books published. He explains how his writing career started, “It was my ambition to write a book, just the one!, ever since I was in my early twenties. I had always looked upon anyone who had written a book with such admiration. My first manuscript was a selection of the old sermons that I had written – cobbled together - and it never got finished. Looking back, however, I realised that it was never going to work - In fact, I had several failed efforts in those early years – and further on in my journey as an author, as well - but, despite that and letters of refusal, I never lost my determination to write.
 
“Later on, I really began to recognise the power and versatility of books as a ministry resource – but that they had to be affordable, accessible, imaginative and in a user friendly format. With that, my determination increased. I believed writing a book was no longer a personal ambition, but now it had become a calling from God. A calling of which my late father, a Methodist local preacher, latterly assured me. From “I shouldn’t waste too much time writing,” in the early days, he later repeatedly told me, “I believe that your writing is a really important part of your ministry.”
 
Patrick has recently retired from his role as Counselling Manager at Aylsham Care Trust, but still writes with his counsellor’s hat on, as well as his minister’s hat, and his author’s hat. In practice that means the Christian books he writes are always written with a strict Bible base. He encourages the reader to keep a journal and do a lot of self-examination, investigating feelings, and using things like mindful meditation; and he writes in an off-the-page, accessible, user-friendly way. He also provides the reader with a wealth of prayer resources, to help them to make a response.
 
He concludes, “Already, the shops are starting to flood with Christmas decorations and gifts for sale. It is an occasion that has become commercialised; and there have been attempts to remove anything Christian from it, leading to a lot of confusion concerning what Christmas is all about. My intention with writing An Advent Calendar of God’s Gifts is that the reader’s Advent season will be transformed into a profound journey of spiritual discovery. I invite the reader to unwrap 25 divine gifts hidden within Luke’s account of the Christmas Story: beginning with God’s unconditional love.
 
“I hope that this book will touch lives with the amazing unconditional love, desire to forgive, and generosity of God this Advent and Christmas – highlighted in the gift of his Son, Jesus.”
 
An Advent Calendar of God’s Gifts is available from Kevin Mayhew Publishers at £11-99.

For further details about all Patrick’s books, or to buy copies direct from him, e-mail patrick.coghlan1@outlook.com   

He is also happy to come out to local events with copies of his books.
 
The photo is courtesy of Patrick Coghlan.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.