Minister's Letter |
Dear Friends,
Firstly, I want to start my letter with a “thank you” to all of you who were a part of our response to the District Initiative “LOVE IS ________. ” over the Easter weekend. It was really good to re-connect with some of our nearest neighbours and Glenfield friends on Good Friday, as we gave out Hot Cross Buns and Easter Treat bags to passers-by, many of whom joined us for coffee in the sunshine. Delivering buns to our neighbours on the Balk and some of those who live opposite the church personally, we were able to thank them for their patience with us over the long months of building work. Many seemed really touched that we had made the effort and assured us that the disruption was minimal. I also think that the morning made our Good Friday worship more meaningful somehow, as we met at the earlier time of twelve noon to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us, which was the pure love that we had being trying to share earlier. I also want to say how moved I was to see so many of you in church for our Easter day celebration and, knowing that others were watching online, made for a very special time together.
During this Easter season we will continue to think about Jesus’ resurrection appearances to those who needed his reassurance and forgiveness most, and discern together what God requires of us in the coming days. I am sure that lots of our conversation at the Annual Church Meeting next week will be about our continuing mission now and especially once the building is fully released back to us. It is important to remember all those who hold office in the church and those who, week by week, make our worship time possible and smooth running.
In the second week of June, we will again be taking part in the Methodist Church’s Bible month, looking this year at the Book of Isaiah. As you know this is a huge book and spans a great period of the history of God’s people in the Old Testament, so the services will concentrate on themes rather than on specific chapters. Those of us who have already started our preparation and study have been forcibly struck by how pertinent much of the scripture is to the current world situation, so it will feel special to all to be exploring these themes together across the Connexion.
We continue to hold in our prayers all those who are struggling at this time, those in Ukraine and other countries where there is war and famine, and those closer to home who are affected deeply by the rise in the cost of living. Methodism, of course, is a movement built on social holiness and matters of justice and so we continue to ask God to help us to see opportunities to help out practically and to share the Gospel with love and grace.
May God bless us all in this calling,
Yours in Christ,
Helen
Firstly, I want to start my letter with a “thank you” to all of you who were a part of our response to the District Initiative “LOVE IS ________. ” over the Easter weekend. It was really good to re-connect with some of our nearest neighbours and Glenfield friends on Good Friday, as we gave out Hot Cross Buns and Easter Treat bags to passers-by, many of whom joined us for coffee in the sunshine. Delivering buns to our neighbours on the Balk and some of those who live opposite the church personally, we were able to thank them for their patience with us over the long months of building work. Many seemed really touched that we had made the effort and assured us that the disruption was minimal. I also think that the morning made our Good Friday worship more meaningful somehow, as we met at the earlier time of twelve noon to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us, which was the pure love that we had being trying to share earlier. I also want to say how moved I was to see so many of you in church for our Easter day celebration and, knowing that others were watching online, made for a very special time together.
During this Easter season we will continue to think about Jesus’ resurrection appearances to those who needed his reassurance and forgiveness most, and discern together what God requires of us in the coming days. I am sure that lots of our conversation at the Annual Church Meeting next week will be about our continuing mission now and especially once the building is fully released back to us. It is important to remember all those who hold office in the church and those who, week by week, make our worship time possible and smooth running.
In the second week of June, we will again be taking part in the Methodist Church’s Bible month, looking this year at the Book of Isaiah. As you know this is a huge book and spans a great period of the history of God’s people in the Old Testament, so the services will concentrate on themes rather than on specific chapters. Those of us who have already started our preparation and study have been forcibly struck by how pertinent much of the scripture is to the current world situation, so it will feel special to all to be exploring these themes together across the Connexion.
We continue to hold in our prayers all those who are struggling at this time, those in Ukraine and other countries where there is war and famine, and those closer to home who are affected deeply by the rise in the cost of living. Methodism, of course, is a movement built on social holiness and matters of justice and so we continue to ask God to help us to see opportunities to help out practically and to share the Gospel with love and grace.
May God bless us all in this calling,
Yours in Christ,
Helen
