Dear Friends
The time has come for me to write my final letter for the GMC
It hardly seems possible that our 8 years in Glenfield are drawing to an end, and even more shocking is the realisation that this marks the culmination for me of 30 years in full-time active Methodist ministry, which has led us to serve in Stoke-on-Trent, Sheffield, Doncaster and Leicester. Those 30 years have given us a whole host of memories which we will treasure in the years to come.
Our 8 years in the Leicester West Circuit have been a real blessing to us both, and we feel that we have made some great friendships which we hope will stand the test of time. We never imagined, of course, that our final months would be lived out in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, which will mean that we will be leaving without having the opportunity to say a personal goodbye to many of you. Whilst we feel sad about that, we hope that at some stage we will be able to come back and view the finalised 20-20 Project.
I was fascinated to read that a recent survey suggests that around one third of UK adults aged 18-34 say that they have watched or listened to a religious service during lockdown. Apparently, more people are accessing online church services than would normally have been attending a service in a church building. That should encourage us to think seriously about how we do church in the days to come. I hope that you have read Andy Jobling’s article in the last newsletter and have let Andy have your thoughts and ideas (if not, do so now!).
I firmly believe that GMC has an exciting future, with Alpha online starting soon and with all the new opportunities for mission and service which the redeveloped building will bring. Please continue to pray, as Sue and I will be doing, that God will guide and inspire his people in Glenfield. Please also pray for Rev. Helen Bell, my successor, and her husband Fred as they arrive in Glenfield in this rather strange time. A huge thank-you to you all for the love, friendship and support which we have received during our time here. It has meant more than words can express.
With love,
Steve
The time has come for me to write my final letter for the GMC
It hardly seems possible that our 8 years in Glenfield are drawing to an end, and even more shocking is the realisation that this marks the culmination for me of 30 years in full-time active Methodist ministry, which has led us to serve in Stoke-on-Trent, Sheffield, Doncaster and Leicester. Those 30 years have given us a whole host of memories which we will treasure in the years to come.
Our 8 years in the Leicester West Circuit have been a real blessing to us both, and we feel that we have made some great friendships which we hope will stand the test of time. We never imagined, of course, that our final months would be lived out in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, which will mean that we will be leaving without having the opportunity to say a personal goodbye to many of you. Whilst we feel sad about that, we hope that at some stage we will be able to come back and view the finalised 20-20 Project.
I was fascinated to read that a recent survey suggests that around one third of UK adults aged 18-34 say that they have watched or listened to a religious service during lockdown. Apparently, more people are accessing online church services than would normally have been attending a service in a church building. That should encourage us to think seriously about how we do church in the days to come. I hope that you have read Andy Jobling’s article in the last newsletter and have let Andy have your thoughts and ideas (if not, do so now!).
I firmly believe that GMC has an exciting future, with Alpha online starting soon and with all the new opportunities for mission and service which the redeveloped building will bring. Please continue to pray, as Sue and I will be doing, that God will guide and inspire his people in Glenfield. Please also pray for Rev. Helen Bell, my successor, and her husband Fred as they arrive in Glenfield in this rather strange time. A huge thank-you to you all for the love, friendship and support which we have received during our time here. It has meant more than words can express.
With love,
Steve
