In the late eighties I made my first visit to Iona. We travelled from Leicestershire by train and the journey took two days – railway adventures and b&b in Glasgow, boat and bus and then the wee ferry, and in wonderful sunshine we arrive – expecting Reepicheep to step out from behind a rock, a pilgrimage.

We went to stay in the MacLeod Centre, a new facility of the Iona Community, to share in a week ‘Renewing the face of God’s earth’. The place, the people, the sense of community, the worship, the freedom… all caught our hearts and so we returned many times as a family through the years. I tell you this tale now because… it was one of my profound life experiences which has helped to shape me as the person I am. It scratched where I itched. So now I try to reflect on what I was itching for.

Part of it was sense of belonging. I am one of the world rich folk in this respect, family, friendships, church life all have given me experience of belonging. Belonging in a place of welcome and hospitality, found in the shared tasks, the quiet conversations, the space to be alone, and yet not.

The rhythm of the community, sleep and food and worship and tasks and input and recreation all shared. This patterning of life is attractive to me and I seek to hold something of it even in my solitary living. Mrs Baskerfield talked to me about her prayer card on the dining table – a reminder to pray as she began her meal, lest she forget to give thanks. I am encouraged to pray at such moments and as I put my feet on the floor in the morning and as I recollect the day before falling asleep with a book in my hand.

Then there was the worship, in the ancient abbey in a style that ahs shaped my approach to worship ever since. Accessible. Taking up the themes of life. Daring to do it differently. Recently someone reflecting on an act of worship said they weren’t quite sure about this conversational approach to preaching but it still had its challenge and left you with plenty of food for thought – that will do.

Then last Sunday as I journeyed home from Redditch in the rain listening to ‘Sunday half hour’ on radio two another quote which calls for some pondering, ‘the opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty’.

Well since I last wrote much water has flowed under the bridge. The Methodist Conference met in Wolverhampton. We were encouraged to ponder our following of Jesus in the face of climate change, to consider the difference Christian faith makes to our political views and to go on singing.

I was fortunate enough that Conference ended in time to go with our new President, David Gamble, to the last day of the last Royal Show at Stoneliegh, where much of our churches work in rural communities is focused in the Author Rank centre. The support of churches in the District to this work is much valued.

We have celebrated the 140th Birthday of Action for Children. Many people have sat exams and are waiting the results, while others have graduated. I was privileged to witness my friend Beresford Lewis being granted his Doctorate in the Great Hall at Birmingham University at about the same time as my niece Hannah was being admitted to the University of Loughborough. There is much joy in the celebration of human life. Finally, I visited the National Memorial Arboretum, nr Alrewas in Staffordshire, which was … thought provoking and challenging.

Enjoy August.

Yours in love,

Bill Anderson

 Royal Show - Methodist President David Gamble and District Chair BIll enjoy a refreshing moment.
                

District evening meal at Conference
               

Pigs at Royal Show
              

Rev Gordon Gatwood leads prayers at closing ceremony
                    

Action for Children celebration Emmanuel Church Redditch
           

National Memorial Arboritum