1st January 2008.

Dear Friends.

From 14th January to 14th April 2008, I will be on a sabbatical. I am going to spend some time in South Africa, visit the island of Iona and walk a bit in Cornwall. I hope also to gather together some thinking I have done over the years as I have travelled alongside people who carry disabilities in their lives. I ask for your prayers.

During my absence from normal duties, Deborah Webb, my P.A, will be in the office Monday-Friday, 9.30am to 2.30pm (messages may be left on the web site enquiries). Rev Anne Smith, the District Deputy Chair will be in regular contact with the Office and will be carrying forward, with assistance from all the Superintendents and especially Rev’ds John Ingyon and David Hunter, the work of the District. Deborah Humphries will be the first port of call regarding stationing matters. Lynda and John Atkinson will work at preparations for our Synod meetings.

We are in need of new representative to the Methodist Council from September 2008, and it falls to us to send a presbyter for the next four years. Linda Innes, who is our present representative and is willing to talk to interested parties,  has written a job description (click here - WORD document). If you are interested or can think of someone you think would be good, please can we have names to Anne Smith by the 20th January so that the District policy Committee can make the appointment through to Synod.

So we journey into a new year.

I was encouraged to ask questions recently about ‘hosted’ congregations across the District. In this context, do we have the possibility of developing our relationships with such groups by acts of hospitality, sharing food?

It might be that for others it is not a congregation, but a whole week of activity groups. Are there ways in which we can celebrate this community?

I hear interesting stories of festivals of Flowers and Cribs and Christmas trees! Developing relationships of care and service, born of love, are an essential part of our following Jesus, it seems to me that Hope 08 gives a starting point for some more or developing such work, which may be mission and present moments for telling the Good News, evangelism. I mention these things by way of challenge and encouragement, reminding you and me that this is not to do with counting money or bodies, but rather of courage to join God in doing a new thing.

Every blessing for 2008.

Yours in love,

Bill Anderson.