On Thursday 24th May a large number of us (Methodist) gathered in Worcester Cathedral for our District celebration of all the Methodist Anniversaries that fall in 2007. A SingFest, because we were ‘born in song’, including the testimonies of our three ordinands, because that spirit of God, which warmed the hearts of both Charles and John Wesley, is at work in the Church and World today. We closed our worship with John Newton’s ‘Amazing Grace’, because … I leave you to imagine why!

During June I have been asked to contribute to three different events.

First off is a conversation to be held about Community Cohesion. In order to speak clearly, I began by trying to understand these two words, both in common usage and in the Christian understanding. My thinking brought me to community being a place where thing are shared, things like values, experiences, celebrations, hopes and fears. Cohesion is more slippery, but is about building on those things that make community. In my Bible search, cohesion was not recognised, but the word ‘unity’ was, leading to strong words from Paul to the church at Ephesus (Ephesians 4:1-16). Words expressing values like humility, gentleness, patience, bearing one another in love, peace Paul uses to build a picture of the community we are called to be in God’ love.

Second, in Chamberlain Square, Birmingham on Thursday, 31 May 2007 at 12.30pm, a Jubilee Vigil, as we think and pray about the coming G8 summit and our continued commitment to building a world wide community in which peace built on justice bring well-being to all people. If I am not careful these are only words,  so why don’t you come and stand with me for an hour, and if you cannot come then where you are light a candle, think and pray. But then we must act. I am calling every church in the District to take seriously the challenge to become a Jubilee, Fair Trade, Eco Congregation. I know that some have already, please tell your story to encourage others, join in making such values part of your community life, what an out working of our faith!

Thirdly, I am to go to a mission conference and the humbling and challenging prospect of preaching. I have chosen John 21:1-14 for my Bible reading. John tells of a fishing trip and a breakfast, the third time Jesus appeared to his friends after the Resurrection.  Jesus comes to where they are, provides food for them and allows them to contribute. I believe that is the way God still works in our world today, meets us, feeds us encourages us to make a contribution. No bad way to build cohesive community either.

Enjoy June.

Yours in love,

Bill

Magnolia Tree at 36 Amesbury Road

Spirit of Life 2007!

Confirmation at Lyndon