New Years Resolution!

I am not very good at this tradition, neither in the making or the keeping. I hope you will continue to encourage me to be me; to become more a person of prayer and the life faith struggle, which some call theology, and includes that mind and heart engaging with life and our scriptures. I will seek to do the same for you.

During 2005, I have found myself reflecting on the giving leadership bit of my work. I thought that as we set out into 2006, I would share three thoughts with you in the District. (This will initially go on the District Web-site, but you are free to use it in any way that helps in your situations or to ignore it altogether)

In the journey we are making, which is both about being God’s people and the institution the church, I have found that the phrase ‘porous boundaries’ to be helpful in terms of how we look to the future, share resource, give support, receive gifts. I suspect that such thinking will become more significant as we look to the future. I pray that the nature of the membrane will be such that love may flow in creative ways as we work together at calling with priorities.

At the Methodist Conference of 2005, we received a report, ‘Time to talk of God’. This has now been produced as a very accessible booklet from Methodist Publishing House. During my last period of Circuit ministry, and since I arrived in Birmingham, I have valued belonging to a small group of people, who gather together to eat and talk. Our talking has been much like some of what our Methodist tradition might have expected of the class meeting at its best. The phrase is ‘intentional conversation’. Where do you go for yours? Could this be a way into out-reach. I heard about some folk who met for bring and share lunch and talked about how the Ten Commandments were seen in out world today. Powerful stuff both food and words, invitation to share.

2005 could be called for me the year of travel. I hope in a way to continue this trend, as it has been a rich seem for me to explore, and I hope that enriches me, and my ministry. How does our world map develop? Many are deeply committed to MakePovertyHistory. Some have family or friendship connections in different parts of the world. We know people who have gone from us to a World Church appointment. We have a particular link with Chris and Alison in Chile as a District. Some churches and circuits have particular links, often born out of enthusiasms or opportunities. We continue to be linked with Methodist work in Berlin, District to District, and I hear of many exciting and challenging adventures out of such a map. I have noticed how easily the people of Africa disappear from the news, and when they are there it is generally not good news, I just wondered if whatever else we do in 2006, as individuals, churches, circuits, communities and a District we might find some way of doing something new with a focus for Africa.

May we journey well, knowing the love and peace and grace of God.

Bill Anderson. District Chair.