During October I have enjoyed a number of journey’s out around the District, both to events and just to enjoy the countryside. I found myself having to take seriously my new roles as Chair of ‘Churches Together’ in both Herefordshire and Worcestershire, while carrying on as co-convenor of Churches together in Coventry and Warwickshire. That is three of the six ecumenical bodies that recognise my role as a ‘church leader’, whatever that may mean! The other three are Birmingham and Solihull, Black Country Churches Engaged and Churches Linked Across Staffordshire and the Potteries.

These ecumenical groups have oversight of local ecumenical partnerships/projects in their particular geography, and encouraging role for local ‘Churches Together’ groups, as well as a role in developing further ecumenical activity. Some of this is done in forum meetings where deeper understanding of the different strand of our Christian family can be explored in different ways. You may be can imagine a fairly lively conversation between and Roman Catholic Dominican Sister and a Regional Baptist Minister about how we understand the Holy Communion. It was thought provoking.

I visited the place of welcome work being done by Churches together in Solihull, for asylum seeker having to sign in. I was delighted to by the gentle care of hospitality being offered.

In another ecumenical context a conversation about ‘hosted’ congregations. ‘Hosted’, being congregations that use some other church for their place of worship at a different time than the regular worship, enabling them to worship in their own language and/or tradition. It was suggested that maybe we could extend our activities during the week of prayer for Christian Unity to find out about such congregations and value their stories, if you like to become friends. 

In the midst of celebrating Harvest Festivals, I had the opportunity to take my Canadian friends, Christine and Burt to Stratford upon Avon Methodist Church for Supper. We started early so that families with young children could come, and all had a very full programme and excellent supper. What really interested me  was the amazing mix of people who enjoyed the evening together. I wish I could bottle such hospitality.

On two occasions in the month I found myself at Barnes Close, spending quality time with a group of Supernumeraries and some brought their partners, and then one of my regular meeting with the District’s Superintendent Ministers. Barnes Close is a ‘centre for reconciliation’, with a long tradition of welcoming people. Indeed on of our Superintendents was remembering going with his youth group, as a young person thirty-five years ago!! We were blessed with beautiful autumnal days, so that the hospitality of the house was complemented by God’s creation, ‘beauty bathed in sunshine’.

Well these and many other things have filled my life over the past month, much to ponder and for which to give thanks.

Yours in love,

Bill Anderson.

Harvest Supper at Stratford

Supernumeraries at Barnes Close

Chinese Congregation in Birmingham Church Anniversary - Rev Graham Carter

Sunset over Worcestershire