Hereford Cathedral

During the last month I have not only carried my camera with me, but I have tried to use it. It is a small digital camera that means I can snap away to my hearts content and then throw away those that leave me wondering why I took them? I’ll throw in one or three images that got passed the sensor and downloaded to the computer. As I have reviewed the pictures so I have remembered the journeys, which meant I logged 806 work miles, let alone recreational journeys to Melton Mowbray and West Yorkshire. Harvest Festivals, Circuit Services, licensing new priests, even installing Cathedral Cannons, various committees, both Methodist and Ecumenical have made it a busy month, but for me deeply satisfying.

One of the features of being a District Chair is that you don’t do many, indeed if any, funerals. This form of occasional ministry occupies a lot of time and energy for many of our ministers, and is a real opportunity for standing with people in times of trouble and pain. As we come into November – the season of ‘Remembering’, I am aware that in some communities it will be that the month will begin with an opportunity to gather and give thanks for those who have died in the last twelve months – all souls, all saints. Then there will be Remembrance Sunday, a moment for taking stock and making resolve for peace and justice and well-being in the world and then Methodist Homes Sunday on their theme of ‘Remember! Remember!’  In October I attended the Thanksgiving Services for two of our Ministers, Harold Ward and Ivan Musgrave. Both had given long and special service to God in their lives and ministry, this will in time be recorded in the Minutes of Conference, and will be remembered again in the Conference Memorial Service in Blackpool in July.

I went to a play called ‘Worcester Pilgrim’ held in the Cathedral at Worcester, a powerful story of a pilgrim some 600 years ago who was seeking peace for his life – a truly tortured soul – who in the hospitality of the Cathedral Community found peace. It makes me all the more pleased that we have booked Worcester Cathedral to gather the District for a ‘Sing Fest’ on 24th May 2007, as we mark many Methodist Anniversaries and hear the testimony of our Ordinands, on their way to Blackpool.

What else should I recall in this somewhat different approach to sharing something with you through the pages of our District Web Site, which I am happy for people to use as they will in other church or community publications.

Three more things!

I was delighted both at the National Exhibition Centre(NEC) and at Swinfen Hall Young Offenders Centre to be part of occasions when we set aside space, a prayer room and a chapel for people to make connections with God. On both occasions the Director of the NEC and the Governor of the Centre indicated how important these places were to the institutions in which they are set.

Every year on Thursdays in October, (two in October two in November next year) there are four lecture held at Carrs Lane United Reform Church in Birmingham. Always worth going to, and this year I managed all four. John Hick, making us think about the multicultural world of many faiths and how we hold the Christian faith appropriately. John Polkinghorn, giving testimony to the glory of creation, the wonder of science and the marvel of faith. Nicola Slee taking us un a journey of insights to faith through thinking about Mary, but also reading us some of her amazing poetry. Finally John Bell helping us to see how there has been a trend in the church to emasculate Christ and defeminise the Church.  Where do you go to make and remake your faith understanding?

I was treated to watch the Aston Villa vs. Tottenham Hotspurs match!!!

Well, enough of thoughts from my diary, and go well.

Yours in love,

Bill Anderson

The Game

Harvest at Prestigne	Autumn Tree

Christian Aid house at Grand Design NEC	Panel for Transport Debate at Warwick