Into 2007!

A year ago, I promised John Nodding an article a month and I said that I was happy for it to be used by local churches and circuits in any way that was helpful. I have quite enjoyed the challenge and so will continue to do the same, and invite you to use it as you will.

I quite often find myself say words to the effect that one of the most uplifting aspects of my job is being an itinerant preacher, and Sunday by Sunday spending the day out in the Circuits of the District, sharing in worship and often receiving generous hospitality.  As I travel home in the evening I give thanks to God for the encounters of the day, and the stories of God’s people in their worship on Sunday and in their lives of witness and service during the week. I think to myself, ‘well if this is the church in decline, then I will live with decline!’  I know it is not as simple as that but I am encouraged by the up beat responses of congregations in worship and of the continued commitment to serve in the community, both local and world wide. Thank you.

In 2007 we need to continue to work at our calling, I suppose particularly the richness and relevance of our worship and that bit we find most challenging the ‘time to talk of God’. I offer three thoughts to help us on our way, and then the challenge.

• We will mark the 200th Anniversary of the Act of Parliament to abolish slavery in March. Now there is a real chance to make life/faith connections and conversations. I suspect particularly and addiction to drugs enslaves many people across the world in lives that are at risk and being abused.In May we will remember both the birth of Charles Wesley – Christian songwriter and faith poet extraordinary – and the birth of the Primitive Methodist Movement. Make plans to come to the District “Sing Fest” in Worcester Cathedral on the 24th May in the evening. There will also be the Dudley Songs of Praise at Himley Hall on 1st July.
• Find one new way of gathering people together to share refreshment both food for body and soul – could simply be tea and coffee after morning service or a evening meal for busy people or lunch for people who eat alone or… I invite you to fill in the blank.

Some of you will already be aware that conversations about the way we organise our lives in the Connexion l are reaching the place where the outcomes of review will be clearer. I know that in all of the twenty-two Circuits that make up the District and in the local congregations you have been working at review and plans for mission and ministry in to the coming years which is to be encouraged. We will during this year need to lay the plans and move toward the outcomes for new Circuits, which will be larger, will enable us to sustain team ministry of lay and ordained, paid and volunteers. It will enable us to continue to encourage ‘gift’ ministry and sharing of resources particularly of people. This will not be an easy task, and will require us to encourage one another with careful listening and courage to act.I pray that in this new year we will all and each know the abiding presence of God, whose name is love.

I pray that in that love we will have the courage to be a people who work for peace and well being in our world.

Yours in love,

Bill Anderson