36 Amesbury Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8LE

                  Spring 2008

Dear Friends,

I am drafting this letter to you just as I set out on my sabbatical journey, and my intention is to invite you to the Spring Synod of the Birmingham District of the Methodist Church, which will meet at 10.00am on Saturday, 26th April 2008. With my letter will come the report of our district activities during the last twelve months, which we generally take as read on these occasions, but which is part of out accountability both to you and to the wider Methodist Church.

In our meeting together we will give particular attention to two areas of our life. We will consider how as a Church community we work alongside those who carry impairment in their lives. Rev Robin Hutt, who has been a party to work that has been going on in recent years will help us in this. We will also look at the ways in which ‘Extending Discipleship, Exploring Vocation’ may be used in our local circuits as one way of developing our understanding of life and faith in the twenty-first century. Rev Caroline Wickens and some of those who have been engaged in piloting such a journey in the Tamworth and Lichfield Circuit will help us in this. Just two cherries to encourage you to come.

As I head off on my journey, I am very aware that we are involved in much change in our church and it will begin to touch us all in one way or another. The phrase ‘challenges which prove to be opportunities’ springs to mind, and indicates the mind set. As I travel the District week by week I continue to be deeply impressed by the ways in which in different communities and churches that this is the way of life. May God continue to richly bless you.

Yours in love

Bill Anderson