Linacre Methodist Mission

Liverpool District Newsletter – June 2009

Dear Friends,

I have been present at acts of worship in recent days where the familiar (perhaps because of the folk song based on it, which always comes into my mind!), but not often used passage from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 has been read: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...” And, perhaps as a consequence, I’ve found myself reflecting on that theme of ‘time’; the passage of time, the constraints of time within which we are held. And, how, with the passage of time, we come to those points of ending and new beginning. Part of all this reflection, I suppose, has a personal flavour. This year marks, for me, 25 years of ordination and my 60th birthday – both of which were marked (to my total surprise) at our recent Spring Synod with cake, shared over lunch, and a beautiful gift from the District of a chalice and patten. The chalice is engraved with the Coventry Cross of Nails, which I wear – an ordination gift from my first superintendent minister in Coventry, where I served as a probationer. Allow me to take this opportunity to express my grateful thanks to the District for this kindness and thoughtfulness in marking these special events for me.

And that passage of time will mark endings and beginnings in ministry for a number of individuals, churches and circuits, as they move into new beginnings in ministry – to a new appointment, to retirement, to welcoming a new minister into our midst, or to finding new and different ways of working because no minister is available. For all these endings and new beginnings, and for all involved, may God continue to bless you and go with you. The Holy Spirit assures us of the loving, continuing, sustaining presence of God with us as we travel though life.

There are two particular matters, and one further thought, that I want to share with you.

1. Over the weekend of 19th – 21st June, we will be welcoming into the District David Walton, the Vice President of the Methodist Conference. David is a practising solicitor in Manchester and, throughout his Vice-Presidential year, he has been keen to encourage individuals, Churches and Circuits to bridge the gap between the world of work, in which most are called to live out their discipleship, and the world of the Church. David will be leading an event on Saturday, 20th June, 10am to 12.30pm at Formby Methodist Church. The title for this is ‘Let’s Get our Act Together’. This is for lay and ordained – all of us in fact – about working together and working at our calling to be Christ’s disciples both within and beyond the Church. Please do support this. Information has gone out to all Circuits, but if you need more information please contact me.

2. Information about ‘Resettle Plus’ should have come through to all Circuits following Synod. This is something I have been working on with John Stafford, head of Merseyside Probation Service, and is a new initiative in setting up supportive systems for ex-offenders to discourage re-offending. The faith communities are being approached for volunteers to be involved in these support networks. Clearly, this is not for everyone, but I do hope that there may be some among you who might feel that this could be part of your Christian service. I am attaching a further copy of the flyer that went out to the Circuits from Synod.

Then, finally, just a thought – to be adopted, or rejected out of hand! Going round the District, it’s good to see that a good number of Churches now use screens and projection facilities. Often a ‘Welcome’ slide will greet us as we come into Church. I wondered whether, as part of our Welcome, there could be a second slide, giving the safety, fire exit, location of toilets etc, to avoid someone having to stand up at the front to do it orally. Could this, in a very small way, enhance our worship whilst allowing us to fulfil our duty as those responsible for public buildings? Just a thought!

Whatever these coming weeks and months hold for you, may you know the blessing and assurance of the loving, living presence of God with you – the God whom we meet in the person of Jesus, His Son, alive among us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

With every good wish.