Minister's Message Archive
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Dear Friends,
Digging Deeper for Hope 08
It could often be said that we are passing through times of uncertainty. At this present time I am aware of particular anxieties in some families, in the church and in our Methodist Circuit. When the way before us is unknown we need to rely on the Lord to lead us to the situation that he knows to be best for us. All we can do is give more attention to receiving and discerning his instruction. Lent is an appropriate time to focus on our walk with the Lord and I hope we will do this together in a series of evenings that I have entitled 'Digging Deeper'. It will not be essential to attend all the evenings, please come when you can.
Deeper into the Spiritual Life: recognising that we are on a journey of spiritual formation towards wholeness and holiness, individually and together.
Deeper into the Mind of Christ as we explore meditating on and praying with scripture.
Deeper into the Heart of Christ: seeking to experience various forms and styles of prayer.
Deeper into the Work of Christ: giving ourselves to God in willing obedience and receiving the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. An appropriate theme for our Church Council evening, which like all church meetings will be open to anyone who wishes to attend as an observer.
Deeper into God's Guidance: how can we take part with God and one another in the healing of the world? Our question for the evening of Maundy Thursday.
As together we dig deeper it will be appropriate to consider in what ways we might inject new hope in to or community. Hope 08 is a united Christian social justice and evangelism campaign that plans to transform Great Britain during the year 2008. Hope 08 aims to unite churches and Christian organisations on a national scale for a campaign that will (at least under the banner of Hope 08) last for a year. The dream is that in villages, towns and cities across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland churches will work together like never before. In urban centres the church will engage in town & city wide mission initiatives that will impact the whole community. In 100's more neighbourhoods there will be localised events and activities that will bring words of truth and acts of service to 1000's of people across the UK. By working in partnership with the police, local authorities and primary care trusts as well as other local churches, churches could help provide services to address issues such as debt dependency, hunger, homelessness and drug and alcohol addictions. There will be many schools and university missions, fun days, bbq's, kids clubs, estate clean-ups and much more. It is hoped that Churches Together in Clacton will coordinate a response. All your ideas will be welcome.
Prayerful Greetings,
Dear Friends,
New Life in the garden
The kiss of the sun for
pardon, The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth,
You will have seen those words inscribed on plaques in many gardens. There was such a plaque at one of the homes where we stayed in New Zealand. Just to sit in that garden was pure refreshment after a long day of driving. Our gardens bring us special joy as we watch their springtime awakening. We may see an illustration of the death that leads to resurrection, in keeping with the words of Jesus about his own death: unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. John 12:24
It all began in a garden,
in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve rebelled and through self-will they
separated themselves from the love of God.
It was in the garden of Gethsemane that Jesus fought the greatest battle of his
life, the struggle was so intense that he sweat drops of blood. He knew what was
before him, and undoubtedly He was talking about the Cross when he anguished, "If
it be possible, let this cup pass from me." There in Gethsemane, our Lord
surrendered his will to the will of the Father: "Nevertheless, not my will
but your will be done."
On Easter morning we are again in a
garden, the garden of Joseph of Airmathea. With their dreams for a Messiah
shattered to pieces, broken hearted at the loss of their friend and master the
women come to complete the anointing of the body of Jesus. Shocked to find the
tomb open and empty Mary stood outside the tomb crying. Then she turned and saw
Jesus standing there - but she didn't know it was Jesus. He said to her,
"Woman, why are you weeping; who is it you are looking for?"
Perhaps Mary didn't
recognize Jesus because of her tears. May God give us the grace not to be
blinded by our tears, but to see his presence more clearly at our times of pain
and grief, disappointment and defeat.
Perhaps Mary did not recognize Jesus because she was focused on the tomb. We
will miss Jesus this Easter if we only concentrate on our past, or our loss.
Easter calls us to look in the direction of new life, and new possibility.
Perhaps Jesus was not recognised because he was the same but different, the
first to be seen in resurrection life. Therein I believe, is our promise of new
life in heaven.
For the present the proof of the Resurrection of Christ is not an empty tomb,
but an Easter people - people who receive and share His life. Be refreshed in
your garden, be open to share Easter joy with your neighbours. What
opportunities does our church garden give us to proclaim New Life to our town
centre? Open air worship? Garden fete? Your ideas will be welcome.
May God bless you this Eastertide, let us celebrate and show New Life in us. Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Be blessed in His way
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke 6 v 20
I have met people who when asked 'How are you?' will reply 'I'm blessed'. They usually infer that all is going well for them and they believe their well being to be a gift from God. As indeed it may well be. However there are times when the words of Jesus suggest that his followers will need to live in a way so different from the world that no one will assume that all is going well for them. Luke's account of the Beatitudes records the Lord's blessing to be with those who are poor, hungry, weeping, or hated. To be blessed we do not have to live this way, but as we continue in the season of Lent we recognise that Jesus lived and died in this manner.
Jesus died penniless. Roman soldiers cast lots to divide among themselves Jesus'
only possessions--the clothes on his back. And he looked at his disciples and
said, blessed are you who are poor.
Jesus died hungry. There is no record that Jesus had anything to eat the day of
his death. What we call The Last Supper on Thursday evening may very well have
been Jesus' last meal. He died on the cross Friday at sunset with an empty
stomach.
Looking at his
disciples he said, blessed are you who hunger now.
Jesus died weeping. After his last supper Jesus headed for the Garden and there
in that Olive Grove we call Gethsemane he prayed and he wept. He told his
disciples you are blessed when you weep.
Jesus died hated. Caiaphas, the greatest religious authority in Israel called him a blasphemer. The crowds wanted a murderer freed before they would see Jesus pardoned. And his disciples deserted him. Looking at his disciples he said blessed are you when men hate you on account of me.
On the rare occasions that I get out for a little exercise on my bicycle, I am very aware of the direction of the wind. It is so much easier to cycle with the wind behind you. To walk in the way God wants is like walking in the direction of God's breath – the Holy Spirit. To walk against that – to live our lives against the direction God would want – is the opposite of being blessed: in other words cursed. The blessed way for us may not be the way that the world recognizes as a way of ease but we will know that with the drive of the Holy Spirit it is that is blessed for us.
As we keep Lent may we reveal the Lord's Blessing in our lives. Mindful of the privileged position of our sites in the town centre and at Rush Green, let us pray for that we will reveal the Lord's way to all who believe that their life lacks any blessing.
May God bless you and may you be a blessing to others.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends
A Warning, an examination and an Invitation.
If you were driving inland from one of the great Australian coastal cities you might see a sign at a petrol station saying 'Last petrol for 500 miles' or 'you are now entering desert - stock up with water and supplies'. We are soon to enter the season of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, 21st February. We visit St paul's for united worship on that evening. Perhaps the warning signs should say 'you are now entering 40 days of desert, last chance to enjoy yourself before Easter!' The pancakes of Shrove Tuesday were originally meant to use up the last of the goodies in the kitchen, so that you didn't cheat on your Lenten fast. But there is more to Lent than giving up on something that you enjoy. Christianity can not be reduced to a combination of the F-Plan diet with a GCSE in good deeds. Likewise we cannot oversimplify Lent.
In the early days of the church Lent was a time for examination more than starvation. Baptism was then for adult converts and before they could be baptised, usually at Easter, they had to undergo a period of instruction and examination by their local bishop. Lent became a time of intense instruction. The forty days recall the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness. His battle with the tempter came at the end of that time, the whole period was his own time of examination.
Before he could commence his ministry and begin the task of salvation which God had entrusted to him, Jesus needed to be clear in his mind about the approach and priorities his father wanted him to take. We all need the benefit of re-examining our own relationship with God and what we perceive to be his purpose for our lives. Instead of thinking about giving up something we enjoy in Lent, we should recognise God's invitation to spend time with Him, reviewing with Him our journey in this world, as individuals and as a church.
You could observe Lent by taking on a study of one of the gospels; by attending our Churches Together study, 'Developing a faith that Works', based of the letter of James or by using one of the many books of readings and prayers for Lent that you will find at 'Springs' Christian Bookshop on our High St. Or you could begin with the words with which Jesus announced his ministry immediately after his time in the wilderness. In the synagogue at Nazareth he quoted the prophet Isaiah, the Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind. Luke 4 v 18. Recognise that his ministry is for you. The exam questions then become, in what ways are you spiritually poor, imprisoned, blind, oppressed? What would be good news for you? Then ask the Lord to show you how to receive his ministry. For the church we need to be a channel of this ministry for the community. Let us also make Lent a time for us to seek to be clear in our minds about the approach and priorities our Father wants us to take. The church stewards and I will be pleased to hear of any thoughts you have following your prayerful reflection. May Lent then be your invitation to feast on the riches of His gospel.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Power for a Purpose when the Holy Spirit comes on you; you will be my witnesses. Acts 1 v 8
As we celebrate Pentecost we need to ask what the Lord want us do in His power. The Church at its best challenges injustice, feeds the poor, and presents the human face of God. Many Methodist Church's are fulfilling this calling by opening their doors to the communities around them, providing lunches for the lonely and elderly, supporting the fair trade campaign, raising funds for projects in poverty stricken areas of the world, and much, much more. Recently our President, Rev Dr Neil Richardson drew attention to 4 projects:
+ Lune Street Methodist Church in the centre of Preston operates an open-door policy, and provides accommodation on its premises for homeless young people.
+ Peterhead Methodist Church in Aberdeenshire has recently started a drop-in centre for the lonely and homeless people.
+ Woodhouse Close Methodist Church, in a very deprived area in Bishop Auckland, houses and supports a huge range of activities including luncheon day clubs, play groups, a mother and baby clinic and a club for adults with special needs.
+ Blucher Methodist Church, on the western outskirts of Newcastle, small though the church is, runs a weekly club for the children in an area with few social and community facilities.
Our priority must be to be seen to be a God centred church rather than a church centred on itself. A church which tries to be faithful to the loving purposes of God has good reason to be hopeful.
Voting for a Purpose: The Methodist Church in Great Britain fears that a low turnout could aid extreme political parties in June’s local and European elections. The Church is urging all of its members to take an active part in the elections and to make an informed vote for one of the mainstream parties.
Anthea Cox, Methodist Church Co-ordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social Justice said, "Our Christian responsibility to bring our witness to bear in politics is crucial at this time, when negative myths about asylum seekers as well as minority communities are being promoted. The rise of parties that have a racist agenda is not confined solely to the north of England, where the BNP already holds 17 council seats, but in many other areas. There are considerable fears that the system of voting by proportional representation that is used in the European Elections and for the London Assembly could result in the BNP gaining seats with a very small percentage of the vote. A key to preventing this happening is by ensuring that there is a high turnout at the polls."
Churches Together in Clacton had hoped to arrange a hustings meeting in June for our MEP candidates, but none of the political parties would offer a speaker.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Church in Debt!
Words that might bring alarm to any church treasurer and anxiety to each church member. The good news is that our church is not in financial debt, but there are obligations that cannot be met by a payment from our financial resources. There are debts that may be more challenging than a financial overdraft. There are some that concern me and I seek your prayerful consideration as to how these obligations can be met.
Junior Church & JC Club: We are greatly indebted to all who work with the children of our church family. We have an obligation to them and to the young people themselves that we provide a youth activity into which the young people will progress. I ask you to seek a vision for such an activity and the recognition of potential leaders. The absence a company of likely workers with this age group highlights for us that, along with most of Methodism, we are missing the 20-50 generation. This prompts the launch on 6th June of a new worship ADventure, ‘Come Alive’ at 7.45pm. Initially this will be on the first Sunday of each month.
The Rush Green Community: We are indebted to the members of the former Rush Green Methodist Church for the life they have brought to our work and worship. Of our six church stewards four come from the Rush Green family and others fulfil significant offices in the church and circuit. However there are former members of Rush Green who are unable to attend activities on our Pier Avenue site and there is the continuing need for ministry amongst the ever growing needs of the Rush Green community. We need to be in prayer for a vision for appropriate worship and activity on the Rush Green site.
The Churches of the Circuit: During the past year we have been privileged to receive significant financial grants from the circuit towards our works of repair and redecoration, the improvements to our heating system, the alterations to our communion area, the new sound system and the proposed improvement to our kitchen. Without grants from the Circuit Advance Fund these works would not have been possible without leading us to become a church in debt. However I think we should remember that the grants we have enjoyed have been the proceeds of sale of such properties as the manse at Holland and the churches at Kirby, Thorrington and Thorpe le Soken, all of them properties outside of Clacton town. We are indebted to the circuit and our obligation is to be supportive of circuit activities; prayerfully aware of the challenges facing the whole circuit and determined to seek a vision for our shared witness.
The Easter Gospel:
Amazing love, O what sacrifice,
The Son of God given for me.
My debt he pays, and my death he dies,
That I might live, that I might live. SF 398
Oh, my words could not tell, not even in part,
Of the debt of love that is owed by this thankful heart. SF 851
May the risen Lord lead us to do all the new things for which he has set us free.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
What’s on your list!
When I start to run out of essential items in the home I begin to make a list, which I intend to take with me on my next visit to a supermarket. At least I am methodical about something! Of course when I decide to go to the shop I usually cannot find the list. One of the main supermarkets once telephoned to ask if I would like to use their home delivery service. I replied that they would loose money if I did, because when I go shopping I usually buy many more items than I have listed. I like to see what is there, to evaluate special offers, note new promotions and look for bargains. I like the adventure of unplanned culinary experiences! I wonder if this speaks to our approach to worship. Many speak of the supermarkets as the temples of our age, but what of our preparation for true worship. Do we come with a list? Are we aggrieved if we do not obtain all the items on our list? Are we willing to note the new promotions and take away more than we expected? Here are four items for your list, you should expect to obtain them but also to contribute to their availability.
Welcome
: People will visit a church for many reasons but it is said that they will only go a second time if they have been made to feel welcome, if they see that a welcome is on offer. Let us all be receivers and sharers of a word of welcome.Give me your hand, my friend -
One Church, one Lord! HP 806
Worship
: As two people were leaving a Sunday service, one said ‘well, I didn’t get much out of that’, the other replied, ‘I didn’t realise it was for you’. The worship is an opportunity for each of us to give to God an expression of his worth to us. For every act of worship there is an audience of one, God. Everybody present is a contributor and for this the worship leader is merely the conductor.Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring. HP 13
Word
: It always saddens me when people speak of an act of worship being too long. Having given to God our praise we should be eager to listen for his voice. Can it ever be that we have heard enough? Could there ever be anything more important?May the mind of Christ my Saviour
Live in me from day top day, HP 739
To hear and evaluate ‘fresh’ words as the ‘bread of life’ is broken to sustain and direct us in our needs and in the life we share.
Witness
: Every act of worship should encourage us in the witness we are making. We gather for training, instruction and direction. I am mindful that in my cupboards I find items that are out of date, in our walk with the Lord are we open to His new promotions, special offers of the gifts of His Spirit, to be led into the adventure of unplanned mission experiences.From the old things to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you. HP 746
For all who cannot gather for worship and for each one of us every day there is of course a home delivery service! Whenever and wherever we approach the Lord with our list let us make sure that we also listen.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Living up to our name!
After a recent morning service a visitor asked me ‘what is the difference between the Methodist Church and other churches?’ I explained that the major differences between the Christian denominations are not about issues of belief, but about church structure and style of worship. We all use the same Bible, recite the same creeds and are members of Churches Together in Britain. I have since reflected that for most denominations, the name says it all. The Church of England is the established church of crown and state with parishes covering every corner of the country. Baptists continue to practice believers’ baptism; Pentecostals emphasis the gifts of the spirit; the Salvation Army take their battle dress into every area of need. The Roman Catholics look to Rome, perhaps it is only the URC who might need to explain their name to the passer by. But what of ourselves?
At this the 300th anniversary of John Wesley’s birth we remember that he and brother Charles, along with some of their friends at Oxford, were given the nickname ‘Methodists’. Given the nickname because it described precisely their activity, their methodical approach to prayer, Bible study and social work including prison visiting. For John & Charles, as priests of the Church of England, all this was in addition to their Sunday worship. We might wonder what nickname people would give that best describes our activity today. Would we be happy to put our new nickname on our new notice board on Pier Avenue? I remember another conversation in which I told someone that that I was a Methodist and he replied, ‘you’re the ones that don’t drink, aren’t you’. I hope I didn’t look too dehydrated! The challenge for us is to live up to our name to be known as those who are still methodical in our approach to Christian discipleship and service. When asked ‘Who is a Methodist?’ Wesley replied ‘one who has the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him, one who loves the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength’. The love was ‘shed abroad’ as the first Methodist Societies had many ministries including schools for the poor, medical clinics, accommodation for widows, orphans and the blind. The strength to do this was received through prayer, Bible study, the Lord’s Supper, fasting and fellowship with every member expected to attend a class meeting at least once a week.
Towards the end of his life John Wesley said ‘I am not afraid that the people called Methodist should cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power.
This year the Anglican-Methodist Covenant was strongly endorsed by the Methodist Conference and the General Synod of the Church of England, and will be signed at a > > national celebration on 1 November. Only if we live up to our name will we remain a distinctive part of the body and visitors should not have to ask ‘what is the difference?’
We are also called Trinity - the unity of the God, three in one, that’s something else for us to live up to. Not forgetting that Rush Green is also part of our title, may we demonstrate God’s unity among us.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
You’ve got to be in it to win it!
Through the year many of you enjoy the fellowship groups that meet regularly on our church premises or as homegroups. The summer has afforded the opportunity of creative fellowship in a number of practical ways.
At the end of June a team worked a week of late shifts building the new raised communion area. All great creations are born out of a measure of untidy chaos. The communion area may not have looked very attractive this summer, but hopefully you will already have appreciated a better view of baptismal families and of all those sharing in the leading of worship. The original communion rail is currently being reshaped and will soon be ready to be reinstalled. The new floor covering should then follow. Great thanks are due to our volunteer craftsmen and especially to Mike Rouse who has been leading the team at the church and doing the joinery work in his workshop.
In August the Clacton Carnival procession was preceded by a week of informal fellowship when float builders from a wide age range brought a variety of creative skills. We could have given the Blue Peter programme some ideas about what can be made from old cardboard boxes. Thankfully the local police only laughed when they saw our elephant riding to the manse on a car roof rack. We certainly had the most inclusive float in the procession showing that all ages, nationalities and abilities are part of our family. We did win the class for charitable and voluntary organizations and we all took pleasure in our silver trophy. However we know the greatest reward cannot be measured, we have offered a witness to the thousands who lined the procession route, we sowed a seed of joy and the measure and timing of the outcome we leave with the Lord.
For the first time this year Churches Together in Clacton had a stand at the Clacton Air Show. Again we were surely in the spirit of John Wesley’s desire to take the church to the people and of the Lord’s desire to celebrate fullness of life. Again we shared creative fellowship in building our stand and in building relationships with friends from other churches as together we gave away cups of squash, invitation leaflets and prayer cards. The prayer requests that were brought to our prayer board was adequate indication that we were in the right place at the right time, the show could claim to have ‘a wing and a prayer’. How many of our leaflets will be read, when and to what effect? Again we are happy that a witness has been given.
I have met those who have claimed that they are not clever enough to attend discussion or Bible Study groups. Whatever our ability God is anxious to bring his word alive to our understanding and our living by his spirit. This is the activity we celebrate in our continuing fellowship groups. If you are not already sharing in a fellowship group, you are invited, please find one that is meeting at a time convenient to you. The activities of the summer remind us that God has shared out many gifts and talents amongst us so that together we will be an effective body, ecumenical, celebrating, creating opportunities for worship and witnessing. The prize for all our creative fellowship. Let us be sure that we are ‘in it to win it’!
Come to us, creative Spirit
In our Father’s house, HAP 377
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Keeping our Focus on the Important Change.
I go on holiday at the end of June with a certain apprehension. I wonder what the communion area will look like when I return and I wonder what your reaction to it will be!
Also whilst I am away the Methodist Conference will be meeting at Llandudno and facing some issues of change. > This joint-report of the Methodist Church and Church of England proposes a > national covenant between the two Churches. Methodist churches, circuits > and districts have voted on whether to accept the covenant during the past > 12 months, as have similar Anglican structures. The results of these votes > along with a recommendation to accept the Covenant will be put to the > Conference on Tuesday 1 July. The same recommendations will be put to the > Church of England General Synod later in July. The Covenant, if accepted > by both churches, would be a mutual affirmation for the first time of the > life and ministry of each other’s churches.
> >> Conference will be asked to > appoint the first-ever General Secretary of the Methodist Church. > The Rev David Deeks is being nominated for the six-year office > from 1 September 2003. The General Secretary, who will also be Secretary > of the Methodist Conference, will be executive leader of the Church’s > Connexional Team.
> > A paper, "Where are we heading?" suggests that the Church is facing a time > of radical institutional change. Rising costs, inappropriate > organisational structures, the burden of inappropriate or too many > buildings and the strain of trying to ‘fill vacant offices’ from a > declining and ageing membership, all challenge Methodist members. This > will open up a discussion by the Conference on a possible future in which > the Church recovers confidence in its faith and worship and encourages a > risk-taking, flexible and focused mission.
In the midst of the recent controversy regarding the appointment of the new Bishop of Reading, Archbishop Rowan Williams said that it is important that a storm over a minor issue should not be allowed to distract the church from its main task. I would want to say that as a point of principle I do not believe that we can expect God to bless any activity that contradicts his design or the principles of his kingdom.
The purpose of God is to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:10. John Wesley realized that for the individual it begins with the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ. May all the changes we face at local and national level enable us to focus on the important work of the Holy Spirit to change lives and advance the kingdom.
Have a great summer,
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Get ready to celebrate new life!
June 2003 is a month of celebrations for the world church and particularly for us. On Sunday 8th, Pentecost, the Birthday of the church as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit transforming the first followers of Jesus into fearless preachers who would not stop when threatened with execution. The Spirit is still the power driving the church in its mission and giving new birth to all who ask Jesus to be Lord and Saviour.
The following Sunday, 15th, the world church celebrates Trinity Sunday and we observe our anniversary and gift day. An opportunity to express our thanksgiving for all we have received as we make a gift to the work God longs to develop on our premises and in our community. Can we release the funds that will allow new life to be revealed?
On June 17th John Wesley’s 300th Birthday. We host a circuit celebration at Trinity that will include excerpts from ‘Child of Fire’. John Wesley recently featured in the BBC’s Top 100 Great Britons, those people who have been most influential on the life of the British Isles. In his latest biography, Roy Hattersley describes how "Wesley’s influence on the new industrial working class would play a major part in shaping society during the century of Britain’s greatest power and influence leading to Methodism becoming a worldwide religion and the inspiration of 20th-century television evangelism".
Epworth Old Rectory is on the site of the former north Lincolnshire house where John Wesley was born in 1703 and spent his formative years. In 1709 Wesley narrowly escaped from a devastating fire that destroyed the original rectory. Wesley’s father, Samuel - a Church of England clergyman himself - oversaw the building of the current house. The Old Rectory now houses a popular museum in one of the most tranquil parts of rural Britain.
John Wesley was born on 17 June 1703. He became a renowned preacher and spiritual leader of the ‘Methodist revival’. He lived and died as a Church of England clergyman, keeping his vow to remain with the church of his birth. But the movement that he founded eventually became the largest Free Church in Britain. And with some 70 million followers, Methodism is today one of the world’s largest Christian Churches. So we have much to celebrate!
I hope to take part in the Circuit Cycle Challenge on 21st June. A tour of our 12 churches starting from Trinity at 8am. Within Trinity with Rush Green I will be happy to be sponsored to raise funds for our new sound system. Why not get out your bike and join the ride. You can choose your own cause if you are seeking sponsorship. It is rumoured that the route is 56miles. New life! I shall need it!
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Access for All
As we continue to celebrate Eastertide let us recognise what it says about Access to God. On Good Friday the curtain in the temple was torn from the top to the bottom, an act of God, to proclaim that God is not to found only in one Holy of Holies but is accessible to all. On Easter Day the stone was rolled away, to let the first witness of the resurrection in to the tomb to see that ‘He is risen’. Now, wherever we are He is to be found. We can enter His presence and receive His ministry, the same, yesterday, today and forever.
The church is people; people who have received the forgiveness secured by the cross of Jesus and who are filled with his resurrection life. We are to be His body, but it is important to remember that our buildings make a statement about the church 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So we must keep up with maintenance of the premises and the presentation of notice boards. Currently churches and other buildings across the land that are open to the public are being modified to ensure that they are accessible to the disabled. Thankfully our premises at Trinity are accessible and have the required facilities. Work does need to be done to our Rush Green premises to provide the appropriate toilet accommodation.
For all who enter the premises all that is seen makes a statement about how we approach God. Methodist churches were so often built with a central pulpit to express the centrality of the word. Then, like Trinity, modified to give greater prominence to the communion table to state that we are a church of word and sacrament. But where is our font? Enter some churches and you will be required to walk around a large canopied structure. Ours is in a cupboard at present! All that is seen should express Access to God. This month work should commence to reshape our communion area. The enlarged communion area will have a communion rail on three sides, which should enable us to express and experience gathering around our Lord’s table. There will be space for the font to be permanently visible on a new pedestal. The communion area will be raised so that all who contribute to leading our worship will be more visible. Preachers will be more visible as they use the new preaching lectern. The communion rail will be removable giving flexibility to the use of the space in Sunday worship and opening opportunities for mid-week use, which could bring more people into the worship area. The reshaped communion area will improve the view of the worship area from the welcome area and ease the flow of people between the two areas.
No matter how hard we work at visual expressions of access a word of invitation will need to be shared. If you don’t feel ready for the task then join us on Wednesday evenings this month on the course ‘Lost for Words’. You might like to consider how many Easters you have celebrated. How many Easters had the disciples celebrated before they preached the resurrection? They were changed, first with distress and terror but then to receive new peace and power.
To disciples, to children, to the hungry and thirsty, to the weary and distressed Jesus said and says ‘Come’. We have heard His call, let all that we create and proclaim, as people and premises, with word and image be to share the Lord’s invitation, for the access is open.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Let there be peace on earth
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As thou hast promised, draw men unto thee:
Set up thy throne, that earth’s despair may cease
Beneath the shadow of its healing peace: HAP 170
The almost continuous coverage of the war in Iraq has been described as the ultimate reality TV show. An unprecedented number of journalists and TV crews are embedded with the military units. Their bravery enables us to see reports from the front line. Yet of necessity we cannot know the total reality. Our political and military leaders will have information that for obvious reasons cannot be broadcast. Of the material that is broadcast some will be deliberately erroneous designed to mislead those with opposing interests. Our glimpse of the reality has already shown us the creation of a humanitarian disaster. It appals us that the necessary halting of an evil regime has to cost the lives of so many innocent civilians. It horrifies us that another demand for aid must be given to relief organisations already struggling to meet so many demands around the world. It must be to our shame that taxes finance the weapons of destruction, but relief has to come primarily from charitable giving.
In this season of Lent we look to the one innocent man who we say died for all, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53 v5
The conflict in Iraq is neither about religion nor between religions. Faith leaders completely reject any attempt to misrepresent it in this way. Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in this country state they believe that it is vital, amid so much uncertainty and turmoil, to resist any attempt to drive our communities apart. The conflict is not about religion but here will be those quick to ask us ‘when comes the promised time that war shall be no more?’ HAP 783. It is for us to show the ultimate reality of our faith. To show that we will celebrate this month the resurrection of the Lord, raised by God to prove the truth of all his words, raised to live in us to enable us to live in His way.
May all then see that we are working towards peace and at every opportunity praying:
For early efforts to achieve a just, lasting and secure peace both in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.
For military aims to be achieved with the minimum possible loss of life and damage to Iraq's cities and villages;
For work with the United Nations, aid agencies and all interested political
groups to support at the earliest possible time a new administration in Iraq
which has the consent of the peoples of Iraq and which promises stability and
hope in the region.
The military action in Iraq has consequences here in Britain. Let us do all in our power to promote good community relations everywhere, and especially where Christian, Muslim and Jewish people live in close proximity to one another.
Let us celebrate our Easter with notes of joy that proclaim peace to the world.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Be surprised by His presence
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25 v 40
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God
lived, so he packed his suitcase with Kit-Kats and a six-pack of Coca Cola and
he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting
in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and
opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he
noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her a Kit Kat. She
gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy
wanted to see it again, so he offered her a coke. Again, she smiled at him. The
boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they
never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got
up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran
back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his
mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did
you do today that made you look so happy?" He replied, "I had lunch with God."
But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the
most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home.
Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what
did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate Kit-Kat in the
park with God." However, before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's
Much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a
listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which
have the potential to turn a life around. Remember, we don't know what God will
look like. Jesus said that when we do something to the least of these (people
society looks down on), it’s as if we’ve done it to Him. People come into our
lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally! Have lunch
with GOD!
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Carry on …. Waiting
It has been an age old joke that some shops want to start selling Christmas decorations in July, but this year I have been amazed to notice so many private homes decorated with Christmas lights in mid November. The celebration of Christmas cannot come quick enough for the impatient world. Within the church it is important that we value and preserve the season of Advent, which we enter on December 1st. The season of preparation that puts an emphasis on waiting, looking forward, keeping watch for that which is to come. Advent is a three-fold kind of waiting: with dimensions that reflect the past, the present and the future:
Appreciating the waiting of God's children over many centuries as they looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. The glory of the Lord will be revealed – Isaiah 40v5. The Old Testament prophets speak a great word of hope to a dispirited people. It is not a word of faint optimism that all things will work out well in the end, rather a word about God, his nature and purpose. He is faithful to his covenant promise. God is coming to save – so make ready!
Celebrating the waiting we experience as we are open to each new coming of the messiah into our lives as we wait in faith. I am with you always to the end of the age – Matthew 28 v20. We celebrate and experience his coming each time we share our faith. The Christmas season provides us an excellent opportunity to share the truth of the Christ for whom this season is named. God didn't send his Son so that we'd have an excuse for a celebration once a year, but so that we would live as changed people every day.
Anticipating the Second Coming of Christ in glory at the end of all time. When the Son of Man comes in His glory – Matthew 25 v 31. Amidst the daily news of warfare and disaster it is especially important to remember that our faith is in the Lord of history. Our personal life and that of all creation is lived out in that divine context. The cosmos and its history are not aimless and senseless. One day, all the purposes of God will be brought to completion. The first Christians lived with the thought of God's imminent coming. This conviction shaped all their living, influencing their choices and decisions. The conviction remains as an important challenge to us. How shall we live our lives seriously, consciously, responsibly and hopefully in the time before the coming of Jesus?
Without a changed circumstance a celebration leaves no lasting satisfaction. May our Advent Waiting enable the world to be not only impatient to celebrate Christmas but impatient to know Jesus in His coming, past, present and future.
Have a watchful Advent; a joyful Christmas and a blessing full New Year
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Making a Difference
You will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
One day a writer was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer to the young man he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean." The writer replied, "I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die." "But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference! The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."
This month we remember those who tried to make a difference for us, even at the cost of their own lives. November starts with All Saints Day recalling many of the early martyrs who refused to deny the truth of the gospel. The following day is All Souls' Day and it will be in our evening service on 3rd November that we will offer our thanksgiving for all whom we have loved who have passed through death to heaven's glory. We invite to this service all those we know who have been bereaved during the past year. Many of us will also think of parents and teachers of old who shared their faith with us.
Then November 10th we observe Remembrance Sunday joining with the nation to remember those who gave their lives to make a difference for our peace.
Each day of November with the aid of our Bags of Blessings we will be counting our blessings. All that we have should prompt us to want to make a difference. We could say the commission of Jesus has been fulfilled; the gospel has reached the ends of the earth but in reality billions of people don't know Jesus. Should we look at the sheer number and decide against trying to help any of them? Or should we share the gospel with them, one by one, so that a difference is made in the life of each individual that we come in contact with? Of course we should
!
You may be only one of over six billion people in the world, but God loves you
uniquely and completely. He wants to make a difference to each one of us and to
use us to make a difference to others one at a time.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul
Dear Friends,
Actions speak louder than words!
Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? Matthew 25 v 37
A new minister fresh out of college gave his first sermon to the congregation. It was a great sermon on how we as Christians should help the homeless. After the sermon the congregation were thrilled and congratulated him on how great it was. The next week he gave the exact same sermon. The elders thought that, as he was new, maybe he didn't have the time to prepare another sermon. When the minister gave the same sermon on the third week, the elders called an emergency meeting and asked the minister if he had any other sermons. The minister responded that he had a whole file of other sermons. He was waiting for the congregation to act on the homeless one first!
Clearly that did not happen in Clacton as the church's support for the soup run shows an awareness of the necessity of responding to the needs of the homeless. I recount the story only to make the point that there needs to be an obvious reflection of our Sunday worship in our mid week business as individuals and as a church. I am not saying that you should immediately do everything that preachers say, but that in our approach to other people there should be evidence of fruit of the spirit. That applies to the way we relate to people on the church premises whether we are sharing fellowship, committee business or seeking to raise church funds.
Jesus tells that he will return like a king who separates people. On his right those who offered him food, drink, shelter, clothing and prison visits. On his left those who offered him no help. We need to remember that both groups had no awareness of their response to the king. The righteous ask 'when did we see you hungry and feed you….?' The cursed ask 'when did we see you…..and not help you? His reply is whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.
I am convinced that the fun raising, fund raising or faith raising activity that does not honour the King will not be blessed by Him. His principles, His command and His people must be put before our protection of what we believe to be our role, our rights or even any profit we think we must make for the church. If we are not controlled by His love we will be in danger of giving a negative witness, falling for division and turning people away.
Actions speak louder than words. So may our life through the week be the actions that will amplify the words of our Sunday worship.
Prayerful Greetings,
Paul