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Jackie's Monthly Letter
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 September 2011 - New Beginning
For
many people September heralds new beginnings particularly for those who are young enough to be involved in varying aspects
of Education. A new school can bring quite a change from being the biggest in one school to feeling the smallest in another.
A new teacher, degree course, time away from home, a new job, a change of job, retirement… it all continues …,
this sense of new beginnings and new chapters of life. Of course the
Methodist Church is not exempt from this, September is the start of our new connexional (the term used to describe Methodism
in the UK) year.
For us we commence our new circuit The Sankey
Valley Circuit which brings together the former Warrington, Widnes, St Helens and Prescot and Ashton and Makerfield circuits.
What a change and what an opportunity for growth and mission. I am excited to be working with new colleagues and our new superintendent
The Rev Neil Stubbens is a thoughtful and knowledgeable minister with many gifts and graces.
The purpose of this new circuit is to release us all for mission – that is telling others about
Jesus. When did you last do that with words or action? When did the love of God so shine from you that others wanted to know
more?
When I recall the horrifying scenes from London,
Birmingham, Manchester and many other cities across the UK of riots and looting or fire and fear I was sickened.
I was angry at the senseless crime and hatred that so many showed to others. The devastating impact
of lives taken, homes destroyed and business ransacked is an appalling reminder of the power of people. Yet, in the midst of this was the power of community spirit of brooms waved
in the air; of statements showing grace over the deaths of loved ones. There were of course countless experts
giving opinions on why, how and what for? So may I ask a simple question where was our voice? Where was the church? Where
is the church?
Our
local communities are in disarray, people are wandering around in darkness and we have the answer. Jesus came into this world to enable, liberate, challenge, heal and save a broken world. Our calling
is to tell and show this to others. Will you do this? Let this moment as we read this be our new beginning
with God.
May our God bless you
and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and may you know peace.
Jackie
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