The Second Question.

Well actually  the second answer.

Q1b How should Methodism relate to other denominations? Answer by citing and reflecting upon your local Church's experience of ecumenical cooperation (400-500 words approx.)

Introduction

I think that throughout its entire structure Methodism should be trying to co-operate with, work alongside and relate with love and understanding to other denominations. I believe this can be done without forfeiting Methodist identity or compromising what we believe to be important, and know deep within me that each one of us must prepare to be challenged or indeed changed by other people’s perspectives.

I believe Connexion should keep supporting ventures such as Hope 08 and Fresh Expressions and encouraging ecumenism, continuing to train students ecumenically can do this. My Foundation Training has in part been done at an Anglican college and I think that both the Foundation Trainees and the Anglican ordinands have been enriched by this experience. Many false ideas about each other’s denominations have been explored and the way has been paved for future ecumenical co-operation.

At local church level ecumenical co-operation often depends on circumstances such as the area the church is in and the people who are leading it. It is important that ecumenism in all communities is encouraged locally, at circuit, district and at connexion.

My Own Experience.

I live in Chyngton, a housing estate on the outskirts of Seaford. One Anglican and one Methodist church serve Chyngton and the relationship between them shows ecumenical co-operation working near its best.

Why so good?

After careful reflection I think the co-operation between churches on Chyngton estate is good because;

1.    It takes place in all levels of the church.

2.    There is recognition, that God has sent us to serve one community.

3.    There is a good use of shared resources.

 I would like to elaborate further on each point.

Co-operation on all levels.

Each church has a member on the other one’s church council; this keeps everyone well informed and able to demonstrate support. Practically this makes sure that details are taken care of, such as checking the Christmas Fairs don’t clash.

One community.

Due to the hard work of previous and present clergy, we hold joint services and Alpha courses, have ecumenical house-groups – for me this has meant I have had another church community following and praying about my current journey, which has led to a greater knowledge of Methodism especially confirmation, local preachers training and candidating.

We also hold an annual holiday club together and termly follow up sessions.

Shared resources is about more than borrowing tables

Our two churches have their own strengths and ecumenical co-operation needs to recognise that we will not always be the best at everything. Each church will lead and  support. Between us we have;

Talented songwriters and musicians, worship leaders, preachers, cooks tea makers and administrators. People who are gifted at working with children, teenagers,  and old people. Counsellors, pastoral carers and a bereavement counsellor. First aid and food hygiene trainers, Health and Safety specialists and much more.

To me it makes perfect sense for these resources to be shared as two churches move forward together to share God’s kingdom with our small corner of the world, and it makes perfect sense for Methodism to embrace this sharing and co-operation in every corner of the world.

Train Journeys

The last few weeks have seen me make far more train journeys than usual. Today for instance I was out of the house for 6 1/2 hours for a ninety minute meeting in London. Five hours of that then is travelling and four is spent sitting on a train. I have made a grand decision to make better use of my travelling times, today being the first day for this new resolution. So on the way up to London I answered another candidating question (and one of the big ones at that!) two down seven to go, and on the way home I tackled the first three chapters of Pete Ward's "Mass Culture" which is reading for the next module. I was quite astounded at how much I got done. However it is a bit like celebrating on the first of January that I have kept my New Years Resolutions, so lets see how it goes. Another journey beckons Thursday.

New Term

The Mission and education work is done and posted 12 days before the deadline, my Aunts flat is painted, half term has been a time of great production, some rest and is now nearly over. Tomorrow is busy, the children are on parade in the morning, I have to go to a church council meeting after church and my friend Christine is being accredited as a local preacher in the afternoon. Next week sees the start of my first real pioneer module, I have a meeting with my tutor on Monday and with Jonathan  on Thursday to see what I have to do during my time at the Sanctuary, I have been up to visit 3 times now and am really excited about my time there, and especially about having the privilege of leading worship there in December.

Painting in silence

For two days  I have been painting my Aunts new bedsit in Eastbourne. It was a 

great way for me to be still and spend some quality time with God

 -My Mum has had the children, so I had no worries on that score, I had no radio, ipod or other noise distraction with me and nothing else to do except paint. It was a good time, I talked a lot of things over, just me and God - the uncertainty of my future, what needed to be done next, the beginings of the answers to the candidating questions. I don't think that for any of these things I am any nearer knowing the answers but I am definately happier, being real with God is good for the soul. taking time out from the everyday stuff we fill our lives with is a very refreshing process, so although I am tired from the painting I am somehow full of energy for what is to come.

Questions of training

A member of the connexional team came to talk at our weekend away about what training may look like next year for those who survive candidating.

Many of my questions were answered and many more were raised.

If I get through, I have to believe that the training panel will have my families best interests at heart and that God's hand will be over the whole process. 

Today during our quiet day I was blessed with a real sense of peace by a quote from a talk that Jesus gave about the flowers and the birds, which said simply this;

" Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself, each day has enough trouble of it's own."

It was not directly this which led to my great peace though, but the follow up reading in Margaret Silf's book "Wayfaring" which said

"Don't be afraid to throw all your human arguments at God, and to tell him how unrealistic you think asking you not to worry about tomorrow is"

My ultimate peace today came from being real with God, being honest about my struggles with the whole process of candidating, my fears of leaping into the unknown and uncertain and what difficulty I find in doing all that with faith but without worrying.

It's ok to be cross with God sometimes, he's big enough to take it.

Sanctuary

On Thursday I went to The Sanctuary which describes itself as, a collective of young adults from around Central London, based in Westminster, who are exploring what a life given to following Jesus Christ means for today. We want to be known as people who live our lives centred upon Jesus Christ and his dream for creation. People who love life and live it to the full, always finding ways to contribute something good to our community and our world. This is where I am doing my next Pioneer placement, so till January this will be my new home for study, worship and in December for leading worship. I am very excited and know that I am really much better occupied with the hands on approach, than with a classroom and books.

Dad

Today(Friday) is seven years since my Dad died. I always think that the anniversary won't be that bad, that as the years pass it will hurt less, then every year I am amazed at how much pain this day causes. I have so much I want to share with him, especially at the moment when things are tough going, he was never judgemental and he had a way of accepting me for who I was that I have never found from anyone else.

Thank you for all the love and prayers I have received on this grotty day it is very much appreciated.

As another day dawns(for it is now very early Saturday), it occurs to me how right the song is "what a difference a day makes" today I am off to listen to one of my favourite speakers Rev David Dunn-Wilson at a training day for Methodist local preachers in the Sussex area, and it is also my eldest nephew's 2nd birthday so a much happier day all round.

As an offshoot to all that it seems that when we are having a bad time, if we are given lots love and support from friends and family and lots of prayers eventually the big black clouds will part and we will be able see the sunshine again. So to all my friends who are under a cloud right now hang in there, one day it WILL be sunny again. x