Message from the Ministry Team

Dear friends,

At St Andrew's the other Sunday evening, we spent some time thinking about the letter from Revd Dr Roger Walton, sent on the inauguration of the new Yorkshire West Methodist District for reading in all our churches.

The letter explains about the new District (formed by the coming together of 13 circuits from the former Leeds and West Yorkshire districts), and reflects on Acts 2:45-47, a snapshot of life in the early church following Pentecost.

As we reflected, we realised we are not so dissimilar from the situation of the early church. Indeed here we were reading together an epistle from a church leader, albeit Roger rather than St Paul, and letting it speak into our common life. The Epistle to Yorkshire West.

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We realised we are a minority group, in a society of many tongues, religions, understandings (and misunderstandings). A society where power is in the hands of the few, with many groups marginalised. The terrible fire at Grenfell Tower has illustrated well the world we live in.  The Christian Church is not at the centre of things, as it was a century and a half ago. Rather, we too are on the edge.

So what should we do?  Look at Acts 2:  Worship together - remind each other of God's love and ways, celebrate God's call. Break bread, not just in church, but in homes - make every meal an opportunity for thanks, learning, generosity.  Share all things in common - no space for selfishness amongst God's people.  And expect the Lord to be making himself known to others - be ready to play our part in sharing God's love and working for God's justice.

I'll finish with part of Roger's prayer: 'Pour out your Spirit on us, that our worship may be joy-filled; that our witness may be brave and bold; that our lives, our works and our words may speak of your love.'

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Yours,
Rev Nick