|
Ministers' letters
|
June 2013 - Deacon Richard Beckett |
 |
 |
 |
Once, when I was asked to explain what I did, somebody misheard and thought I said I was a Beacon in the Methodist Church (instead of Deacon)
Perhaps there is some truth in the mistake although sometimes I see myself more as the lens through which God’s light shines, rather than the source of that light itself even though Jesus talked about his followers being ‘The light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14)
Keeping the ‘lens’ clear so that it magnifies the light rather than dims it is a challenge for all Christians and Methodist Deacons live by a ‘Rule of Life’ which sets out a framework for this.
Rule of Life
As a widely dispersed community, deacons are united through their common Rule of Life. The Rule is not compulsory, but it is hoped that it will be freely followed and adapted to each deacon's lifestyle. It provides a framework for the hectic rhythm of everyday life and may become a blessing and a joy, bringing glory to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Devotional Life
We endeavour to:
Attend worship regularly, especially Holy Communion.
Set aside time each day to read the Bible devotionally and to pray, including a time of intercession for members of the Order.
Regularly set aside time for self-examination, a chance to look back and see where we have failed in loving God and our neighbours and to give thanks for blessings received.
Find a spiritual director/companion, who will accompany, help and affirm us, and make time each year for a Retreat or Quiet Day.
Discipline
We endeavour to:
Be sensitive to the needs of those close to us, our families, dependents and friends.
Be aware of and relate to, the community in which we live.
Acknowledge and enjoy God's gifts to us of time, talents, money and possessions and through God's grace be able stewards of these.
Order the rhythm of each day, month and year, to allow for study and relaxation, weekly day off, regular holiday.
Attend Convocation (Annual national Deacons conference)
Participate in the life of area groups wherever possible and attend meetings.
Keep in contact with other members of the Order by giving or receiving of fellowship and support, by visits, letter or telephone.
I include it here because I believe there are elements of it (Setting aside the specifically Diaconal parts, eg Convocation) which are relevant for all Christians everywhere, recognising that all of this is only achievable through God’s grace.
Maybe you would want to adopt it or it might inspire you to create your own ‘Rule of Life’.
Every Blessing Deacon Richard Beckett
|
|
May 2013 - Rev Martin Swan |
|
|
|
‘When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.’
The cross was the goal of Jesus from the very beginning. His birth was so there would be His death. The incarnation was for our atonement. He was born to die so that we might live. And when He had accomplished the purpose He had come to fulfil, He summed it up with a single word: "finished."
In the original Greek, it was a common word. Jesus probably used it after He finished a project that He and Joseph might have been working on together in the carpentry shop. Jesus might have turned to Joseph and said, "Finished. Now let's go have lunch." It is finished. Mission accomplished. It is done.
So what was finished? Finished and completed were the horrendous sufferings of Christ. Never again would He experience pain at the hand of wicked men. Never again would He have to bear the sins of the world. Never again would He, even for a moment, be forsaken of God. That was completed. That was taken care of.
Also finished was Satan's stronghold on humanity. Jesus came to deal a decisive blow against the devil and his demons at the cross of Calvary. Hebrews 2:14 says, "Only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." This means that we no longer have to be under the power of sin. Because of Jesus' accomplishment at the cross, finished was the stronghold of Satan on humanity.
And lastly, finished was our salvation. It is completed. It is done. All of our sins were transferred to Jesus when He hung on the cross. His righteousness was transferred to our account.
So Jesus cried out the words, "It is finished!" It was God's deliberate and well-thought-out plan. It is finished—so rejoice!
Reverend Martin Swan
|
|
April 2013 - Rev Phil Snelson |
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
We are living in the resurrection days of the Easter season and I want to remind you that the resurrection makes all the difference!
In some ways it is easier to speak of the great sacrifice and death of Jesus. It is extraordinary, but it need not be seen as supernatural if you really don’t want to. People will probably listen if you want to talk about Jesus as a good, even a great moral teacher, and may even be persuaded to acknowledge a sad and horrible, yet sacrificial death. But that is not the end of the story, there is a very definite “to be continued”attached to the end of Good Friday.
On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead, and the resurrection changes everything! Jesus being raised from the dead cannot be anything else but supernatural and miraculous. Jesus was raised bodily, he wasn’t just a spirit; they touched him; he ate with them; the physical nature of it is what makes it resurrection and changes defeat into victory. The resurrection is the heart of Christian belief. Without it Good Friday isn’t good and our faith makes no sense. The resurrection changes everything.
Beforehand, as they journeyed toward Jerusalem I think the disciples felt increasing confusion and shared Jesus’own heaviness of heart. Then with Jesus having been executed they must have been very fearful and grief stricken. But then before they’d had a chance to come to terms with all of that, first Mary, and then Peter and John discovered that the tomb was empty. The disciples left, but Mary waited at the tomb and Jesus appeared to her in her grief and you can see it, hear it, feel it; what a difference! She will not be swayed in her testimony to the risen Lord.
The resurrection changes everything!
The disciples each in turn found this as Jesus appeared to them. It was their utter conviction of the truth of the resurrection, empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, that changed the world. No one could change their minds. They were totally convinced.
Too easily we allow Christianity and ourselves to be pressed back into the good moral teaching, “one faith among many”, that our culture would very much prefer and makes it feel so much more comfortable. But Christianity is different: the resurrection changes everything.
I believe we need to talk far more often about the resurrection. If we feel need of an excuse then remember that Easter is a whole season lasting more than a month, but really we need to talk about it all year round. We can share our own experience of the risen, living Lord Jesus in our own lives and situations. We can also live with the conviction that knowing Jesus and the empowering of his Holy Spirit brings in our hearts. We must ever keep before us the truth that the resurrection changes everything!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1:4
Blessings in the name of our risen Lord,
Rev Phil Snelson |
|
March 2013 - Rev Nutan Suray |
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
What is Easter all about?
Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here! He is risen!” Luke 24: 5-6
At the end of a 40 day period of Lent Christians celebrate Easter. Easter is not as popular a festival as Christmas and there is an ever decreasing knowledge about it. So what is Easter all about? It is certainly not about chocolate eggs or about chocolate rabbits. Though some would think that they are way more interesting than JESUS rising from the dead and they are enough to make Easter fun. And fun it is for children perhaps. Although Easter hasn't got to the point of having as many consumer and cultural distractions as Christmas, sometimes it's the same way for adults; lilies and new clothes and family visits and Easter dinner preparations consume our attention. Easter is about a GOD who became a human, who lived an ordinary life but did extraordinary things – just so that God will show the depth of his love to the world.
Some Christians cannot wait for the season of Lent to be over, and some in fact find it strenuous. The reason is that the Lenten period portrays or used to portray a gloomy time. In India, Christian tradition for the Lenten period is that no celebrations can take place in church and in families because it is a period of quiet reflection, fasting and prayer. But my experience is that if we are in constant touch with Jesus, if we make time to speak with him daily and if we let the Holy Spirit refresh our souls regularly, then we have no reason to be ever gloomy, Lent or otherwise. Jesus died so that we may have life to the ‘full’. So Easter is about LIFE – not ordinary life but abundant life which is full of joy and love and also an everlasting life.
So thank God for Jesus who died for all the humanity and was raised again. Halleluiah! Some people find it difficult to believe that Jesus truly became alive on the third day. What about the disciples and the women who were with Jesus all the while he was ‘touring’ the country – preaching, healing and even raising the dead (Luke 8: 51-56)? Besides, he had told his disciples repeatedly about his torture, death in Jerusalem and about his resurrection (Luke 9: 22, 44; 18: 31-33). So what did they do? Well, they looked for him in a tomb among the dead. But Jesus is risen! He is alive! He reigns in the hearts of those who believe in him. So Easter is the knowledge that death is not the END because Jesus has victory over death.
How did Disciples know that Jesus was alive? Obviously they did not believe Jesus that he would rise from the dead. They believed it only after Jesus appeared to them and showed them his scars. As Jesus had promised the power of the Holy Spirit was given to them at Pentecost in Jerusalem. So Easter is about POWER that raised Jesus from the dead. The same power can raise you from despair, and that same power is calling you by name and is still at work doing a new thing in you and in the church and in the world!
Rev Nutan Suray
|
|
February 2013 - Deacon Richard Beckett |
|
|
|
|
‘Jesus is for life not just for Christmas!’ – So said a sticker on a car, a different take on the ‘A dog is for life not just for Christmas’.
I am writing this on the day after the church celebrates the Feast of Epiphany (6th Jan) when traditionally, Western Christians celebrate the visitation of the Magi to the Baby Jesus but by the time you read this it may already be February and the events of Christmas may be well and truly packed away for another year along with the decorations. However, Epiphany reminds us of a number of the lasting features of Christmas; firstly the visitation of people you might least expect to visit a new born baby and secondly the unusual gifts presented. These gifts (Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh) could get lost or stolen or wear out but each have strong symbolism and say something about Jesus’ kingship, ministry, suffering, death and resurrection.
It is this symbolism and truth which lives on long after the gifts themselves are given and received.
It may be that during the season of Christmas this year some of you had to make sacrifices or do things which you did not expect to do perhaps due to illness or unforeseen circumstances and as a result you gave a gift of time or patience or perseverance. It is often difficult to see things in this way, especially when these gifts are not recognised when given or are received with little or no thanks and amount to a significant sacrifice on our part. But the gifts we give of this sort are far longer lasting than those things which might wear out, be lost or stolen.
So while this might seem like an excuse for me to write a belated Christmas message, it is really another opportunity to remind you of the symbolism behind the gifts of the Magi and God’s gift to us which with a giant leap of understanding takes us to Paul’s words in Romans:
‘……but God's free gift is eternal life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord' (Romans 6:23)
It is from the ‘head and heart’ acknowledgement of this gift of eternal life in Jesus that all of our gifts must spring. This was expressed perfectly for me recently by something said on a radio programme (Apologies for not remembering who said it) but I leave the words with you:
Treat every day as a gift from God – how you use it is your gift to Him.
Deacon Richard Beckett
February 2013
|
|
January 2013 - Rev Tina Swire |
|
|
|
Recently, I received an email from a woman in Gower Street United Church in St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador, reminding me that in 2015, the province would be celebrating 200 years of Methodism.
It gave me cause to pause and reflect. I am here because even before that, a man named Lawrence Coughlan, a contemporary of the Wesleys, brought the energy, the faithfulness and sense of social justice, of Methodism, to my shores. It inspired a beleaguered fishing people to believe in themselves and trust that they were not alone. Economic systems might keep them bent over, but Christ wanted them to stand tall. And a people believed and trusted in God and gave thanks.
It is a story which is of my past. Your stories are my present. I rejoice when the Saints win and commiserate when they do not. The Cobblers are a constant source of interest and concern. I pray for your joys and hurts and for the wisdom and grace to be present in it all.
We are a people who forge relationships in story, nurture them in story, honour them in story. In telling our stories, loved ones still dance in our midst. And we know that we are not alone.
All our stories are held in the hands of the one who creates, redeems and sustains. They find a place in the story of Christ, whose life death and life again is life and hope for us. For us, it is to trust that we are held and affirmed and understood, and then to live lives worthy of such truth.
As we embrace the Covenant once again, we offer ourselves to live this way, trusting in God’s grace. It may take us far away from home as it did Coughlan. Indeed, it may even bring us back to the land of our ancestors, as it did with me. It may take us somewhere in between. But in all things, we will find home, for wherever we go, whatever we do, if we trust in this living God, we will touch home. It is to trust that God Emmanuel is with us at the start of the day, at the end of the day and in all moments within it.
Our ministry and mission then is to live God’s justice and righteousness, love, hope, joy and peace, in all the days of our lives, wherever that will take us. We are called to live it within our chapels, our circuit, connexion and world, for such love is not for ourselves alone. In the stories of Christ that we tell, and live, we pray that others will come to know the hope of Christ and live full and hope filled lives.
For the trust is this. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
Rev Tina Swire |
|
December 2012 - Rev Martin Swan |
|
|
|
|
John Chapter 1:14
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.
|
|
|
In John’s Gospel there is no description of Jesus’ birth but instead an extraordinary prologue in which John reflects on the real meaning of His coming. And John makes an awesome statement, when he says ‘The Word became flesh (human) and lived here among us’
He says too that, ‘Although the world was made through Him, the world did not recognise Him when He came.
Christmas is a time when we in the church should help our society to recognise the true identity of the Christ child
Some children were asked the question, "What is God like?" Ashley, age 10, said, "God is like a never-ending story that you want to read again and again. When I hear about Him, I want to know more. Although I can't see Him, I feel Him. He is perfect and pure. I know He has felt pain and has suffered greatly to take away my sins."
Adrian, age 8, said, "God is cool. Awesome. Powerful. Nice. Big. Huge. Wonderful. Loving. Exciting. Caring. Giving. And the best."
But I think Caleb, age 10, had the best answer. He said, "God is like Jesus, because God is Jesus." If you want to know what God is like, then take a long look at Jesus, because Jesus was God in human form.
So as we in the Circuit prepare to celebrate the Christmas story again with our familiar rituals of services, it is important that we do not lose sight of the fact that there has never been a man who strode across the human stage quite like Jesus. He stands apart from all others. And because of Him, we have access to God. C. S. Lewis summed it up beautifully when he said, "The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God."
Have a wonderful Christ centred Christmas
Reverend Martin Swan
|
|
November 2012 - Rev Phil Snelson |
|
|
|
I wonder how you’re feeling about life at the moment? There are all sorts of things that come our way in life to make us feel down, especially in these difficult days. Yet our Christian faith tells us that we should praise God and be thankful to Him. That can be hard. That’s one of the reasons I like the Psalms.
“Why my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.”
For example, if you look at Psalm 42 it is an open sharing of struggle with life and it show us that it is ok, it is good, it is right, to be honest with God. We can share our difficulty with Him, He can take it. Actually, when we're being honest with God, we're being honest with ourselves and then God can help us with the reality of the situation. The surprising thing is that at this point where every instinct and those around are questioning “So where is your God?!” the writer says ‘Yet I will praise the Lord.’ It happens twice in this Psalm but it is characteristic of many particularly in book 2 (from Psalm 42-72). There is a deliberate choice about it, a sense of “in spite of my feelings” I choose to Praise God. But is that just about plain grit and determination to “tough it out” or is there more to it?
Of course we owe praise to God simply because of He is God, but actually praising Him helps us. Sometimes we can feel very “downcast” with life. What the Psalmist found is that praise changes our perspective, makes our outlook more positive and renews our hope and faith in God. Praising God means that we focus on Him and not therefore on ourselves. It helps put our circumstances into perspective. As we remind ourselves who God is, that he is Saviour, he is King, and therefore in control of all circumstances, our feelings, our spirits lift, we get the right perspective on things and we are encouraged to trust Him, even if we don't understand why things are happening the way they are at the moment. It is not that “our problems disappear” but that remembering who God is and the good He has done for us raises our faith to meet the current situation or circumstance.
The Apostle Paul says: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. I can do all things through [Christ] who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
No matter what happens, keep praising,!
Your in Christ,
Rev Phil Snelson |
|
October 2012 - Rev Nutan Suray |
|
|
|
My name Nutan Sandhya means ‘dusk’ of the new year day as I was born on 1st of January, thus, Nutan literally meaning ‘new’. When I think of new places and people, their hopes and aspirations, they challenge me to trust God. Hence ‘newness’ brings several kinds of emotions and feelings of known and the unknown as I grow as a disciple of Jesus.
New Beginning is special for me because I know that I am not alone but God is with me to guide with his wisdom and give me his strength to be what I am today. As I enter into the new Methodist year from September, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness that has not failed me thus far and His compassion that is fresh every morning. Personally, at this time of the year, I like to renew my promises with God to do all things that will bring glory and honour to HIS name. One of the readings for the covenant Service tells us of people’s promises to God, “We will do everything the LORD has said: we will obey” (Exodus 25:7). The Israelites made this response after they heard Moses read the book of the Covenant. To be able to know God’s will we need to read his word daily and listen for His voice. This does not mean that we will literally hear voices. But we know when God is talking to us.
So every New Beginning encourages me to know that God never lets me down. We also need to understand the Lord’s will in order to be obedient. Therefore as a Northampton circuit, whatever our aspirations and hopes are, may we all be united in saying, “We will do everything the LORD has said: we will obey”. May the LORD God be our guide, strength and wisdom for this new Methodist year so that we are fully convinced of HIS love and care.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Nutan S. J. Suray
|
|
September 2012 - Deacon Richard Beckett |
|
|
|
|
I have stood in a queue at a shop counter where there has been a mixed age group of people waiting to be served and so often I notice that it is the children or young people in the queue who are looked at suspiciously or even ignored all together and the adults are served first. And those notices I sometimes see at the shop entrance which say ‘Only 2 school children at a time please’ annoy me too!
I wonder how much of this subtle form of discrimination and stereotyping sometimes filters through into the lives of our churches too, in the way that we marginalise or separate children’s work from the rest of the work of the church?
What does Jesus statement in Matthew chapter 18 verse 3 say to us about this treatment of children and the recognition that we are all children of God in the sense of being open and ready to receive the Kingdom of Heaven? (“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”)
During my first year in the Circuit I have enjoyed visiting some of the 30 or so groups meeting in our Circuit churches for children and young people. This on-going work is something to be really thrilled about and a real credit to the hard work of so many dedicated people.
Between September this year and next February, those of you involved with the life of our Methodist congregations will have an opportunity to share in exploring together the Policy for Children and Young people whose opening statement begins:
“This model of Children’s ministry is underpinned by children and young people connected with God, each other and the world. Enabling them to think as disciples, talk as disciples and be disciples. This view of Ministry with children and young people is not one from the perspective of empty vessels to be filled but one of nurture.”
The Policy goes on to talk about the beliefs on which the statement is based:
-
Children and young people are equal partners with adults in the life of the church.
-
Learning is for the whole church.
-
Mission and Ministry is for and with children and young people as well as adults.
-
The call to evangelism comes at whatever age.
-
The concept of priesthood of all believers includes children and young people.
-
The Holy Spirit works through children and young people as well as adults.
You might like to think about these statements and I hope that as many of you as possible will be able to come to a session exploring these at your church - look out for the date in your church notices and diaries - this is intended to be for the whole congregation, not just those who work with children and young people, so that together we can celebrate the unique gifts which children and young people bring to the growth of God’s Kingdom in Northampton.
Deacon Richard Beckett
Sept 2012 |
|
August 2012 - Rev Tina Swire |
|
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
During the Conference in which I was ordained, we ‘newbies’ met with the elder stateswomen and men of the church. We shared our dreams and hopes and fears and they shared their years of insights and experiences. I was struck then by their faithfulness, commitment, humour and grace. But then I thought, “What am I getting myself into? I could never be like that.”
This year marks my twentieth year in ministry and yes, I was two when I was ordained. The thought came to me on Pentecost Sunday as I remembered when I took my vows all those years ago, “blimey, I’m an elder stateswoman now”
I have few words of wisdom because I am still learning and growing and messing up and in need of grace and forgiveness. In all things, I trust in God and seek to honour the vows I made that day with integrity, grace and humility. And so I journey on, in faith.
What I do have is an inukshuk. It is the representation of a human figure made of stone, made by the First Nations people of the northern and artic regions of Canada. The actual ones are huge, many feet tall, to be seen at great distances. The word has no direct English translation but means this is your guidepost. You are not alone. You are on the right path. This is a safe and good place to be. Others go with you. Others have been on this path. You are not lost.
My small inukshuk sits in my prayer station as I and many Christians in the north, understand that is who Christ is for us. Christ guides, protects, shows the way and is the way. We are not alone.
And so my vows have taken me to a community shaken by the cod moratorium, another community which welcomed the world on 9/11, and another, a land of ulus and inukshuks. It brought me here to the UK, and eventually, to the gift of Northampton.
And so it is a joy that I celebrate 20 years of journeying. Since coming here, I have had the honour of ministering with Philip (Taylor) and pray God’s blessing as he travels on. We welcome Nutan (Suray) into our midst and all the gifts and graces she brings.
We embrace and receive with hope and trembling because we are not alone. We trust in Christ, who will not let us drift or become lost.
May God’s blessings be always with you.
Rev Tina Swire |
|
July 2012 - Rev Martin Swan |
|
|
|
I am often asked ‘what does the word spirituality actually mean?’ That’s a good question to ponder in a world where there is a vast market place of spiritual directions on offer. I believe that at the very centre of Christian spirituality is our understanding of love. Love is the origin of what it means to be Christian. Christian spirituality grows and develops under the concept of love. A Christian cannot claim that he or she is spiritual if they have no love for their brothers and sisters.
The love of God and the love for each other is and should be all one thing.
So often in my own spiritual walk, many hymns and songs have had a great influence upon me. One such is the great hymn of Charles Wesley. ‘Love divine all loves excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down ’ When we consider the words of this hymn, we will see that when we begin to love one another in this fashion, then we begin to be thankful for one another.
Spiritually we will grow both as individuals and as a circuit. God’s love is concerned for all humanity. Our spiritual journey should reflect this and our spiritual journey must be deeply rooted in love. For me St. Paul’s words written to the Philippian church is a wonderful example of Christian prayer both of praise to God and thankfulness for other people. ‘I thank my God for you every time I think of you, and every time I pray for you……….’
I wonder when was the last time we prayed for others in our circuit of churches that God’s love would overwhelm them?
Keep on loving
Reverend Martin Swan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News