Choices: choosing life - Inspiring stories from the life of your Methodist Church - Choices, choosing life
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Issue 17 • Winter 2020
Choices: choosing life
Inspiring stories from the life of your Methodist Church
“I call heaven and earth to witness
against you today that I have set before
you life and death, blessings and
curses. Choose life so that you and your Issue 17 • Winter 2020
descendants may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19 Published by the Methodist Church in Britain
© Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
hoose life.” So says Ewan (TMCP) 2020. Registered charity no. 1132208.
McGregor’s character Renton No part of this publication may be
during his famous monologue reproduced, stored in a retrieval system,
or transmitted in any form or by any means,
David Perry in Danny Boyle’s 1996 film Trainspotting. electronic, mechanical, photocopying or
Editor Tellingly, he goes on to proclaim: “I chose otherwise, without the prior permission of
not to choose life.” The film brilliantly and the publisher except for those articles and
photos supplied separately for local church
unsparingly unpacks what that choice use. All rights reserved.
means for him and those around him,
who live in a cruel, cursed and deathly
What is the Connexion? shadow world of heroin addiction. It is
Methodists belong to local
churches and also value also an indictment of the prevailing socio- Six Hopes that the Joint
being part of a larger political realities of the time, which left so Public Issues Team will
community. In calling the prioritise for the justice
many families and communities mired in work of the Churches
Methodist Church in Britain
‘the Connexion’, Methodism hopelessness and despair. (see page 24)
reflects its historical and Choices have consequences. The climate
spiritual roots. emergency clearly sets before us in its
In the 18th century a starkest form the choice between life and
‘connexion’ simply meant Photo credits
death that God presents to the people in
those connected to a person
Deuteronomy 30:19. We are also living with Front Cover © JPIT; Page 3 © Alex Baker
or a group – for instance,
Photography; Pages 4-5 © Mark Kensett;
a politician’s network of the consequences of the Brexit referendum Page 6 © Mark Kensett; Pages 8-9 © Matt
supporters. So when people
and the general election. What does it mean Gonzalez-Noda and Tim E Photography; Pages
spoke of “Mr Wesley’s 10-11 © Matt Gonzalez-Noda, Jude Levermore;
Connexion” they meant to choose life when one person’s blessing Pages 12-13 © Mark Kensett; Pages 14-15 ©
followers of the movement is another’s curse? Mark Kensett; Pages 16-17 © Matt Gonzalez-Noda;
led by John Wesley. Pages 18-19 © Mark Kensett and Getty Images;
Changing our choices so that we are a
Wesley believed that Pages 20-22 © David Perry and Ian Lamond;
blessing to the planet and to each other, Page 23 © Alex Baker Photography and
belonging and mutual
responsibility were rather than a curse, is the most pressing Getty Images; Pages 24-25 © Robin Prime;
Pages 26-27 © Getty Images
fundamental Christian priority we face. So it is timely to remind
qualities. The language ourselves that the Church exists to be an Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations
of connexion allowed are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible:
him to express this exemplar of what choosing life looks like. Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National
interdependence, developing It was raised to embody and make real the Council of the Churches of Christ in the United
its spiritual and practical States of America. Used by permission. All rights
life-giving blessing of God in Jesus for the reserved.
significance in the
organisation and ethos of his whole world.
movement. Both language That is why our front cover proclaims our
and practice are important modern identity as a godly people of radical Methodist Church House,
for Methodists today. 25 Marylebone Road,
life-affirming choices, expressed in six key London NW1 5JR
Go to www.methodist. hopes for the future. That is why this issue
Tel: 020 7486 5502
org.uk/theconnexion of the connexion explores what changing our Email: enquiries@methodistchurch.org.uk
to order more copies
choices as Methodists might entail. Stories Web: www.methodist.org.uk
of the connexion, or to
of choosing life and blessings, which range
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us to action where we are. Each helps us
appreciate both the cost and necessity of Information contained in this magazine
What do you think was correct at the time of going to press.
about this issue? choosing life and of the truth that the One Views expressed in the articles may not be
Email theconnexioneditor@ who puts the life-choice before us is the the official position of the Methodist Church
methodistchurch.org.uk in Britain.
Write the connexion,
One whose Spirit enables us to take it and
Methodist Church House, make it work.
25 Marylebone Road, Whatever the choices around us, we
London NW1 5JR
Call 020 7486 5502
choose life.
Contact us via Love and peace,
Facebook or Twitter David
2 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr
Highlights
Choosing to be a Choosing to start a
4 Choosing to open
up to God 6 beacon of hope for
young people 10 movement of awakening
and revival
14 A radical rural
choice 16 Inspiring choices
20 Choosing a Methodist
way of living
Next Youth Inderjit Bhogal to receive WMC Peace Award
President ast President of the Methodist Conference the Revd Dr
ollowing Inderjit Bhogal is to receive the World Methodist Council
elections at Peace Award. The annual award goes to those “who have
3Generate, made significant contributions to peace, reconciliation and justice.”
the Methodist Children Inderjit is a tireless supporter of refugees and works to foster
and Youth Assembly, interfaith relations and multicultural communities, peace and
it was announced reconciliation. The award’s citation describes Inderjit as a “central
that the Youth President Designate figure” in interfaith relations in Britain and Ireland.
will be Phoebe Parkin, aged 17, from One of Inderjit’s peace-related initiatives was City of Sanctuary,
Telford Circuit in the Wolverhampton and a grassroots movement to build cultures of welcome, hospitality and
Shrewsbury District. Phoebe will become safety for asylum seekers, refugees and other vulnerable people.
the Youth President for 2020/2021 at a Inderjit is also president of the Methodist Peace Fellowship.
service to be held in September 2020. On hearing of the award, Inderjit
Phoebe campaigned on the theme of commented:
‘God’s World – Our Home’ and promises “I am surprised but deeply honoured. My
to highlight environmental issues during whole life has been inspired by people
her year in office. She says “I have always around the world who have held up witness
been passionate about the environment to peace-making; challenging war, violence
and I believe that as Christians, we are and killing. I am more persuaded than ever
called to take care of God’s creation. The that non-violent resolution of conflict is the
environment is a very real concern for way forward in all human relationships.
young people, as it will shape the world we The award will be presented on 27 March
inherit in so many ways.” 2020 in London.
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 3
The Revd Peter
Hancock, Mission
Consultant for the
Chester and
Stoke-on-Trent
District, says the choice
is yours – to open up
to God or to close down
4 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr
It has struck me on a few occasions that Not to choose
a ‘closing-down’ choice would have led to
can mean
neither of the above seeing the light of day:
like a talent buried in the ground. we miss the
moment
Choices which close down
There can be a number of reasons why we
may make closing-down choices. ✔ ✘
CHOICES
●● We listen to narratives of decline and Question
defeat, which persuade us that our
How will you guard
mission will always be thwarted. against ‘missing
esus’ parable of the talents in ●● We are risk averse. We choose to the moment’?
Matthew 25 could be called the conserve what we have, which prevents
parable of the two choices. A us from investing in the hope of growth.
master gave talents to three of his servants.
Faced with what to do next, the first two The choice not to choose can mean we
made ‘opening-up’ choices, putting their miss the moment. In my time as a district
talents to work and making more. The third chair I often reflected that a church in
servant made a ‘closing-down’ choice, dire straits is frequently the result of big
burying his talent in the ground. decisions that were shelved or postponed
An opening-up choice can lead us to embark 20 to 30 years ago.
upon an unknown road and to discover more Maintaining the present state of affairs
about life, God and ourselves in the process. can become a tyranny. We treat the Church
A closing-down choice will leave us never in its present form as an unchangeable
knowing what might have been. monolith and forget that God is always
speaking new things into existence. What
New choices was a movement can soon become a Maintaining
Twenty-five years ago, a superintendent of monument and then a mausoleum. By the present
mine guided the circuit through a decision- contrast, the Spirit is always calling us on to state of affairs
making process. It led to me being set new adventures.
free to plant a new congregation and focus
can become a
my energies on mission throughout the Taking risks tyranny
circuit. This in turn opened up a fresh Adventures, born of opening-up choices
experience of God not just for the team I are, of course, risky. When reading Jesus’
was working with, but also for people in our parable of the talents it is easy to assume
churches, for people outside the Church that there was no question that the men
who came to faith, and for young people in who were given the five and the two talents
our congregation who eventually became would succeed in producing more. This
Christian leaders themselves. is not so – in the transactions they were
In recent times, the Chester and Stoke- making they could have lost all that the
on-Trent District has chosen to adopt a master had entrusted to them. The master
church planting and re-seeding policy, which commended them, however, because they
it is part of my remit to oversee. As a result, understood that his business was not about
we are currently establishing the Castle preserving what you have at all costs, but
Connect Church in Newcastle-under-Lyme. putting it to work in order to make more.
It came about as the result of another “Making more disciples of Jesus Christ”:
brave, opening-up choice, made at Easter that is our Master’s business. To be
2018 by members of the then Newcastle engaged in it opens up a whole new dynamic
Methodist Church. Encouraged by the of life in the Holy Spirit. God did not give
leaders of the North Staffordshire Circuit to the Spirit for things we can do in our own
which they belonged, they decided to cease strength but for those steps of faith which
meeting. This made it possible to establish take us beyond ourselves. There is a risk
a new congregation in the same premises and there is a cost. However, there is also
with members from the neighbouring Stoke- an exhilaration and a sense of rightness
on-Trent Mission Circuit. After 18 months’ in following our calling – and there is the
preparation, we launched the Castle promise held out in the words “enter into
Connect Church last November. the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 5
Project manager Mandy Taylor tells how a dream led Lyn
Edwards to follow God’s call to set up ‘Shackles Off’
ur story started when a Welsh people sitting inside around tables, and
✔ ✘ lady, Lyn Edwards, came to stay her friend Heather serving behind the
CHOICES with her friend, Heather, two miles counter.
Question outside the village of Seascale, in Cumbria. That weekend when she visited Seascale
Here Lyn had a series of dreams that would for the first time, Lyn recognised the place
What dreams and change her life forever. In the first, she saw from her dreams. She realised that God
visions is God
a young man, who was a member of her wanted her to move to Seascale to start
gifting into
youth group back in Pembroke, playing his the cafe she had dreamed about. Lyn was
your context?
guitar and singing a song called Shackles. a faithful servant and with her husband Bri
Her second dream had teenagers with sold her house and moved to Seascale in
their heads bowed, dragging their chains 2005. When I first heard Lyn’s testimony
through the streets of Seascale. Lyn heard I cried because I knew that she was the
the voice of God saying, “Who will tell them answer to my prayers.
of a God that loves them and a Saviour that
cares?” Reaching out to young people
Finally, she dreamed of a cafe with the Lyn was quite impatient and got frustrated
Shackles Off sign above. It had young when things didn’t happen straight away,
We want young
people to be
the best version
of themselves
6 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr
offering youth club and fitness sessions, I’ll find 100
informal education workshops, support for
people to pay a
those struggling with problems such as
mental health and addictions, community £1 a week
action programmes and intergenerational
work.
God is at the very centre of our project,
which is a fresh expression of church.
We show God’s love and care to all those
we come in contact with by offering them
support. Our aim is to help young people,
foster their personal, social and spiritual
development and empower them to make
a positive and full contribution to the local
community and to society. Quite simply, we
want young people to be the best version of
themselves.
The Sunday X-treme group is the highlight
of my week. It caters for young people and
adults looking for a less traditional form
of worship. We sing, pray, study the Bible,
share breakfast together and support one
another. The missing element was Holy
and I had to point out many times that Communion, which we could only receive
God’s timing is different to ours. However, two or three times a year due to the
in 2008 the project started to move. Lyn, constraints on our rural circuit and staff.
myself and Heather (later joined by Janet Our minister Wendy said she was going
Hardy) loaded Heather’s car with crisps and to nominate me to have ‘authorisation to
cans donated by people from local churches preside’ over communion. One member
and drove it around the village every Friday said that this decision made her feel like
night, engaging with young people on the we were now a “proper church”. My hope
streets. for X-treme is that we will grow in number
They were understandably suspicious at and strength and spread the gospel
first, but we built up their trust to discover throughout our community.
what they wanted for Seascale: a building,
a place to go that wasn’t school or home, Find out more
a place they could call theirs. We found the A fuller version of Lyn’s story may be
building that Lyn had seen in her dreams found in John Sentamu’s Faith Stories
and she persuaded the man who owned it to (Darton, Longman & Todd, 2013). It is
rent it to us. When he asked how she would an inspiring account of faith, calling and
pay the rent, thinking on her feet, Lyn said courage, which you can find on our website
“I’ll find 100 people to pay a £1 a week.” www.shacklesoff.org.uk
This became our ‘1 in 100’ scheme and
there are still people who pay into it today.
In January 2009 our ‘drop in centre’ was
ready and we started to have regular Friday
youth sessions.
The project today
Ten years later, we have four part-time
and two casual staff, ten volunteers, and
a very supportive management team, with
trustees from the Methodist Church and the
community. We are funded through grants
and support from the local community and
individuals.
We currently interact with 174 children
and young people on a regular basis,
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 7
100
dreamers
Mark Williamson, pastor
of Westminster Central
Hall Sanctuary Project
and director of One Rock
International is passionate
to release hundreds of
new missional leaders
through ‘100 Dreams’
o here’s a story for you… a youth neighbour to those in need around them, or
worker, an entrepreneur, a climate making more followers of Jesus Christ.
change activist and a fashionista
walk into a church. No, it’s not the start of Missionary entrepeneurs
a joke, but for this group it’s the start of a For many years I worked with the Revd Dr
year of training and coaching to help them Rob Frost, former Connexional Evangelist.
each change the world. I remember him saying: “What the Church
in the 21st century needs is missionary
What is 100 Dreams? entrepreneurs – people who will try new
Last month they all joined the new 100 initiatives that will further the kingdom and
communicate the gospel in fresh ways.”
Dreams initiative supported by the
This is exactly what these young lay leaders
Methodist Church. The aim is to release
will do.
100 lay young adults to each start a new
We’ve put together a package of training
missional project over the next five years.
and coaching in missional leadership that
100 Dreams is being piloted in London, and
helps our ‘dreamers’ develop a personal
then hopefully expanded to other cities and
rhythm of spirituality, a clear vision and
districts around the Connexion. strategic leadership plan, and then become
100 Dreams will catalyse new youth equipped with leadership skills – all to help
events, church plants, missional them start up the missional dream that God
communities, social enterprises, charities, has placed on their heart.
ethical businesses, political campaigns; So far, this training and coaching has
basically any of the God-given dreams on helped birth online discipleship ministries,
the hearts of some of our gifted young safe houses for trafficked women, charities
leaders. Each one will start a project working with vulnerable teenagers,
that furthers the kingdom through their residential mission training centres, new
challenging of injustice, being a good missional communities, and much more.
8 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr
Projects that
further the
kingdom
And now we’re able to resource young We’re excited to see what new projects
Methodists to think more like entrepreneurs will be birthed through these leaders. And ✔ ✘
and start new kingdom ventures, helping us let’s not forget the words of John Wesley: CHOICES
explore what it means to be church in 21st- “Give me one hundred preachers who fear Question
century urban contexts. nothing but sin and desire nothing but God,
How is your
and I care not a straw whether they be
Initial participants district going to
clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake
The value of the package is £5,000 per respond to this
the gates of hell and set up the kingdom exciting invitation?
person. With subsidies from the Connexional
of heaven on earth.”1 Substitute preachers
Grants Committee and the London District
for missionary entrepreneurs, make
Advance Fund we’re able to offer this to lay
the language inclusive; and it’s a great
Methodist leaders for a much-reduced price
summary of what we’re trying to achieve.
of just £200 per person, making it affordable
to young people and churches right across We will not be afraid of failure, which is
the Connexion. The initial 100 Dreams often the biggest thing holding young people
participants are currently one month into back from pursuing their ideas. Instead,
their one-year course, and are already excited we will trust these young people to dream
about the possibilities it will open up: big dreams for how God is calling them to
follow Jesus and change their part of the
“I love it. It’s practical, engaging and world.
propels my passion for solving problems
that are kingdom oriented. It has renewed The future
my faith in God in a different way that The next 100 Dreams course begins in
makes me feel more confident for the October 2020. We’re on the look out for
race ahead.” Mofoluke Ayoola more London-based lay leaders who have
missional dreams, and for people around
“A blessed experience which enabled
the Connexion who would like to see this
learning new points and meeting new
project brought to their city or district. If
people. It will be a blessing for God’s 1.
In a letter from John
that’s you – we’d love you to get in touch. Wesley to Alexander
kingdom that all participants of the
Visit www.100dreams.co.uk and email Mather, 6 August 1777.
workshop will be involved in ministry Source: John Telford (ed.),
me at mark@onerockinternational.com
afterwards – and could work together.” The Letters of John Wesley
Together, let’s release hundreds of new (London: 1931), volume vi,
Jarson Jaganathan
missional projects across the Connexion! p. 272.
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 9
CHOOSING
to start a movement
of awakening and revival
“Do not be conformed to this
Sandra Lopez, Partnership Coordinator
world, but be transformed by
for Latin America and the Caribbean, says
the renewing of your minds,
overseas support can help UK churches
so that you may discern what
create more followers of Jesus Christ
is the will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
ow often do we resist change, The kingdom of God also requires
even good change? We so often partnership. We need to live as brothers
get comfortable with the status and sisters in Christ who support one
quo. We even get used to situations that another through difficult times and help
are worrying and need change. But God each other with our weaknesses. Despite
clearly instructs us to change our mind-set encouraging signs of how our mission is
and therefore our way of doing things. As supporting communities, the Methodist
the popular saying goes: “we cannot keep Church membership in Britain continues
doing the same thing and expect different to decline. We find it hard to make
results!” The kingdom of God requires new disciples of Christ and we can find
change – a new mind-set and new actions. evangelism tricky and uncomfortable.
We need to
regain our
passion for
evangelism
10 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | FlickrHelping hand from Latin America
and the Caribbean
As a Church that is part of a worldwide
family of over 80 million Methodists, we
have a unique opportunity to learn from
Partner Churches overseas that are growing
and making new disciples of Christ.
This is becoming a reality in the UK
thanks to the Council of Latin American
Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin
America and the Caribbean (CIEMAL),
which represents our Methodist Partner
Churches in that region. It is preparing to
send CIEMAL mission partner evangelists
to work with local Methodist communities in
the UK under a pilot scheme. The mission
partners, who may be lay or ordained, have
a track record in evangelism, including
says about the programme. “Having visited
church planting, church revitalisation and
church growth. Alongside local church
the Methodist Church in Cuba, I’d seen first ✔ ✘
hand the work of God there and been hugely CHOICES
ministers, lay leaders and church members
encouraged by their commitment, faith and Question
they will develop evangelistic work in the
passion. I believe we have much to learn
community. They will do this sensitively, What does this
about evangelism from our sisters and
aware of cultural differences and how we opportunity inspire
brothers in Latin America.
do evangelism here. However, their work you to ask for?
“I am absolutely convinced that we [the
will also be distinctly different from what
Methodist Church in Britain] need to regain
we may be used to, and may challenge
our passion for evangelism and encourage
our mind-set and our usual pattern for
people to become disciples. This generous
evangelism.
offer of help from CIEMAL has the potential
CIEMAL’s General Secretary, the Revd
to be fruitful in ways that we can only
Luciano Pereira said: “CIEMAL believes that
dream of at this stage. We are praying, and
the mission belongs to God and that we
invite others to pray with us, that we will
are only collaborators with God in mission.
see God do immeasurably more than we
Our vision is to develop three key aspects:
ask or imagine. We are delighted that the
mobilise, train and connect. So now we
CIEMAL mission partner will be coming to
are preparing to send the first mission
the Chester-le-Street Circuit. They will live
partner to the UK in 2020. We are looking
on an estate that does not have any church
forward to the future and evangelism and
presence at the moment and the circuit
discipleship opportunities as we obey the
will be working with them to share the good
commandment that Jesus, our teacher, gave
news and serve the community.”
us “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew
For more information on this pilot
28:19). Our hope is that Latin American and
programme please contact Global
Caribbean mission partners will help sow
Relationships:
seeds, and a new hope will emerge for the
gr.admin@methodistchurch.org.uk
continuation of mission in the UK through
the Methodist Church. Our goal is to partner
with and serve the Methodist Church in
Britain by following the principles of the
Methodist movement, helping to perhaps
start a movement of awakening and revival
in the United Kingdom.”
CIEMAL mission partners come to the UK
In September 2020 the Newcastle District
will be the first to receive a CIEMAL mission
partner.
The Revd Elaine Lindridge (left), the
District’s mission and evangelism enabler,
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 11SIMPLE
choices for
the long term
Combining the Romero Prayer with Our Calling helps the Chair of the Darlington District,
the Revd Richard Andrew, form a hopeful vision for the future
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
(From the Romero Prayer, often attributed to Oscar Romero
but originally composed by Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw, USA, 1979)
he first time I chaired the simplicity and elegance are signs of its
✔ ✘ Darlington District Synod, I offered profundity.
CHOICES a reflection on what has become
Question known as the Romero Prayer. A copy of Choices for the future
the prayer was tacked to my door for Making choices about the future in light
What new, hopeful
many years, a daily reminder of how we of the reaffirmation of Our Calling, the
actions will your
circuit choose to might enter into God’s mission and, by Darlington District is developing a 10-year
invest in next? implication, what might get in the way. focus entitled, ‘Every Church Growing’.
It is a prayer which I return to regularly In 10 years we want to see every church
because I find it refreshingly liberating. growing holistically in its worship, in
It encourages the long- over the short- its learning, caring and discipleship, in
term view; a vision of the kingdom over evangelism, in acts of service, community
immediate ecclesiastical concerns. It is engagement and justice. We have chosen a
realistic about what we are able to achieve long-term horizon for a number of reasons:
as human beings in a lifetime; and is
wonderfully permissive in encouraging ●● We recognise that currently many
A prayer us to make use of what is before us, of our churches feel anxious about
encouraging sowing and watering the seeds that hold the future as we respond to decades
promise because they are offered to God, of decline.
the long-term not worrying about what we do not have. ●● We know that in order to grow we will
view It is simple but, as is often the case, its need to plant and prune carefully and
12 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickrthat will involve courage and perhaps We want to
pain as we begin to change.
see every
●● We are acutely aware that many of our
members feel tired, discouraged and church
overloaded. growing
●● We recognise that developing a culture of
growth takes a long time as we develop
the habits and make the choices by which
we will live and encourage a mindset
focused on the needs of the kingdom.
Hopeful choices focusing on Our Calling
Central to the development of our district
strategy is the conviction that we are an
‘Easter people’, and therefore a people of
hope. Whilst the future might look daunting,
we affirm the conviction of the American
theologian and activist, Jim Wallis that,
“Hope is believing in spite of the evidence
and then making the evidence change.”
That is the way in which we choose to live.
We believe that change in our context
requires a consistent, long-term approach
committed to the nurture of a Christ-
centred, Spirit-filled, outward-looking,
hopeful and confident culture open to risk
for the sake of the gospel. The guiding
principle is to retain a focus on Our Calling
as a template for considering vision, short-
and long-term mission objectives and the
change of structures to make them simpler,
adaptable, more flexible, and targeted upon
the mission and ministry needs of local
churches and circuits.
Investment means growth
I am a firm believer in the idea that what we
invest in grows. Where we invest our time
and energy is usually a good indication of
our priorities. Our Calling, it seems to me,
provides us with a useful opportunity to
identify what is core and what is peripheral
to our vision and to make wise choices
about where in the future we will invest the
time, talents and energy God has given us.
What we do in response to the gospel is,
of course, as the Romero Prayer reminds
us, never complete, yet it is a beginning, a
step along the way, an opportunity for God’s
grace. I find that wonderfully liberating.
What I offer is never complete, which is a
different way of saying it’s not all down to
me. But because that is the case, I don’t
have to carry the burden of the future. I
What we do in
can choose to live simply by hope and to response to the
invest in those hopeful actions through gospel is an
which God builds the future. As the Romero
Prayer reminds us in its conclusion: “We are
opportunity for
prophets of a future not our own.” God’s grace
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 13The Revd Shalome MacNeill
Cooper tells how seven small
congregations in the Shropshire
and Marches Circuit have made
difficult choices to follow God
14 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickrhoices can be big or small. Some rather than fear, because Scripture tells Our choices
may have little effect and others us, “Do not be afraid”. Decisions based on
have been
result in real change in the world. fear tend to reflect our own thoughts and
John Wesley was faced with a difficult choice wishes, rather than God’s desiring. made together
in his early ministry: whether to stay in the and we have
American colonies or return to Great Britain. Clustering together
He stated there was “no other way of
grown closer
As creatures of habit, it is easy to do the
knowing God’s will but by consulting [one’s] same things and wonder why outcomes
own reason and [one’s] friends, and by do not change. We knew we needed to be
observing the order of God’s providence.”1 innovative whilst maintaining local priorities;
Like Wesley, we also face difficulties. So to move past seeing success merely as
how do communities of faith make choices? numbers and more as God-in-relationships.
And how do we know if the choices we And while it is usual to say “The
make are our own or belong to the Holy Church of God has a mission”, it is better
Spirit? Responsible choices usually stem theologically to affirm that “The God of
from asking difficult questions. Occasionally mission has a Church.” So we chose to see
the answers may be uncomfortable truths, The Constitutional Practice and Discipline
which bear their own solutions, if only we of the Methodist Church as a connexional
have the ability to perceive them. permission-giving pathway for mission. We
decided to cluster together and organise
More buildings than congregations travel to different chapels for worship
In the area where I minister in beautiful services. We also have a ‘cluster’ service
Shropshire, we have eight chapels but every three months in our building that does
only seven congregations. One of our not have a congregation. Coming together in ✔ ✘
chapels does not have a congregation but this way has fostered better relationships, CHOICES
it is a wonderful building. We decided the helped the chapel coffers, and made Question
time had come to address some difficult worship more vibrant with congregations
questions about our chapels. Like other In your context,
of twenty worshippers rather than four. We
faith communities in the country, our what uncomfortable
also decided to make relationships a priority
membership is in decline. We have been truths is God
and shift our focus from fundraising to a inviting you to
waiting in hope for the seeds that were
spirit of tithing resources of money, talent address with hope
planted yesterday to bear fruit today, but
and time. We agreed that sharing resources and courage?
over a two-year period we also asked
should not be seen as ‘richer’ churches
ourselves what would indicate a chapel
saving ‘poorer’ ones from closure, but as a
was no longer sustainable, and what would
group endeavour. It has allowed our network
God want us to do if so? Would the signal
of chapels – each unique to its own context
to change be a lack of finances, declining
– to offer expressions of faith across the
membership or the loss of a key player in
locality we serve.
God’s story in our communities?
This may seem a very rosy outcome but it
Answering these questions was difficult but
was not an easy one: the choices have been
in the spirit of Acts 2:44, “All who believed
difficult. There were passionate objections
were together and had all things in common”,
and reluctant agreements, sleepless nights
on 15 July 2019 we voted to merge all
and all-consuming prayer; we have struggled
seven congregations into one society; and
to make hope-based decisions and quell
on 1 September 2019 we amalgamated to
fears. But, our choices were made together
become Rea Valley Methodist Churches. It
has one church council, one bank account, and we have grown closer. It is still early
one membership list/community roll and days and we will continue to explore and
eight worship locations. question, wrestle and discern, answer
Whilst this was a big decision, it was and make choices, in Wesley’s words
based on previous smaller, discerning “observing the order of God’s providence”,
choices. We believe that Jesus’ vulnerability one choice at a time.
was his great strength, and so we too 1.
F rom a recollection written in a letter of 1 May 1736 by
should embrace our own vulnerability. Our Benjamin Ingham from Georgia, North America. Ingham
eight chapels chose to be vulnerable to is recounting a conversation in London with John and
Charles Wesley and a Mr Salmon, who explained to
each other – and this is an ongoing choice him how they came to decide to leave England for the
we make at every worship service, church American colonies. Ingham made reference to being
called of God, and this was their reply.
council or gathering. Source: Heitzenrater, Richard P., Wesley and the People
Our decisions were also based on hope Called Methodists, 2nd edition, p. 65.
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 15INSPIRING
choices
The Revd Claire Simpson describes the choices for herself and the
With brave
East Solent and Downs Circuit as they respond to God and the
choices change
community
is inevitable
n the main street of the town where Choice suggests more than one possibility
I live, I have a choice of 10 coffee or opportunity. That is surely a good thing?
shops for my elevenses. On the one Well, yes… and no.
hand, that’s great. On the other, it creates I currently have pastoral oversight of four
indecision. And often, one choice leads churches as well as circuit responsibilities
to another. Cappuccino or latte? Cake or and a weekly session as a spiritual care
pastry? Card or cash? Like opening a set of volunteer at my local hospice. In all these
Russian dolls, no sooner have I made one places I am confronted by choice, which
decision, than another presents itself. is both exciting and inspiring, but also
In my life as a Methodist presbyter I am daunting and challenging.
presented with choices every day. In my
previous life as a teacher I rarely had to Choosing wisely
make a choice about how I spent my time. A strategy gifted to me by a lay person
A timetable would see my working week applies a ‘must, should, could’ approach
mapped out for me. However, ministry is to my working life. So, in terms of how to
different and after 12 years I have become prioritise tasks in any working week I can
accustomed to the level of autonomy and ask: what must be done, what should be
choice I have in fulfilling my role. done and what could be done (if time and
The word choice has a positive ring to it. energy allows). This approach doesn’t work
16 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | FlickrGod’s Spirit
moves us
to encounter
fresh
possibilities
for everything – because life isn’t neat – but them to work together and focus on the
it can enable priorities to surface. needs of their communities. We may also
In Robert Frost’s poem The Road not be able to appoint a missioner to create “a
Taken a walker comes to a fork in the road new place for new people” in the Ports-
and has to decide which path to follow. He mouth area, and we have a new worshipping
has to choose from two apparently equal community already forming in ecumenical
options. One is chosen over the other and partnership at Beacon Church in Bordon.
whilst the narrative of the poem is inconclu- These are exciting times, but with brave
sive it ends with the lines: choices change is inevitable. It can be
“I took the one less travelled by, unsettling as we encounter the new, for with
And that has made all the difference.” change comes an acknowledgement of loss.
This poem resonates with my ministry. As we let go, we need to trust God and one
Fundamentally, I’m seeking to be open to another as we seek to walk a different path
God revealing where I need to be to make hopefully to make all the difference to our
“all the difference”, using the gifts and congregations and communities.
graces that God has given me. God’s Spirit moves us to encounter fresh
So I choose to prioritise my time to possibilities and is encouraging us to break
be with people who are at a particularly new ground. As we step out in faith and
difficult point in their lives. These include inhabit the choices we have made, we pray
people who are sick and dying or sad and for God’s blessing on all that is to come.
bereaved. I also prioritise spending time
with those who are refugees and asylum
seekers; those encountering change; people
responding to God’s call; the unchurched
and those on the fringes of faith.
A fork in the road
As a circuit we are at “a fork in the road”
and facing brave choices. In 2013, we
reshaped for mission bringing together
three smaller circuits to create a new one.
This has created opportunities and released
resources. Now we are trying faithfully to
walk a road “less travelled” as we respond ✔ ✘
to God and the needs of our churches and CHOICES
their communities. Question
We are looking to use a different mix of What brave choices
people to deliver ministry across the circuit. are you yearning
In 2020 we hope to appoint a lay pastor for to make in your
three churches that are geographically close church and circuit?
to one another in the south, and encourage
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 17In the face of life’s challenges the Church offers a counter-story of
loving hope, says Nottingham and Derby District well-being officer
Becca Byass
am really important. lovingly in my ear: “You are of us. You are of
I am employed as the first well- us. You are of us.”
being officer in a Methodist district, I chose, with that belief, to live and
paid for by an Our Calling grant. My job is to immediately made an appointment to see
promote, support and resource well-being the doctor.
in the district, particularly for ministers and I am valuable and important, I am loved.
lay employees. I’m doing this by shaping But I am not unique in that, nor was my
district policy, building relationships, struggle.
sourcing materials for training and retreats
and looking at how we change culture that Mental health
might be an obstacle to the well-being of our Thanks to recent media campaigns, mental
people. health awareness is rising and the stigma
But, that is not why I am important. that previously accompanied it is dwindling.
I came to a full realisation of my worth, I hope you haven’t written me off because
head and heart, standing in the garden I’ve told you that I, like one in four people
on a damp, autumn afternoon. Out of bed who will experience mental health problems
only because I was smoking a cigarette; this year, had depression.
questioning if my existence mattered and, if Mental health issues are only one of the
not, then why carry on? obstacles to well-being. Increased stress
Looking at a dried up, uninteresting, and expectations, the faster pace of life,
not-even-worth-an-Instagram-filter, dead fewer hours of daylight, sedentary jobs, the
leaf, I saw its worth as part of the cycle of pressure inherent within the language of
creation, a part of the whole plan. It had ‘progress’ and ‘growth’, alongside climate
I chose, with
worth because of how it belonged. Into the change, population growth, political unrest,
that belief, murky, airless darkness of my depression, the rising cost of living… Such obstacles
to live the melodic, tri-fold voice of God whispered contribute to people feeling hopeless,
18 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickrcreative, innovative and less likely to be off God longs for
work with stress. If people are flourishing in
creation to
business, their productivity increases and
therefore profits rise. flourish, both
planet and
Faith in God brings fullness
people
However, the hope-filled story that the
Church bares is so much greater – it’s
not simply preventing harm or being more
productive. Being alive is more than not
feeling depressed. Living a full life is about
good connections and problem-solving,
about feeling useful and optimistic, finding
a sense of worth, having moments of joy,
feeling loved and valued, giving generously,
having energy to spare and thinking clearly.
The Church, with its traditions and
disciplines has something to offer a world
that spent £3.6 trillion on ‘wellness’ last
year. At the very least, we need to identify
the ways our disciplines are equally as
helpful as mindfulness or yoga. Our faith
in a loving, restorative God means we have
something better to say and something
better to show, that feeds the human need
for hope and wholeness.
As a district we are seeking to identify
apathetic or anxious, which perpetuates and overcome obstacles to well-being.
and contributes to mental, physical and We are committed to creating inclusive
emotional health issues. communities that gather around and elevate
the most vulnerable. We will be monitoring
Hope, worth and well-being well-being and turning our research into
The Church, in all of this, tells a counter- positive action and good practice. Through
story of loving hope. A hope born in the this, we will challenge stigma and bullying
belief that God longs for creation to flourish, and model healthy relationships in our
✔ ✘
both planet and people. It is hope in Jesus worship, service, learning and caring. CHOICES
who came that we might have life and In short, we are seeking to embody and Question
have it to the full: who modelled healthy reveal the future hope of God’s kingdom What has
relationships and a balance of work and that, in our imperfection, we only see a Becca’s honesty
rest and prayer; who challenged the wrongs glimpse of. and faith touched
that inhibited others’ flourishing. This same Because you are important. We are and inspired in you?
hope hisses, hackles raised, in the face of important. They are important.
injustice, poverty and discrimination. It was
hope that whispered my worth in the bottom
of the pit and gave me enough spirit to fight
through the murk and find help.
With safeguarding, the Methodist Church
has spent time and effort investing in
systems which protect our most vulnerable
people. We train, create and implement
policy so that everyone is included and
safeguarded from harm.
We are not the only ones focusing on
this or on well-being. Since the banking
crisis, corporations have invested heavily
in employee well-being and engagement.
Research has shown that where people
have good well-being, they are more
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 19Past President he ‘Methodist Way of Life’ is not a
A METHODIST WAY OF LIFE
of the Conference, detailed list of beliefs, but rather
The calling of the Methodist Church
the Revd Dr how we seek to live our lives
is to respond to the gospel of God’s
Roger L Walton in response to God’s love in Jesus. The
love in Christ
challenges the commitments left are a work in progress,
Church to adopt With God’s help, we commit to this way but aim to set out, in simple terms, what
new commitments of life: being a Methodist is all about
that echo John Worship In 2018, this description of the Methodist
Wesley being Way of Life was presented to the Methodist
inspired by the love ●● We will pray daily. Conference. From 2020, resources will
of God ●● We will worship with others regularly. become available across the Connexion
●● We will look and listen for God in for people to explore our Methodist way of
Scripture and the world. living out Christian commitment.
Learning and Caring
The Methodist Way of Life grows
●● We will care for ourselves and those
Last year, the Yorkshire West District piloted
around us.
its use, although this was largely accidental!
●● We will practise hospitality and
We printed 500 cards bearing this text for
generosity.
Synod, so that people could see what the
●● We will learn more about our faith.
Conference had discussed. Together we
Service recited it aloud, and considered what it
might be like if we adopted this way of life.
●● We will help and serve people in our
On the Monday after Synod, we had some
communities and beyond.
left over, so sent an email asking if anyone
●● We will honour creation and tend the
would like them – first come, first served.
environment.
By the end of Monday, the District Office
●● We will challenge injustice.
had requests for 5,000 copies, with another
Evangelism 1,500 requested shortly after. In the end,
●● We will speak of the love of God in 7,500 were printed and distributed. It had
Jesus. clearly struck a chord.
●● We will live in such a way that others
might be drawn to Jesus. Using the commitments
●● We will share our faith with others, No instructions were given as to how the
sensitively. cards should be used. So we learned a great
deal from feedback. Some ministers gave
May each life be a blessing within and
them out with membership tickets. Some
beyond God’s Church, for the
formed small groups to study and reflect
transformation of the world.
on how this was working (or not working) in
20 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickrtheir lives. Some distributed them at their ●● Second, it is a rule or yardstick by
Covenant Service, for putting into daily which to check on one’s growth. With
practice what people had just committed to the Methodist Way of Life, comes
in that act of dedication. A few introduced simple, but probing questions to
them into membership preparation, while help us reflect on our Christian lives,
others used them for preaching or devotions which we printed on the reverse of the
at church meetings. One person even wrote commitments card. So in relation to
a set of daily prayers to accompany the
Methodist Way of Life. Most importantly,
many individuals placed them in their Bible
and looked at the commitments every time
they opened its pages.
Why was the take-up so great?
Let me offer some suggestions for why so
many people adopted this Methodist Way
of Life.
The Methodist
●● First, it is a reminder. People see in Way of Life
it what they aspire to be and do as
sets Our
Christians. This is how they want to
try to live. It is no surprise in one way, Calling in
as it relates to Our Calling. The 2000 personal terms
Conference endorsed Our Calling as
expressing what the Methodist Church
is to do in the 21st century. The
Methodist Way of Life sets Our Calling
in personal terms. It outlines what I
am committed to do as a part of this
Church. Its handy postcard-size, which
can slip into a Bible or bag, offers a
convenient regular reminder of this
way of living. It can also be a useful
means of sharing with others about
being Methodist. One person told me
that when asked, “What are Methodists
about?” she showed her Methodist Way
of Life card.
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 21Greater sense the section on Worship, the questions with the Way of Life printed on it. It
include: What is the pattern of your helped them to clarify in a helpful way
of intentionality
prayer life? What has recently spoken what sometimes gets lost in years of
about Christian to you in worship or Bible study? attending church.” Tim said that for
living When has God been close to you? most, there was nothing new in the
In the section on Service, questions Methodist Way of Life, but it gave folk
include: What issues of justice are you a greater sense of intentionality about
involved in? Are there any you need to their Christian living.
take up?
These first questions feed into ●● Finally, the Methodist Way of Life holds
the Church’s 2019/2020 Year of a deep resonance and reconnection
Testimony, while the second ones with our tradition. Methodism began as
challenge us to live ethically. The a holiness movement, and the societies
questions prompt personal reflection, John Wesley formed had rules to help
but you could explore them with a people form and grow in their faith.
prayer partner, a soul friend or in a The core was that Methodists would
small group. Living out the Christian do no harm; that they would seek to do
life is never going to be success all the good wherever they could, and that
way. With some commitments, we will they would develop a pattern of prayer
struggle; with some, we may fail. So and worship to draw near to God.
being able to share honestly with others Within the societies, there were small
helps us to find the support we need. groups – classes and bands – which
In Burley, in Wharfedale and helped people work out what these
Aireborough Circuit, a series of groups basic rules meant in their daily lives.
were initiated by the Revd Tim Perkins. For these groups, Wesley wrote rules,
✔ ✘ The groups explored the means of as he did for those preachers who
CHOICES grace and integrated the Methodist helped him in the work. He even wrote
Question Way of Life into their meetings in two rules for the singing of hymns and
major ways. First, in each session, one outlined a rule for handling personal
Spend some time
of the questions from the Way of Life finance in his sermon ‘The Use of
with God
was posed and people shared their Money’. When John Wesley was asked
imagining just how
experience honestly. Second, at the end about the people called Methodists,
much would change
for the better if of the session, the group said the Way he described how Methodists lived out
you were to adopt of Life together. It sent folk out with a their faith in daily life, inspired and
each of these strong sense of how they were to live. empowered by the love of God. The
commitments. Jo, one of the group leaders, said, Methodist Way of Life resonates with
“People really enjoyed having the card that first description. It is in our DNA.
22 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | FlickrQuestioning our motives in choosing, the
Revd Dr Jonathan Hustler, Secretary of the
Conference, reminds us of God’s choice of Israel
What
matters
enough to
us to risk
the future?
cannot claim to be an Hebrew Bachar (according to my tutor all those
scholar at all – my training included years ago) is a beautiful word because it
only a short course in Hebrew and discloses not simply the choice but the
I have never mastered the language. But love that dictates the choice. And God’s
I can still remember clearly some of the people are invited to respond – to choose
insights into the Torah that we were given in to serve God is to make a decision based
those classes. One was the eulogy that our on hope and love however risky that
tutor uttered around the word bachar which might seem.
is used of God’s choice of Israel, a word The supermarket shelves might present
that he said carried implications of love and me with a bewildering amount of choice
delight. And of risk – God’s choice is God’s even for commonplace products. However,
investment of the future. behind my loyalty card are algorithms that
I write during the general election have probably told the store what I will
campaign when millions of us will be choose before I have worked it out because
presented with a choice: in which of these the pattern of my shopping reveals what
candidates do I believe the future should drives my choices. For instance, how
be invested? How I make that choice will important are price, trade justice, the
be informed by my attitudes. The questions environment, quality, or familiarity to me?
that I answer in the ballot box are not Our choices are a witness to what
✔ ✘
simply ‘which of these would make the best motivates us, just as God’s choice of CHOICES
MP?’ but ‘What are the issues that really us is a witness to the character and the Question
matter to me?’ ‘Which of my values do I longing of God. ‘What will you choose?’ What motivates
see reflected in the candidates?’ ‘Whose can mean ‘What matters enough to us to you?
interests do I have at heart?’ risk the future?’
www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | Flickr the connexion • Winter 2020 23Rachel Lampard ur choices are certainly constrained drive the justice work of the Churches over
by what is possible. We have the next few years.
and Paul Morrison accepted, for example, that we The Six Hopes involve choices we can
of the Joint Public are never going to make it as Blue Peter make about who we prioritise in our society
Issues Team say our Presenters or long-distance runners. and who we push to the margins; what
But are we too quick to accept that things following the biblical injunction to welcome
choices can help are not possible? When we see something the stranger looks like in practice; and
take care of the that is not right, do we say to ourselves how we can renew, not destroy God’s
planet and create “this is the way of the world” and we can creation. In the coming years, JPIT will work
do nothing about it? Things can look very to resource local churches theologically,
a fairer society bleak, but with hope, we can respond to politically and practically as they make
God’s call to challenge the injustices we
these choices.
see all around us.
Choices for a better world
Injustice is not inevitable
One of the issues we have before us is
If we see continued climate change as
how to change our economy in the face of
unavoidable, for example, there is no reason
the climate crisis. It’s agreed that we need
to reduce the number of flights we take, or
to ask the government to change energy to change rapidly to eliminate greenhouse
subsidies. We could read “you always have gas emissions and avert disaster. The big
the poor with you” (Matthew 26:11) to mean question is how.
we don’t need to challenge poverty. Since We currently judge the success of our
nuclear weapons cannot be un-invented, do economy by how much we trade and
we decide that we shouldn’t bother to press consume. Economic growth has been the
governments to live up to their longstanding central aim of government for almost a
commitment to get rid of them? century, but rising greenhouse gases and
Accepting injustices as inevitable means other types of pollution have been the
that we fail to challenge them. But our trust inexorable consequences. Ever-increasing
in God provides us with hope for a more just consumption cannot be sustainable.
world. Economic ideas such as endless growth
The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT, photos once looked as solid and immutable as the
right) joins together the Methodist Church law of gravity. Today they look more like
with the Baptist Union, the Church of choices that need revisiting. Imagination
Scotland and the United Reformed Church and hope can offer us the opportunity to
to work together for justice and peace. JPIT challenge injustices that seemed inevitable
has identified ‘Six Hopes’ (below) which will just a decade ago.
SIX HOPES FOR A MORE
JUST WORLD
A JUST ECONOMY THAT A SOCIETY WHERE THE POOREST
A PLANET WHERE THE
ENABLES THE FLOURISHING AND MOST MARGINALISED ARE
ENVIRONMENT IS RENEWED
OF ALL LIFE AT THE CENTRE
24 the connexion • Winter 2020 www.methodist.org.uk • Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | FlickrYou can also read
