Christmas Message from our District Chair
Dear Friends,
It is easy at Christmas to be lulled into a sense of security – familiar people, familiar places, a familiar story. And yet the Christmas story is disturbing and unpredictable (a chance place of birth and an uncertain future for the Christ child) and deeply uncomfortable (the people of power and those with enough money to have their own beds did not witness the birth of Christ). God came close to us as a homeless, needy baby born in a backstreet, away from the limelight of power, money or fame.
It seems to me that only if we can rediscover a sense of the humble, risky nature of the story of a baby born for us, can we can also find the hope and the
It is easy at Christmas to be lulled into a sense of security – familiar people, familiar places, a familiar story. And yet the Christmas story is disturbing and unpredictable (a chance place of birth and an uncertain future for the Christ child) and deeply uncomfortable (the people of power and those with enough money to have their own beds did not witness the birth of Christ). God came close to us as a homeless, needy baby born in a backstreet, away from the limelight of power, money or fame.
It seems to me that only if we can rediscover a sense of the humble, risky nature of the story of a baby born for us, can we can also find the hope and the
ahead as Methodists, but we have much to be thankful for, and grounds for confidence as we face our future together. As a District, we continue to offer help and support to churches and circuits through our training, development and youth/children’s officers. I am also committed to offering support for hard-pressed ministers and lay leaders. But above all, as we think and pray through the Christmas story, we have faith in a God who draws close, in unexpected places, to people at the end of their own human resources. God draws close with love – and with grace and glory for the living of these days.
spiritual strength needed to live in these times. The American preacher Harry Fosdick wrote in his hymn God of grace and God of glory a prayer: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days”. The people in the Christmas story needed wisdom and courage and found them in dreams but also in common sense and making the best of what they had, in angels’ messages but also in the solidarity of people in a cowshed wondering and glorifying God together.
At Christmas and New Year we think of times ahead as well as being thankful for what we have received. We face many challenges and opportunities in the year
At Christmas and New Year we think of times ahead as well as being thankful for what we have received. We face many challenges and opportunities in the year
Good News at Netley!
The official re-opening of the church at Netley will take place on 14th October 2012 at 5.00 p.m. See the Netley page for more information.
The church at Netley
Leaders of Worship & Preachers Trust
enabling the best for worship
LWPT offers preachers and leaders of worship:
direct access to high quality resources for worship
opportunities to meet, discuss and find help
support for further development
It is intended that this will be a true partnership between the Southampton Methodist Circuit and the Pioneer group of churches in Southampton. A number of people from New Community Church have already committed themselves to making this their new spiritual home and to bless and grow a new community of Christ in this place.
The community will be led by pastor Mark Simpson of New Community Church. Methodist involvement is still being worked out, but it is out great hope that we will be able to be a truly active part of this community as it grows and reaches out to the people of Netley.
The community will be led by pastor Mark Simpson of New Community Church. Methodist involvement is still being worked out, but it is out great hope that we will be able to be a truly active part of this community as it grows and reaches out to the people of Netley.