Hello & welcome

We arrived in our new home on 2nd August at 10:45pm. We was welcomed to the manse by circuit administrator and two church stewards. They even filled up our fridge. 

Both Helen and I have had weeks of saying goodbye, so it was nice to finally say hello.

Since moving I have kept a journal of events/ encounters and would like to share key moments with you…

3rd August - a removal worker shared about his wife poorly back in Poland. I prayed with him around the bed. He came back a week after to pick up some boxes. It was good to see him again and I wanted to know how his wife was doing. He said that his wife felt better at 2pm and that was the time we prayed. Prayer works! We just need to be open to the Holy Spirit. 

4th August - we was invited to a 70th birthday bbq. Lovely Caribbean food! It was nice to be welcomed to one of the church members and her family.

6th August - was invited to attend a neighbours bbq. Only arrived four days ago and we’ve already been invited to a church member for tea, a 70th birthday bbq, and a neighbours bbq. Food plays a big part in this circuit. We’ve enjoyed getting to know people. 

12th August - went to worship at Salvation Army, Regent Hall. A strong theme on forgiveness. The preacher shared the story about Corrie ten Boom forgiving the Nazi. This made me reflect on how often I forgive people. As Elton John says ‘sorry seems to be the hardest word’. However, saying sorry allows us to be welcoming.

13th August - Rev Nigel Cowgill, district chair came to visit. He shared about the district and prayed with me. Missing friends from Harrogate, but enjoying life in North London. 

17th August – Helen and I visited Tate Modern with Sally and Karl. We walked around Picasso 1932. I like some of his work and most of his work was done in 1932. 

19th August - went to speakers corner. Speakers Corner symbolises the “right to speak”. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Atheist, remainers and leavers sharing their story. Freedom of speech allows doors to open and to be welcoming. 

20th August - Probation secretary came to introduce herself. It was lovely to meet her and find out about my probation studies. I still feel overwhelmed, but I’ll be okay because God has called me. 

26th August - today I worshipped at Hillsong’s. The worship was fantastic and modern!! The theatre had welcomer’s on every door and people interacting with newcomers. Good welcomes are something I want to do at my churches. Preacher preached on how society looks at you, but God see’s different. 

28th August - welcome to new ministers in the London District. I really enjoyed today because it was good to meet fellow ministers and find out more about the London District. I didn’t know what to expect especially seeing Theological Reflection on the agenda. However, the theological reflection on London by Jonathan Mead was really helpful to explore the good and bad of the city. 

Everything is beginning to feel real now.  

30th August - welcome service at Muswell Hill.

Today Helen and I was welcomed to the circuit. Rev Nigel Cowgill (District Chair) preached on Ephesians 4. The place was packed and the worship was amazing. 95% of congregation was black. It’s great seeing people open up to God in love! The place was full of different traditions and culture. Tonight Helen and I feel uplifted and surrounded by God’s love.  

Since arriving we’ve been made to feel welcomed. A warm and sincere welcome gives a sense of caring and makes people feel appreciated. We feel welcome to the New River Circuit. Jesus said ‘for I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in’ (Matthew 25:35). This shows that Jesus knew the importance of a strong welcome.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dealing with My Depression: Feeling Much Better

Image
Hello everyone, It was exactly a year ago that I shared my news with you because I wanted it to be my story. Today, I want to update you on my journey and how I’m feeling much better now. When I was first diagnosed, I felt like I was in a black hole. I experienced feelings of rejection, loneliness, and uselessness. My mind was overwhelmed with doubts and worries. During this dark time, I found comfort in Jesus’ cry from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46 & Mark 15:34). His words reminded me that even in my suffering, I am not alone. The journey to recovery wasn’t easy. I started on antidepressants and received counselling. The support from my friends and family has been invaluable. I’ve had my share of “wobbles,” but overall, I feel much stronger and more hopeful. One of the significant realisations during my recovery was the importance of talking about mental health. There’s a stigma around depression, especially in the church, where people...
Read more

Living in Darkness

Image
I haven't updated my blog for a long time.  I want to share something with you. Two weeks ago my GP diagnosed me with depression.  We can’t control how we feel and the thoughts we get. The average person will typically have more than 6,000 thoughts in a single day, and the brain can process these thoughts. However, I wasn’t able to think straight because of certain things that had happened and I wasn’t in control of it. This goes back to Autumn’s Synod in the London District. I put my name down to attend the Methodist Conference as a presbyter. The London District had two spaces for Presbyters and three applied. I came third and the other two Presbyters were chosen fairly. Some reading this might think this is trivial and it’s only a conference but don’t forget we can’t control our thoughts because we average about 3000 thoughts per hour or 50 per minute, just under one per second.  I have taken this badly. I struggle with ministers who have attended the Methodist Confere...
Read more

The Power of Touch

Image
One of the difficult things during the pandemic is not being able to hug family and friends.  Grandparents can only see their grandchildren on the other side of the window.  Some people have lost a loved one and we want to hug them, for others, we live miles away.   Touch is important. Physical touch matters for your wellbeing.  Touch plays a primary role in our development and physical and wellbeing. Lepers were never touched because the danger of infection was too high. Living as we have during Covid-19 gives us the insight into the life of the leper. For nearly a year we’ve not been able to embrace and welcome people with a hug, handshake or kiss. Covid has given us insights into what it’s like when we see people as ‘problems’ and not individuals.  Jesus looks beyond the problem and see’s a person made in his Father’s image.  He touches the outcast and the person is healed.  A part of loving your neighbour is keeping your distance, wearing a face co...
Read more