Rev Matt iBlog

Great week at Queen’s Foundation ‪for my Probationer studies. It was nice catching up with friends. We’ll be journeying together with ordination as our destination. On the train going home, I got talking to a woman reading her bible. She was attending her uncles funeral. We had a good theological conversation on the train. I said that I’ll be praying for her. Theology from a classroom to a train!! That week I also attended  Muswell Hill Synagogue annual civic service. I was honoured to be invited as a guest. It’s important we learn from other faiths. Local synagogue was packed including faith leaders, mp and mayor of Haringey. The Torah was shared and Jewish people explained to guests. Stories shared about Synagogue working with Churches and Mosques. All traditions stood together remembering Armistice Day including the end of First World War, 6 million Jews killed in Second World War, and the shooting in Pittsburgh.  Solidarity and Compassion is a Human Right. We call th...

This week is Halloween, also known as All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve.  All Hallows Day (or All Saints Day) has been celebrated on November 1 since around 998 AD and celebrates the belief that those who die with genuine Christian faith have nothing to fear from death as they continue their relationship with God beyond the grave. Over the years the festivities evolved such that on the night before All Saints Day children began dressing up in spooky costumes. However, the commercialisation of Halloween means the message today as got lost because it’s all about scaring people.  Mine & Helen's pumpkin  I think we are currently living in a dark place and scary place, so the last thing we want is scaring people. I see darkness when people are living in austerity, knife crime rising and not forgetting the unknown outcome of Brexit. The world is in a dark place needing love, hope, and light.   The recent atrocity carried out at the Tree of Life Synago...

My Home Communion Set At my first stewards meeting I wanted to discuss communion with them. I asked them the following question... "What does Holy Communion mean to you" I listened to their understanding on communion. The majority of my church members are African and Caribbean which means they like people to receive communion when confirmed. I shared my theological understanding on Holy Communion i.e. open table which means you don't have to be a church member to receive communion. We had a fantastic theological conversation which lasted 30 minutes. Methodism inherited from John and Charles Wesley a devout appreciation of Holy Communion as a divinely appointed means of grace.  Methodism is inclusive and diverse, and the importance of Holy Communion reflects this by inviting all people to the Lord’s Supper that Wesley believed was a converting ordinance.  Dean writes ‘Methodism’s Arminian theology lends a distinctive character to its Christian faith ...

On my day off I walked around London. During my walk I saw a young man singing ‘how great is our God’ on the millennium bridge. I also witnessed a Sikh Welfare & Awareness Team van parked up on the Strand giving out free food bags to the homeless. The queue was massive! Homeless people in the UK are getting free meals thanks to a centuries-old Sikh tradition.  It is so easy to focus on the fear without looking at hope. I see hope on our streets when people can worship openly, volunteers give up their time and the hungry are fed!! Last Saturday I was on my way to represent my churches for a URC/ Baptist minister welcome service. I arrived early and stupid me forgot my wallet and it was raining, so I sheltered on Crouch End when a volunteer giving out ‘Foodbank’ leaflets looked at me and said ‘I’ve not seen a chequered clerical shirt before’. This opened up a conversation. Evangelism on the streets can be something simple as responding to a question. I am current...

Yesterday was Harvest Festival at Middle Lane Methodist. Theme of the service was 'let your light shine' using material from All We Can. In some places in our world, people are working hard and putting all their energy into farming, yet still struggle to grow enough food for their needs. In Malawi, All We Can is helping people use solar energy to pump water into shared gardens to water the vegetation. Solar energy.... Yesterday, we gave thanks to God for his gift of the sun, the role it plays in giving us harvest and energy through its magnificent light. This something we take for granted. Jesus has a lot to say about light too... "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in he...

Last week I visited one of my church members and her daughter. It was nice to listen to their story. Doing pastoral visits encourages... Relationships. Pastoral visits strengthen relationships between minister and their church members. Relationships are important in ministry, so pastoral visits help church members to know their minister. It also stops people saying... "We never see our minister" or  "Rev never visits me" The minister can also encourage church members to visit one another. Having a pastoral list with class leaders is important. This develops unity within the church. St Paul had a lot to say on unity when he writes... A  Church Divided Over Leaders 'I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought' - 1 Corinthians 1:10. My reflection......

It was my day off so Helen and I wanted to do something. We ended up going to Everyman cinema to watch Mamma Mia: Here We Go again.        Film takes place shortly following the events of Mamma Mia 1. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) has been doing up the hotel ever since her mother, Donna (Meryl Streep), passed away.  Some theological themes I picked up from the film.  1. Holding tight to memories Sophie is opening the hotel to keep her mums memory going. Sophie doesn’t want to let her mum down!  Death of a loved one is a painful experience. When someone we love dies, part of us dies with that person. Hence the suffering. Sophie is experiencing this in the film.  Pierce Brosnan's character Sam is also mourning his beloved with the song the two sang in the first film's spirited duet, "SOS." However, this time he sings it alone and poignantly. We are the body …. ‘if one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if...