Rev Matt iBlog

Here are some initial thoughts on what Holy Week/ Easter 2020 looked like during the coronavirus pandemic. We have already become 'a different sort of church' during  these unprecedented times.  This picture is from last years Maundy Thursday at Holly Park. We sat in a circle for foot/ hand washing and shared communion (this year we find ourselves washing our hands to Happy Birthday). Reflecting on my first year of ministry, Holy Week was one of the standout moment as a minister within the Methodist Church. I had the immense privilege to journey with the congregation through lent, the upper room, calvary, and the empty tomb. Maundy Thursday 2019 was special for me because it was the first time in my ministry that I washed feet/ hands and shared the Lord's Supper.  'The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me....

Firstly, how are you and your family? I hope you are well and keeping safe. I send my best wishes and prayers to you and those you love at this time of uncertainty, unprecedented in modern history. We are living in challenging times and as such are called to live as the Church in a different way these days. As you may be aware the Methodist Church in Britain has made the decision to suspend regular services and gatherings on its premises. This has been done to ensure that we are compliant with the UK Government's guidance during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. This means that everything in my diary is cancelled and all my Holy Week and Easter services will have to be done differently. It also means that Helen and I are unable to visit our family and friends in Hull. However, we have been contacting our family via FaceTime and HouseParty. Houseparty is a social networking service that enables group video chatting through mobile and desktop apps. Many countries have g...

A local charity contacted the church to see if anyone could visit an elderly housebound gentleman. I left the house knowing more about this person... …The gentleman is a Hungarian Baron whose family was killed by the Nazis. He fled with his mother from Hungary to London following the 1956 uprising after years of persecution at the hands of first the Fascists, and then the Soviet regime. I was fascinated to hear his story and I look forward to visiting him again. I didn’t know where this pastoral visit would lead me, but I am glad I went to visit this gentleman. Just shows the importance of pastoral visits especially during this period. This reminds me of God calling ordinary people in the Christmas story.  The angel tells Mary not to be afraid and that all things are possible to God. We live in a society struggling to come to terms with youth culture. So many young people are crying out to be accepted, to be loved, and to be recognised. And God invites all t...

It was my day off and Helen was away for her Ministerial Training, so I wanted to do something. I ended up going to the Everyman cinema to watch The Joker.  The plot: Arthur Fleck is a party clown who lives with his  mother in the famous Gotham City. Gotham is realistic because like the majority of cities it's high with crime and unemployment, leaving segments of the population disenfranchised and impoverished. Arthur suffers from a disorder that causes him to laugh at inappropriate times and depends on social services for medications. Society judges Arthur on his outward appearance. I don't want to spoil it for you! My view: Joker was brilliant but disturbing. Joaquin takes the Joker to the next level. The film paints a dark and necessary view of mental health.  The Joker is a complicated character. His terror is ideological and his motivations are philosophical. However...

Helen and I have recently joined our local Slimming World because we both felt like we needed to lose weight. Slimming World is a weight loss organisation that provides lifestyle weight management programmes for people of all ages. This year Slimming World is celebrating 50 years since it was founded in Derbyshire in 1969 by Margaret Miles-Bramwell.  This is only our 5th week and we are both doing very well. I've lost one stone and Helen is 0.5lb off losing her first stone. The Lunn house is very competitive at the moment, but all in love. We are both enjoying the new recipes especially cooking with fresh ingredients. However, what caught my attention was how the group look out for each other. Members have group support through shared experience with other slimmers to encourage behaviour change. Looking out for each other is evident when members clap an achievement or support a member when feeling down. Accountability is de...

“We are pilgrims on a journey, and companions on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load’ (StF 611 Brother, sister, let me serve you) On Thursday 30th August 2018, Helen and I arrived at Muswell Hill Methodist Church for my welcome service. While it doesn't seem possible, over one year has passed and so much has taken place. When I reflect back over my first year in ministry, I can only thank God for all that's happened.  It is such an honour to minister to God's people. I have encountered God in worship, conversations, services, communion, home communion, meetings, days off with Helen and my study day. What I love about doing pastoral visits is that we come as guest into another person's house. We bring church to the person! How would I describe my first year in ministry? Reassuring  Privilege  Scary Tiring  Worthwhile  All of the above rolled into one. ...

Glastonbury is the largest festival in the world with 135,000 people gathering this year.  The Killers, Stormzy, Kylie Minogue, and The Cure were some of the acts on the Pyramid Stage. Not forgetting Sir David Attenborough hailing plastic ban at the festival. However, Glastonbury opening night witnessed a culture-changing moment because Stormzy was the first British black solo rap artist to perform on the Pyramid Stage. Langa Methodist Church Choir, from Cape Town in South Africa, opened proceedings on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday morning. Thousands of people gathered to sing Stormzy’s famous song ‘blinded by your grace’ with a gospel choir turning a rock festival into an unforgettable church service, and people gathered and everyone sang. This is truly inspiring and undoubtedly prophetic. Stormzy and the choir took the gathering to church! Another major gathering took place the same week called ‘The Methodist Conference’. The Methodist Conference meets annuall...