Dear Friends
We are now in the season of Lent and included in this letter is Mike Peck’s Bible Study notes for this Sunday 28th February (Click this link) . Also included is a Self-care article entitled “Love yourself through Lent”. A reminder daily on-line resources can be found at methodistic.org.uk and on the websites of Trinity & Seaton Road.
When Saint Columba sent his monks out from Iona to share with them the life changing news of the love of God, his instructions to them were very simple; Go and settle in a community and let them see the way that you live. No door-to-door evangelism; no peaching on street corners; Columba felt that their lifestyle would speak for itself and it did.
Lent is a time of deep reflection upon our own lifestyle. Some of you may have given up something for Lent or taken on a new challenge. The purpose of these actions will be to draw closer to God and in turn closer to our neighbour.
At the first World Summit on the Environment in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the world powers, organisations and experts agreed that the best way forward on environmental issues is through local initiatives. At the summit they drafted Agenda 21, known for its motto; ‘Think globally and act locally.
It is a great joy to share with you, that as a result of some of our recent Zoom meetings a group within the Felixstowe Mission Area is being set up to look at how best we can respond to environmental issues, in particular looking at a reduction of our carbon footprint.
Also, a number of Zoom meetings are taking place looking at the way forward for the Four Methodist Churches in the Felixstowe Mission Area, especially after I retire at the end of July. If you are not online and wish to voice your views please do ring me on 01394 282023 or write to me at the Manse and your comments will be passed on. In this way your voice will be heard.
As we are not yet currently able to meet. I am more than happy to carry out door-step visits, obviously, keeping to government guidelines. Sometimes just to see someone face-to-face having some conversation and a Prayer, can be so beneficial to our spiritual and mental well-being.
Whilst on the subject of Mental Wellbeing, thank you to Sue Hockenhull who has successfully applied for a grant to allow John Gillet to continue with his work as our Walton Parish Mental Health Nurse. Through this grant John will be able to continue working two days a week. Many have benefited greatly from both John and Lorna’s nursing ministry.
I have also been asked to share with you via this newsletter that sadly this year it will not be possible to offer our Children’s Holiday clubs at Church. We hope and pray that later in the year we may be able to offer more in our buildings as so many are missing this vital form of human contact.
Thanks to all those who have taken the time to decorate outside our various Church buildings celebrating God’s love with Valentines hearts and pictures. This provides a witness to our community and provides all those who walk by, with some much-needed colour and inspiration at this time.
By the time you receive this letter Zoom Church Councils would have taken place for Seaton Road and Trinity Methodist Churches. Trimley and Kirton have postponed theirs until March in the hope of physically meeting.
I began this letter by highlighting the season of Lent and referring to the work of St. Columba and also care of Planet Earth.
Currently Churches Together in Felixstowe are offering via Zoom the Lent course “Caring for Creation”, alongside our Circuit Lent course “Woven”.
The booklets for both these courses can be used independently for those not online. If you require further copies of the above two booklets do let me know and I will make sure you receive them.
Last Friday, 19th February was Ewart Walls’ funeral. Many thanks to all those who sent in their memories of Ewart to me, which were incorporated into the time of reflection. The snow drops where out in full bloom at St. Ethelbert’s Church, Falkenham, something that Ewart’s family found to be of great comfort. Many of you will recall that both Ewart and Lilly took such delight in creation.
This Lent as we think deeply about Creation and the care of Planet Earth, I include below the words of the final verse of a Fred Pratt Green hymn (Singing the Faith 727). These words acknowledge God as Creator and Lord of all but also emphasis our call to stewardship. Words that would make an appropriate Lenten Prayer;
“Earth is the Lord’s; it is ours to enjoy it
Ours, as God’s stewards, to farm and defend
From its pollution, misuse and destruction,
Good Lord, deliver us, world without end.”
I know many of your have received your first Covid “jab”. Both Nigel & I received ours last week. We should give thanks for the scientists that have developed the vaccine in such a short time and the army of people working so efficiently at the vaccination centres to get so many across the country vaccinated. Finally, let us give thanks that as a country we are sending the Covid vaccination to many countries who do not have the benefit of a National Health Service.
Stay Safe and keep the Faith.
Love and God Bless always
Rev’d Diane.
22/02/2021