Dear Friends
Included in this letter is Mike Peck’s weekly reflection on the set lectionary readings and a poster giving you the information you require regarding Worship Opportunities in Church during Holy Week and Easter Sunday in the Felixstowe Mission Area. This poster will also be displayed at the Churches.
If you are able to visit the Ipswich Circuit website methodistic.org.uk or those of individual church’s, you will find extra on-line resources available.
During the past few weeks, it has been a tremendous pleasure to lead the Circuit Lent Course, “Woven”. For those not online the booklet was sent to you in a newsletter, to use independently.
It has also been very challenging and rewarding be part of the Churches Together in Felixstowe Lent Course, “Caring for Creation”. I am delighted that the Felixstowe Mission Area has now set up a small group looking at our stewardship of Planet Earth in relationship to our Christian Faith.
Thank you to all who participate in the two Zoom Fellowship Groups that are offered each week, namely at 3pm on Sundays and 7pm on Thursdays. It is my intention to keep the Thursday Zoom fellowship meeting going, even when we are in a positon to offer more services in our church buildings. If you want to join us, let me know and I’ll give you the details.
At the most recent Circuit Meeting, space was given for the Felixstowe Mission area to report back on the ongoing discussions regarding future plans for the Felixstowe Mission Area. The following short statement prepared by Robin Pattinson was presented;
“The four Churches in the Felixstowe Methodist Mission Area have started a conversation about their joint vision for the future. Looking at the following main areas.
- Worship
- Resources in terms of people, talents, buildings
- Outreach opportunities
- The environment
- Ecumenical links.”
Many sincere thanks to all who are participating in these ongoing prayerful discussions. This has meant many hours of extra work for a whole host of individuals. The desire is to keep everybody on board and progress is being made in the most inclusive way possible. My thanks to Robin, who has put together a first draft document and to Stephen Wyatt who has taken the time to proof read this before it becomes more widely available for further consultation. I do emphasis that we are still very much in the stage of consultation. The intention is that when the document has reached approval level it will be sent to you all via this this mailing. In this way, hopefully no one will feel they have not had an opportunity to prayerfully reflect and comment. Thank you for your patience.
Sta Safe, Love and God Bless
Rev’d Diane
15/03/21
Sunday 21st March 2021 A short Reflection
This week the set Gospel is to be found in the Gospel of John, Chapter 12 verses 20-33;
Some Greeks wish to see Jesus
The first thing I notice about this reading is the disciple Phillip, who we can safely assume was Greek himself. He has a Greek name, so the Greeks seeking Jesus understandably approach Philip first.
Phillip features most prominently in the Gospel of John.
- Jesus is asked by Philip how 5,000 people might be fed.
- In today’s Gospel, Philip advises Andrew that certain Greek speaking pilgrims wish to see Jesus.
- During the Last Supper it is Phillip who asks Jesus “to show them the Father”
This in turn, provides Jesus with a unique teaching opportunity regarding the unity of the Father and the Son.
The Gospel of John makes much play of the themes of darkness and light and how Jesus has come as the animate light and in him, we truly see the Father. Jesus is Light of the World which carries implications relevant to the whole of creation, not just to humanity. Throughout the Gospel of John, there is much reference paid to those who are spirituality blind and those who see.
In today’s reading, the Greek pilgrims want to “see” Jesus and Phillip is very much a part of the chain of events that takes place, that make that encounter possible.
- Big question; Where are we making such encounters possible for others?
In Acts 8, we also read of Philip preaching in Samaria and read of that truly wonderful encounter that Phillip has with the Ethiopian Eunuch, resulting in this man’s conversion and Baptism at the roadside. Not all scholars agree that Philip the Evangelist we find in Acts, is the same Phillip we find in this Gospel reading, but most would want to highlight a continuation of personality. It is Phillips’s personality I wish to briefly reflect upon today.
I feel there are many aspects of Phillip’s personality we would do well to imitate as Christians and as we look to the future of the life, work and witness of the Felixstowe Mission Area.
- Phillip is someone who is approachable and one who makes himself available to others.
- Phillip does not feel that he understands everything there is to know about Faith and asks very deep and thought-provoking questions.
- Phillip is not afraid to ask for the help of others.
- Phillip does not seek the limelight, but when asked for help responds with a willing heart.
- If Phillip the disciple, is the same Phillip we find in Acts 8, we know that he went on to have a very inclusive style in his preaching; being able to attract those who had previously practised magic and one who would have known alienation and exclusion, the Eunuch.
Loving God, moving forward as a Mission Area, may we embrace the humble and yet positive attributes we see in the life of Phillip. Amen.