Jenny’s letter 21 January
Dear Friends,
This week we have had the week of prayer for Christian Unity. I confess to have done very little to highlight it or to be part of it in our area this year. I am sorry if that is something important to you. We have not missed the boat entirely. There is an opportunity to come together tonight (Sunday 21st) at 6.30 pm at the Methodist Church. The service will be led by Andrew Clough. All are welcome.
One of the buzz words of the current culture is ‘together’. I find this interesting as we live in a Postmodern era where what I do, where I live, in my own way, is of utmost importance. Individual choice has never been more championed in the times that we live. However, perhaps as a conscious move away from that, many organisations and projects have begun to flag up the importance of doing things together. There is the mental health project ‘Heads Together’ which is an attempt to work across many mental health charities, pooling the best knowledge and resources to help people more effectively. There are several charities working under the title ‘Better together’. ‘Together for the Harvest’ is a Christian initiative which brings together churches all over the Liverpool City Region (that includes us).
TFH ‘connects, equips & resources passionate followers of Jesus to reach every man, woman & child in Liverpool City Region with the Gospel, seeing the gospel transform every part of the area.’ [TFH website] If you are interested in finding out more have a look at their page which is Together for the Harvest (tfh.org.uk).
All too often as Christians we are inclined to plough our own furrow. This happens at both individual and at church level. Though all Christians share one faith there are an awful lot of things which keep us apart. The role of women and our attitude to same sex marriage are two of the current issues that divide us. But many of us know that we have always had fundamental differences in our belief about priesthood, about what happens at Holy Communion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we also know that even the colour of the carpets and the personalities in leadership ensure that for the most part, we keep separate. And being separate, although understandable, is very ungodly. I say that because at the heart of our faith is the Trinity. Our faith is founded on community. We believe in one God in three persons who are co-equal, co-eternal, consubstantial (of the same substance) divine persons. Almost all Christian denominations accept this and as we grow in the knowledge and love of God, our Christian communities should reflect that too. Even those among us who are introverts recognise the truth that ‘No man is an Island’ as John Donne wrote. No person is ‘Entire of itself; Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main.’
Here in Bromborough we have learned something of the importance of doing things together. The BVCA (Bromborough Village Community Association) do many things together. Our big Christmas trees would not happen without them and their fair the smaller without us. They do the beautiful flower troughs around out car park, some of our team help put up the lights.
I am hoping that as move outwards in mission, we will see The Centre develop even more in its outreach to the community and in the way it works to support the whole ministry of the church. We don’t always have enough people to make things happen but when we partner other organisations, like our work with FUSS and FUPS on school uniform and the Churches Together Knit and Knatter group, we begin to pool our resources and do work of a greater depth and quality than we might sustain alone. And where those organisations are Christian, we find out more about our areas of common ground. There are many.
The book of Ecclesiastes 4.9-12 reminds us that, ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour and can help each other. Psalm 133. 1 states, ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!’ Paul teaches the people of Corinth,’: 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}.
Wishing you every blessing in the week ahead,
