Abbots Langley Methodist Church
Magazine
August 2007

FROM THE MANSE

from Revd. Gill Hulme

We recently had a lovely break in North Wales , despite the weather! It is difficult to know what to pack for holidays and days out this summer, as so far we have had such a mixed bag of rain, sun, showers and even hail storms.

But what would we British talk about if we had predictable weather fronts, a rainy and a dry season, like so many parts of the world?

Talking about the weather is a safe and predictable conversation opener, we can have a good moan because it is too wet / hot / cold. We can relate to others in this way because it is non-threatening – and we are even told never to discuss things like politics and religion when we are invited to other people’s houses!

I feel that to find common ground – like the weather, is a good starting point - to get to know each other. But what if our conversations never get beyond this?

I found it very interesting that when I was volunteering at a homeless day centre I had far more conversations about God and spirituality in three months than I probably did in three years at church. Perhaps it was because the people who attended were living on the edge (the mortality rate for rough sleepers is very high – 42 is the average life expectancy). Perhaps it was because alcoholism or mental health issues meant that natural defences were lowered and people were more open to talk about what really mattered. I don’t know the reason, but I have often pondered why we in the church find it so difficult to talk about what matters to us.

Part of our calling to be disciples of Christ is to introduce others, to make more disciples and spread the good news of God’s love. We do this by our actions, by being a good neighbour to those in need, by living out our faith. But we also need to be ready to explain to people WHY we do what we do, and what we believe.

I think we need to practise this amongst friends, so to speak, and that is why we should be able to talk about our faith within the church. There are ‘official’ opportunities to do this, in the monthly Bible Study group, and the Saturday morning pop in for prayer, but we need to make other opportunities too. Only by talking in depth do we really get to know one another and in so doing can support and encourage each other on our individual journeys.

I hope that over the next few months I will be able to make space in services for this to happen, and there is always opportunity for anyone who needs specific prayers to talk to me or whoever is preaching at the end of the service. But of course the informal talks over coffee are often the best place for this type of conversation and sharing.

I pray that we can grow together as the family of God in this place as we share one another’s joys and burdens.

Every Blessing