Abbots Langley Methodist Church
Magazine
January 2008

FROM THE MANSE

from Revd. Gill Hulme

New Year is a time of making resolutions, renewing promises and also of being able to dream dreams, and imagine.

If we were to dream dreams for our church community here at Abbots, I wonder what they would be?

Perhaps to find more willing helpers for the numerous jobs that need doing each week, for more money coming in to support the work of the church, for more people to come and experience the welcome, for more children and young people?

But maybe we should be dreaming a bit larger, really engage with ‘blue sky thinking’ and think about how we might be able to ‘catch up’ with what God is planning for our area.

In my studies, one of the subjects was Mission. We need to get away from the idea that this is only for evangalists or ‘missionaries’ or that we need to stand on a soap box on a street corner. On the contrary, mission can be viewed as ‘one beggar telling another where to find bread’ or indeed as ‘loving our neighbour into God’s Kingdom’. One of the theological terms used was ‘ Missio Deo’ which means God’s mission. Rather than trying to do things on our own we are invited by God to share in this divine mission, to bring in God’s kingdom here on earth, by enabling others to find out about the wonderful love of God.

There are a number of ways of doing this, and an African parable might illustrate two of them. Mother monkey when there is danger screams loudly, and the baby monkeys have to run to her, cling onto her fur whilst she carries them to safety. Mother cat on the other hand, goes to her kittens and picks them up in her mouth and take them to a safe place.

So if people won’t come into the church, perhaps we need to be church where people are.

And this is what the Fresh Expressions’ Vision day is all about, giving us time to dream dreams, to be inspired by others’ dreams that have become a reality, and to discuss with others what could work for our community.

We have a huge advantage in Abbots, in that there is a village community, and the churches work well together. But still, for the vast majority of our village, church and the Gospel message are sadly irrelevant.

The Vision day hopes to change that, to inspire ordinary women and men (and not necessarily the usual suspects within the church) to dream dreams, to catch hold of the vision, and to put these dreams into action.

So I would urge you to book up for the Vision day, and if you happen to know a person who hasn’t been much involved in the church recently because it has seemed a little dated, then urge them to come along or have a chat to Chris or myself.

Lastly if you feel that this really isn’t for you, then can I ask that you keep the organisers in your prayers, and you pray also for the success of the day.

(Did I mention the date? No, well its Saturday 26 th Jan!)

Every blessing for the New Year

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.

Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.