New Year Reflections – and a leading questions for Church Councils – ‘Got any new candidates for confirmation?’

I think it must be true. Time really does fly when you are having fun. Or is it that time flies when you are busy. At any rate, it only seems like yesterday that we were immersed in a blend of Christmas services, as we welcomed relatives and new people to the Church. Of course, like most of you, I did not make everything, but what I saw was good and wholesome. I remember the children at the preschool nativity, who were simply amazing. Asking a pre-school child a question in a semi-formal setting is always a bit risky, but from the moment I asked, ‘Who are we here to remember today?’ and I got the answer-back, ‘baby Jesus’, I knew we were in for some wonderful banter. I remember the crib service (which was styled on Messy Church), where we had new people – and so many of them that we had to bring in more tables. I remember the rapid change of approach when we opened up the craft box we had ordered and saw that the cut-out nativity figures weren’t there, meaning that plan B and plan C (yes there was a plan) came immediately into action. I also remember Ro cleaning half a pot of glue that went up in the air, turned around, and landed on the floor (apparently, this seemed like slow-motion), whilst all the adults were helping the children. I remember the Christmas Day service where I was able to sit in the congregation with my Mum and Father in law, apart from a brief stint of modelling hand actions. You will have your own memories but thank you to all who came, and all who attended.

We now find ourselves in January. Night Shelter is in full swing – and this was in operation over the Christmas period of course. Covenant service and the commissioning of pastoral visitors will soon be upon us – and may well be gone by the time you read this. The MET weekend has been and gone – and this was a great success in how it brought people together from across the circuit, with the Saturday session being here at Brookside, and the Sunday at Southside. It looks like there will be a number of prayer groups starting across the circuit. Look out for these, and for the healing service which takes place once a month. If you are interested in the teaching that is behind healing, Paul’s slides are still available on the circuit website (if you are online, go to www.peterboroughmethodistcircuit.org and click on the red MET notice at the top of the screen. There is a link on our own website as well. If you would like a copy, let me know.  Most recently we had the PE4 Churches Together service, which was something that I really enjoyed. From my perspective, it was good to join together with other ministers, show a united front, and share in worship. There are some really interesting moves afoot within PE4, particularly around getting to understand each of our needs, and praying for each other.

As I reflect, I am continually questioning how we as a church can capitalise from all this energy. Formally, one of the first questions we should ask at Church Council, is whether there are any new candidates for confirmation. The language is slightly archaic in my view – confirmation is not an exam! However, the underlying premise is really helpful. How do we invite people into the life of the Church? How do we encourage them in faith? How do we help them to reach the point where they make a Christian commitment? In some ways, the covenant prayer (which many of us will have already spoken) is an opportunity to recommit our lives. But perhaps it would be good for us all to think about how we as individuals and groups invite and encourage newcomers. This goes beyond advertising services: it is about developing our relationships with people. If there is anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the Church, I would welcome a conversation. It is quite surprising how when we look back, God has brought us new people – I have some of them in my pastoral ‘I will look after and encourage’ group. I am convinced that God is sending us more. I look forward to being surprised by God this year.