Message from Brenton

Rev. Brenton Prigge

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Dear Friends
September has arrived and with it a Methodist Church “new year”. Around the country
children are beginning a new year of school, and soon many will begin a new year at
university or college. Others will be starting out and new jobs.
This is also a time of new beginnings for churches (as well as for many other sectors of
public life) as restrictions have eased and many types of gatherings are once again possible
(with some levels of care and within guidelines) after more than eighteen months of
abeyance.
I think these are exciting times. The potential for new things is palpable at a time like this.
Jesus spoke of the need for “new wine” to be put in “new wineskins”. I wonder what the
“new wine” really is for us as Methodists, post-lockdown? And I wonder in what ways we
can provide “new wineskins”?
As we begin the new Methodist year, I will be exploring a particular theme in my preaching
over the next few months: Discipleship. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus for this
time? How may we each as individuals and together as congregations best live out our
faithfulness to Jesus’ call to “follow me”? If, as Paul suggests in 1 Corinthians 12, we are all
members of the Body of Christ, and each “member” or body part has a distinct role to play,
what is my role, and what is your role, and how do we “connect” to one another and work
together to make the body as a whole function well? Teeth cannot chew food without jaw
muscles, and both actions are wasted without the throat muscles that swallow (not to
mention the follow-up work of every part of the digestive system – all “behind the scenes”
as so many roles in the church are too). And how much poorer the feeding process is if the
sense of smell and taste do not function!
The church (not building or place or denomination or Sunday service – the people of God,
the Body of Christ) is like that. We all have a part to play, and each part is both specific and
crucial to the rest.
I believe it is also very important for us as we explore what “new wineskins” God has in
store for us in this new era, that just as much as we each have a particular role to discover
and live out, we cannot possible try to do what is in reality somebody else’s role. The teeth
cannot smell or taste. They can try, but the more they gnash and grind, the more they will
wear themselves out - to no avail. Just because “somebody ought to…” does not mean it
has to be you. The only things you “ought to…” is that to which God calls you – that is what
God’s Spirit will equip and empower your for.
The same is true for us as congregations. Not every local expression of the wider church
needs to do everything that the whole Body of Christ is called to do. What is God’s call on
us as local congregations of the faithful? Let’s do that well, and the wider world-wide
church – indeed the Kingdom of God - will be enriched by it. But we cannot do it all. God
does not expect it of us, let us not expect it of ourselves.
Let me say again – I see huge potential in these times. I believe we have much to offer and
God can and will do great things through us, the servants of God, the disciples of Christ.
What gifts has God given you/us to use for the Kingdom? How may you/we use those gifts
in new ways at a time like this? What will you/we need to give up doing? What will you/we
need to start doing afresh? What will you/we need to change?
May the Lord bless us all in our next steps as Christ-followers!
Brenton

We are open on Thursday mornings between 10am and 11am for private, personal prayer for anyone who wishes to attend.

We can accommodate up to 30 people at a time, socially distanced, but must stress that you should not attend if you feel personally at risk, and certainly not if you are showing signs of having the virus, however mild.

We ask you to wear a face mask, and you will be asked to use sanitiser on entry and exit.

Please bring your own pen to sign in - we need to keep a record of all attendees.

If you need to use the toilet, please use a disinfectant wipe (provided) to clean surfaces after use.

There will be no refreshments offered, but you are welcome to bring your own water, etc.

Please do not hang coats in the vestibule, but keep them with you.
 

Church Council has agreed to re-open the church for Sunday Worship from 7th March.

Most Sunday morning services are now streamed and can be viewed live or later on Youtube (just search for Crownhill Methodist Church) 

 We have restarted "Open Church" for visitors from 10.30am-12noon on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. All are welcome to pop in for whatever reason.