Message from Rev'd Angela

Dear Friends,

I have been struggling with the question ‘what price peace?’ and wondering how we got to the stage where sermons are studied for signs of incitement to racial or religious hatred rather than for signs of the kingdom.

I find myself deeply troubled by the way in which we have reacted to the bombing in London. The demonising of Islam, as though it is the only religion that preaches war against immorality, or ‘Western Decadence’ is dangerous as well as unjust and unworthy of a nation that has an established church. The calls for deportation or worse for those who preach against the state is not new – Christ serves as the prime example of what happens when such laws are enforced. And lest we try to placate ourselves with the idea that Christianity is a religion of peace which would never preach violence – note the following from our own Scriptures.. Jesus says.. "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one's foes will be members of one's own household. (Matthew 10:34-36)

There are of course, countless other texts that I could have turned to, texts that Christians have already used throughout the ages to justify their own acts of terror, acts of slavery, abuse and genocide. From the early crusades through to the Holocaust, the argument was the same – we do these things to protect ‘our’ way of life – ‘our’ peace.. and millions have died in the aftermath of such policies.

I do not have the answer – I too abhor the idea that anyone can preach or teach anything in the name of God that would encourage young people to hate instead of love, to take life instead of live out their lives.. But I also know that unless this law is applied equally to Christians as well as to Muslims, to Jews and Hindu’s alike – but even more so, to the politicians and media masters who are whipping up this storm of hatred, we will reap the same whirlwind that history teaches us is inevitable.

In the words of the hymn by Pratt-Green in Hymn 454

Let us pray that God’s Spirit will guide us through these fraught and dangerous times, that his wisdom will prevail over our fears and his love will overcome our prejudice so that we will be able to truly love our neighbour as ourselves. Perhaps we need to be reminded of the conversation between Peter and Jesus.. ‘How often must I forgive my neighbour?….’

I pray for God’s blessing on us all as we start our new Methodist Year together. May we be an inspiration to our community and a safe haven for those in times of need. Above all, may we be a sign of the kingdom by our faith, our worship, and our commitment to God’s justice and peace above that of our own.

God Bless,

Rev. Angie

Friday - 23^rd September at 7:30pm

The great taste

and talent

auction.

To raise funds for the Youth Club

Please put the date in your diary and come along prepared to

Spend, Spend, Spend

If you haven’t already done so, please will you return your auction offering slip to Angie or Brian by September 21^st at the latest. Thanks.

Heretics Club.

Heretics club continues this month with a film that explores life after death.

Come and share a take-away and a good film with Angie and Brian at the manse. Next get together is on Wednesday September 21^st at 8:00pm