Regular message from the Minister at Almondbury Methodist Church
Message from our Minister - February 2024

Dear All

It might be just me, but getting moving in the morning is a bit of a struggle. I love my morning walks with Rosie but even the nudging of a wet nose is met by a groan, the lack of light and, my now natural expectation that it will be raining when I finally get to the door. The thought of having to put on all that wet gear- well not thrilling. Once out I'm fine and tramping across the moor does me the world of good, but getting there is a real struggle. I get a real sense of life being a bit of an effort for many currently. There is so much "stuff" crowding in and very little light.

I think it is important to acknowledge this as we transition from the church year in which Epiphany moves into Lent. In Epiphany we are invited to reflect on a revelation and insight into the very nature of God and the call to life as a follower. In Lent we are called to consider Jesus' ministry and the road that takes him to the Cross and where that lands for us this year.

What do we do with the gift of the season of Lent in 2024 I wonder?

I notice the urge to cram in more study, activity, meetings that seek to address the issues that are crowding in. Yet I am drawn to my morning experiences that perhaps I need to let the light find me, to put myself in places that will allow God's presence to be revealed.

I was listening to a Rabbi talking about the gift of Sabbath. Since being small I was taught the gold standard was to do nothing because that is what God did. God rests on the seventh day. Sunday was a day of rest and for worship, no work. If you were seen working, seen being the operative word, then there was a sense of shame. There was of course some work, food and travel. It is interesting to reflect on what counted as work and who was to do it, but I digress.

The Rabbi emphasises what the Sabbath is. We have two things going on, a finishing up and a resting but they seem to not go together. What is being created on this day then, he suggests, is rest. It is not how we think of rest often, as something positive. He invites a consideration of rest as granting independence. Let something emerge, see what develops. It is simultaneously creative and resting before picking things up again the next day.

I am wondering if this will help me as I enter Lent this year. The courage to lay down my tradition of stopping bad habits etc or the need to pick more things and do something positive however good these are and have the courage to let things be.

The Rabbi suggested that in fact what is happening is space for appreciation of what has been and what is and what is becoming, apart from us, is a vital part of the Sabbath practice.

Maybe this Lent I need to have the courage to let things be, give them independence and appreciate the creative works that in partnership with God, others and myself are before me. I pray that this Lent we will let the light find us, as I am sure it will, as we stand back and seek to practice the discipline of Sabbath.

Peter

Contact The Minister | Contact The Wesley Centre for Bookings | Find us on Facebook 
Download the latest edition of the Weekly Notices | Data Protection Privacy Notice