In the summertime
'One more step along the world I go', is the first line of a familiar hymn. Journeying and being on a journey are part and parcel of our everyday lives as followers of Christ and as citizens of this world. Our newly elected MPs journeyed to Westminster to take up their posts whilst our footballers and their fans headed for Berlin. Travelling to different destinations with different outcomes happens to all of us.
Perhaps for this year's summer holiday you have travelled to far flung areas of the globe in search of sun, sea and adventure, others however will have enjoyed a staycation in this green and pleasant land.
There will have been times when your journey has taken you to the doctor's surgery, to hospital appointments, to meet with a consultant or to have an operation. Other journeys will have taken you to a family celebration, a wedding, a christening, a funeral or a special birthday or wedding anniversary.
For the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren there will have been emotional goodbyes as they move class or school awaiting the opportunities a new stage in their life will bring.
Journeys will have been made by email, telephone, letter or just meeting up for a cuppa and a chat with friends and relatives. There is no doubt we just keep travelling on.
In my role as a Circuit Steward, I have thoroughly enjoyed travelling to and sharing in the churches experiences. There was Breakfast Church at St James school in Gaunts Common, attending the wedding of Helen & Austin at Mudeford Lane, singing and chatting with the residents of Streets Meadow, celebrating with Marjorie at Woodlands on her seventy years of playing the organ there, having the opportunity to send time in prayer at the Pray Event organized by Verwood, enjoying afternoon tea with the folk of Wimborne at Deborah & John's house whilst raising money for two charities.
Equally preaching on a Sunday has enabled me to visit different churches around the circuit, which is always a blessing. Occasionally due to work commitments and holidays I have been unable to share in various functions, which has been very disappointing.
And so, the journey continues. Over the summer period within the circuit there will be four Holiday at Home sessions, Wimborne & Verwood host a children's event, Holtwood has an Open Air evening service whilst Woodlands invites us all to a Car Treasure Hunt.
Come September Salisbury Methodist Church invites us to the Welcome Service for the new Chair of District Revd Rachel Bending, the Circuit Leadership Team say farewell and thank you to Chris Slade for all his hard work as a Circuit Steward over the past fours and hello to the new Circuit Steward Kathy Archibald. And our Superintendent Minister Rev Andrew Pottage begins a phased return to work.
I leave you with the closing line of the hymn I began with:
'And it's from the old I travel to the new keep me travelling along with you'.
Joyce
