Circuit Newsletter 

Easter 2024

Resurrection: The Great Explosion

“Suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.

(Matthew 28:2)

Dear Friends,  Hallelujah! Christ is Risen from the dead! He is Alive! 

On Easter day Christians all over the world celebrate the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus is the fundamental foundation of the Christian faith and is the foretaste and the first fruit of the future glory we will enjoy in Christ.

After the gruesome crucifixion and the burial of Jesus the tomb was sealed and watched over by the Roman guards. The apparent tragedy of the crucifixion ended with a great earthquake that rolled the stone away to reveal that Christ had risen. He promised his disciples that the Son of Man would be handed over to the gentiles, tortured, crucified, buried and rise again as the Lord of life. 

Such awesome power reminds us that God can break the chains of death, conquer the power of sin, prove that life is stronger than death, demonstrate that love is greater than hatred, and light is much brighter than darkness.

The Resurrection shook the natural order; it destabilized and vanquished the human and demonic schemes to destroy the mission of Jesus Christ and confirmed the truth of what Jesus said to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life....”.

Further, the Power of the Resurrection demonstrates that in Christ heaven and earth meet to witness how Jesus the Messiah becomes the unshakable source of eternal hope for a lost and broken humanity and that only in Jesus Christ can lasting hope, joy, and peace be found.

It is fascinating living in a multi-cultural society to know that apart from Christianity all other major religions of the world tell the story of their founder which does not go beyond their graves. What an awesome privilege to know that only the Christian faith declares that Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again after three days. 

He is Alive! He has conquered death, and the story continues beyond his grave. So, the resurrection of Christ shows God’s power to raise us from the dead.

The Easter story gives us the confidence of our own resurrection; that we participate in Christ’s risen life here and now but also anticipate the fulness of an everlasting life here after. 

Jesus said to Martha, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’ (John 11: 25- 26). He asked her, do you believe! Martha said, “Yes Lord I do”! 

When Jesus declared he is both the resurrection and the life, Martha declared her faith and hope in Jesus who is the assured resurrection who brings life that is eternal. That is the glorious hope shared by all who believe in Christ. We are given an opportunity to trust him to have that eternal fellowship with him forever. 

We are also called to participate in the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus here and now. The power of the resurrection of Jesus destroys the sting of death, clears the darkness and gloominess looming over our lives and transforms our despair into joy and victory: 

“Thine be the glory risen conquering Son, endless is the victory thou o’er death has won.” It also transforms our hopelessness into a great hope: “In Christ alone my hope is found...”

The Power of the Resurrection proves that Christ is risen from the dead and is alive forever (Romans 6:9). It unfolds God’s absolute sovereignty over all that He has created including life and death. Therefore, He is worthy of our praise and worship. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11). 

The Resurrection is the source of our victory over death because it "raises us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 2:6). Our present suffering is not the end but only a means to behold the life that is yet to come.

While writing 1 Corinthians 15, St. Paul underlines the power of the resurrection of Christ which helps us to see things beyond what they are at the present time. He unfolds the misery of human life that is not based on Christ’s Resurrection. Further, St Paul clearly says. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). 

The power of resurrection has defeated death! Therefore, we don’t need to fear death because it cannot separate us from the living Christ. Christ indeed has risen from the dead and “has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (v. 20). 

This is a promise that assures us that what we believe is a foretaste of our own resurrection. By rising from the dead, Jesus Christ demonstrated His power to break the bonds of sin to give us our true identity of being sons and daughters of the living God. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

God declares His immense power over sin and death. With such authority, Jesus also brings us the blessed assurance of forgiveness and eternal life as the gift of salvation to all those who accept Him in faith.

Easter brings us the hope of new life in the midst of our challenges and suffering. Thus, the power of the resurrection shows how our lives are safe in the hands of God “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3). 

This is the greatest hope and blessed assurance which comes as a joyful song of Victory. 

“To God be the glory, Great things He has done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life-gate that all may go in.”

May the power of the Resurrection of Jesus draw each one of us closer to the cross where he laid down his life so that we may have abundant and eternal life. 

May we, like Martha, hear Jesus saying, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” May we have the hope and courage to grasp the question Jesus poses, “Do you believe it?” 

May the compassion and grace of God in Jesus empower us to say “Yes Lord, I believe” you are the resurrection and the life.

May the Risen Christ fill us with the assurance that we belong to him, and he is our blessed hope of glory. 

May I commend you to the power of Christ’s resurrection which is the source that is able to fill us with joy and life that shines through all power of darkness as we walk in his footsteps. 

Have a happy Easter

Shalom my friends shalom!

Rev Dr. Joseph B. Suray 

====================

Circuit Newsletter 

Christmas 2023

from 

Rev Peter Brown

 

Behold: A Saviour is Born

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:8-12). 

Those glorious words, spoken by the angel, resonate across the corridors of time, with purpose, meaning, and hope. 

It was for this hope the world longed; this purpose God gave his beloved Son; and in this gift of our Saviour, we find meaning and fulfilment.

Jesus’ birth gives hope that no matter what we face, God is with us, and has made a way for our forgiveness. 

His birth represents more than a brief moment in history, it is the axis upon which the world turns, splitting history into A.D. and B.C. We have a Saviour who came to us in the most extraordinary circumstances. 

The Creator of all choosing to become human. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). God becoming flesh and blood. God robed in humanity. God forever taking our humanity into his divinity. Jesus is God fully human and fully divine. 

Surely, this forever validates the importance and sanctity of human life. 

As the Psalmist says, “We are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). The powerful truth that the Psalmist is affirming is that we are not just flotsam or rearranged space dust but God’s handiwork. 

We are not an accident of random selection but a divine work of art, created it the image of God. We are significant not because of what we do or achieve but because of whose we are.

 

In the gift of our Saviour, God reminded us of the infinite cost of our salvation and the immeasurable value of humanity. His love for us was so great and so fierce that he gave his most precious gift at the greatest cost to rescue, redeem, and restore us to his family in a forever filial relationship. 

No greater love has ever been shown; no greater price paid to secure the greatest legacy of all – our relationship with him.  

Yet today his love is resisted in favour of self-styled salvation and human alternatives to his immense gift of eternal abundant life.

 

In Christmas God confronts us with a priceless, prodigious, and personal gift that cannot be surpassed in value or virtue. Jesus is the Son that ‘is given’ (Isaiah 9:6) and the Saviour that we need. Folks, if we could save ourselves why would we need a Saviour? Jesus didn’t enter the world to help us save ourselves. He came to save us from ourselves. 

An expert at lifesaving will tell you that it is virtually impossible to rescue a person in difficulty when they are trying to save themselves. 

We have become experts at using our good works as a substitute for God’s gracious gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. We are not good enough to save ourselves from our sin, neither are we strong enough to save ourselves from death. 

In Jesus God has provided a Saviour from sin and a deliverer from death. Jesus is our Saviour.

 

Let us rejoice in the glorious announcement of the angels and heed the glad tidings they tell. They bring more than a story for children or a tale to be packed away with the Christmas decorations when the festive season is over. 

This gift is for everyday and forever. Jesus is God’s indescribable gift of peace and eternal life. 

As the Prince of Peace, he laments over the brokenness, violence, and catastrophic displays of cruelty and inhumanity that have served to plunge countries and whole regions into instability, immense pain, and suffering. 

The message of the angels is a sombre reminder of what we cannot broker, and will not achieve, in a world where God is not on the agenda, and where the Prince of Peace has no place in our negotiations for peace and our futile attempts at lasting reconciliations.

 

We need to hear and heed the powerful words of Edmund Sears’ Carol, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear.  With striking resonance, he speaks to our time with passion and purpose. 

His words represent a clarion call away from war to embrace God’s powerful message peace. 

With robust language, he confronts the ‘sin and strife’ that has heaped immense suffering on humanity and delivers a strong rebuke to those who see war as inevitable without being consequential: “O hush the noise ye men of strife and hear the angels sing.”

 He points to a time when this gracious message of the angels will find its fulfilment in the reign and eternal Kingdom of the Prince of Peace.  

For that day of consummation and celebration we pray in earnest and press in our efforts to see the Kingdom of God breaking in so that we make have the joy of a rich harvest of people who have encountered the grace and truth of Jesus Christ and through his saving love entered into his eternal and abundant new life.

 

This is the gift of Christmas that the church is called to celebrate. It is time to be bold in our invitation, proclamation, and celebration. We have a Saviour. 

Let us invite people to meet him. We have good news to share. Let us share it with humble boldness. 

There is nothing like Christmas. Let us celebrate the coming of our Saviour with joy and gladness. 

Three cheers! 

We have a Saviour.

 

Have a blessed Christmas season and Holy Spirit led New Year!

 

Peter

 

 

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Circuit Newsletter - Easter 2023

from 

Rev Joseph Suray 

Resurrection: The Great Explosion

 

“Suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” (Matthew 28:2)

 

Dear Friends,

After his gruesome crucifixion, Jesus was buried and sealed in a tomb, watched over by the Roman guards until the Easter Day Resurrection. 

As the disciples were promised, the Son of Man was handed over to the Gentiles, tortured, crucified and buried, and rose again (Matthew 16:21, Luke 24:7)

Such an event reminds us of God's power to break the chains of death and conquer the power of sin. 

It shook the natural order, destabilised human schemes to destroy real evidence (Matthew 28:2) and revealed the enigma of what Jesus said to Martha "I am the resurrection and the life...". 

The Resurrection brought heaven and earth together in Christ and affirmed Jesus the Messiah as the unshakable source of Eternal Hope, Joy and Peace for the lost humanity.

Today, Easter reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus is the fundamental foundation of the Christian faith, and offers the foretastes of the glory divine. 

Jesus said to Martha, "I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11; 25-26). 

He asked her, do you believe! Martha said "Yes Lord I do!" declaring her faith and hope in Jesus. 

That hope is shared by all those who believe in Christ.

We are also called to practice the joy of the resurrection and now, "Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son, endless is the victory, thou o'er death has won." 

It transforms our hopelessness into a great hope, "In Christ alone my hope is found..." 

The power of the resurrection proves that Christ is risen from the dead in order to live forever (Romans 6:9)

Therefore, He is worthy of our praise and worship. "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you," (Romans 8:11). 

Our present suffering is not the end but only a means to behold the life that is yet to come.

While writing 1 Corinthians 15, St Paul underlines the power of the resurrection of Christ. 

He clearly says, "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" ( 1 Corinthians 15: 54-55). 

Christ indeed has risen from the dead and "has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (v 20). 

This is a promise that we will follow Him in resurrection. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

God declares His immense power of sin and death.

Easter brings us a new hope of new life from our temporary suffering. 

Thus, the power of the resurrection shows how our lives are safe in the hands of God. "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3). 

This is the greatest hope and blessed assurance which comes as a joyful song of Victory. 

"To God be the glory, great things He has done, So loved He the world that He gave us His Son. Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life-gate that all may go in."

May he Resurrection of Jesus draw each of us closer to the Cross where he laid his life so that we may have the life abundant and eternal. 

Like Martha, may we have the hope and courage to say, "Yes Lord, I believe."

May the Risen Christ fill us with a blessed assurance that we belong to Him and He is our blessed hope of glory. 

May I commend to you to the power of Christ's resurrection which is the source that is able to fill us with joy and light that shines through the power and darkness as we walk in his step.

Prayer: 

"Lord, I know you suffered, died for my salvation on the cross and rose again on the third day. 

I understand that my personal suffering can take on new meaning through your suffering on the Cross. 

Lord, have mercy on me in order to realise fully and understand this great mystery of Resurrection. 

Help me to find even greater worth in your Cross, so that I may understand the meaning of taking my own cross to follow you. 

Lord Jesus, I trust in you and believe now that you are the Resurrection and Life for me."

Amen

=====================

from 

Luke Denley

- Our Circuit Family Worker

February 2023

“For God so loved the world 

that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him 

shall not perish 

but have eternal life”. 

John 3:16 

Dear Friends 

As I write this pastoral letter for the month of February, Valentine’s Day approaches. 

For those living in Wales it is on the 25th January and for us in England it is on the 14th February. 

As I reflect on what these days mean, I am reminded of God’s love for me and for you. 

God’s love is constant, there may be times when we may not see or feel God’s love, but let’s take this month of February to reflect upon God’s love for us all. 

One of my favourite places to visit is Anglesey and a very special beach called Newborough Beach with a little island just off it called Ynys Llanddwyn. 

I just love this place and I love its history, but it’s also a place where I find God in the beauty of the world. This place has a very special place in my heart. 

Below is some extra information regarding this special place. 

Saint Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers. The daughter of legendary king Brychan Brycheiniog who ruled Brycheiniog (Breconshire) in South Wales, Saint Dwynwen was a 5th-century princess, whose tragic experience in love, led her to dedicate her life to god, and lovers everywhere. 

One of her most famous sayings was, 'Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness' and her name is often translated, “She who leads a blessed life.” 

As with most Welsh history, the tale of Saint Dwynwen has been handed down the generations by word-of-mouth in the form of poems and songs, creating several versions of her story that tie in elements of Welsh folklore and Celtic mythology. 

Most versions though revolve around Dwynwen’s failed romance with a man or prince called Maelon Dafodrill. 

Dwynwen was said to be the prettiest of King Brychan’s 24 daughters and her father had arranged a marriage for her. 

Dwynwen though had fallen in love with Maelon Dafodrill and wanted to marry him instead. 

When King Brychan said no to the union a distraught Dwynwen fled to the woods where she prayed to God for help. 

In her moment of desperation an angel appeared and gave Dwynwen a sweet potion that would help her forget her love for Maelon, but the moment she drank it, he was turned into a block of ice. 

God then granted the devoted Dwynwen three wishes – either because she agreed to drink the potion, or as the result of her prayers after seeing what happened to her lover. 

The first was that Maelon would be thawed; 

the second was for God to help all true lovers, 

and the third was that she would never marry.

In thanks to God for granting her wishes, Dwynwen dedicated the rest of her life to his service and became a nun, thus fulfilling her promise never to marry. 

She retreated to North Wales and set up a convent on a remote corner of Ynys Môn (Anglesey). 

In this month of February, I urge you to find God’s love for you. 

Can you seek God’s love for you in this wonderful world that we live in? 

Can you find it in nature? 

Can you see how much God loves you on a daily basis? 

Once you are able to know God’s constant love for you, I encourage you to share it with others who may not know God’s love or who may need to be reminded of God’s love for them. 

Blessings to you all, 

Luke Denley 

Circuit Family Worker

------------------------------------------------

from 

Rev Joseph Suray

- Our Superintendent Minister

One Day at a Time to 2023

        ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEtKfyvTHig

)

May I welcome you into a fresh new day that scripts the beginning of the New Year for the whole world.  As Ellen Goodman says, “Maybe this year, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives not looking for flaws, but looking for potential.” 

It is difficult sometimes to imagine how 2022 has gone so soon; yet, while the past year went by fast, it also encourages me to know that there is no end for God’s protection, providence and presence in keeping us safe in the days to come, no matter what may be thrown at us.

We know that at times, we felt everything apart from joy. It is natural that we experienced lows in our spirit, which caused our circumstances to go out of our hands. Some of our sorrow or guilt has been overwhelming. 

As we read through the Psalms, we encounter those who also felt what we feel today. It is very encouraging to see their prayer reflecting their ‘raw deal’, they were honest with God and themselves. I am inspired to see how their conversations with God often ended in gratitude for his gifts. 

May I encourage you that whether you feel happy or sad, do not hesitate to pour out your feelings and emotions before God through prayer. God will give us a reason to rejoice and count his blessings. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb4JBNDWhOA)

Without any doubt, recollecting 2022 fills us with gratitude and shows how appropriate Samuel’s message to the Israelites many years ago is: “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpha and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). 

As we stand on the verge of 2023, we can say with both humility and confidence that by God’s Grace, every day of last year was given to us by God. The memories we retain are a reminder of everything the Lord has done in our lives, ministry and community, and that there is no end to God’s goodness and forgiveness (Psalm 23). God has shown us his never-ending mercies so that we are forgiven, accepted and restored in order to walk with him our head held high, seeing the light for our unknown path. (Psalm 27:1). 

Now a huge question: what can please us, or how can we keep ourselves happy as we prepare to embrace the new days to come? King David, having gone through all challenging experiences of life, inspires us: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4). This psalm expects us to take our lives seriously so that we make time for God, his Word, and Prayer and experience the meaning of delight in his Holy Presence.

Therefore, recognise and affirm that God has blessed you this new day to live with humility, gracefully and to serve him faithfully in order to rejoice. 

As Elizabeth George says, “This one simple act of beginning each day with God sets each day on the path of wisdom.” We are filled with gratitude for God’s wisdom that enables us to be happy and content. We are safe in his loving hands and have the confidence to know that God renews his everlasting love for us to enjoy his blessing. 

Sometimes we wonder how we have managed to be here today. We are reminded that it is only, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed…”, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-24). 

We have got nothing to boast about; it is not our position or possessions that have sustained us. We are still here to enjoy, and taste and see how God’s compassion have not failed and his gifts will never diminish. (James 1:17).

It is my prayer that God will continue to guide us, comfort us, empower us, and fill us with his joy no matter what circumstances we may face. Let us make our motto of what Benjamin Franklin said, “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let every new year find you a better man [woman].” 

Let us continue to know that this is the day that the Lord has made; now we are left with no option than to “Trust and Obey” our Shepherd and Master. 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upRoR7ej9Ns). 

Therefore, let us ask the Lord to empower us to press on one day at a time into 2023 this year with confidence, courage and hope to bring all glory and honour.

Prayer: “Father, I place into your hands, the things I cannot do, the things that I've been through and the way that I should go…Amen”

Joseph Suray

==========================

November 2022

A Letter from 

Luke Denley

- Our Family Worker

“Be strong and courageous.  

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, 

for the Lord your God goes with you; 

he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

(Deuteronomy 31:6)

 

Dear Friends,

 It is a great joy to be writing to you.  I am the new Family Worker in your Circuit.  Having only being in post a couple of weeks, I already feel a sense of home within this Circuit.  I have received a very warm welcome from the Circuit and for that I thank you. 

I was asked to write the letter for the November newsletter.  November is a very busy month with so many different things going on, but this year it seems even busier.  Here are just a few things that will happen: Bonfire night, Remembrance Day, the Football World Cup and the beginning of Advent.  Even looking at these events mentioned, the month of November seems quite daunting. 

The theme of the letter is anticipation.  You may or may not like Bonfire Night or the fireworks going off days before and days after.  I personally love fireworks, especially at an organised show.  I do also like the home fireworks that people let off, but I am aware that many people with animals may not like them.  But whatever your feeling is towards them: Are you excited or are you nervous?  Do you have positive anticipation or negative?

Then there is Remembrance Day, a day of reflection of what has gone before us and a moment where we think about today and the wars people around the world are facing.  We think of the Armed Forces past and present, we think of those who have lost their lives to war.  We remember those who have fallen and those whose families have suffered due to war.

I mentioned earlier that November is normally busy, but this year we also have the Football World Cup starting in November in the middle of the football season.  There are questions on many people’s lips like: Will England win the world cup? Will England win the group? Will England win a game?  Most England football fans may even believe that England could win, is that realistic, are we good enough?  The anticipation of football results for a football fan can be immense, if England win a game the country gets excited, if England lose the feeling is so low. 

Finally, there is the beginning of Advent.  A time when we prepare our hearts for Christ’s birthday.  A time when we plan for family visits, a time when we may exchange gifts, a time for food and festivities.  For many people there is great joy with Christmas, but for some there is a sense of loss, a sense of what could have been, a sense of what could be. Christmas can be a time that raises so many emotions.

With the month of November approaching, there are a wide range of emotions and feelings.  The Bible says in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

As we approach November, with all that goes ahead of us, God wants us to be strong and courageous.  He won’t give you anything you can’t handle; he won’t give you anything that is not in his perfect plan for your life.  We need to trust what God wants to do in our lives and our family’s lives.  

As I write this letter, let us go with confidence in what God wants to do in our lives and in the life the Blackheath and Halesowen Methodist Circuit.  Anticipate great things for November and as we approach Advent, anticipate that God will be at work this Christmas time and that many will come to know Christ as their personal saviour. 

 

God bless you.

Luke Denley

Family Worker

---------------------------------

Circuit Newsletter

May 2022

A Letter from 

The Chairman of the District 

Rev Ian Howarth

to our Circuit Family

Dear friends,

As I prepare for my retirement in August and look forward to a new phase of ministry as a supernumerary minister, I find myself reflecting on the nature of the Christian church, that I have been privileged to serve as an ordained minister for the past thirty-seven years.

It is part of my Methodist understanding that I have always seen my relationship with God as being lived out within a Christian community. To quote John Wesley: “The Bible knows nothing of the solitary Christian,” and again, ‘There is no holiness, but social holiness.’

From my earliest days as a Christian my faith would not have survived if I had not been in supportive fellowship with other Christians. I am so thankful to God for the small groups, the worshipping congregations, the people I have worked alongside in the church, lay and ordained, who have accepted me, nurtured me, and supported me, particularly through the difficult times.

My experience of the church as a supportive Christian community has been enormously important to me, and I have seen it as a key part of my role as a minister to help build and sustain such communities, for it is in such communities that Christians grow in faith and understanding, and it is only when that is happening that the Church can be a community that effectively shares the good news of Jesus Christ and his love.

That is not to say that church life is always easy. Thirty-seven years of ministry have also taught me that as well as being a supportive community, the church can be a challenging community. We are human and relationships are not always easy. Power dynamics are as dangerous in a church as anywhere else. Sometimes in our concern to be nice and accepting, problems are not dealt with early enough and so can escalate in unfortunate ways. We need to the courage and the wisdom to speak the truth in love and be honest with each other in ways that build each other up.

One of the things that I have rejoiced in over recent years is the church’s commitment to be an inclusive community. Methodism proclaims that ‘All people can be saved.’ and in a more diverse world, we are working hard to reflect that diversity in the life of the church and its leadership, as you see in your own circuit. Working across difference of race and culture is not always easy, but I find that diversity enormously enriching as we share our insights and experience together.

It is when we are truly a supportive community that deals with its challenges creatively, that is inclusive and welcoming to all, that we can be a missional community. One of the sadnesses of my time in ministry is the decline of the church across Britain, in most denominations including Methodism. We have not kept pace with the changes around us and have lost both the skills and the confidence to communicate the love of Jesus to those who have no knowledge of him.

My prayer for the church is that we learn how to be a missional community, that we work on the skills and grow in confidence in mission. That we are community that is attractive to others because we shows the love of Jesus in all we do, and because we are prepared to change and grow to communicate that love better to those around, both in mission and in service. A Christian community for the wider community in every sense.

I am looking forward to discovering how I can contribute to that as I discover new ways of ministry as a supernumerary.

May God bless you,

Ian Howarth

--------------------------------------

April 10th 2022

Easter Letter to the Circuit Family

CIRCUIT NEWSLETTER

TITLE: THE PURPOSE AND POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION

“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. 

I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…  I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:8-11).

In one of the most staggering statements of self-awareness and self-disclosure, the apostle Paul, having surveyed his history, spiritual heritage, and his personal achievements, compared them to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus and concluded that they were garbage. 

This man who was filled with passionate zeal for the Law and traditions of Judaism encountered Jesus Christ and became a radical disciple, a pioneer church planter, and in God’s hands, one of the greatest missionaries and teachers of the Christian faith. Paul’s fundamental purpose was to know Christ and to make Him known. 

His radical message was Jesus died and rose with power and purpose to make available to us the blessings and benefits of His risen life.

It is vital for our theological assessment and reflection to understand that Paul believed in and preached the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

It was the corner stone of his preaching and the central pillar of his faith. 

He was absolutely clear that: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Cor.15:13-14). 

It is of utmost importance that we understand that the resurrection is ‘no conjuring trick with bones.’ 

If Jesus is not alive, He has no power to impact our lives today. 

If He is dead His words at best might have some influence but He has no power to transform lives. 

That is why the resurrection is central to Christianity. No resurrection; no Christianity. 

Christianity is not based on abstract principles. 

It is a relationship with the Risen Christ, a Living Saviour, who infuses us with life, transforms us into His likeness, and empowers us to bring His life changing good news to the world.

What does Paul mean when he says he wants to know Christ and the power of His resurrection? Was he simply stating a personal preference, an exclusive desire, or is this a truth that is central and universal for the people of God? 

The prophet Jeremiah says, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). 

Jeremiah would remind us that we have our priorities upside down in terms of things for which to aspire, admire, and desire. 

We have a strong propensity to gravitate towards those who are intelligent, talented, physically well endowed with strength and beauty, and those who are financially ‘well heeled’. 

Yet, what matters most is knowing the Lord, the covenant keeping God who delights in kindness, justice, and righteousness.

Jesus elevated this principle and gave prominence to the priority of knowing God personally. 

He said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). 

Eternal life is knowing God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Without knowing Him there is no true life. 

The apostle Peter emphasise this point when he wrote: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2Peter 1:3). 

When we know Him, He empowers us with everything we need for a godly life. John confirmed this when he declared: “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. 

And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. 

He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). 

The purpose of Jesus coming as our incarnate Saviour is that we would know Him. Knowing Christ is central to the gospel. 

We get to know Him by putting our faith and trust in Him. 

We deepen our relationship with Him through prayer where we share our joys, frustrations, and sorrows with the God of the universe who cares for us. 

We amplify and accelerate our spiritual growth by learning to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and keeping in step with Him as He leads us. 

These are some of the vital principles that we need to cultivate to ensure there is an infilling of His love and an outflowing of His life through the Holy Spirit living and working in us to enable us to bring His transforming love and hope to our communities with His resurrection power and life.

The joy of Easter is knowing the risen Christ and living in the daily reality of His resurrection. 

Paul gives us a beautiful insight into the working of this power when he wrote to the Ephesians. 

He does not ask God for more power. On the contrary, his prayer is “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead” (Eph.1:18-20). 

What a joy and blessing to know that we have access to this incomparable great power to effectively advance the work of God’s kingdom.

As God’s forgiven people let us thank Him for what the cross and the resurrection of Jesus accomplished. 

“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Rom. 4:25). 

In Christ we are a new creation; His Spirit lives within us. 

Let us encourage each other to move on with a renewed mind to expect great things from God and accomplish great things for God. 

Finally, let us embrace the deeper purpose to which we are called. We are a missionary people sent by a missionary God to announce the good news of His love, forgiveness, healing, and justice to a broken world. 

We are called to be lights in a dark world and salt to bring healing, and to influence the trajectory of our cultural conversations and political debates. 

As we stand facing the tragedy and brutality of war in the Ukraine and other parts of the world let us remember, “He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Cor.5:19-20). 

As God’s agents of change, we have a gospel burden to bless the world with the good news of Easter. 

Let us in confidence share this great blessing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christ is risen! Hallelujah!

Every blessing in Christ Jesus,

Peter

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October 30th 2021

Pastoral Letter to the Circuit Family

Shalom my friends shalom, Rev Dr. Joseph Suray 

• Short Cross Methodist Church
• Attwood Street
• Halesowen
• B63 3UE

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