Blog
I'd love to catch you up on some of the good things that are happening with our youth at WMC: 1. We have a new team leading the youth on Sunday mornings. Dani has been meeting with our youth over the last couple of months and Lloyd has recently joined her. Between the two of them, a programme for the whole term has been developed, which means that on any given Sunday during the school term our youth can count on there being something planned for them. Together the group are dreaming up some new ideas (including exploring a Friday evening programme).
A reminder if you are new to Methodist-speak :) that historically, a congregation is called a society - we are the Westville society; societies are grouped together into circuits - the fifteen Methodist societies in our area make up the Durban Metro Circuit (we have four ministers in our circuit working alongside these societies); circuits belong to districts and we are a part of the Natal Coastal District.
One of the great contemporary teachers on Christian spirituality, Father Richard Rohr, was interviewed recently, having just turned 80. Much of the conversation covered ideas expressed in his many books, but Rohr also spent a good while talking about his dog, Opie - a 4 year old adopted Jack Russell cross. It was so striking to hear in his voice the profound joy that this little animal gives him.
A recent Barna study in the USA asked the question: "what is your preferred method of discipleship". The most popular response from Christians (38% of respondents) was "on my own". That is to say, discipleship for this group can be experienced without belonging and participating in community life. It may seem easier, less complicated to be "solo Christians", but author Ronald Rolheiser insists that there is no such thing.
It's been six years since we hosted an Alpha course at WMC and we're excited to be offering one again! The course will take place on Tuesday evenings at 18h30 and start on 16 September.
In a recent service we reflected on the story of Jesus in the home of Mary and Martha. We recognised that we all know how to go into Martha-mode - active, busy, getting things done, but that in our distracted world, it is increasingly difficult to go into Mary-mode, where we stop, quieten ourselves and give our full attention to God.
There are many things that could be said about the apostle Peter. He was impulsive, he often opened his mouth before engaging his mind and he really dropped the ball on the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over for trial. But by the end of his life, St Peter is remembered as the courageous and inspiring first leader of the church (Catholics would say the first Pope).
My daily readings are taking me through the book of Leviticus at the moment. On one level, these detailed instructions about ritual offerings to God seem worlds apart from our daily reality (don't expect to see the carcass of a bull being burned on the altar this Sunday ...).
We're just back from a very relaxing 10 days away with family. Unfortunately it coincided with Samson being on leave too, so our staff and leaders have to cover all sorts of practical tasks in our absence - thank you to all who have stepped up and helped out!
People who believe, should live in such a way that others who watch them will be able to tell very easily that they are Christians. If we walk in Jesus’ footsteps, it means that we will live like He lived; do the things He did.