Covid-19 

I hope this letter finds you and your family keeping safe and well. This week we have some signs of a reduction in the number of people developing Coronavirus, whilst it is early days this is certainly a sign of hope for further improvements over the coming weeks. We are also seeing significant progress with the number of people now receiving the vaccination and a new mass vaccination centre is opening in the City this week which will certainly help improve access to vaccinations and reduce further transmission of the virus. Please do continue to pray for all those involved in the planning and delivery of health and social care services during this pandemic. Many of the staff are facing real challenges but working hard to provide care around the clock and to support the delivery and development of vaccination provision. We sometimes take for granted the many people who work tirelessly to help to keep us safe in many ways. Please hold all our key workers, researchers and their families in your thoughts and prayers at this time.
I hope that this week you have managed to stay indoors and to stay warm – we have certainly seen some interesting snow flurries which sadly always cause traffic and travel delays and make walking outdoors difficult. It looks like we have further periods of cold weather on the way but overall given we are in January, the weather has so far been kind.
Unfortunately this week we have some sad news as one of our former Circuit Superintendent Ministers has sadly died. Rev Bernard Dodd served as a Minister at Trentham and led the Circuit during the early 1980’s and many of you will remember him fondly. We thank God for his ministry, leadership and friendship and hold his friends and family in prayer at this time.
Please also hold in prayer Rev Stuart Hickerman who is unwell with Covid and in hospital and also pray for his wife Sylvia who is unwell at home. I am certain they will welcome your thoughts and prayers and will be pleased to know they are supported in prayer by their many friends in the Circuit.
Our reading this week comes from Mark Chapter 1 v14-20 and tells the story of Jesus in Galilee where he was preaching and proclaiming the good news of God. As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw fisherman Simon and Andrew his brother, casting their nets into the sea. Jesus called out to them “Follow me and I will make you fishers of Men” As soon as they heard the message they immediately left their nets and followed him. Later as Jesus walked along the shore he saw James and John who were mending nets in their boat. He called out to them and they also left immediately and followed him.
The text continues the story from last week as Jesus continues to call his first disciples. Last week we heard about the calling of Philip and Nathanael and this week we focus on the calling of the four fisherman. The story is familiar and we often picture the scene of fisherman busy on the shore of the Sea as Jesus walks by. The bible reading does not describe a deep discussion or conversation but a very limited encounter where Jesus provides a clear and concise invitation to the men. They do not stop to question, to ponder or to reflect. They don’t ask why or enquire what they will be required to do. In this brief encounter they recognise that Jesus is a leader with an important message to share. Without hesitation they stop work, they leave their families, they don’t ask about money or accommodation or question the plans – they are called and they follow. In this brief encounter we see the importance of faith, the ability to answer a calling and the importance of discipleship.
The reading does not tell us why the fisherman followed Jesus, neither does it tell us if they had met him before or heard of his ministry from others. It is clear that something was compelling about Jesus and so remarkable that the men, without reservation followed him immediately. We know little about the background of the fisherman or indeed any of the disciples. As far as we can tell these twelve people called as followers of Jesus were ordinary people. Jesus did not conduct background checks or interviews. He did not ask about their skills, education or finances. He invited ordinary people without question to follow him. It is unlikely any of these men were perfect and as we hear later at times they misunderstood him and sometimes hesitated to follow him.
These ordinary people were called and continued his ministry. Jesus called these men in person, by invitation, just as he still calls people today.
God calls people from all circumstances and in all situations, the call is always into a personal relationship but sometimes not always where we expect or want to go. When we accept the call we have no idea of the direction it will take or the roles we will be required to do. God will utilise our gifts, skills and talents but give us the opportunity to gain many more. We can be certain that following Jesus provides us with many opportunities to grow and develop in faith and to play our part to expand and develop his kingdom. As we are called into service – do we have the faith to follow and work for the Lord ?
You can join with friends from the Church and Circuit by joining the weekly Zoom Service at 11.30am each Sunday morning (by either computer or telephone) using the links below.
Topic: Sunday Service 11.30 am
Time: This is a recurring meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768 (No password is required)
Dial by your location
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
We also have a telephone service each week using WhyPay at 10.00am on Sunday morning.
If you wish to join this the number is 0333 0110 946 and the Room Number is 47927697# and the Pin is 1145#
Please do continue if you are able to pray at 6.00pm each evening and join with others from our Church so that we can unite in the power of prayer.
Please also pray for those on our prayer list.  
Ashley, Debbie and family
Frank, Sandra, Rosemary and families
Ralph and family
Val and family
Lorraine and family
Pat
Paul, Moira and family
Ken and Pat
Chris and Diane
Malcolm, Anne and family
Arthur
Eileen and Carl
Rev Alex
Don
Margaret B
Alan
Doreen
Jean
Beaulah
Alan and Heather
Linda and family
Pam
Carol, Dave and Logan
Janet, Steve and family
Les, Olga and family
Roy and Thelma
Charles
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit YouTube channel including new material added weekly from Rev Linda, Rev Jeff and others at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here.
Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
With every blessing Ian