Covid-19 

Dear Friends
I hope that you are keeping well and managing to stay active as we continue in the lockdown. Again this week the number of new cases of Coronavirus continues to slowly reduce and we remain hopeful that things will continue to improve as we move towards Spring. The weather has certainly improved this week and has been much milder and it is pleasing to note that the days are starting to get lighter for longer. More good news this week as another UK based vaccine is showing promise and this will help us to ensure as many people as possible receive the vaccine to reduce the risk of further virus transmission.
You will recall that instead of our Gift Service this year we held a charity collection to support the Alice Charity. This week Barry our Treasurer was able to deliver a cheque to the charity for £500. This is an amazing amount and I am sure will be well spent to support their vital work in our community. Very many thanks for all your kind and generous donations.
Pat Hargreaves continues to receive ongoing care at the Douglas Macmillan Hospice and sends her love and thanks all for you continued prayers and the ongoing support of her many Church friends across the Circuit. Please continue to pray for Rev Stuart and Sylvia Hickerman as they both battle ongoing health illness compounded by Covid. Surrounding them in prayer helps them to know they remain in our thoughts and we continue to pray for their ongoing recovery. As always we think of all those affected by Coronavirus throughout the World and for the many people providing care, comfort, spiritual support and friendship during this difficult time. Many people continue to work tirelessly to help control the virus and we especially pray for the researchers, scientists and leaders who are all making important decisions to strive to keep us safe.
This week our Bible reading continues the account in Mark Chapter One. Jesus is in Capernaum and teaching in the Synagogue. It was noted that he taught with authority and not as a scribe. His teaching was so remarkable that people were astounded. Imagine the scene Jesus from Nazareth preaching the good news to the gathered crowd, many of whom will have been considered to be distinguished religious leaders. As he is preaching a man with an unclean spirit cries out “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God. At hearing this Jesus rebukes him saying “Be silent, and come out of him!” Following this command the spirit leaves the man and he is thrown into convulsions. All those present were amazed at the authority of his teaching. As a result of this the fame of Jesus began to spread throughout the surrounding area.
It is interesting to note that the man with the unclean spirit finds Jesus, it is he who initiates the conversation. His opening question, asked by the spirit is challenging and confrontational. The setting is difficult as Jesus by his sheer presence in the synagogue, has upset the order and has crossed a cultural, religious and traditional boundary. That Jesus was permitted to teach in a synagogue is not remarkable in itself, but it is the manner of his teaching that captures the attention. Mark comments on his authority and compares this with the scribes who were the Jewish legal experts of the time. He depicts Jesus as the one uniquely authorised, commissioned and empowered to declare and institute the reign of God.
As we focus on the reading we think about the authority of Jesus. Battle lines are being drawn here and it could be described as a fight scene. Jesus possesses the Holy Spirit and carries the Good News of God’s love for all. The unclean spirit represents the forces that dominate people and make them less free. Jesus uses his power for the service of others in this scene of healing. Power as humble service is a theme in Mark’s depiction of Jesus. Jesus teaches with his own authority which was different to the scribes whose teaching was dependent on what others had said or written. Jesus was able to show his authority on the unclean spirit. In the ancient world many illnesses were attributed to possession of an evil spirit. The removal of the spirit in this account points us to the victory of the kingdom of God over evil and death.
The teaching of Jesus is straight from his heart, from his relationship with God. In driving out the evil spirit this shows us that in the reign of God there is no room for oppressive forces which can weigh us down. The power of Jesus is used here not in dominance – he uses his power in healing service. What is interesting in this account is that even the evil spirit knew who Jesus was, but the other religious leaders in the Synagogue at this time had not recognised him!
The reading confirms the truth that Jesus Christ has authority over us not by his position but by his relationship with us. It reminds us that knowledge of Christ on its own is not enough and instead we need to submit to him as Lord. It importantly reminds us that if we engage with him in words and action we can spread the good news of his kingdom to all we meet and serve. As we celebrate the season of Epiphany we consider the means by which Christ become visible and known to the world. Epiphany however is not just about longing for and recognising the past greatness and power of Jesus it is also about discovering how Jesus is visible and amazing in our daily lives now and into the future.
Enclosed with this newsletter you will find a short act of worship that you can use for personal reflection at a convenient time. In doing so you will be joining with other Methodists throughout the UK and connecting with a shared message whilst our Church buildings are currently closed. You can also 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