A Letter from Rev Linda 

Dear friends
I love to read and hear the gospel accounts of the risen Jesus.  The other day I preached on the Emmaus Road, Luke 24:13-35. This is where we find Cleopas and his companion walking home.  They are talking together of all that has happened, sharing their sadness at the death of Jesus but also their confusion because of the discovery of an empty tomb.  A stranger joins them and a conversation begins.  They open their hearts to him, he listens and then reminds them of what the prophets said of the Messiah.  When they reach their home they invite the stranger in for a meal.  As they sit eating around the table, he breaks the bread and shares it with them.  It is then that suddenly their eyes are opened and they recognise Jesus. 
Jesus comes to us in times of struggle and calm, in times of pain and peace, in times of sorrow and joy.  He is our constant companion on this road of life.  Do we recognise him? Do we catch a glimpse in the friend, in the stranger, who happens to join us on the road at just the right time?  Jesus is there, reaching out with his unconditional and compassionate love. 
What about the times when you have found yourselves in just the right place for someone else.  Do you recognise Jesus within you?  Guiding you to be there, a companion, a friend on the road.  Jesus is there, within you, reaching out with his unconditional and compassionate love.
‘Brother Sister let me serve you, let me be as Christ to you; pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too. We are pilgrims on a journey and companions on the road; we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load’. (Singing the Faith 611, Brother Sister by Richard A M Gillard). 
As we journey into May we find our churches reopening their doors.  By the first Sunday in June all our churches will have reopened.  We will still have certain restrictions in place to keep us safe – please continue to abide by these.  If you have any concerns or questions about reopening, then do ring your Stewards or Minister. 
As we begin to reopen, it is an opportunity to consider the effect this virus has had on our communities and our response as a church. It is an opportunity to consider what our journey should now be as churches.  What have we learnt from this experience?  What has God been saying to us as we have had time in lockdown to pause and reflect?  I do not believe that God caused this pandemic – we believe in a God of love and grace.  I do believe that God has been our constant companion throughout this time and God brings light out of darkness.  At the beginning of 2020, the Circuit began a Review and we completed this during lockdown.  The findings and proposals that came from the Review were passed to the Circuit meeting and we narrowed the proposals down to our Top Ten.  See separate article for details.
 
At this time, we hold in our prayers the people of India.  All We Can have organised an Appeal – see:  www.allwecan.org.uk/coronavirus/.  
 
If anyone has any questions or just needs to talk please contact your Minister or one of the Church or Circuit Leadership Team. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. 
God bless from Rev Linda on behalf of the Circuit Leadership Team
Rev Linda: Email: revlindcat@gmail.com
Circuit Administrator, Glenn: office@stokesouthmethodist.org.uk  Tel: 01782 847489