From the Pen of Rev Steve
Recent copies of the minister's letters from Rev Steve.
These are reproduced from the monthly Newsletter.
January 2025: A New Year - as we look forward, we also look back.
As a youngster, I remember New Year’s Eve with fondness. Our home would always host a “gathering” where lots of fun games happened all night interspersed with a plentiful supply of food (as ever), a little bit of music before bringing in the new year by singing Auld Lang Syne. Finally the youngest of the group was assigned the task of leaving the house via the front door and coming in through the back door carrying a piece of coal (or was it the other way round)? I also recall some gatherings at church culminating in a watchnight service, but for some reason my memories of that are somewhat scant.
Yet, bringing in the new year in the context of our faith or spiritual journey is not unusual for the people called Methodists. From our inception we have had our annual Covenant service (to be held on 26th January at Sidmouth Methodist). The majority of churches now hold that service in January as opposed to September. The words in that service are never easy to say but it affords us an opportunity to ground ourselves with a Divine perspective on our year, and reminds us that whatever happens in the year to come, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
One of my Celtic prayer books I have has the following suggested prayer for the tradition of “first footing” when we open the door to the new year.
This day is a new day that has never been before.
This year is a new year, the opening door.
Open the door
Enter Lord Christ, we have joy in your coming
You have given us life, and we welcome your coming.
I turn now to face you, I lift up my eyes.
Be blessing my face Lord, be blessing my eyes.
May all my eyes look on be blessed and be bright
My neighbours my loved ones be blessed in your sight
You have given us life and we welcome your coming.
Be with us Lord, we have joy, we have joy
This year is a new year, the opening door.
Be with us Lord, we have joy, we have joy
(Source - Celtic Daily Prayer Book 1,
- The Journey Begins)
Rhythm and routine are always helpful to frame or shape our understanding of life. Yet our looking forward to the new year and asking God’s blessing upon it is never in isolation. As we look forward, we also look back, giving thanks for those who have impacted on our lives. It allows us to see that we are lifted up on the shoulders of saints who have gone before us.
Here's to the bright new year
And a fond farewell to the old
Here’s to the things that are yet to come
And to the memories that we hold
May God’s blessing be upon you
In adversity and in joy
And may you be a blessing
In order to bring God’s joy.
Lorna and I hope you have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Steve
Yet, bringing in the new year in the context of our faith or spiritual journey is not unusual for the people called Methodists. From our inception we have had our annual Covenant service (to be held on 26th January at Sidmouth Methodist). The majority of churches now hold that service in January as opposed to September. The words in that service are never easy to say but it affords us an opportunity to ground ourselves with a Divine perspective on our year, and reminds us that whatever happens in the year to come, nothing can separate us from the love of God.
One of my Celtic prayer books I have has the following suggested prayer for the tradition of “first footing” when we open the door to the new year.
This day is a new day that has never been before.
This year is a new year, the opening door.
Open the door
Enter Lord Christ, we have joy in your coming
You have given us life, and we welcome your coming.
I turn now to face you, I lift up my eyes.
Be blessing my face Lord, be blessing my eyes.
May all my eyes look on be blessed and be bright
My neighbours my loved ones be blessed in your sight
You have given us life and we welcome your coming.
Be with us Lord, we have joy, we have joy
This year is a new year, the opening door.
Be with us Lord, we have joy, we have joy
(Source - Celtic Daily Prayer Book 1,
- The Journey Begins)
Rhythm and routine are always helpful to frame or shape our understanding of life. Yet our looking forward to the new year and asking God’s blessing upon it is never in isolation. As we look forward, we also look back, giving thanks for those who have impacted on our lives. It allows us to see that we are lifted up on the shoulders of saints who have gone before us.
Here's to the bright new year
And a fond farewell to the old
Here’s to the things that are yet to come
And to the memories that we hold
May God’s blessing be upon you
In adversity and in joy
And may you be a blessing
In order to bring God’s joy.
Lorna and I hope you have a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Steve
From the Pen of Rev Steve
Rhythm and routine are always helpful to frame or shape our understanding of life. ...