Last Sunday evening our new Methodist President, the Reverend Steve Wild was in the Meon Valley Circuit and preached at Shirrell Heath Methodist Church, the very first Sunday following his induction. Our new President is quite a character! He has a lively wit and a very unusual personality – not a staid, quiet cerebral sort, but a very outgoing personality and a strong character. He reminisced somewhat amusingly about his life in Methodism and found time to give thanks to those in the congregation he knew from the past, including Phillip Seaton, with whom he had been to Bible College at the same time.
He reminded us that his Mission in his Presidential Year was for each Methodist Community to get at least one convert during the year [not a Church Transfer mind you!] and that a small Church in Cornwall district with just 8 members has grown in a short period to 45 Members and is still growing . He gave examples of people he had met in recent days and how he spoke with them about his faith. He reminded us that prayer was important in Church life and we should – each and every one of us- look for daily opportunities to share our faith with others. Not everybody is as skilful as our President but with time and prayer, I am sure we can all improve.
He also publicly anointed those from the local Church who were participating in the up-coming Wickham Festival and he also anointed with oil, any who were personally concerned about church outreach in their own local communities.
Incidentally, Shirrell Heath was an elderly building but a few years back but it is now a new modern purpose built place which can easily and quickly be reorganised for various purposes. Looks very nice.
It was worth attending. Opportunities like this do not come often and the experience was thought provoking. It was also a good time to meet others from the wider Southampton District who were there as well.
Graham
