Across the study desk Across the study desk I shall use this page to post reflections, comments, links etc. together with any news relating to life here at the Manse.
Time flies.......
Can you believe that we have been here in the Ormskirk Circuit now for almost nine years?
I left the Bridlington circuit in August 2001 and I took up my appointment in the Ormskirk (Lancashire) Circuit on 1st September 2001.
Of course, Karen came too.
I have put a link below to the website of what is my main Church in Ormskirk. I have pastoral charge also of a village Church in Mawdesley.
We love Ormskirk and have made what we hope will be lasting friendships with the folk in the Circuit. We were delighted that the Circuit agreed to extend my appointment here further still by another three years until Summer 2013.
As a Methodist minister I am expected to exercise an itinerant ministry. Therefore, every five years or so I am expected to move to an appointment in another Circuit.
As part of this 'Stationing' procedure I am required to prepare a profile which includes a description of my understanding of my ministry. Here is an extract from my 2001 profile. It may help to give an idea of what I believe the Christian life is all about.
I believe that God calls all Christians to share together - in our relationships, in our communities, in our work places, in the Church - in a journey of discovery.
I believe we are called to discover in this day and age, among neighbours of many faiths and of no faith at all what it means to be human, to be disciples of Jesus, to believe the Good News of God's Kingdom, and to seek the transformation that the Holy Spirit can bring about in our lives.
Within the Church I see myself as sharing with all God's people in an exploration into this calling.
I look to encourage God's people to share with me in Christ's ministry of love and service within the Church and within the local community and indeed the world -sharing in this where appropriate with Christians of other traditions.
I look to encourage individual Christians and the Church as a whole to recognise and respond to the challenge of God's kingdom. This will involve us in working wherever and however we can to transform unjust structures of society - both national and global.
To these ends I believe that a commitment to fellowship and study is vital. I would wish to encourage house groups/bible study groups as providing the ideal opportunity to grow in faith and understanding together.
I am convinced that sincere worship is at the heart of the life of the Church community and at the heart of my preaching is the conviction that God's Word challenges us and encourages us in our discipleship.
... all under-pinned by prayer.
Recommended Links
My main appointment is at Emmanuel Methodist United Reformed Church, Ormskirk - www.emmanuelormskirk.org.uk
My smaller Church is Mawdesley Methodist Church - click here
Youth Fellowship - watch this space for our youth fellowship webpage - Y?
Links to The Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church
Part of my work in Ormskirk requires me to act as Free Church Chaplain to students (and staff) at Edge Hill University. My chaplaincy is not recognised by the University though. Here are some useful links with that in mind: Methodist Student Link, SCM (Student Christian Movement), Edge Hill. Here is a link to a page especially intended for students at the college - Student Link.
A new site about Jesus that could be worth regular visits - http://www.rejesus.co.uk
Here is an interesting idea - a virtual church on the net: http://www.joiners.org.uk/ - check it out.
Another useful site for nostalgic middle-aged folk like me is http://www.friendsreunited.com
Origami - I have been an enthusiastic paper folder since I was a boy. Here is a link to the home page of the British Origami Society
Spam - are you tired of spam in your e-mail inbox? Well here's a programme worth its money which allows you to see and deal with what is coming in before it gets to your computer - Mailwasher Pro
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