It can be most confusing when you, as an Anglican priest, are shown the membership roll of the local Methodist church and discover that the verger from the church at which you serve is on the list! Confusing but wonderful!
As I talk to the older generation of people in the town of New Bradwell I learn that many of them have lived rather fluid faith lives, moving from church to church as the Sunday School, Youth Group, choir called them; or as their parents, who disapproved of the local vicar, packed them all off to the Methodist church. It soon became clear that the faithful of St James’ had been taught their faith, in their early years, by the faithful of New Bradwell Methodists. So it made the utmost sense that the two congregations should become one.
This is happening and has happened as far as worship is concerned – both congregations now worship together each Sunday in St James. The younger members of the church do not understand what all the fuss is about. Older members smile; remembering that they did all of this in their youth but glad all the same that this time it’s for keeps.
Great pleasure is being gained in experiencing one another’s particular ways of delighting in the love of God. This year the original congregation of St James’ will celebrate the Chapel Anniversary and Aldersgate and have loved the experience of the Service of the Word. The original congregation from the Methodist church have experienced the Patronal Festival, Compline and the changing liturgical colours.
Charles Wesley urged us not to “destroy the harmony, but strive to unite your voices together, so as to make one clear melodious sound.” We thank God for the music given to us thus far and pray that we can all contribute clearly defined strands to create a richly colourful but unified stream of worship which flows confidently into the world we live in.
Chris Collinge
(Team Vicar in the Stantonbury and Willen Team Ministry)
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