June 2024
Dear Friends
Nine years ago, I was preparing to move to a foreign country! At the time I didn’t really appreciate it was a ‘foreign’ country but as I began to learn “Scotland is different!” Whether it be health and social care, education, bank holidays, language(s), PVGs, or Church, I was a stranger in a strange land – and you welcomed me (a foreigner)! You were “willint tae gíe the fremmit brither up-pittin.” (Romans 12.13b) Roughly translated you were willing to put-up (with) the foreign brother.
Paul recognised that this hospitality was written into the DNA of what it meant to be followers of Jesus Christ. Welcoming with gracious love in the Spirit of Christ. This is still our calling – to be a compassionate Christ centred community willing to serve which does mean shaking off the things that would hold us back – whether that be buildings, structures or whatever.
From 1st September 2025 you will be one Scottish circuit with all the challenges and opportunities that will bring. As this circuit comes to an end, for one year, you will have a part-time Superintendent (please pray for Andrew
Baker). In addition to two refurbished buildings, you will be offering work in Dundee alongside some of the most vulnerable (pray for Marian Taylor, the team and Dundee), the beginning of something new in the oldest Methodist church building in Scotland today, (pray for the Local Lay Pastor and Arbroath), a unique ecumenical model sharing resources (pray for Montrose), a small group effecting change in the world through their work on behalf of All We Can and MHA (pray for Blairgowrie and Rattray), and the ecumenical work offering welcome and inclusion where ‘its ok not to be ok’ and the welcoming space with a café and meeting spaces (pray for Renew and Perth).
We are not (and never have been) called to save or preserve churches but rather to be faithful, gracious communities where our (foreign) differences and identities get moulded into belonging in Christ. Nine years is the longest I have lived anywhere in my entire lifetime (does that make me Scottish and therefore a foreigner again when I move?) It has been variously challenging, joyous, and sheer hard work but always a privilege to minister alongside you.
Peace be with you.
With love
Nick