When I worked in a secondary school I often found myself returning to work on my early January birthday. This year I was glad to be able to recognise a significant milestone birthday with family and friends actually ‘on the day’, even though the day was a Wednesday. Gentle celebrations have continued, with a weekend away and cake shared with 25 friends who piled into our house after our church walk on Sunday. I shall probably extend the celebrations just a little more, as the MWiB exec gathers for our meeting tomorrow.
I am writing this blog from the early morning train from Devon to London. Swanwick weekend planning today, executive tomorrow, interviews for our new Women’s World Day of Prayer representative on Thursday. I shall arrive back home on Thursday night, in time to pack for another two week visit to the Methodist Church in Germany. I fly from Heathrow on Saturday, travelling this time with Pam Stenson. We shall be exploring ways of learning from and supporting the Methodist Church there, especially in its work with migrants and refugees.
The next six months look rather busy, and sometimes I am daunted by the enormity and responsibility of this voluntary role. Then I recognise the joys and privileges which it also brings, and remember the final words of John Wesley, which Carolyn quoted in her own blog the other day. I share them as the closing words of my blog today and hope they encourage you in whatever you are facing. Wesley is said to have repeated this phrase: “The best of all is, God is with us.”
