The actual anniversary of the beginning of Methodist Women in Britain is the first of July. That’s this week, and we were delighted that we could contribute to Methodist Conference on Monday with a pre-recorded video highlighting something of our work over the past ten years.
I’m sure we have all had those involved in preparing for, and those attending Conference, live or online, in our thoughts over recent weeks, as plans had to be altered to adhere to changing circumstances and restrictions. Our plans for the commissioning service for Ruth Parrott have also been affected, and had to be altered several times. We are unable to gather face to face as we hoped, and are again recording the service for sharing via YouTube. So, today I have recorded my part of the service, so that tomorrow morning I can send the cross of office to Ruth and enable her to record her part once Conference has finished, as she is our rep’ this year. This was my last opportunity to have the privilege of wearing the cross. We hope the service will be available for everyone by 10th July.
It was our intention to decorate the church in Alsager for Ruth’s service, with the items that have been made to mark the ten years. Instead they have decorated my conservatory as a means of sharing something of the occasion with as many people as we can. I know that Ruth will be supported in prayer, and in practical ways as she comes to take on the role of President. We do not know what the future may hold. We do not know whether hers will be another ‘zoomed ‘ presidency, or whether there will be more opportunities for visiting other places as previous president’s experienced. We do know that as a team we will continue to seek God’s guidance, and to do our best to fulfill the aims of MWiB.
One of the things which she asked me to do was the blessing at the end of the service. I spent a little time seeking out something which seemed appropriate. I found a number of lovely ones, but they did not seem right for the occasion, so with a minor alteration I used one which is well known. I did rather like the following though, feeling it was an appropriate prayer for a beginning. So, I share it with you, having made a small adjustment to the wording:
May God prepare your journey,
Jesus the Son guide your footsteps,
The Spirit of Life strengthen your body,
The three in one watch over you,
On every road that you may follow. Amen
John Birch
