President’s Blog: 28th March 2022
The last two weeks seem to have flown by! At last events are beginning to happen.
Our Executive Committee meeting took place on Monday 14th and this was followed by a meeting with the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District MWiB on Tuesday, and they wanted to be updated on our plans for the next few months. It was lovely to meet with them and to be able to discuss our new ventures and theirs. Wednesday was the Zoom Lent Bible Study at Englesea Brook, based on the booklet ‘Let Wisdom Speak’ with Tim Baker. MWiB partnered with ‘All We Can’ to produce the booklet during our 10th Anniversary Year. On the Friday we went over to Sheffield for the ‘World Methodist Peace Award’ at the Victoria Hall. Rev Dr Inderjit Bhoghal was awarded the Peace Prize in 2018 but because of Covid, had been unable to receive the award. Inderjit has been instrumental in helping MWiB to distribute the monies we raised for the Dalit Communities; the final amounts have just been given for training nurses and to help fund a Nursery School. The Peace Award was given in recognition of Inderjit’s work amongst refugees and asylum seekers and for setting up places of Sanctuary. He ranks amongst other worthy recipients such as Nelson Mandela, Gordon Wilson, Jimmy Carter and Kofi A. Annan to name but a few. It was an honour for Hilary, Nina, Jude and I too. After the ceremony we were all invited to share a meal which had been prepared by refugees and asylum seekers from the ‘City of Sanctuary’ (Sheffield).
Following an overnight stop with a friend, we travelled to Stockport for the Manchester and Stockport MWiB Spring Day which was held in my home church, Davenport Methodist Church. For Michael and I, this was a real nostalgia trip. Memories came flooding back as we met old friends and were taken a tour around the extensive premises – memories of Sunday School, Rose Fetes, Brownies, Guides, Gang Shows, Youth Groups and Sunday Night Fellowships and of all the lovely people who influenced us on our faith journey. Last Wednesday, I travelled to Lincoln for their Spring District Day on Thursday. Everyone made me very welcome and we shared in a day of ‘Faith in Melody’. The sun shone on each occasion and there was a real feeling of optimism in the air as we were all able to meet face to face for the first time since 2020 – and eat cake!
I know that some women are still being very cautious about meeting up. This has been reflected in the numbers attending District meetings. Can I encourage those that have taken the first step to befriend someone who is yet to do so. Meet in a garden, go for a walk together, take things gradually until confidence returns. We need one another now, more than ever, to encourage, to share our faith and to feel part of the ‘whole’ again.
Blessings
Ruth
