A Reflection for Windsor MC: by Rev’d Vicci Davidson
“As we start to worship regularly in person again, there is a question in my mind as to whether I should write a reflection about the readings of the day, or not. Whereas it would be lovely for those who are unable to attend church, what if I want to debunk something I think is wrong but the morning’s preacher has said is right? After all, there are different ways to interpret the Bible and we each tend to think that our way is the one that is obviously correct.
It is often hard in the Christian life to accommodate these differences. I had a colleague at university who would say: “The Methodist Church should stop trying to accommodate everyone’s differing opinions and say what it believes.” But of course, what she really meant was: “The Methodist Church should stop trying to accommodate everyone’s differing opinions and agree that my ideas are the correct ones”! Isn’t that a temptation for all of us?
In Romans 14:5-6, Paul tells us this: Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.
Ultimately, we will all read and understand the Bible differently. Even with the quote above I had to check a number of translations to see which one was clearest, so how can any of us truly say that our interpretation is the only one? Perhaps in the end the truest interpretation is the one that speaks most nearly to the love of God.
As we try to make sense of changing rules around COVID-19, I am aware that some of these are also open to interpretation and it is tempting to try to force those interpretations to be more stringent or more loose dependent upon our own perception of risk. Perhaps here too, an interpretation that speaks as strongly as possible to the love of God and to our love of our brothers and sisters is the best way forward. So, we keep on cleaning our hands at every opportunity and wearing our masks and not hugging our friends because that is the loving thing to do, but at the same time, we respond lovingly and as generously as we are able to the needs of those who are lonely, out of work, fearful of the future or in other myriad ways struggling with the fallout from lockdown and partial lockdown.”
God Bless, Vicci”
ALOUD!! Sing aloud! Play aloud! It's all allowed!
ALOUD!! is the new music group for 6-12 year olds. It will be led by Revd Vicci and Kim and we will be learning to play the ukulele and also learning some fun songs to sing in church, or in a concert later on next year. You don't have to be a church-goer to come; you don't have to know how to play, we will teach you. You don't even need to have your own ukulele yet as Vicci has got six that people can borrow. Come along to this fun activity that will run fortnightly in the Falder Hall from Saturday the 7th of November between 4:30 and 5:30. The 7th will be really exciting because Katie and Lily who took part in ALOUD!! in Revd Vicci's last Circuit and were in it for five years, are coming to help out.
There will be a short break in the middle for juice and biscuits and a small charge (£1 a time) which will pay for the refreshments and for music as we go on. Come along on the 7th and have a great time!
Christmas is coming!
Message from Vicci “Christmas is coming and with Christmas, even in these times where planning is difficult and life is not normal, we must have carols. In line with guidance from the government and the Methodist Church and supported by risk assessment advice from the Royal School of Church Music, we are going to form a scratch choir which will sing at the evening Carol Service on the 20th of December. There will be some choir only songs and some standard carols which we hope that the congregation will be permitted to join in with by that point. Vicci will conduct and play from the piano and we will start to rehearse on the 4th of November. This is for all age-groups, but if children come, they must remain with their parents at all times and be comfortable in an adult rehearsal environment. Songs will be a mix of part singing and unison and lines will be taught by listening and then singing back so you don't have to be able to read music, just like to sing and want to come along and have a good time.”