THE service on Trinity Sunday, May 30, was led by Mary Hext who said we experience God as an almighty creator and loving father who, no matter what we have done or where we have been, reaches out to us with open arms.

We meet with Him through Jesus and the Holy Spirit is God within us.

Mary said we can learn about God, we can read the story of Jesus but it means little unless we experience the love of God for ourselves in our hearts. The Holy Spirit switches things on like turning on an electric light, helping us see and respond.

On Sunday, June 6 the service was taken by Stephen Lawson whose theme was “Home” as we celebrated Methodist Homes (MHA) which is the largest caring organisation of its type in the country.

The family challenge was to describe thoughts that come to mind when we hear the word home. People said home meant family, contentment, love, comfort, reassurance, protection and safety.

The reading from Mark told of Jesus healing the man called Legion who lived on the margins of society, a loner, with mental health problems, who was badly treated and rejected by the community. Jesus did not reject him but cared for and healed him.

Stephen reminded us that MHA is a caring organisation and, just as Jesus showed His care, we should care and give hope to those people who are marginalised.

Jesus mended Legion, a broken person, and we are called by God to be His instruments of repair.

MHA works not just in care homes, but in retirement living and community schemes and during the pandemic its chaplains have been visiting residents who are lonely and isolated.

Stephen issued a challenge to us, how we can seek to follow Jesus’ example to go to those on the margins of society, those who are isolated, scared and rejected. We should be a beacon of hope and show people the love of God which is freely available to all. “As God loves us, so let us love each other”.

The church is now open for those not able to join Worship on the Web.

As numbers are limited due to social distancing, please book by telephoning 01363 772012.

Worship on the Web continues for those with online connections.

Bronwyn Nott