VP - Cambridge

Wesley Church in Cambridge is celebrating one hundred years of existence this year, and I was asked to preach last Sunday with a world church theme. It was also Aldersgate Sunday, so significant to Wesleyan Methodists and, much more importantly, it was Pentecost. So what a wonderful day to worship God for both his faithfulness in the past as well as the rich promises of God's Spirit in the present and future. Rev Tim Macquiban led the worship and had chosen some new songs from around the world that are in Singing the Faith, which gave a richness to the celebration. I was invited to speak about world church matters over a lovely lunch, and the discussion that followed went in a number of directions, including the new learning network and the importance of developing the exchange of ideas, students and teachers with other world institutions. An old friend, Rev Peter Graves, joined us for lunch, as did Rev John Barrett after they had both led worship elsewhere in the Circuit. It was an excellent time of listening and sharing, of fellowship and care; it was a good anniversary occasion. The photo shows us around the memorial stone in the church garden with Tim and John. Isabel and I stayed on in Cambridge to enjoy a sunny afternoon with Isabel's cousin; before evensong and eucharist at Clare College where our niece was singing is in the choir. A different style of worship, but a real privilege to be able to share so freely with other Christians from all around the world - especially significant at Pentecost.