Who would have guessed ……………………
When Methodist Deacon June Harrison devised a new form of Christingle service for the Church in Darley Abbey, she could not have guessed that it would lead to international friendships between Christians.
June’s colleague Rev’d Dr Moira Biggins realised that others may be interested in this interactive Christingle service and arranged for it to be publicised in the Methodist email publication ‘Buzz’ during the early part of 2007.
It was there that Carolyn Huntsman, lay Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Lovelady, Texas, USA saw the article and requested more details from Moira. In the course of her enquiry, she indicated that the ladies of her Church would like to have a sister Church in the United Kingdom and the rest, as they say, is history!
Carolyn and Jean Parton, Steward of St Thomas’ Road Methodist Church have been emailing one another since that first email plus there have been exchanges of gifts, newsletters and prayer requests.
The two Churches also had in common that they celebrated Centennial events – St Thomas’ had celebrated its Century of witness in January 2008 and Lovelady was celebrating 100 years of its present sanctuary and 140 years presence in Lovelady in January 2010.
So it was on New Year’s Eve Jean was on her way to Texas for the big day of celebration on Sunday 3rd January. It was a splendid occasion with the local members of the organising committee dressing in period costume.
Jean spent two weeks with her new-found friends in Lovelady where learning about each other’s ways of worship and witness was very much part of the visit.
It is hoped Jean’s visit will be the first of many exchange visits when the two Churches will learn more of each other and share ways of proclaiming the good news of Jesus. During her visit, Jean soon discovered that some of the Lovelady friends are keen to visit places in the United Kingdom associated with the Wesley family. Here’s to the next chapter in the story!
Jean is giving an illustrated talk of her visit at a ‘Texan Tea Party’ on Wednesday 14th April 2pm at St Thomas’ Road Methodist Church to which you are invited.
