February has arrived and for me this is always a time that somehow starts to signal that winter is nearly over although in practice we know that's not always the case! I remember many times past when we have had quite heavy snow in February but as I write this in the later stages of January, it has been a relatively mild winter ...so far!

The days are gradually getting longer and that lifts our spirits as we consider the approaching warmer days (still some way off though!).

Firstly I would like to welcome Liam McKenna into the ministry team here at South Bristol. Liam is employed by the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Circuit and is allocated to work here with us across our five churches making up SBMC. Welcome Liam! Liam will be gradually getting to know you and he is not letting the grass grow under his feet. Please welcome him and work with him, as this is an important opportunity for you to see and experience different things. You see its not Liam doing everything, but he's here to help and enable you in your ministries as everybody has a ministry of some kind within the world around us. Liam is with us ostensibly for 2 years so make the most of that opportunity.

For those who could make it, our annual covenant service this year was held at Redcliffe Methodist Church / Anglican Centre. The atmosphere was very special and those that came renewed their resolve to continue to work for the Lord and be open to the Holy Spirit.

This year will mark many changes as we move towards a new ministry team over the next few years. Liam in his opening words to us said he doesn't believe in change. BUT he does believe in transformation! Change is seen as abrupt and something that happens very quickly and out of our control. Transformation is seen as something that involves everybody working towards the same goal; change that embraces a positivity which centres our focus on the one important thing, our Christian belief and faith in Jesus.

Its very easy to become focused on the secular aspects of our church existence. Church buildings are important and perhaps so is the money to run those things (argument runs that if we have neither then we don't have any base to operate from nor any full time leaders for ministry). I do have some sympathy for that as I am part of that system at the moment(!).

However, I would much rather not be paid (I really do mean this.......although I would have to go back to industry) if it meant seeing a very large corresponding increase in our spirituality and discipleship.

I'm not sure there would be an increase in the shorter term.............but it does get rid of the thought that the only way forward is to have paid ministers and they do all the spiritual work of outreach and bringing the community into a relationship with God.

And hence the thought that property and finance should be central to our church life.

Well, I have given you food for thought! But the early church was just such an organisation. (St) Paul was a tentmaker by trade and that partly helped to fund him for his missions. He was not completely dependent on the community of the time although they offered him gifts along the way. They couldn't 'sack' Paul in the conventional sense because he wasn't employed by them even when he challenged them beyond what they thought was reasonable. And perhaps that is a healthy situation..........where we don't control everything and sanitise it to something that we always personally agree with.

Anyway, challenging times! And I have to say that I am very pleased to see the work and co-operation that is going on in SBMC and that gives me great hope for the future.

With every good wish,

Paul Weir, Minister, South Bristol Methodist Church