The man shook as he told us his story of persecution: we could see the scars on his head and his hands. Another man in the group flinched as someone he didn’t know came into the room. I promised him “You will always be safe here.”  A woman cried as she told me how, as an out and proud Christian lesbian, she had been told she could not become a member of the church that she had been attending for months. “I am so glad to be back here” she said. A charity that works with children hired a room in the building we use, to run an event for LGBT people interested in adoption – “Because we saw you at Pride and thought this would be a good space to hold our event.” These three things all happened in the past month at MCC Newcastle. They are part of what we do, week in, week out. We offer hope and light to our community and beyond. Often it is in small, unseen ways – small gestures of kindness and compassion, such as the regular donations of clothing that people give to the West End Refugee Service. Sometimes we are able to bring hope at big events like Pride and World AIDS Day. People who may never worship with us follow us online and through social media. We are observed at a distance by many individuals, who may turn to us when life changes for them and they need a safe place to be.

A good while ago Mikee preached on Micah 6:8: What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. He suggested that at MCC Newcastle we are good at walking humbly with God – our worship is excellent and we offer many ways to go deeper in our spiritual life. He challenged us to really step up and step out in acting justly and loving mercy. This message has stayed with me and has continued to challenge me ever since. How do we move out beyond our church walls and how do we make it easier for groups to see us as a resource to support them in what they do?

This year’s Annual Congregational Meeting marks a key moment in our response to the challenge to love mercy and to act justly. The Board is proposing only two aims, which will help us to put our faith into action. Firstly, we are now ready to start looking for our own building, choosing a venue that is better suited to our needs and that will give us the flexibility to develop our ministries more fully. Secondly, we are going to focus on developing activities that intentionally reach out and serve those beyond our church walls.  We are called to bring hope and light. This is our time.

God bless

Cecilia    

It is always good to know that people are praying for me. It does not insure me against harm or discomfort, however it always makes me feel “lifted up” – a sense of being able to access God’s strength and grace, should I need to. This week I definitely need your prayers. If you are reading this on Wednesday 2nd October, you are reading it in between two potentially life changing events for me.

On 1st October, I have my induction as a student in the Theology Department at Durham University. I am enrolled on the Graduate Diploma course in Theology and Religion. It is a two year, part-time course and the members of MCC Newcastle very generously voted to contribute towards my fees – thank you for that, and for your confidence in me.

On 3rd October, it is the official opening of the “Inspirational Women of the North East” exhibition at the Hatton Gallery in Newcastle. I am one of 25 women, past and present who have their photograph in the exhibition, which runs until 21st December. You can find out more at www.iwne.org

Both these developments will provide me with opportunities to meet new people, to learn and to grow. They both also present challenges and risks. It is nerve-wracking walking into a group of people that you don’t know, having to come out all over again – as a lesbian, as a Christian, as a widow, as anything…… Most of my day to day life goes on in a “rainbow coloured bubble”. I work with, work for and mix overwhelmingly with LGBT people. I will be entering a world which most of you inhabit all the time and it will take me way out of my comfort zone.

When Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:22 – 31), he called Peter out of the boat. Peter got out and he too started to walk on the surface, until he focussed on himself, instead of his trust in Jesus. Then he started to sink.

From past experience, I know that I am prepared to get out of the boat, to risk leaving my comfort zone, then blessing, connection, learning and friendship follow. Your continued prayers will encourage when I, like Peter, feel that I am starting to sink.

God bless

Cecilia