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Stepping Out in Faith

18/5/2017

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Can you remember what you were doing or where you were 25 years ago? Or, more importantly where you were on 27 th November 1991? This was the date that MCC Newcastle, as it was then, first came into being, and the date that this week we are celebrating and remembering.

Some of us may not have even been born, others were still very young and all of us were much younger than we are now! On that night a small group of Christians first met, a group of mainly gay men, and so the journey of Northern Lights MCC began. I’m sure many hurdles have been faced and overcome in the last 25 years. 

We owe a large debt of gratitude to those who first wanted to start a church for the LGBT+ communities in Newcastle, which then brought in people from across the North East. Without those first few courageous souls who stepped out into the unknown we would not be here to meet. It was them who allow us today to find a warm and welcoming home where we can be ourselves, where we can find friendship and know Gods never ending love for us just as we are.

I am reminded of the first disciples who left everything behind when Jesus asked them to leave their lives behind and follow him. They didn’t have a clue what was in store for them and what a journey it would be. They certainly had their share of ups and downs along with some confusing times and parables that they didn’t understand. But again without them we wouldn’t be here today because we wouldn’t have heard the message of Jesus and how much he loves us.

It seems to me that there are a number of things that the early disciples and those who met 25 years ago have in common. Both groups stepped out in faith into the unknown. Both groups wanted to share the great love of God for everyone. Both groups stepped into what might have been a hostile world not knowing what the reaction would be or how many people’s lives they would touch in the coming years. But for me the most important thing is that both groups felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit on their lives, listened to it and took action.

Little did those siblings of ours know 25 years ago that all these years later we would continue to provide a safe space in which we can grow in our relationship with God, know how much God loves us and in turn continue to share the message that God’s love is available to everyone, not matter their gender, sex or sexuality!

Praise God!
Love
Charlotte W
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Building the New Realm, Democratically

13/5/2017

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Unless you are very disciplined about avoiding the news, you must have noticed that we are approaching another General Election, in just under a month's time. Perhaps you've been getting election leaflets through the door, or reading manifestos, or doing your best to avoid the whole thing.

One of the many themes of the New Testament letters is that of Christians trying to find their place in the world, caught between the reality of the resurrection and the new realm to come, and the harder truth of a difficult political regime that stood against their values. The writer to the Colossians wrote of the impact of Christ's resurrection after receiving the death penalty for political rebellion,

[Christ] disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it. - Colossians 3:15

Meaning, although there are powers on earth that we are bound to respect, our respect need not be limitless and we can also be governed by the role that the Holy Spirit plays in our lives and the example of Christ.

This does not mean that we can disregard the impact of earthly powers, of course. In the book of Acts we read repeatedly that Peter, Paul, Silas, and many others stood against injustice and prejudice as part of their role in spreading the Gospel. They understood that repression or persecution of any one person is contrary to the message of Christ.

As we go to the polls in a few weeks, many people will try to determine the "Christian" way to vote and claim it for their own political gain. It can be easy to be blindsided by people who claim Christ for their own purposes - it is tempting to do so ourselves - but instead of focusing on the narratives that surround us we should go to the polls in prayer. Take time with the Gospels to look at who Jesus supported and see how that reflects in the people seeking your vote. Pray deeply and listen carefully. It is our job to build the new realm of God on earth, and the opportunity to decide who governs us is a part of that; it is vital that we engage.

Blessings
Kate
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Founding the Faith

6/5/2017

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Our theme for the season of Easter this year is, "Founding the Faith", as we continue to think about who we are as a church whilst the Pastoral Search Committee work towards finding our next Pastor, and as we reflect on the past 25 years and the role each of us has played in it.

The founders of the early church did not know what they were building. Many, including Paul. believe they were bringing believers into the faith in the certain expectation that Christ would return within their lifetime. Their exhortations have a feeling of urgency to them, and I find it hard to imagine what Paul and his followers would have made of the idea that nearly 2,000 years after his lifetime we would be such a diverse and global community, and still awaiting the coming of God's new Jerusalem.

By the same token, could Troy Perry have imagined what an MCC in Newcastle-upon-Tyne would look like when 12 people first met in his living room? Or a major MCC conference taking place in Brazil? Did those of you who met in November 1991 have any idea what your group could become, and the lives it would change? 

In Philippians 3, Paul writes that we have a goal to strive towards - that of building the New Realm of God - whatever else we face. Let us remember this in our times together in worship, and also as we go about the business of daily life; working, voting, and socialising. As we work to the glory of God, our work will not be in vain.

Blessings
Kate
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