Because our churches are spread out geographically, MCC is making good use of online ways of working together. On Monday night, I took part in a learning conversation, organised by Rev. Elder Tony Freeman, the Director of the Office for Church Life and Health. I am England, Tony is in the USA; the other participants on the call were in Scotland, Germany and the Netherlands. The topic of the conversation was ‘Leadership’. We talked about how we could develop and support leaders in our different congregations. No everyone is called to be a leader, but if we are, then what is needed to help us to grow and develop? That includes me too. It is a challenge to be an experienced leader and still find ways to grow and learn. After the call, I immediately got in touch with an organisation that offers training for leaders and hopefully I will find one of their retreats or courses to suit me in the next twelve months or so.
 
Leadership development is one of my passions. There were several practical suggestions in our discussions about how to develop more leaders within our congregations. I will be thinking and praying about which ones might be helpful for us at Northern Lights MCC. It is also worth thinking about what being a leader means. One of the most prominent writers on Christian leadership is John C. Maxwell. You can find many of his quotes online. I particularly like this one “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”  People get nervous about the term leadership because they associate it with the misuse of power. This does happen. However, there are thousands of leaders in schools, workplaces and communities, in churches and in politics, who use their influence for the common good. Power and status are not important to these people, although they recognise the ability that these can give them to make a difference. Mother Teresa used to get politicians and other decision makers in front of the TV cameras, and then asked them to make commitments about improving life for the poor, when they were in the glare of the media. She used her fame to influence others for good, not to gain more power or wealth for herself.  
 
I believe that the more leaders a church has, the more it will grow – in faith, in service, in maturity and in number. What is also vital is that the leaders have a common goal, support and encourage each other, learn from each other and hold each other in prayer. As John C. Maxwell puts it ‘A successful person finds the right place for him/herself. But a successful leader finds the right place for others.’ Are you called to be a leader in Northern Lights MCC?

God bless,

Cecilia

During my recent holiday in France, I took a walk along the river Seine taking in the sights, among which was the Louvre art gallery. The Louvre is a majestic building, ornate and imposing. I walked through a huge archway into a grand square, surrounded on all four sides by the buildings of the gallery. Coming into the space away from the noise of the traffic and crowds was like coming into a cathedral. I felt dwarfed by the dimensions of the place. Although there were plenty of people about, it was quiet and calm. After sitting for a while, enjoying the space, I walked through another huge archway out into the main square of the Louvre. Here, the atmosphere couldn’t be more different. Lots of noise and laughter. Fountains played and people were standing on small stone pillars, striking particular poses. In the middle of this square are the glass pyramids, which were so controversially commissioned by President Mitterrand in 1989. They rise up out of the square in startling contrast to the buildings around them.  People were standing on the little pillars so they could have their photo taken as though they were touching the top of the biggest pyramid, or as though wearing it as a hat.

I was fascinated by the contrast of these two spaces, one quiet and reverential in atmosphere, the other playful and interactive. The environment around us influences our behaviour more than we know. Buildings need to be more than just functional; they need to have purpose and ‘soul’, for want of a better word. We can also create a space around us that becomes uplifting and nourishing, regardless of the surroundings. I used to attend denominational business meetings called General Council. There were about 20 of us on the Council, the meetings were long and intense, around long tables under fluorescent lights. One day, our current Moderator, Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson stood in as Chair, as Rev. Troy Perry was away. She brought a candle with her and lit it, to remind us that God is always with us. As a young leader at the time, this really struck me and turned a soulless meeting room into a sacred space. As many of you know, I still light a candle for meetings, even if it is just me and God in attendance. Nancy also talked one time about creating a sacred space at home or in the office where she would pray. I adopted this idea too and have a ‘prayer chair’ at home, a space set aside where I intentionally sit to spend time each day with God. In the office, there is a black and white photo of a street sign from the city ‘Amen Corner’. It is in the seating area where I chat with folk and light a candle. I don’t know how many people even see it, but for me it is important and significant to have an Amen Corner in the church office. This week, I invite you to see where the sacred spaces are in your life, or to create one for yourself. 

God bless,
Cecilia

In the UK at the moment, politics is interesting. The arrival of 56 Scottish National Party MPs after the General election in May started the latest culture shift. They were told off by the Speaker for clapping in the parliamentary chamber – this is not apparently the appropriate etiquette for the House of Commons. As these and other new MPs have settled into their surroundings, I wonder how many of them now appreciate the ancient customs of the place and how many still find them absurd and old fashioned.  Now we have the newly elected leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, trying to negotiate all the implications of holding such an office. As an MP, Mr Corbyn took stances on certain things, like not singing the National Anthem, in line with his personal views. Now he is a formal position of authority within the establishment of our country and these stances are now being widely scrutinised. At the same time, Mr Corbyn is trying to change the way that politics is carried out. At Prime Minister’s Question Time, he read out questions sent into him by members of the public. There is speculation about whether he will do this every week. Some will criticise Mr Corbyn for the stances that he takes, others will criticise him if he appears to give up on his principles. He is in a ‘no win’ situation. It is a challenge for everyone who has any kind of public office – how to be authentic privately and publicly. Even Pope Francis, who successfully challenged many of the traditions of the Vatican when he first became Pope, finds he cannot wander around Rome without bodyguards and security. He has had to give up the freedom to mix with ordinary people that he so valued in his previous role in Argentina.

Our worship theme this month, ‘Salvation for Creation’ has given me a lot to think about in terms of my own ethics and behaviour. I am turning off more lights and am more hesitant about putting on the heating. I look at where and how I spend my money. The old phrase ‘Practise what you preach’ has an uncomfortable resonance to it : ). Hypocrisy is one of the biggest criticisms of churchgoers from those outside the Church. When we are seen to be saying one thing and doing another, it causes others to doubt our authenticity and our integrity. Sometimes also, we need to look at what we are doing and see whether it has become a meaningless tradition or a ritual that still brings value to our relationship with God. Someone told me lately how much it means to them that we use non-alcoholic wine at Communion and that we announce this fact each week. For them, it means that they were able to safely share this important meal from their very first time at worship. Some folk may miss the tradition of serving alcoholic wine, but in MCC, we think inclusion is a principle worth keeping.

God bless,

Cecilia

There was a man who lived in the Middle East. A hardworking man. A family man. He lived under the regime of an unpredictable and insecure leader, who would kill his own people to preserve power. Things became so bad and this man’s young family was in such peril that they had to flee. The danger was so great that the man took his young family on a terrifying journey to another country, hoping that he and his family would be able to make a new and safe life there. He trusted that strangers in a foreign land would welcome him and provide protection for his young son. We know the end to this story.
It is written in the gospel according to Matthew, chapter 2.

Today, now, thousands of parents in Syria, Libya, Iran and other places are faced with the same terrible choice that Joseph was faced with. Stay and see your children die, or flee and risk the perils of the journey. Today, many children will die. Their photos will not get into the papers. Their stories will never be told beyond their own communities. They will never become adults and take their place in society. This is a tragedy for each individual family. It is also a national and international tragedy. So much potential for the future is being lost each day. Jesus survived, returned to his home country and lived to be an adult. He was able to fulfil his promise, before another oppressive regime took his life.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah has been greatly misused and misquoted to judge and condemn the LGBT community. However, we only need turn to the fiery prophet Ezekiel, to find out what the ‘real’ sin of Sodom was:

‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.’ (Ezekiel 16:49)


We cannot end the tyranny in other countries, but we can help those who are so deeply affected by it. An online petition has already reached over 100, 000 signatures, which means that the UK Parliament will now need to debate accepting more Syrian asylum seekers and provide more support for refugee migrants to the UK. Contact your local MP to see if they will attend the debate and what stance they will be taking. Locally, making donations of clothes and small household items to the West End Refugee Service will make a big difference to those who are able to settle here. The Stand Comedy Club is hosting a gala on Saturday 12th Sept at 2pm to support ‘Medicine sans Frontieres’, who provide medical care to those on the refugee boats in the Mediterranean. There will also be a Community Vigil on the 12th in memory of all those who have died on their journey to find freedom. Whatever we do, we need to do something. Being ‘unconcerned’ is not an option.


God bless,
Cecilia



To sign the online petition, go to
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/105991

For more info about the Comedy Gala, go to
http://www.thestand.co.uk/show/26794/medicines_sans_frontieres_charity_gala