THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK - From Alan – 17th April 2026 - Coming together and embracing our difference

This week we have had the pleasure of witnessing Geoff’s licencing with the AAA churches by Bishop Flora, and Amy’s commissioning. A further step on what is proving to be a long journey on the road to a single Ministry Unit. As I looked around the assembled congregation it was great to see so many gathered across the spectrum of our churches, to see the Church of Christ in full bloom filled with many brothers and sisters, many of whom I have met and many I have yet to meet.

Many of you who know me or know of me will know that I am not a traditionalist, some may even describe me as non-conformist. It would be true to suggest that the service was not fully to my preference, but that should not be a matter of contention or of interest. What matters was that we were there to bear witness and to celebrate both Geoff’s licencing and Amy’s commissioning. In both these activities we saw evidence in progress towards achieving the goal of the Great Commission.

The service gave me opportunity to reflect on our ever growing closeness into a Ministry Unit on the differences that we have, which should be celebrated. The Church of England is a broad church and is something to be celebrated not challenged or hidden. It is not a one-size fits all offer, but centres on a relationship with Jesus that transcends boundaries. As we grow in our relationship as a Ministry Unit with our different traditions, we should welcome that diversity as a group of churches that brings Jesus to our village communities, assured in the knowledge that we have a range of services and opportunities for everyone, whether that be traditional or of a more contemporary nature.

In last week's ABC communion service Daniel highlighted that to be a living church we needed to be a loving Church. Brothers and sisters in Christ let us love and embrace our differences, just as Jesus loves us and our individual differences. Let us continue to value each other, move forward with a new found vigour and celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ, his resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

This week, I leave you with a single verse: 1 Corinthians 1:2 ‘To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:’ [sic]