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Barnes in Commonthe magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
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Is it 'Welcome', or just 'Hello' ?Revd Roger Hutchings
It seems very strange to be introducing myself when I've been around for 18 years! It was when I moved to work at BBC Television Centre that we first rented and then bought a house in Sheen. I remember that we took our two (then quite young) children to the Methodist Church at Putney the following Sunday. In those days it was a rather sad building, needing to be renewed: I'm glad to say that work was done some years ago. Then we discovered that the Methodist Church in Barnes was closer, so it made more sense to join the congregation there. And there we have worshipped for 18 years. During those years, I've attended services in St Michael's, St Mary's and St Osmund's, and preached in Baptist and Anglican churches in Sheen. I've become involved in the editing of Barnes in Common. Most of the time, I've had to juggle broadcasting work and church responsibilities in just the same way any other employed person must, so I know what it means to fit in bits of church-based stuff around family and office. One of the adventures of this summer was preparing to move house. We've been in the same place so long, you can imagine the accumulated 'things' we've had to look at, think about, throw away or decide to pack. What fun! Well no, actually. They say moving is one of the most stressful things you ever do, and I'm not going to argue. Still, once it's done, it's done, and (hopefully) no regrets. And now, I'm 'arriving' amongst people I know and who know me, but arriving as their Minister. That's got its advantages, in that the slow process of 'getting to know' the streets, colleagues, fellow-worshippers doesn't have to happen. But it also means that I have a new role among these people. I've noticed already that people talk to me differently, confidentially, and I'm glad of it. They also pester me more often with queries and tasks of minor as well as major importance! And of course there are meetings to chair or take part in, more sermons to write, lots of business to attend to alongside the human encounters, within and beyond the local church, which are such an important part of being in ministry. We're still in a process – perhaps a never-ending process – of renewal, at the Methodist Church by Barnes Pond. We have a 'new' building, and lots of groups are using it, but we also know that more change will come, as we try to make ourselves more accessible to our neighbours, more welcoming, more inclusive. In all this, working away is the Holy Spirit, nudging, pushing, challenging, provoking, leading, supporting, encouraging. So as I take on this new role I'd just like to say, to the ecumenical partners and to all who read this magazine, that I'm genuinely looking forward to working as Minister in this neighbourhood. The name's Roger, and I'll be riding my big Dutch bike around. Don't be afraid to say hello. |
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