Building Bridges
The fund enables synods and parishes to connect with their communities and to share with them the good news of the transforming love of Christ. One of those parishes is Levin Uniting Parish which initiated a mission that is seen as building bridges to bring good news to the most vulnerable members of their community. It is inspiring and encouraging to observe the positive impact that this community of faith brought to their community.
Through fervent prayer and visioning, they came up with a strategic plan focused on mission. It was not easy at first, but once they started everything fell into place. Their presbyter, Rev Sandra Williams, shared their journey of exploration and discovery with a passion to be the light of Christ. She writes, “We began to work away quietly in the background building bridges between the various groups within our parish, sharing our vision, improving parish communication, and working to bring people together. Yes, some fell by the wayside but many more got on board and supported our potentially crazy plans.”
When they researched and identified the social issues facing many people in their community, they found that most of the elderly people in the community were facing loneliness and isolation, especially during the Covid-19 lockdown. It had a detrimental influence on them mentally, spiritually and physically. Sandra states, “The most glaring need before us were the issues of isolation and loneliness. Being a small parish with a predominantly elderly congregation, we knew our main target mission group was to be the older members of our society. We formed a plan and then sought funding to put that into action. Thanks to the support of Methodist and Presbytery Central’s Mission Resourcing groups, we could commit to a three-year seeding programme.”
The size of their parish didn’t hinder their vision. They prayed about it, actioned it and the result was positive because people’s lives were transformed. Sandra concludes, “We are in awe of what God is doing in our place and very grateful to Methodist Mission Resourcing for the support that has enabled it to happen.”
Bridge-building is a vital part of our Methodist tradition for it has a connection with John Wesley’s mission statement, “The world is my parish”. It reminds evokes synods, parishes and congregations that our mission shouldn’t be confined in the four walls of our church buildings. We need to look out for mission opportunities in our community. If any synod or parish has any creative and innovative vision for mission, the Ministries Development Grant fund is available to support the endeavour. This grant is not for the purpose of maintenance, but rather, to support new and innovative missions and ministries.
We welcome stories from parishes which have been resourced by this grant. Our stories can be a source of motivation and inspiration for parishes who are searching for ways of building bridges to their community. Sharing our ideas and strategies reflects the value of our connexionalism and our commitment to working inter-dependently. The words of Paul remind us that we need to work together when he says, “We are God’s workers, working together, you are like God’s farm, God’s house.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)