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Dear Church Hill Faith Family,
The early church had no money, no buildings, no influence, and hardly any members. It was through the faith of Christian disciples and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that the good news of Jesus Christ was brought “to the ends of the earth”. Likewise, the Methodist Movement in Norwell has never had it easy. Every gain for the Norwell Methodists has been hard fought. For decades before the dedication of our sanctuary in 1852, the Norwell Methodists worshipped in private homes or in a public meeting house. During a period of great financial hardship, the Methodists sold the sanctuary’s furnace as a last resort. The Norwell Methodists were determined to continue to embody the presence of Christ in their community even if that meant sacrificing their personal comfort. Christian history proves the adage that “the church isn’t a building—it’s a people”.
Rather than being paralyzed by the challenges of the present moment for Church Hill and the Methodist Movement, what if we looked forward with the eyes of faith to the new life which Christ is offering us? How are we being called to be instruments of the transformative love of Jesus in our community? Recently, we have launched a once-a-month Saturday worship service for families with children. Because we know that children are the church’s future, we were led to provide a welcoming, nurturing space for families with children to grow closer to one another and grow closer to God through the sharing of beloved Bible stories.
The Church Council has embraced invitation, experimentation, and collaboration as core values of our congregation as we seek to grow our church. We want to invite those who are outside the church to come and be transformed by the love of Jesus. We want to take risks and step out boldly in faith trusting that God is “able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). And we want to work together harmoniously and fruitfully. Planning for our once-a-month family service is very much guided by these values. Do you have an idea for a new ministry which is invitational, experimental, and collaborative? Reach out to me and share your vision with me. There are many people in our congregation, including myself, who are happy to work with you in shaping your vision into a ministry which will serve the needs of our community.
In Christ’s love,
Pastor Nicholas
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