He bids us build each other up

On 22^nd May (the day before Pentecost and two days before the anniversary of John Wesley’s conversion) the Great Western Federation came into being. In case you’ve missed it, the GWF is a partnership between the Swindon & Marlborough, Upper Thames and Chippenham circuits. Through working closer together we aim to co-operate in mission across North Wiltshire.

The launch, held at St Josephs College in Swindon, was well attended with nearly all churches in the three circuits represented. I was pleased to see people from the three churches I look after there, as well as some from Butterworth Street (who I will be looking after from September.)

We started with a service and then the signing of the declaration by the great and good of each circuit and then each church was presented with a candle to mark the occasion. As well as the formal signing, everyone present was also invited to sign up to the agreement in a book. Over the next few months this book will be passed across the circuits between churches and at each stop everyone will be invited to sign. The book will be accompanied by a small gift from the previous church to the recipient. It is hoped that this passing of the book will enable strong links to be built up across the Federation.

But what does being part of a Federation mean? Well, as I’ve said, the Federation’s main aim is to provide ways of the three circuits working together for the mission of the Kingdom. To give you some of the ideas already being looked at. In each of the three circuits there are one or two people wanting to train as local preachers. Now I remember from my own time training as a local preacher the training is far more rewarding in a larger group than if there is just one or two of you. So one thing we can do as Federation is run the local preacher training jointly for the benefit of all.

Similarly we are starting to look at ways of providing training for Sunday School teachers and youth club leaders. Through the Federation we can put on a good amount of training hopefully.

Inevitably talk of the Federation makes us think about “Super Circuits”. And who knows, if that is where the Holy Spirit leads that may happen. But for now that is not the aim. The aim is I feel summed up neatly in a the second verse of a Charles Wesley hymn (HP 753) All Praise to our redeeming Lord

He bids us build each other up;
And, gathered into one,
To our high calling’s glorious hope,
We hand in hand go on.

In other words by working together we will build each other up and support one another in proclaiming Christ Jesus as Saviour.