September,'24 Letter
“For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:13-15 (NIVUK)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 1:2)
The month of September marks the beginning of the new connexional year for us Methodist people in Great Britain. This is the time of the year when we normally ask ourselves what it is we stand for, what we believe and ask God to renew our energies and commitment. In fact, some churches do their covenant service in September as a mark of this new beginning. I have been thinking about what September will mean to me. The words the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:13-15 came to me and I am using them as a backdrop in my reflections about the beginning of the new connexional year. The apostle speak about the need to go and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. The hymn 402 in singing the Faith captures this commission very well: ‘Go to the world! Go into all the earth. Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth’
The Great Commission (Mark 16:15) challenges us all Christians to think about how we can answer apostle Paul’s question: How shall they hear without somebody sharing the Good News with them. John Wesley was one of the many preachers who consistently reminded us that we need to share the Gospel in word and in actions. We need to do where we are, in the communities where our churches are placed, and dealing with issues and problems of today.
I want to encourage you as I encourage myself to reflect on these words of the Apostle Paul which Mark also reiterates. The sharing of the Good News is not only for preachers and leaders of worship; but for all of us to join in. Let us redouble our commitments and efforts to exploring these parts of the Scriptures and ask God to help us to put them into practice.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our minds and spirits. Amen.
Yours in his service,
Deacon Marcianne Uwimana.