John's Jottings
(Or The Not-So-Secret Diary of John Hay, Anglesey Lay Worker, aged 61 and a half)
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Here we are at the beginning of October, with the last 5 weeks since my last jottings having seen some scary things happening both globally and nationally, a massive change in the weather (back to the cold and wet), the re-emergence of Covid and other bugs, and chaotic travel for those seeking to come on and off the island due to further problems with the Menai Bridge. Maybe, right now, some are feeling more than a little downcast. That is understandable. And yet there is hope. There is always hope. As the author of the letter to the Hebrews says (Ch 10 v 23); “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” If that is hard to take in, then maybe saying this simple prayer/mantra (from day 7 of the Methodist Prayer Handbook) 5 – 10 times each morning will help: (Breathe in) Lord you are faithful, (Breathe out) I hold fast to hope. And Look for the good in people. It is there.
Speaking of good people, it was a privilege to mark the Season of Creation by joining a great bunch of folk from Holyhead Cytun for a litter-pick (see above picture). An hour round town saw us come back with 10 big bags of litter! Sadly, Storm Amy put paid to Amlwch Churches Together hopes to do something similar at Amlwch – but still the intent was there, and instead we have a Cytun Harvest Supper to look forward to on 11th October!
The five weeks have also been characterised by the usual round of church meetings – Holyhead and Amlwch Cytuns, Synod, Circuit Meeting, a special meeting at Amlwch about the Circuit Development Plan and property problems and the Church Council itself at Amlwch. Necessary perhaps, but not the most enjoyable part of my job – a good opportunity to practise my doodles! Having said that, the Synod in Aberystwyth turned out to be more interesting and encouraging than expected - perhaps partly for me, because there was an element of jeopardy as I had been asked to do a short presentation sharing what we had done in our Circuit for Adventures in Outreach, which seemed to be fairly well received.
Undoubtably the highlight for me has been the privilege of leading a series of Care Home Harvest Celebration Services across the island at Brynnog Residential Home in Amlwch (with Amlwch Cytun), at Plas Dwyffryn in Valley (with members from Holyhead Methodists) and at Hafan Cefni, Llangefni (with Keith Alexander). Below is a photo of the wonderful Wheatsheaf loaf, kindly baked by Liz Jones, for the display at Hafan Cefni. All three occasions were very “lump in the throats” special. Church being church outside the building. Church at the margins. Church enabling a group of people who are out of sight and out of mind to exercise their faith and feel part of the church again.
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Not far behind this in fulfilment terms, has been the joy of helping to lead a bi-lingual ecumenical Alpha Course on the island (Alpha Mon), which has seen between 10 – 15 people each week meet to explore the ins and outs of the Christian faith at a pub near Llangefni in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. I have assisted at one, given a testimony at another and will be taking the lead on 9th October.
The rest of the month is likely to be a another blur – an Amlwch Churches Together meeting, Holyhead Church Council, four Open the Book sessions at Holyhead, leading at least one housegroup, a Circuit Stewards meeting, the Wellspring ecumenical prayer walk, Synod Policy Committee, more Alpha Mon sessions, one or two Renew Wellbeing Spaces, preaching twice and a trip to Nottingham to help look after my granddaughter. Your prayers will be much appreciated!
Finally, a prayer…….
Jesus, our way and our life, your love has broken every barrier down. In this world of conflict and disunity, help us to embody your grace and joy, by listening keenly and loving greatly. AMEN
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