Saturday 22 June 2019 was the scheduled date for the Provincial Men's Rally at Bedford.
The theme of the Rally was, 'Transforming discipleship: Moravian Missions Today', a title chosen by Sr Roberta Hoey who was our main speaker for the afternoon.
An opportunity was given to those who wished to visit the Bunyan Museum and Meeting place at 11am before the Rally commenced. Sr Gwen Gribble and the team kindly welcomed those who visited and gave a detailed talk on the life and work of John Bunyan.
At 12.30pm brothers and sisters from around the Province converged in the Moravian Church, Queen's Park, Bedford. Those present were welcomed with a cup of tea or coffee in the Church hall.
At 1pm we made our way into the Church for the opening worship that was led by Br Kenneth Evans. A welcome to the Moravian Church in Bedford was given by Br Edwin Quildan. Written greetings were sent and received from Bishop John McOwat. Sr Roberta Hoey gave greetings from the Provincial Board which were received. The Men's Fellowship theme song was sung (New Moravian Hymnbook 304 Give Praise to God who reigns above) as a collection was taken towards the Men's Fellowship project work.
We were pleased to welcome our two speakers for the day Sr Roberta Hoey and Br Paul Holdsworth from the Provincial Board. Br Paul Holdsworth commenced with a question 'What is Mission, what is Church'? The responses were captured on a flip chart. The interactive brainstorming session continued, and groups were formed with various questions given to each group. The session went very well with the number of responses filling a flip chart. Group role play was now used to set the scene for the later discussions. Sr Roberta Hoey advised on the current works in South Asia using a PowerPoint presentation to visually portray the area, issues, people and mission work. There are currently discussions, preparations and actions put in place to commence the journey of making South Asia into a full Province, in their own right. The difficulties of geography and distance between each congregation was again stressed. Br Philip Battelle (in his absence) sent a video of his recent three months in South Asia, that was viewed and much appreciated. There was time for questions and the responses were well received.
After a short break brothers and sisters returned to the Church for the celebration of Holy Communion. The right hand of fellowship was truly a sign of our unity and our oneness in Christ as verse after verse was added to allow for everyone to get around.
At the beginning of the Holy Communion, Br Bob Hopcroft asked to speak and informed the Rally that Saturday 22nd June was also 'Windrush Day', noting how grateful we are in the British Province for our Caribbean brothers and sisters. It was acknowledged, 'Where would we be in the British Province without our Brs and Srs from the Windrush generation?' Their loyalty, their support, their enthusiasm for all congregation and provincial events, they are a shining example to us all. Three Cheers for the arrival of the S.S. Windrush. Then Holy Communion was celebrated, uniting us around the Lords Table.
Teas, coffees and light refreshments were made available by the congregation and offered to all. A time of fellowship continued closing around 5.15pm.
We extend our thanks to Sr Roberta, Brs Paul and Phill for what they shared with us, and an extra special thanks to all those who made everyone so welcome and prepared the refreshments. We were truly inspired with the knowledge and enthusiasm shown by all our speakers - it was a joy and privilege to be there and share in the gathering.
Date for the diary: Men’s Fellowship Rally 2020, 27th June at Leominster Moravian Church.
Br Edwin Quildan
Minister of Bedford Queen’s Park and Harlesden Congregations