Page 5 - Moravian Messenger - October 2021
P. 5
'So how does it feel
now you're retired Martin?'
Reflections on on ministry and serving in in in the Moravian Church
It was a
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bit of a
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problem for for the the United Reformed Church
two ministers who who are married to each other who who enjoy sleeping in in in in the the the the the same same bed and eating at at at the the the the the same same table For the the the the the first twelve years of our marriage we we we had had lived in in the the the the the manses that went with my pastorates and and Kirsty had had commuted to to to the the the churches she she served In 2008 she she was called to to to to Wilmslow and and there were absolutely no other vacant pastorates within travelling distance at at at that time so so I I had remained in in in in in Blackburn where I I served two large and thriving churches These circumstances kept us apart for 2 2 1/2 years except on our day off when I got very familiar with the the M60 and M66 travelling so we could be be together When I I finally was able to to to move to to to Wilmslow I I had a
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number of of fairly short-term ministries around south Manchester and Stockport until early 2015 In the the the Spring of of of 2017 I I had a
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phone call from the the the Principal of of Northern College who is is a
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friend 'The Moravian Church
needs a
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minister You came to mind Are you you interested? Can I give them your details?' An interview with the the PEC at Church
House followed It was was a
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very steep learning curve once I I I was was called and began to to serve the the the Moravian Church
in in in in in September 2017 I I I did already know the the the the true story about about the the the the origin of of Christingles in in in in 1747 and and and about about the the the the the role of of of Moravians and and and especially Spangenberg and and and and Boehler in the the the the story of of the the the the Wesleys In ecumenical circles I I had also come across the the the the the Fetter Lane Agreement and and knew that collaborating with other kinds of of of churches was at at at the the the the heart of of of the the the the the Moravian way of of of being church church It hadn't really dawned on me that the the the the the Unitas Fratrum dated back to well before Luther and I didn't know about the the the the renewal of the the the the Church
at at at at Herrnhut As I I found out out more more and and more more about the Moravian Church
I I became increasingly fascinated and and many aspects resonated strongly with me me 1) The Church
Church
is is is part of of of the the the family of of of Reformed Churches This means it it is is is is is rooted in in living the the the the word word of of of God (exemplified by the the the the daily watchwords) authority to to make decisions and and discern the the the the mind of of Christ lies in in elected groups of of people together and and everyone has a
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voice worship is is is not dictated by a
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service book and members are under the the the the discipline of the the the the church because because they they choose to to be be be be be in in in obedience to to Christ not because because they they live within the the the boundaries of 'the parish' 2) It is is a
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global church where people of different nations and and cultures have to to listen to to and respect one another 3) Unity is an an essential priority whilst respecting diversity and personal conscience 4) The church embodies a
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communitarian spirituality begun at Herrnhut and expressed in all the above 5) There is is is a
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certain emphasis on on identifying with Jesus in in in in his suffering and and God-forsakenment as as the key to our salvation and and union with God God 6) It has always had concern to to provide education for all not just the the sons of of wealthy parents and and and to to recognise male male and and and female as equally valued in the the image and and and likeness of of God 7) Mission outreach and and service are at the heart of of of Moravian understanding of of being a
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disciple of of Jesus 8) In all these things working alongside people of of other churches churches and and praying and and striving for for the the the the the greater unity of of of churches churches is deep within Moravian DNA It was there in in in in in the the the the the formation of of of Christian Aid and and and later in in in in in in in the the the the the foundation of of Churches Together in in in in in in in Britain Britain and and and Ireland It was also there in in in in in in in Zinzendorf's reluctance to form separate Moravian Churches in in in in in in Britain Britain 250 years ago All of these discoveries excited me me but having said all all that what has has really mattered has has been the the welcome and and trust growing to to affection and and and love that I have received at at at at every level This has been true in in in in Salem and and and Royton congregations amongst ministerial colleagues in in in in in the the the the District and and and across the the the the Province from the the the the PEC members and and and at all the the the the different kinds of events and and occasions I I I have been involved with I I I experienced it it strongly when three months into the job I I I I had a
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heart attack (from which thankfully I I I have have made an an an excellent recovery) and it has been been so ever since I I I haven't stopped being part part of of the the URC family family but I I I I have have have certainly been been made to to feel
part part of of the the Moravian family family family as well and now I I I am am am am retired I I I have have no no intention of turning my back on on this new-found family family With the hymn- writer I can assert:
We in in one covenant are joined and one in Jesus are with with voices and with with hearts combined his praise we will declare:
in in in doctrine and in in in practice one we'll love and serve the Lord alone with one accord sound forth his praise till we shall see his face Br Martin Smith
Royton and Salem 113