Tim's testimony on his life journey
Last Monday, Suszanne and I attended a meeting for lay workers in Sileby. During the session, we were asked to reflect on our journeys and pick a station that best represents us. While Suzanne chose the "Learn" station, I picked the "Serve" station. Before explaining why I chose the "Serve" station, let me share the journey and challenges I've faced in the past years through my testimonies.
If you had asked me a year ago, I wouldn't have believed that I could work in a church. I was fortunate to have a year to prepare before starting my service in church. This year felt like a magical year of flourishing and learning. It wasn't just about studying theology but also about the life experiences I gained during my year in Cambridge.At first, I was assigned to the Methodist Ely circuit for my placement. As you may have observed, I always bring my family along for worship which was quite a journey from Cambridge when you didn’t have a car. However, I later got an opportunity to work at a university college chapel just 10 minutes away from my home, and I gladly chose that. I met wonderful people at the chapel who shared their experiences and were kind-hearted. I consider myself incredibly lucky to be under the guidance of Stephen Plant, who serves as both the dean of the chapel and a theology professor at the university. An hour of supervision with him imparts valuable life lessons. Through these sessions, you gain insights into his perspective on the church and his opinions on various matters.
The Methodists left a strong impression on me. The ministers and congregation provided immense support. Jenny Pathmarajah, minister in Cambridge Circuit, taught me about student ministry and took me on pastoral visits. Wesley House was a treasure trove of supportive people, such as Wendy Kilworth-Mason, who was a mission partner and recently returned from Rwanda, has given me their time, advice, and their dedication to serving the church. I was inspired by their lifelong commitment.
To compensate for not working at a Methodist church, I volunteered and engaged with the Methodist community. Attending a funeral in Ely during winter left a deep impact on me. To prepare the funeral service, a steward arrived at 4 in the morning to warm up the chapel as it took hours to heat. Similar instances of dedication were seen at Whittlesey Queen Street church and Peterborough circuit.
In a recent circuit meeting, the commitment of people from various churches is evident. The circuit stewards, driven by their calling, dedicated themselves wholeheartedly. Although I haven't known Tony and Lyn from Queen Street for long, their contributions to the people in this country and the church were remarkable. As my colleague Suzanne said to me, we are fortunate to be paid for this role, and for me, it's not a job, it's a calling. This is why I'm in the "Serve" station. I offer myself to the church as a way of giving back for all that God has given me.
During the lay workers' meeting, I shared why I chose "Serve" as my current station. The question that lies within this station is, "What can I offer to serve the church?" This is the exact question Langley ,who is always so supportive and encouraging, asked me to pose to the church family.
Christ Church in Orton Goldhay on August 27, 2023
