May 2025
Reflections on our Bible study April 2025
At our recent Bible study meeting, we reflected on John 6. We found ourselves pondering on a number of issues, including how John’s ministry mirrors our own ministry today.
We began by noticing how according to John, people were becoming attracted to Jesus as his ministry began to take root. According to John, people were following Jesus because of the signs he had performed and the healings he had done on those who were ill. This led us to ponder on John’s theme of signs and the subject of miracles.
In our Bible study we appreciate that not all questions can be answered now; some will be answered as we listen to and learn from each other, or as we continue to reflect in our daily life experience. We are always aware that some will take longer, and there are some that will be answered beyond this life.
For John, what attracted people were ‘signs’ and ‘miracles’. The word ‘signs’ occurs regularly in John’s gospel. Actually, John details seven signs of Jesus. He encapsulates this clearly later in his gospel:
‘And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.’ (John 20:30,31)
The word sign replaces the word miracles in other gospels. Sign(s) comes from a Greek word ‘semeia’ (singular) or ‘semeion’ (plural), which refers to an event or occurrence that points towards an even deeper reality. We use signs in everyday life, whether it be road signs that direct us towards where we want to go, signs that help us navigate dangerous terrain or avoid trouble, or clues towards the future. In fact, signs are not an end in themselves, they connect us to something more, something better.
For John, what Jesus did, either in feeding the 5000, changing water into wine, or healing the sick or walking on water, was meant to awaken his audience to something beyond the incidents, to who he was, and what he represented. Jesus was pointing to a deeper reality, that God’s kingdom had broken into the world, and was inviting people to put their faith in God.
“If you have hitherto disbelieved in miracles, it is worth pausing a moment to consider whether this is not chiefly because you thought you had discovered what the story was really about, that atoms, and time and space and economics and politics were the main plot.” C.S. Lewis
Our Bible study continues on the third Monday of the month, at 19:00
April 2025
Hope does not disappoint
‘And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint.’
Over the months of March and April, a few events happened which have inspired my hope in many ways. Quite a sizeable number of people have attended our Lent sessions this year, more than ever before. This coming together has been developing, beginning with Churches Together Faith Lunches, which have also received significant patronage.
The highlight of the Lent sessions this year was the one held at the Catholic church in Hunstanton. Heacham and Hunstanton Churches Together joined and the event was fully subscribed; we could not fit in the hall for our meal and others had to use the sanctuary. There was not only wonderful food but wonderful fellowship too and I got to know a few more people. There were inspiring reflections from different representatives. Someone said the singing was amazing, reminiscent of a revival. I do believe many of us felt, as Methodists, our ‘hearts strangely warmed’. I am convinced something is happening in our community, and we need to take notice of it and ride on the wave.
In our church at Hunstanton, we have witnessed similar signs of an amazing innovative spirit. In 2022 we contemplated closing the church; our confidence had been knocked down by covid and we did not have enough human or financial resources to run the church. What we are witnessing now is beyond our imagination. We have not only managed to find volunteers for leadership but we have seen an extraordinary spirit of sacrifice and dedication. Despite losing a number of our faithful members, we have witnessed rare gifts of care and commitment, especially during our recent sicknesses and losses. Financially, we have not only managed our budget but have been able to support several charities. Our community and outreach initiatives are blossoming. The Warm Space, for instance, has been a hive of activity. Our church is being used by the community in many ways.
We recently launched a Bible study session that meets every 3rd Monday evening at 19:00. The attendance, the quality of conversation and the respect we give to each other is amazing. A lot more is happening, and new initiatives are on the cards. The Baby and Toddlers’ Group will start on the 30th of April 2025 from 9:30 to 11:00 am.
On the ecumenical front, our church is very active at the centre of things. It has been such a privilege and a blessing to work alongside others over faith lunches, Lent sessions, Good Friday Walk of faith and Easter activities. See below for what other activities are lined up.
As Paul put it: tribulation has worked out something positive in us at Hunstanton and inspired Hope, and Hope does not disappoint.
EVENTS CALENDAR:
Maundy Thursday
10.00 am Service at Ringstead Church
10.30 am Reflective and Communion Service at Union
7.00 pm Service with Holy Communion at St Edmund’s
Good Friday
10.30 am Walk of Witness starting at St Edmund’s with a stop at the Old Barclays and finishing at the Spinney.
11.00 am Refreshments at Union Church
2.00 pm Service at St Edmund’s
12.00 am Methodist Church open
2.45 pm Meditation at Methodist Church
Easter Saturday
8.00 pm Vigil at Catholic Church
Easter Sunday
7.00 am Sunrise Service at Bandstand
9.00 am Service at Ringstead
9.00 am Catholic Church at Dersingham
9.00 am Breakfast at Union Church
10.30 am Union Church
10.30 am Methodist Church
10.30 am The Way
10.45 am St Edmund’s
11.00 am Catholic Church in Hunstanton
November 2023
Love and Community
Love is patient, Love is kind…..And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE (1Cor. 13:4, 13)
November is a month we celebrate love. We begin by All Saint’s Day, move on to Remembrance Sunday, and then take time to consider kindness. We pause to remember those we love, those who have gone to be with the Lord. We pay tribute to extra-ordinary sacrifice. In Remembrance services, we call to mind those who, out of love, paid the ultimate price in the act of defending and protecting democratic freedoms. It is also in November that we observe World Kindness Day, a day in which we highlight and encourage acts of kindness, a recognition that simple, random acts of kindness have power to create a better world. Love is at the heart of all we do.
This November marks the fourth year since my family and I joined the Norfolk community, coming out of a totally different culture, being a unique family in that we are black and African. A lot of adjustment was required for us to fit in and become part of this new world. We joined Heacham from Zimbabwe during a very difficult time, the time of COVID 19. Initially, I came on my own, and my family joined me two weeks later. I had to isolate for 14 days, then my family joined me. They had to isolate a further 14 days. What makes us remember this is not the clumsiness of the time, the challenges we had to face, the isolation and the frustration and anxiety associated with it. It is the acts of extra-ordinary kindness and generosity shown to us by people from all walks of life, Christians and neighbours alike, who made our transition easier.
Church members came to greet us, from a distance, waved, brought food, flowers and cards to our doorstep. Neighbours greeted us with a smile. Council officials invited us to events going on in the community. People brought shopping for us. We continue to meet such acts of kindness as we take our children to school, in church, as we walk around, and as I volunteer in the community. We have found it easy to explore, to learn and also to share our own experiences with confidence. This is love and kindness at its best.
I believe there is still more we can do together, but my hope is that there is already so much we are doing. Together we are more. So, faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is LOVE! Remember to do one act of kindness this month!
July 2023
What a journey!
‘Now the Lord had said to Abraham: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you, I will bless you’ Gen. 12:1,2
I love travelling, whether on holiday, just around the countryside, or visiting a friend in a city. I do my best to get the right mode of transport and the right insurance, just in case something happens. From the start, I have a full picture of where I am going and know if I am not sure that Google can help me see the actual place in 3D. With the arrival of the technology, satellite navigation or sat nav, I can not only predict theweather, all hazards, including the road cameras, but even by air I can follow my journey with ease. I expect to arrive at the set time, finding all things as they are, and it often is the case. Our peace, joy and excitement rests on predictability and trust in systems; it rests on certainty.
Over the last few years, we have woken up to a new normal – ‘uncertainty’. Covid climaxed this and our confidence is yet to be back. But there is more uncertainty everywhere – war in Ukraine, climate change, you name it!
Looked at differently, life is a journey of faith: Faith in God. It is not our journey alone; it is our journey with God and with others. This opens us up to purpose and hope, even where the idea of certainty is remote!
June 2023
Come to me all!
Matthew 11:28
The initial invitation is “Come and I will make you” (Matt. 4:19). This summarises the theme of the ordinary season in our church calendar, as we begin that journey of learning and growing in discipleship.
Hunstanton Methodist Church seeks to be that place and space where Christ’s words ring true. Open to all who need to sit down and rest. Not all times do we need times of rest; sometimes we just want a place to meet friends and chat, or still to find a quiet place to pray and reflect. Hunstanton seeks to be that place.
Jesus Christ’s invitation recognises that life will always be unpredictable and there are times when we need to unload, download, and upload. Times of difficulty, pain and loss, times of celebration and thanksgiving, and times when we need to find inspiration or share memories.
Here at Hunstanton, we continue to be that place of welcome.
Christ’s invitation is to everyone; it is an invitation with a promise. ‘Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ As the Hunstanton Methodist Church we endeavour to be that place, that space of welcome for all who need to either stop and breathe, or to stop and reflect.
You are all welcome.
May 2023
I love spring. Not only that it is the escape window from horrible winter – the cold miserable, snowy days – but that it brings with it new life, sunshine, a bit of warmth, and inspires my walkabouts.
Suddenly daffodils spring into life and the world looks different. Indeed, all that God created looks as Genesis describes it, ‘and God saw that it was good’. No one can miss the beauty of the woodlands, whether you are walking or driving along the roads. The farmers begin to work their fields.
It reminds me of Peter Firth’s poem:
Lord of this morning
Once again the world has turned us
Out of the night and into day
And once again
All the miracles of spring
Are thrusting their new life
Into my old one
And I would like to feel a part
Of this renewal.
So, Lord of this new morning,
Help me….[1]
There is a spiritual sense to the way and manner that seasons change. What a coincidence that it is during Spring that we celebrate important seasons in the Christian calendar. We move from the darkness of Lent and Passion to the morning of Resurrection and Ascension, and to the bright light of Pentecost.
At Hunstanton Methodist Church and in surrounding areas, we are witnesses of this spring of new life. The way people have volunteered to do things in church and community has been extraordinary. The networking between our churches has been inspirational. As a result, we have managed to host successful circuit-wide and community events.
The manner in which we hosted Maundy Thursday and Easter services inspired hope. The warm space at Hunstanton is another fruit and witness to our hope. The recent Coronation event on the 8th of May was graced by the Mayor of Hunstanton, for which we are very grateful.
We continue to keep our doors open and welcome everyone who wants to join us and be part of this renewal.
By Rev R. Ncube (richiemncube@gmail.com)
[1] ‘Easter Renewal’, Peter Firth, Lord of the Seasons, Lutterworth Press
Hunstanton Methodist Church 