THE service at Crediton Methodist Church on Sunday, June 9 was led by Chris Mann and his theme was “We are family”. 

It was Methodist Homes and also Cuttack Sunday and Chris thought both tied in well with the family theme. 

Chris explained his father’s family all moved to Thorverton from London during the war. He described how he was part of a large extended family.  

One of his “uncles” was not in fact a blood relative but a close family friend. This “uncle” and his children feel just like his other blood relatives.  

Chris’s own children had attended this church and spoke of the church as “my church”. Family can be so much more than just flesh and blood. As we grow up and as we grow in faith that can be a strong thing. 

We have a family but often join other families. Chris gave an example of great sporting celebrations when people get together because they love football.   

They become part of a tribe and wear shirts, so it is completely clear to which family they belong. They make a commitment to someone who is not flesh and blood and they become part of another family. 

As Christians we are the family of God. Each one is bound to everyone else in that family.  

Sunday, June 9 was Methodist Homes Sunday. Part of the Methodist Church’s mission is to make an effort to look after everybody.    

Methodist Homes provide that opportunity to show our ongoing love and commitment to those who are older and in need of help and care.  

That all-encompassing love and generosity should be associated with our membership of the family of God. Whatever other family we know, the thing that brings us here today and ties us together is the love of God and the example of His son Jesus. 

One of the confusing things in our reading from Mark’s gospel is that Jesus said that blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is an unforgiveable sin.  

My take on that is that when we refuse to let the Spirit lead us, when we think we are being called to do something for God but we won’t even try, I think that is the moment that we separate ourselves and put ourselves outside the love of God.  

It does not mean that we cannot come back in when we realise what we are doing. 

We have just celebrated Easter and Pentecost, and it is an opportunity to engage those incredible events and allow them to continue to change us and allow them to continue to help us grow in our faith and commitment to Christ. Help us to see where our role is in God’s family. Our roles change as our family life and dynamics change.  

I have two older sisters and one has sort of assumed the mantle of family matriarch. She did not choose it, but that is how our roles change sometimes, and it is natural that they should. That does not mean that our role diminishes – it has just changed. We have a part to play. We still have a mission to fulfil. 

As Jesus looked around the room, He saw the people who were listening to Him. He was told that his mother and brothers were outside and He asked, “Who is my mother and brothers?”  

He instead focused on the people whom He was teaching. For Him, these people had now become part of His family and, therefore, part of God’s family. They were part of the people He would need to rely on to spread the love and word of God. In the apostolic succession that is what we are now.  

We may not be able to be as active as we used to be, but we are still able to play our part. We are still able to pray, to pass on our wisdom and knowledge and understanding. We are still able to guide and help. 

Chris said he had been a local preacher for quite a long time now but would not have had that privilege without the help, love, prayer and support of members of the Church and some significant people here this morning.  

He said he would not have had the confidence to dare to stand up and try and tell you what to do. You have a role to play. 

Christ should be at the centre of our lives and Christ’s example drives everything that we do.   

Allow the Holy Spirit to enter your lives every single day to fill your lives, to empower you to continue to bring the love of God to everyone in your community and everyone with whom you come into contact.  

By Bronwyn Nott