“If I were a butterfly
I’d thank you Lord for giving me wings
If I were a robin in a tree
I’d thank you Lord that I could sing
If I were a fish in the sea
I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee
But I just thank you Father for making me, me.”
Brian M. Howard
I’m sure those off you who were at ‘The Butterfly Day’ on 20th August – or indeed ‘The Bird Day’ on 6th – can attest to how much fun we had. Who would have thought there were over 2500 species of moth in the UK but only 59 types of butterfly? I wonder how many different varieties we’ll see around now that we’ve got several butterfly, bee and insect ‘hotels’ nestled among the trees in the garden? They’ve been carefully placed so that the children (and adults) who helped with their construction can see them from the road, remember the fun they had and hopefully join us again.
September is a time for new beginnings. For birds, September brings the start of migration season and a search for warmer climes. For children and young people, as well as many adults, it marks the new school year with all that brings. For us as Methodists it’s also a time of change as, in many places, new ministers and congregations get used to one another. I would ask you, please, to include them in your prayers, especially probationer ministers who have recently come out of college, the congregations they are called to serve alongside, and those who support them on the journey.
For us at Conway Road the change is much more subtle. Last month I accepted an offer from The Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham for a year of study which will hopefully lead to beginning a PhD this time next year. Naturally this is all very exciting – and mildly terrifying – but it does mean that from 1st September I will go back to being half-time and, in time, settle into a ‘one week on, one week off’ pattern. Of course, real life is bound to get in the way occasionally!
It’s fine to continue calling and emailing me as usual, and I will continue to lead worship, turn up regularly to activities and generally be around.
Happy new year!
Love and blessings,
Laura
Conway Road Methodist 