Dear Friends,

I’m writing this in the library at The Queen’s Foundation – probably my second favourite library in the UK.

For those who don’t know, Queen’s is the training centre for Methodist Ministers and offers a number of other courses in Theology – including the pre-PhD programme I’ve been doing for the past year. It was also my home from 2012 to 2014.

The community at Queen’s is transient by necessity – students and tutors come and go – but the essence of the place doesn’t change. It remains a melting pot of Theology, with students from six continents and many more denominations. To be at Queen’s is to be part of one of the most diverse Christian communities in Europe and conversations can be challenging (usually because they force me to consider why I hold certain beliefs), but I’ve met some of my dearest friends here. Many’s the time I’ve asked myself, ‘Is it really worth falling out over this?’

Being at Queen’s reminds me that it is possible for Christians – and indeed people in general – to disagree and still have a cup of tea together at the end of the day. A much-needed reminder in a world where we are expected to dismiss those with whom we disagree as ‘wrong’ and not to associate with them. If Jesus had only sat at the table with people who agreed with him, he would have frequently eaten alone. And where would we be then?

Please pray for Munawar. He and his cohort are beginning ministerial training here next week.

I’d better go to my seminar!

Love and blessings,

Laura