Message from the Moderator

Transition: changing from one state, style or place to another. Life has many transitions, as has our church over the years. As paragraph three of the Basis of Union says ‘The Church is a pilgrim people, always on the way towards a promised goal: here the Church does not have a continuing city but seeks one to come.’ But we are not left there, the next sentence tells us, ‘On the way Christ feeds the Church with Word and Sacraments, and it has the gift of the Spirit in order that it may not lose the way.’

In my own journey I have come to the realisation that God reveals, God calls, God equips and God sends. In some ways these might be called stages of transition, but it is not as distinct as that for me. I now see that as I was being sent onto one part of my journey, I was being equipped for another. Some of our transitions are abrupt, while others are prepared for over longer periods of time. Some are faced with assuredness, while others with uncertainty. Sometimes it is only after the event that we understand how God has been in the change.

By the time you read this there will be around a fortnight left in my term as Moderator and then I will become the ex-Moderator, with different responsibilities. I have been asked what it will be like moving out of the role of Moderator. Through talking with other past Moderators and learning of their experiences, I quickly understood that it is different for everyone. Circumstances are different, relationships are different, on-going roles, inside and outside the church are different.

I am extremely thankful for those who have been on this journey with me: my family, my chaplains, my support group, the General Secretaries, my personal assistant, my supervisor, health professionals, past Moderators and the many individuals who have offered wisdom, comfort, friendship, care and support as I have travelled the journey of Moderator.

We each need people around us to help us keep perspective, offer guidance, and who are gracious when we don't accept it, and to rejoice with us and cry with us. We each experience times when we feel alone, or bear the responsibility of a particular role, and it is always good to know there are people around us, praying for us, sharing with us and blessing us, sometimes in more ways than we can imagine. I know my support people will continue to be there as I transition into the next thing God has in store for me.

As congregations, and as a church, we are always in transition as we journey along the path God has for us. Sometimes it will be obvious, such as when there is a change of leadership, or a mission opportunity comes or goes. With change there is always an element of risk and uncertainty: Are we journeying along the right road? Do we have the resources to do this new thing? Will what we are doing be appreciated? Does it honour our heritage and our vision? Or would we be better off staying as we are? Our faith and our calling keeps us going. We must be mindful of the risks and also open to opportunities to fulfil God’s mission in new ways, journeying towards the promised goal.

At the upcoming Synod meeting our church will transition into the leadership of a new Moderator, Rev Peter Morel. I pray that as we all look to exploring what it means to be seriously joyful and joyfully serious as we live in Christ, we remember the intricate connections that join us together in God and that we continue to focus on the things that bring us together, as the body of Christ.

Blessings,

Bronte Wilson Moderator