Bishop Crispian sets a Challenge

As a continuing part of our celebrations at Caversham Heights Methodist Church in this our centenary year we were honoured on 24th May by a visit of a distinguished Roman Catholic prelate and theologian the Rt.Revd Crispian Hollis, R.C. Bishop of Portsmouth.

The service was led by the Revd Dr. John Ogden who warmly welcomed the Bishop “over the river”. (Bishop Crispian’s diocese ends at the River Thames!) and the large congregation sang the hymns with gusto, ably led by organist Margaret Bensley.

Bishop Crispian started his sermon with happy recollections of his association with the Revd Tom Stuckey (past Superintendent minister of Reading and Silchester Circuit and former President of Conference) and took as his texts Acts 1 vv 1-11 “The beginnings of the church”and Luke 24 vv 44-53 “Understanding the scriptures” - in other words “Pentecost” - the birth of the church - then and now,

In his sermon Bishop Crispian said that Caversham Heights is now! But he asked what of the future? Drawing from the past but looking to the future, its current witness is important - but what of the future?

Do we have the folk to witness? Are we in a regenerative age? Do we have a common hope? Do we have the gift of the regenerative or Pentecost Spirit? Is this the coming of age or a challenge to move forward? i.e. Renewal?

A challenge indeed not just for us in Caversham but all our fellow Christians throughout the World.