I have a dream today!

I suspect those are the most famous words of Rev Dr Martin Luther King jr. delivered on 28 August 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

I too had a dream seven years ago that there was hope for the Methodist Church in Kingston. Oh yes, I did have a dream that all could be welcomed in the Kingdom of God: white or black; young or old; rich or poor; thief, abuser, self-righteous, pietist, in fact all could come to the throne of grace and find new life within the Body of Christ, His church.

I had a dream that no boundaries needed to be set, come as you are, come at any time, treat God’s house as your own, bring your differences; but come, seeking a deeper relationship with God.

I had a dream we could walk a journey of faith, together excitingly, respecting one another and God’s house in an awareness of others’ needs.

I had a dream we would engender an increased understanding of why we were meeting together. Despite regular criticism and opposition of a relaxed approach and an open Lord’s Table, I had trust and confidence that all would be well despite our frailties, faults and personalities.

Yes, I had a dream, of an open door through which all could find faith, new life and a deepening commitment to meet to worship God, surrounded with his love we would fulfil his prime command, to worship Him; our God and his Son, our Lord Jesus.

I heard another dream on 2 September in Westminster Central Hall at the launch of the new London District. I was thrilled by the rightness of that dream by a proverb quoted several times throughout the day by Rev Dr Stuart Jordan, one of our new Co-Chairs of the District, “If you want to walk fast, walk alone, but if you want to walk far, walk together.”

Did you know, Dr King in 1963 went on to say, “We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make a pledge that we shall always march ahead, We cannot turn back.” I had a dream, Oh yes, I did have a dream too! That one day we would all know Christ, long to be like him and want to meet together to worship this loving and yet awesome God. My waking tears tell me, yes it was a dream, but only a dream, or was it?

God bless you all