Presbyter's Ramblings

We`re back for 2025. At the start of a new year, we will be celebrating the Covenant Service on the 2^nd of February. This service is special in Methodist traditions.

While not original or unique to Methodism it is central to the core of what being Methodist means. It is a service that is traditionally held at the start of the Connexional Year. In New Zealand the Connexional Year commences on the 1^st of February.

Being deeply rooted in the Methodist spiritual tradition it is a service that provides opportunity for both personal and corporate self-examination, confession, renewal and commitment to the covenanted relationship between God and the people.

At the heart of the service is the Covenant Prayer:

“I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will: put me  to doing, put me to suffering: let me be employed for you or laid aside for you, exalted for you or brought low for you.”

For me the Covenant Service calls us to a position of humility in the Kin-dom,  Kingdom of God, God`s realm of love and compassion.  We as individuals and a congregation make a commitment to walk humbly with our God,

 The service acknowledges our God. In this service we commit ourselves to live faithfully, courageously and in humility, trusting in God`s grace, united as a congregation in faithful service.

                                                           Andrew.