Friends, welcome to another Methodist New Year. I hope you have all been able to enjoy the good weather.

As I start the new year, I am also starting this new role as Minister with pastoral responsibility for Christchurch Methodist Church. As you would appreciate this means getting to know you all and finding out what makes you tick as well as you doing the same with me. I will be offering pastoral support to the church members and adherents in whatever way I am able. As I thought about what to write for this addition of the Christchurch Messenger, the words of Jacqueline G Jones's hymn 'Have you heard God's voice' Singing the faith 662 rebounded around my brain and wouldn't go away, so over the next four editions that is what I will be exploring. So here goes with verse one and refrain.

As we prepare to embrace the joys and yes challenges of this coming year, where we will undoubtedly take on new roles and must step back or let go of things we have previously done, the words of this first verse talk to us.

As we listen to the evocative melody and read the powerful words to this song it makes us realise that sometimes our words don't match up with our expectations.

How often is God's voice drowned out by the noise of the world around us? Or we choose to ignore the prompting of God's voice because we are afraid of what it might mean for us in the future. For me the little word 'Still' has a great significance, there is a choice being offered to us which we can either accept or reject. There is also a level of honesty in this verse when we are told the 'way may be rough and narrow'. Being involved in God's work will mean the path we travel will not always be a smooth one. However, as we journey on the path God has set for us all, we need to know that God is with us.

Verse 1 Have you heard God's voice; has your heart been stirred?
Are you still prepared to follow?
Have you made a choice to remain and serve,
though the way be rough and narrow?

Refrain (except the last time)
Will you walk the path that will cost you much
and embrace the pain and sorrow?
Will you trust in One who entrusts to you
the disciples of tomorrow?

Then in the refrain we return to the question 'what will we do?' again asking us what is important to us, are we prepared to go that extra mile that might be costly, painful and lead to sorrow? Then comes the final big Question, will we trust in the One who entrusts to us the disciples of tomorrow. Wow! That is a big ask isn't it? When things are going astray, do we put our trust in God and in so doing nurture and encourage those who are looking at us to do something similar.

I may not have seen this change in my Ministry coming, I could have put my fingers in my ears and said La, La, La, but that's not how I respond to God's calling; so, on reflection I heard God's voice and answered God's call to this new and exciting challenge. I know God is in this and I look forward to the journey that's before us as members of Christchurch. I hope that you will realise God is calling you and be able to answer the call in whatever way you are able, as we journey through the year, hopefully, with joy and laughter.

Blessings Ian
Rev Ian Couchman