A Reflection St Catherine’s Men’s Fellowship exists as a gathering for men in the parish. It is described as a Fellowship with the following four objectives. 1. To establish fellowship among people in the parish 2. To welcome newcomers to the Parish 3. To support the parish priest in projects which may arise 4. To promote Christian Principles and ethics in the Community and provide an opportunity for discussion in such matters. What does this mean? Christian Fellowship is the companion of the Christian Gospel. Do we see ourselves as a Christian Fellowship? What does a Fellowship of Anglican (Christian) men look like? If we are no different to Rotary or Probus then what is our purpose? How are we reaching out to the other men who are connected to the Parish? What kind of connection needs to be made? This leads onto the second objective, What are we doing to welcome newcomers to the parish? While we may maintain our monthly Tuesday gatherings are there other ‘events/ activities’ we could be establishing to make newcomers welcome? … Is this where a few Saturday morning gatherings fit? The third objective invites an engagement with the Parish Priest (and Parish Leadership) to identify aspects of ministry that Men's Fellowship could undertake or at least encourage, or even initiate. This does not necessarily mean maintenance of grounds and building, however because we have grounds and building then there is a responsibility to maintain them. ‘Aspects of ministry’ means more than this. I am suggesting that 'projects' is NOT the appropriate word. The fourth item begs some definition. What Christian Principles? What are they? What are Christian ethics? I think there is an assumption that we all know what these are. Yes, notions of honesty, integrity come to mind but these are principles that many would claim belong to all people, not necessarily Christian. # “Christian ethics grows from a faithful response to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is shaped by the history of God sending His People to be a holy and righteous witness to the nations so that others might know how God's salvation is demonstrated in national life, community and family relationships.” # Matthew 5 : 1 – 12 The Beatitudes set a clear description of what is to be understood by Christian principles. “ Jesus' disciples came to him and he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” These words are NOT aspirational, they describe who we are, how we live. Bishop Tom Frame said the other day: “If we are not living the Sermon on the Mount we should pack up. Stop pretending we are church.” We are to live as if the New World has arrived and it has begun in the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.” This is Living by Faith. They are words to describe the men of the fellowship and give direction to what we might be doing as a fellowship. In other words these are addressed to us first and how we live – cause for reflection. Do newcomers see anything different about us and the group that would cause them to want to join with us? This “Sermon” formed part of Christian instruction in the early church as being People of the Way. The first Christians were called the People of the Way – Not: ‘the people of the experience’ nor ‘the people of the right doctrine’ nor ‘the people of the church’. They saw them-selves as a community. This gives a significant clue as to what ‘fellowship’ should mean when applied to a group that calls itself Christian. I trust I can use the words “Anglican” and ‘Christian’ interchangeably. # The call to Justice, Beauty and Homecoming as noted by Bishop Tom Wright needs exploration here. Note Ministry of Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5: 11 – 21 and its implications for Fellowship. # There is the injunction for all Christians to “Go forth and make disciples of all nations”. Where does this fit with our objectives? Note the word ‘disciples’ is far more than saving souls. # There has been some concern that Men’s Fellowship not be Evangelical. The suggestion is that if it was it would frighten men away. In the light of what I have written I am concerned as to what is understood by ‘Evangelical’ Some added comments: 1 Jonathan Andrews and later John Brummell more recently came and made their Christian commitment known in their talks and the connection of the Christian faith to their topic. Were these encrouching on this Evangelical border line? 2. A suggestion from our Parish Priest embraces the view that Father’s Day raises issues about what “Father” might mean today. Do we/ Can we engage with Men in the community to support men being fathers and enabling young men to clarify what this role might mean for them. The absent father is a significant experience for many children today in our society. What does this say to boys in particular. What does it say to girls? 3. A further comment from a friend suggests another focus “how one can be a better Christian in the home, in church and in the community?” 4. From tonight’s Men’s meeting a conversation with John Stevenson raised the possibility of “Father and Son” gatherings – perhaps twice a year. As a young fellow I went with my father to such gatherings and found them a great privilege. 5. Another matter raised comes from George Smith the co-ordinator of ABM in Brisbane. Earlier this year he gave me a booklet of studies called “The Faith Effect – God’s Love in the World” It has five sessions : On Earth as in Heaven … Religion Poisons Everything …… God’s Love in the World …… What Can we do? And So what next? A suggestion is that with ten meetings in the year every second meeting could be a viewing of the DVD and a study/discussion of one of these five topics. 6. The parish is seeking to assist/ to minister to those who have been offloaded from work. Is this perhaps another aspect of ministry that we as a fellowship could connect with?
 Consideration: If you reflect on what I have written how might we write our Men's Fellowship Objectives?