Keystone - June 2026

Minister's Letter

Dear friends,

Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice!

Oh, how I wish St Paul (who wrote this in Philippians 4.4) understood how difficult life today is. Rejoice? When there is war going on across the globe, and peace efforts falter when faced with a leader’s pride? When there are children being found guilty of rape? When there are extremists promoting policies that denigrate humanity? When the car breaks down, or the dishwasher’s broken, or the computer has lost the files I’ve been working on…?

Rejoice! It’s much easier when things are going well. Think about a sport that you follow, and a particular person or team. I rejoiced when York City won automatic promotion into League Two (I suspect many of you are more concerned about a Manchester team, but I keep out of that debate). Yet Yorkshire Cricket is having another mediocre start to the season… Rejoice? (Ok, my Lancastrian friends… we’ll talk about this nicely…)

It is thought that when Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians writing out of captivity - possibly prison, or under house arrest in Rome. His life was certainly at stake. Yet the letter is not one of misery and gloom: quite the opposite. There is joy and thankfulness, and a plea for unity in the church and between believers. It is hope-filled and confident in the assurance of salvation through Christ. There is even a section in my bible headed ‘Do Everything Without Grumbling’. How the world would change if we all did that!

I have just returned from CliffFest, the Methodist Church’s annual celebration at Cliff College in Derbyshire. The weather was glorious, the company was fabulous and there was a wide variety of activities, teaching and events to participate in for all ages. Each evening was ‘Celebration’ in the tent, led by a worship band. I have come home singing a song by Elevation Worship: “Praise the Lord, oh my soul.” 

I could grumble (we didn’t take blankets and it was cold at night) or complain (if I pay for jacket potato and salad I expect there to be salad) but in reality? I was privileged to be able to praise God in the company of hundreds of Methodists from across the country, and spend time learning a little bit more about how much our God loves even me, through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. That is worthy of praise and rejoicing, whatever trials and tribulations come our way.

As we look at the Bible Month book of Philippians this month, let us hear Paul’s words being spoken over us, “I thank my God every time I remember you,” (Phil 1.3) and return to God in praise. 

With love,

Catharine

Prayer

I'll praise in the valley, praise on the mountain

I'll praise when I'm sure and praise when I'm doubting

I'll praise when outnumbered, praise when surrounded

'Cause praise is the waters my enemies drown in

As long as I'm breathing, I've got a reason to

Praise the Lord, oh my soul 

Praise the Lord, oh my soul

(c) Elevation Worship, Brandon Lake, Chris Brown, Chandler Moore

https://youtu.be/LNPwyLH2crA?si=l4ABMPHg36FSAbnp

A Prayer for Methodist Homes Sunday

Gracious and loving God, We thank You for the gift of life and the inherent dignity

and worth of every person, no matter their age or stage

in life. We bring before You all who live and work within

MHA Care Homes, Retirement Living communities

and Live at Home schemes.  Amen

This post is made up of key elements of the June 2026 Keystone Magazine - for the full issue, please click here.