Minister's Letter November 2025
Revd John Henry
Tickhill Methodist Church
Let me serve you
One of the hymns in the Methodist Hymn Book ‘Singing the Faith’ is a favourite of mine; it has the following words:
Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too.
All about service!
I don’t often quote the Bible in my monthly letter, however, this month is different …
Galatians 5:13 and 14
Serve one another humbly in love.
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
My wife Wendy recently had major surgery, nothing serious, but quite extensive; because of this, I have been able to put the above into practice, just a little bit more. We have a daughter with a disability, so caring duties have been quite high up on my agenda.
However, there is one thing that has happened as a result of this, an awareness of just how much my lovely Wendy does for us.
Yes, of course, I realised how much she did before, but I think that has been brought home to me in a much deeper way over the past few weeks.
However, in a little discussion with her this morning, she countered that I do so much for her; putting modesty to one side for a moment I realise that over the last few months I have, once again perhaps in a deeper away; certainly, there ought to be emblazoned on my car ‘Henry’s Taxis’ … and I am joking; but since Wendy can’t drive over the past few months, I have run errands, for things like prescriptions, taking Wendy shopping etc.
However, isn’t it true that sometimes we just serve one another quietly and unassumingly?
However, I am struck by how easy it would be to take each other for granted.
I think that’s true in all walks of life, and I do wonder whether at times we can so easily take each other for granted in a town like Tickhill.
So, let’s be grateful for each other.
In conclusion I discovered this wonderful little poem this week:
Hands that hold, and hands that share,
Lifting burdens, showing they care.
In every touch, warmth resides,
In their embrace, love confides.
Gentle gestures, acts so small,
Yet, they mean the most of all.
Holding stories, memories, dreams,
Flowing like silent, gentle streams.
To those hands, we owe much,
For the lives they’ve touched and such.
Their silent act, a love profound,
Echoing appreciation without a sound.
Every Blessing,With every good wish; Reverend John Henry, Methodist minister. Minister of Tickhill Methodist Church & Superintendent of Doncaster Methodist Circuit.
- Tickhill Methodist Church
- Northgate
- Tickhill
- South Yorkshire
- DN11 9HY