Dear Friends,

As I write this we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the German Exchange party from Teltow and Tegernau. We have joined with All Saints Church in arranging a varied programme for these visitors who will be in Whitstable from Tuesday 20th to Sunday 25th May. Some of our folk are providing lodgings and, as a church, we are hosting meals and joint activities on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings. I am also personally involved in other aspects of the week’s events alongside my dear friend, Simon Tillotson, the vicar of All Saints. Overall, an exciting range of social activities has been carefully planned including local walks, quiz and variety show evenings as well as trips to Canterbury Cathedral and Windsor Castle. The spiritual dimension is catered for by some morning services plus several scheduled discussions on the cross-cultural relevance of the Gospel.

The Bible greatly encourages us to cultivate a spirit of generosity and one of our readings on a recent Sunday urged us to ‘practise hospitality’ (Romans 12v13). I would guess that all of us have good cause to thank God for those who have shown us hospitality at certain points in our lives, perhaps at crucial times when we had moved into a new area or had begun attending a new church. Accordingly, it is indeed a privilege and a joy to welcome our German guests in Jesus’ name. I am so very grateful to those in our congregation who are opening their homes, cooking meals and offering friendship to these German Christians. They come from two churches that are linked in a partnership, though located in very different parts of Germany; one group is from a suburb of Berlin and the other from the southern Black Forest.

As a church fellowship, we seek to give a very sincere welcome to visitors who join us on Sundays and, just recently, I have received very specific comments from some in that category who have expressed their considerable appreciation of the warm reception they have experienced at our services. From a pastoral perspective this is heartening, but it is also a vital aspect of our duty as Christians and a reflection of the wonderful acceptance we ourselves have received from God because of the atoning work of Jesus on our behalf. Being welcoming is something we genuinely enjoy doing and I am so grateful to my predecessor, Colin Speed, who greatly cultivated this loving disposition.

Peter, in his second Epistle, commends such qualities as goodness, brotherly kindness and, of course, love, in anticipation of ‘the rich welcome’ awaiting us when we are admitted ‘into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’ (see chapter 1, verses 5 to 11). What a glorious incentive for hospitality in the ‘here and now’!

I should also add that there will be opportunities to visit our new German friends in Berlin, and the Black Forest, next year. These reciprocal arrangements will further cement the links between us and I pray that they will reinforce our mutual fellowship in Christ.

Your friend and pastor,