Filled with anticipation

I welcomed the New Year in Centenary Square, Birmingham. On the stroke of midnight a splendid array of fireworks lit the sky, courtesy of the City Council. Hundreds of people gathered, unknown to me, as far as I could tell in the darkness. Together we were filled with anticipation, waiting for the dawn of another year. As we watched the glittering sky above with childlike amazement, people hugged, kissed, danced and laughed.

Even though I knew none of those many faces, I was aware that I was part of a huge company of people, united in one purpose. We were all very different, yet we were ‘Brummies’, gathered together in the heart of the city.

The church with all its variety and different expressions is much bigger than ‘me’, or the church where I am a member, or a Baptist Association. We are one world church, called by Christ to share with joyful anticipation God’s love and grace.

Hopefully a little childlike amazement about the God we worship will inspire and sustain us through another year.

Rev’d Andrew Millns, Regional Minister