Rev Robert Kasema
The start of a Sabbatical Journey in Italy
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As you all know, I will be taking a period of sabbatical leave beginning in June and returning in August.
Sabbatical is a valued part of Methodist ministry, offering an opportunity for rest, renewal, study, prayer, and spiritual refreshment. Ministry is both a privilege and a calling that requires continual attentiveness to God’s voice, and this time away will allow space to deepen that listening and return renewed for the work to which God calls us together.
I am deeply grateful for the love, support, and partnership we share as a church family. It has been a joy to worship, serve, and grow in faith alongside you. During my sabbatical, the life and ministry of the church will continue under the care of our stewards, leadership teams, visiting preachers, and ministerial colleagues, to whom I am very thankful.
Please be assured that pastoral support and worship arrangements have been carefully organised, and details of contacts during this period will be available through my PA, Heather.
As I step back for a season, I encourage you to continue faithfully in worship, prayer, fellowship, and service. The church’s mission does not rest on one person alone; we are all part of the body of Christ, each called to share in God’s work.
I would value your prayers during this time, that it may be fruitful, restorative, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Be assured also of my prayers for you all.
I look forward to returning and continuing our shared journey of faith together in September.
With every blessing,
Robert
Rev’d Robert Kasema
Message for the New Connexional Year
“…one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,” Philippians 3:13-14
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Grace and peace be with you in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Happy New Connexional Year 2025!
The Methodist Connexional Year commences on September 1st and concludes on August 31st of the subsequent year. This Connexional year denotes the annual cycle of church life and administration. This tradition is deeply ingrained in our Methodist heritage and practice. It aligns with the academic year in the United Kingdom. Typically, primary, and secondary schools, colleges, and universities start their academic year in September as well.
I would love to chat with you about what this season means for us as Methodist people. Apostle Paul’s words ring true, don’t they? A new year brings fresh starts, new challenges, and new chances to grow. One profound way to embrace the “new” is to let go of some things. The start of a new Connexional Year is a special time for us to reflect on our church’s mission, renew our commitment, and recommit ourselves. All of this is beautifully captured in our annual Covenant service. That is why it is so important and meaningful.
Let us be open to what God might calling us to and to where He may lead us by His Spirit.
With every blessing for the Connexional Year ahead
Robert
Rev’d Robert Kasema
Minister’s Easter-tide letter
Beloved,
As winter precedes spring, so does Passion-tide precede Easter-tide. The suffering and death of Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection are the foundation of Christianity, without them, Christianity is meaningless. Spring is a sign of life and so is Easter, which in essence is the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord JESUS CHRIST. It’s not a mere make believe event or just a historical event with no relevance to human life today.
The resurrection of JESUS is an indication that God is the giver of life and has power over death in every form – spiritual, physical, social, moral etc. Just as JESUS died and rose from the dead, the dead will live again according to the Scriptures. Those who have followed Christ and done good in their lifetime to life everlasting and those who have done evil to eternal separation from God, “Marvel not at this, for the hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth, they that have done good to the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation”. (John 5:28 & 29). In this hope the Wesley brothers wrote the hymn (in part) “…we soon shall hear the archangel’s voice, the trump of God shall sound rejoice…”
Christians who have gone down spiritually can revive, dying churches can live again, dysfunctional families and broken relationships, lost hope and dreams can live again by the resurrection power, failing businesses and ravaged communities etc. can thrive again. That’s the will of God. Death is an enemy, “…the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26).
The resurrection power of JESUS is at work in every Christian’s life and in every gospel believing church. It is what raises us above every negative circumstance. It is something God intends for us to experience. As we celebrate Easter, may the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ flow afresh and permeate our lives, our community, our town, our country and the world. Just as JESUS rose from the dead may we rise above every challenge within and around us.
Happy Easter
Robert
Rev Robert Kasema