Lovefeast 2022

As we were preparing for this year’s Lovefeast, I looked back to see what I had recorded from last year. This is what I found :

Lovefeast 2022

Welcome

Normally this gathering is led by the Methodist minister for the circuit.  Sadly we heard yesterday that Rev Julie has tested positive for Covid so our thoughts are with her.

I am personally very sorry that Julie isn’t with us as I always appreciate her gracious leading of our services and Lovefeast.  However, the gathering is very much led by all those who come, and this year will be no different.  We don’t have Julie to guide us through the format, but many are very familiar with the Lovefeast and I am sure that between us we will have a precious time together. 

Opening Prayer : I wondered whether Norman, as one of our most faithful supporters of the Lovefeast and the Chapel would open in prayer for us.

Opening Hymn : The first hymn is traditional and so we always begin with 110 Jesus Lover of my Soul 528

At this point there is usually a short introduction explaining the origins of the Lovefeast and maybe focusing on a particular theme or thought. 

History first records the barn being used for religious gatherings following the Acts of Uniformity in 1662 when the barn is described as a well known centre of Dissent.  In Dransfield’s History of Penistone there is this graphic description.

At Alport Castle Farm, remote and isolated amid the Derbyshire Moorlands, the Covenanters assembled to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences, although the sleuthhounds of persecution were on the scent of the ‘Psalm singing rascals’ (as they were called) and an implacable soldiery followed them to the inmost recesses of the Peak. 

It would seem that it continued to be used and it is quoted as being one of the remotest places in which John Wesley sheltered.

According to what we know, the custom of holding Lovefeasts in this form, came from the Moravians in Germany and was adopted in this country by the Methodist church.  This is the only one to continue with an unbroken history.  (even in lockdown the barn was held ready and a service was held on zoom) It was originally a whole day event where a preacher arrived to take a service in the morning, lunch was shared and then the Lovefeast took place at 1.30 when the sun comes through the barn window. 

I shared on our Facebook page the description by Hannah Mitchell of the lengths to which her family went in the 1870’s to prepare for the event and the hospitality that they offered.

Over so many years, it will have meant many different things to those gathering here and as we gather today, it will probably have a slightly different meaning for each one of us.  Over the years that our family have lived at Alport, we have found at the Lovefeast a space which offers peace and stillness to reflect and share.  We share the words of the hymn writers, the experiences and thoughts of each other and we make a space in our lives to refocus. 

I rarely choose a hymn but this year I found a list that I made many years ago with the numbers from my aunts old Methodist Hymn Book and I looked through it for one that captured this feeling.  From my short list of 3, I chose

no 300 Breath on me Breath of God 280

Hymns : 780 Master Speak! Thy servant heareth, 535

300 Breath on me Breath of God 280

May the Mind of Christ my Saviour 739  Hymns and Psalms

And so we invite you all to reflect, share, pray, or to choose a hymn or a reading. 

At a certain point, we will sing our second traditional hymn :  748 Come and Let us Sweetly Join 756.  We sing the first 4 verses and then share the spring water from the Loving Cups and the Fruit Cake.  There are no words to accompany this sharing. It is a form of Communion, but feel free to do what is comfortable to you and to eat your cake and maybe say hello to those around you.  When everyone has had the cake and water, then we will sing the last 4 verses of the hymn.

Collection?

The closing hymn is traditionally 914 God be with you till we meet again 651

 Hymns chosen :

Ruth 492   Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising

          267   Love Divine all Loves excelling

Peter 617  Lord Jesus Christ, You have come to us, You are one with us, Mary’s Son

Norman 721 Stand up, Stand up for Jesus

Peter Miles 70 The Lord’s my Shepherd

Andrew and Annie What a friend we have in Jesus

          770   Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!

Thoughts / Themes : being willing for God to Breath, be willing for change, embrace change, recognise that change is part of life …