25 November 2024
In December 1960 a 22-year-old was called up to do his National Service. It had been deferred for two years while he had completed his apprenticeship, but now it was time. He headed off to do his basic training and then received his posting. He was posted to Malta as a nursing orderly in the Royal Army Medical Corp, and would stay on the island for the remainder of his service. He left his small rural community in North Yorkshire and headed out on this adventure. He carried out his duties in the navel hospital and enjoyed exploring the island when not on duty. He was a Local Preacher and so when his duties allowed it he attended the Methodist Church in Floriana and preached there. He kept many photos of his time there, documents and airmail letters that had been sent him from home.
This was my Dad. I grew up knowing that he had spent time on Malta but it was only after his death when I was sorting through his papers and read things he wrote that I got a better picture of his time there. Sixty four years later I had the privilege of travelling to Malta to be part of their celebrations of 200 years of Methodism on the island. I carried with me some of Dad’s photos & documents and a strong sense of following in his footsteps.
The history of Methodism on the island is not an easy one. The early Methodist pioneers on the island showed courage and determination as they met in the face of active hostility. They were the first Protestant denomination on the island. For many years now the Methodists and the Church of Scotland have worked in close collaboration. The current work with the Church of Scotland also shows faithfulness and determination as the people strive to serve the needs of their local community and the many visitors to the island.
Unlike my Dad, my visit to Malta was brief and was less focused on giving injections and emptying bedpans. I was joined by the President, Helen, her husband Iain and my husband David. The four of us were welcomed and hosted by Rev David Hinchcliffe the Chair of the South East District, his wife Kathryn, and the Rev Betsi Thane the minister in Valletta.
Together we had inspiring conversations with the people of St Andrew’s in Valetta. This is an international ecumenical congregation. We were joined on the Saturday afternoon by ecumenical colleagues and an afternoon of helpful conversation was held that highlighted the commonality between us all. This was continued in the Sunday morning worship and the following lunch. During the service, a newly accredited Local Preacher was welcomed and the President preached. The delicious and generous lunch was made up of dishes from around the world and the conversation flowed as we ate together.
We had the privilege to visit and speak with the Archbishop of Malta in his palace in Mdina. We spoke of some of the challenges facing the church, the impact that the Covid pandemic had on society and churches, and he shared with us some poems he had written.
Following this meeting on the Monday we were invited to meet Her Excellency, Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, at St Anton’s palace. Her Excellency was generous with her time and gracious in her welcome of us. We spoke about ecumenism, and how we can celebrate diversity, and the need for good communication from within families and in wider society. We also spoke about leadership and what difference women in leadership roles make.
My time on Malta was a time of inspiration as we saw ecumenism working effectively and flexibly in a local church context, we spoke to those in leadership on the island and reflected on the changes on the island as 200 years of Methodism and 60 years of independence were celebrated. Personally, for me, it was a time to be in a place I had heard about all my life from my Dad. A place where a young man from rural North Yorkshire found a welcome and a home for two years. I know that the Methodist church had been a key part of that welcome for him and I saw this same welcome from the island and the church all these years later.