June 2026

‘No longer do I call you servants ... but friends’ John 15.15 (RSV)

This chapter of St John’s Gospel begins with the words ‘I am the true vine’. They set the scene for the theme of the whole chapter – the dwelling of Christ in, and with, His followers, the branches of that vine. At its heart is the commandment that He passes on to the disciples: to love God, be loved by God and to show God’s love.

No longer are we just to be followers of instructions, without need for understanding – we are to be participants in the work of Jesus, dwelling in Him, and sharing in His work, chosen by Him to witness to His love and to the joy that comes from that close relationship of friendship.

The example of love that Jesus gives is His own willingness to die for his friends. But this is not the only measure of love: another is the sharing that exists between Father and Son, which is to be extended to us. We are to be invited to God’s table, and in our turn, we much extend this invitation to others: we must bear fruit, like the vine, bringing others to share in the life and love of God.

In these times of uncertainty, when the powerful and ruthless can seek to dominate the vulnerable and weak, it is hard to remember that God frequently uses the powerless to bring change. At all levels, lasting change comes from the bottom up not the top down, and as individuals we can start this process by allowing our friendship with Jesus to bring fruit in our lives as we respond to His invitation: ‘Come to me’.

We allow the Spirit and Life of God’s Word to ow into and through us as we pray in our contemplative way. We may be a member of a monthly or fortnightly Fellowship prayer group, perhaps joining on Zoom. Or we might not be able to be part of a physical group at all, but keep our fellowship alive by praying at home. We use the monthly Saying so that we join with others in prayer if not in person, traditionally remembering the Fellowship and its members in prayer each Wednesday. All are ways in which we nurture our relationship with our Lord and abide in the fellowship of friendship into which He invites us.