Holidays are important to the way we live. But occasionally just a day out can work amazingly well, giving us a renewed perspective on our usual activities and concerns.
Our parish day out at Barton-le-Cley was successful in just this way. The Revd Deborah Snowball led us thoughtfully and cheerfully to consider what we value at St Peter’s and what our hopes for our church might be. We had delightful opportunities to talk together, laugh, meet new people, and engage creatively in the tasks we were set. And, in a sense, we were all there: both young and old representing our different interests. We also had warm sunshine to encourage and lure us outside at lunch time. And finally worship to unite us in our common purpose.
So our thanks to Margaret Blake and Em and her family for organising us so ably and hospitably. To Deborah of course. To Liz; and to the makers of cake (and flapjack) for offering irresistible temptation.
It may seem self indulgent in a time of serious international tension to dwell here on our hopes and plans for our church. But what we were working at was our part in building a future for God in our midst, using our God given talents. And surely nothing can be more important at this moment than honouring and creating community wherever we are placed.
Loving God,
rescue us from all that divides and destroys.
Help us to find you in all that fills our daily lives.
Enable us, through Christ and his Spirit,
to build, to create, to renew connection;
that together we may be a Church
which reflects your will for all your people.
Amen.