ALL CHANGE
I am on the train coming home from London. I’ve been to a conference in my role as CEO of Breathworks. It was all about mindfulness and difference, how we can embrace people who don’t look like us, and perhaps don’t even share the same values or culture. It struck me as a valuable use of time in a world where differences are polarised, used to separate rather than unite, weaponised into ‘them and us’ and often used for political gain.
As the speaker began, she asked us to stand up and to rearrange our chairs in a circle. It was interesting to see how many people were not very keen on doing this, and a few moaned and groaned at having to sit in a different position. As it happens, this was an exercise to see how willing we were to change our orientation. For some, not very!
However, by simply moving our seating from rows into an arch, not only could we see the screen at the front better but we could also see each other. Our interactions were better and we responded in a different way, able to see each other’s reactions, smiles and laughter. This simple change made the world of difference.
As a church, we often talk about change, about walking in a new direction. We speak of transformation in the communion service; whether you think the bread and the wine is transformed, touched by God or actually becomes Christ, something changes, which we can all agree on to some extent. When we begin our worship (or two thirds of the way through if it’s the BCP service) we ask for the forgiveness of God and the priest declares absolution. In that moment we are changed, in that all our sins are gone. Forever. And when we are sent out, we are sent in the power of the Holy Spirit to live changed lives and to change the lives of others.
Changing or altering direction is not something we like. It is disruptive and sometimes uncomfortable and yet it is needed. Without it, we stagnate and things get dry and boring. In the case of the church, without it, we die.
As a congregation, we have changed.
We are beginning to think deeply about how and why we need to welcome new people and make this a place for EVERYONE. This will be the way in which we grow and flourish, enabling St Mary’s not only to survive but to be here for our kids and grandkids. Our congregation is growing and changing, but one thing remains the same. We are asked to turn away from ourselves and move towards Christ, to see him in others, those we like and those we don’t.
As the train pulls into the station I have two thoughts. Firstly, the rail company serve the most disgusting tea and I’m glad to be home so I can make a decent cuppa, and I’m also glad to have spent time with people who, with a little persuasion, have opened their eyes to new possibilities and opportunities. The church needs to do the same.
Nathan
Rev. Canon Nathan Jarvis