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Message from our Minister - February 2024
Dear All
It might be just me, but getting moving in the morning is a bit of a struggle. I love my morning walks
with Rosie but even the nudging of a wet nose is met by a groan, the lack of light and, my now
natural expectation that it will be raining when I finally get to the door. The thought of having to put
on all that wet gear- well not thrilling. Once out I'm fine and tramping across the moor does me the
world of good, but getting there is a real struggle. I get a real sense of life being a bit of an effort for
many currently. There is so much "stuff" crowding in and very little light.
I think it is important to acknowledge this as we transition from the church year in which Epiphany
moves into Lent. In Epiphany we are invited to reflect on a revelation and insight into the very nature
of God and the call to life as a follower. In Lent we are called to consider Jesus' ministry and the
road that takes him to the Cross and where that lands for us this year.
What do we do with the gift of the season of Lent in 2024 I wonder?
I notice the urge to cram in more study, activity, meetings that seek to address the issues that are
crowding in. Yet I am drawn to my morning experiences that perhaps I need to let the light find me,
to put myself in places that will allow God's presence to be revealed.
I was listening to a Rabbi talking about the gift of Sabbath. Since being small I was taught the gold
standard was to do nothing because that is what God did. God rests on the seventh day. Sunday
was a day of rest and for worship, no work. If you were seen working, seen being the operative word,
then there was a sense of shame. There was of course some work, food and travel. It is interesting to
reflect on what counted as work and who was to do it, but I digress.
The Rabbi emphasises what the Sabbath is. We have two things going on, a finishing up and a resting
but they seem to not go together. What is being created on this day then, he suggests, is rest. It is not
how we think of rest often, as something positive. He invites a consideration of rest as granting
independence. Let something emerge, see what develops. It is simultaneously creative and resting
before picking things up again the next day.
I am wondering if this will help me as I enter Lent this year. The courage to lay down my tradition of
stopping bad habits etc or the need to pick more things and do something positive however good
these are and have the courage to let things be.
The Rabbi suggested that in fact what is happening is space for appreciation of what has been and
what is and what is becoming, apart from us, is a vital part of the Sabbath practice.
Maybe this Lent I need to have the courage to let things be, give them independence and
appreciate the creative works that in partnership with God, others and myself are before me. I pray
that this Lent we will let the light find us, as I am sure it will, as we stand back and seek to practice the
discipline of Sabbath.
Peter
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If you need to speak to a Minister during this time, please contact
Revd
Peter Catford.
Check This Week's Diary
for further details
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