Inky Fingers
Well, we are on our way! Heading out of coastal waters towards the open seas!
The plans we have had for re-ordering our church have lain on the table for about 10 years now. The flooring has not improved in that time, and now there are other signs of wear and tear as well. Church life has changed too, here and elsewhere. But - new year, new era: good time for taking stock!
We recently had a Parish Day to think about this. After a great lunch (well done to one and all involved - really tasty!) attended by over 60 church members, the table groups got together to "brain storm". What does ANY church need? What does OUR church need? Where next?
What heartened me was the broad consensus that emerged naturally - no gimmicks but a sound, lively all-age church. And the flooring itself hardly got a look in! And that did encourage me that we had a care for our priorities: mindful of our heritage but working well to meet the needs of the 21st. century. A church HAS to be where people are, where they really want and need to be - "Feed my sheep", we are told clearly.
So, where next indeed? Our thoughts and prayers must be with Rev. Mike, the PCC and the whole consultation and planning process - including US! The last major works were in 1862 and 1879, when our town was in its heyday, and have served us well. But there is nothing to stop our engaging people at any time - being fit for the purpose, and that purpose is PEOPLE. Doing it well and enthusiastically as Our Lord so often commends in His parables. And we can do that NOW.
Yours in anticipation!
PS: Passing thoughts:-
1.Have you ever taken any notice of the footnotes in your Bible? Wondered if your understanding of a passage would be different if the annotated readings were to be substituted as indicated? There are many ways of telling a story or making a point - and translation is an art not a science!
2.When I write a letter to you or to a group of our friends or associates, I have particular people and circumstances in mind that I know you can relate to. When someone else gets a copy of that letter, quite properly, it remains our letter essentially. So if I receive a letter initially intended for someone else, I have to read it as they were intended to read it in the first instance. Right? Does this have any bearing on my reading of the epistles of Paul and others?