A calendar year contains rhythms and seasons, rises and falls in nature, temperature, weather, light and more. We adjust accordingly in our habits, the hours we keep, what we do with our time and energy, and somehow the year will balance out and we begin again.
Since September 2023 when we moved into the new premises, as a whole church it’s been a very full time. We’ve had to get used to a new setting, how the doors work, the lights, the alarm… and everything else. How we should make use of our space as best we can, and how to make it beautiful and functional at the same time? We’ve had to address a thing called ‘snagging’ – new to me – with issues with electrics, ventilation, boilers, leaks and more. Not once has the vestry been properly usable.
We’ve also needed to effectively begin a church nursery again from scratch given the very low numbers last September, and undertake all sorts of health and safety and fire assessments and make sure we’re safe as we can be. And of course, all our worship, prayer, sense of discipleship and mission, our connection to our local community and the people around us – all has had to be adapted, or renewed, or begun. Oh, and in case you’d forgotten we’ve held a major art exhibition in the midst of our first year too!! Looking back to September 2023, I am not sure I really envisaged a first year quite like this one – but then, God is always full of surprises.
It wasn’t my idea to have a combined July and August Emmanuel Magazine… but it’s a brilliant one. It says in itself – let’s wind down the pace this Summer, let’s not rush at the end of July to get something else out. It’s time to rest a little.
Recognise this creature? I’m sure you do! A sloth! I think within both Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions, the church has done a very poor job over many centuries making people feel guilty for being idle. It began more with a sense of neglect of attention to God’s values and virtues, but somehow morphed into praise of a work ethic – and so sloth became a ‘deadly’ sin. Mix a Protestant work ethic with a society which worships productivity and busy-ness and it’s a combination which risks your physical, mental and spiritual health.
We have an opportunity this Summer to take our foot off the throttle a little and to rest and recharge batteries. If we do, then it’ll be a time not of neglecting God’s calling to us, God’s priorities: it’ll be a time of accepting the gift of holiday, time off, relaxation. I don’t remember anywhere in the Bible where God calls people to burn out and never have a break, and I have no doubt we’ll be the better for it in September too. So enjoy July and August – one Magazine, one Summer, one time of long and sunny (hopefully) days. If you find yourself with a clear and relaxing day or two – enjoy them and make more of them!
A prayer to finish, beautifully written by Ruth Bowen:
Creator God,
we praise you for the birth of summer,
warmth and light, brightness and colour.
May we rejoice in your rainbow world.
Redeeming Son,
we thank you for sunshine and showers,
rest and relaxation, recreation and holidays.
May we be refreshed with energy and hope.
Guiding Spirit,
we bless you for family and friends,
fellowship and company, freedom to worship and pray.
May we be renewed with your love and grace.
Ruth Bowen © 2020 ‘Summer’ Ruth Burgess (ed)
Wild Goose Publications, the publishing division of the Iona Community.
Rev Paul Tabraham
Excerpt taken from Emmanuel Magazine July/August 2024. The magazine, published ten times annually, features articles contributed or authored by our members. It includes a delightful blend of testimonials, devotions, book reviews, prayers, jokes, upcoming events, and more. Grab your copy of the latest magazine at the church foyer. If you prefer to receive a copy by mail or email, feel free to reach out to us.