As I have sat and reflected, there is one word that keeps popping up, and that is change. September sees the change from metrological summer to metrological autumn. But we do not need to be told this, as we can usually spot this from the changes to our environment with the leaves on the trees starting to change colour. The leaves of our oak tree have started that process already. Also, the nights draw in and it gets darker earlier.

But change is more than this, it is said that change can be for the better or indeed for the worse. Most of the news reports show change of one sort or another, but mostly for the worse. Our newspapers and media news show us dramatically the change that people throughout the world are having to cope with and first up it is coping with the change brought about by conflict and war, with Ukraine and Gaza usually at the forefront. The lives of so many have been changed through the destruction of their homes, with some being displaced time and time again. They also have to face change because of the loss, or injury to loved ones and of course in Gaza, change because of the lack of basic commodities such as food and shelter. But there are still other places where conflict and war are happening but these do not hit the headlines as much.

Then change is brought about due to nature and how some interact with it, change and suffering because of wild fires in America and southern Europe. People are faced with change due to health issues and many more things in this country too.

I preached recently on the text of Luke 12.32-40, where we are told to build up treasure in heaven, as where our treasure is then that is where our hearts will be. The distractions of the 21st century will abundantly take our mind away from our vocation to follow God’s will. But in essence the rest of the passage is about readiness, being ready for when God calls us to do his work. Ready to help people and this will usually be when they face change due to one thing or another. We can’t be fully prepared for this as we will never know what the various situations we are called into will entail, but we need to be ready all the same.

Finally, the people of the Benefice face change as the next round of advertising for a new Rector is now live. We hope and pray that we are successful and find a new Rector, but we do not know what changes this may bring about for our parishes, churches and indeed people. We hope and pray that in this instance it will be a positive change allowing us to grow in faith and strength to do God’s calling and minister to one another’s needs and the needs of the world.

John Underhill