I wonder whether you’ve ever caused a stir by doing something outrageous. I wonder what people said about you if you did. Perhaps you’ve said things about someone who didn’t conform to the norm. Maybe things were said about their family too.

Jesus certainly caused a stir by the things he’d been doing and saying, according to the first few chapters of Mark. He angrily challenged the faith leaders in the synagogue - not done! He healed a man with a withered hand on the sabbath - not done! He told a paralysed man lowered down through someone’s roof that his sins were forgiven - not done! He summoned a tax-collector to follow him - not done! He ate at the man’s house with all kinds of sinners - not done! He didn’t fast at the prescribed time - not done! He touched a leper and healed him - not done! Outrageous behaviour! Crowds of people followed him, pressing in on him, but others tutted and said he was out of his mind. His family went to try to persuade him to behave himself.

It’s no wonder the authorities were upset. Here was someone who wouldn’t capitulate, but who was popular with ordinary people and so they couldn’t touch him for it - yet. They tried to bring him down with words. They were the ones with religious status, they decided what God wanted. They accused him of working for the devil. Jesus in effect said how can evil overcome evil? He implied that by accusing him of evil they were condemning themselves. His family had no chance of restraining him either. Jesus was fully committed to doing God’s work, whatever obstacles were put in his way. Those with a Servant Heart, who carry out God’s will, they are his family - whoever they are, whatever their status in society.

We at St Peter’s Church are committed to being his family, to doing God’s will: to follow the teaching and example of Jesus, to include and welcome everyone into our church family, regardless of our status in society, gender identity, skin tone, cultural background, abilities, sexuality, the way we perceive God - whatever we’re rich in, and whatever we’re poor in. Our vision and mission statement has said as much for 15 years. We’re working to update the wording, while retaining its ethos. We’ll discuss it at the PCC meeting this week.

Our church building has been limited in its use for the last 15 months because of the pandemic, but you our church family have continued to serve, to do God’s will, wherever you are. That is worship, as well as prayer, reading the scriptures and meeting together. Some have waited patiently for an invitation to gather, distanced and masked, to receive Holy Communion in one kind, and put up with the lack of singing and music, refreshments and chat. Others have only attended services virtually, whether through TV or radio, Youtube or Facebook or Zoom. The church family extends far beyond the walls of the building.

You’ve been a blessing to each other, to friends, families and neighbours, to the community, and to visitors as God works through you to reach other people. That is what it means to be church - to have a Servant Heart, ready to do God’s will, however outrageous that might be. 

Amen.

 Julie Rubidge, Lay Minister.