Dear Friends,It has been said that there is no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothing. It’s a fair point. One of my earlier encounters with the Shropshire hills perhaps 15 years or so ago entailed being caught in the most torrential and relentless downpour that exposed the inadequacy of the raincoat that I was wearing. I went out the next day to buy a much better one! However, I’m not sure what the right clothing for last week’s heatwave might be? No clothing at all might have been best, but that gives rise to a different set of problems!Nevertheless, the Bible takes a cosmic view of our weather. The Psalms tell us that God is like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth (Ps 72) but also that the sun is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion (Ps 19). In other words, not the wrong weather or even the wrong clothes, just the wrong attitude. The heavens declare the glory of God even when it’s raining! Greg
Dear Friends,The British Prime Minister Harold Wilson coined the famous phrase, "A week is a long time in politics" in the 1960s to describe how quickly political fortunes and public opinion can change. It seems to be no different today, as we realise, we are heading for our fifth prime minister within as many years, with perhaps little hope that whoever occupies Number 10, will make much difference to the lives of ordinary people. The huge issues of our society: including the economy, health and social care, education, and law and order (to name but a few), all seem as intractable as ever. It is possible to become despairing or cynical at such times.St Paul, writing at a time when the Roman authorities were anything but sympathetic to his faith, still encouraged Christians to respect their rulers who, he argued, had been placed there by God. He wrote to Timothy: "I urge, then, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." So rather than joining the rush to criticise Keir Starmer, or place unrealistic hopes in Andy Burnham, this week let’s pray for them, for our MPs and for all in government: Give wisdom to all in authority;and direct this and every nation in the ways of justice and of peace;that we may honour one another, and seek the common good. Amen. Rev Fran
Dear Friends,One of the highlights of last Sunday (when the Bishop presided over a wonderful service to celebrate Hope and Minsterley’s patronal festival) was the appearance of the Minsterley silver. Thanks to Sarah Edwards for retrieving this from the vault in Hereford Cathedral, where it has been safely stored for years on end. You will understand why such beautiful items, which are so incredibly valuable, are stored away where thieves cannot get in. The insurance alone would likely bankrupt the church if we were to retain it. Nevertheless, the flagon, the chalices and the plate were made for one purpose alone (did they really drink that much wine in the 18th century?): to be used in the administration of something even more precious – the body and blood of Christ.In a similar way, we have something more precious than silver within each of us – the light of Christ. The Bible challenges us not to hide that light under a bushel (think Cathedral vault). I think it was Billy Graham who said, “if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” Greg
Dear friendsOur trip to Coventry Cathedral this week was a powerful reminder of how the new Cathedral, consecrated in 1964, was built in the shadow of the old cathedral, which had been reduced to ruins by Nazi bombs in 1940. A triumph of Hope over the darkness of despair. I suspect this was in part made possible by the Coventry litany, which we were invited to join in at noon, a litany that is repeated every day at that hour. The refrain used is “Father forgive”, not it was explained “Father forgive them,” for the litany recognizes that we all have our part to play in the troubles of the world.If only the leaders of our world would reach for this prayer rather than the button to order the dropping of more bombs. The world lives with the scars of such bombing for generations afterwards and doesn’t always learn the lesson that we are called to forgive and seek peace. Greg
