Many people find this time of year difficult. Winter is still in full force; Christmas is a distant memory and so too are some of those well-meant New Year’s resolutions. Some can become despondent that our hopes for the year have already fallen short and the signs of Spring and new beginnings are still far off.However, all is not lost, God does not stop in this time of hibernation. We too are looking for signs of God’s love breaking into our community, having started two new services at St Nicholas; St Nicks @9 and a relaxed service, both on the third Sunday of the month. They herald new opportunities for imagining church in a different way, one that we might feel more comfortable bringing our friends and neighbours along to. Messy Church is growing from strength to strength, but we recognise these are only the first fruits in what will be benefice wide efforts at joining with God as He grows his Kingdom.It fits in well with our vision for L.I.F.E across the minster. L – Loving God, I – Investing in our Christian journey, F – Flourishing in our community, E- Everyone is welcome. Our desire is that everyone enjoys life in all its fullness, just as God intended. So, we are looking at new and old ways of expressing our love for God, building us up to grow deeper in our faith and being present in our town and villages to reach out to those who want to know more. It is a journey we are on together and everyone is invited to participate. There is something for each of us to do, such as helping with services, visiting in the community, praying for our neighbourhoods and offering our talents inside and outside the church.So take heart, it may only be the start of the year, but I believe we are determined to explore all that God has in store for us and to grow as life bringers for each other.
I have been reflecting on the following quote “A canal boat is safe in a canal basin but that’s not what canal boats are built for”. A number of years ago my parents in law retired, sold up and bought a narrow boat which is now their permanent home. They have a mooring at Droitwich but spend much of the year exploring the many waterways across the country and experiencing the beautiful countryside.A narrow boat is a gentle way to travel, you are forced to slow down to a mind blowing five miles an hour, even at full tilt. Everything is taken carefully and slowly, allowing you to savour the surroundings. They have recently returned from a two-week circuit that took in Worcester, Evesham, Stratford and the bottom of Birmingham. It was quite extraordinary to think we could jump in the car and meet up with them in about 30 minutes, a journey that was taking them days to travel.The route they took involved navigating a stretch of the river Avon and at this point the sailing becomes more dangerous. Lifejackets are donned and a keen eye is kept on other vessels and the weather. Heading out into deeper, wider waters increases the likelihood of problems, so additional care is taken to prevent accidents.Slowing down also puts you at the mercy of the weather, you become more keenly aware of the changing sky, if the wind becomes significant, it can blow you across the canal into the reeds with the potential to get stuck. There are no quick options, just planning and thinking ahead, mindful of what is happening around you and being ready to moor up until the storm passes.In the same way our lives can end up being lived at a pace, with the opportunity to slow down and savour each moment a rare event. As Christians we are called to take notice of the things happening around us, to spot the times and places where God is at work and to join in with his handiwork.But just like the narrow boat, this doesn’t mean we are always travelling in calm waters. Sometimes we need to don our life jackets, be aware and ready to respond appropriately. God wants us to move out of our canal basins and onto the waterways, ready to follow his guidance.So, as we approach this summer time, perhaps we can take the time to slow down, appreciate all that surrounds us and find that God is with us, working alongside us and encouraging us into new waters.Rev Katie Cross
The first weekend of June this year marks two significant events. The first of these is the Queen’s platinum Jubilee, for which celebration events are being planned in communities across the country. In our own villages there are activities taking place over the bank holiday weekend offering a chance to meet friends old and new and bring communities together.This is the first time that any British monarch has celebrated a Platinum Jubilee, and after 70 years on the throne very few of us will even be able to remember anything other than living in Elizabethan times.The Queen’s reign has been marked by almost unimaginable changes in society and in the world. Her coronation was credited with kickstarting the television age, now screens are just about everywhere. Her first Christmas broadcast in 1952 was only on the radio, her latest in 2021 could be watched on TikTok or heard on Amazon Alexa!The Queen has been a constant presence in an ever-changing world and it is testament to her humility and service that, though scandals may have rocked her family and a great number of her governments, the Queen herself remains an inspiration to many.Though the majority of her coronation was shown on television, there was one moment that was deemed too sacred to broadcast (even that is a decision that you can’t imagine television executives making today!). This was the moment when the symbols of her status – the crimson robe, the diamond diadem, the coronation necklace – were removed, and the Archbishop of Canterbury anointed the new Queen with holy oil.The Queen has spoken since of how this moment was the most significant one of her life, as in humility she was dedicated to a life of service and called to follow the example of Jesus who himself gave his life for others.It is fitting then that the other significant celebration taking place on the first weekend in June is the feast of Pentecost. This is when we remember the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to the Church, that Spirit of love and service which binds all people together and fills each and every one of us with the guiding presence of God.The early Christians, after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, dedicated their lives to one another. As the Acts of the Apostles puts it, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.”As we approach this weekend with its multitude of celebrations may we all be inspired – whether by the Holy Spirit, by the many years of humble service of her Majesty the Queen, or both – to dedicate our lives to the service of our fellow humans, in our own communities and around the world.
St Nicholas Church will be open from Friday 03 June with a Festival of Flowers for her Majesty.On Saturday 04 June teas will be served on the Church Green from 2 pm to 4 pm. inside the church a film of past coronation and jubilee celebration in Alcester will be playing.
