Rev Steve’s week at St. James: Episode #32
Some thoughts and reflections on the last week at St. James, Barton and Tredworth.
The picture is of some ‘words of wisdom and encouragement’ that were by the side of the path whilst walking the Camino de Santiago last year. It says (in French)...
“It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. It is wanting things to be permanent when they are not”. As a Christian I welcome wisdom and insight from across faith traditions and this teaching by Zen Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh is one example.
This week I have been continuing to read Pope Leo’s “Magnifica Humanitas” which is about AI. In addition, I’ve actually started reading the book I mentioned last week called “Faithful to the Truth: How to be an orthodox gay Catholic”.
Whilst writing this I am listening to: Nothing at the moment. I was listening to ‘Dummy’ by Portishead but found it a bit too distracting.
Fun Fact of the week: Leftover pasta is actually better for your gut health than recently cooked pasta (which is great news because I had left over fusilli twice this week and assumed I was playing russian roulette with my digestive system)
I am struggling for inspiration about what to write today. I think it is because I am not preaching on Sunday and so have not immersed myself in bible passages with subsequent thoughts and reflections bouncing around my mind. Instead, on Sunday I will be leading our Sunday Youth group session. This is a chance for our young people to learn about, reflect on, and question one another about a bible passage and its meaning for our lives. This Sunday group will build on the relationships and connections that have been forming in our Friday evening youth group. We have had 20 different young people come to the youth group of whom about 8 are our ‘core’. They are a lovely group and it is a joy to see them beginning to get to know each other more, as well as the leaders. Yesterday we had games of rounders and football being played in the park. Thanks to the combined efforts of Kaden, Rex, myself, and a winning goal from All’swell, our team won the football 8-7!
This ‘model’ of building up a sense of belonging prior to engaging in discipleship and worship is common in youth ministry but less so in the ‘adult’ church. However, for many years now the church has understood that developing welcome and belonging is an essential precursor to growing faith within the church family. For many of us in modern Britain we belong before we believe. It is through the lived example of those we encounter in our church that belief begins to take shape and make sense and becomes ‘embodied’.
At the new 3rd Sunday 9am Holy Communion we will be hearing and sharing reflections on the parable of the lost sheep. When we come to church for the first time in a long time, or we attend infrequently, it is wonderful to receive the welcome of a lost sheep. Whilst we will hopefully not be picked up and laid on the shepherd’s shoulders and carried home it is still good to know that others rejoice that we are there and that first and foremost we belong. And, we belong because we are all brothers and sisters, children of God.
So, do join us at 9am (Holy Communion) and / or 11am (Morning Worship) for a time of belonging and fellowship together. Growing together and growing in faith. There is coffee after the 9am service which will lead into coffee before the 11am service.
As always, if you would like me to pray for, or have a conversation about anything then do get in touch. I am available to listen and share in whatever might be arising for you at this time.
"Nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus" Rom 8:38-39
With peace and blessings,
Rev Steve
07503164309
My day of rest this week is Monday.