Hello, I’m Jenny, and for those of you who haven’t met me yet, I’m the new curate who has come to train and learn here in the North Lafford benefice, alongside Revd. Al. It has been an absolute joy coming here and beginning to get to know you all.
The last few months have been busy ones for me and my family. Preparing for Ordination, and everything that entails, moving house, a daughters graduation, and, by the time this newsletter goes to press, completing all my studies for a degree in theology (spoiler alert, the more you learn about our all-knowing, all-encompassing God, the more you realise there is to know…).
In my first sermon here in the benefice, I spoke about Jesus’ words where he says ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ Since then, I have been thinking on that last word, Rest. What does it mean to find rest in the busyness, in the mundaneness, in the demands of our lives? How often do we feel truly rested? With all that this world throws at us, how often do we stop, take stock, and just be?
In the Gospels, we frequently see Jesus taking time to rest, time to be, despite the myriad demands of his ministry, which, let us not forget, took place over just a few short years. He does this in many different ways. Sometimes he retreats to quiet places, either by himself, or just with a few trusted friends, disciples, to pray. To find quiet, to find rest. Other times we see him spending time with his family and friends, at weddings, festivals, celebrations. Jesus reminds us in so many ways that our lives are meant for more than just work and busyness.
Over the summer months, we often find ourselves making time and space to spend with family, to go on holiday, to find rest. That can mean being in joyful settings with the ones we love, but it can also mean finding time, space to be with God. For me, my summer holiday this year will be joining the Lincoln Diocese pilgrimage to Taizé. Retreating from our busy world filled with demands, emails, and, dare I say it, assignments. Here, with my phone and the busyness of my life left behind, I hope and pray to rest. Rest in the knowledge that I am held by our all loving Father.
My prayer for you all this summer, is that it brings moments of true rest, whether in a garden with friends, by a pool or beach on holiday, or, like me, in quiet or on retreat. September, with all it brings, will come soon enough. For now, may this be a time to enjoy, to breathe, to take stock, and to rest.
With my hopes and prayers for a restful and restorative summer for you all. Jenny
