September Reflections: Watching the Seasons Turn By Rev. Em “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 September often feels like a threshold—summer’s warmth still lingering, yet hints of autumn begin to stir. Wood is stacked, blankets aired, gardens readied for rest. The changing season reminds us to prepare—not just practically, but spiritually. As children return to school and young adults begin college or apprenticeships, we pray for courage, curiosity, and compassion. This is a time to support one another, especially those stepping into something new or unknown. In our busyness, we can forget to notice the divine beauty of this turning. Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees takes off his shoes.” How much we miss when we rush past September’s quiet glory! The garden still gifts us: dahlias and asters bloom; swallows gather for their journey; goldfinches and robins sing farewell to summer. These are the whispered reminders of God's rhythm in creation—a rhythm we are invited to live by. Let us lean into this season. Let us care for our neighbours, keep watch for those who may feel alone, and give thanks for the grace of change. A Prayer for Autumn Lord of the harvest, Bless the changing of this season. Help us to prepare with peace, To notice with wonder, And to care with open hearts. Amen.
Trinity 11 Year C - Luke 14:1; 7-14 and Hebrews 13:1-8; 15-1615 years ago I felt honoured to be asked by my sister in law if I would conduct her wedding ceremony for her. I felt privileged to be asked and subject to the relevant permissions agreed to take the service. It was a very special occasion, but when it came to the reception afterwards, I suddenly found myself in the very awkward position of being seated on the top table alongside the bride and groom. Geraint, Megan and Luke seated on one of the many other tables. It wasn’t really where I wanted to be, I would have much preferred to have been seated somewhere else, after all I am not even a blood relative … but that is where Bethany thought I should be and so for a couple of hours, that was where I sat … feeling rather awkward and out of place.In our Gospel reading this morning, Jesus uses a parable about a wedding to illustrate a point about humbling ourselves. It appears that rather than wanting to shy away from the places of honour, Jesus, as he has been observing people coming in to the home of the prominent Pharisee, has noticed that they have chosen for themselves the places of honour. And he tells them a parable finishing with the words ‘for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’Our modern day seating plan, might somewhat alleviate any anxiety we may have about having to decide where we fit within the pecking order at big, formal occasions. Even if we might not always appreciate the positions given to us.As Jesus continues, motivation, seems to be the one of the messages behind what he is saying. What is our motivation? When we are hosting a banquet, what is it for, what is the motivation?Is it simply transactional or is it meant to be transformational?In verse 12, Jesus talks about transactional relationships, as he says ‘When you give a luncheon, or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.’ In this transactional relationship, where you do something for me and I do something your you, each of us remains fundamentally the same as we were before. There are no surprises and no one changes for the better. Transactional relationships can be very safe, but they also risk becoming rather dull.In verse 13 Jesus talks about transformational relationships, as he says ‘But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.In transformational relationships, we encounter people different from ourselves. If we enjoy many advantages, then they may be poor, just getting by – or the opposite may be the case. In transformational relations, surprises take place, change occurs for the better. These surprises may be risky, but they are not dull.Transactional relationships involve the repayment of social obligations, keeping the books balanced. Transformational relationships on the other hand, involve the voluntary giving and receiving of gifts, a generosity that surpasses bookkeeping. This is authentic hospitality. A transformational giver often remains anonymous, not wanting to receive credit or to be repaid. The higher life to which Jesus calls us is characterised by transformations we cannot predict. Transactional relationships tend to be constricted ‘I’ll scratch your back if (and only if) you scratch mine.’ Transformational relationships, on the other hand, hint at the profligate generosity of the Lord and giver of life.Not that Jesus explicitly says that those who host the disadvantaged will have their reward in kind. Their reward will be different from rewards as the world knows them. Most dramatically, the recipient will be someone who was not focused on rewards in the first place.So what motivates us … is our motivation as individuals and as church, transactional … or are we seeking to be transformational?Opportunities to engage in transformational relationships are limited only by imaginations.Driving down the A120 last weekend and seeing so many St. George flags draped over the bridges and then spotting roundabouts in Stanway, and Great Horkesley yesterday painted with the red cross, and realising of course that this may not be simply a display of national pride and rather early celebration of the Women’s Rugby world cup, but rather more associated with far right demonstrations and prejudice. It is clear we are living amidst a certain amount of tension within all communities up and down the country, and indeed across the world.One can’t help but wonder if those who have recently displayed or graffitied the red and white cross of St. George know that legend has it that he was of Cappadocian Greek origin, served in the Roman Army, or that his father was from turkey and his mother from Palestine. He was martyred for his Christian beliefs and, as well as being the patron saint of many churches and countries, including Ukraine, he is also venerated by Muslims.How can the church model humble, open hospitality in the world today?Do we, as Jesus instructs, ensure that we do ‘invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind’? William Temple, Archbishop or Canterbury from 1942 to 1944 famously said ‘The church is the only institution that exists primarily for the benefit of those who are not its members.’For a congregation to be moving in the right direction, its meeting place must be recognised as a banqueting hall. Members of the congregation are on duty as hospitable servants of Christ, the one who hosts the event. We are to welcome not only one another but outsiders in abundance and plenty of people waiting on the margins, and especially those who seem so unsuitable.The invitation to this banquet must be inclusive, with no exceptions, it must be comprehensive, featuring a welcome to share in the ministry of word and sacrament, as well as the many other ways that the church enriches people’s lives.Our passage from Hebrews began with the words, let mutual love continue. How can we live out an attitude of hope and care for all people.Last weekend at the Greenbelt act of communion, one of the statements on the order of service said. ‘We choose to orientate ourselves towards a future that is good. We choose to live into the best possible future, not the worst one. We choose to build hope with our bare hands – not because we have given up on God, but because we have grasped that our hands are God’s implements.Hope is in our hands! May we seek to bring about hope through living into the transformational relationships Jesus calls us too. Amen
