In these dark, worrying days of coronavirus it’s good to see the lighter side to life. And Cynthia Holmberg Henschen’s photo of a home baptism went viral this week.Ms Henschen, from Minnesota, posted the photo of baby Wesley’s baptism on Facebook with the priest respecting social distancing guidelines. They really do need to crack down on gun law in the US!
We could have predicted it – along the lines of the stages of grief identified by Kubler-Ross – but our nation is no longer in shock (and denial and action and elation) at the implications of COVID-19. The newness of lock-down is fading and there are all sorts of signs that we’ve moved to the anger phase: where frustration and irritation and anxiety come to the fore. When there is anger it can get directed almost anywhere – not just from Wuhan to Westminster – and, with more serious consequences, to our nearest and dearest at home and even within ourselves. Might I urge that as Christians we take the anger to God? It’s significant that in the bible’s handbook of prayers – the Psalms - the most common form of psalm is the lament (approx. 1/3 of the whole Psalter!). A lament is a prayer that arises out of a situation of pain or injustice – individual or corporate – where the frustration and anxiety and anger is poured out to God. Take a look at Psalms 13, 25, 31, 86… It might be prompted by a locked church or a wifi failure or a sick friend … it doesn’t matter - God knows, God understands and God longs to hear about it from you.Lament is not a pretty form of prayer – it’s usually anything but polite! If you have an empty room you could shut yourself in to voice it aloud; alternatively you can write a version of your own ‘psalm’. Whatever the form or circumstance, God longs to hear what’s real… and when our complaint is directed to God, then it can become an act of faith. Unworthy as we are, we turn to the God who creates and redeems, who alone finally sorts the mess!Bishop Jo
It was last week, on one of those cold and frosty early mornings, whilst walking the dog (on my own) alongside Papercourt Lake just behind my house, that I noticed how calm and still everything was, especially the water. It reminded me of Psalm 23 where David says of the Lord, ‘He leads me beside still waters’. And in case we missed the point he repeats the phrase in the next verse, ‘He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake’. What struck me, like never before, is that ‘He leads me’. God isn’t behind me yelling, ‘Go!’ He is ahead of me, bidding ‘Come!’ He is in front, clearing the path and showing the way. Just before the curve, he says, ‘Turn here.’ Prior to the rise, he motions, ‘Step up here.’ Standing next to the rocks, he warns, ‘Watch your step here.’ He leads us. He tells us what we need to know when we need to know it. As a New Testament writer would later affirm: ‘Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need’ (Heb 4:16).We are currently walking though uncharted territory. The terrain is rough, unlevel and hard to negotiate and the destination is unclear. Certainly, new opportunities have opened up to us, and yet we recognise that people are experiencing a whole range of emotions as we self-isolate. What a relief and comfort therefore to be reminded of these words from David’s Psalm. God’s help is timely. God leads us. God will do the right thing at the right time. And what a difference that makes.Every blessing,Archdeacon Martin
These are difficult, worrying times for us all. We are living in an unprecedented era of medical emergency so it’s completely understandable for people to be anxious, troubled, lonely and perhaps depressed.The Dunsfold Church Community is here to help you. Jesus taught us “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me.”Inviting people in may be off our agenda in the current coronavirus crisis but the sentiments remain absolutely correct. And as Jesus promised: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”Revd Ian Maslin is now living in the Rectory, Church Green, Dunsfold. We are setting up a network of support workers to help the people of Dunsfold in any way we can. That may be in running errands, helping with shopping and other practical tasks. Or, and this has already become evident, it may be in making regular contact through telephone calls and emails to people who are feeling lonely.If you want our help please do not hesitate to call the people whose numbers are listed below. As a community we can come together. If you are in isolation, or feeling isolated, you are not alone. We are here to help. Likewise, if you’d like to join our band of volunteers you can sign up by calling us.Finally, let us share in our prayers part of a very relevant collect for Lent. “Give us grace to endure the sufferings of this present time with sure confidence in the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”Reverend Ian Maslin 200048 reviandunsfoldandhascombe@gmail.comSheila Jones Churchwarden 200204 sheilajones4@btinternet.comDavid Walker Churchwarden 201140 davidwalker2020@hotmail.co.uk
