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I’m writing this blog in the typical early dusk of a December evening –
becoming earlier and earlier as we approach the winter solstice. Today has been somewhat gloomy; yesterday it
was a sparkling winter blue sky sort of day.
The theme of ‘contrast’ has come home to me over the recent week.
On the one hand whenever we meet creativity life is enhanced. We currently have Sue Symonds’ beautiful Nativity Panels (care of Bible Society) on display at the Free Church here in Amersham. Yesterday after LunchBreak folk gathered around them and enjoyed looking at the intricate artwork which has been used to put together a visual feast celebrating the Incarnation.
Since arriving here in Buckinghamshire I’ve been so impressed in meetings dozens of folk who work hard at creating a real sense of community in the church and neighbourhood. I think such dedication and creativity is a real mark of ‘The Kingdom of God’ among us.
And then...amid the light and hope of Advent we heard of the modern day ‘Slaughter of the Innocents’ in Connecticut and no words can express the sadness we feel at this utterly pointless destruction. The contrast to building community couldn’t be greater – this barbaric act has cut into the community of Newtown with a hurt that will never go away.
On Monday I tuned in to the webcast of the previous day’s service at Washington’s National Cathedral. We really enjoyed visited the cathedral there a couple of years ago and I love watching their services week by week. Dean Hall, the spiritual leader of this cosmopolitan congregation, has only been in place a few months so I guess this was the first time he’s had to speak at the National Cathedral about a national event – it must be tough to know what to say. I guess he tore up his prepared sermon on Friday and wrote a new one whilst the news of Sandy Hook Elementary was still unfolding. Dean Hall was brave on Sunday – from the pulpit he called for American gun laws to be re-defined and pledged the support of the Cathedral to tighter gun control. Now I’ve been listening to sermons from that pulpit for over a year now and what happened next was new to me – spontaneously the congregation gave their Dean a round of applause – and when he finished and took his seat behind the altar they rose to their feet and applauded him a second time. I confess to being deeply moved by their wonderful and heart-felt reaction and affirmation – it seemed to me like a moment to treasure – a moment when pastor and people knew they must speak out prophetically – speak out with love and courage – in the name of The Kingdom.
Such speaking out is tough. Wilberforce did it in his campaign for the abolition of slavery, Elizabeth Fry did it in her fight for prison reform, Martin Luther King did it in his dream speech longing for civil rights – and on Sunday morning Dean Hall did it in Washington’s National Cathedral in calling for greater gun control.
For such prophets and for the gentle creativity of those beautiful Advent panels in our church – ‘Thanks be to God’.
For ‘man’s inhumanity to man’ - ‘Lord have mercy’.
Best wishes,
On the one hand whenever we meet creativity life is enhanced. We currently have Sue Symonds’ beautiful Nativity Panels (care of Bible Society) on display at the Free Church here in Amersham. Yesterday after LunchBreak folk gathered around them and enjoyed looking at the intricate artwork which has been used to put together a visual feast celebrating the Incarnation.
Since arriving here in Buckinghamshire I’ve been so impressed in meetings dozens of folk who work hard at creating a real sense of community in the church and neighbourhood. I think such dedication and creativity is a real mark of ‘The Kingdom of God’ among us.
And then...amid the light and hope of Advent we heard of the modern day ‘Slaughter of the Innocents’ in Connecticut and no words can express the sadness we feel at this utterly pointless destruction. The contrast to building community couldn’t be greater – this barbaric act has cut into the community of Newtown with a hurt that will never go away.
On Monday I tuned in to the webcast of the previous day’s service at Washington’s National Cathedral. We really enjoyed visited the cathedral there a couple of years ago and I love watching their services week by week. Dean Hall, the spiritual leader of this cosmopolitan congregation, has only been in place a few months so I guess this was the first time he’s had to speak at the National Cathedral about a national event – it must be tough to know what to say. I guess he tore up his prepared sermon on Friday and wrote a new one whilst the news of Sandy Hook Elementary was still unfolding. Dean Hall was brave on Sunday – from the pulpit he called for American gun laws to be re-defined and pledged the support of the Cathedral to tighter gun control. Now I’ve been listening to sermons from that pulpit for over a year now and what happened next was new to me – spontaneously the congregation gave their Dean a round of applause – and when he finished and took his seat behind the altar they rose to their feet and applauded him a second time. I confess to being deeply moved by their wonderful and heart-felt reaction and affirmation – it seemed to me like a moment to treasure – a moment when pastor and people knew they must speak out prophetically – speak out with love and courage – in the name of The Kingdom.
Such speaking out is tough. Wilberforce did it in his campaign for the abolition of slavery, Elizabeth Fry did it in her fight for prison reform, Martin Luther King did it in his dream speech longing for civil rights – and on Sunday morning Dean Hall did it in Washington’s National Cathedral in calling for greater gun control.
For such prophets and for the gentle creativity of those beautiful Advent panels in our church – ‘Thanks be to God’.
For ‘man’s inhumanity to man’ - ‘Lord have mercy’.
Best wishes,
Ian
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