Use it or lose it!

 Recently the New Scientist published an article about birdsong and the necessity for birds to practice every day.

They took the example of the Zebra Finch which learns a unique song, usually from its father, in the first three months of its life.  They will then sing a thousand variations of that one song everyday for the rest of their lives.

Some Korean scientists found a way to stop birds singing for two weeks.  When they restarted their pitch had dropped and their song time was shorter.  All of this was reversed by two weeks more of practice!

Well, I found that fascinating and it probably confirms that old saying if you don’t use it, you lose it.

In life we learn some pretty big basic truths in our formative years.  We consider these to be foundational, good and wholesome.  They might come from a parent, a faith community or a school.  Yet, we need to put them into practice every day or to put it another way it is about singing a thousand variations of that one song.

In May our nation will be holding a Coronation Service for our new Sovereign.  Maybe it’s a good opportunity for us to learn again that constitutional monarchy is all about compassionate encouragement.  The King will sing his song differently to the late Queen, yet its tune is basically the same; it’s a song about service to others.  Perhaps we see the variations already with the Abbey not being filled by four hundred Peers but with four hundred holders of the BEM (British Empire Medal); ordinary folk who have served their local community in an exemplary way.

Then, at the end of the month it’s Pentecost.  A festival at which we celebrate the way our Everyday God enables us to put into practice those foundational truths upon which faith is built. 

Each of us sings and lives out our faith differently with thousands of tune variations.  Yet in this forthcoming season of Pentecost, which we often depict using the symbol of the dove, let’s also learn from the zebra finch simply to keep on singing as we enjoy those thousands of variations based on just one tune!

A Last Retreat

I've spent part of this week attending the final retreat of BURG - the Baptist Union Retreat Group - at Holland House in Worcestershire.

BURG was founded over 30 years ago by a former BU President, The Revd Margaret Jarman, to provide an opportunity, and place for, 'Quiet Prayer Spirituality' in a somewhat 'noisy' denomination.  I've had the joy of belonging to it for around 20 years and it's been such a blessing in my life.  Through BURG I've encountered so many wonderful people and attended some very moving and helpful retreats.

Yet the demographic of BURG has meant, after much discussion and prayerful reflection, that now is a good time to 'lay it down'. 

So, maybe I went up to Worcestershire on Monday thinking I'd be attending something of a 'Wake', yet it turned out to be anything but.  Twenty six of us gathered and there was a real spirit of gratitude, joy and thanksgiving - indeed two sessions were devoted to us telling our stories about BURG and one even over ran because folk had so much to say, much of it accompanied by gentle laughter and deep appreciation.

Yesterday we gathered in the Chapel at Holland House for a last Communion Service.   

I guess we all know that life is full of different phases.  They start and end, reminding us that nothing really stays the same and that change is inevitable.  So, this week I've given thanks to God for BURG - which for a 'season' has brought great blessing to so many.  And I suspect the memory of the times we spent together will continue to be a source of encouragement.

This Sunday at AFC we are looking forward to welcoming The Revd Dr Julian Templeton, the Thames North Synod Training and Development Officer, as our guest preacher.  This will be Julian's first visit to Amersham and we'll be sharing the service together and co-presiding at Holy Communion.

Christ is Risen

 

I love the story of a man passing a church office window in the Deep South of the United States and seeing a Resurrection display.  He looks at the representation of the empty cross and tomb that has been so beautifully set out by church staff as an act of witness to their neighbourhood.

He bursts into the office and asks:  Is that the tomb of Jesus?  Yes, they answer.  The Jesus who died on Good Friday’s cross?  That’s the one, they say.  But he’s not dead anymore, he’s alive? He asks. That’s right, comes back their reply.

Puzzled that someone living in their town might not have encountered this story they ask the man if he’d ever heard of the Resurrection of Jesus.  Oh yes, he says.  I’ve heard of it a hundred times before, but I just LOVE hearing it one more time!

Well, I feel the same way.

This Sunday we’ll tell it, hear it and own it again. 

Being Easter Morning People means it becomes part of our common narrative, one that defines our faith and inspires both our worship and service.

On Sunday we too are invited to enter into the story of Resurrection; to sense that love is stronger than hatred, light is stronger than darkness and life is stronger than death.  We’ll do that because, we too, love hearing it one more time.

(Blog holiday next week)