Learning from the young and old

 

This week my teachers have been a child from Year 1 of a local Primary School and a 90-year-old lady in a residential home.

After hosting a school visit last Wednesday, this week we received the drawings they made on their return to class.  Almost all the children seemed impressed by the number of chairs we had, so these figured highly in their artwork.  One student, however, when focussing on the Chancel area had drawn the Communion Table with the Bible on it, and in the Bible had written, in smallest of letters the word g o d.  I was so touched by that, and by their insight.  That God was part of all that is going on at the front of the church.  Perhaps it was juvenile theology, yet I thought it profound in its own way.  To see that a child had written g o d over the bible resting on the Lord’s Table made we glad.

And then, today, at the end of a monthly service in a residential home a lovely lady introduced herself to me and said as I was about to go A little faith fills a big hole. I smiled at her and said that was a lovely thought, beautifully put, stating I’ve never heard that before.  No, she said with a twinkle in her eye, that’s because I’ve only just thought of it! She repeated it one more time, putting both hands over her heart as she did so, as if to say it’s true for me. I came away feeling truly blessed for such a privileged conversation.

Our teachers come in all shapes and sizes, and all ages.  And through them, praise God, we hear the Whisper of the Spirit, and our hearts are glad.

I hope you enjoy the summer.  The Blog will return in the middle of September – after my Jury Service!  

What a difference a week makes

Looking at the pictures of Britain’s new Prime Minister visiting the President of the United States at the White House yesterday was a reminder of what a difference a week can make in someone’s life.  This time last Wednesday Sir Kier Starmer was on the campaign trail, this Wednesday there was a seat waiting for him in the Oval Office. Life can change very quickly!

Of course, the same is true in reverse for all who are no longer in office because of last week’s vote.  Salaries, titles, cars and staff have all been surrendered as their lives have moved on too.

This quick turnover is also apparent in the daily headlines.  Today’s news can often sit just briefly on the frontpage before being knocked off by something more interesting or scintillating tomorrow.

Looking back on a few headlines from July in years gone by brings back memories.

Some have been long remembered such as 30th July 1966 when England won the World Cup.  Others perhaps not so much such, like York Minister’s South Transept burning down after the cathedral was struck by lightening on 9th July 1984.

Of course, in the old days, yesterday’s newspapers were used for nothing more than to wrap today’s fish and chips!

Perhaps we experience something similar in our own lives too.  At the time a particular crisis or challenge can be all consuming.  Yet, given the passage of time, as life moves on, its significance can diminish; we might even end up years later wondering why we worried so much about it.

Of course, there are some headlines and some issues whose importance and relevance stays the course of time. I suspect that the headline for 21st July 1969 with a picture of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon will never fade.

And I feel that about the stories and teachings of Jesus; that they have a relevance that transcends generations.  It’s amazing in our fast-changing world that the bible stories we’ll hear in church this July in the time of Charles III were being listened to by church goers in the time of Charles I. Our task, whether we are a preacher, listener or reader, is to take these Bible Headlines and apply them to our contemporary life.

I used to sing in Sunday School Tell me the old, old story. It’s a story that I believe is ever new and worthy of our attention. 

Choose you this day...

 

After a long campaign Election Day has dawned and by Friday the result of the only poll that ever mattered will be known.

For all its faults it’s surely a cause for thanksgiving that government changes hands peacefully in the United Kingdom.

At my school we had our own Student Parliament and I stood (and won!) in the 4th Year Elections.  However, my career in politics did not last long as I gave it all a miss by the 5th Form!

Elections, during the Edwardian years at least, were never covered impartially by the Baptist Times. There was never any doubt in those days that the only party the Baptist Union supported was the Liberal Party.  All the personal failings of Lloyd George and Asquith were forgotten as ministers such as The Revd Dr John Clifford of Paddington urged the readers of the denominational journal to mobilise and fight for the return of a Liberal government.  By the middle of the 20th century such partisan reporting ceased, and the Baptist Times became a tamer and more neutral publication.

Pictures from South Africa in the 1990’s showing the first election in which citizens of every colour had the right to vote probably stick in all our minds.  Archbishop Tutu danced as he waited in line to vote, whilst many shed tears of joy that such a day had come in their lifetime.

Ministers, from both the Baptist and URC traditions, know from personal experience what it feels like to be on the other side of an election because we are chosen by ballot by the congregation, rather than imposed upon them.

Joshua challenged the people to choose you this day who you will serve…Today many of us will exercise a civic duty to make a different sort of choice.  To choose a person or a party that we hope merits our cross beside their name.  Perhaps too, as we make our mark, we will also remember that scriptural injunction to pray for those in authority over us whoever they are.