Will you remember me?

Will you remember me when I am dead and gone?

Our graveyards are full of stones and memorials to those who have gone before us. Quite a few of the graves mark the resting-places of people whom no one alive now has known personally. Many graves are never visited; their occupants forgotten.

            Others, often where those who have died more recently lie, are cared for every week – I love watching the flowers change as the seasons roll around. People who have been known and loved are remembered with sadness at their passing and joy for all that they meant to their families and friends.

            In Barkway churchyard is a wonderful, weather-beaten, wooden cross. It remembers “John Collins, who lived in the woods”. He was born in 1887 and died in 1974. I have no idea who put the cross there, but I find it poignant that someone cared enough to remember him.

Who was he? I don’t know, though I guess there are some who do. The cross marks a life, a life lived and now gone.

            November is a month of remembering. We remember the saints of the church, past and present, on 1st November, All Saints’ Day. We call to mind those whom we have known and loved on 2nd November, All Souls’ Day, and, of course, we recall the lives of those who have died in war on Remembrance Day.

            Remembrance Day seems to have regained importance in recent years, since fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan has meant that soldiers are again being regularly killed. How do we remember them? Why do we remember them, when we don’t know them?

            War is never a good thing. It causes devastation and bitterness, destruction and hatred. We know from our news how young men and women are still dying in conflict, still giving up their lives to protect others. That is worth remembering, and giving thanks for.

            It reminds Christians, of course, of another man, who gave up his life 2000 years ago, that others might live. He walked the path of love, not hatred. If we all managed that, then the world would be a better place.

            We can’t change everyone, but perhaps we can start with ourselves. If our remembering is to take on a positive meaning, then let it draw us towards peace and love.

With best wishes, Sarah

Healing the Land

“Then October adds a gale, wind and slush and rain and hail.”  The Michael Flanders song about the British weather, written decades before our 1987 hurricane, already recognised October gales.  Our weather appears to be becoming more extreme, one month’s rain falling in a single day, causing chaos; then brief heat-waves and more rain.  Scientists have suggested that if we continue to pump carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, by burning fossil fuels, we will add to global warming, engendering extreme weather patterns and rising sea levels.  Fortunately, the UK starts with a temperate climate, but other places will be harder hit.  However, by inappropriate building we are contributing to localised flooding when these downpours occur.  Concurrently, scientists warn us that our profligate lifestyle, and the desire of the developing world to emulate it, will cause all sorts of problems: exhausted fish stocks, food and energy shortages, all leading to desperate people starving.  We are overstressing the earth’s resources and its ability to replenish itself. Scientists warning of these potential catastrophes are modern-day prophets.  The gist of what they are saying is, if we don’t look after nature more carefully, and share resources more fairly, we may make this planet barely inhabitable.  We don’t want to listen because their message is inconvenient and we don’t perceive the immediate threat.  There is nothing new in this.  If we don’t respect creation we are not honouring God, the creator of the universe  

In the past earthquakes, epidemics, floods and droughts were seen as acts of God, meted out on a population because it no longer loved God nor loved its neighbour as itself.  When the ancient Israelites worshipped God, looked after their families and the foreigners living with them and cared for their animals and crops, things went well.  When they turned to other gods, disasters occurred.  Their prophets warned them and often they didn’t listen.  Our modern gods include the cult of celebrity, the love of money and houses, fast cars, as well as us disregarding the balance of nature and the impoverished.  We are beginning to see the harvest of such actions in property price boom and busts, people suffering from personal-image issues and great anxiety.  Those in the poorer parts of the world face food shortages with huge price swings.  I could go on. 

In the Bible God says to King Solomon, “If my people humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  One of the ways we can turn to God is to listen to modern prophets and turn from our selfish ways.  Then He will heal our land.

Many blessings

Sonia Falaschi-Ray

Back to Church Sunday

Lots of new things begin in September. Children go to new schools or move up a class; others move from nursery to school, teenagers and adults from school to college or university. People start new jobs or return to education after a long period away.
            Over the past few years, the Church has also used a particular Sunday in September (this year the 27th) to persuade people to think about returning to church.
            Many people used to belong to churches but have drifted away. There are many reasons why people do this. Perhaps family life has taken over with other activities now taking priority on a Sunday; a sick relative needs care; maybe church has seemed boring or irrelevant. Some people fall out with the vicar; others move house and never establish themselves in a church in their new community. Some people find that their faith has waned, feel that God has let them down or simply that they can’t be bothered and would rather stay in bed.
            If you are someone who has previously belonged to a church community, but now doesn’t, ask yourself why. We miss you. The church is like a family, so when people leave or drift away a hole is left. Church at its best is a close-knit group of Christians who wish to worship and learn together, to care for each other and for those outside the church, to pray for the world.
            I am always saddened when people make promises at baptism services that they will bring their children up as part of the church community, and then we never see them again. Being part of a church is a way of being encouraged in one’s faith, in learning new things about God, of helping others. Each time a member of the church is not present someone important is missing. Church is far from being just about me and God, rather it is about the whole community of Christians.
            So, why not, if you have been part of a church, in the benefice or elsewhere, consider coming back this September. We will be holding a special back to Church Sunday service on Reed at 10.30 a.m. on 27th September, but you would, of course, be welcome at any service in September or at any other time.

With best wishes, Sarah

The miracle of life

Bill Oddie, the former Goodie turned naturalist, once said: “The saying is ‘One swallow does not make a summer’, but I say ‘One swallow makes a miracle.’” He was reflecting on bird migration at the time. And it certainly is something miraculous: that small birds can fly thousands of miles across continents to find the right conditions for breeding and survival.

            Last night I heard a lecture given by John Polkinghorne, an eminent physicist, who gave up his professorship at Cambridge in order to be ordained. His theme was “The friendship between science and religion”. So much today is written about irreconcilability of these two disciplines that it was a refreshing change to hear how they can complement each other. He pointed out that both, in their own ways, are searching for truth.

            If we think about migrating birds, science can tell us how birds fly – the movement of their muscles and feathers, the forces which enable to stay in the sky, the conditions that they need in order to thrive and why they are best ones, and so on. Science understands the processes.

            But science does not look at the value and purpose of such things. Birds are a valuable part of creation, part of the miracle of life on this earth. When we think about life in those terms, it causes us to wonder, and to ask where life comes from and why. It raises all sorts of questions – how did the world begin? Who started things going? Why does the world exist? There are two sorts of answer we can give – a scientific one and a theological one. One focuses on the how; the other on the why.

In an interview, Polkinghorne said: “One of the rewards of doing science is the sense of wonder when we see the wonder of the world. I actually think that the experience of wonder that scientists have is a religious experience, whether they realise it or not.”

“Of course,” he added with a chuckle, “not all my scientist friends see it that way.”

Whatever we believe about the source of matter and the creation of the world, we can all stop this summer and wonder at its beauty. I hope we don’t let the miracle pass us by because we are too busy doing things that we forget to stop and marvel at the amazing phenomenon that is life on earth.

With best wishes, Sarah

Communities at their best

I am writing this in the week following Barkway market, which was a huge success. I hope the team who organised it feel very encouraged by their triumph. I have heard so many positive comments as I’ve walked around the benefice from those who attended.

            It struck me that such events – and they are, of course, not confined to Barkway, I’m looking forward to others in Barley and Reed during the summer – show communities at their best.

            Fund-raising is a large part of such occasions, and in order to keep village life thriving, money is always needed, but as I see it they are about much, much more than finance.

These markets, shows and fêtes can only exist when people willingly give of their time and skills to create a good atmosphere and a place to which people want to come. And when some of the community act in this way, it draws together the rest in support. We find ourselves included in a social gathering, a chance to see friends old and new; we contribute financially to village groups, people’s livelihoods and charities; and all ages and backgrounds are brought together. It unites people from village, school, church, pub, and gives a chance for them to offer what they have, either in terms of goods to sell, time manning stalls, the talents on show at the craft exhibition in the church and in the bell ringing, morris-dancing, band-playing etc.

I think that these occasions are when community is seen at its best. A true community is one in which every person is valued, regardless of age, creed, colour, background, sexuality, and so on. These village celebrations bring all of us together. And stable, happy communities also welcome others in from outside. They may go away again at the end of the day, but they will leave their mark on those whom they have met. And I don’t only mean those who played a part in what is on offer – those who attend from outside are as important as those who contribute in more practical ways.

Community at its best mirrors the kind of life that God hopes we all manage to lead, where every person is valued and none are shunned because of who they are or what they hold dear. Everyone is important, and everyone has something they can contribute to village life. That is, of course, one of the greatest joys of living in a small place – everyone really can play a part in community life.

With best wishes, Sarah

Good stewardship

This month, on Sunday 10th May at 10.30 a.m. in Barley church, the diocesan stewardship adviser, Geoff Fletcher, is coming to preach at our joint service. He will help us to think through our responsibilities, and in particular, how they relate to the church.
Stewardship is not a word used that much these days, but it is something that Christians have thought important for many years. It is often mistaken for fund-raising. However, the two are entirely different. Stewardship is about the on-going responsible use of what we have. One dictionary definition of stewardship is “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care”. Christian tradition, and beginning before that Jewish culture, has a long-standing commitment to caring for God’s world. There is a sense that all we have has been given us by God, and that we have a responsibility to use well what we have been given.
            There are many commitments, especially financial ones, that we all face nowadays, and perhaps, for many, times are particularly tough at the moment. But stewardship is something for prosperous and less prosperous times. However, much or little we have, we can choose to use it wisely or not.
            Traditionally Jews and Christians gave ten per cent of their income – a tithe – to Temple, synagogue or church, and in many church communities tithing still occurs today. The money was used in different ways – to aid worship, to support ministers, to care for the poor. Christians do not all agree on whether tithing is a principle that should be followed today. Now that much of the care for the poor is carried out by agencies other than the Church, some people give five per cent of their income to church and five per cent to charities working with the poor and disadvantaged. Other people order things differently. Many are extremely generous.
            There is no getting away from the fact that giving away some of what we have been given by God is a longstanding tradition for people of many faiths. If you don’t have very much, no one is expecting you to bankrupt yourself by being generous – Jesus did not condemn the woman who could only pay two small coins into the Temple treasury, but rather commended what she had given.
            We all have something we can give, and it is up to each one of us to decide what our priorities are. But, if you want to make use of the village churches for baptisms, weddings and funerals, do consider whether you want some of your giving to go to them, so that we can remain open and available for you when you want us. We will, of course, welcome you with open arms.

With best wishes, Sarah

God’s Springtime

As I write it is a beautiful Spring day. The sun is shining, and has done now for several days. The daffodils and crocuses are blooming and brightening up the villages. The birds are singing; the Barkway ducks have started their attempt at traffic-calming by crossing the High Street in a slow, meandering fashion. On the surface, everything looks wonderful, and there is a feeling of joyfulness in the air.

I think one of the reasons Springtime makes such an impact is because it follows winter. The contrast between the dull, drab, cloudy, nondescript days, when everything seems grey, and the brightness of the vernal sunshine and the way in which it lights up the world, is a strong one, and helps us to appreciate more the blossoming of new life.

            For Christians, it could be said that Lent is a little like winter. In winter, things are going on under the soil that we cannot see; birds and animals are resting and quietly preparing themselves for the leap into reproduction and new life. Lent is also a time of preparation. That means penitence and fasting, paying more attention to one’s spiritual life, so that when Easter comes, we are ready to spring into action and celebration and joy. The dullness of Lent makes the contrast of resurrection seem all the more glorious.

            My sister is currently pregnant and due to give birth on 8th April. She has been experiencing sickness for the whole of the previous 8½ months, but once the baby is born, she will no doubt forget about the trials of nausea. The joy will enable the pain to pale into significance. But she will also need to be as prepared as she can possibly be before “Peanut” (the name she and her partner have given to the bump) arrives, so that she can concentrate on the baby.

            At Easter, Christians believe, God the Creator restores his Son Jesus to life, following crucifixion and burial. The joy of the celebration is contrasted with the bleakness and blackness of Good Friday. At times, Lent may seem like winter; but that will make the new life of Easter seem even more abundant.

May you all have a happy, joyful and abundant Easter

With best wishes, Sarah