Monthly Message (Aug/Sept 2010) - Reflection

Dear Friends,

As I sit down to write this today one of the tasks on my list is to be thinking about Sunday worship. The gospel story this week is that of Jesus visiting the house of Mary and Martha – and that great plaintive cry from Martha that it is not fair that she has all the work to do while her sister peacefully sits and listens. It is one of those stories that stirs our thinking about feelings of frustration at how hard life can sometimes be – and how we long for that sense of order, time and space to listen and reflect, and a state of peacefulness to be reached.

The story of sisterly dissatisfaction is often read as if Jesus turns and rebukes Martha for her frustration and commends the quiet, attentive, Mary … but I am not convinced that is the case. (Recently I read the new Philip Pulman novel – an interesting take on the life of Jesus – and when he recounts this story he changes its ending to have Jesus telling Mary that she can easily catch up with his teachings later by asking one of the others but now she ought to go and help her sister!)

Jesus’ reply to Martha is, rather, that she is worried over too many things – and choosing one thing and living in its moment, is very important. It may seem a very 21st Century reflection on the story …but do we not, here, find Jesus suggesting that life should find a balance between activity and reflection, between that which has to be done and that which we ponder and relish with all the resources of our curiosity? – a balance between what requires our energy the things that restore us.

It surely has to be a good thing that this woman worked hard to prepare food for her guests … it was also a good thing that her sister took time to listen, learn, grow in knowing Jesus and his way in the world. The art of wise and healthy life, it seems, comes in valuing both. Being active, involved, working, achieving, making things happen - complimented - by reflection, listening for the new wisdom and way. And at our best these two strands of our human lives are woven together – so that our work and activity is shaped by our thoughtful reflection, or prayer … and our prayers are reflections, in the presence of Jesus, on the real issues raised by our life in the world.

The summer months are often a very quiet time in the life of the Church … and looking ahead to the autumn there will be plenty of opportunity for activity … getting involved, working together, celebrating the (official) opening of the new Bradbury Hall and developing the life of the Church in and through these wonderful new buildings.

There will be quite different opportunity in the Autumn too – to put the work and activity of our life together in the church into the context of prayerful reflection – for we have been invited to take part in a ‘Growing Healthy Churches – health check!’ A project of the South West Synod of the URC, the health check has taken over from the old style District Visit, it’s aim is to enable us to think and reflect on the gifts and calling of this church in this community now and in the few years ahead of us.

Drawing upon our stories and experience of being this church, a team of three trained facilitators come from the Synod to help us think and pray over and plan the things we do. For all of us who enjoy the life God has given us to share in this church … this will be an important, and enjoyable, day to be involved in. I hope you will ALL join in!

Particularly at this pivotal time in the life of our church – with so much work under our belt and so many opportunities before us – I think this will be a really useful time for our ‘Health Check.’ And the more of us who take part in it, younger and older, members and friends – the more insightful and positive it will be.

There is more information about the ‘Health Check’ later in the Newsletter – and meanwhile, wherever the summer takes you, may you find time to reflect, peace and renewal.

Yours,

Tracey.