Since leaving college – I’ve been seeing friends, went on holiday, and also been helping out in cafe and preschool at Cairns Road. Tomorrow there will be an opportunity for me to thank people, talk about some ‘high’s and low’s’ of my placement, and for us to pray for each other within the service. I’m really pleased that a group are coming from St George and hopefully the service will reflect the partnership well. I wonder what St George will feel worshipping with such a larger congregation (St George 10-15, Cairns Road 120-140), younger/family orientated one, singing modern songs, and having a less structured service. I’m not sure how many of them have had experience of going to other churches I hope they don’t feel to afraid about it! This month has been about ending well (not sure what that means really) and thinking about the future. I’m both excited about the next part in my journey but also tinged with sadness.
In between time
This week was leavers week – although there were only two designated days for leaving. On Tuesday once all the work was done we spent time sitting around chatting, and sharing out last few moments of college time together. On Wednesday was leavers day we went to the Zoo, had picnic on the downs, and then more eating when we went to Cosmos. Then yesterday evening was the Leavers Meal including speeches by all 10 of the leavers. I have up to now felt fine about leaving college but last night and this morning its hit me I’m not going back now its all over. The strange rituals of sitting in lectures, eating college food, feeling exhausted after an 11hr day on a Wednesday, walking or driving across the downs early in the morning are all a memory. I’m not one to dwell in the past I am looking forward to a new part in my journey in Worcester Park but as that hasn’t really started yet I’m still pulling myself away from this present one. So I’m learning for the first time in my life how to try and be in the present moment and try not to ignore what might be on offer now.
I can’t quite remember who said this to me/ where I read it (anyone can help I’d apprecite it) but it was a great nugget of wisdom. As humans we are either chained to the past worrying about what could have been, or chained to the future worrying what might/could be. When we live in the present we are set free from both the past, and the future.
By being in this in between time neither at college nor somewhere new I’m learning a lot!
Ascension, mission, and F.B Meyer
Today I went to my last service at Trinity College (Anglican college) for the ascension day service, and Rev. Dr. David Wenham preached on ‘Christ has gone, Christ will come again so now get on with it.’ He used this as his refrain and reminded us that Christ has gone, and we are left His Spirit empowering us as the body of Christ in the world. Although I didn’t then go off and evangelise, I did continue with an essay I’m writing on evangelistic social action in 19th century, and came across a Baptist Minister called F.B Meyer (1847-1929). What struck me when I was reading about him was that some of the things he was involved with has been some of my experience, and things I’ve been tustling with during my time in Bristol.
Meyer was committed to finding ways in which the gospel could be ‘incarnated’ in the community. He struggled to bridge the gap between the church and the common people. So he opened a coffee room each evening in Melbourne Hall in Leicester, and opened the church to be used for other organisations. The church partnered with social services and the local church became the hub of these activities. He believed the gospel was social as well as a spiritual.
My time in Bristol has opened my eyes to the ways in which we can ’incarnate the gospel’ and the need to show people in tangiable ways, how the gospel is relevant for them. The churches in urban areas are small, struggling, and the majority are middle class – it seems they had similar problems in 19th century. We use similar methods that Meyer used in 19th century – some churches in Bristol open their doors and provide coffee and a place to chat, and welcome people from the community into the church. Many churches have partnered with other orgainsations such as pre-schools, or debt advice centres. Perhaps we need to be reminded of our past, that these aren’t actually ‘new, trendy, post-modern’ ways but they are actually tried, tested, ways even if its ‘new’ to that context! Even though I’m not a traditionalist this might help some folks in our churches who are or at least struggle with change.
‘Today’s Empire, tomorrow’s relics’
I had great coversation with the pre-school leaders at St George today – it has taken a while before I have felt they have wanted to engage in conversation with the church- there is a lot of hurt on both sides. We had a conversation about the building and how it would be a shame if it has to be knocked down so many of the church buildings in the area have shut and they don’t want to see another one close. They feel its part of the community, and its a good resource that should be used – which I do agree with, its better than giving the building over to developers to build more flats.
Then I was driving in the centre of Bristol near the new Cabot Circus shopping centre and on the side of the building there was some graffiti and it said ‘ Today’s Empire, tomorrow’s relics.’ How true is that! Today shopping is worth everything although drastically its loosing value due to the credit crunch, and in a few yrs it will be a relic and it will all be worthless. The church at St George is small, elderly congregation, dwindling, and for those ‘looking in’ one might say a relic of the past. I do however think there is hope, because the church is not supposed to be an empire built on prestige, wealth and dominance but a subversive, loving, grace-filled community which is built not by human hands but by Jesus. So because of its builder I have hope. Empires become relics, but Jesus-centered communites live on.
News
I’m pleased to say to my regular readers that I’m now settled. In September I will be the associate minister at Worcester Park Baptist church. I’m very excited about it and its great to know that God’s hand was through the whole ‘unsettlement’ process. So thank you to all of you who held me in prayer and supported me through0ut this time.
