I haven’t blogged for a while; but felt moved so today as I received an email over the weekend about St George in Bristol. Whilst at college I had a placement at St George Baptist Church ( I have previously blogged about the church/situation there) I had the opportunity to walk with this small, elderly congregation in East Bristol, and alongside this imagine new creative mission projects. The time has come for this small congregation to close and to disperse to different congregations. Their building was in a bad state of repair due to the leaking roof and they moved to a senior citizens club over the road, but the club has given them notice to move and so they have decided to close. I feel sad about it, although it is inevitable and I’m surprised that the congregation has continued for as long as it has. They are holding a thanksgiving service, which I won’t be able to attend, but will send them a letter. It is not all ended though, there are new hopes and two ministerial students have been placed in the East Bristol area with the hope of replanting a church.
What do you write in such a letter to such a congregation I wonder? Well here’s my initial thoughts; there is a lot to be thankful to God for the witness of a community of faithful followers of Christ, for the past joys and sorrows that make up the tapestry of church. Their perseverance, endurance, unity, and love that they showed as they came to the realisation of their present situation; still remains with me. I also recall one of the members saying to me they thought it was time for the church to go ‘to an old people’s home’ in otherwords to be put to rest and allowed to die with dignity and peace. I do believe allowing a church to end well is important. It is also good to recognise that the church is a pilgrim people and this ending is only part of the journey; that through prayers, and seed sown new life might spring up. I had hoped, prayed, and dreamed that out of the old new life might spring up – my prayers and hopes continue for east Bristol and in particular St George. When I was there I had a picture of the seed that needed to be burried, in order for new life to spring up – I remember preaching on this theme. So in death comes new life; may it be so for the community of St George.
Wise words Lucy.
The image of the dandelion clock (or now thistle down!) is one that has stayed with me for some time. As the wind blows the seeds are dispersed and carried to new places, some together, some apart, and each filled with potential. New hope means risking this reality.
New life needs the end of the old – sometimes we don’t like to grasp that reality. I wonder how many people passed through St George through the years? How many people heard the Good News through their work? I wonder how you grew and developed as you spent time with them?
I think the decision to close is a brave one, and that is in part down to the courage and confidence you were able to give them when you worked with them. Whatever they gave you, you gave them loads of yourself too.
There can be no resurrection without death… unless an ear of wheat (or a dandelion seed) falls to the ground…
May you be blessed, and may they be too.
I like the dandelion image particularly fitting for this situation I feel – thanks for sharing it. I think there are lots of ways in which I grew and developed during that time – some that is coming out in my situation here, and some I will probably not see the fruit of until years to come.