Thought for the Week by Rev’d Vicci
Friends
Firstly, a big thank you to those who have been contributing to the meal train and in other ways have reached out to offer support to us at this time. The fact that I can manage my energy levels and continue to preach and offer ministry is because of this support and I am so grateful to you for it.
In the book of Acts, we hear how the disciples needed help in order to be given the space to focus on preaching the word, and so the first deacons were chosen. It is a powerful reminder that we are better as a team than as individuals and that although each of us can only do what one person can do, the combined efforts of a community are not just to be seen as a blessing in times of illness, but a necessity for the development of the Church and its work towards Kingdom values. This was seen powerfully at work at Burnham and Cookham at their Harvest lunches, at Windsor when we raised £500 for our “Macmillan Sunday” and will be seen on the 10th of October at Windsor when our Harvest Supper will highlight and support the work of the night shelter as it prepares to open in December.
At our best, we see it in all our churches as we work together to make things happen and at our worst, those wonderful teams can seem to be exclusive groups that fail to be open to new people. I recently realised that leadership conversations that said, “Let’s give … a bit longer to settle in before we ask if they might be involved in…” had meant that we left it far too long to ask and the person had wondered if they weren’t wanted.
Today, I was discussing with a friend how far the world has come in its understanding of justice and equity. I have seen huge strides taken in many areas of EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) in my lifetime, and yet still for some we are not moving far enough or quickly enough. How do we move at an appropriate speed to keep us all together, whilst still recognising the pain that some of our siblings are experiencing requires that we don’t stop? Perhaps my earlier point about teamwork has some answers to this. In amongst all the conversation, the important thing is that we work together towards the Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed – a kingdom of justice and mercy, where all should receive life in all its fullness.
God bless, Vicci