...and a Happy Re-New Year
As part of my ongoing spiritual development as a Baptist minister I recently
spent a retreat day at a Catholic priory. There was a time when Christians of
different denominations were suspicious of one another, but things are
changing, and as I sat in silence in front of the shrine there, God helped me
to reflect upon the exciting partnership that has been developing between the
local churches recently.
More than two years ago 'Sunday Club'was born with the purpose of being an event where local children and their parents could explore the Christian faith in an enjoyable and accessible way. This month Lode Chapel is renaming the event to acknowledge the close connection that it now shares with the Anglican-initiated 'RE:NEW'. From now on the two events will be known as:
- 'RE:NEW Bulbeck' - at Swaffham Bulbeck Primary School on the 2nd Sunday of the month,
- 'RE:NEW Bottisham' - at Bottisham Primary School on the 4th Sunday of the month.
Both events start at 10.30am.
Since its conception, during a conversation in the back garden of the vicarage early in the summer of 2006, the idea of a 'family-friendly'church has been the outcome of a willingness of our two denominations to work together. When the curate (Jonathan) and his wife (Emma) arrived in the Benefice in 2007 they took an active role in 'Sunday Club', and were in turn willing for people from Lode Chapel to be involved with the team at St. Mary's in Swaffham Bulbeck as they set up a similar event there. Now the combined 'RE:NEW'has a single planning team and a shared theme explored at both venues over the term. Every fortnight between 50 and 80 people, from across the five villages, attend these events, and some families are choosing to come to both.
You may have noticed my deliberate choice of the words 'conception'and 'born'. The shrine in the priory that I mentioned earlier was called 'Our Mother of Good Counsel'and it was a sculpture of Mary, with the child Jesus. As I sat in silent reflection I was reminded that the Christian faith is all about the 'new life'that 5 comes to us in the form of a tiny baby. Just as the future of humanity depends upon each generation giving birth to and nurturing a new generation, so it is necessary for the existing churches to come together to 'conceive'of, and nurture, new ways of being church.
David's article explains a few of the ways that 'RE:NEW'looks very different to 'traditional'church, but rather than being a threat to it, the birth of these twin congregations is a sign that the church in our villages is alive and well, and ready to explore what it means to follow Jesus in the 21st century. In our communities young and old live alongside one another and are able to learn from each other, and the same can be true of church. Some will continue to draw strength from a faith expressed in sacred buildings and with familiar forms of service, but others will discover the reality of God in the new and creative expressions of church like 'RE:NEW' - there is room for both.
As we start a new year I encourage you to explore for yourself the 'new life'to be found in the church - in whichever form is most appropriate for you and your family. May God use it to show you His goodness in the year ahead, and may you know His blessings throughout 2009.