from Chris Rooke-Matthews

Dear friends,

Following a series of various health issues, over many months, during which I have had to adapt to alternative ways of living, I’ve realised the importance of accepting the things that can’t be changed.  Rather than focussing on what I am unable to do, I now look at the ways I can make a positive difference each day.

Some days are easier than others, but I have been grateful for opportunities spent outside, in the garden, or walking in the shade of trees, meeting with family and friends, or looking after our daughter’s dog while she’s at work.

I recently discovered this prayer, by John Henry Newman, which has given me reassurance that I am not facing this alone:

God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.  I have my mission I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. 

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.  He has not created me for naught.  I shall do good.  I shall do his work.  I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it – if I do but keep His commandments.

Therefore, will I trust Him.  Whatever, wherever I am.  I can never be thrown away.  If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.  He does nothing in vain.  He knows what He is about.  He may take away my friends, He may throw me among strangers.  He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future for me – still He knows what He is about.

Chris

from Rev Wes Hampton

Dear Friends,

The big film release of this summer is The Odyssey, a retelling of Homer’s epic poem about the ten-year return of Odysseus from Troy to his home in Ithaca.  In Homer’s story, Odysseus leaves Troy with twelve ships, but by the time he arrives home all his comrades have perished, and he reaches Ithaca alone.  However, this is never the story of an individual. Back in Ithaca, there are key roles to play for Odysseus’ son Telemachus, his wife Penelope, and the servants of his household.  The Odyssey, moreover, is a story of gods versus gods, with divine power and mythical beasts on each side.  All through Odysseus’ tale, he contributes to something bigger than the story of his own misfortunes.

Achievements are usually made through teamwork, where each part of the team plays its proper part.  In the Greek epic, as on the sports field, and in the Body of Christ, we need soldiers and seers, goalkeepers and strikers, the foot and the eye, and everything else.  Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in his poem Ulysses (the Latin version of the name “Odysseus”) imagines Ulysses unable to settle back down to the life of King of Ithaca.  He remains restless, and in need of adventure.  Ulysses recognizes that he and Telemachus are very different, and have different parts to play. “He works his work, I mine.”  Or, as St Paul puts it, “Are all apostles?  Are all prophets?  Are all teachers?” and the list of rhetorical questions goes on (1 Corinthians 12:29, NRSV.)

In each area of our daily lives, as in the life of our church, we have our own part to play.  Over time that part varies, using the skills and gifts that we have been given.  We all contribute, so that the result will be God’s work in this place, with all of us on the team.  In the spirit of “He works his work, I mine” what is my contribution?  And yours?

Wes

from John Williams

Dear friends,

A few months ago I discovered, at the bottom of a drawer, a poster with bold white letters on a red background saying “Keep calm and carry on”.  These posters were printed to raise morale during the war.  I have a fridge magnet that is similar - “Keep calm and know that I am God” - obviously referring to Psalm 46:10. 

Derek Tidball in “Signposts” points out that this is not really to encourage us to slow down before a prayer meeting, by disconnecting from our busy lives to focus on God.  The stillness we need to discover is knowing that God is the Lord Almighty even in the chaos of battle; not when we withdraw from it.  In the same way it speaks to all of us in the midst of the turmoil that can make up everyday life.  In this as well “God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” 

The Good News Bible translates verse 10 as “Stop fighting and know that I am God” having just said that “He stops wars all over the world”.  Now there’s a prayer for today!

John Williams

from Rev Wes Hampton

Dear Friends,

Forgive me for stating the obvious, but we do not know what the future holds. There are some things that we can be confident about, of course – the sun rose yesterday, and the day before, and for so many days previously that we have no doubt that it shall rise again tomorrow. Other things, however, are much less certain. As I write, at Wimbledon we have British success in the men’s singles, and the England football team is still competing in the World Cup, but I cannot know whether either of those will be true by the time you read this.

Rudyard Kipling’s poem If famously refers to Triumph and Disaster as two imposters. One of the implications might be that we can be ready for the unknown future by accepting that success in a venture, being neither impossible nor guaranteed, is not always as important as it seems to those of us involved in it. The emotional reactions of our sporting champions when they win or lose – and of their supporters – may give the impression that their achievements or failures eclipse all others, but time will give a different perspective.

As I drove home recently, a warning light was illuminated on the dashboard. Did this tell me that a disaster was about to happen? No, but it did mean that there was a problem that needed to be fixed as soon as possible. A moderate reaction was called for, not a panic-driven cry of despair. So we know that the ‘Triumphs and Disasters’ do not just belong to others. The Unknown lurks around every corner, tempting us to fear every opportunity as a potential catastrophe. Such situations, however, though unknowable to us, to God are fully known. As the psalmist put it: “If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.” (Psalm 139:8 NRSV.) Whatever we face, we do so with God.

Wes