Last month we held the annual Deanery Evensong Service at St Mary’s Chapel at Arley Hall – the first time we had been able to come together for the service and the b.y.o. picnic in the beautiful grounds beforehand since 2019 – and it was a wonderful service and so lovely to be able to gather again as members of the Deanery to worship together. It was also Ian Chesworth’s last service with us as the family prepare to leave for Malaysia, and Sarah Chesworth sang a beautiful anthem during the service. The guest preacher was the Vicar of Stockton Heath, The Revd Michael Ridley, and he preached in his inimitable style about, amongst other things, the importance of small things in our lives as Christians – how to get along with each other, how to be always hopeful, how to encourage one another and how to be Christ’s ambassadors in today’s society.
Earlier that day, in the set readings, we had heard the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha and of their different personalities and approaches – Martha busying herself with household chores and tasks and Mary sitting contentedly at Jesus’ feet and listening and imbibing the spiritual atmosphere. One can only hope that she later lent a hand to her sister Martha – but Jesus was making a point of course about the importance of prayer, of contemplation and of listening, rather than constantly busying ourselves with small, and sometimes unnecessary, tasks and jobs – which we’re all very good at!
The extreme heat we experienced during part of July forced us all to rethink, at least in part, the way in which we go about our daily lives, and Jesus’ words to Mary and Martha, and his other and many teachings, should help us to reflect on our priorities as Christians and as members of communities, where we rub shoulders with all sorts of people in all sorts of conditions. Michael Ridley made the point on several occasions that small things matter – giving the example of mosquitos in your sleeping bag when out camping - but I’m sure we all know the truth of his point and how important those small things can be. I know I shall be reflecting, and acting hopefully, on his sermon pointers and I shall finish with the last re-ported words of one of my favourite Saints – Dewi Sant (St David) who reportedly said these words on his deathbed:
“Lords, brethren, and sisters, be joyful and keep the faith and belief, and perform the small things which you have heard and seen with me, and I will go the road which our fathers have travelled. Be courageous whilst you are on the earth, for you will not any more see me in this world.” (Lives of the Cambro-British Saints).
May God bless each one of us in the coming month, and especially in all the little things – y pethau bychain - of life.
The Revd Alec Brown.