Flying Conker Alert!
The leaves are falling, the harvest is almost in and autumn is very much with us. The conker season has arrived but the world conker championships are in crisis because the winner has been accused of cheating! It seems that there is no aspect of modern day life that is immune from deceit and deception. Scam phone calls are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Where we get our news and information from is becoming more and more important as right-wing groups of various sorts seek to plant false stories that undermine our trust and ability to work together. Even the recent hurricane season in America was made into a political debate and global initiatives to respond to the threat of Climate Change are being undermined by false accusations. Here in Britain false stories following the Southport dance studio attack caused street riots that resulted in multiple arrests and serious local damage to shops and property.
But where do we as Christians stand in all? It’s hard to keep an honest moral focus when others seem determined to win the argument whatever it costs, to put themselves first and at other people’s expense. Well, Christians believe that Jesus Christ still challenges those who would follow his way of living to “Love God and Love your neighbour as yourself”. But is the world listening? How do we stand in solidarity with neighbours who may be vulnerable and whose trust is taken advantage of in a world where the survival of the fittest seems to rule. When we try to speak for honesty and look out for others we may personally feel that our little efforts are not going very far, but together we can achieve so much more. As the well-known African saying goes “It takes a whole village to raise a child”. And in our villages the need for honesty and truth has not gone away. The complexity of AI makes a moral perspective significantly important. The assisted dying debate is highlighting the gap in moral decision making or ethics. Our churches have a crucial role in standing as beacons of hope and integrity in our villages and beyond. Those of you who work to maintain them, keep them open for prayer and worship are more important now than ever.
As the apostle Paul wrote “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair ….. so we do not lose heart …. for we walk by faith not by sight …. and the love of God compels us … all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ” (from 2 Cor 4 & 5). This is the Hope we uniquely bring to the world and to our neighbours. Take heart when all is bleak that “all things work together for good to those who love God” (Roman 8). Keeping our churches open for everyone whatever their backgrounds to draw near to their maker is one of the most important things you can do. Standing together for a better way of living in tune with God’s world and all of his creatures may be a struggle but it will shine a light on the need for more moral thinking. Our churches are not out of date or out of touch; we may be embarking on our most vital mission yet!
Canon Lynda Barley

PLEASE NOTE. This and all other entries in 'News and Notices' are usually listed in order of date published or amended.