A Letter from the Minister

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

A lot has happened in the last few weeks.  The World seems to have changed.  The threat and reality of wars continue, financially, bills have increased, and the global markets are uncertain.  People’s situations have changed and there are challenges ahead, and with deep sadness there is the news of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis.

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

On Sunday afternoon I listened to pundits discuss the relegation of Leicester Football team from the Premier League.  They suggested the negative impact of countless defeats affected the mindsets and subsequent scorelines of the team.

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

In my early twenties, a wise agricultural college lecturer suggested a reflective weekly practice of finding a farmgate to lean on, look at a favourite view, and reflect on the past week, today and what’s next.  Likewise, Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) popularised the spiritual practice of Examen, a reflection encouraging us to pay attention to the promptings of God in our daily lives.

And so, I wonder if the month of May is a good time for us to stop and reflect on what God has spoken to us through the Lenten, Holy Week and Easter season this year.

I humbly share some of my reflections where God has used people to teach and remind, in the last few weeks:

During the Lenten Prayer Course at Dursley, someone shared that by praying, we invite God into our situations.  We may not get the answer to the prayer that we want, but we will find that God is walking with us, in our emotions, our thinking and our situations.

At the Maundy Thursday Holy Communion at Wotton and Cam we reminded ourselves that Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.  Someone reminded us that we may overlook our service to others, whilst the recipient sees it as a real blessing.  Another person powerfully reflected that Jesus at our feet is not a position we are used to seeing Him…. and what does this mean to us? 

Lastly, somebody reminded me that being vulnerable and asking for help is actually a strength and had helped them greatly.  As I have reflected on this, I’ve wondered what does it look like if the church considers its vulnerability and who does the church ask for help from?  At the same time, this was a timely teaching, because in the last few weeks I had fallen into the trap of thinking if you are a leader, you do everything.  Once I realised I wasn’t alone and I reached out for help, so many people rallied around me and together we achieved a lot.

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

I believe the Easter’s declaration punctures through the pervading sense of uncertainty, negative mindsets and sadness providing hope and certainty.  Jesus said “My sheep recognise my voice.  I know them, and they follow me.  I give them real and eternal life.” (John 10: 27 (The Message)).  It is epitomised with Mary meeting Jesus near the empty tomb…. Initially in a grief where nothing made sense, Mary heard her name called by the one who knew her most.  The same Jesus, but different – now the risen – conquering death – conquering impossibilities Jesus. (John 20: 1-18).

I encourage you to find a “farmgate” or give the Examen prayer a go, to reflect and, if you are happy to, share with others what God is doing in our lives, so that we can encourage each other and grow in faith in Jesus.

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

Jimmy

How to pray the Examen

Follow these four simple steps:

1. Replay - think over your day like a movie replaying in your head. Notice what you

are noticing. What made you happy? What made you anxious? What made you

angry?

2. Rejoice - thank God for those things which are obvious. But also thank Him for

non-obvious things which we sometimes forget - random acts of kindness, being

healthy, a positive song or meal. Relish and savour these moments in gratitude to

God.

3. Repent - say sorry to God for moments that come to into your mind as you review

the day e.g., getting involved in gossip, reacting with a tone that was aggressive,

lacking compassion in a situation, ignoring a need, not responding to a nudge.

Receive His forgiveness afresh.

4. Reboot – make a decision in your heart to live for Jesus tomorrow and ask for

grace to see His presence more clearly.

The Examen can take five minutes or one hour. If you do it once - it will be useful - if

you do it every day, it can bring transformation.  Be careful (as with any prayer tool) that it doesn’t become simply another duty.  Think of it as a way to dialogue with God in friendship – holding the practice in  context of relationship.

(Source: prayercourse.org/toolshed/)