From the Rector
Revd Canon Dr Alison M. Peden

Dear friends, 

 

I rather like a tidy desk and office. This would surprise anyone who has seen me at work at church or at home. There are papers strewn around here, there and everywhere; scribbled notes and ideas; books opened or bookmarked; the phone at my side, and the laptop humming.

Over the Christmas break, I was able to get papers filed away, e-mails answered, books put onto the bookshelves, lists ticked off, the floor cleared. Why? Because there was a lull in activity - not much going on apart from feasting and rejoicing. Everything was orderly, under control, spacious-looking, serene.

It didn't last, of course, and I'm glad it didn't. Because lots of things all over the place is (for me, anyway) a sign of life. Would you rather have clear bare earth or a riot of floral colour?

I've come to welcome the same sort of 'creative life' at church too. When there are things happening all over the place, it's a sign of life, even if the Rector sometimes feels a bit bemused by it all! Actually, this has been going on for some time - the Mothers' Union taking off in a big way; the Magazine Team forging ahead splendidly and new contributors every month; the new Youth Fellowship appearing.

And then there is new wine about to be poured into new wineskins in all sorts of ways as we Cast the Net. What will a new organist and choirmaster bring to us? Who will hear the call to help shape our worship or pastoral work? Who will join us as we seek the living God in our midst at Holy Trinity?
When God moves and the Spirit blows through us, it can be an exhilarating time. At the moment, I'm happily enjoying the whirl of ideas and activity, the untidy but gloriously creative work of the people of God. When the tidy and orderly part of me says "How are we going to do all that we are doing - and pay for it?", then God says, "Trust me".

Perhaps you too could catch a bit of this Spirit during Lent - which starts on Ash Wednesday, 22 February. Often we approach it as a time to get our lives in order, control our appetites, seek out the bareness of the desert. But what if we see it as a time of greening and growth when unexpected shoots pop up out of the ground?

You could try something different this year. For example, instead of giving up a food for Lent, why not try eating it with slow and deliberate enjoyment, really tasting it? Or why not see whether a prayer comes to you when you don't expect it - when you notice something rather unusual or find something really funny? We all try to give money to a good cause in Lent, but you might think about an impulse buy, but not for yourself - for someone who would love it?

The important thing is to admit that God takes the initiative, and just invites us to come along for the ride. "I have come that you might have life, and might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Let's rejoice in that abundance and grow in our faith and hope and love.

with love in Christ, 

 

 

You can also see the Rector's blog at http://alisonpeden.wordpress.com

Friday 20 January 2012