Originally published in the Uplyme Church Parish News magazine
Thank you !
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8
This month continues the strange and difficult ‘lockdown’ and selfisolating which has seen so much of what was ‘normal’ turned upon its head. Yet it has seen so many people rise to the challenge and support each other in practical matters and especially in finding ways to keep each other in contact. Thank you.
Computers, of course, make a real difference for many – and we are discovering new benefits of technology and electronic communication – some of which I am sure will continue to be well used long after the present rules are replaced. However, there are many who are not users of computers, and it has been wonderful to see how they have been helped and included during the past few weeks. It would be wonderful if we can continue to be great neighbours and keep good contact with others in our community, especially those who don’t have internet access or confidence and live alone – whatever their age.
Finally several people, outside the regular church, have asked me for some words they might use when thinking about the present situation. I don’t think I can offer anything better than this short prayer poem from the charity ‘Christian Aid’.
Romans 13:8
This month continues the strange and difficult ‘lockdown’ and selfisolating which has seen so much of what was ‘normal’ turned upon its head. Yet it has seen so many people rise to the challenge and support each other in practical matters and especially in finding ways to keep each other in contact. Thank you.
Computers, of course, make a real difference for many – and we are discovering new benefits of technology and electronic communication – some of which I am sure will continue to be well used long after the present rules are replaced. However, there are many who are not users of computers, and it has been wonderful to see how they have been helped and included during the past few weeks. It would be wonderful if we can continue to be great neighbours and keep good contact with others in our community, especially those who don’t have internet access or confidence and live alone – whatever their age.
Finally several people, outside the regular church, have asked me for some words they might use when thinking about the present situation. I don’t think I can offer anything better than this short prayer poem from the charity ‘Christian Aid’.
God of heaven and earth,
in these times of isolation,
apart from loved ones
distant from friends
away from neighbours
thank you that there is nothing
in all of creation,
not even coronavirus,
that is able to separate us from your love.
And may your love that never fails
continue to be shared
through the kindness of strangers
looking out for each other,
for neighbours near and far
all recognising our shared vulnerability,
each of us grateful for every breath,
and willing everyone to know the gift
of a full and healthy life.
Keep us all in your care. Amen.
With thoughts and prayers
Clive Sedgewick
May 2020
in these times of isolation,
apart from loved ones
distant from friends
away from neighbours
thank you that there is nothing
in all of creation,
not even coronavirus,
that is able to separate us from your love.
And may your love that never fails
continue to be shared
through the kindness of strangers
looking out for each other,
for neighbours near and far
all recognising our shared vulnerability,
each of us grateful for every breath,
and willing everyone to know the gift
of a full and healthy life.
Keep us all in your care. Amen.
With thoughts and prayers
Clive Sedgewick
May 2020
Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
Proverbs 23 : 18
Proverbs 23 : 18
How much can change in a short while ! Suddenly in just a few short weeks the world is fighting for its life – in so many ways.
As I write this piece we face daily changes in the advice and guidance for responding to the Covid-19 virus. We cannot predict how it will continue to affect individuals and our community. What we do know is that the only way to build from our present position (whatever that may be - now and into the future) is to work together to make the future as positive as possible.
As Christians and as a community we can have a distinctive response to this situation and I would encourage us all to adopt five particular practices during this time.
1. Let’s be responsible. In particular, we should all make decisions based on the interests of the most vulnerable in our community. The actions and decisions which are taken may, at times, feel like an over-reaction to those of us who are healthy and best able to withstand the impact of the virus, but following the advice and guidance of those who are best placed to lead us through the challenges to health and the stresses of the present crisis is sensible.
2. Let’s not be selfish. There have been many reports of panic buying. It is a human instinct to want to protect and provide for our families, but this kind of behaviour is not the reaction of faith. This is a time for us to learn habits of contentment. Rather than building up stockpiles we could consider donating items or money to local foodbanks and to those in most need.
3. Let’s demonstrate faith. Behind the panic that is gripping the world is the fear of death. As Christians who are united with the resurrected and ascended Lord Jesus, we can approach the situation with a very different attitude. At this time we should try to live as those who have been set free from slavery to the fear of death – not to be reckless or act inappropriately but to trust in God and our relationship with him.
4. Let’s seize the opportunities presented by the virus. We have openings to care for our neighbours, build community, offer prayer and share faith. Let’s keep in touch with people using telephones, media and computers to ensure that loneliness and isolation don’t become accepted and normal. Let’s offer to do those things which we safely can, to help each other – eg collect shopping for those who are isolated and to renew a spirit of neighbourliness.
5. Let’s maintain our fellowship. We don’t know how our church services and other gatherings are going to be affected in the coming days and weeks but again we have technology and opportunities to share in prayer and build each other up. There will potentially be many who need our care and thoughts and support ; they need to know that it is there in whatever form our fellowship and worship can take.
We must not minimise the challenges facing us all, but the Church (that is the people who are the Church) will do all we can to support each other and those around us during this difficult time.
As I write this piece we face daily changes in the advice and guidance for responding to the Covid-19 virus. We cannot predict how it will continue to affect individuals and our community. What we do know is that the only way to build from our present position (whatever that may be - now and into the future) is to work together to make the future as positive as possible.
As Christians and as a community we can have a distinctive response to this situation and I would encourage us all to adopt five particular practices during this time.
1. Let’s be responsible. In particular, we should all make decisions based on the interests of the most vulnerable in our community. The actions and decisions which are taken may, at times, feel like an over-reaction to those of us who are healthy and best able to withstand the impact of the virus, but following the advice and guidance of those who are best placed to lead us through the challenges to health and the stresses of the present crisis is sensible.
2. Let’s not be selfish. There have been many reports of panic buying. It is a human instinct to want to protect and provide for our families, but this kind of behaviour is not the reaction of faith. This is a time for us to learn habits of contentment. Rather than building up stockpiles we could consider donating items or money to local foodbanks and to those in most need.
3. Let’s demonstrate faith. Behind the panic that is gripping the world is the fear of death. As Christians who are united with the resurrected and ascended Lord Jesus, we can approach the situation with a very different attitude. At this time we should try to live as those who have been set free from slavery to the fear of death – not to be reckless or act inappropriately but to trust in God and our relationship with him.
4. Let’s seize the opportunities presented by the virus. We have openings to care for our neighbours, build community, offer prayer and share faith. Let’s keep in touch with people using telephones, media and computers to ensure that loneliness and isolation don’t become accepted and normal. Let’s offer to do those things which we safely can, to help each other – eg collect shopping for those who are isolated and to renew a spirit of neighbourliness.
5. Let’s maintain our fellowship. We don’t know how our church services and other gatherings are going to be affected in the coming days and weeks but again we have technology and opportunities to share in prayer and build each other up. There will potentially be many who need our care and thoughts and support ; they need to know that it is there in whatever form our fellowship and worship can take.
We must not minimise the challenges facing us all, but the Church (that is the people who are the Church) will do all we can to support each other and those around us during this difficult time.
With thoughts and prayers
Rev Clive Sedgewick
April 2020
Rev Clive Sedgewick
April 2020