Some may remember a favourite poem of mine. ‘Leisure‘ is a poem by Welsh poet W. H. Davies, where he writes…

“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.”

and finishes with the words…

“A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.”

When we look around us I’m sure that you, like me, see and feel the effects of life lived at a very fast pace with little time to just relax and be ourselves. Technology is a wonderful thing and where in the world would we be without it? It is especially valuable for those who rely on it to make their special needs easier to live with; and yet there is a downside. People seem to find it more and more difficult to live in the moment.

I have become more conscious that instead of just enjoying a walk, playing with children, looking at a beautiful garden, out comes the phone or camera to take a picture, send a message, tweet or post it on Facebook. Perhaps that is why I enjoy going to the cinema or a music concert because I can sit back and enjoy the film or appreciate the music with gadgets switched off.

We all need time to be ourselves, time to think and reflect and enjoy moments that strengthen and feed our inner being. This can’t happen if there is always a screen to claim our attention. For years I have kept some words written by a monk and I found them recently when I was clearing out my study. I think they can give us all food for thought.

He says…
“If I had to live over again, I’d try to make more mistakes next time.
I would relax, I would limber up, I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take more holidays. I would be crazier.
I would climb mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets.
I would do more walking and looking.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I am one of those people who lives life sensibly hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments and if I had to do it over again I’d have more of them.
In fact, I’d try to have nothing else, just moments, one after the other, instead of living so many years ahead each day. I’ve been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot-water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin and a parachute.
If I had to do it over again I would go places, do things and travel lighter than I have.
If I had my Life to live over I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the autumn.”

(Anonymous. A friar in a Nebraska monastery.)

Somewhere in those words is truth for us and our world. Maybe next time you reach for your phone, stop, look, enjoy the moment and let it feed your soul.

 

(This article by Rev’d. Jenny was originally published as part of St David’s Messenger in November 2017)

When I was a young child there was one film I watched that I remember to this day. It was called an Incredible Journey. The story was based on two dogs and a cat that go on a long journey to be re-united with their family. Along that journey they met so many good people and other animals that were willing to help them reach that goal. Their faith and knowledge that the family that cared for them; loved them deeply and this has touched me ever since.

Have you ever been on a journey in your life? Were you have met people and they have become good friends. Sometime you meet people on your holidays or get to know them through work.

Well I have been on a journey with Jesus, a journey that keeps churning out new friends; people who are willing to help me and accept me for the person I am. St David’s was that starting point where my family and I were welcomed. I have met so many kind and caring people all working towards that one goal in serving God.

In the New Testament in the Bible the Disciples go on a long journey with Jesus, they put their trust in him by leaving behind the life they knew. Along that journey they met so many people, who wanted to reach out, change their ways and become a follower of Jesus.

Mathew 4: 18-22 Jesus Calls the First Disciples

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the lake – for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Immediately they left nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

Over the past year I have been on a reader ministry course, the biggest hurdle being going into a new place and meeting people I have never met before. Knowing God was opening those doors for me, helped with the initial apprehension. I have met so many amazing people, people who have become friends. Friends who have faith in me but more importantly faith in Jesus, just like the disciples who put their faith in Jesus and went on an incredible journey with him. My journey with Jesus is taking me out to other communities such as St Aidan’s the small café church I was on placement in or All Saints a fabulous church in the middle of Speke. Wherever I have been on my journey I have been welcomed with open arms and love.

I have met so many people all sharing in the faith that Jesus died and was resurrected to save us. Jesus lives and is with us every day, guiding us to share our love and faith with everyone we meet on our journey through life.

At St David’s we would like to take you on an incredible journey, one were you can meet and socialise with other people. There is something for all age groups from Sunday school, Community café’s, Messy church.

Why not come to one of our services and start your journey, a journey with Jesus, a journey that will fulfil you with so much love and joy. Take a leap of faith and follow in Jesus’s footsteps.

(This article by Wendy was originally published as part of St David’s Messenger in October 2017)

This question is used as the title of a television programme investigating the family tree of ‘famous’ people. The programme with all the resources of the BBC has found that some of the people are descendants of royalty, African chieftains or people who arrived in Australia on the convict ships!

An interesting fact is how often the people find they have similar characteristics and often occupation to their predecessors.

No doubt some of you will have investigated your family tree. My father’s family originated on St Kilda. Certainly, knowing our past can give us a sense of history.

In answering the question of who do you think you are? surely it is important not just to look to the past but to concentrate on the present with our hopes and dreams for the future.

In the Bible when Jesus asks his disciples ‘Who do people say that I am’ Mark 8. 27 They reply ‘John the Baptist, Elijah and other prophets’. Jesus was being identified by those who had gone before. Jesus then asks ‘But who do you say that I am’. To which Peter a disciple and a close friend replied ‘You are the Messiah’ The Messiah or Saviour who from the reading of the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament, Jews expected to come to earth to restore people’s relationship with God. It must be admitted that some Jews in the 1st century Palestine expected a political leader to overthrow the Roman occupation. They did not expect someone of lowly birth who preached love and social justice for all irrespective of status.

Perhaps to answer the question of who did Jesus think he was it is best to quote St John17:1-3.
‘Father the hour has come: glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this eternal life that they may know you and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.‘

How we personally answer the question, Who do you think you are? I am sure will reflect our relationship with God and each other. It will also be influenced by our hope for this world and life after death.

I invite you to come to a church service or join Sunday School to learn more about God and to discover your true self.

God Bless, Sheila.

PS: I would also like to take this opportunity to suggest that you join our Lunch Club, Babe and Toddler group or simply come along to the Friday Café and get to know us.

(This article was originally published as part of St David’s Messenger in September 2017)

I am writing this a couple of days after the recent election. Yet more turmoil that can lead inevitably to anxious times. Fear for the future. Distrust and uncertainty creeps with stealth into our lives and our communities.

The two terror attacks in London and Manchester are still very much in our thoughts. Religion yet again takes a knock. The radical extremists appear to be able to baffle us with their ideology.

The three great faiths, Jewish, Christianity and Islam all share the same heritage. The old testament has been handed down to us over thousands of years. We share the great prophets Moses, Abraham and Elijah and their one true but indivisible God.

Intrinsic to the Jewish faith is the belief in a “personal” Messiah who will come and bring justice to the world. THEY WAIT. Christians have accepted Jesus as their Messiah (Saviour) who has risen to heaven and we await his second coming. In Islam Jesus is a highly revered prophet. His birth story is in the Qu’ran and Jesus and Mary his mother are mentioned innumerable times. Also the apostles who they call the helpers of God. What is less well known is that Muslims await the coming of a Messiah who some believe is going to be the likeness of Jesus.

I much prefer to dwell on the similarities rather differences. The one thing common to the three faiths is Jesus the Jew.

Islam in its pure form is without doubt a religion of peace and social justice. The concept of Ji’had means a holy striving or struggle. A Ji’had of the mouth means a religious argument. There is no place for the extremist holy war or the atrocities done supposedly for God.

God as we encounter him in the Bible creates humanity that is itself creative. In his own image. People with the concept of language, thought, reflection, imagination and choice. A form of life that can be rebellious. To choose between obedience or disobedience, good or evil. To enhance nature or to destroy it.

In almost every action we take we could have chosen to do otherwise. We can become cruel and mean or good and generous.

Acknowledge our mistakes. Whatever our faith, whether in God or humanity we must hold our fellow Muslims and Jews in our thoughts and prayers. We cannot let this evil ideology and the young men (who are themselves victims) prevail. The idea of “An eye for an eye” leaves the world blind. If the blind lead the blind we all end up falling into the pit.

Let us hope the future will bring peace and happiness although sadly I feel this might be an outcome for which we will have to wait.

God Bless, Wendy.

(This article was originally published as part of St David’s Messenger in July 2017)