Busy Day

Today was a busy day. (checks clock, 00:08) Yesterday was a busy day. 

It started off with a supervision meeting in the morning.  This was supposed to take a bit over an hour, but with a brew, and a blether about a few off topic things, it turned into nearly an hour and a quarter. 

Then there were a few things I wanted to discuss with the lady in the church office.  I've not seen her for a while, so once the work part was out of the way, we had lunch.  After a period of putting the world to rights, I went off up to the hospital.  My supervisor had some visits planned in the afternoon, so I asked to tag along. 

Three official hospital visits later plus another bonus visit - a lady from my home church that happened to be in the next bed, and then it was back home briefly for around four.  Then it was back out to the church for two consecutive sections of the BB's.  I was only back home at 9.30. 

I'm only supposed to do 3 hours plus a Sunday, but a lot of things were happening today that I wanted to get involved in.  In the real Ministry world, I will need to make sure that this isn't the norm every day.  It was nice to be busy, and nobody expected me to fit all this in.  Occasional bursts of busy is good.  Regular busy is bad.

And it's been decades since I last played football.  I am not cut out for running around with the BB's.

Are There Any Women Here?

No women here.

Someone once asked me what I thought about women in the Church.  I said I wasn't sure and I would ask my wife...


Today I was doing a bit of pastoral visiting, and on both occasions, their wives were not present.  As a result, the conversations had a more male tone.  Cars, engines, sport, work.  Male sorts of topics.  But then because we had been able to exchange pleasantries with a male theme, the conversations were permitted to get a bit more serious.  Health concerns and the like.

Men don't like talking about their "bits" at the best of times, especially not when there are women present.  (And I know the same is true that women don't talk about their "bits" when men are around.)   And I think this is a big problem for men.  Women are more aware of their health, more likely to see a doctor if things are amiss, and more likely to detect cancers early as a result.  There's a lot of pink products raising funds for, and raising awareness of female cancers.


I'm not anti-women, but I think there's a need for men to be able to find their own space within a congregation.  I think it's needed for the good of our mental, spiritual and physical health.  For the men, we just get on with things ourselves.  It is very rare that men talk about health issues, and in my experience, it's never when there are women around.  If we are going to have that sort of discussion, where would we have it?  Should we have our own groups, perhaps a sort of Men's Guild -  a space where the men can gather and feel free to talk bollocks, or if health is a concern, even talk about bollocks.

Placement Visits

The other month, I was given a few names to visit.  Now the wife of visit number one said that she was having problems getting to see someone who happened to be visit number two, because she was in a hospital that is in the backside of nowhere.  So we agreed that I would give he a lift, and we could go see my visit two and three together.

We arrived at the hospital, and May, my companion for the day, got out of the car, then with scant regard for the visiting hours, or the workmen that were carrying large items of furniture, walked in through a door that was being used as a loading bay.  She then introduced me as the Minister from Lowry (North) and asked where I would find the lady that, for anonymity purposes may as well now be known as June.  I am starting to realise that when former Guide leaders decide they want to go somewhere, they take the direct route, knowing that it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. And being a minister has the power to open doors. Or loading bays.

So now I am in the hospital, using my newly ordained status to avoid visiting hours, we were lead off to see June.  May and June were in primary school together, and while June isn't in the best of health, her face lit up when May arrived.  We didn't stay long, and hardly said anything, but it was one of those visits that mattered.

Visit 3, April, was just along the corridor.  She had a bad fall a month or so previously, but was getting over it, and was looking forward to getting home.  While she was in hospital, a stair lift had been fitted to her flat, along with a community alarm.  April and May had known each other since they lived in the same small village, and they were both musing that they would never have their own identity.  When girls from that village were described, it was always in relation to the family matriarch - April would be described as Edith Jones' daughter, even long after she was married.  It was the same for all the children of the village, and probably still is.  My enquiry placement was in the same village, and I liked the people there.

So we chatted for ages.  April was bright and alert, and was happy for the company.  I hope I am as sharp as her at 90.   She had a week or so of physio to come, and she found the idea of the Occupational Therapy amusing.  She was expected to demonstrate that she could make a cup of tea in a demonstration kitchen.  The OT expected her to get tea out of the cupboards above the worktop, but April never used these cupboards, being only five foot tall!  Tea is in the caddy  on the counter, not out of reach, surely that should be obvious!

I promised that I would drop in when she got back to her flat. We had a really nice afternoon the three of us, and it was a joy to hear about their lives.


April is dead.


Despite the hope and optimism about her getting home, and the modifications that were made to help her live independently, she had another fall which she didn't survive.  It's been a shock to everyone, and I was surprisingly affected by it. 

Community Payback

Some discussion came up the other day regarding the use of Community Payback orders.  Instead of recieving a short term jail sentence, someone found guilty can be ordered to carry out a period of unpaid work.  Someone from the local Community Payback scheme had spoken at the Guild, and he said that organisations such as churches could apply to have work carried out as part of the scheme.  The possibility of getting the hall painted was floated. 

Some people seemed quite excited about this, although my impression was that it was less about the idea of helping to rehabilitate former offenders, and more about getting some work done for free.

I was the voice that was expressing concern about the Church being directly involved in the penal system.  Should we be seen to be part of the punishment?  I'm certainly not happy about people seeing Community Payback as a means of getting work done on the cheap.

Would it be better if we supported organisations that work with former offenders?  The first that came to mind was the Princes Trust, and I know there are others.  Even if they do the same work, is it better to be showing that we welcome you when the crime is in the past, rather than being part of your punishment?

Sermon on the Baptism of Christ

A sermon on the baptism of Jesus, from Isaiah 42:1-9 and Matthew 3:13-17. Lectionary year A

If you want to perform a baptism, especially that of a baby, first you have to put the kettle on.

There are trade secrets to this job, words of wisdom passed on from one generation of ministers to the next. Things you can’t learn from a textbook. So I paid close attention when a wizened old sage told me the kettle trick.

Before the service of baptism starts, you pour boiling water into your font. It looks a bit odd, even dangerous, so it’s best if the family don’t see what is going on. Then, allow time for the intimations, a hymn and a prayer, and the water will be at a safe and comfortable temperature for the baptism. If you want to upset a baby, baptise them with water that is church room temperature – cold water. They think it’s a bit of fun if the water is a little closer to tropical temperature than arctic.

I have to wonder how far back this advice goes. Certainly not as far back as John, and in fact, I would be surprised if it goes back more than a few decades. But it’s useful advice. Other baptism advice I have been given, from the minister from Arbroath, is that while you might like the idea of full immersion baptism, the North Sea is a rather cold place to be doing it.

For a time, many people would hold off being baptised until they were on their death bed. The idea being that, to them, baptism was the washing away of all previous sins. Baptism is a one off event, so you might was well wait until you were at deaths door before washing away a lifetime of sin.

I am aware this morning that we are a gathering of two congregations, and we both perform baptisms, perhaps with subtle differences, but pretty much the same. However there are some denominations, for example the Salvation Army, and the Quakers that do not see baptism as necessary. There is so much tradition associated with baptism, and theologians have spent the past two thousand years debating why we do it, when it should be one, how much water to be used, and whether you are sprinkled or immersed. If you want to complicate things, get a group of theologians involved.

And then there are some denominiations that do not recognise baptism performed by other denominations, requiring a convert to be baptised again, while others, like the church of Scotland believes that Baptism is a one off event, and isn’t to be repeated.

Frankly, it all gets a bit confusing...

Nowadays, with exception of the places that are kept clear for the tourists, the river Jordan is a polluted ditch. Not really the sort of place where you want to be born again to newness of life. In John’s day, the Jordan valley was quite a pleasant place, and the theologians hadn’t got in the way to make a mess of things. It was a simple life, where John was the voice in the wilderness, preparing the way for one who was greater than him. As the people repented their sins, John baptised with water, but one was coming that would baptise with the Holy spirit and fire.

So someone is coming, and in his baptismal ministry, John prepares for the one that Isaiah talks of. A servant that will bring justice. John is doing the groundwork, making the people ready for the one that is to come after him.

We have to then ask, why does John need to baptise Jesus?

John acknowledges that it is he himself that should be baptised by Jesus. John is an eartlhy man, full of the sin that exists in all of us. Ministers from john right up to today are entrusted to undertake baptisms on behalf of God. Now while [Rev Stephen] may be as close to earthly perfection as one human can be, and for saying that, he assures me that the cheque is in the post, but [Stephen], myself, and anyone who dares to stand up here is nowhere near as perfect as Jesus.

I suppose it’s part of the priveledge that comes with the job, that we are trusted to do a bit of work on behalf of God, and while it’s a wee while before I am permitted to perform the sacraments, it’s not a task that I approach lightly.

There are some reasons why it is important that Jesus was baptised by john. First of all, it is important that Jesus should receive public recognition from his predecessor before Jesus embarks on his work. John is the voice crying out in the wilderness, as predicted by Isaiah, and it is appropriate that John demonstrates that Jesus is the one that the people have been waiting for.

And doesn’t it show a togetherness? In accepting baptism from John, Jesus is identifying with all us sinners, and we are united together in baptism, dying together and rising together to newness of life.

We don’t know how many people were present at the baptism of Christ. Did John have his own disciples, helping him with baptism? Were there other people there that day, also accepting baptism from john?

Matthew’s gospel tells of the sight of the Spirit of God coming down on Jesus and a voice from the heavens. The other gospels tell a slightly different story. Either way, in Christ’s baptism, God shows his approval of Jesus. It’s not God hidden behind the curtain in a temple, but out in a public place, where all may see and witness God.

It is perhaps most important that, in the public baptism, this records forever the triune God reveled in glory from Heaven. What we see is the Father expressing his pleasure upon his Son and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. It is a beautiful picture of the trinity, of the triune nature of God, and shows the work of the Father, Son and Spirit in reaching out to save the lost.

Many of you may not remember your baptism, some of you may have been baptised later in life. But in baptism, we are collectively back in the Jordan.

So let us remember our own baptism. I’m reading from the baptism service, and I invite you to reflect on the words that we use in the service of baptism.

We thank you gracious God, for your gifts of water and the Holy Spirit

Send your Holy Spirit upon us, that we here today, being buried with Christ in Baptism,

May rise with him to newness of life;

And being born anew of water and the Holy Spirit

May remain forever in the number of your faithful children;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,

To whom you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and forever. Amen

Epiphany 2014 part 2

Mrs Gerbil and I did one of our occasional double acts today at Quarry Kirk.  What follows is the second part of today's service.  Part one was preached by Mrs Gerbil.  Part two is based on

Ephesians 3:1-12

There’s foreigners amongst us.

Take a good look around.  They are everywhere

 

Once upon a time, as all the best stories start, there were two churches.  Oldchurch was very old, with a leaky roof, leaky windows and some pretty dodgy floorboards.  So they realised they would have to temporarily move out to get the repair work carried out.

The minister of Newchurch told his session that he had extended an invitation to Oldchurch to join them in worship for a few weeks while the church was fixed, and how he was looking forward to welcoming them and sharing a cup of tea after the service.

At that, a hand shot up at the back of the room and asked “if they are staying for tea, will they be bringing their own biscuits?”

Imagine that.  Strangers eating our biscuits.  Imagine the tabloid press reporting on an influx of Bulgarians coming over here and making off with our digestives. 

Paul is in prison.  It’s an occupational hazard for followers of Jesus.  What’s Paul’s crime?  He is accused of teaching  against the law and bringing Greeks into the temple.  Nobody mentions if the Greeks were going to eat the temple biscuits as well.

In Paul’s letter this morning, Paul lets us know that, through the Spirit, God’s message which was for many years hidden away, is now revealed to all people.  Not just the Jews, but to everyone.  Jew, Greek, and eventually, even the Scots.

When Paul was preaching his message, you couldn’t even say that Jews were one united group.  In the Bible you will have heard about the Pharisees and Sadducees.  Then you have the Zealots, and the Sicarii, plus a few  more, all with their own interpretation of Jewish Laws.  All were expecting a Messiah to come, and to ratify their interpretation of living under Gods laws. Then Paul preaches a message that in Christ, everyone who was not part of God’s promise has now been grafted back in.

Imagine Paul preaching today, would he turn up and say that Jesus came for the Church of Scotland only, or would the message be for us, the Methodists, the Catholics, the Jews, the Muslims, the Zoroastrians, the Wiccans, the Scientologists, and those who have expressed no faith at all?

All who accept Jesus into their hearts will be saved, regardless of their previous background.

This wasn’t an easy message for the Jews to accept. That the Jews, who for years had been God’s chosen people would have to share in God’s love and plan.  But that is what happened.

On this the Sunday closest to Epiphany, when we remember God revealing Himself to the world through the birth of His son, there’s another epiphany, another moment of revelation taking place, where Paul reveals that Christ’s message is for everyone.

The other day, restrictions on migrant workers ended, and the tabloid press worked itself into a foaming rage about “Them” coming over here and taking our jobs.  I won’t mention names, but by and large, it is the same section of the tabloid press that was described by the Spectator as appealing to people unaccustomed to thinking.  The same papers accuse migrants of coming over here and taking our benefits.  So would they please make up their mind, are they coming to work, or coming to take benefits?  Who knows, they might even take our biscuits.

So there’s the comparison between the Jewish society of 2000 years ago, and the UK of today.  Take one group that thinks it is entitled, and watch them get their knickers in a knot when they are told that they are going to have to share the things they believe they are exclusively entitled to. 

You would be surprised, but in a lot of places, church attendance is actually on the increase, driven in part by an influx of immigrants.  Ina nearby town, which has traditionally had strong connections with the Polish community, attendance is very good at the Catholic church, and I know there are people who travel from as far away as Newcastle to attend the Coptic Orthodox church in Kirkcaldy.  The independent churches are also doing well, because they form a community.

Churches that extend a welcome to their new neighbours are growing.  It’s not enough to think you are at the heart of the community, but to demonstrate that you are.  To grow a church we need to welcome everyone that moves in.  And we need to engage with the people that have fallen away.  Is Sunday really a good time to welcome people into the church.  I hate to say it, but people do actually work on a Sunday. Because Jesus’ saving message isn’t for the minority that is in here, it’s for the majority that are out there.

So where do we go from here?  Don’t look to me for answers.  How are you going to re-engage with the community?  If people can’t get into church on a Sunday, what about opening the doors on a Wednesday morning?  Welcoming in people who might want to meet up for a brew.  You don’t have to be able to make it to church on a Sunday to still be part of a church community.  People still have a need for spirituality, but when was the last time you had a deep conversation about your faith?  When did you last share your testimony, if ever?  And yet, it’s the sharing, and not just the sharing of tea and cakes, but the sharing of our spiritual knowledge that builds the community.

So if I’m going to leave you with one idea for the year ahead, it is this.  Just like Paul, the only way to grow as a community is to share. 

But I’m keeping my biscuits.