Church Blog
News, Updates, Thoughts

I love this period in the Church’s year.  Yes, I expect that has something to do with the longer hours of daylight and the lighter evenings, the warmer weather, daffodils and all the other images of Spring – but it is more than that. 

I share the disciples’ feelings of amazement, shock, surprise and delight at the unexpected appearances of Jesus following his Resurrection.  Once they had got their collective and individual heads round both the unbelievable concept and the indisputable fact of the Resurrection, their every day must have been full of anticipation and hope – “Shall we see him today – somewhere?” “Will he pop up just when we are busy doing something else, and surprise us?”  It must have been an extraordinary few weeks for them.

They would have been feeling triumphant, justified, smug perhaps, on Palm Sunday, when it seemed as though their friend and companion had suddenly come into his own, been recognised and acclaimed as Lord and Messiah – but as we know, that jubilation was short-lived and soon to be dashed. 

So this, surely, felt different.  They must have been more cautious about its meaning – and maybe more receptive to its significance.

For us, I think, it’s a time when we can relax – the turmoil of Holy Week is over, the challenge of Pentecost has not yet taken place – we can just enjoy the moment and the meetings.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Last week I spent two days at St Deiniol’s residential library in Hawarden Flintshire which
has a family link with Kintbury which I will explain. The library was founded by the four-time
(twice just briefly) Prime Minister William Gladstone shortly before he died. The basis of the
library was his own theological library which he ‘relaxed with’ at his wife’s family (the
Glynnes) home in Hawarden, Flintshire. Now, it has a common room or lounge where
someone had left out a jigsaw of the Rosetta Stone – not something I am afraid I
contributed to!
It was while Gladstone was chopping wood in the park at Hawarden that he was informed
that he had won the election of 1868, he responded to the news by saying, “My mission is
to pacify Ireland” – something he did not achieve! Queen Victoria did not like him, saying he
talked to her, “as if she were a public meeting!” Nor was he short of words, being able to
speak in the House of Commons for three hours at a stretch! She much preferred Disraeli
who buttered her up, and bunched her with primroses. But Gladstone was one of the four
or five political titans of the 19 th Century. And, as a minor aside, he appointed my great-
great Grandfather, Arthur Hervey (1807-1894) Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1869 while
staying at Balmoral (Roy Jenkins, Gladstone p305 MacMillan 1995.) Arthur had been
Archdeacon of Sudbury near the family home at Ickworth in Suffolk, a very good tennis
player and linguist (Hebrew and Greek) who wrote obscure books like The Genealogy of
Jesus! (MacMillan 1853). He is buried in the South aisle of Wells Cathedral which we often
used to see when visiting or me preaching at the cathedral.
Gladstone’s great nephew another Arthur bought Wallingtons in Kintbury from the Dunn
family (Piers’s forbears) in 1913 and became a great benefactor of the community, giving
the recreation ground to the village, now managed by the Parish Council. And for many
years Arthur was Vicar’s Warden at St Mary’s. But in 1940 Arthur died and by 1946, having
been with the family after Arthur’s death for a few years, Wallingtons was sold to the De
Salles Brothers, a teaching order from France; and so, the house became known locally as St
Cassians, named after a teaching monk of the fourth Century called John Cassian.
Meanwhile, up at St Deiniol’s Library I was working on a book on the 2 nd Century Bishop of
Lyons called Irenaeus who wrote the first major theological work after the Apostles in
c170AD. “Obscure, you might say?” To which I might reply, “You might think so, but I
couldn’t possibly comment. Let’s wait and see!”
Patrick Whitworth

Dear All
The knee surgery went well and I was discharged yesterday at noon.  I am now focusing on my recovery and making sure to keep to my physiotherapy regime. Thank you for all the well wishes and the sage advice.
I will be back soon!
 

Annette 

Dear All

Open the Book

I need help with establishing an Open the Book team to visit Kintbury school and possibly Inkpen School a couple of times a term to deliver a Bible story as part of a collective Worship (the equivalent of an assembly for those of us who are older and know that term). I have always been a member of an Open the Book team in the Benefices where I have ministered. I can genuinely say they are so much fun. The children would always be excited when they saw us arriving at school. I heard many stories from members of the team, of children pointing them out to their parents with delight as they were out shopping.

Some of the teams would use simple props and costumes to help tell the story, other teams chose to all wear black, and at least a couple came as they were relying on the richness of children’s imagination to transform the context. One team in my last post benefited from having a seam mistress who created costumes for a local drama group so they were able to arrange for a loan of costumes.

The OTB organisation encourages teams to invite the children to be involved by being one of the characters or through audience participation like making the noise of waves, of fire, or of thunder, or responding as a crowd.

You may say but I do not have a lot of time that I can offer so here are details of what it would involve.

The organisation has this year tightened up the membership to ensure that every team represents the material appropriately so you would need to take part in an Open the Book training session to be involved in any way in school as part of the team. This applies even if you are only a walk-on ‘spare’. The training takes 3 hours and is a one-off session. It covers issues such as safeguarding and the use of OTB materials. This training can be completed face-to-face or online. I have just completed the new training and found it extremely useful, the time went by very quickly.

You would also require a current DBS check which can be obtained by completing a form online. This is a free check as a volunteer. Then I am asked to check your identity by seeing your photo driving license, passport, and utility bill. Then you are ready to become part of the team.  The presentation itself takes 15 mins plus some preparation.  After the initial few we would chat it through in the few minutes before we presented it.  

Once we have built a team (three or more) we can register.  At the moment it is just me so it is not viable but I have a couple of people who have already pledged their support. Once we have a registered team, we can apply for all the resources. You can choose to be a full member which costs £20 or an associate member for £5 and we will cover the cost as a church. Bob Hartman has especially authored a book of scripts based on Bible stories. (He is the author of the popular Storyteller Bible). This was important to ensure the scripts were adapted to be inclusive and acceptable for use in both church and community schools. There is also support material that provides suggestions to help with the presentation including how to involve the children, a scripted introduction, reflection, and a prayer that the children are invited to make their own if they would like, by joining in with the Amen at the end. Full members receive a range of goodies which include an OTB hessian bag, an OTB lanyard, music to accompany the stories, stickers to give to the children who have helped, and lots more. The associate members get some of these items.

The whole of the presentation is scripted so there is limited preparation. It can be delivered as a simple dramatic reading with the members taking the different parts, or groups can bring along simple costumes and props like blue material to become a river, a couple of sticks with red, orange, and yellow tissue paper to become a fire….

I promise you it is great fun and would be a huge benefit to the young people in the school, they gain skills from participating. You do not need to be a budding theologian, or a confident actor, and you can be any age. My team members have ranged from young mums and dads to those who were in their nineties, - they all just enjoyed storytelling, being part of an enthusiastic and jolly team, and seeing the delight of the young people.  When we asked the children if we could have some volunteers to help it was usually the whole school who raised their hands.  

Could this be you? Please do consider that possibility. It is an uncomplicated way to engage with the children of today. I will not be able to do this without your help.  (email revannettes@aol.co.uk)

Rev Annette

Here is the website for more information:

get involved in open-the-book

Dear All
On Monday 8 th April in the afternoon I am due to have my knee replacement as
an NHS patient in the Circle Reading. I should then be discharged on 10 th April
ready to begin my recovery at home. I anticipate being unable to conduct
Sunday services for four weeks but hope, all being well, to return on May 5 th
for the Benefice Rogation service in West Woodhay at 10am although I may be
a little compromised.

WEST WOODHAY ROGATION SERVICE 10AM MAY 5 TH
This is an exciting venture for us as the service is being combined with a
tractor-trailer journey for the congregation around West Woodhay Farm estate
stopping to sing, listen to readings, ask God to look after the crops, to protect
them from harm, and think about how we can be good stewards of our world
and get along with those in our local community. Please contact Tamara or the
churchwardens if you have any enquiries. I will be responding to urgent
matters.

Booking seats

It would be helpful if you could email or telephone our administrator Tamara
Laing
office@walburybeaconbenefice.org.uk
07359 327072
to let her know if you can join us and how many people will be in your party. It
will help us estimate the number of seats needed on the trailer. But please
don’t let that prevent you from just turning up on the day!

Service cover

I am delighted that we have been able to cover services during my absence.
14th April – 8.30am Inkpen a Holy Communion in traditional language led by
Rev John Toogood (our assistant rural dean)
9.45am Kintbury Holy Communion in modern language led by Rev
Patrick Whitworth
11.15am West Woodhay Morning Praise informal worship led by
Jenny Veasey

21 st April 8am Kintbury Holy Communion in traditional language led by John
Toogood
11.15am Combe Holy Communion in traditional language led by
Archdeacon Liz
6pm Compline led by Christopher Sears a short reflective service.
Thank you to my colleagues who have been so very generous with their time.

Joy ahead!

I am very conscious that many of my parishioners have undergone a
replacement knee operation and it is so reassuring to learn from them that
whilst all have commented on the hard work ahead to recovery, they all said it
was life-transforming, one recently delighting in telling me - several weeks
after her operation - that she was now able to run for the bus! So, look out for
a new energized vicar coming shortly God willing!
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Revd. Annette

Our daughter has two girls, Simran aged 5yrs, and Jasmine who is nearly one,
and our youngest son has two boys, Isaac aged 7, and Ezra aged 5. We are
delighted to be able to see them regularly and form strong bonds with them
all. We were only able to see them occasionally when we lived in Suffolk as it
was around a 3-hour journey away and that was painful. We are always
pleased when we are contacted by them on WhatsApp, but we have been put
in our place recently by our youngest grandchild. Now as soon as we appear on
screen, she doesn’t get excited to see us but instead insists emphatically face
beaming to ‘see Amber’.
Amber is our aged but very sprightly cat. She manages to keep both
granddaughters mesmerized by her antics when they visit. They watch her
when she eats, sleeps, rolls on her back to play, and chases her toys. They
delight in feeding her treats and gently stroking her back and tummy. She in
turn is transformed by a visit from them, instead of skulking around the house
or sleeping on her bean bag, she becomes a devoted feline following the
children from room to room meowing for their attention.
Our grandsons on the other hand enjoy giving our two labradors full-body hugs
wrapping their arms around the dogs middles, leaning on them and snuggling
up with them. Dave was explaining to Isacc why Daisy, a chunky but fit
Labrador, looked so different from Yuki our white Lab who is very lean.
‘Yuki is bred to be a working dog’ he said. ‘And Daisy is bred to be a teddy
bear’ Isaac interjected stroking her fondly. I must admit it sounded like a
perfect description. I love my pets and am very conscious that animals provide
physical contact that many people miss.
People can feel painfully deprived of hugs and physical affection if hardly
anyone touches them from one week to the next. Touch is a basic human need
but those who live alone may find themselves isolated. Before Covid
exchanging the peace in a ‘huggy’ church might have rectified that. Of course
for some anticipating physical contact with others can send them into mild
sense of panic – not everyone appreciates being embraced with enthusiasm.
But it is sad to think that some Christians can go months or even years without
any significant touch. It can be incredibly painful and emotionally damaging for
some who really do crave that contact.

The situation can be even worse for men. Women can hug each other more
easily, while men are less likely to embrace their friends. Men must be careful
not to go around hugging women at church as they might get a reputation for
being sleazy. I am not suggesting that we suddenly adopt a policy of offering
hugs but to be sensitive to those who may be struggling with a lack of touch in
their lives.
If your church is formal, is it possible to cultivate a cuddlier culture? Would we
be wrong to try? Even if we are uncomfortable in increasing hugs, it doesn’t
mean anyone should settle for a lack of friendly touch. There’s no shame in
telling friends and family is you’re suffering emotionally because of a lack of
physical touch. Friends may be delighted if you start initiating hugs when you
say hello and goodbye, and most people appreciate a friendly hand on the arm
or pat on the shoulder when it’s appropriate.
Like my grandchildren, I can verify the joys of cuddling up with a furry friend or
two! But to thrive, we also need an affectionate touch from other people, and
as churches, we should be conscious of that and make a point of offering an
innocuous friendly hug when appropriate.
But we also need to be careful because not everyone likes to be hugged. Some
find a “touchy-feely” culture in church very uncomfortable. We need to be
aware of safeguarding issues and vulnerable adults. People may have had
traumatic experiences that make them wary of being touched – so remember
to check first.
I send every one of you a virtual hug and hope you have a wonderful Easter!
I will let you know how my knee operation goes. It is due to happen on the 8 th
April!
Rev Annette

RECTOR’S REPORT – January 2023- January 2024

This is my second APCM in post and I am delighted to provide an outline of what has been
happening across the Benefice and to celebrate how God has been moving in our
communities.
In March 2023 the Deanery generously offered to cover the costs of a temporary uplift in
my position from part-time to full-time without impacting on our Benefice share
contribution. This additional time was so I could address the problems around governance
and administration that were uncovered on my arrival, and in acknowledgment that I am
covering a vacancy in the southern parishes. In 2025 this financial support from the deanery
will cease so I will be reducing my availability to reflect the part-time stipend.
I am very grateful to those across the benefice who have assisted me as I continue to work
to bring things up to date, particularly in areas such as safeguarding, administration, and key
policies. A special thank you to Tamara our benefice administrator, Christopher Sears, and
the Ministry Team who have been a source of invaluable support. Now that we have a more
secure foundation, I am excited to have time to focus on responding to mission
opportunities across the parishes.
Sadly, in November the anticipated licensing of a new Assistant Priest Rev William Mc
Dowell was unable to go ahead because of a health issue. We continue to pray for his full
recovery. In January I was asked to consider acting as a training incumbent for a part-time
non-stipendiary curate. I am overjoyed to say that Alison Dean will be joining us at the end
of June 2024 for a minimum of 3 years.
In December 2023 we had the ongoing ministry of three Lay Leaders in the benefice,
Christopher Sears, Bridin Warner, and Gillian Guy, affirmed when they were officially
commissioned by Archdeacon Liz. They, our resident retired priest Canon Patrick
Whitworth, and Alison Dean will become part of a larger Ministry Team, joining Jenny and
me. This opens lots of opportunities for collaborative ministry and sets a new ministerial
dynamic.
This year the benefice churches have been present in many ways supporting the local
community. We continue to lead a monthly Holy Communion at Inglewood and have been
delighted to see the numbers increasing. It is a joyful experience. I also visit Notrees one
morning a month to run a Christian-themed craft activity enjoyed by the residents. The
weekly friendship café led by Bridin and Mick in St Mary’s Room Kintbury continues to be a
source of support, encouragement, and companionship for so many. I am delighted to have
seen several of the Inkpen congregation visiting the new drop-in café in Inkpen run by the
Parish Council. A mid-week Scones and Songs event in St Mary’s Kintbury was much
enjoyed by Notrees residents and members of the community. It will be repeated in 2024.
I lead a monthly Collective Worship in Kintbury Church of England School and host a termly
School service including a special leaving service for YR6. I will be looking for ways to
increase our connections with Inkpen Community School in 2024. In December we ran an
Experience Church for Yrs 3-6 in Kintbury and had planned to repeat the event in Inkpen.

Sadly, adverse weather prevented it from taking place, but we are negotiating a new date
with the school for the summer term 2024. The ‘Experience’ visits involve pupils moving
around the church in small groups to visit interactive stations led by the Ministry Team and
members of the congregation. This year it was to learn about how different areas of the
church are used. In 2024 the stations will reflect aspects of Advent. These visits are always
well received by staff and much enjoyed by the children who are engaged throughout. But
they could not happen without a large group of talented volunteers from the churches to
whom I am very grateful.
In 2024 we are introducing a visit of Kintbury’s YR6s to St Mary’s for a special session based
on the ‘It’s Your Move’ resource - a guide to surviving secondary school.
I was invited to visit the Preschool in Kintbury at Christmas. They have since asked if we
could host a monthly visit by the children to Church so we shall be exploring options with
them.
The Nativity in Kintbury was a new inclusion for 2023, written and led by young adults with
a cast of 38 children; It was a huge success. Thank you to the friends and family of Alice
Amstrong-Jones for organising this. It is wonderful news to learn that they are prepared to
organise another for 2024. There was also a very successful pop-up Nativity with Crib
Service in Inkpen, a Crib Service and Angel Festival in Kintbury, and an Outdoor Animal
service in Inkpen. We were joined on Palm Sunday in Inkpen by two donkeys who led a
procession up to the church. It added an exciting dimension and is being repeated in 2024.
The church is called to be present for everyone, no matter their age, I am proud of what it is
doing for the lives of children across the parishes. Many say children are the church of
tomorrow, but they are very much the church of today!
The weekly numbers attending the benefice churches are gradually increasing back to pre-
pandemic levels, and we are exploring ways to make our presence relevant for the young
families sadly absent in most services. In 2024 we are introducing some new celebration
services that will be particularly child friendly. Our major festivals across the year such as
Christmas, Easter, and Harvest continue to be well supported in all the benefice churches.
Festival seasons are times of busyness when there is much to grab people’s attention, so it
is reassuring that so many still choose to be with the church. That is wonderful news for us
as a Benefice.
The new portable sound equipment has been very useful for the outdoor Rogation Service
in West Woodhay, the Animal service in Inkpen, the outdoor Community Carol Service in
Kintbury, and the indoor Kintbury Nativity.
An often-overlooked aspect of the church's ministry is baptisms, weddings, and funerals. In
2023 we had 11 weddings, 36 funerals (including burial of ashes), and 9 baptisms across the
benefice. These special offices are significant ways the church is present in people's lives. As
a Benefice, we have been blessed with many opportunities to draw alongside people in both
times of joy and times of grief. These offices are a huge privilege to officiate as people invite
us into their lives.

Finances are an important aspect of church life that significantly impacts on possible
ministry. With the decline in the number of services during the interregnum and the Covid
pandemic, the financial reserves of the churches across the Benefice have declined. The
parish treasurers have worked hard to balance everything. The churches are surviving
largely down to the generous giving of those in the parishes for which we are incredibly
grateful. We are hopeful that we can continue in the positive direction we are currently
taking. Thank you to everyone who has given their time or resources to sustain the church
because without it we could not be present. The support from so many has been so greatly
appreciated.
We are hoping that the vesting of Hamstead Marshall will be completed in May 2024.
I am hoping that we will come together as a Benefice more regularly for worship and
fellowship. The Bible reminds us, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the Day
approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead as we support each other, share resources,
and grow.
With love and prayer,
Revd Annette Shannon

It was the penultimate session of our Lent course on Tuesday and the topic explored was, ‘Talking
about openness and speaking into silence’. It began with a Bible study on Luke 8.43-48, The story of
the woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for 12 years. We were encouraged to think
about why the woman wanted to remain hidden in the story, seeking to touch Jesus’ cloak without
being noticed.
Under Jewish law, a person was considered unclean if they were bleeding. They were not permitted
to touch or be touched or to worship in a temple. Despite spending all she had on visiting doctors
they had been unable to offer her a cure. The woman thus had been ostracised from her community
for 12 years, penniless and desperate not to lose an opportunity to meet Jesus. He was a ray of
hope.
But Jesus senses that he has been touched and compels her to identify herself. He draws her out
from the shadows to tell her story; why she had touched him and how she had been immediately
healed. She is not just physically healed but by drawing her out and publicly affirming her, Jesus
provides her a sense of worth and restores her place in the community.

We thought about people who might feel unable to share personal stories because they are
embarrassed about their condition maybe because of physical health, mental health, or personal
circumstances. About those who put on a brave face and suffer in silence, the strain of maintaining
that front, and the sense of isolation that remaining silent can impose. We shared examples of how
a Church can or may not provide a safe place for people to share their stories.
We continued the reading to the end of the chapter to include the story of the healing of Jairus’
daughter. Jarius was told by a member of his household to stop ‘bothering’ Jesus with his request for
help once it was thought that she had died. We related that to things that may prevent us from
taking the time to encourage people who are reluctant to speak. But talking about problems is
something that we should do in church.
Silence within the Christian traditions is usually associated with the contemplative life of prayer and
it can help us become more aware of God’s presence and more able to hear God’s voice. It is a good
thing to develop silence as part of prayers and worship and for our discipleship.
However, it can also be very destructive. A culture of silence within a church community can be used
to shelter abuses of power such as sexual abuse. It can prevent people in authority from acting as
they should to protect children and young people, and others from speaking out on behalf of victims
out of feelings of deference or fear. A culture of silence within a church community can also be used
to avoid controversy.
We considered some of the topics that are rarely discussed in our churches and communities.
1. Mental illness: although 1/5 of the population will suffer from mental illness.
2. Issues around sex e.g. pornography, intimacy, and sexuality.
3. Money,
4. Social media,
5. Divorce,
6. Abortion,
7. War,
8. Politics.

Perhaps because people see these as private or because they can generate heated discussions that
make people uncomfortable. But if we do not talk about them, it can create a dearth of knowledge
and understanding, that could be filled by prejudice, fear, and misinformation.
If we can learn to talk about these matters with respect and openness and to listen respectfully to
the voice of the other, we can learn and will be better equipped welcome people who are different
to ourselves.
As a practical exercise we looked back our own families as we were growing up and identified
subjects that were never talked about. I cannot ever remember a conversation in the family about
the seriousness of my father’s health even though he had three heart attacks before he was 48
years. I never had a talk from either of my parents about sex. It was left to the school to educate
me. I remember instead my mother’s embarrassment and I proudly shared with her (and another
parent who was visiting) that I had learned all about vaginas and penises in school that day not quite
understanding her sudden rise in colour. She did not ask me to expand on what I learned, and we
never spoke about sex again so thank goodness for Religious Education lessons at secondary school,
albeit rather biased at the time, that filled in the gaps!
Can I encourage you to think about your church family.
 What areas of life are rarely spoken about?
 What are some of the reasons you have been silent or have known others to be silent in
church when it would have been better to speak?
 What can we do to enable ourselves and others to speak in such situations so we can
support each other in navigating life’s problems?
Fears and prejudices can feed a culture of oppressive silence. One way of overcoming these is by
getting to know each other better.
How might you befriend someone in your church or small group this week who you don’t know very
well?

The theme for week three of the Lent course was, ‘Talking about respect and acknowledging prejudice’.  It began with the story of the Samaritan woman at the well.

We considered the implied prejudices in the passage that made the meeting between Jesus and the woman so unusual:

1.     Ethnicism – the Samaritans were mixed race and looked down on by many Jews. Samaria was viewed as a ‘no-go’ area for Galileans to travel through.

2.     Prejudice against people of other faiths.  The Samaritan originated from Judaism, but its followers had departed from the Hebrew Bible and worshiped on mountainsides rather than in the temple.

3.     Sexism - Rabbis were forbidden from talking to women in public. A woman could be divorced if she was seen speaking to a strange man.  

4.     Moralism – the woman had five husbands and was living with a man who was not her husband. We do not know whether she was repeatedly widowed or divorced (or a combination) but she draws water from the well at a different time of day from the other women suggesting that she was not accepted by them.

The disciples conform to social prejudices marveling when returning from the city they find Jesus talking with a woman, but interestingly none of them question him as to why.

Jesus ignores prejudices that would create a barrier between the woman and him demonstrating that God’s love crosses social barriers, reaching beyond the surface issues on which prejudicial attitudes are built.

We considered common prejudices that exist in our society today such as ableism, nationalism, classism, homophobia, sizeism, and ageism, and were invited to reflect on the stereotypes that prejudices give rise to. We shared where we had experienced prejudice.

We concluded that we are prejudiced in one way or another and that we find it much easier to identify prejudice in each other than in ourselves. We thought about those who might experience prejudice in the community and even in our churches. Then we considered how we could be more active in helping each other to recognize, acknowledge, and overcome prejudice.

Our set challenge this week was to notice people around us and to listen to the unspoken judgment we may be making about them. Then to pray for everyone who we have noticed remembering God's love is for everyone.  It is something that everyone could try to apply!

It is not too late to join us on Tuesday 10-12noon through Lent. 

Have a lovely week ahead.

Rev Annette

The numbers at the Lent Group swelled despite three people for various reasons having to send
their apologies. It was lovely to have additional voices as it enabled us to gather a range of
experiences. This week we explored how fear, both as individuals and as members of a church
community, can inhibit us from living well together. We spent time reflecting on how we can help
establish relationships and a community where people feel safe.
The passage chosen for this session was John 7.53-8.11, the woman caught in adultery. We thought
about who was afraid in the story. The accused woman would have been terrified as she stood
before a group of seated, powerful men, knowing she faced being stoned to death for her crime.
We discussed whether Jesus was writing in the sand to gather his thoughts and calm his emotions,
conscious the religious leaders were trying to trap him. And concluded that the Scribes and the
Pharisees would have been fearful of this dynamic young man who was challenging their legalism
and whose words so articulately convicted them all.
We thought about which fears in the story we identified with, and what the story said about
addressing the problem of fear in our churches.
Sometimes we can fear individuals or insensitive words that land as a personal attack or fear the
possibility of being asked to explore perspectives with which we disagree and that can affect our
lives. We may be unable to be honest about who we are because we worry that others will not
regard us in the same way and reject us. We may be worried about being pushed out of the church
community, losing our friends, our sense of belonging, and being valued. We may just fear change.
We agreed that the Church should be a space of acceptance and safety but were sadly able to share
anecdotes of when this has not been the case.
We all experience fear in our lives and the capacity to make others feel fearful. We can help each
other to be careful, sensitive, and compassionate in all our relationships and remind each other of
how easily we can hurt and be hurt. There may be silent people on the fringe of our churches who
never attempt to draw near and enter because of fear. We thought about how a church could give
such people the confidence to speak and space to grow.
We looked at different fears that we have as individuals and how they might play out in a church
context. We thought about fear of public speaking, of our children disturbing other people’s
worship, of our lifestyle not reflecting the norm, of speaking and talking to new people, of having
intrusions into our privacy, of feeling trapped, of being embarrassed, of being in an unfamiliar
context, of making mistakes, of being left out.
We thought about what we might learn from our experience that may make us do things differently.
Next week we are looking at prejudice. Do come and join in. We would love to have your voice
added to the discussions.