With our vicar on extended study leave in Germany, many people have found themselves with new tasks within the community of our four churches. Some have led worship, some led services and I have ended up with this column to write.
There are times when all of us, whether churchgoers or not, leave others to do things we could so easily do ourselves. In many communities, it is common to find that so many events and services are organised by a willing few. While we need to be grateful for all that others do for us, we should also recognise the resulting loss of community spirit.
Earlier this year I found myself, with a powerful strimmer, alone in Fen Drayton churchyard. I recalled my early years when cutting the churchyard involved a whole gang of men with scythes. There was comradeship amongst the swish of blade and the zing of sharpening stones. There was the sharing of jokes and tales, not to mention a beer or two.
From the earliest times, the church has revolved around community. From the fellowship of the disciples and the monastic brotherhood community has always been important. The challenge of maintaining communities today is hard. So many people drive away from our villages early each day and return in the late evening. Much of our communication is via emails and text messages.
For those involved in our parish churches, there are many opportunities beyond our formal services. For instance, how about joining a group cleaning the churches, or volunteering to help provide coffee after services, etc. And if you are not a regular church goer, you are more than welcome at any of our social events that are doing their bit to bring together the communities they serve.
There are people constantly telling me “I don’t need to go to Church to be a Christian.” Well, I would also say, you don’t have to be a committed Christian to get involved occasionally in the community of our Churches.
Geoff Dodgson - Reader