Thoughts For June
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By Stuart Radcliffe in General
Published: Monday, 01 June 09 - 02:43 PM (GMT)
Last Updated: Monday, 08 June 09 - 12:40 PM (GMT)
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It is said that confession is good for the soul, so here goes. I have a secret fascination with those T.V programs that go in and transform houses. Whether it is done in sixty minutes or seven days makes no difference I am still fascinated by them. I love looking at the before and after shots that the producers show, that highlight the changes that the programs designers have made. However, judging by the amount of programs on our T.V screens that could fit into that particular genre I am guessing that I am not the only one who enjoys watching these programs. Perhaps what it is that we enjoy is not only the difference in design but more the difference made to the lives of the individuals whose houses undergo the transformation. Often they are heard to say how wonderful there house now is and how they can now re-use rooms that were once only used for storage. Perhaps more dramatic are some of the American programs where they rebuild the entire house giving those who lived there, sometimes with disabilities the ability to reach places in the house that were once inaccessible. In all of these cases the real focus is indeed the family, the community who live and use the house, the difference made is not about the design but about their lives and their interaction with one another. So perhaps it was with this in mind I jumped at the chance to go and listen to John Bell. Many of you may know of John Bell he is a Church of Scotland minister but more famously known as a member of the Iona Community and perhaps even more well known as a hymn writer. The day held at St Peter’s chaplaincy in Manchester was split into two halves, the second part of the day concentrating on learning new hymns whilst the first part looked at sacred spaces and how we use them, hence my eagerness to go. John started the morning by talking of how we use the buildings we call church, of the practices the happen there and how often sadly these practises reflect a culture long since gone. The question that this led onto was how do we then use our buildings to reflect the practises and the culture we now live in, both religious and secular. What indeed do our buildings say, how do they speak to the community they are part of, do they welcome them in or tell them that this space exists only for the people who already go there. As I sat and listened I was encouraged, proud of what our church had already done both recently and in years gone by. Our entrance is open and inviting allowing people to see what was happening before they stepped through the door. Once entering the church there is space for the community to gather before and after worship to talk and build relationships with one another, this space accessible for those of all physical abilities. Our communion table is central to the gathered church inviting all to take their place at the feast to which Jesus calls us. I was proud that so many of the suggestions that John made we had already tackled. He talked about spaces for children something which over the next few weeks we will also have in place. John also spoke about a church that had taken the step of drinking coffee together in church after worship and how that had enabled people who had never spoken before to begin new relationships with one another. Something else that we have done, that I am reminded was not an easy step for some. So I guess what I am trying to say is that we can have a pat on the back. However, we cannot afford to rest, if we want a space that is fit for the purpose we need it for today and reflects the culture we live in then we need to be constantly reviewing and reflecting as purposes and culture changes. We cannot let our buildings do all the work we too have a responsibility to be an engaging community, a community who uses the space we have to make people welcome and included. I know the love that this community has, of its desire not just to go to church but to be church, however, we cannot rest, we cannot presume someone else will speak to the stranger in our midst for that is the responsibility of us all. I leave you with the words of Richard Giles who wrote ‘Re-pitching the Tent’ a book which investigates the reordering of the church building for worship and mission, he says: ‘...renewal of our buildings to create sacred spaces which can speak of our renewed vision of God today is nothing less than a conversion experience, not only for others, but for ourselves. In rediscovering our communal need to re-pitch the tent in order to journey into God, we discover our true identity as his pilgrim people. Once upon a time we set out to go to church, and now we find ourselves to be the church. Thanks be to God.’ With every blessing Stuart
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