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Mike Writes for July
Already it’s July and we still await
summer and some consistent hot weather. For most of us summer means holidays
and a break from the normal routine. Whether you are at school, working or
retired a break from the ordinary every day life does us all some good and
helps to recharge our batteries. It is a time when we can do exactly what
we want without feeling guilty. It is also a time when we can experience another
form of worship.
Speaking for myself, I find the one disadvantage with being a parish priest
is that, I do not have the opportunity to experience worship in another church,
except for special occasions. In the past we have experienced worship in French
Roman Catholic churches. Fortunately the order of service is very similar
to our own so that even with a limited amount of French we still had a good
idea of where we were in the service. On the odd occasion when we have joined
a service in English, aimed at holiday makers and expats, it has always seemed
a little dated and lacking in something. One of the strangest services I remember
was a Harvest Festival service in Bangkok. It was extremely hot and humid,
as it always is, and yet the congregation who were mainly English and American
happily sang of God “sending the snow in winter” – not in
Bangkok he doesn’t!
Australia services were much more relaxed and laid back than we are used to,
reflecting the general Aussie approach to life. The one church we attended
in America, in Los Angeles, was full, with a large proportion of men, who
sang with enthusiasm. I look forward to sampling some more in Florida this
year.
The Anglican Church is still a worldwide communion and it is possible to worship
in an Anglican church in the entire English speaking world, as well as many
other places which we Brits have populated. It is interesting to see the different
ways in which our basic communion service has been adapted and embraced by
the local congregation. It is also somewhat sad to see the ways in which the
English way of conducting worship seems to have been imposed upon the native
peoples, rather than allowing them to develop their own style which reflects
their particular culture.
Where ever you go on holiday I hope that you will take the opportunity to
explore a new style of worship. Remember God is always with us, no matter
where we are, and we should not be looking for a break from him, any more
than we would seek a break from those we love most.
If on your journeys you discover something which you think would enhance our
worship or our outreach then please let me know. If you can bring back any
magazines, or other literature, that would also be appreciated. Where ever
you go or what ever you do, I hope that it will be a time to relax and enjoy
this world which God has given us, and in so doing to find a little more time
for God in your life. It has been suggested that when we finally arrive in
God’s Kingdom and come face to face with our Heavenly Father, the first
question he will ask us is, “How did you enjoy the world I gave you”.
Most of the time we spend on this earth we are too busy doing the things we
think have to be done, like work, to enjoy life. If we take a little time
off just for ourselves we can feel guilty and so we labour on. Holidays are
the times when we no longer have to feel guilty because the time is ours to
do with as we please, to enjoy doing the things we enjoy doing, with the people
we enjoy being with. We can learn from this experience and may be realize
what / who is most important in our lives, and hopefully we will then know
that people are more important than money and what it can buy.
We live in a materialistic world, yet in truth what really matters is people
and the relationships which we form. Perhaps we have not yet discovered that,
and that is why so many people think of heaven as being a place, rather than
as a state of living in a deep and loving relationship with our God. Jesus
told us that we should love God with our whole being and our neighbours as
much as we love our selves. He also said that, “if you love me, I and
my Father will come and live in you”. That is the relationship we desire
and that is heaven.
Enjoy your summer where ever you are.
Mike