Weekly letter from St Luke's - 2 September 2020

Dear Parish Friends

This week we have had the fourth in the series of studies inspired by the musical Jesus Christ Superstar and this time the topic was ‘the church’. When we think of what the church is, we clearly need to look beyond the physical building, which is just the place where the church, the body of Christ sometimes meets. The author of the study, Bishop David Wilbourne, encouraged us to think about images of the church and by implication what is our purpose. He writes:

The main image for the Church is to see it as a boat, which is why the centre of any church building is called the nave - Latin for ‘ship’. But what sort of ship? Is the ship in dock, rusting, with the crew stirring itself to apply a lick of paint every now and again? Is the ship a cruise liner, with passengers expecting constant entertainment from the captain and his crew? Is the ship a cargo vessel carrying precious commodities to feed a hungry world? Or is the ship a lifeboat? All hands on deck - no leisurely time to discuss whether the crew should be women or men, traditional, catholic or charismatic, or what sexual orientation or practice is permissible when lifeboat’s the name and saving lives at sea’s the game. Or is the ship an ark with Reverend Captain Noah scratching his head at all the strange pairs of creatures who take refuge therein? Or is the Church like the USS Enterprise in Star Trek, boldly going where no man has gone before or, hesitatingly, going where God has gone before?

So, what kind of ship is St Luke’s Ekibin? And what kind of ship do we want to be? I think that whatever we answer, it will involve action, it will involve mission. In one of his letters, Peter says:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

This, to me sums up what the church, the people of God, are and are up to.

This week I have been able to restart taking Home Communion to people. If you would like a visit from me or one of the Liturgical Assistants with Communion, please contact me.

And finally, last night the Parish Council discussed in depth the proposed Anglican Early Learning Centre being considered for St Luke’s. A summary of this is attached for your information.

With blessings for the week ahead.

Yours in Christ

Rev’d Timothy