One of the most profound experiences I have ever had of “Church” was on a mission trip to Kenya many years ago. We were driven to a village many miles from anywhere. The roads were so bad that we had to abandon the jeeps and walk the last half mile. As we neared the village we could hear the most wonderful singing which got louder and more vibrant with every step we took until we rounded a corner and caught our first glimpse of their church. It was a large tree whose long branches swept majestically over a congregation of about 30 people mostly women. The leaves of the tree provided protection from the searing sun. Our hearts began to soar with the cacophony of voices singing praise and worship to God. This was Church. No walls, no roof, no limits.
As we meet together this Sunday in a very different way to what we are used to, we want to remind you that We Are Church. The uniqueness and structure of our church building still stands with its soaring archways, majestic mosaics and inspirational artwork. We have always known that our church is made of Living Stones so while we look forward to returning to our church building to worship together again side by side, we give thanks to Almighty God, that thanks to technological advances we can still meet together in a virtual but very real way.
Our service for this Sunday celebrates the gift of Motherhood and while we give thanks for all those who have inspired us and taught us, we are conscious that under God’s wings we will find refuge from the persistent and gnawing fear that eats at us every day; refuge from the deep loneliness of isolation both physical and social; refuge from the unease that unsettles us and shortens our sleep.
Those of us, who are parents of younger children, who are now being schooled at home, already know the exhaustion and tension of keeping young bodies and minds active, safe and developing. I suspect that few of us have experienced “the leisure time” and “boredom” promised by social media memes and posts. In the challenging adventure that is Covid 19 please do not overwhelm yourself with inappropriate guilt. We are all learning to love and live in very difficult and different circumstances. Trying your best is good enough! St. Paul tells us “In Christ there is no condemnation.” (Romans 8 v.1) We will do more than just survive. We will learn and we will grow.
Rarely have the words of Jesus been so relevant when he said; “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” As we meet online this Sunday at 11 am, or when we catch up with the recording of this service, we pray that you will be able to rest awhile in God’s presence and his promise, that He is with us even until the end of time. Thanks to the generous support of Colliers Funeral Services, our Mother’s Day Service will be live streamed. You can join us on http://www.churchservices.tv/colliersbray.
Being Church in this way is a very new experience to all of us – Our aim and our hearts desire is that we worship Almighty God, Father Son and Holy Spirit with true and Thankful Hearts for the Gift of each day.
Please do keep in touch with us by email: christchurchbray@gmail.com, on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/christchurchbray/ or on our website www.christchurchbray.ie or you can phone Baden on 087 948 4407. Please be kind to each other, look out for one another and above all keep praying for one another
Love and hope from Baden and Avril and all at Christ Church Bray.
