Words from Bede Circuit
As we begin a return to some recognisable normal, we may do things we have not done for a while. As churches begin to reopen there will be things we return to. Last weekend I enjoyed the privilege of serving communion which I found very special. Perhaps in all sorts of different contexts we have said the phrase it was an age since we did that or its ages, we did this and that. We will look back at this time and writers will analyse how the world has changed and compare pre and post covid. An age is a passing of time, a time when certain conditions were the same. Geologists would look at the Jurassic or Triassic age, historians pre-war or post war. In our recent past we’ve gone through that time when lockdowns were something new, allowed to go out again and then told to go back in again we’ve seen first wave, second wave and now third wave and we look forward to “freedom day” Perhaps as we look at life in our churches there is a temptation to wish we could go back where we were or even to an age when things were simple when churches were full.
One of my favourite films is the Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner is about a farmer (Ray) in Iowa who hears voices telling him to dig up his corn field to build a baseball field I used a clip in one of the zoom services I did. Please indulge me (you will be rid of me very soon) this is a speech from the film “Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up on your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good, and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come” In this speech or allegory replace the word baseball with church or Christ whatever you think does it make you think of a bygone era or age when churches were full of families, enjoying fellowship together yes even singing hymns. The film is a field of Dreams my experience of waking from a very lovely dream is it is almost possible to go back into it however we may try. Perhaps a little easier to make those dreams really happen, allow those dreams to become a reality a reality that lasts. As we pass from this age into a different time my wish for you is that in your churches and in the circuit, you look to dream dreams and with real faith in the power of God the people will come the people will most certainly come.
My age and time with you will shortly end, it has been a privilege to serve you, to serve the Bede Circuit. Thank you for sharing in my ministry however and wherever that is and remember to care for one another and that you do indeed dream your dreams. I will be praying for you all in the coming months.
SERVICES AND ONLINE DETAILS
No weekly Zoom services until September and after Sunday 4th July no Why-Pay services.
However, there will be an Easter Offering service on Zoom on August 22nd at 6.00pm. More details to come.
Zoom Bible studies continue on Mondays at 7pm and Thursdays at 10.30am led by Ian Stimpson our Evangelism Enabler on Faith sharing.
Wednesday prayers at 10am continue as well on Zoom
There are still service sheets for use at home. For more information, please contact your pastoral visitor or minister.
With good wishes and prayers
Revd Neil Maynard on behalf of the Bede Circuit staff team.