'It's a Marathon not a Sprint'

Usually, Saturdays for a vicar - well, for me anyway - are a bit of a mixture of work and leisure. When the children were young, I tried to make time for play and family activity. Swimming in particular, I remember - and watching Everton! Now, there may be opportunity for a walk or an evening meal with friends. Sometimes, there is a conference, training event or workshop which takes up most of the day. This afternoon would have been 'Messy Church' in one of our villages. Inevitably, there is also preparation for Sunday, including writing that sermon which has been in the heart and mind during the week. And - a highlight, sad as I am - 'Casualty' in the evening!

Guess which of the above remains in this new order of things! But - oh no! - even 'Casualty' has gone today!

Although all our Sunday services are cancelled indefinitely, a small group of us are planning later today, to put together a short act of worship to video, and stream tomorrow. It will be an interesting experience. Many of us are on a steep learning curve, seeking to use technology so we can continue to 'church' (which should be a verb as well as a noun!) I've noticed several clergy friends and colleagues have been posting videos of themselves, offering a Christian message and wise counsel.

As the Cv situation continues to worsen, the prediction at the start that this will be a marathon rather than a sprint becomes increasingly apparent. We need to think ahead, to what we might be dealing with in, say, a month's time - or even 12 months. That said, there is no other way at the moment than to live day to day. Most of us in church leadership have spent the last 5 days thinking about what needs to be put in place, answering lots of questions, considering who needs to be provided for, how we can hold things together - how to 'church' indeed. But all the time, I'm thinking, where are we going? What is this uncharted territory we are entering?

I've noticed the following piece has appeared a few times on Facebook. It paints a picture of how life could change if we use this time well, with hope in our hearts.

And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.  Kitty O'Meara.

Today, Sabbath. Tomorrow Resurrection.

From today's Psalm:

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait in hope for the Lord. Psalm 31.24.