14th September – Revd Paul Bettison
September arrived and what would it be – “It’s one of the dark days before Christmas” or “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”? Day in day out the boss, when he arrived at the office, would greet us with one or the other. It all depended on the weather, and sometimes his mood.
‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. John Keats waxes lyrical in his poem ‘To Autumn’. He pays homage to what is my favourite season of the year.
I know that many folk find Autumn somewhat depressing. “But it reminds us that winter is just around the corner”. So it does. Keats asks, ‘Where are the songs of Spring?’ It’s natural to see Spring as being full of promise, new life, and the herald of the warmth of summer.
Yet Autumn has her own song. She sings of maturity, fruitfulness and the promise of restoration. When nature sleeps, it is productive sleep. Think of the Easter hymn, ‘Now the green blade rises’. We sing, ‘Wheat that in the dark earth many days has lain”.
So, as the leaves turn golden, the mists fall, and the days shorten, maybe you would like to join with Keats, and welcome this season of ‘mists and fruitfulness’ and anticipate a time of rest and renewal.
Our Prayer:
Gracious God,
it’s been a strange year.
There has been much to cope with,
and yet much to rejoice in too.
We’ve faced the challenges of the pandemic,
and seen countless acts of loving kindness.
And now, this season of mists and
mellow fruitfulness has arrived.
Help us to use it wisely and reflect upon
our experience of a spring and summer
that has been like no other.
We pray that during this Autumn
we may feel both the warmth of the maturing sun
and the warmth of your love.
Amen
16th September – Revd Paul Bettison
I’ve been blackberrying and have the scars to prove it. Why do the biggest and juiciest berries either nestle in a bed of nettles or surround themselves with the sharpest of thorns? I picked them for jam-making. But, I hasten to add, it will not be me who makes it. Although I live in the hope that a jar may come my way. When grappling with the briars, ‘No pain, no gain’ came to mind.
Life experience reinforces the saying. Many of our responses to the pandemic are painful. Self-isolation, mask-wearing, and restraint from physical contact are examples of things that we do in order to protect others, ourselves, and the Health and Social Care Services. Following the guidance is for many, painful. But the hope is that these sacrifices will bring about something positive. ‘No pain, no gain’.
The Gospel writers, when sharing the teaching and example of Jesus, make it clear that if we are to follow him, we should not expect an easy ride. There will be both gain, and pain. Yet, ‘Gospel’ means ‘Good News’ and, using the last words of John Wesley, our President and Vice-President remind us ; ‘God is with us’.
Our Prayer;
Father, hear the prayer I offer:
Not for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength that I may ever
Live my life courageously.
Not forever in green pastures
Do I ask my way to be;
But the steep and rugged pathway
May I tread rejoicingly.
Not forever by still waters
Would I idly rest and stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along my way.
Be my strength in hours of weakness,
In my wanderings be my guide;
Through endeavour, failure, danger,
Father, be thou at my side.
Singing the Faith 518 (adapted)
18th September – Sue Ellis
It’s that time of year when our children, grandchildren and young people are contemplating new beginnings in radically altered education settings. Usually it’s the time of some nerves and much anticipation, which will be greatly increased no doubt this year. As a school governor I know the extent of planning that has gone into continuing a positive education experience whilst seeking to keep everyone safe.
In emergency planning terms when something significant happens (major incident etc.) there are three R s – Response, Recovery, Reconstruction. I think there should be a fourth R which is about Resilience. I mean resilience which can be formal and informal, organisational and personal.
So on looking forward to new beginnings we can reflect on how we personally have survived and recently learned things about ourselves whether it be through loss, separation, home schooling, shielding, improved IT skills, or volunteering?. And recognising that we have both resilience and faith means that we will continue to come through – it won’t be the same as we had expected, but the journey goes on.
So a couple of quotations:
Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
‘I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for’ Jeremiah 29 11
Reflection:
Loving God;
Help us and those re-entering education to walk forward from this day,
Let us all be resilient in our fresh start,
Facing challenge and hoping for a new dawn,
Trusting in your care.
Amen