Saturday 16 May 2020

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In the midst of this lockdown, I know that so many people are very grateful that they are able to get outside in their garden, or have a short walk in a park or along the river. We have been fortunate to enjoy more freedom to do this in Switzerland than in some places. David and I are very lucky to live in the Church House so near to the beautiful wood; to be able to get out and walk among the trees and down to the river. I am frequently struck by how truly amazing trees are; by their deep rooted stability and their dense green life.

Trees, bushes and plants are often used as images in the Bible. Psalm 1 speaks of the righteous being 'like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season'. We need to have deep roots in the life and love of God.

The Anglican priest and poet Malcolm Guite is currently writing a series of poems based on the Psalms. Below is his first poem based on Psalm 1. You might want to read the Psalm first and then read the poem. If you want to know more of his thoughts in writing the poem you can read his words in this link.

Beatus Vir

Come to the place, where every breath is praise,
And God is breathing through each passing breeze.
Be planted by the waterside and raise

Your arms with Christ beneath these rooted trees,
Who lift their breathing leaves up to the skies.
Be rooted too, as still and strong as these.

Open alike to sun and rain. Arise
from meditation by these waters. Bear
the fruits of that deep rootedness. Be wise

In the trees' long wisdom. Learn to share
the secret of their patience. Pass the day
In their green fastness and their quiet air.

Slowly discern a life, a truth, a way,
where simple being flowers in delight.
Then let the chaff of life just blow away.

(Malcolm Guite)

Tomorrow's service will be on the website here. Thanks to David for preaching and to those contributing through reading and leading intercessions. Thank you, as always, to Hector for putting the material on the website and to Art for finding versions of the hymns.

After the service, the Men's Bible Study Group will meet as usual at 10.45am, via zoom. Please let us know if you would like more information. The Coffee Meeting will take place at 11.30am, and we will spend some time discussing the readings and the sermon and sharing together. Everyone is welcome. If you want to join us, let me know and I can send you the zoom details.

Looking ahead to next week, Ascension Day is on Thursday 21st May. There will be a service put online before Thursday.

Next Thursday we will also have a Lectio Divina meeting on zoom at 10.30am. This involves listening to a short passage of Scripture several times with periods of silence in between. At the end of the silence there is an opportunity to share our insights together. It is a wonderful opportunity to meditate on some words of Scripture and allow those words to feed our hearts and minds. We had a similar session with a small group this last Thursday and it worked very effectively online. Please do join us! If you are interested, please send me an email and I can send you details.

May we all be rooted in God's grace and bear the fruit of the Spirit.

With love in Christ,
Helen