'One More Step' - Endings and Beginnings in the 'New Normal' ...
Dear Friends,
While lockdown may be easing, it's certainly not 'back to normal' is it? The ongoing social distancing restrictions continue to affect so many aspects of our lives, with all the challenges and stress that adapting to this 'new normal' involves. That is certainly true for the 'endings' and 'beginnings' we mark in our lives, those important moments of transition from the old and familiar to the new and unfamiliar. Whether it's moving home, leaving or starting a job, retiring, getting married, ending a relationship, ill health, or loss through bereavement, our lives are often punctuated by significant endings and beginnings. Each of them matters in the story of our lives, and in 'normal' times we would look to mark them in some way. This marking might include a gathering with speeches, gifts and cards, and maybe a service with special prayers or symbolic acts. The event would seek to express the meaning of the moment, and an appreciation of the person (or people) at the centre of the gathering.
However in the 'new normal' world of social distancing, since gathering in this way is not yet possible, we are having to find other ways to mark endings and beginnings. For example, during this month, school leavers services are certainly going to be rather different. Normally, there would be a gathering in Church to hold a special leavers service. This service would enable Year 6 children to share memories of their time at the school, and how they're feeling about moving on. The rest of the school community would say farewell to the leavers, thank them for their contribution to the life of the school, and - certainly in Scalford and Waltham schools - pray for them. It is a very moving occasion, one where both smiles and tears are never far away, and a good supply of tissues needs to be close at hand!
This year, while the nature of these gatherings will be very different, their focus will still remain the same. They will continue to mark an important transition on life's journey, as the leavers move on from their old school before starting their new. One of the hymns often sung at these services - and indeed at other services like christenings, weddings, and funerals - is 'One More Step' by Sydney Carter. This hymn pictures life as a journey, and is a prayer that we might know God's presence with us along the way. The chorus of the hymn puts it in these words:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.
With prayers and all good wishes as we journey on,
John Barr, Rector
Dear Friends,
While lockdown may be easing, it's certainly not 'back to normal' is it? The ongoing social distancing restrictions continue to affect so many aspects of our lives, with all the challenges and stress that adapting to this 'new normal' involves. That is certainly true for the 'endings' and 'beginnings' we mark in our lives, those important moments of transition from the old and familiar to the new and unfamiliar. Whether it's moving home, leaving or starting a job, retiring, getting married, ending a relationship, ill health, or loss through bereavement, our lives are often punctuated by significant endings and beginnings. Each of them matters in the story of our lives, and in 'normal' times we would look to mark them in some way. This marking might include a gathering with speeches, gifts and cards, and maybe a service with special prayers or symbolic acts. The event would seek to express the meaning of the moment, and an appreciation of the person (or people) at the centre of the gathering.
However in the 'new normal' world of social distancing, since gathering in this way is not yet possible, we are having to find other ways to mark endings and beginnings. For example, during this month, school leavers services are certainly going to be rather different. Normally, there would be a gathering in Church to hold a special leavers service. This service would enable Year 6 children to share memories of their time at the school, and how they're feeling about moving on. The rest of the school community would say farewell to the leavers, thank them for their contribution to the life of the school, and - certainly in Scalford and Waltham schools - pray for them. It is a very moving occasion, one where both smiles and tears are never far away, and a good supply of tissues needs to be close at hand!
This year, while the nature of these gatherings will be very different, their focus will still remain the same. They will continue to mark an important transition on life's journey, as the leavers move on from their old school before starting their new. One of the hymns often sung at these services - and indeed at other services like christenings, weddings, and funerals - is 'One More Step' by Sydney Carter. This hymn pictures life as a journey, and is a prayer that we might know God's presence with us along the way. The chorus of the hymn puts it in these words:
And it's from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.
With prayers and all good wishes as we journey on,
John Barr, Rector