Dear All,
Over the last few weeks we have heard much about social distancing. It has become the phrase on all our lips, and even as the lockdown is beginning to liſt we are still told that it must be observed at all times. I was reflecting on this recently and decided that while I am happy to agree to physically distance myself from others and remain two metres away from everyone, and have followed this instruction clearly for the whole time, I would argue that I have proudly failed to social distance at all. Socially I have remained in good contact with family and friends and with members of our parishes and communities. Trough the wonders of the internet I have said the Daily Office with others on some days, and as I pray daily at nine and five I know that I am close to all of you in a shared prayer time. Trough our website we have been able to share services and reflections, and each evening I say Compline and am joined by a good number on Facebook. As I write I am looking forward to our second internet Zoom service – we got lots at the first one and more have decided to join us this Sunday as we celebrate Pentecost together. I have spoken to so many on the phone, and I know that all of you are doing the same among your friends and your family. So while I get the meaning of the phrase, I don’t feel socially distanced at all. I feel close to you all, and although I can’t be physically with you I know that we are still a community, still church and still, very much, here!
We are not the first to deal with being church at a distance. In our own times there are communities of Christians who meet at a distance regularly – look at the Outback Church in Australia where they try to reach each worshipper once a year by plane! In the days of the early church you can see from the letters of Paul that Christians were oſten separated in small communities, and Paul is quick to bring greetings from one group to another as they share in their love of God. Physically distant, but always together.
And so it is for us. Yes, we are at the moment physically distanced. Tere is no doubt of that, and it is hard and we miss being able to see each other. But I don’t for one minute feel socially distanced from any of you. You are a phone call away, as am I – do ring anytime! – or a touch of the computer screen or a click onto Facebook. You are in my thoughts and my prayers constantly, either through requests you have made for my prayers, or because I pray for each of you in my own prayers each day. Physically distanced, we remain close, held together by God as his people, and several of you have mentioned to me how you feel closer to others now in some way, even though distant. When we are able to come back together, I believe that something of that closeness that has developed through the love of God and our love for each other will come back with us. We are truly learning that church is so much more than a building. Church is us, you and me, and it is in our buildings and in our homes and in our hearts and in our lives. It is a holiness that we carry with us wherever we are and wherever we go.
So keep your physical distance – stay safe. But remain socially close. Yes, close by phone, by internet, by Facebook and twitter, but most of all by prayer for each other, for our communities and for our world.
With my love, my prayers, and my blessing, 4
Liz To Advertise Tel: 01603 782466 or e-mail
whbadverts@btinternet.com
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