Whiteman Park Worship

Last Sunday the whole parish gathered in Whiteman Park for an outdoors service followed by picnic and family fun activities. We do this every year and its a great opportunity to get out of our buildings and experience church as its meant to be - the people engaging with the world. Some thoughts on the gospel passage from Sunday...


Prophetic bible passages, like today’s gospel from Luke 21:5-19, can be difficult for us to make meaning from. We wonder if they are still relevant thousands of years after they were written. I think a clue to getting contemporary meaning out of today’s passage is the fact that it begins with the Temple. In dream analysis a building such as a house or temple is believed to symbolize the self. The temple can be seen as an archetypal image of myself. What is seen, or what happens, inside the house is symbolic of what is inside me. In this story people are admiring the beauty of the temple and the fact it is dedicated to God. Jesus warns them that it is not permanent and will one day be destroyed. At some level he is warning us not to be self satisfied with our own beauty or dedication to God because one day we too will be “destroyed”. We cannot rely on our self-image or achievements – they will pass away to nothing. More than that Jesus goes on to say that we cannot rely on governments, legal systems or religion (governors, prisons and synagogues). Even our friends and families will betray us. What may have been a prediction of the future for Jesus’ followers has become for us a reminder about what is truly important. We can rely only on God. This is very appropriate as we meet today in the outdoors having “stripped away” our church buildings which represent the security of the institution. Today we are church “in the raw” – no trappings or pretence just people present to God and one another in the moment. Gathered here we remember that in the end we will be judged purely on how much we loved God and served our neighbours. Let’s take time to experience God in the natural world and our neighbours who are all around us.

Young Adults Pray

Although a few couldn't make it the Young Adults got together on Sunday 31st October to pray for those about to take exams.  The prayer service was simple but involved some enthusiastic prayer and singing.  We also had a discussion about how our approach to study and exams (or any other time of stress!) tells us a lot about ourselves - this is certainly good material for spiritual reflection.

Afterwards we shared a simple bring-and-share meal before the mosquitoes let us know it was time to go.