‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.’ (Matthew 24:6)

“Are we nearly there yet?”  How many of us have been driven to distraction by this repeated phrase from the back seat passengers on a seemingly endless journey?  I am writing this newsletter just as the voting in America has begun and I will not know the outcome before I press ‘send’.  Millions will be waiting the outcome of the vote: “Are we nearly there yet?”  The wait will seem endless.

We are just past the halfway point in the autumn term and I remember when I was a teacher, that this always seemed like the longest stretch, as we entered into the dark nights.  “Are we nearly there yet?” was the common cry among teachers as we closed in on the Christmas break.

This tipping point in the term brings All Saints Day, then remember, remember the 5^th of November, followed soon after by Remembrance Day.  All these are part of a season of reflection and looking back.  But how often do we rest in the still moment of ‘now’?  The Imperial War Museum has a collection of recordings of soldiers speaking about the First World War, and what is most striking about comments on the armistice, is the large number that try to describe the silence; the stillness; the moment the guns stopped with confidence, that they would not start again the next day.  But in this silence was an anti-climax. No joy just exhaustion at the end of a long battle.

What does our journey of faith feel like at the moment?  What do we see when we look back and reflect?  What do we look forward to in anticipation?  And what fills the stillness of ‘now’?

I have had the joy recently, of listening to the stories and testimonies of those who are fresh and exuberant in faith, or who are experiencing a reawakening of faith.  And I am reminded of Jesus’ command to the disciples:  When they asked about the signs of the times so they could be ready for his return, he reminded them to ‘keep awake’(Mark 13:8).  These testimonies of fresh and renewed faith are often a breath of fresh air, bringing me back into the present moment that calls me to be still and know God in the stillness of ‘now’.  Not an empty stillness, but a moment full of promise and hope.

We may continue to live among wars and rumours of wars but still we must trust in a Prince of Peace for if we lose hope, we lose faith and risk losing the will to love our neighbour.  May we remain as a faithful, prayerful community, interceding for peace and demonstrating love and acceptance in the face of hatred and intolerance.    May faith, hope and love    remain in the stillness of now. God Bless. Helen.

Fight the good fight with all thy might!
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside, lean on thy Guide;
His boundless mercy will provide;
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life, and Christ its love.

Faint not nor fear, His arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.