Dear Friends,
I have been thinking a lot this week about surprises. I often hear people say they don’t like surprises. Surprises upset our routines, and can bring us either dismay or delight. Last week my car required mechanical attention before the Warrant of Fitness check. To hear that in addition it needed two new rear tyres was unexpected, and a bit of a financial surprise. But the surprise that really upset my plans was the phone call, very late in the afternoon, to advise that incorrect parts had been sent out, and the car would not be ready for me to collect. I had already made a number of plans for the evening. The good surprises were the instant offer of transport with one of my colleagues to my first appointment, the pleasant and unaccustomed ten-minute walk home afterwards, and the quiet and uninterrupted evening that followed.
As we remember the Lambeth Conference in our prayers today, I suspect some unexpected things may already have happened there. When we tend to think we have all the questions and all the answers, and forget to leave space for the working of the Holy Spirit in all we do, we will definitely be in for a few surprises.
As Fr Peter has advised, in a few weeks’ time we will be having a Parish Review. I hope we will all be free to take part on the Saturday, and I expect it will provide some surprises. To that end, it might be worth each of us thinking about what first brought us to S. Michael’s and what has kept us here. When I did this, my initial thoughts were in connection with the liturgical treasures that support our worship. My eventual conclusions included a number of other aspects of our life together and the relationships that we share as members of the body of Christ in this place.
Henri Nouwen writes that each day holds a surprise, one we will only recognise if we expect it when it comes to us. We need not be afraid of each day’s surprise – whether it comes as sorrow or as joy, it will give an opportunity to celebrate more fully our shared humanity.
May God bring us surprises and bless us all this week.
Claire Anstice
