A Word from one of our Ministers

Friends,

I was struck by a hymn that Clive Falla used in the service at St Andrews on Sunday 19th April, “The Church’s One Foundation” but when I got home and wanted to read the words again in Singing the Faith, I discovered that the verse which had made me think wasn’t actually in the hymn book: it had been omitted. The editors have chosen to omit a verse which talks about the church being under duress and challenged, and I began to wonder why they might have made that decision. Perhaps they thought congregations would be uneasy to sing about such things. Unfortunately that is the reality of life, though, and we cannot sweep under the carpet the most challenging and disturbing of circumstances when it suits us.

Cornerstone is in a liminal space: things are changing, and we are slightly uncomfortable with that. We don’t know what the future
holds, and we feel the tugs to the past, with varying degrees of strength. Some of us remember with fondness all that has gone on in our chapels in the past, and we feel sadness and perhaps regret that life is different now. Others look at the same picture and see only opportunities. But there is room for both.

I have been here only 4 and a half years and yet I have seen great change in the life of the three churches to which I was appointed, so those who have been here for decades and even half a century will have seen so much more. I can only speak of that which I have witnessed: the three churches brought into Cornerstone and the work around that, the decision to explore the new Circuit arrangements and the changes that that brings too, Rev Gavin’s decision to sit down, and the appointment of Rev Tony to the new Superintendency of the Gatwick and Mole Valley Circuit – and that change of name – changes too as new preachers and new ways of doing things are introduced.

Some of what is being felt just now is grief. We can hold that grief, but we can’t let it destroy us.
I have worked with volunteers here and in Cumbria to deliver The Bereavement Journey course to many participants now, and we realise grief affects us all differently. Grief is a word that is most often used when we experience the aching loss of someone we have loved, but it is also applicable for use when we are thinking of other kinds of losses: when we lose our stability, when we lose a sense of who we are in our context, when our familiar rhythms and routines are changed and we have lost an anchoring point. 

Decisions are being made now that will fundamentally change how Cornerstone operates on its three sites: we have no choice but to explore significant alterations to the way we live out our faith in Horsham and Partridge Green. The church is eating into its reserves at a desperate rate, and the list of building repairs needed seems to grow every time the Church Council meets.  Methodism is not the denomination it was a century ago, and Cornerstone’s constituent chapels have held on throughout really challenging circumstances, because the congregations have been faithful and determined.

I believe that we are faithful and determined still.

I believe that the congregations are faithful to the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 12.12-18 when he talks about the whole congregation being needed for the body of Christ to be effective in the world: I believe that we can pull together to pray faithfully into these situations and trust God to bring the church through the challenges it faces today. Church unity is important.  I believe, though, that we understand some of the fear that the Israelites had when they were trapped between Pharaoh’s chariots and the Red Sea (Exodus 14.5-14) and it could be said that we stand now between the memories of the past glories and the fear of what the future might bring.

But I think also of the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant in Joshua 3: they had to step into the raging waters of the Jordan when it was in full flood before it would stop so that the whole people of Israel could pass over. We have been talking about the future for a few years now, but the time is upon us now when we must step into the water. Step into the water and trust God.

I don’t think any of the Israelites had a clear idea of what the land on the other side of the Jordan would look like for them, any more than Cornerstone knows what the actual outcome of the decisions that must be made this year will be. However, in both the Exodus and the Joshua stories I have reflected upon, God urges God’s people to move forward. Remember Lot’s wife? We can honour the past and give thanks for all that God has done, but ultimately, we must move forward.

Realising that this is difficult territory to be in right now, I want to assure you that Rev Tony and I are available and willing to sit with you in whatever you are feeling now: we want to hear from you, however you are. You can phone or email us, and we will listen. Remember that there are within the Psalms some of the most angst-ridden songs of lament: the Bible gives us permission to feel all the ways we do. It is not necessary to put on a brave face if all within you is in turmoil.

What is ours to do?

Pray earnestly. Listen and confer wisely. Support those who must make ultimate decisions. Be ready to pray with and over the Church Council and Leadership Team as they take responsibility for decisions. Think carefully about our contributions and our activities in church life.  Be encouraged to step out in faith, following Jesus Christ as we are called to do, as is our delight.

Blessings,
Sarah