Recently we were sent a book detailing the very many orthodox churches which have been destroyed in Kosovo. It is a sorry state of affairs. Many beautiful, historic churches have been destroyed. Many modern ones, built with much love and prayer, have suffered a similar fate. Another side of a tragic war. It made me stop to think about our own churches, and what value we place upon them.
I wonder to what extent we value our Christian heritage? How much do we take our church buildings for granted? How faithful might we be if we had no church in which to focus our prayer and worship?
At St Mary's, immediately, we need to tackle the questions of repairing the church floor and a new heating system. More long term, we need to decide to tackle the questions of lack of Sunday school and meeting rooms, office space, and what we should do about a Church hall which is a fair way from the church and which needs an enormous programme of improvements.
At St Nicolas' we hope to have some accurate figures from the architect with regard to the replacement of the ceiling, large windows, ventilation scheme, and lighting. Only then will we know the sort of sum to raise.
But these are only material things. In Kosovo, it has certainly made the Church think out priorities. God is still being worshipped, despite the enormous bereavement which the people have felt with regard to their destroyed churches.
I wonder how we would feel, and how we would fare, if the churches which we love were to suffer a similar fate?
We pray for all who have had the churches which they loved destroyed, that they might remain steadfast.
In Spiritual terms, I hope that you will bear our Ministry Leadership Team in your prayers. Recently they had a training weekend at Glenfall House, along with teams in training from Thornbury and Coney Hill. On Sunday 5th March the Bishop of Tewkesbury will be present at 9.30am at St Nicolas' and 11.00am at St Mary's to commission our parish for Local Ministry.
The members of our team have such varied gifts and talents between them - they are going to be a great asset in the leadership of our parish.
Fr Stephen
