A Letter from Rev Sandy Cavalier
As l write this article l have just attended our Annual General Meeting at St Peters church. As always l was struck by the loving time and energy, often over and above, that is poured into keeping St. Peter’s on the road … all the usual positions, of the PCC, Secretary, Treasurer etc. The amazing energy and experience that people give to these roles – some of them for many years.
Over the Easter Season we were blessed with some beautiful flower arrangements, every one of them lovingly created by some very talented people which gave me the thought – that is what makes our church what it is – an amazing group of ordinary people who together make our church life what it is. We can all have a part to play in this. It doesn’t need to be big. For instance, where would we be without coffee and cake after our worship? We all missed our organists and singers during lockdown, but how joyful it is to be able to sing again in church.
Our building, like my house, often needs a good dust and polish – all those lovely brasses and wood look so much better without fingerprints on them! Then there is all the white linen – lovingly washed and ironed – how we would miss it if it wasn’t done.
There are some people who read the lessons – or lead the prayers. I do so enjoy the variety of voices. Could you add yours?
There are meeters and greeters – so vital in making us all feel welcome. We are also blessed with a tech team who send out ‘into the world’ our 10am service, Sunday by Sunday.
The children’s corner, looking so inviting with beautiful new cushions, lovingly prepared by Zoe, awaits its visitors.
As we start dipping our toes into the water again, even if some of us are still masked and hand gelled, it will be so good to see the church, in all its glory, full of life, joy and hope.
Have you ever come into the church during the week and enjoyed the prayerful silence of the building? Do come and try. Or sit outside on the bench and remember those who you have loved and miss.
To end l would like to share these words of wisdom by Robert Fulham, profound truths presented in a different way:
“Most of what l really needed to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, l learned at playgroup. Wisdom was not at the top of the University mountain, but there in the sand tray, these are the things l leaned:
Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people.
Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours
Say sorry when you hurt someone. Wash your hands before you eat. Biscuits and milk are good for you
Live a balanced life. Learn and think, sing and dance, play and work a little, every day. Have a sleep every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder. Remember the bean you planted in a jam jar. The roots go down and the stalk goes up and nobody really knows why or how, but we are all like that.
Goldfish and hamsters and stick insects even the bean in the pot – they all die. So do we.And then we remember the book about Jane and Peter and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology and politics and sane living.
Think what a better world it would be if we all – the whole world – had milk and biscuits about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets and had a sleep.
Or, if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations always to put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”
I would add to all this,
“Most profound truths are to be found in the Bible……”
With blessings
Rev Sandy
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