The Diocese of York usually sends out a monthly newsletter, which includes a piece each month from a different person within the Diocese. During the absence of a Communications Officer, the newsletter has been temporarily suspended, so letters will be posted on our website and featured in our weekly Enews. This month, we hear from the Revd. Canon Elaine Bielby, Dean of Women's Ministry:
After Easter I took a few days away on the North Yorkshire coast. I had a relaxing and enjoyable time and felt suitably re-energised when I returned. I prepared for Sunday and everything seemed fine. The All-age planning group had prepared an interactive sermon on trust and faith, linked to the reading about doubting Thomas, and I thought everything was under control – how wrong I was!
The first hint of it being an ‘odd’ day began with two or three unusual incidents between the 8am and 10.15am services. Then just before 10.15am our Baptism Coordinator told me that a family who had booked a Baptism, but not at this service, had turned up with Godparents and 70 guests! This was also around the same time that I realised that my relaxing holiday meant that I had forgotten one or two things I had planned to do – but the churchwardens and welcomers coped with those too.
We prayed for God’s guidance and blessing on our time together – and God is good. The service happened, we worshipped God, the baby was baptised and hopefully the family and visitors all felt welcome. As I looked back, I was reminded yet again, that God is always in charge, even when we think we have planned and prepared well – or not!
Reflecting on this with a friend, he sent me a quote from Pope Francis: “Faith is giving space to this love of God; it is making room for the power, for the power of God, for the power of One who loves me, who is in love with me and who wants this joy with me. This is faith. This is believing: it is making room for the Lord to come and change me.”
It is all too easy in a busy life, to fill our time, or to plan to the nth degree and not leave space and time for God. Whilst on holiday, I was very conscious of the beauty of God’s creation. Once home, I was pleased to be reminded yet again, that God is good to us in so many ways. The busier we are, the more we need to give space to God.