VICAR'S LETTER
17
Sundon Road
Streatley
September 2008
Dear
All
The new gallery offers a wonderful aerial view of the church. In particular, it brings into prominence the Pilgrim Way that runs through the church from the Font to the Altar. It symbolises a route that many feet have trodden. It speaks of the journey of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land. It speaks of Jesus' journey from his baptism via the crucifixion to his resurrection. It speaks of our own journey from baptism to the heavenly city.
The font speaks of the beginning of the journey. It reminds us of how the journey of the Israelites began when, putting their trust in God, they stepped into the Red Sea and the waters parted before them. It reminds us of how the journey of Jesus began when, stepping into the waters of the River Jordan, he placed his life at God's disposal. It is the place where our own spiritual journey began when we put our hand into the hand of God, trusting our lives to him.
The route via the cross aisle and down the nave speaks of the journey itself. It is not an easy journey. The Israelites fell prey to self-pity and even abandoned God to worship a golden calf. Jesus faced temptation, hostility, and the loneliness that came from knowing that he was totally misunderstood. On our journey we face temptation. We face the sacrifices that have to be made to put others first. We face the doubts that invade and undermine faith. But it is a journey that we do not make alone. God walks with us. He walked with the Israelites, giving them manna in the desert. He reassured Jesus on the Mount of the Transfiguration. He makes himself known to us in the kindness of friends and strangers, in the beauty of the world, and in those moments when we feel that he is close to us.
When we reach the front of the nave, we reach the point where the Israelites stood when they reached the Jordan and saw across to the other side. We reach the point, which Jesus reached when he stood on the Mount of Olives and looked across to the city of Jerusalem and to all that would happen there. We reach the point that we shall reach as our life comes to a close. But this is not journey's end. The Israelites crossed the Jordan and entered the Promised Land. Jesus journeyed on via the cross to the resurrection and to an effortless union with God. We too journey on through the deep waters of death to that perfect communion with him symbolised by the altar.
The new vestries, loo, and kitchen are a wonderful asset. It is an added bonus to discover that the development brings back to our attention an aspect of our church that speaks so eloquently of the spiritual journey on which we are all engaged.
All best wishes,
Roger