For our Easter holiday we went to Spring Harvest. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a Christian festival held at the Butlins camps in Minehead and Skegness, over a three week period around Easter each year. In each week thousands of Christians gather to hear inspirational speakers talk on a range of topics, to worship together, to discuss issues and to enjoy a break from work.
We went to Skegness, and while the rest of the country baked in an early heat-wave, the Lord saw fit to send us cloud and a chilling sea-mist.
The theme for this year was ‘One People’, and was about the unity and purpose we have as the people of God. In Bible studies, art and drama we followed the life of St. Peter, from he when he first met Jesus by the beach on the Sea of Galilee, through his ups and downs, inspiration and denial, to his forgiveness and restoration by Jesus on that same beach over a breakfast of grilled fish.
Day by day we looked at what it means to be one people that is Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. Familiar words that we say in our creeds every week – and they sound very impressive – but what do they mean?
Holy is about being called, and set apart for a special purpose by God. We are holy when we are rooted in God and act as God wants us to act, when we do what Jesus would do. So holiness is an active word that speaks to us of peace, righteousness and justice.
Catholic is from the Greek word for universal, and reminds us that God’s plan of salvation includes all people – for God so loved THE WORLD, that he gave his only Son. It reminds us that we are one people, our colour and nationality doesn’t matter – what we have in common is more important.
Our word Apostolic is from the Greek word for being sent. All those who were called and sent by Jesus came to be known as apostles – not just the twelve disciples we remember, but also Mary Magdalene, Paul of Tarsus, and whoever was sent out to tell others about Jesus!
I’m very proud of the one people of St. Peters and All Saints, a united benefice of parishes working together. And I'm inspired to know that beyond our parishes we are united with Christians throughout the Crewe area, of different denominations, and around the world.
In May we celebrate Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit. So this is a good time to live holy lives for God, united with other Christians, and being sent to tell others about Jesus. Maybe you can invite your neighbours to come to church with you – they may be just waiting for a personal invitation.
Just tell them, ‘Come and see what Church is like, and meet our new vicar. He’s really youthful / old / strange / interesting / odd (delete as appropriate), and the people are very warm and welcoming.’ You never know what might happen.
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