The Walk

Somebody once said to me, ‘Where would we be without a sense of humour’? I replied, ‘Blackburn’? Which of course was a joke, after working there for 9 years I can officially confirm that some of the people from Blackburn do have a Sense of humour. But it’s not easy to laugh when Covid 19 is spreading quicker than the farmers springtime fertilisation of the fields is it?

I mean it’s hard to raise a smile or have a spring in one's step now the canal path has become like The Trafford Centre Boxing Day Sale experience. Apparently because of Covid 19 we have to now unofficially avoid eye contact and deeply inhale as we pass strangers before we can exhale as they get beyond the 2 metres safety line.  Woe betide if we dare to breath a ‘good morning’ or ‘good afternoon’ for fear it could result in a fixed penalty notice or a banning order from walking the towpath or even being struck by the dreaded infection.

There is a 'runner' I often see, but she struggles somewhat with the pastime as see never seems to get too far away from me. Perhaps it’s the new trainers or just the cold hard fact that like myself she has the wrong body configuration for running and should perhaps stick to crisps and walking the dog slowly.

Across the field I was struck by some pensioners talking, there were a good 400 metres away as I entered the field. So generously I would give them the benefit of the doubt that it was just brief conversation about weather and Piers Morgan. Imagine my disappointment as they were still gassing as I approached the ‘zone’ of fear. I chose to offer a hard stare to convey my disappointment in society’s elders so fragrantly breaking the government request not to socialise under any circumstances. I considered a Facebook video, to shame them into dispersal but reconsidered after one of them looked vaguely familiar.

I need to calm down a little, as by the lodge a man stopped to look at the new-born ducklings, and I held him guilty as charged for ‘standing’ without purpose. Was this a necessary stoppage, was it essential to stop travelling. Fortunately, he moved on, which was good for both of us as it could have turned a little volatile.

As I re-joined the canal, some adults were drinking SKOL larger, I knew because I recognised the writing, S K O L, that spells SKOL and whilst not an expert I know cheap larger when I see it. They were certainly contravening social distancing guidelines, and again I considered recording their inappropriate behaviours. Wisely I didn’t, as I judged them to be rather unfriendly due to the use of a swear word beginning with ‘F’ and ‘B’ and then another ‘F. So I moved quickly along and tilted my head to the left in a shy way, a bit like Princess Diana used to do.

I do like to wear my headphones when walking, and sometimes I even listen to music which is nice. However, I do think I upset the gentleman in tight shorts and wrap around sunglasses who was obviously distressed that I hadn’t heard his little bell which forced him to literally grind to a standstill. This caused all sorts of issues, not for him as he was away in no time, but the sudden pathway jam had played havoc with my double retractable dog leads that got more twisted than an Agatha Christie classic. After some time, I did manage to release the Patterdale's left leg, and the cross collie’s right leg, and both my legs before we were able to continue.

As I made the turn for home, a man was fishing and walking along the canal at the same time, I didn’t know if I should berate him or congratulate him so I thought better of it as he had a tattoo of bat on his forearm. A wise choice I felt as one can never be too careful in these uncertain times.

As I made the final approach back to Chez Frost, I passed a travelling community, whose caravan collection was almost as impressive as Haven California Cliffs near Scarboro. How magnificent I thought if not a little challenging to living in a space as confined as that. I quickly ok’d it with myself as a number of the community seemed to be heavily engaged in the restoration of a transit van that was perhaps in its twilight years just like the old cross Collie dog I was walking with.

As I got to the gate, I shut it behind me for fear of recriminations from the family inside, and put the key in the PVC door, released the dogs and removed my footwear. I was delighted that my allocated hour of exercise had taken my mind of this dreadful illness, as I pondered, where would we be without a sense of humour?

Till next time,
Alextheanglican

Stockpiling

Hi

I’d like to think that out of adversity comes humour, I can’t begin to think what the shopkeeper was thinking when I bought 30 packets of ladies’ sanitary products and 5 jars of instant coffee this week. I didn’t have the heart to explain they were for the food bank, but I’m sure he understood I wasn’t simply stockpiling.

Talking of stockpiling I don’t know if I should life or cry at the sheer self-indulgence of those who have descended upon the supermarket like hunters chasing the fox in recent days and weeks. What does it say about our society, have we become so intent on preserving ourselves that we put the needs of others out of our minds and pretend it is someone else’s problem? 

This evening I eaves dropped on some conversation among family members who work in the retail industry, they were basically discussing the horrible customers of the day, and from what I can gather they were certainly not in short supply. Listening in, it took me back to my retail life at Argos, there’s nothing more jarring than listening to somebody bang on about how their child’s Christmas had been destroyed because the remote control didn’t have batteries with it on Christmas morning! 

The general public on one hand can be painfully irritating, but on the other hand can be incredibly generous and kind-hearted. Over the last few days, we have been receiving parcels for our foodbank and the volumes have been staggering. People putting themselves out to make a huge difference.

 

I’ve recently been approached by a journalist, who is writing a book about super-heroes, she mentioned me potentially being in the book, but I was lost in thought for a moment. ‘Hang on, I hope you are not suggesting I am a superhero’? The lady, rephrased it, but I still felt that’s the way she was leading. The thought of ever being called a ‘Superhero’ is utterly bonkers…Superman, yes! Batman, yes! Wonder woman’ yes! But not a priest in Burnley. It got me thinking what on earth would Jesus say if I rocked up and stuck out my chest, giving it ‘Superhero ready for service’. I think he would laugh his head off, and besides, underpants over my cassock is certainly not a good look with my figure. 

No, I think he would quickly cut me down to size and say something like, ‘Erm, you’re not a superhero, your simply doing as you should be doing, nothing more, nothing less. ‘Now take your underpants off from over your cassock and get back to work.

And I have little doubt that we should all be doing that work that Christ called us to do, all wrapped up in my favourite quote ever, ‘Love thy neighbour as thyself’. I’d love to see that in flashing bright lights as the greedy beggars slowly get taken up the escalators in Tesco Burnley, and then flash up on their prepay terminal as they insist on loading up the clubcard points as well, and then 'greedy so ans so's to come on over the Boyzone soundtrack on the toilet roll isle. I’d love the totally stressed out person on the till ask, ‘Would you like to give your loo rolls to the homeless, cause they actually can’t afford to pay to use the public convenience, never mind the accessories that go with it.

Reassuringly and beautifully there are many millions of kind-hearted people who bust a gut and genuinely go out of their way to help others, I have observed that in abundance this weekend. But sadly, there is also a large group of self-centred, greedy, individuals that need to give their heads a wobble and get some perspective to the way they conduct their lives.

The next few weeks will see us being asked to work even closer and closer as community, some will succeed, some will try hard and do okay, and some will not give a fig what happens as long as they are okay and unaffected by COVID 19.

Those people are the ones who need the love of God as much as those on the fringes of society, in fact more. This is probably the biggest irony of all as many of those who struggle the most and manage to just about survive do so because of their faithfulness in the kindness of others through the love of Jesus.

And that ladies and gentlemen, is the genuine sadness, almost right up there with the virus itself.

Till next time,

Alex

Sunday Sermon Psalm 23

When I sat down last Monday to write my sermon, it was with a huge amount of uncertainty, Would the schools be open? would we make it to Tuesday’s PCC? Would we be able to church this morning, and would my dreadful back pain stop me in my tracks?

I also contemplated, how many of us have genuinely got our hearts and minds firmly fixed on Easter, or if we have understandably had our thoughts diverted to the Pandemic that is working its way across the globe.

And then I thought what do I say, should I remind you about your Christian responsibilities? should I delve into the very long gospel reading of John 9 ? or should I chicken out and go for the very short reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians? Well in the end I decided to none of those things. When I look at the readings, I don’t usually consider the Psalms, but this week I did, and as I did, it was the 23^rd Psalm, The Lord is my Shepherd.

There are many places in Scripture that are powerful, so deep, that to recite them is to experience them. Psalm 23 is one of those places. As one scholar said, "The psalm itself is green pasture; the psalm itself is still water; the psalm itself restores my soul."

Psalm 23 is very personal. There are no references to "we" or "us" or "they," but only "my" and "me" and "I" and "You." This is David's testimony, his personal experience with God. And as relatively experienced priest it is a passage that I call on frequently in times of adversity and trouble. It remains a bedrock of funeral ministry, it is scripture that folk who haven’t been to church for donkey’s years can grab from the depths of their memory bank and recall from years long passed. And what makes this a constant friend is that it covers all of life. With simple beauty, it speaks of green pastures and still waters as well as dark valleys and enemies and adversities.

And so, this morning I invite you to a familiar sanctuary where you will see that God is closer than you think in times of crisis. My prayer this morning is that God so imprints His truth in your heart that you will find your confidence in Him rise above the storm clouds in your life and particularly this deeply worrying virus that us sent to ‘loo roll’ insanity.

In the Psalm, we read of the incredibly famous line, ‘As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, which evokes numerous imaginary ideas, walking with pain, walking with illness, walking with disability, walking with depression or anxiety, but just like the gospel reading, just like Lent we are on a journey and be led somewhere, and in this Psalm we are most certainly being led by God.

I read this from an Australian author and a shepherd.

"The shepherd knows from experience that predators like coyotes, bears, wolves, or cougars can take cover in these broken cliffs and from their vantage point prey on his flock. He knows these valleys can be subject to sudden storms and flash floods that send walls of water rampaging down the slopes. There could be rockslides, mud, or . . . a dozen other natural disasters that would destroy or injure his sheep. But despite such hazards he also knows that this is still the best way to take his flock to the high country. He spares himself no pains or trouble or time to keep an eye out for any danger that might develop."

Sometimes we have no choice but to keep walking through, dangerous times, and circumstances, somebody else once wrote, when your walking through hell, keep walking. Sometimes in life we simply must walk through the valley of death and keep walking.

And so, the Psalm tells us we should be fearless in adversity, but that’s not that easy is it? when we are worried, and frightened because we simply don’t know what might lie ahead.

But again, a Psalm thousands of years old, can be a source of encouragement and confidence to Christians today. I think the Psalm gives us three bits of advice,

1.     Stay in God’s Presence.

2.     Understand the power of almighty God.

3.     Let God lead you.

As a child if I was ever frightened, I would always run to the security of my parents, but particularly my Dad. I suppose it’s a bit like if you take little ones on a Ghost train or walk a jagged edge of a mountain with children. The first thing they do is cling to you, they hold as tight as they possibly can, and gain assurance that you will be the one to lead them to safety.

Imagine how the child would feel, if the parent or carer, said get off, they would feel isolated and even more anxious. When I was a boy I hated sleeping without the light on, I hated the dark, I still feel quite uncomfortable in utter darkness, but my Dad would often, calm me down, put me to bed, tuck me in, retreat from the room, leave the landing light and left door slightly ajar. It worked wonders, and so I want to encourage, to leave your metaphorical light open and keep your door ajar confident that God is leading us all to calmer waters.

And so, God’s power is great it will and does overcome anything and everything, and history reminds us that, be it through The Great Plague, or world wars, or Foot and Mouth or Sar’s. God overcomes it, whatever it is God overcomes it.

And finally letting God lead you and comfort you, it is vitally important, both to Easter, and through the challenge of the Corona virus.

Your staff . . . comforts me, he said. He was referring to the shepherd's crook, with its hook on one end. A good shepherd would use it to guide the sheep, lest they stray away. Just a gentle tap of the staff on a lamb's side would move them back in the fold. And the crook could gather up a sheep from a place where it might have fallen.

And

David was supremely confident, not only about his present circumstances, but of grace in the future that would see him all the way home. He believed that valley times were appointed for His good. He learned things about God that could be learned no other way in the deep ravines of life. He stayed close, trusted in God's protection and guidance all the way. All because he could say, "The Lord is my shepherd."

And so, The Lord is your shepherd, when you are strong and mighty, but when you find yourself weak and uncertain of the future. So, in these challenging times, don’t look down, but look up and fix your gaze on Jesus the Good shepherd. Stick close to Him. Trust that He knows the way through this valley and will see you safely through. Believe that He has good reasons for taking this route, even though it is hard and unfamiliar. And hold on to the truth that there is something better waiting on the other side of this valley.

Amen.

The Church is shut but not shut.

The Church is shut but not shut

Hi

As I walked my dogs through the parish the other day I got a real feeling of contrasting emotions. Near my home I get some of the most beautiful views of one of my favourite places, 'Pendle Hill'. It can be seen throughout the parish and is a great source of encouragement. It's like a huge magnet, reminding myself I should get up there as soon as possible.

On the other hand the sights can be a little less delightful, as I walked down one of the streets with boarded up windows. I was listening to my usual musical diet of 'Depeche Mode' and 'Leonard Cohen' when I heard a muted cry of 'Fr Alex', Fr Alex' I looked up to observed a half dressed individual smiling at me and asking 'What was I doing round here?' I smiled back and replied, 'Praying'. Standing in one place for a moment, soon became an infusion of C class narcotics that was somewhat overwhelming. 'What are you praying for'?was the next question, I had to think for a moment, what was I actually praying for on this actual street, that was cluttered with litter, and cars and glass and a atmosphere of emotional distress? 'Oh i'm just praying that things get better', I replied. 'That's nice, when are you singing another song', she said. You see I do these silly little tunes that I post from time to time, and she caught me unaware that my musical madness had reached such parts in a troubled street in a troubled town in East Lancashire. 'My response, 'I'm always singing my love', and I am I suppose, always  metaphorically try to sing the name of Jesus in many different guises, through words and actions. 

The Corona virus is unprecedented in our life time and will have far reaching consequences once nations get on top of matters which i'm confident they will. One of the consequences is that we will all have to change, and I hope for the better.

The thought of not working is frightening for many people but is it really that frightening? When was the last time you stopped for anything other than sleeping? The pace of life has become absolutely frantic for so many people, so fast that they can't stop unless they are forced to. So just for  a moment.

1. Stop working for money.

2. Start working for yourself.

3. Stop shopping to cram your freezers and shelves to bursting point.

4. Start sharing what you can.

5. Stop worrying.

6. Start creating.

7. Stop hurting.

8. Start loving.

9. Stop gathering.

10. Start believing.

If we are to change our habits because of a virus, then seek the positive things that change can bring us all. Community, Charity, Compassion and care. If you are forced to stop work, use the break for your good. Read, walk and talk, discover the opportunities rather the consequences. These challenging times will bring out the best in you if you allow them to. Keep your sense of humour, keep being faithful and keep in touch with each other. This virus will offer a radical contrast to your present situation, in the 'unusual', embrace the 'practical' and the 'delightful' and all will be well. 

Pray things get better,

till next time, love and prayers

Fr Alex

Vicar, St Matthew the Apsotle with Holy Trinity Habergham Eaves.