Make and Mend

Ministerial Meandering

Make and mend

Wednesday afternoons in the Royal Navy have traditionally been a time for ‘Make and mend’.  This is a time when the sailors would repair pieces of equipment, sails, ropes, clothing etc., and indulge in hobbies - whittling, carving, rope-making, sewing, and playing games.  

This week has been for me more of a ‘break and mend’.

Three things have broken this week; my connection with Christchurch, Hope, the pottery chalice (I use for juice at communion) came apart in my hands on Sunday, and then I broke the shower scraper.

Perhaps things come in threes - I’m not sure.  I have always found that giraffes come in sevens - well, they did whenever I was in the bush!

So, I can mend two out the three things that are broken, but I will have to leave the problem of Hope to God.  But for Christchurch to mend, I think they will need a change of heart.

Some of you may know Mendelssohn’s ‘Elijah’, and the wonderful aria, ‘If with all your hearts ye really seek me,’ - that is what I would like to sing for them.  Though I am not sure they are ready to listen yet.

But there is a third thing that I can mend - after glueing the chalice and the shower gadget back together - and that is me.  If I am honest, I feel rather broken by the experience of trying to mend a broken and divided congregation, who, it seems, don’t really want to be mended.  At least, by me.

So, that congregation of Christchurch is what I am turning over to God.  Along with myself.  To be mended.

Philip+