RECTOR’S REPORT
INTRODUCTION
Look closely at the image above and you will see that it is a photograph of one of the
new windows facing on to Bermondsey Street.
Last June when we broke down the wall on the inside of what we thought was a false
door, we discovered a cavity in which there was an old Georgian door (now a
window shutter). As someone said to me at the time “It was like God knew there
was a door all the time just waiting to be opened…” we just had to open it…
It was a surprise, but at the same time a confirmation that we were doing the right
thing: It is right that walls should come down and although this has been emotionally
unsettling for some, and physically disruptive for us all, we have persevered and
many have played a part in seeing the vision become reality: a vision which is both
Architectural and Spiritual.
Architecturally there have been 3 aspects:
1. To let the Light in. Jesus said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8: 12)
The walls which existed before were both a barrier to people and light penetrating
the inner areas of the church- the areas which should be most public- where worship
takes place. That brings me to the second aspect of the vision2. To Reveal what was hidden. When I first came to St Mary’s, one of my first
thoughts was that the wall to the South Aisle had to come down. Shortly afterwards
someone recently arrived at the church said that it had taken them a very long time
to walk through the door to the south aisle because they didn’t know what was
behind the wall. They also shared a dream in which the wall was made of glass with
the hand prints of church members of all ages etched on it. There has often been a
been a sense in which nobody at St Mary’s is really sure what others are doing. This
of course is a problem of administration and communication, but it also indicates a
lack of connection with each other. That leads us the third part of the vision3. To increase Connectivity. Between ourselves and the world in which we live,
worship and work. The walls were very much the creation of our predecessors, often
for good enough reasons, but this has been the right time for them to come down.
We can’t afford to to ignore each other or the world in which we live, any longer….
We don’t have to look too hard to see that there are connections between what we
have done Architecturally and what can happen Spiritually. Phase 1 gave us a
glimpse of this, so let’s see now what we have done in Phase 2?
Connections are significant and the following reading reveals something of Jesus’
thoughts on the importance of “Connectivity”.
John 15: 1- 17
1. It Hurts. Destruction and Disconnecting from the past can be an ordeal. Things
get worse and certainly look worse before they get better. As Jesus says in vv 1-2a:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me
that bears no fruit…”
Later he goes on to explain in v 5a: “I am the vine; you are the branches…” If he is
the vine, then we are the branches- “the body of Christ”. Then, like a family, we are
connected whether we like it or not and so we need to work at our relationships.
When we do:
2. It Enables new growth. As Jesus continues in v 2b:
“…. every branch that does not bear fruit he prunes….”
The stripping back, though painful, clears the way for something better to be built. In
this case it is more transparent and open. We will be able to see each other and
those outside more, in the same way that they can see us. There is more
responsibility on us to take more seriously the practical and spiritual gift/s we have
been given.
3. It results in more fruit. We have benefitted from the legacies of the past. What
legacy will we leave future generations? Jesus concludes v 2 with the words:
“… it will be even more fruitful”, but only by remaining connected to the vine…
CONCLUSION
What is St Mary’s gift to Bermondsey? (a question I have been asked to ask you as
we plan for our Church weekend away in October). I believe that our gift to
Bermondsey is Jesus.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a person remains in me and I in them, they
will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 5)
Without Christ we cannot know God fully. He is the complete and perfect revelation
of God. We will not be satisfied. We cannot be fully fruitful without Jesus because it
is through him that we connect to God and fully with each other
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit
that will last…” (John 15: 16a)
Above: Some St Mary’s people at The Big Church Day Out last summer.
Let’s connect to God and to each other!
Charlie Moore
28th April 2013