25 July is St James’s Day when we celebrate the dedication of our Parish Church. This year that is given a different perspective as the building is covered in scaffolding, and the extensive restoration, at roof level, is plain for all to see. Strangely, when all the work is finished, the building will not look significantly different. In one way, that might seem as though the considerable cost and all the work involved, is unnecessary. But appearances can be deceptive. Although the building looked in good order and the same as ever, if it had been left serious problems would have become apparent sooner or later. The original leadwork was patched and in poor condition. Ridge tiles, slates and gutters had deteriorated, and signs of water penetration were there for those with eyes to see. Hopefully, by St James’s Day, the restoration work will be largely complete, at least on the first phase. The Church might not look very different when the scaffolding is removed but it will be much safer, and protected for future generations.
But the celebration of our Patronal Festival has to do with much more than out Parish Church building. 1 Peter tells us:- “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual temple.” As we celebrate the dedication of our Church building to St James, we also dedicate our lives to the service of God, as his people – the Church. It seems to me that we can just as easily take that for granted as we do the building. Everything looks the same and we can assume life will continue as it always has, but perhaps we need to take a closer look and have a ‘spiritual survey’.
If we look at our society as a whole, I believe there are very worrying signs for the future, for those with eyes to see. For centuries the fabric of our society has been built on a common assumption of belief in God. I am not so naïve as to pretend that all has been good and right, but standards and judgements have been formed against the yardstick of Christian belief. I read this morning that pressure is mounting for the Queen to lose her role as head of the Church of England to avoid giving offence to non-Christians. So be it. If there is sufficient opposition to that title then it would be hypocritical to insist on it being maintained. But society cannot have it both ways. Things may carry on much the same as before on the surface, but appearances can be deceptive. If the common assumption of belief in God is removed from the fabric of our society, it can no longer assume the background and yardstick of Christian belief in ethical issues. Our inheritance of ethical standards and judgements is built on the recognition and authority of the categorical imperative of God, who is love. If we choose to be a secular society, our ethical standards can no longer claim absolute standards of morality, and society needs to create an alternative secular understanding of ethics and morality. If there is no God, and therefore no ultimate standard of right and wrong, how do we choose and make ethical judgements? Why should we behave in one way, rather than another? The question of ‘God’ or ‘no God’ goes far beyond personal choice and has immense implications for the future of our society.
I am all too conscious that this opens up immense issues in our whole philosophy of life and understanding of society, which go far beyond the scope of this letter. I simply offer the illustration of the restoration of our Parish Church to suggest we should not assume that because society looks all right on the surface, and the same as in the past, that it necessarily means that there are no serious problems, which will become apparent if not addressed. May the dedication of our Parish Church lead us to rededicate our lives as “living stones into a spiritual temple” to ensure our society continues to be built on the firm foundation of Christian belief.
Yours sincerely
Peter Lee
Prayer of the Month: For a Church Anniversary by Clifford Wilton
Living and loving God, as we come to celebrate the anniversary of the Church we love, we worship you with thankful hearts. With songs of praise, with words of scripture, and with the bowl and towel of loving service, we renew our commitment to your call, and celebrate the joy of the day when:
- we remember the past with pride,
- pray with hope for ourselves and our community today,
- and pledge ourselves to the future with faith.
Living and loving God, forgive us all that is wrong, past and present, so that in the restoring strength of your healing grace we can go forward in your name with hope and joy. Amen.
