Context

Coverage of Storm Dennis is big on examining government flood policy, questioning the insurance situation, and telling human interest stories. It is light on confronting the scale of the climate change issues which face us. But the images bring us face to face with the astounding scale of the floods, and the force of the storms, yet more vivid on TV. In this approach, like Peter, we show our human desire to show a brave and caring face before awe-inspiring power, and even to try to contain it. But, again like Peter, do we also reveal timidity?

 

 Reflection

Coverage of Storm Dennis sometimes complains of government inaction, or of unfair distribution of resources, and sometimes focuses on individual tragedies and stories of heroism. Much less frequent is mention of climate change, of the destructive powers human behaviour has unleashed, or of the necessity for unpopular measures to address these issues. Is this an opportunity ignored for fear of seeming heartless? Or is it something more sinister, a wilful ignoring of the real public interest for profit and political gain, or because we don’t like to admit human institutions are not altogether in control?

On Covid19 the coverage of both the epidemic and of public health policies, low-key here, draconian in China, can be measured or sensational. Variously, coverage decries both ‘laissez faire’ and its opposite. What is seldom addressed is the inevitable trade-off between the public good and individual freedom. Also difficult to discern in either style of reporting is awareness that this infection may be beyond the power of even global organisations like the WHO finally to control. Factual truth is respected, unlike in unregulated media, but candour can be lacking. One style excites fears to quell them almost immediately; the other avoids arousing them in the first place, rather diverting attention to concern about details and policy issues. But many will experience a visceral fear of this mysterious threat as it comes closer to home. 

Despite all the declarations about ending uncertainty, fear remains a fact of current UK life. There is fear of a new authoritarianism. There is fear of damaging economic change. There is fear of the cruel power of social media, and fear that racism is being normalised.

It seems inadequate to say that the Gospel passage urges us to be like Peter and, trusting Jesus, cease to be afraid (v.7). But focusing on Jesus’ injunction not to be afraid can shift our focus. Instead of thinking only of the fear-inducing aspects of globalisation and the internet, coronavirus spreading through travel, people terrorised online, reckless global capital destroying the wilderness, we can instead think about their benign aspects: these products of God-given human inquisitiveness and ingenuity, can also facilitate events like Women’s World Day of Prayer this week. We can also remember the Quaker perception that there is something of God in everyone and focusing there, trust that whether individually or in committees, most people do recognise the public good, as shown in their dedication (especially the pictures!) and generosity in a crisis.

 

Prayer

For use as part of intercessions.

Lord, we ask for courage and humility, not virtues which sit easily together. We also need both clear-sightedness to pick our way through the fog of scare-stories and conspiracy theories, and a willingness to rest in faith with uncertainties, whether our fear is of a virus or a coming storm. And we need patience, tempered with a readiness to be angry at need, when truths are deliberately distorted, people are wantonly hurt, urgent causes are neglected. Make us balanced people Lord, in this your turbulent world. Keep us on the side of good, even when it is hard to tell right from wrong. And even as the rain falls into our lives, may we always be aware of the sunshine behind the clouds, because, as you promised to Noah, it will always return. Amen.

 

Questions

• How do you react to wild weather? Do you find it exciting? Or frightening?
• Do you see God’s hand in it, and if so, in what way?
• How do you fit natural disasters and/or epidemics into your faith world view?

 

All-age activity

Collect a number of pictures of the dramatic floods and storms of recent weeks. Ask people to choose one and reflect on it for a moment, then say how it makes them feel, fearful, awed, struck by the beauty or magnificence of the storm. Arrange the pictures on a table, or stick them to a background sheet.

With the collage as a focus, pray:

Lord God,
your creation is wonderful and fearful, beautiful and mysterious.
Help us not to forget that within and beyond all its majesty,
is your love, the love of Jesus Christ.
Amen.

 

Young people

We are told that these storms are going to become more frequent. Depending on your locality choose one of the badly affected areas, from the latest or previous events, and talk about what happened there, and why, and what was or should have been done about it. How would the young people feel if it was their community (maybe it is)? Can they identify the risky features of where they live? What can they do to avoid or prevent damage? What are they doing, and could they do more, to reduce the wider threat from global warming and the rise in sea-levels?

 

Brenda Vance is a URC Elder and retired university teacher living in Sussex.

 

KEY:  icon indicates ways to connect faith with everyday life

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