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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues

Growing community

Sharing others’ burdens fulfills God’s call on our lives (Galatians 6:7-16)

 

Context

MPs debated (and eventually passed) the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill this week after concessions to rebel MPs and disability campaigners.

Wimbledon has begun again and the legendary queuing system is in operation.

Depending on where you live, you will have different experiences of the heatwave that hit Europe this week.

 

Ideas for sermons or interactive talks

• The fight for the government to get its welfare bill through parliament has occupied much of our news space this week. The proposed cuts have moved campaigners to speak out against them because of the impact they will have on the lives of vulnerable people. Individual disabled people have spoken about their anxiety at how changes will impact them and how they manage everyday. If it was one person speaking up about these difficulties the likelihood is that they would have been ignored by government but it was thousands of individuals, charities, media personalities and MPs. As a result, the government had to make changes to the bill to appease enough of those MPs to get the bill through. As Christians, we are called to share the burdens of others and God and something miraculous can happen when we unite together over the struggles faced by another person or group. Who do we know who needs us to stand with them this week?

• The tennis tournament at Wimbledon generates its own community each year of people coming together to enjoy tennis, sunshine and strawberries. On our televisions we see the hats, the costumes and the chants supporting each plucky British underdog. Each year stories are shared of people meeting in the (incredibly long) queue for tickets, connecting over shared excitement for the day and making new friendships. In church, we are united in our decision to follow Jesus which leads us to recognise and bless others who share that commitment. Sometimes it is worth emphasising those things that bring us together as Christians to enable us to see afresh that we are are not journeying alone - we can receive support from others and they will need to receive our support in turn.

• The heatwave that has hit parts of Europe came with warning of risks to life and health - hence Italy banning outdoor work on some days. As with the Covid lockdowns, extreme weather leads some communities to work together: fetching shopping for those who need to stay in and keep cool or sharing water with those who are struggling. The conditions make it difficult for everyone - although some struggle more than others - and the ‘oxygen mask’ principle applies. In an aeroplane, when they describe how oxygen masks will be provided if the cabin loses pressure, people are instructed to fit their own masks first before helping others. In this way, a person doesn’t pass out and become a burden themselves from trying to fix things for someone else before looking after themselves. Our passage this week tells us to ‘carry our own loads’ which, to me, speaks of caring for ourselves so that we are able then to look after others. Sometimes, we like to prove our own strength or escape our own problems by fixing things for other people. The biblical approach is to be in the right place with God in our own lives before we then attend to the needs of those around us. 

 

Questions for discussion

• What events in your community have brought people together?
• How have you been able to lift someone else's burden in the last month?
• How many people do you tell if you are having a difficult time? Do you find it easy to receive help from others?
• How do you manage your own load but still be able to support others?

Steve Taylor shares the job of joint-vicar of St Paul’s CofE Church, Harrow with his wife, Ali. They share their home with their youngest child, two cats, three chickens and numerous fish.

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

Last weekend saw the return of Glastonbury Festival. With its rich cultural history, Glastonbury is known for it’s incredible line-ups, wild entertainment, and freedom. It is a once-in-a lifetime experience for some, and an annual trip (when not in a fallow year) for others.

Over the years ‘secret’ acts have been making the line-up, creating intrigue for both non-ticket and ticket holders alike, all wondering who will actually make an appearance. One of the secret acts this year was Lewis Capaldi. After being unable to complete his set at Glastonbury two years ago due to the severity of his Tourette's syndrome, Lewis made his emotional return this weekend.

What struck me the most about Lewis’ journey with Tourette's is the support from his fans - his community. When struggling to finish lines, they would sing them for him and cheer him on. This weekend, they celebrated with him and continued to pour out their support. He was not alone.

Our Bible verse this week really gets us to reflect on how we gather as a community to support others. What can we learn from Lewis’ fans? Do we help people when they’re struggling and cheer them on?

 

Lindsay Wright is a freelance writer and designer from Lancashire www.startswithabrew.co.uk

 

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