An article for March editions of parish magazines from the Archdeacon of Worcester, Robert Jones
I am writing this in the departure lounge of Heathrow airport, lucky enough to escape the long cold days of January and fly off to Cyprus for some of February. For quite a few years now, I’ve facilitated the worship for the Anglican diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf – quite a privilege, and, you might well think, not much of a hardship either! I’ve been most fortunate on so many levels. Cyprus is a beautiful island, and it is great to be able to travel again.
Waiting to board the plane, I realise once again just how much of a jolt to the whole world the Covid pandemic was, and, in many senses, still is. As we travel and meet and live again, it’s worth remembering just how total the lockdown was. Perhaps it is not surprising that we are experiencing such political turmoil in its aftermath. And perhaps it’s not surprising there seems to be so much grumpiness around.
We are learning to be with each other again, though undoubtedly we’d learned the true value of neighbourliness when we couldn’t get out. Maybe we also need to re-learn how to do business with each other – how to discuss, how to disagree well, how to live for others. We even see this in the Church, where, for example recently, our consideration of and moves towards affirming same sex relationships have given rise to feelings and reactions I don’t really understand. How can this feature so large when the world faces far greater problems and issues?
But I’m here in this airport lounge, so maybe it’s easier to see things a bit differently. Stepping back from the fray while others get on with it is my luxury at this moment. So I mustn’t judge, but rather learn a little humility as we all try to ‘come back well’ from the experience of these past few years. But hey, it’s time to go: they’re calling my flight!
Robert Jones, Archdeacon of Worcester
