¶ Reading about the theme of friendship in the Christian tradition – I spent many days in the libraries at the University and St. Michael’s and at the end of the sabbatical had written 18000 words on the topic (I reckon I could write about the same amount again on the remaining material, if I find a bit more time!)
¶ Visiting Quiet Gardens in the region as a follow up to the Quiet Garden created by the Churches Together in Llanishen. Despite the somewhat wet summer, I managed to visit seven gardens across South Wales and the West of England. Pictures from these visits are being shown around the circuit at various fellowship groups and other events.
¶ Spending time away with my family, especially full weekends, with time away in Leeds for my mum’s 80th birthday, the Wye Valley (where we were meant to be camping in a Tipi but the waterlogged ground meant two nights in the Youth Hostel instead, but who’s complaining) and a stay in Tenby.
¶ My thanks go to everyone who helped my sabbatical to happen and covered for me whilst I was away; also to the Tuesday lunchtime congregation at City URC who sustained me with their friendship and time of worship week by week.
¶ Spirituality is a slippery word because it means different things to different people. Ask yourself the question, ‘What is spirituality?’ and you might begin to see the point I am trying to make. Alistair McGrath says that it is about making our faith live. It is about being alive to God, and living out the commandments to love God and love our neighbour. Some of the key components in shaping my own spirituality have been the following:
¶ The resources of
the Iona Community and the Celtic tradition. When I lived in the north
east, I spent time on Iona and loved to visit the sites associated with
the great Celtic saints (Cuthbert, Aidan and so on) at places such as
Lindisfarne. The stories and the prayers of the Celtic Christian
tradition have taught me the importance of a sense of place and a down
to earth spirituality rooted in people, neighbourhoods and daily
dealings.
¶ A sense of
personal struggle – an understanding that the spiritual life is
not always, indeed perhaps hardly ever, plain sailing; a desire to
grapple with God in times of personal reflection and study. The Old
Testament character I identify with the most is Jacob, especially as he
wrestled the mysterious stranger whilst crossing the stream. If anyone
else feels the same I recommend Andrew Mayes Spirituality of Struggle:
Pathways to Growth (SPCK 2002) which I found most helpful.
¶ Harvest is a
time to reflect on the growth that has happened over the spring and
summer seasons. It is an opportunity to celebrate a coming to full
maturity and as such has a lot to say about personal growth and looking
to become more spiritually mature.
¶ There are other
opportunities in church life to pursue the same. Fellowship groups,
corporate worship and personal prayer are all important aspects of the
spiritual life. Be open to God and allow his grace to work in you.
Phil Drake