Today’s a big deal for me. It’s the tenth anniversary of the start of my ministry as vicar of St Christopher’s Church, Allesley Park and Whoberley in Coventry.
When I’d got the role people often said, “Been sent to Coventry, have you?” It was a joke relating to the civil war. I had to Google it to understand. But I knew then, most definitely, I – and we – had been sent to Coventry – God’s guidance in leading us to take up this role was supernaturally clear – it wouldn’t have been much more so had it been written in the sky. I have to say there have been times – challenging and sometimes heartbreaking – when I have been grateful for the clarity of the call here as it has helped me to keep going and not give up when it might have been tempting to do so. Now, looking back on the other side of these times I am filled with even more gratitude.
During the service that marked the beginning of my ministry here, my colleague and now friend from a neighbouring church had a prophetic word from the parable of the sower – there would be times of pulling rocks out of the soil in order to make the soil fertile and good. This process would be painstaking and difficult at times and there would be tears. But, the promise of God is that “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”
I’m grateful for that word, which has been something I have clung to – it still amazes me how apt and fitting this has been – not just for me but for the church too. We have experienced a significant amount of change much of which I have been responsible for, and this has been painful and costly. We have also known a significant level of bereavement including untimely deaths. Ive taken the funerals of people I’ve loved dearly – nothing can really prepare you for that. I’ve developed a bit of a reputation for doing a good funeral – that was certainly not what I was expecting when I arrived here as an enthusiastic young man who was convinced he would change the world. I’ve since learned that helping people to die and to grieve is no bad thing – in fact it is changing the world, just one life at a time.
Tears came too, during the COVID pandemic. I wept with frustration during a very dark Maundy Thursday night and early Good Friday morning when an online service I had slaved over simply refused to be created. I found a solution, finally, at 4am. I wept too that Easter Sunday at the end of the morning service, because I couldn’t celebrate physically with my church family. Good as online church was, it was not the same.
Though I wouldn’t want to live through the stress of that pandemic again, I did learn lots and was fruitful in this time. And one thing it did do was cement this sense that I wouldn’t have wanted to have gone through this anywhere else with anyone else. That in itself is priceless.
So, we have known tears, but there has been lots of joy and laughter too – wonderful church weekends at home and away, church family weddings and baptisms that I’ve had the privilege of ministering in, celebrations for the reopening of our refurbished church hall, for our diamond anniversary which was wonderful even if it was nearly 2 years late, joy too at the presence of God among us as we’ve gathered week by week and regularly hearing of ways that God has been meeting with people in their day to day lives. From the mundane to the extra-special, God has been with us in joy as much as in sorrow. And I believe there is much, much, more joy to come.
I’ve been known to say to people that St Christopher’s Church is Coventry’s best kept secret – you don’t really know it’s there unless you’re right outside (it’s in the middle of a housing estate that you mainly drive past and the building itself doesn’t really look like a church building), but when you do discover us, you find a community of all ages that deeply cares for each other, which has known God’s presence in the midst of pain and joy and ministered to each other through it all; a community that is committed to encountering God and growing in faith as we worship, listen and pray; where hurting people have found healing and a home. It’s a church family that I am so honoured to be part of and to lead, albeit imperfectly, and I’m so grateful for the many faithful people God has given me to journey with and serve alongside, who’ve inspired me, from whom I’ve learned more than I’ve taught. I’m grateful for those who’ve come alongside me to support, encourage and, yes, challenge; who’ve gone along with some of my crazy ideas; who’ve been prepared to share their own; those who’ve prayed for me and my family. I couldn’t do any of this without you.
While I’ve been here I’ve gained good friends inside and outside of the church and I have a genuine love for Coventry, this city that’s become my home. God has given me an amazing family to journey with – parents who pray for me daily, a brother who is in the same role in London; wonderful children who are a daily joy; and above all, an incredible wife. I’m most grateful for Liz. It’s not easy being a vicar’s wife. She’s got the best and the worst of it, when I’ve been tired and (occasionally!) grumpy, when I’ve come back ridiculously late from PCC meetings, when I’m letting off steam or when she finds herself in the middle and it’s assumed she knows loads more than she actually does. She cares passionately about the church. She’s also an incredibly gifted leader in her own right and has had to let some of that go at times. She’s my most stalwart supporter and my best friend. She’s been the greatest possible gift to me.
Just before I came to St Christopher’s my most heartfelt prayer was that my family would flourish. It felt like a significant step of faith; a big move away from the security of family and friends, among other things. God has answered this prayer in abundance – we live in a lovely area with great schools and it’s been so precious to see my children growing up in the church and in their faith. I couldn’t ask for more.
I’ve probably gone on far too long, so I’ll stop. So, a decade is a long time, a significant landmark – at least for me – and lots has happened in this time. But what amazes me as I look back on this time is that in a sense I still feel like I’m only just beginning. I still have a deep sense of excitement at what God will do in and through this church community. This picture was on the front of the parish profile when I was considering the role. It spoke then of a symbol of hope for me and for the church. If anything, a decade on, with the storms we have been through together, that rainbow shines even brighter.
Thank you, God.
“All my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good.
As long as I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
Halwill Publishing 