Letter from Clare

Throughout the history of the Christian faith, the Church has faced moments of decision-making, theological debate, and uncertainty. In the Book of Acts and in the letters of Paul, we see the newly founded Church struggling with the issue of who should belong and how they should behave. The divisions in society between Jews and Gentiles were so firmly drawn, it was mind blowing to think that they could be dissolved and that Jew and Gentile might discover they shared a unity and a oneness in faith. Paul writing to the Ephesians begged them to be humble, gentle and patient, showing love by their tolerance of each other. Unity was of paramount importance, for it was the gift of God.

It is that same unity which continues to be of importance to our Church today, as it faces issues of human sexuality and the qualities required of its ministers. The words of Paul are just as appropriate now, as they were 2,000 years ago, be humble, be gentle, be patient, show your love by your tolerance of those who may be different from you, or hold opposing views.

Within the Christian community at all levels, we need to be open to listen to one another; we need to be open to the possibility of being changed, being challenged. We need to be open to God and to his Spirit of truth, through our study of the Scriptures and through prayer. This commitment to open listening, as well as speaking is true not just for the Church facing division, but for all of us in our daily dealings one with another, within families, at work, with our neighbours.  Dom Helder Camera, an Archbishop of Recife in Brazil wrote: "Opening ourselves to ideas, including those with which we disagree, this is what the good traveller should do. Happy are they who understand the words 'If you disagree with me, you have something to give me'. "

 Clare Sanders