Readings:
1 Kings 3:5-12;
Psalm 119:129-136;
Romans 8:26-end;
Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Collect: 
Lord God,
your Son left the riches of heaven
and became poor for our sake:
when we are needy save us from despair,
that we may trust in you alone,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflection

The journalist and author Mia Couto wrote, “Listen, and you will realize that we are made not from cells or from atoms. We are made from stories.”

Whether it’s the stories we remember from childhood, or the narrative in our head that frames us for good or ill, or the novels that get under our skin and stay with us once we’ve read them, the power of story in our individual lives can’t be underestimated. Jesus understood this well, and so often framed his teaching around a vivid story – a woman sweeping, the shenanigans amongst a group of servants, sheep, coins, trees. Preachers, journalists and teachers know that someone is more likely to respond and to engage with information if you weave it into a story. So do parents – the number of life lessons that we can slip under the radar through an enthralling bedtime tale! 

But stories shape a community too. Each of our churches here in the Watling Valley has its history. For some of us that’s a history that spans hundreds of years – St Mary’s is currently discovering all sorts of fascinating facts about life over the past 800 years, as the congregation celebrates its anniversary. There may be tales of the founding of the current congregation, or about times of great trouble (the pandemic and our common response being a perfect example). And there are also the memories and stories of individuals who have made a particular mark upon a church or community. 

These stories all contribute to who we think we are as churches. “We are a church that……” (fill in the blanks). This is very much part of the review of the vision which Barry has been encouraging – what is it that makes this place what it is – what is our story?  

But the point that Jesus makes with his stories, and something it is good to remind ourselves, is that stories are generally for a purpose. A bedtime story is to soothe, a novel may be to provoke or excite. A news article may enrage or stimulate debate. Jesus’ parables were making pithy points about personal morality, or God’s work, about inclusion, or sin. They were often entertaining, to be sure, but their primary purpose was not just to raise a laugh. In fact, they more often caused the raising of eyebrows!

So, as I write my final reflection for Watling Valley weekly, I leave you with the question – what are our stories for? How do our individual and collective stories shape our life together and our mission in our communities? Where do those stories trip us up, cause us to cling to shapes and patterns that no longer work? Where has God been in my personal story, and how have I related that to my place in the church and community? And most importantly what is God doing now, what might the next chapter be? What story can we share with those around us about the wonderful things that God has shown us? 

It has been a huge privilege, (and quite an experience!), to play a small part in the story of Watling Valley and especially St Mary’s. I move onto the next chapter both sad and glad, and certainly enriched and full of gratitude. I know that God will be with us all, ever weaving those wonderful stories in our hearts and minds.  

Sharon Grenham-Thompson