St
Nicholas’ Church houses an amazing collection of stained glass, almost all by
Leonard Evetts, interpreting Christian faith in our context. One of my
favourites is ‘Christ the sower of knowledge’ (1967) ‘surrounded by symbols of
learning, the radar screen, a rocket, the torch of education, the snake of
Asclepius for medicine, and plants at his feet for botany, biology and the
environment.’
The
kind of knowledge that saves us is relational: to know and be known, to offer
ourselves for our neighbour and to be received by them—and in that welcome, born
of mutual vulnerability, God is welcomed among us. As I come to be licenced as
Priest in Charge, my prayer is that I might sow seeds, given by Jesus, that will
equip us to be ready for the future that is breaking into our present (radar), empower
us to go beyond the familiar (rocket), engage us in lifelong learning (torch), sustain
us with healing for body and soul (snake), and inspire our care for God’s
creation.
That’s
a big prayer, and it will probably do for now.
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