The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go on your way! (Luke 10:1)
The world of the early middle ages was transformed by the Irish monks, who followed the call to apostleship.
Columbanus, who was born in Leinster, Ireland, in 543 AD, founded monasteries in what is now France, in Switzerland and as far south as Bobbio, in Lombardy, over 1,200 miles away. Wherever he went, he attracted followers, and the monasteries that he founded became centres of learning and religious life that sheltered the flame of Christianity through the centuries of turbulence after the fall of the Roman Empire. The example of this man of tremendous power and authority, who chose a life of ceaseless journeying without comfort, inspired thousands, including those who were not called to become pilgrims.
Perhaps this year, after hearing the reading in the Act of Consecration of Man, we will set off together on a missionary journey! If the door to that is not completely closed, we are free to explore how else we might answer Christ’s call, even in lives that outwardly are less heroic than Columbanus’. The progress of time takes us on a journey, and every time we move house, we realise how important it is to live lightly with our possessions, ready to pass them on when they are no longer necessary for us.
As for the calling to the harvest of souls: every encounter can be a harvest. How often do we find out what is important in our lives through conversation? All our earthly experiences are waiting to yield up their fruit to the worlds of spirit; we can be harvesters in each other’s fields of soul, if we give each other the gift of our attention, unencumbered by the cares of our settled lives.
Tom Ravetz
There will be an open congregational meeting to share experiences of the summer and discuss and practical and other matters of concern on Sunday, 1st September at 11.30am.
This week, our normal programme resumes. The conversation group will be held on Tuesday at 10.30am. All are welcome, including newcomers. Our two Thursday study groups resume as well. There will be ten sessions of the Thursday morning Bible Study group. We will take some time this week to consider our theme for the coming weeks. The Thursday evening study group will recommence this week as well.
The Act of Consecration of Man will be celebrated on Thursdays and Fridays at 9am, and Sundays at 10am. The Sunday Service for Children will be held fortnightly at 9.15am, starting on 8th September. The reading group for those who have died will be held on Saturday, 7th September at 4.30pm and the Evening Service for those who have died will be held on Saturday, 7th September at 6pm.
Tom will be in Ringwood on 6th/7th September.
Diary
All events are open to all, unless otherwise indicated.
Support The Christian Community
To make a one off donation or to set up a monthly standing order, please use the account details below
Account Name: The Christian Community in Forest Row
Sort Code 30-92-92
Account Number: 00012363
Lloyds TSB, 1/3 London Road, East Grinstead
West Sussex RH19 1AH
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Find us
School Lane / Hartfield Road
Forest Row
East Sussex
RH18 5DZ
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Priests of the community: Tom Ravetz and Nataliia Shatna. Contact us on the church email or using the form below.