Be More Snail

On March 8th, we met at Minstead to consider our friends the gastropods, and what we might learn from their way of life. As it turns out, that was the last time we were able to meet face to face for a while, due to social distancing requirements in the coronavirus pandemic. I wonder how we might reflect on the themes we introduced then, in view of what we are experiencing now, only 3 weeks later? In red, I have added to our original themes some additional questions for reflection. We took three angles -

1. Make your home where you are 

2. Move slowly

3. Leave a trail of crystal behind you

1. Make your home where you are

A snail can withdraw into its shell to protect itself, and to hibernate. Imagine trying to carry our homes on our backs! What can we learn from snails about the nature of home?

In the first phase of our walk, we were invited to have a conversation with another about what it would be like if what we happened to have with us today were all we had, connecting in some tiny way with the experience of refugees. We reminded ourselves of Jesus' words – ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’ (Matt 8, v. 20).

We are now in a phase of withdrawal into our shells to protect ourselves and those who are vulnerable in our society. David showed us a photo when we were together of snails, all hibernating in their shells, but located side by side in a crevasse. How is this enforced hibernation increasing our sense of connection to others who are hibernating?

2. Move slowly

We then spent some time moving slowly around a small area, seeking out some slugs and snails to observe. 

We were offered this poem from Rob Bell -

Walk, don’t run.
That’s it.
Walk, don’t run.
Slow down, breathe deeply,
and open your eyes because there’s
a whole world right here within this one. The bush doesn’t suddenly catch on fire, it’s been burning the whole time.
Moses is simply moving
slowly enough to see it. And when he does,
he takes off his sandals.
Not because
the ground has suddenly become holy,
but because he’s just now becoming aware that
the ground has been holy the whole time.
Efficiency is not God’s highest goal for your life,
neither is busyness,
or how many things you can get done in one day,
or speed, or even success.
But walking,
which leads to seeing,
now that’s something.
That’s the invitation for every one of us today,
and everyday, in every conversation, interaction,
event, and moment: to walk, not run. And in doing so,
to see a whole world right here within this one.

How are we using this opportunity to slow down? What might we be learning in the process? 'There's a whole world, right here, within this one' - how might we allow ourselves to see the 'holy ground' within our homes and relationships?

3. Leave a trail of crystal behind you 

The silver trail is a very special substance – it is not liquid, not solid, it is in fact a form of crystal – it protects the slug or snail from bacteria, and enables it to climb different surfaces. It is a means of communication – leaving messages for other gastropods. 

Our final phase was an invitation to reflect on what it is we leave behind us – not just when we die, but when we leave a space – how do we leave people feeling, do we think? What are the effects of our actions on other people? Even our desires to be helpful – what effect may they have on others? 

I don't think I am alone in hoping that there might be some long lasting positive effects on our communities and relationships from this sense of lockdown. However, there will also be grief, loss, and broken relationships. May we continue to look for ways to share Love, which will protect us and our loved ones from harm, enable us to navigate tough terrain, and communicate God's ongoing nature of care.

Brigid's Blessings - February

On this stormy evening we were so thankful for the gift of a warm and welcoming home to meet in, it isn't often that Forest Church takes place completely indoors.
Today we learned about Brigid, of whom many tales are told, she has a significant place in Irish culture as a Patron Saint of many things, but remembered particularly for her hospitality and reckless generosity that drove her family to distraction!
One story goes that she was taken to a local king by her father who was frustrated with her giving away so many of the family's possessions, he begged the king to buy her! While her father was speaking to the king, Brigid gave a passing beggar her father's sword, when the king learned of this he exclaimed "She is too good for me - I could never win her obedience!"

Another story speaks of her being called to the death-bed of local Pagan chieftain. As he was too ill to speak, Brigid gathered up reeds from the floor and started weaving them into the shape of a cross. The chieftain asked what she was doing so Brigid was able to share the story of Christ and the cross - the chieftain believed and asked to be baptised before his death.

A Brigid's cross is often given as a housewarming gift, they are traditionally made on 1st February, Brigid's feast day. House blessing prayers are said (sometimes a group of friends or neighbours may go round from house to house) and the cross is fixed to a doorway or on the wall.

"May God give His blessing to the house that is here.
God bless this house from roof to floor,
from wall to wall,
from end to end,
from its foundation and in its covering.

In the strong name of the Triune God
all evil be banished,
all disturbance cease,
captive spirits freed,
God's Spirit alone
dwell within these walls.

We call upon the Sacred Three
to save, shield and surround
this house, this home,
this day, this night,
and every night."                                        From Celtic Daily Prayer, Book One

 We spent time making our own crosses, and some people wrote their own home blessing prayers.
This is a prayer from the Lindisfarne Scriptorium.

"This home is yours my God, may it be comfortable and filled with love.
     Let there be light.
This home is yours my God, may it be blessed and filled with laughter.
     Let there be joy.
This home is yours my God, may it be safe and filled with peace.
     Let there be hope."

We finished with some Brigid bread which was delicious with a little bit of butter and jam.https://saintsandrecipes.com/st-brigid-of-kildare-and-irish-oat-cakes-three-corners-bread/