A Thought for Thursday - Epiphany 2 - 2024

Copse at the summit of St Catherines Hill, Winchester, UK 2019

(Photo krb)

 

St Alban's Episcopal Church, El Cajon, California is a community committed to working in the world providing support to the refugee communities that have settled in the San Diago area. I have only recently become aware of this community's excellent work through its prolific use of social media which it uses thoughtfully to engage with the wider world.

Recently it posted a quote which caught my attention. It appeared to be a quote from a recent source because it addressed the difficult situation of church generally in the USA. The quote reads, "Between the Christianity of this Land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference." It sounds very much like it addresses the problems faced by the American Church today. But then, it was pointed out to me that the quote is from the book, "Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass, An American Slave." It was the first of three autobiographies written by Douglass, this in 1845. Hopefully there have been times in the 179 years since this was written that things have been better than this. Certainly, today there is evidence of a church ready to engage with the world for the betterment of both. I think, particularly of the Centre for Action and Meditation and Sojourner and of the work of many individuals and communities.

We look to this year as a year of great possibilities for the Church in Australia and elsewhere.

Every blessing as you continue on your journey. may god bless you and be your companion on the way. please get in touch any time to say g'day.

Peace, justice and blessings to all.