We exchanged pleasantries across our garden hedge. And then Kate said, 'Hang on a second'. Our neighbour returned with a carton which she threaded carefully to me through the hawthorns. What a delight!
The eggs are so beautiful I'm going to find it difficult to crack them open, even though I know they will be the best I've ever tasted.
Thank you, Kate, for welcoming us into our new community. Thank you for sharing.
'Truth of the matter was, everything was stories and stories was everything. Everybody told stories. It was a way of saying who they were in the world. It was their understanding of themselves. It was letting themselves know how they believed the world worked. The right way and the way that was not so right'
Harry Crews (1935 - 2012)
These words introduce one of my all-time favourite films, 'Searching for the wrong-eyed Jesus'. Twice a week our sister church down the road opens its doors for a 'drop-in'. There's tea and cake, but more importantly an opportunity to share stories - some mundane, others deep, sad and challenging.
Stories of struggles in faith. Stories of sewing shopping-bags and riding bicycles. Stories of dementia, death and despair.
Today's world is so busy. Emails, tweets and social media messages zing this way and that. But listening to stories is worth so much more. True community is built on story - yours and mine.
