Sacred Craft is on Saturday 5th June at 10am.
This informal group will give you a chance to connect with other Redeemer folk. If you are not a crafter you can still come and chat. You can bring your own craft or someone will be happy to teach you something new.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Being ill is never fun and is often scary because things are out of control. For many people, mental illness adds more layers of distress. Not being able to think straight, perhaps not knowing what we are doing and not remembering afterwards. Each disorder brings its own challenges.
On top of this there is the stigma. Most of us do not like to admit to having mental health problems. It seems that, every so often, some diagnosis become more acceptable, perhaps almost fashionable and it is easier to talk about things. But then, all too soon we are forced back into our cocoon of silence and a cocoon is the worst place to be when you need help.
It would be good to think we are a Church where we could talk openly about mental health issues but, I have to admit, even I feel reticent. I know, even if you have a diagnosis of a mental health problem, it is still all too easy to judge others. We should be listening and exploring but, because of the way most of us have been brought up that can be hard. I was certainly instilled with a fear of “odd” or “strange” people. People "like that" were dangerous, not to be trusted and to be avoided. If you had any of the same, it is no wonder that we do not want to be thought of us "those sorts of people" who we were taught to avoid at all costs. I am sure a lot of you had different experiences but the whole subject is still wrapped in secrecy and shame.
Perhaps, at Redeemer, we can commit to working towards being a more open community when it comes to Mental Health. I am not inviting, or expecting, a whole load of dumping of problems. We are not a counselling service or therapy group. But we do need to develop a kindness and gentleness to ourselves and each other. Let's aim to find an openness which reflects the openness of Christ who receives us as we are. Labels can be devastating, but, if we let them, they can also open doors to conversation and a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us.
Caroline+
This evening (Saturday evening) we will celebrate the Easter Vigil. If you have never heard of this you are not alone. Although it has been around since the early days of Christianity it has fallen out of use in many Christian denominations.
It starts with reading passaged from the Bible - a lot of passages - which remind us of the stories which surround God's creation and protection of the people of Israel in the Old Testament. These stories are told, rather like stories are told at a family gathering, reminding us of where things started - not always because they were good things, but because it is important to understand and own our history and heritage.
Then we light a fire outside. From it a special candle is lit, called the Paschal Candle (Paschal just means Easter). Think of it a bit like the story of a phoenix who bursts into flame and from that flame comes new life. Everyone lights their own candle and the Paschal Candle is carried into Church and an ancient hymn called the "Exsultat" is sung.
Then we celebrate the Eucharist (Holy Communion) with lots of music and Alleluias.
At Redeemer we know that the readings plus the Eucharistic part of the service are just too long for some folk - the readings take about an hour and the next part a little over an hour - so we offer the option to turn up at seven for the readings and at 8 for the rest of the service. We might start a little after 8, depending on how long the readings take.
Curious? Come along and see.
