Well what did you do for a Summer holiday?

Me, well a long weekend in a little tent with approximately 20,000 other folk – you’ll understand they did not stand still long enough for me to count. It has become part of my Summer to make my way South to the race course at Cheltenham and join at least some part of the festival, ‘Greenbelt’. (Those who visit the President/Vice President ‘blog’ at the Methodist Church web site will know that other people were there too) For me this year was a first in that I had decided to camp on site for the weekend, and after overcoming my shortcomings in not having checked the tent before setting out, and with borrowed pegs and guys my tent went up and I felt at home. Greenbelt is a Christian festival for all the family, indeed often three generations. There is worship from many traditions, workshops and activities for young people in safe spaces, talks exploring themes of life and faith, food places and stalls and much more. I tell you about it because if you are looking for a little adventure, this might be worth a try, but actually because it was out of the things I did that I wanted to share some thoughts with you.

L’arche,(world wide communities of people with learning disability and others who live together) always play a part in the weekend, and since a friend of mine, Marion Crawford and her family are involved I generally dip into their liturgies. This year in one of these sessions they remembered Brian’s life, a community member who had regularly attended Greenbelt and who had died during the year. Brian had been a member of Lambeth L’arche which is centred around South Norwood in London. We remembered a man who had skills in weaving, and indeed helped to weave many rugs and taught other how to do it in the workshop. Brian also liked the social life, and would have been very much at home in the ‘Jesus Arms’, Greenbelts own tented pub. The ‘Jesus Arms’ is a  gathering place for traditional hymn singing each evening, and the odd pint. Maybe the thing that most touched me about Brian’s story was his being a pilgrim. I was alreadu aware that L’arche Communities undertake some sort of pilgrimage. The Lambeth Community take the pilgrim road to Canterbury each year, and I have been on Iona when the Inverness Community have come on their journey. But over the last few years bit by bit, and with support Brian had tackled the ancient way of St James in Spain. Pilgrims share journeys and stories and hospitality – an interesting view of life.

One of the speakers I went to hear was Sara Miles, from San Francisco, telling her story under the title ‘eating Jesus’. Sara’s story was that she was raise outside of the church, but one day found herself in St Gregory’s in that city, where the context was a service of Holy Communion, and as the bread was broken the minister (dressed in tie dye robes) indicated very clearly that this bread was for everyone and that all were welcome to partake, and would be given the bread by name, because they were known by name by God. Sara receiving the bread so offered came to faith and is now part of the ministry team at St Gregory’s, which includes another for of food sharing.  Journey, story and hospitality.

Then there was the main Communion Service, move to an afternoon spot to encourage every body to come – I understand that some who were involved in late night sessions (no amplification after 11pm) found mornings difficult. This year, with influences from our sisters and brothers from the East the theme was ‘Rising Sun’. the Arena and the Main Stage were gathering points and I joined Meachems, whose caravan was close by my tent, or was it the other way round. Quite special, three generations, and I had youngest on my knee, ( I had forgotten how much mess a baby could make with one rusk). For me the power of the service came in the huge congregation, the singing, symbolism of ribbons, red, orange and yellow, used in prayers and connecting and a sign od the spirit set free, and then in the Greenbelt fashion of sharing bread and wine in small groups right across the field. Story, hospitality and journey again and ‘Here comes the sun’. oh yes and Charles Wesley’s ‘Hark the herald angels sing’ – and ‘hail the Sun of righteousness,.

I journeyed home from my holiday refreshed and excited ready for … story, journey, hospitality – the pilgrim way.

I am sure that each person who came to Greenbelt would tell the story differently, but that’s the joy of it for me.

Yours in love,

Bill Anderson

         A significant wedding at Selly Oak as Jonathan and Janet are married. Beh's son.

               The St Andrew singers prepare to tour West Virginia and North Carolina with 'From Pharoh to Freedom
             

Joseph and Beulah Muthuraj with daughter Sophia while staying at 36.

Greenbelt

Clare, Marion and Hugh Crawford at Greenbelt

Philip Yancy speaking at the festival

John Bell and the Wild Goose group lead 'Big Sing'