Where do you drink from the cup of strangers and eat their bread?
On Saturday I attended a Spirituality day at St Edmund the King organised by St Martin’s in the Fields. I was to learn as the day went on that St Martin’s was instrumental in launching a renewal movement HeartEdge.
I heard bits of the vision as the day progressed, the use of silence in people’s lives, the formation of what is being called new monastic communities with the intention of being broad enough to include those at the heart of things and those at the edge. St Martin’s founded the Nazareth Community in 2018
Curious to know more I diverted to St Martin’s on my way home and picked up a copy of the vicar’s, Sam Wells, book, ‘A Future that’s bigger than the Past’. The Church that you encounter is an embodiment of the book, regular concerts in the church, a thriving contemporary cafe restaurant in the crypt and a gift shop where I was to find the book. I noticed that the clergy of the church has produced so many books that they have their own section.
Central to Wells vision of today’s church is one that focuses on abundant life. A church which is engaged with the community because it is in the community and allows the community to use its resources without expecting to convert anyone.
In defining themselves their website reads,
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an architectural jewel sitting at the corner of one of the world’s most famous squares. It’s a place of encounter between God and humanity, the wealthy and the destitute, culture and commerce. We welcome you into the warmth of this vibrant community.
I returned on Sunday evening to their monthly Sacred Space service I suppose in an attempt to catch sight of this vision. I could see that those in attendance straddled the many diverse communities of central London. The service itself was typical in the Anglican style though it Taize chants replaced hymns. It was more informal in that we moved into the chancel choosing to kneel or sit on cushions.
Yesterday evening Wednesday I returned for an informal Eucharist at 6 30 pm. The community seemed much more evident as I observed how they greeted each other as friends on a journey rather than perhaps the usual church handshake. I sensed the gathered were indeed the homeless, the refugee, the wealthy, the disabled, the abled, the average. It seemed the website definition reflected what I saw.
There was a leaflet addressing the concerns of Coronavirus in relation to drinking from the chalice, eating the bread and giving the peace. It ended with the words,
We, therefore, participate not in restrained concern, but in joyful gratitude.
After the service, everyone was invited to share in a simple meal in an adjoining building. I was so taken by the community spirit that I felt I would be intruding to join with them. Perhaps that showed that I retain my own barrier to being vulnerable as a stranger amongst friends.
g
