Dear Friends

This is the first letter I have written this year (the January letter being written mid December) and I want to begin with the Tsunami, which held us in disbelief as we saw the images of the devastation caused by the huge tidal wave sweeping around the Indian Ocean area. I still find it difficult to believe that what we saw is real, although I know that it is.

I have often been grateful that I cannot do anything to change the weather. I can be held responsible for all sorts of things, but not the weather. This time I would willingly have done something if I could have. Maybe I should remember that my actions do indirectly contribute to the climate we will have in the years to come. I am reminded how vulnerable we are as human beings and that I cannot see God’s bigger picture. All I can do is to play my part; the part to which God is calling me at a particular point in my life and be faithful.

I believe that courage and imagination are important qualities for faith today. The film director Mike Leigh encourages his actors to immerse themselves in their character and setting first, to imagine themselves in their part. When filming occurs the actors play their part within a broad outline of where the narrative is going, with little scripting. The actors improvise in response to one another. I’ve just begun reading ‘Improvisation –the drama of Christian Ethics’ by Samuel Wells. In it he looks at how the church may become a community of trust, in which Christians are shaped and empowered to face the unknown future with freedom; freedom which can sometimes be found through improvisation, rather than fear. An inspiring book for a challenging time!

At the beginning of this month productions of The Street Bible will be taking place in Otley and Ilkley and in local secondary schools. The Lacy Theatre Company have been invited to our area to put on their 75 min presentation of the ‘basic story of God and his people’ in a way which uses street language and a website structure. The street bible (also published by Zondervan) is a retelling of the bible in paraphrase, making connections with some of today’s big issues using gritty, earthy and witty language.

As Lent begins we remember that Jesus was led into the desert by the Spirit; an earthy, raw and harsh environment. Faced with temptation he learnt more about himself and the work he was going to do. We do not know whether he could forsee what was to come. Did he know how he would respond, how he would feel and handle his emotions? The Gospels suggest to us that his strong and intimate relationship with God made it possible for Jesus to fulfill the will of his Father.

Improvisation may be a new idea to us this Lent. Let us imagine ourselves on the way to the cross with Christ and respond to what God is doing in our lives, so that we may enter more deeply into the mystery of Easter.

Yours in Christ,

Ruth

Samuel Wells, Improvisation - the drama of Christian Ethics; Brazos Press, Michigan USA, 2004; ISBN 1-58743-071-1 (pbk)