Dear Friends

Over the winter I had to abandon my practice of making bread at home, because I refused to put on additional heat in the house to raise the dough for the hours that it needed! I had a go, but somehow the bread didn?t seem to turn out so well, so I cut my losses and stopped for a while. Now the weather has turned so much warmer over the last few weeks I shall take it up again. I have missed the excitement of getting up to find that the tiny puddle of dough I put in the bowl the night before has grown wonderfully overnight and with some kneading and more time it will be ready for a quick spell in a very hot oven to turn it into bread for eating and giving away. It all needs very little from me except time. 

It?s the multiplication that is so amazing. How you can put together ingredients which on their own seem quite inert; that is they don?t seem to do anything on their own, but put them together and in time an explosion of life takes place. You can?t eat much of the individual basic ingredients apart from the water, but put together they can nourish you for ages, that is if you can resist a second helping! 

I love bread-making. I find it really satisfying. I find that it gives me life as I make it as well as when I eat it. I can also pass it on to others. The fruit of the time that I spend on my own making bread I can share with others. Eating and drinking with one another is a very special part of life; whether a little something with a cup of tea or a meal to mark a once in a lifetime celebration. This is true of so many creative gifts and offerings of time that we make at home, through work or school/college, which we do on our own, but which when brought together create something special for us all. We are meant to live in community and the human society of one another. Without it we would be lost and life would be less fruitful and fulfilling. Jesus, described himself as the bread of life.

I have that same feeling of excitement when I think about him as I do when I think about bread. In him the ingredients of a life come together and become something amazing; not just his life, but ours too. His presence allows good things to multiply and he creates wonderful hospitality. In the Eucharist he shares himself with us and builds us into community. As we live our lives alongside others he is present providing nourishment, health and life in our words, actions and our rest. He is for us to pass on, good news we would not want to keep to ourselves as others pass on their good news to us. He is passionate about feeding the hungry with good things. 

Once you?ve got the bug for something you keep pursuing it. You might put it down, but often it comes back. I got my bread interest from my gran who always baked and her yeast mixtures rose next to the open fire all year round! I was encouraged in my Christian commitment by her as well, a faithful woman up at 5am baking biscuits and cakes for church and other events! And of course there?s always more to learn; all sorts of breads and all sorts of recipes, local and international. So there is never a dull moment; something to be looking out for towards improving what I do, changing the recipe or being inspired by someone else. And of course it?s fun to meet someone and exchange bread for some jam or marmalade in return to go on it. Then we can sit down and eat in style. 

Ruth