Local Church

Messing around with a Flash Gun on remote.

I find church very comforting. This is quite a traditional CofE church, attended by the local farming community, and is a wonderful oasis of peace and quiet and calm reflection.

Church and Faith are mostly derided in the press these days, but I find the time there hugely beneficial to my mental and spiritual well being.

Let me expand on that after a good night's sleep. I was exhausted when I wrote those words above, and I want to write more, even if just for my own benefit.

This church has the most wonderfully gentle Reverend/Minister/Vicar that I've met in a long time. I find his sermons brief, but amusing, encouraging, full of grace and kind words, and they have an effect on my thoughts and my behaviour for the week that is to come.

In a world that seems to be becoming more corrupt, more self-seeking and more morally lost than ever before, it is a great source of comfort to go to church - and it's been a long time since I've felt like that!

It's strange that a place and a faith that offers forgiveness, hope, reconciliation, love, restoration and fulfilment can be so ignored and derided and scorned by people when we are more in need of those things in our lives than ever before.

I know that the church has been responsible for some heinous crimes and has let many people down - including myself. But that's to ignore the great healing and benefit that the church and her faith have provided for many, many people over many years.

Perhaps one only begins to appreciate these things as one grows older, and one's demise draws nearer!

I am grateful to a Minister who seems to genuinely care for each one in his flock, and who has kindness in his eyes.