Day 72 - Gold

As it happens . . . from May 20th to October 2nd, the British Library in London is running an exhibition and series of events all about GOLD, which it describes as possessing dazzling beauty, and striking resilience, and having long held the power to ignite feelings of awe and wonder across cultures.

This coming weekend, and all this year, the Congregational Federation is marking its fiftieth anniversary, as an opportunity to uncover the golden treasure that God has given us in our long heritage and recent history. The British Library exhibition and events take us on a breath-taking treasure hunt in our shared history: beautiful illuminated manuscripts with gold leaf shining out from the pages; whole books bound in gold, or struck with gold lettering; and the story of a metal so strange, and precious, that it became a symbol of eternity.

So what is the gold that we hold in our hands now, at the end of these fifty years? Here are some ideas.

The rich companionship of so many amazing Christians. We haven’t always been a comfortable lot. In fact, we have lived up rather vigorously to the name of ‘Dissenter’! But that has simply struck more sparks to illuminate the story of our life together.

Prayer: pause for a moment to give thanks for two or three named individuals who have inspired you in your own church, or in the Congregational Federation. Be sure to include at least one with whom you have disagreed!

Then there are the local churches themselves: gatherings of faithful Christians worshipping week by week, planning and carrying out all kinds of outreach and activities; learning new hymns and styles of worship, while valuing the treasury of tradition; looking after buildings inherited from grander generations, maybe reshaping the space to meet current aspirations, or to meet the changing needs of the community.

Prayer: pause again, and let your mind travel around the place or places in which you have worshipped regularly. Let yourself dwell on specific occasions of celebration or transformation. Treasure the memories.

Lastly (Oh, but you can think of so much more!), there is a unique seam of gold running through the heritage of congregationalism. This is the treasure that we offer to the Christian life of our generation. By definition, we look for the treasure in every life. For us, gold can never be vested in the hierarchy, or power, but we expect to catch its brilliance in each person who offers his or her life to God.

This is a treasure we need to guard, as it is easily lost. It is easier to concentrate power in the hands of a few, than to be open to God’s gifts in all people. It means finding ways for people to contribute, building confidence, allowing ourselves to be challenged.

Prayer: now pause to think of the people in your church and community today. If you can, imagine the gleam of gold in each person in your church, one by one. Let your mind travel into the streets that surround you, and see where there is the gold of God’s love, and where there are needs.

And if you come to the May Assembly, spend a moment or two looking round – our eyes may meet! – and look for gold. Then go and tell that church member, that neighbour, that fellow-congregationalist, that you have seen, and given thanks, for them.

Hallelujah!

Janet Wootton