A message to you from our Chair, Bishop Rob
March 23, 2020
Dear friends,
With this talk of self-isolation, and social distancing, I am reminded that there is much in the Bible written by people who are isolated for whatever reason. Take these words for example:
“12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved; I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.”
– Philippians 3.
St Paul, of course, is writing from Prison, reminding us all, from his place of isolation, that we all press on in the hope that we have been given in Jesus Christ, even when the world is changing around us. He holds on to our core values, as we remain rooted in our prayerful privilege of loving and serving our neighbour.
I am so grateful for everyone in the Winter Night Shelter Network for your extraordinary hard work as we respond to the changing needs of our shelters, and the developing obligation for us to speak with a prophetic voice. History shows that when a crisis hits, often it is the poorest communities who are hit the hardest, but often it is also the case that our poorest communities are the most resilient, and have much to teach about how to adapt. I am aware that your work is crucial in this, and our learning, our listening and our adaptability will help to form the basis of our work in the years to come.
Please also go gently in these extraordinary times. You are important, you are valued, but you are also fragile and vulnerable. Yet together, like treasures in clay jars, we press on towards the goal in faith, hope and love.
With my prayers and thanks for you all,
+Rob
The Rt Revd Rob Wickham | The Bishop of Edmonton
