Staying with Betjeman again today, “The Dear Old Village” is a look at life in an expanding, post war village. As you may observe as you read it, Betjeman is lamenting the passing of church-going and traditional values, as well as other changes being brought about by creeping modernity.
Betjeman is rightly saddened by what he is commenting on but, conversely I find reading the poem quite uplifting. I find the poem uplifting because I know that Betjeman is writing about what is becoming a historical situation. For sure, if Betjeman wrote that poem today and in our parish, there would be other, newer things that he could include that are sadly being lost, but what positive things could he include? Here are some things that I thought of and I list them in no particular order. Messy church at Overslade, youth club on a Wednesday and a Sunday, Pitstop and Coffee Break, Alpha Course, Encounter, Small groups, Pastorate, The Net, React, 24 hour prayer vigils, Discipleship group, Parenting course, CAP. Foodbank, Rugby revive, Hope 4, Casa Reom. I am sure that I have missed some things out and apologies if I have missed out something that you are involved in. If on reading this, you don’t know what some of the things on the list are then ask somebody on Sunday. The point is this… We have come a long way since the 1950s. Praise God!
Modern preachers and worship leaders are daring to talk of a near revival. Church-going is on the rise for the first time in living memory. It is happening folks. Praise God that you live in a more exciting time than Betjeman did.
For prayer.. Take a listen to Delirious and join your brothers and sisters in praying for full revival.
John Martin-Jones
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