A body of evidence

  Every day, at St Alban's Abbey, there is a chaplain on duty to greet visitors, say prayers and offer pastoral assistance to those seeking it.

  From May to September, the chaplain on duty on Wednesdays is always a Free Church Chaplain.  On 12th July it will be me - doing this duty for a third year and, as always, I am quite looking forward to it.

  It is not often that we get to spend whole days in great places of worship and history.  Being in the Abbey for seven hours or so almost continually, puts you in touch more closely with the rhythm of life and prayer in this ancient place.  You feel much more part of the continuity of the Christian witness there than is possible by just attending the odd service now and again.

  It is also interesting to meet the visitors who come from many places and with many backgrounds - often with a faith other than Christianity and who want to know more about the symbolism and significance of particular parts of the Abbey and churches in general.  There is often some surprise when they realise that I am neither an Anglican nor a member of the Abbey staff!

  But, when I reflect on this chaplaincy day, this is perhaps one of the most natural of things to do.

  Whichever Christian tradition we embrace, we are part of the body of Christ, - a body comprising many parts, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 - all rooted in the same love shown by the one Saviour, Jesus Christ. So, it seems to me, that for the Abbey to invite me and my colleagues to share in its life and work is a tangible expression of that body in action - and I hope that, when visitors leave the Abbey having spoken to a Baptist Chaplain, they will have witnessed for themselves the oneness of Christ's body at work.

  We, in Marshalswick, are particularly fortunate to have a thriving ecumenical group of churches which allows all of us to have this ‘whole body’ experience as we work, play and worship together. 

  The Community Fun Day, on 15th July, will be one such experience as we gather to witness to the community of our unity in Jesus Christ by having fun, raising money for Open Door and proclaiming the gospel through Roly Bain, the vicar who is also a clown.  In September, a number of us will be sharing in a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land and, elsewhere in Church Chat, you will see reference to our work together for Christian Aid.

  In a world which thrives on stories of controversy and splits in the church, we are a living demonstration of the possibility that the church can act in concert and unity, respecting the differences of its parts and rejoicing in the fact there is One Faith, One Church, One Lord!

by Graham Clarke.