As another year begins all sorts of predictions are expressed, resolutions are made and we all hope for a good future. But it is not long before the shine is off and we are back in the old routine. We have put the decorations away, the house is back to normal and everyone is back in their own place. There is a certain relief in this but there is also a yearning for a bit of a change, an opportunity to explore and find some enrichment in our lives. Perhaps as we set out into 2006 there are certain clues for the journey.

Firstly we should care and share. There is a tendency to carelessness in lives that are so demanding, hurried and full. Relationships need tending, children need time and nurture, older folk appreciate a friendly visit, friends welcome a call and each of us needs space for reflection and self. Take care can be a very trite phrase but it should be a meaningful expression of love and concern. Perhaps we could use it more this year.

Sharing is what we have been encouraged to do since infancy and is the great union of giving and receiving, of knowing the other and finding yourself.

Sharing means listening, having a conversation, laughing together and taking our turn to do and to be.

Sharing is to be a citizen of the world and to welcome our brothers and sisters and my how this year needs it.

Secondly we should grow and go. As we look forward to Spring our thoughts turn to sowing and planting for growth. Our children and young people need support for development. We would like to be better parents, partners and neighbours and to realise that this desire will require nurture It is often said “I don’t know what is happening to our society or country” with a shake of the head. Is there a decline in standards of behaviour and personal responsibility? Perhaps if we reflected on opportunities for growth personally we would be surprised by the change in our view of our communities.

At the start of the year we are encouraged to travel, to get up and go. Many will travel for a purpose, they will engage in acts of service across the world. Even if we cannot join them we should support them and rejoice in their commitment. At a much simpler level we need to take the first steps to repairing relationships and opening closed doors.

Thirdly we should pray and praise. Prayer is often dismissed as a churchy thing but most people do engage in prayer even if they call it something else. They do reflect, meditate and listen. They question their actions and attitudes and have moments of regret. They express concern for others and long for their recovery and restoration. In doing this they are searching deep into their inner selves and it is healthy.

Praise is life enriching. It affirms our worth as individuals and puts a spring in the step.

To be appreciated, to be thanked and welcomed are the marks of a loving community and our parishes, country and people need them to be shown fully in 2006.

These reflections form part of a conversation that the Church must have with the people of England. As the Church begins the conversation it needs to listen and live out the caring and sharing, the growing and going, the praying and praising. Then we shall be the people of the Way and welcome others to accompany us as pilgrims.

Stanley Menzies

Our new Archbishop of York is an exceptional man. He was born in Uganda, one of thirteen children. He walked 12 miles barefoot to school in Kampala where he was befriended by a young English teacher who bought him a bicycle. Little did the teacher dream that this confident, laughing child who fulfilled his dream to become a barrister would one day become Archbishop of York. He has a remarkable history.

He was persecuted and beaten by Idi Amin’s ruthless regime and escaped to England. He read theology at Cambridge and trained for ordination at Ridley Hall. After ordination he served as chaplain at Selwyn College and then as chaplain at Latchmere House remand centre. He was priest in charge of two parishes in Inner London. In 1996 he became area bishop of Stepney and in 2002 Bishop of Birmingham. He served as adviser to the Stephen Lawrence to judicial enquiry and chaired the Damiola Taylor review.

He comes from the Buffalo Clan whose responsibilities were to be the guardians and protectors of the king. He reminds us that Sentamu means the one who keeps the king’s fire burning and  stoking the fire would have been his job! He has a great sense of humour and would appreciate the story told by Bob Jackson who was about to take a service when the fire alarm went off. The church was evacuated and it proved to be a false alarm. When the congregation returned to church he took great pleasure in announcing the first hymn “Light up the fire, let the flame burn.” John Sentamu wants us to do just that alongside him.

Archbishops and bishops usually sign their name with their Christian name followed by the Latin name for the diocese, e.g David Ebor. Our Archbishop will follow the Ugandan practice and sign Sentamu Ebor. He is the King’s fire stoker for York. He regards the Archbishop of Canterbury as his Moses and sees himself as Jethro. Jethro the father-in-law of Moses was a very practical man who made constructive suggestions. John Sentamu fits this role well and his candour and clarity are great gifts to the Church and nation.

His arrival as Archbishop is very timely because the Church needs to engage with the people of England and rediscover the joy of the good news of Jesus. May he set us on fire!

Stanley Menzies

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