A Revelation!
Led by Rev. Naomi, the feast of Epiphany was celebrated outdoors in a blaze of light in St. John’s church grounds (Out Rawcliffe).
This ‘Forest Church’ style inspired service was a star-studded event, with references to light sources everywhere.
There were twinkling fairy lights in the schoolroom, sparkling stars alongside the church path, dazzling displays at the end of the obstacle course, a glittering starlight trail, flickering flame light and glowing embers from the fire pits, bejeweled clay stars, star-shaped sweet treats, beams of light from torches, a luminescent moon in a cloudless sky and the bright planet Jupiter, clearly visible underneath it.
Rev. Naomi gathered the youngsters together and welcomed them before playing a much-needed ‘warm-up’ game on the coldest night of the year! Again, the game was ‘light’ inspired and invited the children to be stationary, run round, dance, and move in ways associated with various lights and functions.
The story of the magi’s journey following the star to locate the infant Jesus seemed quite magical under the dusky sky and a backdrop of tall, frosted trees. This set the tone for the range of planned activities. Children ‘journeyed’ round the frost-covered field, hunting for letters etched onto iridescent CDs, dangling from bushes and shrubs to spell out a themed word.
There was an opportunity to engage in an obstacle course which involved picking up a ‘gift’ (stone), dodging over, under and round various equipment before heading towards the starry display and depositing the treasure.
Crafting was also on offer. Air-dried clay stars, decorated with richly-coloured jewels and glistening gems proved a big attraction for small hands. For those keen to take on a trickier challenge – taking five short twigs and lashing them together with twine to create a star – the end result was delightful.
As dusk turned to darkness, the flames above the fire pits intensified and naturally drew the youngsters and adults alike. The chance to toast marshmallows on freshly peeled sticks was irresistible.
The pièce de résistance was, without doubt, star-gazing through the various telescopes set up in the far field, well away from any light pollution. Chris shared both his enthusiasm and expertise, enabling the children (and many adults too) to see the craters on the moon and the bands around Jupiter. It was a special and unique experience, and again, it brought the magi’s love and understanding of the stars into sharp focus. It was a revelation.
No church service in the Over Wyre Benefice ends without sharing food and fellowship! This event was no exception. Platefuls of jacket potatoes, beans and cheese were quickly devoured by the young people, grateful for some hot food on a bitterly cold night.
GO! God Outdoors.
Did the children meet God in the most natural of settings – in fields, under the stars? They absolutely did…in a similar way to those shepherds and wise men long, long ago!
Two days after the children’s star fest, it was time for the adults to celebrate Epiphany with an evening entitled, ‘Craft and Cocktails’.
The event was open to all adults, interested in crafting, chatting and stargazing, with some tasty nibbles and cocktails thrown in! It was described as ‘quite magical’, by one of St. James’ parishioners.
Once more, it was hosted by St. John’s Out Rawcliffe. The frosted open fields surrounding the church generated an evocative atmosphere on a bitterly cold night and provided a perfect backdrop for such a gathering. The moonlight glow cast over the church, created a welcoming scene and the dazzling stars along the path guided the way forward.
Inside the schoolroom, bedecked with fairy lights, were tables bursting with crafting caboodle. There were opportunities to embroider, shape clay, craft and decorate stars. It was here that Rev. Naomi led a reflective meditation on the journey of the magi. The following words were interspersed with music as people continued with their chosen craft, providing pauses for self-reflection:
“The star directed and guided them. The Magi were scientists and skilled astronomers who recognised the message and the meaning, a call, a sign. I wonder what signs you have seen in your life? I wonder where you have sensed or heard a call? Are there things where you need to make a decision about the direction of your life? Are there places where you’re noticing God speaking to you through things you know? As we think about some of these questions, or if you’re using embroidery to meditate, thread a star to symbolise the signs that we might see in our lives.
Our universe is vast and covers great distances. Tonight, the largest telescopes on earth will gaze outwards into the blackness of space and capture ancient light from distant long dead suns at the edge of the observable universe. Light that began its journey over 10 billion years ago, several billion years before the earth was formed from a collapsing cloud of interstellar dust. The Magi saw a beam of light; light that had travelled across the vastness of space, that began life at some distant point in the past and reached them in that very moment.
God longs to speak to each one of us. God’s word travels through space and time into the very moment of our lives and existence, across the vastness of space and time. Yet, God is the same from the beginning point, to now and to any point in the future. Though the world has changed over billions of years, God is the same. The same as the God who revealed the star to the Magi, who revealed God’s son who was born in a stable at Christmas, who grew to a man.
The Magi gathered what was needed: supplies, transport, maps, they took the risk and they set off. I wonder if there is a decision you need to make at the moment? Something you’re wanting direction for, help with taking the next step? What signs are you looking for? Is there anything you are waiting for? What do you need to settle? If you are using embroidery, go back to where you started and create a journey you’re travelling along at the moment.
The Magi journeyed through the desert and wilderness past towns and villages and followed a star they recognised as a sign. They stopped at a palace but found it was not what they were expecting, not where they were meant to be. Have there been dead ends or wrong turns on your journey? Have there been unexpected paths? Have there been delays, barriers, unanticipated delights and joys?
As you continue to stitch, add some dead ends, or add a jewel to represent what has happened in your life. What signs have you recognised? Where have you seen God at work? The Magi did not know exactly what they would find, they had an idea, but they knew they needed to follow the star, they knew there was something significant in it, but it was only when they met Jesus that they recognised its full significance. We often look for signs but don’t fully know their importance until we see what they are pointing to. We don’t always understand the steps on a journey until we look back with hindsight, recognising the way things fit together. Christians look for signs from God to point us to more of what he has for us. Knowing that he longs to communicate with us, to be found by us, and for us to know his love for us. There might be something now that feels uncertain or unknown, but as we trust God, we can know that the God who created the vastness of time and space, of stars, of dust and galaxies, of our very beings and bodies. God says to us, “Fear not I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine.” I imagine the Magi felt fear on their journey from the initial sign to their setting off, to the wrong turns to their arrival.
Knowing that we are loved and known, we come back to our bodies and think about how we are made of billions of patterns close together in intricate perfect ways, to creating who you are. As we come back to our breathing, its ins and outs, take a few moments to open your eyes, come back into the room to the millions of light years you may have travelled. As we continue our evening with food and craft, we reflect on this wonder and what signs God might be giving to us. We might talk to God through our craft, with each other or through the stars we see outside. Allow God to guide us in our decisions and situations.”
Outside the schoolroom, people naturally gravitated towards the glowing flames and embers of the fire pit, before taking the opportunity to stargaze and enjoy the wonders of the night sky, very much like the magi did all those years ago.
The evening was built around a journey: a journey following the star. A journey of reflection facing some challenging questions. A journey of faith and fellowship. A journey of encouragement, to trust that the light of the star will offer guidance and hope in our lives.
