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Barnes in Commonthe magazine of Churches Together in Barnes
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Faith in Modern Lifeby Rosie FindlaterThis was a course providing real community, as well as an actual dinner with two courses, beautifully prepared by various ladies, who generously gave their time and talents to enable those taking part in the discussions to do so with the accompaniment of wonderful food. Red and white wine helped conversation to flow and we were lucky enough to have two articulate leaders in Ross and Paul, radiating their faith and giving us food for the mind while we enjoyed food for the body – all in an upper room too! We all realise there are no real answers while we are here on earth (and we haven't learned that much since the great philosophers of more than two thousand years ago), but it is fascinating to wonder "Why?" Everyone contributed to the discussions and was encouraged to do so. It was a really good opportunity to get to know others in Barnes from all the Churches, and when we shared our thoughts, we formed new relationships and bonds. It is amazing the response you can get when you give something of yourself, and equally to discover what some people have experienced in their lives of which one knew nothing. Fellowship, sharing and community are words that bring warmth to the heart and can make people blossom, while widening the core of people we know and expanding our horizons. The session on prayer resonated deeply; also Father Paul's suggestion that we keep a little notebook to write and record anything of particular impact, to read over again on a train journey or when we have time to think and reflect, so we do not forget. We ended on a very positive note, with a strong feeling of community and pleasure in each other's company and the feeling that our churches have so much to offer people. How can we make others more aware of our life in the Church? The evenings gave us hope for life today and for the future and perhaps even more importantly, meaning. A
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