St Michael and All Angels Houghton-le-Spring

Deanery Quiet Day Saturday 5^th December at St Oswalds, Shiney Row

Braving the wild wind a few of us gathered with Bishop Paul to share a day of quiet reflection as we  journey through Advent and encounter the busyness that the season brings to church life and beyond.

We read through and reflected on Psalm 62.  Bishop Paul shared some of his thoughts and understandings of the language and meaning highlighting God as rock both in the sense of foundation and refuge – God as our stronghold.  He noted that we often overlook the power of God when we are seeking to solve problems big and small and that we look to ourselves for answers.  We were invited to spend some quiet time focusing just on God.

After coffee we explored Psalm 62 some more.  Bishop Paul noted that we need to be able to fully acknowledge our own frailty to ourselves and before God if we are to truly worship and follow him.  We were invited to spend some quiet time reflecting on our shortcomings and difficulties.

After lunch we moved our focus onto Psalm 63.  Bishop Paul reflected on the power of thirst having been in a situation where there was no water to drink for a considerable time.  He moved on to explore praise, particularly in the light of our previous thoughts on God as our rock and our own shortcomings.  We were invited to spend some quite time thinking about praise.

I spent the first two period of reflection time in the church in silence.  When reflecting on the power of God the noise of the roaring wind battering the church brought to mind the story of Jesus calming the storm.  The fear and panic of the disciples, the lack of faith matched with the extreme calm of Jesus as he commands the turmoil to cease.  How often do I get caught up in my own chaos and that of others and forget to stand still, listen and trust?

I won’t share with you the shortcomings and difficulties I reflected on during the second period of quietness; needless to say I had plenty to think about.

The final period of reflection I spent reflecting with another person, somehow praise felt for me more of a sharing experience.  We ended our day together in the praise of singing.  I came away with much to think about and a sense of having taken some time out to reconnect with God and my fellow travellers.

Christine Britcliffe