We are still in the Sundays after Easter, but we have an additional celebration this week at All Saints, Culmstock: it’s the Annual Parochial Church Meeting! Do join us at 10am for Holy Communion followed by refreshments and then our annual meeting.

Two people are travelling from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They are tired and despondent, not really seeking company, but a man joins them all the same. Asks them awkward questions, then as they travel physically takes them on a theological journey too. Clopas (or Cleopas) and the unnamed companion (probably his wife, Mary, who had remained at the foot of the cross whilst Jesus had died) had been among Jesus’ closest supporters and followers, but when he died they felt as if they had lost everything. They had head rumours of Jesus’ resurrection, but decided not to hang around to see. Clopas and Mary returned home, returned to safety, returned to what was known.

The thing is, as many of us have discovered since, God often has different ideas. Jesus isn’t willing to let us linger, lick our wounds, walk away, when we have been let down by church or other Christians. Jesus needs us, each of us.

‘Ah, but…’ we might say, or

‘I tried once, not again…’ or even,

‘It hurts too much, it costs too much, nothing I have done has made a difference.’

Rarely does Jesus see things the same way we do. Jesus sees the hope and potential when we pull together. When we stand for what we know is right and true, when we follow Him and don’t give up just because life seems too hard.

Mary and her husband had given up, so Jesus goes back for them. He takes time with them, talking them through everything they already knew, reminding the of what they had forgotten, and helping them to see the full picture. Only when they pause to rest and share a meal together does the last piece of the puzzle click. Jesus truly is resurrected, death could not hold him, they are in the wrong place.

As soon as the couple realise what has happened in their presence, Jesus disappears, so they disappear too, returning back to the other disciples, signing up once again for all that Jesus had first called them to. There is work to be done, and it isn’t going to happen in Emmaus, not yet anyway.

So they return to the other disciples, encourage them, and work with them. Together they will build Christ’s church, together they will share the Good News, bring hope and healing. Together.

We have celebrated Easter in our churches and it has been joyful. Some have stayed as they always do throughout the worshipping year, some might return at Christmas or other special occasions, and they are welcome, you are welcome, but how much better to stay throughout the year and be a part of it?

At my licensing the Bishop preached from Matthew 9: The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Quite pertinent for a farming community, but Jesus wasn’t just talking about the crops of the field. Jesus was talking about me and you. Each church comes with much work. There is the work of the word, preaching, teaching, leading worship; there is the work of hospitality, warming the church building, preparing refreshments, arranging flowers, keeping the church clean, welcoming guests for services of all kinds; the work of protection ensuring that our buildings are fit for purpose and remain so as we move through the centuries; and there is the work of governance and leadership, our PCCs and Churchwardens and Treasurers.

Today we will celebrate the past year, we will give thanks for all those who have served so faithfully, but we will also be challenging you. Will you head away from the work that needs to be done, or will you joyfully turn round and turn up for duty? We are at a really exciting point in our church history as we continue to plan and raise funds for our building project to ensure we are fit for worship, fit for community, and fit for mission for the next 100 years or more; and we need everyone to take part in it.

Everyone.

There are some obvious roles that need to be filled. We need a new Churchwarden for example, but there are other not so obvious roles too. Perhaps you could be the one who abseils down the church tower to raise funds for the new lift?

There is an interesting exercise that is used in Marriage Preparation called The Five Love Languages by Dr Gary Chapman. He has discerned that we each speak one of five languages and the key to a happy marriage is to be able to speak each other’s language. These break down into Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Gift Giving, and Acts of Service. These work not just for romantic relationships but all our relationships and also how we serve God in and through our churches.

Serving God, caring for our churches doesn’t have to be painful, it can and should bring us joy. What ‘love language’ do we speak most naturally and how can we use it to serve God?

We don’t hear much of Mary and Clopas after this encounter. I believe that after their encounter with Jesus they just got on with things. We may not be remembered as the churchwarden who served for twenty years and instigated the new loos, but that doesn’t matter. As we meet around the communion table today, as we break bread in Jesus’ presence, will we respond to His call to serve him, in this place, at this time? What is God saying to you now? Where is God leading you? How can you serve in this place?

You can read the story of Mary and Clopas on the Road to Emmaus here. Discover your Love Language here.

If you are reading this locally, and want to get more involved with loving and serving your church, please send me a message.