On my return home, it was suggested that it would be useful to repeat this for my training church, Wesley Methodist Church, in central Reading. Our new Basingstoke and Reading Methodist Circuit also challenged us recently to identify where God is at work in our locality, respond in thanks and ask what God is saying through it.
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24 v1)
With these questions in mind, over the course of four weeks in October 2014, church members will walk around the neighbourhood of the church building in central Reading. These walks will take in different parts of the area, to "look, listen and pray" to appreciate how God is present in the world around us and looking to understand our mission in the vicinity.
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| Wesley Methodist Church, Reading |
Here's something of what we observed, in pictures and some words.
Look...
...many trees, evidence of the natural resources of the world, along with some well-tended gardens alongside areas of public green space.
We tried to look upwards for what we don't normally observe when walking, cycling or driving along.
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| A small neighbourhood |
...also spotted - tall sunflowers, ivy growing along a telegraph wire, someone hanging out washing on a high balcony, telegraph poles (reminders of changing technology). Plenty of litter in some spots too!
..."observed" in a different sense was the enticing aroma of a lunch time meal being cooked!
....a large variety of properties, both in age and usage; commercial and residential sit alongside each other together with the Royal Berkshire Hospital which is on the edge of the area we explored.
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| Modern commercial and residential property |
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| Older properties |
I retraced our steps after the walk to take some pictures, and was fortunate to meet Peter and Linda Atwill, taking their narrowboat up through Blakes Lock. Peter is Chaplain to the Waterways, a reminder that there is a ministry to those who live and work afloat (www.canalministries.org.uk).
Listen...
One thing which surprised the group was the depth of silence during parts of our walk, more than we had imagined beforehand. This was particularly apparent in the side streets where there was a distinct contrast to King's and London Roads (if you are not familiar with Reading, these are the main roads linking eastwards from the town centre).
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| One particular place of peace and quiet in the neighbourhood |
...geese and birdsong, the latter even above the noise of traffic on the main roads.
...emergency vehicles en route to the Royal Berkshire Hospital; railway and aircraft noise.
...machinery from some building work - lots going on, some to refurbish and inject new life into tired buildings.
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| Weir above Blakes Lock |
...autumn leaves scrunching underfoot.
...babies crying, guitar music playing.
...responses to 'hello' and 'good morning' as we walked.
...water running over the weir upstream of the lock, the final one on the River Kennet before its junction with the River Thames.
Pray...
...in thankfulness for the variety of the experience of walking around the area, all within 10-15 minutes walking time from the church.
...in thankfulness for the locations of calm and peace.
...for other churches in the area as they seek to fulfil their calling, some are pictured but the list also includes St Andrew's URC, Wycliffe Baptist Church and others.
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Polish Roman Catholic Church
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| St John's and St Stephen's |
...for those in times of transition, perhaps living in the large number of rental properties in the area. For those with lifestyles which see them on the move in other ways.
...that encounters in the neighbourhood will encourage the church community at Wesley to respond to God's call.
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