From the Rector – Oktober 2026

Faith

A cartoon shows a man and his partner, with the man looking out of the window anxiously. “I’m not worrying” he says, “I’m warding off tragedies by constantly anticipating them.” In worrying times there is plenty of work for prophets of doom. These are rarely religious preachers prophesying judgement. Our contemporary prophets of doom are warning of judgements which are all too human. Computer experts warn that the AI we have created could destroy us all within a few years. Climate scientist warn that we are at a global tipping point, after which the earth’s climate may oscillate wildly. And political commentators warn of the threat of catastrophic war in Europe, as the consequence of Putin and Trumps’ disastrous actions.

People in other lands already live with the outcome of some of these horrors. Without faith in a God of love, it must be difficult to face such dangers. Trust in a just and loving Creator cannot change human nature or prevent the consequences of human activity, but it certainly helps us to find the peace we need in a challenging and fast changing world. Christian faith teaches the path of peace, forgiveness and justice, but recognises the reality of human brokenness. The New Testament knows Jesus of Nazareth as God’s living presence in our messy world, not overruling, not controlling, but sharing in human woe. Unjustly slandered, targeted, arrested and executed for challenging the status quo of religious corruption and occupying force, Jesus died in Palestine, as have so many other innocent women, men and children over the ages. His life and death assures us of God’s presence alongside us, with us, in our darkest places. His resurrection gives us hope for the future, not only in a world to come, but in the transforming power of human love, forgiveness and generosity, which we can see around us when we look for it. As Christians we pledge ourselves to working for peace, safety and freedom for all the people of the world, and healing for God’s creation, with a firm hope that God is with us today, and always. 

Revd Ralph Williamson – Rector