The Very Rev Albert Bogle reflects on change and New Year’s Day.

Albert Bogle

I THINK I’ve never really liked January 1 mainly because to my mind it’s always cold, damp and miserable. You look out the window and the street is as silent as a cemetery apart from the odd party reveller returning home.

It’s pointless putting on the television because it’s usually the same old movies, and of course an extended version of the television game show ‘Pointless’ which only adds to the depression that you feel could settle in upon your thoughts, if you were to linger too long looking out of the window or trying to find a pointless answer.

Now don’t get me wrong – the feeling only lasts for a few minutes but it is there most years; except for 2017 when something changed. The phone rang. It was about 2am. It was Iain, my son-in-law, to say that our daughter Sarah Jane was in labour, and could we get over as quickly as possible to their house to look after our granddaughter Sophia. Suddenly everything changed! The grey streets of a damp Glasgow January 1 morning didn’t look so grey simply because Imogen Grace, our second grandchild, had been born. You see, borrowing a phrase from last month’s article, everything changed when Grace came into town. For me it was literally true!

I share this story because it’s people and events that make the environment, not the weather. Too often we in Scotland allow the cold damp days of winter to affect our moods and in doing so we can be robbed of the hidden treasures that are found in making and building upon our relationships. We often do the building by making the first move. I think there is something to be gained by being the one who offers to help before being asked. I think that is a biblical idea. We are told in scripture, that is what God does, at least according to Isaiah 65; 24. He writes in the name of God saying: “Before you call I will answer and while you are still praying I will hear”.

“If only we could become friends who anticipate each other’s needs. If only we could become members of the church who not only see what needs to be done but who offer to help before being asked!

If only we could become friends who anticipate each other’s needs. If only we could become members of the church who not only see what needs to be done but who offer to help before being asked! I can’t understand why it is that so many can sit back seeing others struggling with the burden of the day and yet never offer to lend a hand or even think about who they know who might help. Is it because we create environments that make it difficult to offer and receive help? Is it because we just don’t really know each other? I have a feeling it’s more to do with the latter.

Something that has always intrigued me is the amazing deep and lasting friendships that have started out of going to church. But I must confess what intrigues me even more is that there are not more of these kind of relationships around in the church today.

Don’t get me wrong – people can be friendly but are they building friendships? The Church Without Walls report talked about a church being shaped by friendship in order to grow and mature in grace. If in all our thinking about being radical and in our future planning we omit to see the significance of Christian fellowship and friendship, then we will fail. Fellowship is what grows a church family. Church leaders who model friendship discover that many within the congregation take their lead from them.

So perhaps it’s time to turn January 1 into a grace filled day. I know where I will be. I’ll be at a party on January 1 for the rest of my life. It’s truly amazing what can happen when you stop looking out of the window and liftthe phone and offer to help. I guess that’s how we change the church and January 1.

The Very Rev Albert Bogle is a Pioneer Minister of Sanctuary First Church Online at www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk