REFLECTION

This Matthew passage is one of the key passages from the New Testament for our denomination. 'Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them', is at the core of what we are about in Church Meeting, gathered together to discern the will of God through the working of the Holy Spirit for each individual church. It is also the core of the conciliar nature of the URC, that it is people gathered together in the councils of the church that helps us work out our life and work in synods and mission council, in the various other committees and at General Assembly. No one council can 'ride roughshod' over any other nor can any one person be the 'spokesperson' on behalf of the whole church.
There are occasions when that can be, and has been, frustrating - we seem not to be able to say or do anything, but as a previous General Secretary, Roberta Rominger, said, 'it makes the denomination, fleet of foot and agile in response to what is happening in any locality'. We don't need to keep checking with synod or a national committee about being part of a local ecumenical response, nor indeed to instigate a local project of any sort, but, as in this present situation I am so glad that the Moderators and then a team of experts drawn together nationally, have distilled all the advice about making churches 'Covid-safe' from the government and Public Health England, to enable local churches to respond. We know that there has been a lot of work done by small teams to enable our churches, where possible, to consider coming together to worship again.
Yet, like many things in this current situation, I have been forced to reconsider the sentence 'For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them'. If you are reading this reflection as a couple or a household of a few persons, then you are gathered together and Christ is in the midst of you. However, there will be many people across the pastorate who will read this alone in single-person households are they then somehow excluded? The answer to that is a resounding 'NO!'. For as was said a few reflections ago we are linked to each other in fellowship by the Holy Spirit. So, as we settle to worship in individual households then the Spirit is able to unite us together and Christ is in the midst of all of that. That is a key reminder of our faith that I have come to perceive this year. My long absence over the winter due to illness was an occasion where I have felt, more than ever before, the 'upholding in prayer' of people. Somehow, being alone in the house coughing away, I did not feel alone, and indeed in some ways it was a time of spiritual growth which prepared me for lockdown - knowing that the Holy Spirit somehow unites us together as fellow Christians.
Does this then mean we can dispense with 'traditional church'?. I will suggest not - but there is a 'but' coming too. So be warned!
Our Romans passage reminds us very firmly that at the heart of this fellowship in church is our love for one another and love can only be built and sustained in relationship. That relationship has been nurtured and sustained by our 'gathering together' to praise and worship God together in community. The physical presence in a building and all the social interaction in that space is what helps 'build' the church. Yet it is some of that 'fellowship building' which will have to be 'put aside for a season' when, those who can, gather to worship. Even that worship will feel very different too and people will have to get used to a very unfamiliar style of worship. It may well be that that sense of 'Christ in the midst' will be palpable beyond the masks and distance, after all it is gathering to worship God that is the primary focus.
Paul in Romans reminds that fellowship that love is the binding force in the Christian community. Love for God goes without saying, but it is also love for our neighbour. It is for that reason that each person returning to church should strictly obey all the rules and regulations laid down in order that all those attending can feel as safe and secure as possible. Anecdotal evidence suggests that in the joy of being 'back together' people forget the safe distance and the temptation to let the mask slip is strong. It surely has to be the new way of being church, for however long it takes, to keep our fellow worshippers as safe as possible. It is the loving thing to do.
But - and here is the but - what about those who are not able to gather for whatever reason - are they to be excluded in some way, or, as Hebrews would suggest, are they part of the 'host of witnesses' that through the Spirit remain firmly part of the fellowship of faith?. Are they any less a 'neighbour' or a fellow believer? Again, a resounding 'NO!'. part of 'traditional church' has been those important Prayers of Intercession where we remember those unable to worship for whatever reason. If you are a returner spend some time looking around and remembering those who are not with you but encompass them in your prayers. To those of you continuing to worship at home also pray for the fellowship members returning so that they can remain as safe as possible. For in reflection on the Matthew passage and all it contains it only speaks about 'where two or three are gathered in my name', it does not say those two or three have to be in the same place - but gathered in the unity of the Triune God, Creator, Saviour and Spirit.
That was the experience of Paul when he was imprisoned and Dietrich Bonhoffer, Terry Waite and others who have been in solitary confinement. If prison bars cannot separate us from the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit then neither can Covid 19.
Go well, go safely, wherever you worship and in the words of a hymn written for these times:

'Until then may we always discover
Faith and love to determine our way.
That's our hope and God's will and our calling
For our lives and for ev'ry new day'

Hans-Olav Moerk © Wild Goose Publications 2020