The Norwegian city of Tromsø is home to the world’s most northerly cathedral. We visited it a year ago and were stuck by the simplicity of the architecture of a building set in a harsh environment. Well beyond the Arctic Circle, the Arctic Cathedral speaks of the Glory of God in ways that differ greatly from many of its counterparts in bustling, highly populated metropolitan centres elsewhere.
Living in Suffolk we are blessed by a climate that is temperate, even with the effects of climate change superimposed on it. We live an hour or so’s train ride from the City of London and slightly further from Westminster. One of the world’s important financial centres is a brisk walk away from the Houses of Parliament, representing an ancient and unwritten Constitution. Our coastline is subject to erosion and constant change and even that reminds us that there is more to it than industrialisation alone. Dunwich fell into to sea long before anyone had done anything to alter sea levels.
The final clause of the URC Statement of Faith states: ‘We affirm our intention to go on praying and working, with all our fellow Christians, for the visible unity of the Church in the way Christ chooses so that people and nations may be led to love and serve God and praise him more and more for ever.
Source, Guide, and Goal of all that is: to God be eternal glory. Amen.’
Whether we stand proud in a chilly environment, nestle under the skyscrapers of business life or are trying to maintain dignity when life can be undignified, we all learn to adapt to continual change and while the worst effects of the change forced on the environment by us are not a source of pride, at the same time there are many fine examples of witness, drawing people and nations closer to God in wide ranging circumstances.
A Prayer
Source, guide, and goal of all that is, all Glory is yours for you have called us to love and serve you and given us purpose in your world. May we continue to adapt to being the people you would have us be, serving when and where you call, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.