Monthly Message from our Rector - Sept 2026
Communities: Ancient & Modern
Over the last month we have been looking at the idea of Community. Today, we live in a much more individualistic world than the world of the Bible, but we also live in a lonelier word and one where fewer people are part of deeper friendships and communities. We are made in the image of a God who is relational – we are made to be in relationship with God and others. To truly thrive, we need to be in community. And so, if the Gospels set out a model for community for their time, we need it even more now!
I must admit that I have always spoken about church communities in the singular. Yet, as we explored the idea of Church and community over the last month, I was struck at how the gospels and the book of Acts see Jesus as part of multiple communities, operating at different sizes and levels of intimacy.
There was the 3 – Peter, James and John, who Jesus uniquely shared his greatest highs and lows with; they were there to witness him radiant on the mountain, but they were also there to pray for him in the Garden of Gethsemane as he came to terms with what he would have to face on the cross.
Perhaps the best-known community in the Gospels is the 12 disciples the group Jesus spent the most time with; eating, learning, praying, and sharing joys and sorrows together.
Less known is the post-resurrection community of 120 in Jerusalem (detailed in Acts 1) which included the 11 disciples (after Judas died), the women who supported Jesus, his family and other disciples, that soon expanded into multiple multinational congregations.
So how might these different levels and expressions of community look today?
Firstly, in pairs or prayer triplets who meeting to pray and support one another at the deepest level. Secondly, as midweek groups meet to work, study, pray and share together. Then we have our different worshipping congregations, and beyond this we have the occasions where we come together, as we will do on the 30th August, to walk, to eat and worship together. And of course, as churches we are all part of the deanery, the diocese, the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and the global body of Christ. We are community at so many different levels and in so many different ways.
So, who are we building community with at each level? Do we have a group, maybe up to dozen or so people that we can regularly meet with and learn and grow together? And do we have a few people that we can share most deeply with, like Jesus did with Peter, James and John? Perhaps this is an opportunity to ask God who he is leading you towards.
I pray that Jesus would show you, who he is calling you to build community with.
Revd Peter Francis (Rector)
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Address: The Rectory, Walkley Hill, Rodborough GL5 3TX