Letter From Tom Raper – Churchwarden of Otley Parish Church
Our town of Otley has a great tradition of the Chevin Cross which is erected each year two weeks before Easter, staying in place for four weeks. Taking part in putting up the Cross is great fun with a bit of hard work made light by many hands. People come together to help – folk with faith and folk with little or no faith; it doesn’t seem to matter. Hauling up the Cross on the cables as a team you often hear conversations, some of which are brief but often they are about faith. Frequently I hear, “I’m not religious, but doing this is really special as it means such a lot”.
Putting up the Cross each year is special. It’s a great witness to Jesus who through His death and resurrection has done it all for us. It’s a symbol of hope which can be seen from many homes in Otley over Easter. Pictures of the Cross going up often make the news throughout the region including the local television news.
I wonder how we can all keep this symbol of hope alive and, indeed, how as the church community of Otley Parish Church we can remain Easter People? To be an Easter person means to rejoice – to live in remembrance of Easter and what it means for us! Jesus’ death and resurrection on the cross 2000 years ago was an historical event, not a myth or a fairy tale. It means that we are able to have JOY because we know that the ultimate battle has been won for us on the Cross. Two weeks after Easter Day when the Chevin Cross comes down, it can feel that the symbol of hope and protection over Otley has gone! I know that sounds silly, but that’s how it can feel.
Recently, Eric Cairns preached about the power of the Holy Spirit and how the Spirit is a gift from God to each one of us. I think you can actually discern the Spirit moving and working through the group gathered together when putting up the Chevin Cross. At House Group the other week we discussed our experiences of listening to God and the times in our lives when this happened. Almost everyone felt that they heard the voice of God through listening to other people. Listening to the chats when hauling up the Chevin Cross there’s always an opportunity to tell others, “I worship at Otley Parish Church and it’s a great place to be”.
As Christians we can have many conversations in our everyday lives with people about faith and about going to church. Some people just want to know more about what it means to be a Christian. Perhaps these are the sounds of tiny mustard seeds falling. Jesus’ Parable of the Mustard Seed compares the Kingdom of God with the smallest seeds on earth. When it grows it becomes the greatest of all shrubs and puts forth large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.
Listening to God is often described as the Still Small Voice. Wherever we may be in our daily lives there is a constant opportunity to proclaim His greatness and mercy. This small voice can occur anytime in our conversations with others. By listening to what we hear and discerning the still small voice, and whenever we can, acting upon it provides the compost for the mustard seeds to germinate and grow!!
Next Easter if you are able to please do come and help to put up the Chevin Cross, or just come to watch. You never know how many mustard seeds of faith you might be helping to grow.