Every month, a member of the URC's Chruch-Related community Work (CRCW) team writes a reflection on their work to equip people for living out their faith in the everyday communities around them. All of these are worth reading, but this month's reflection, from Marie Trubic, who is based at the Priesthill and Shawlands URCs project in Glasgow, is especially significant in encouraging us to live the life of Jesus today.

Marie reflects on our fear of change, as individuals or as part of a larger group and how this can really inhibit us from greater opportunities and stronger bonds with those around us.

Marie starts by describing a scenario regarding the large, imposing, padlocked metal gates that stand boldly at the entrance to the Church grounds. How nice it would be, Marie thought, if those gates could remain open? This became a hot topic of debate, as the congregation feared the worst with regards to vandalism and theft. Eventually, the gates were kept open on a trial period and the experience made Marie realise that:

"... often fear – or our perception of the unknown and danger prevents us, as individual Christians and as congregations reaching out to and engaging with our neighbours and communities. It sometimes prevents us claiming what God has in store for us."

To read Marie's full reflection and to find out what 'giants' (as the title says) has to do with the church gate and it's large, uninviting padlock, read here.

(Photo by Katie Drazdauskaite on Unsplash)

Interested to find out more about CRCW work? Whether you are an individual who is actively engaged in your community and church or a member of a United Reformed Church doing some amazing work but would like to do more, there is plenty of information on our CRCW pages: Become a CRCW and Become a CRCW Project.

You can also email the CRCW office for more information or call the URC switchboard and ask to speak to a member of the team: 020 7916 2020.