St Martin’s goes by many names which I sometimes believe can aggrandise us a little: The ‘Royal Parish Church’, (well there are some very uncomfortable antique royal chairs). The ‘Nation’s Parish Church’ (because we are on the radio a lot). The ‘Church of the Ever Open Door’ (A lovely notion, but for the past year sadly not one we can claim other than metaphorically).
Grandest of all perhaps is ‘The World’s Parish Church’. I think it began with the World Service broadcasts but in a small way in the last year, with our explosion of online listening across the world, it has some truth to it.
One of the few joys of lockdown has been welcoming old and new friends from across the nation and across the world through online worship. The number of Facebook views each week is heartening but it is of course the real people behind the profiles that matter. They remind us of a faith which crosses all barriers of race, class, demography and sexuality. A faith that literally crosses the barriers of time and space. What matters is not the size of the multitude online or how many line the road to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. What matters is the knowledge that ‘where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them’. It is sad we cannot have a donkey in Trafalgar Square today but people, faith and worship remain and the donkey will return next year.
Personally I find it easier to focus on worship in a church than at home but lockdown reminds us that what we need most is our faith the people we share with. So today is a special day of sharing after the service. Whatever street in the world you line on this Palm Sunday you are invited to join together for some ‘Coffee on Zoom’ after the 10:00 (GMT) service. We will split into small groups in the virtual St Martin’s Hall. The invite is here – just click the link and I look forward to meeting you.
Global SMITF Coffee for Palm Sunday
11:00 London https://zoom.us/j/98367740704
Meeting ID: 983 6774 0704
Andrew Caspari
