In June, I spent just over two weeks in the Solomon Islands, spending time with three Anglican religious communities on the main island of Guadalcanal. While I was with each community, I sought to live their life as fully as possible: I joined their rhythms of prayer, worked in terms of teaching the novices, and spent time relaxing and talking with the community. I sought to learn the vernacular language of Solomon Pidgin as well as some local songs and dances.
The thing that struck me the most was the outrageous, extravagant generosity of the people. Wherever I went I was given an enthusiastic welcome: when I arrived, flower garlands were placed around my neck and then the communities sang and danced to express their joy at having a guest. After this I was presented with delicious food, painstakingly prepared and lavish compared with that which was given to community members. On my last day one of the communities even made me a cake with a lovely message iced on the top!
This abundant generosity was a defining feature of these communities that often had so little in the way of material resources. They often lived with minimal electricity and running water, and without many of the essentials in healthcare and education that we can take for granted here in the UK. Despite this, they gave relatively expensive things away to me, a stranger who would be with them only a few days. Some of the people I met also opened up to me as they shared stories about their past, the joys and challenges of community life, and their plans for the future. This openness was also an extremely generous gift, allowing me some space within their lives and their world.
I think this generosity overflowed naturally from the prayerful and spacious life of these communities. Their generosity was a spiritual practice which could not be separated from their shared rule of life. My experiences in the Solomon Islands made me wonder what this generosity looks like in the very different context of Trafalgar Square. What does this outrageous, extravagant generosity already look like here at St Martin-in-the-Fields? I wonder how we can cultivate this spiritual practice even more within our life together, and what transforming work the Holy Spirit will carry out through this further opening of our own generous hands and hearts.
Revd Angela Sheard
