"A Time to Gather Stones Together"
Have you ever really looked at the exposed stone wall at the front of the Church? It fascinates me. It was never built to be seen. It would have been made from the cheapest stones that could be found. Mis-shapes or stones previously used in older, derelict buildings. The ‘good’ stones were kept for the outside - the bits that could be seen. The cheap stones were supposed to be covered up and plastered over.
I’m not sure whether the hands that built the wall would be bemused or downright horrified that a century plus later not only would it be on show for all to see but a focal point in the Church ! I can imagine there would be some serious tutting by the more ‘elevated’ ladies of that 19th century congregation – particularly if the source of the ‘re-cycled’ stones were considered ‘unsuitable’! Imagine, the dignified ladies being forced to look at the 3rd stone down 20 across which came from the Late Widow Smiths privy on Halliwell Street “Tut, she took in lodgers you know and was known to frequent The Bridge Inn!” The Horror! (You’ll look at the wall in whole new light now won’t you!)
The main thing that fascinates me about the wall is the skill and thought it took to build. Every stone was found a place. If I’d built it I wouldn’t have lugged those big whoppers up a ladder! My wall would have all the big ones at the bottom with the stones getting smaller the higher you got. My wall would have fallen down very quickly.
A few weeks ago Evie was asking if Andy or I would be going to a Church meeting if we both couldn‘t go. I said Andy as a Steward was more important than me and he should go. Trish told Evie that everyone in the Church was important, even her! So who is the most important person in the Church? The Minister? Without a congregation a Minister is just a person talking to an empty room. What makes a group of people become a congregation? The Stewards who organise the service? Is the oldest person the most important, after all they know the history and have held faith through many years? What about the children? They are the future.
The answer, of course, is that everyone who walks through the door to worship is important. The Church is led by the Minister in faith but run by the people for the people. With the Healthy Churches project and Finance review Moorhouse has had to be quite introspective recently. We know that attendance numbers could become a problem in the not too distant future. Fewer people means a smaller Collection. We need to look at getting the building used more to create income but this then increases the cost of maintenance and utilities. The future is problematic. We can pray for a 21st Century revival. We can pray for the future at Moorhouse. But we should also play our part too. Like every stone in the wall everyone of us is important. If the smallest stones were removed the wall becomes unstable and will eventually fall.
We have recently been asked if we can help with any of the many jobs that go on in the Church. Have you answered that call? The small number of responses for the Healthy Church review was disappointing but it is not too late to have an input. What do you want from Moorhouse? Bible Studies? Social activities? Times for reflection or meditation? Do you just want the Church to be there for you on a Sunday? If so what sort of experience do you want to have on a Sunday morning? You are valued. Please tell your views to a Steward or you can still use the Healthy Churches suggestion box.
I even have a favourite stone in the wall. I suspect it was one that wasn’t considered of the right shape or quality to be used in an ‘on show’ wall or possibly any wall before. It looks as though someone just found it lying around and thought it might as well be used. But it fits in the wall. The craftsmans hands found other stones to surround it, fix it in place, fit it in.
In turn that stone supports the ones above it, strengthens the ones below it. I love that wall.
Kate Bentley