Relevance

Though I used to listen to Radio 4 a lot, I have never listened to the Archers. In case you have never heard of it, it is a very long running radio sitcom, set in the countryside, with an avid following. One of the pubs in Inkberrow, where my sister lives, is reputed to be the inspiration for the pub in the programme.

Fictional sitcoms do become real for us, though. If you are old enough, you may remember the ‘Free Dierdre Rashid’ campaign that even got referred to in Parliament!

Well, one year the Archers got it really wrong. In England a drought had really begun to bite, but in the farms in Archersland, no mention of any problems in the country. It really upset people, apparently! Reality and Believed Fiction in dissonance! They don’t let that happen any more!

I have that dilemma, a least a bit, as a blogger. I haven’t created a world you inhabit, but I want to reflect what is happening. Sometimes that it not easy when you are in the middle of it.

However, Ignite started properly tonight. What I saw was an excellent achievement of a group of individuals who have been called into exploring what Ignite could be. A whole host of people came to see what was happening, and became part of it. Music, prayer, scripture, contemporary wisdom to point so clearly to our human need for hope, and the space to respond. A new space was created, ripe for new connections and possibilities among those who took part. A real space to watch.

Thanks to all of you making it happen, thanks to all of you making space and praying as it happens. Thanks on behalf of those becoming Ignite.