From the Pen of Rev Steve
Recent copies of the minister's letters from Rev Steve.
These are reproduced from the monthly Newsletter.
October-November 2025: Coastal Churches
At our recent synod gathering where we shared in a service of Holy Communion, Deacon Ruth Richey wrote a prayer that I found quite moving, an excerpt of which I want to share with you now:
God of tide and tempest,
We pray for those whose lives and livelihoods are by the sea and dotted along the coastline.
Bless the harbours, the horizons, and the homes shaped by salt and story.
Protect those who face rising waters, coastal erosion, seasonal work, or fragile economies.
May coastal churches offer refuge, rhythm, and radiant welcome.
I particularly liked the line, “Bless the harbours, the horizons, and the homes shaped by salt and story”. Poetic language means each word is rich with potential. The words can be understood at face value, but that would be doing the writing a disservice, so allow me to dwell with just a few of them.
Harbours - There is a protection afforded from the storms within a harbour like the embrace of a loved one after difficult news or a bad day. Harbours cocoon us from the ravages of life and allow us to breath and take stock. Harbours are also a meeting place and to reignite the truth that we need communion and connectedness.
Horizons - Perhaps we can at times take the horizon for granted in Sidmouth, but those visiting the coast from inland often comment and value the vastness that is before them. The horizon conjures up many possibilities and potential. Yet horizons can be a brave new world, departing from what is familiar into the insecurity but opportunity of the new.
Salt - When Ruth first prayed this prayer it was this particular line that stopped me such that I didn’t register much of the rest of her words….. Homes shaped by salt…. Growing up on the coast in Grimsby you could sometimes taste the salt on your skin if you happened to be on a walk by the coast and one of those biting easterly winds blew up. It also conjures up salty seafarers with their stories and tales. In addition biblically salt is seen as a flavour enhancer and a preserver, and as disciples of Jesus we are linked to this mineral.
Story - I find it wonderfully comforting that our homes are shaped by story. The fabric of our buildings and being moulded by the heritage of those that have gone before us. Equally our story and song will continue to evolve the bricks and mortar of our existence.
Ruth prayed that coastal churches like our own can be a place of refuge, rhythm and radiant welcome. I don’t know what anyone else thinks but I think this excerpt should be printed out, framed and placed on a noticeboard in church…. You may like to do the same at home.
Steve
From the Pen of Rev Steve
May coastal churches offer refuge, rhythm, and radiant welcome