Hope in an Economic Crises, a blog from Dean Sue
There are several challenges facing us this winter not least the economic crises that will inevitably push people into food and fuel insecurity. As we watch the news the situation seems to be worsening by the day. Many of us both personally and professionally will as it were ‘have to tighten our belts.’
Over the years we have become accustomed to warm and often very warm buildings whether that be shops, theatres, or churches. We have had many years of being comfortably warm wherever we have gone, but that will change as we enter these winter months and face the looming economic crises.
Having just returned from a visit to our partners in Cologne I realise how in some ways we are better off than they are.
In fact the German Government has asked churches not to heat their buildings this winter because they are so reliant on Russian gas. For the Cathedral in Cologne, this is not a problem as they have never had heating!
As we talked with our German friends about the challenges facing both them and us, we began to reflect on the hope that Christianity offers us in these challenging times. We reflected on the Epiphany and the wise men’s visit to the Christ child. We did this because Cologne Cathedral is a place of pilgrimage, as they believe, they have the relics of the wise men! Thousands upon thousands of Christians go to Cologne Cathedral to see the casket and to pray for the hope the Christ child offers us.
It seems odd to be thinking of those wise men when we are three months away from Christmas, but their faith, hope and trust give us confidence that whatever we face this winter the love of God as seen through Christ will never be far from us.
Cologne Cathedral itself is also a testament to Hope. During the Second World War, like Liverpool, Cologne was severely bombed and photographs around the Cathedral reveal the devastation. In the middle of the rubble, however, Cologne Cathedral stands tall, as a symbol of hope.
So, as I settle back into life here and all the challenges of the winter I do so knowing that we are part of a bigger world and that we are not alone in our challenges. God is with us as God is with the people of Cologne.
Dean Sue