From time to time a word comes into being. We may wonder however we managed without it. Lockdown is one such word. Online is another. Vegan, pescatarian and bouncer have been around for some time. ‘Agnostic’ came into being, thanks to Darwin’s bulldog, T.H. Huxley. Also in the 19th century Reichenbach came across a new substance. It needed a name. Reichenbach gave it one: paraffin.
But one word in a class by itself is ‘lovingkindness’. Miles Coverdale – who brought into being the first complete Bible in English – coined this word to translate the Hebrew word ‘chesed’. It has been variously translated as steadfast love or faithfulness. It comes like the tolling of a bell throughout Psalm 89.
The German theologian Schleiermacher saw ‘felt dependence’ as the starting-point of true religion (to which Hegel responded by saying that if that is so, the most religious creature is the dog). Another starting-point is the idea of covenant, an agreement between God and man. What God has promised, God will see through. Uncompleted projects like the Cape to Cairo railway, Chaucer’s ‘Canterbury Tales’ and Beauvais Cathedral remind us of difficulty we humans sometimes have in making good our best intentions.
The thoroughness of God is part of his glory. In Cowper’s words ‘He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will.’ Looking for a word that would cover this constant, unfailing depth of affection for God’s creatures, Coverdale gave us the word ‘lovingkindness’. The Old Testament word for this is ‘chesed’. Its New Testament equivalent is ‘grace’. Luther used the same German word to translate both. We see here God’s thoroughness (Philippians 1.6) and his tender affection (Matthew 12.20). His undeserved favour elicits thanksgiving to colour all our praying.
NZ DANCER
Charles Torlesse was a vicar’s son who was keen to set up a traditional-style English parish in Rangiora, New Zealand with himself as squire. He gave a lead in all the settlement activities, with cottage worship giving way to worship in a church building named after John the Baptist. The present vicar is Toby Behan, who was a professional dancer with the Royal New Zealand Ballet until he was ordained in 2018.
PENLEE CLUSTER
The four churches in the Penlee Cluster, Cornwall have an imaginative website and a special interest in concerts, music and the arts. They are in touch with a possible intern from Malaysia who has expertise in dance. Team leader is Sian Yates.
EXETER AND BEYOND
St Leonard’s church, Exeter has a vision going far beyond Devon and the West Country. Paraguay and northern Argentina are just two of the areas getting backing from the congregation. CRU West Christian ministry in schools in Perth, Australia is another field of interest. The ministry team is led by Simon Austen, who has taught biology and been a school chaplain.
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