Nice weather we are having.

It struck me the other how important the weather is. Whether it’s summer, autumn, winter or spring - it is a shared experience. We can strike up a conversation with complete strangers about the rain; too much -  not enough, or about the temperature; too hot  - too cold or the wind, or the humidity. It is a meeting place of our experiences. And that is important. It seems to me in these somewhat individualistic times we need to have those shared experience even if it is only the weather. We lead (by choice dare I say) very busy lives and I think we can miss the little moments in which we share our lives with each other.

I was thinking about my own life growing us in New Zealand – Weddings, baptisms, 21st were high points in family life. We collectively shared the transitions in our lives. They were shared experiences that were intergenerational and included friends and family. And often neighbours were part of the celebration.

For some church provides that shared experience and I must confess I didn’t understand that until I was in my late 30’s. Until then church was about “what they do at church” and not about church as community. A community in which I am welcomed just as I am, and I am part of a community that offers welcome too.

Community grows when we share our common life together. So thank goodness for the weather  we all share it together and it can begin conversations that can become so much more.