It’s amazing the things you can find out about on the internet. For example as I write this, 17th February, did you know that amongst other things somewhere in the world it is National Cabbage Day and elsewhere National Champion Crab Racing day? From Monday in the UK it is National Chip week!

In the USA today is also Random Acts of Kindness day and according to the UN Monday is World Day of Social Justice. Both days when people “do” things for others. But if you want you can extend this beyond just one day. During Lent you can take part in a programme known as “40 acts of generosity”. Apparently last year over 100,000 people pledged to take part in this programme.

Each day you pledge to make someone else’s day just that bit better and nicer by doing something unexpected for them. This could be as simple as smiling at a stranger, offering someone a lift or picking the phone up to actually ring and speak to a friend you’ve not spoken to in a while. There is also the option to go much bigger by joining or setting up a litter pick where you live to pledging to not buy any new clothes for a year, or washing some graffiti off a local wall.

But why should it take a special annual day or Lent for us to be kinder to others? Jesus sat at the well and then asked for a drink of water when the Samaritan woman came along, he then offered her Living water as a swap; he turned water into wine when the wine ran out at the wedding; he let the children come to him after a busy day and even when he was on the cross he cared for both his mother, asking John to look after her, and giving hope to the man next to him.

Maybe in this coming week we can all try to smile more at people we meet or hold open a door for someone, give up a seat on the metro for someone else, slip a bar of chocolate in someone’s bag or tell someone how much you appreciate them. (Or as it is National Chip week buy or make a friend or stranger a bag of chips!) I’m sure you can think of many different ideas

As Random Acts of Kindness day comes and goes let’s try to make each day a day of Random Kindness, and maybe you can the share how you have been blessed on Social Media through these simple, small acts.

​God Bless
Charlotte W.

For several years now, 2nd February has been known as Time to Talk Day, when mental health charities and activists commit themselves to helping people to talk about their own and others’ mental health.
We all have mental health – just as we all have physical health – and it can be good or bad. The most commonly quoted statistics say that one in four people will experience mental health problems, with one in ten suffering at any given time. We also know that in our communities, complex mental health conditions are more common than in the wider population, probably because of the stigmas associated with our gender identities and sexual orientations. This fear of people’s reactions can also be a barrier to finding effective treatment. It is unfortunately also true that churches are not always safe places to discuss or disclose mental health conditions. Poor mental health can sometimes be interpreted as an indicator of a lack of faith, and some symptoms are interpreted as a person being ‘difficult’.
Jesus met a man forced to live outside his hometown, in the caves near where his erstwhile neighbours kept their pigs. He was harming himself and talking in a way that people couldn’t (or didn’t choose to) understand. Only Jesus approached and addressed him directly, asked him his name, and offered help. The man had for so long been identified by his problems that he even gave his name as “Legion” for the many ways in which he felt attacked by his thoughts and feelings. Relieved of them, he was calm for the first time in years. He didn’t lose his history – and the people around him are unlikely to forget it, even if they bring him back into the community – but he was in a position to make his own decisions once again and he chose to rest at Jesus’ feet amongst the disciples.
It is not always easy to follow God in the midst of crisis, particularly when your mind is in chaos, but it should feel safe to be amongst the people of God. The people of God who follow Jesus are called to have the courage to stand with one who is isolated even from their experience of themself and to ask their name. In the midst of crisis, it is hard to feel loved or wanted, but a hand held or a shared cup of tea can reach through the Legion of difficult, destructive feelings and anchor someone to the world and the people around them.
I have always had difficulties with my mental health – just like some people do with their physical health – and one of the ways it manifests for me is a fear of being on my own. I find it hard to sit in silence and pray when I am feeling unwell, but sharing with a prayer partner or being part of a congregation is very soothing. Others find it hard to be in a group when they are anxious or depressed and might forgo church for a time. Reaching out to someone you’ve not seen for a while might not feel like much, and you might not even see its effect, but it can be the difference between a bad day and a better one.
Our mental health is precious. Get to know what soothes your spirit, and take time for it regularly. If you think someone else might be suffering, don’t be afraid to reach out to them and invite them to name their pain. When they are ready to ask for help, they will need someone to be Christ to them.
If you are suffering today, please reach out to someone and know God is with you.
Blessings
Kate