Creativity is a gift of God. More than that, we could say that when we create something good, something of value, we're sharing in the nature of God, and his life is being disclosed within us. The Bible begins with the powerful image of God as Creator, and ends with the vision of his new creation ('new heavens and a new earth'). Along the way, as Jesus is re-created at his Resurrection, so all who follow him are called to be made new, both once-and-for-all through baptism and also through the daily work of repentance and renewal. 'If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.'

So the Church has a long history of celebrating creativity, using the creative arts in the worship and service of God. The inspiring surroundings of architecture, paintings, icons, carvings, sculptures, and textiles; the uplifting sounds of music and poetic liturgy; the use, in places, of dance and drama; all these things express and nourish our spiritual life. We'd be impoverished without them; and when, at various times and in various places, those of a Puritan outlook have suppressed creativity, the joy and depth of Christian faith have been severely compromised.

In the wider world, God's gift and nature of creativity is encountered through many art forms. Our society, which so frequently seems to despise or belittle faith, recognises and safeguards the presence of what is called 'culture' whether or not its form is ecclesiastical. Indeed, it was striking to learn on my recent visit to Albania that during the years when faith was strongly persecuted and suppressed in that land, faith buildings and artefacts of high cultural value were nevertheless valued and preserved. We need to feed our souls, even when we forget that we have souls to feed.

So it's both a great pleasure and a fresh opening for God to be celebrating All Saints' Arts Festival once again this weekend. I hope many of you who read this will be able to come along and enjoy it. Details can be found here. I commend it to you. And I'd like to thank those whose talents, commitment, sponsorship and goodwill have enabled it once again. Their generosity has the potential to enrich us all, and allow us fresh glimpses of the God who calls us as co-creators with him.

Heavy rain, bright sunshine and a spectacular double rainbow accompanied the journey to Whitnash this evening for Eleanor's Confirmation. 'I hear the mighty thunder,' we sang as the service opened; indeed we had, just a little while earlier.

Bishop Christopher reminded us that in the Bible, showers are a sign of blessing. I thought of the lines from George Matheson's hymn, 
'I trace the rainbow through the rain
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.' 
Coincidentally, the hymn tune is called St Margaret, which happens to be the dedication of Whitnash Church.

The Old Testament reading was Isaiah 43.1-7 and the Bishop took from it the theme of our creation and calling by God. This was linked to the Gospel reading (Mark 1.9-15) in which Jesus is identified as the beloved Son, and then driven out into a sometimes hostile world to live out his vocation. We were reminded of our creation as beloved children of God, and our calling to his service through Jesus Christ.

Eleanor and the other two candidates were taken to the Font, where water was blessed and sprinkled liberally over them. It was a reminder of their Baptism - and indeed of our own. Then came the lovely prayer for the seven-fold gifts of the Spirit:
'...Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them;
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord.'
This led into the Confirmation itself, a particularly personal moment as there were so few candidates on this occasion. And so the service proceeded, as we shared the Peace, shared bread and wine, and afterwards shared refreshments and stories.

Driving home, the sky was clear; the moon was sharp and almost full, lighting up the evening. The words of the Bishop still resonated:
'God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and has given us a place with the saints in light.
You have received the Light of Christ. Walk in this light all the days of your life.'

Will they? Will we?

Postscript: we'll present Eleanor with her Certificate of Confirmation and pray for her again at our Patronal Festival Eucharist on All Saints' Sunday, 3rd November at 10.30am.

On Tuesday I entered a cow field. 

Not 'some cows' field. Just 'a cow' field. 

I didn't die. I wasn't trampled, tossed, pursued, or otherwise harassed. 

The placid calf wandered over towards me, docile and just a little inquisitive. We exchanged pleasantries. It returned to its grazing, and I continued my walk.

This was my first venture into a cow field since becoming the target of an angry stampede back in May. I've walked through many, many fields of cows over the years, and done so without incident - but one alarming experience has really put me off. Statistically, I know that the chances of another such experience are very remote - and I think I'm a rational person - but the possibility is there. So when, later in the day, I found myself in a field with some fifty or so cows and calves, I skirted around the edge and jumped over the fence into the lane, just to be on the safe side. Better to be a coward than a victim. Or to put a more positive gloss on it, discretion is the better part of valour.

There's an important lesson here, and it has nothing to do with cows.

It's the reminder of the damaging effect of a negative experience - an experience of fear or danger when the safety and predictability of the world is turned upside down. My own experience earlier this year was mild - I'd scrambled over and through a thorny hedge and landed, scratched and humiliated but intact, on the other side. But it made me realise how even a single bad experience can limit our lives and distort our perspective.

That means I can better understand the anxiety and fear of other people who've had (far more) damaging experiences. I can better understand the unwillingness to become vulnerable in the same way again, to risk a repeat of whatever it is that has taken place. And the area in which this is perhaps most important is that of human relationships, where an imbalance of power has been used to bully, exploit or abuse someone else. It is little wonder for such people that trust can be so fragile, so challenging to rebuild.

Justice, healing, and a safe environment all have their part to play in rebuilding self-worth and self-confidence. Justice which calls us to work for the common good. Healing which invites us to pray, listen, absolve, anoint, affirm, assure - to minister the redeeming love of Christ in whatever way is appropriate. A safe environment as we strive to treat one another with dignity, compassion and respect. As such things are present, the church becomes more true to its calling: to announce and to foreshadow the life of the kingdom of God.