For Whom the Bell Tolls No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee.
John Donne - Public Domain
Have you ever thought: ‘Each congregation is a team?’ When a congregation works as a team great things happen.
I belonged to a curling team for many years. We curled in competitive bonspiels at annual events in surrounding communities. We got to know our competitors—we knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
A winning team requires extraordinary effort from each player. Church—parish life—islike a sports team.
A priest joining a new parish is notunlike the ‘team coach’ or ‘manager’ who needs to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each ‘team’ or Parish member. In every parish, there are the supporters, those who are new (trainees), the encouragers, and the affirming members. Included within this large team are “sub-teams” or activity groups for out-reach; Bible study; church school; choir. There are ‘sub-managers;’ workers; background support-members. One could go on at length identifying various roles, and groups.
For a team to perform well, the first need is trust. The first need is not: ‘this is how we do it here at Saint Swithun.’
Please note: I use this reference tongue-in-cheek, and not as a direct reference to one of the Saints of the Church-- St. Swithun:
Swithun (or Swithin; Old English: Swīþhūn; Latin: Swithunus; died 863) was an Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester and subsequently patron saint of Winchester Cathedral. His historical importance as bishop is overshadowed by his reputation for posthumous miracle-working. According to tradition, if it rains on Saint Swithun's bridge (Winchester) on his feast day (15 July) rain will continue for forty days.
Possibly the 40 days of rain is the clue to the ‘swamp’ reference.
Trust is a non-negotiable in all group activities. When we hold trust as the main value of the team, success is guaranteed. Building trust is hard work, requiring investment and cultivation. In Christian “terms,” it is like following our Eucharistic liturgy.
First, we state our purpose: the Collect for Purity. Then, we listen to our historical “manager”—the Word of God—and share in a statement of faith (the team mantra). Our weekly time of prayer is like taking time to listen to the “play codes.” We share in a weekly performance review of any errors (confession). Then—just like at the end of the game—we celebrate—the Sacrament.
Indeed: No man is an island, Entire of itself.
We give thanks for the team of St. John the Baptist, Duncan.
