Dear Family of St John’s
I’ve always loved words. Maybe it has something to do with how many words my parents thought I needed for my name… Claire-Anne Mary Charlton-Perkins! When I was learning to write my name, I’d write “Claire-Anne and Mary Charlton-Perkins”, I obviously thought that mouthful was too much for one person!
I grew up listening to bedtime stories, I remember listening to The Wind in the Willows on an LP that my grandparents had. I loved the sound of words, the rhythm as they were spoken. When I learned to read, I devoured books. Christmas and birthday presents always included books. A good school report resulted in a trip to the bookshop with my gran so that I could choose a book as a reward. I still have many of these childhood books, with messages inscribed from my gran or my parents.
This might have prompted my desire to do Latin in High School. I still remember the opening sentences of our Std 6 (Grade 8 now) Latin textbook. ‘Ecce! In pictura est puella. Puella est nomine Flavia.” (Look! In the picture is a girl. The girl is called Flavia.) To be honest, I wasn’t the best Latin student. There were four of us doing Latin by the time we reached matric. Our goal with each lesson was to do as little Latin as possible and engage our teacher in other conversation! But, I loved seeing the connection between English and Latin, where so many of our words come from. I still find this useful today.
I hoped that some of what I learned in those long-ago Latin classes would help while we were on holiday in Italy. I fared better than my husband, but I should definitely have paid more attention at school!
I had an interesting conversation about words with someone a few weeks ago. It was regarding our Anglican liturgy. If that’s a word you’re not familiar with, it essentially describes the structure of our services and incorporates the prayers we use. Many will still remember the old Prayer Book, before the 1989 APB came into use. The language was very different.
I had the opportunity to use the old Prayer Book for services when I was at St Mary’s Cathedral for two years. And, I loved it. The ‘old-fashioned’ words resonated with me; they enveloped me in worship in a way that I find more beautiful than the expressions often found in contemporary language.
But, I know that not everyone experiences the old Prayer Book in that way. Many find the language outdated, irrelevant and unclear. And if that’s the case, well then, the liturgy isn’t helping to draw people closer to God, but putting up a barrier.
Words are powerful. Do you remember the childhood saying, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me’? Well, those words are false. Words can cause harm. Words can also heal and comfort, they can unite or divide.
What we say matters, the words we choose to use in expressing ourselves are important. We’re often too quick to blurt out something without considering how the other person will receive it. And once spoken, it’s very difficult to undo the damage caused.
The Power of the Word, especially when we talk about the Word of God, is something truly profound. It’s not just about the words themselves but about the depth and impact they carry. Think about it: John’s Gospel begins with the phrase “In the beginning was the Word.” This isn’t just a poetic way to start; it’s suggesting that everything we know – the universe, life, everything – began with a divine expression.
When you read the scriptures, you’re engaging with words that have shaped civilizations, comforted the broken-hearted, and inspired countless acts of kindness and bravery. There’s a reason why people have turned to these texts for thousands of years – they resonate on a level that goes beyond mere language. It’s like the Word of God has a unique ability to speak directly to our souls, offering guidance, hope, and understanding in ways that are hard to put into words.
Take the story of creation, for instance. In Genesis, God speaks, and things come into being. That’s some serious power! It’s not just about creating physical things, but about setting the stage for everything that follows. The Word has the power to create, to transform, and to sustain. It’s why people find such solace and strength in reading the Bible; it’s as if these ancient words still have the ability to shape our reality and our inner lives.
In everyday life, when we face challenges or seek direction, turning to the Word of God can be incredibly grounding. It’s like having a reliable map when you’re lost or a trusted friend when you’re in need. The Power of the Word isn’t just a historical concept; it’s something that continues to resonate and impact us profoundly today.
I encourage you to immerse yourself in the Word of God. Discover its power – to guide, to create, to heal, to encourage, to nurture, to save. May you know its power in your life.
With love
Your friend and rector,
Claire