The Cotswald
Today we had a lot of time in the English countryside. It was stunning; fields of green, flowers, buckwheat and sheep. There were small villages surrounded by rolling hills. We went to Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. It is a quaint English town and you can go through Shakespeare's old house.
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the day was the visit to Coventry Cathedral. This was a beautiful church until the night of November 14, 1940. That night it was bombed by the Germans. You can still go to the charred ruins of the cathedral and then into the new Cathdral, both are so meaningful. Behind the altar of the charred ruins are the words, "Father forgive them!". What a living out of the Gospel. One other interesting thing about Coventry is that this is the place where Lady Godiva was from.
Finally tonight I want to tell you about David Woodfine. He is the High Steward of Manchester College, Oxford. His job is hospitality to everyone who is on the campus; faculty, staff, students and guests. He does his job dressed in a suit and tie every day. He has taken care of our every need, bringing us food, water and making sure we feel welcomed. He does this with everyone. After over 20 years, this is his last week, he is retiring. We even went to his retirement party where he was busy making sure we had enough punch and picking up dirty dishes. He came and spoke to us at dinner tonight and said, "I have never woken up and dreaded coming to work, not one day, I love people and I love taking care of them". He is an amazing person. He is a model of radical hospitality for those of us in the church. I wonder who God is calling to be high stewards for us?
God bless you all! I miss you and look forward to seeing you soon.
Brett
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the day was the visit to Coventry Cathedral. This was a beautiful church until the night of November 14, 1940. That night it was bombed by the Germans. You can still go to the charred ruins of the cathedral and then into the new Cathdral, both are so meaningful. Behind the altar of the charred ruins are the words, "Father forgive them!". What a living out of the Gospel. One other interesting thing about Coventry is that this is the place where Lady Godiva was from.
Finally tonight I want to tell you about David Woodfine. He is the High Steward of Manchester College, Oxford. His job is hospitality to everyone who is on the campus; faculty, staff, students and guests. He does his job dressed in a suit and tie every day. He has taken care of our every need, bringing us food, water and making sure we feel welcomed. He does this with everyone. After over 20 years, this is his last week, he is retiring. We even went to his retirement party where he was busy making sure we had enough punch and picking up dirty dishes. He came and spoke to us at dinner tonight and said, "I have never woken up and dreaded coming to work, not one day, I love people and I love taking care of them". He is an amazing person. He is a model of radical hospitality for those of us in the church. I wonder who God is calling to be high stewards for us?
God bless you all! I miss you and look forward to seeing you soon.
Brett
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