Revd Vanessa Conant, Rector, St Mary’s and the Parish of Walthamstow, writes: 

This week, the speculation that has been circulating for some time became a formal government announcement: each household should consider having a small stockpile of food, water, batteries, a radio and basic medical or healthcare necessities in case of emergencies. In this way, our communities, the advice says, are more resilient to crises that may arise, be they related to extreme weather, cyber attacks or state-sponsored terrorism. 

Research shows that people have largely heeded this advice, with huge increases in solar and wind up radio orders and changes to the types of food which people are buying. 

All of this feels strange and alarming – even with the frequent reassurance that this is just good advice and would be wise at any time. The reminders of shadowy threats to safety and security feel disorientating and unnerving. 

In these times, I notice some temptations. I notice a temptation to fear and anxiety. I notice how strangely, bleakly reassuring it can be to add some tins of beans to a cupboard in my garage and watch a collection of water bottles grow. And I notice a temptation to hoard: Will it only be three days? How much will my family really need? What if I don’t have enough? 

But if I can slow down my primal instincts, if I can attend to the Holy Spirit at work in me, I am able to notice other things too. I hear the cries and concerns of those who are not in a position to stockpile – those whose income and circumstances make getting through a normal day or week already close to impossible. I can hear the fear and the sorrow of those for whom safety and security looks like a luxury. 

And I can hear the call of Jesus Christ to live differently and to love my neighbour as I love myself – to be neighbour-orientated and so to re-imagine the gathering of items as a communal act of love, not as an individual, cowering person, who is terrified of scarcity. 

In our last weeks at church, we have been thinking about what it means to be followers of Jesus in times of turbulence and uncertainty and have been reflecting on the inner spiritual and emotional resilience that is required of us for such a time as this. 

Elizabeth Oldfield, whose writing has helped frame my thinking, says: ‘The unlovely temptation that often kicks in in times of instability is to hoard. To clench our possessions to our bosom as if they could keep us safe. Generosity is the antidote. We are made to be each other’s safety and neighbouring is the real prepping. So share something. Your space, your stuff, a meal, your inner life. Let down the walls, open your doors. Don’t listen to the lie of isolation.’ 

On Sunday 1st November, we will reflect on what it means to be a people who learn and share, with one of our texts being Acts 2: 42-47. Here, the early church, in a precarious and perilous position, but empowered by the Holy Spirit, began to build a new life. And the features of that new life, the signs of the Spirit, were not only signs and wonders, but generosity and communal living – provision for one another, particularly for those in need. 

I wonder how we might bring an Acts 2 approach to the government guidance. What does communal preparation look like? If there are many who have no way of building up stockpiles, how will we ensure that everyone is cared for? When large scale trouble comes – if it comes – how will we be a source of hope and support and help for all in need? 

Following Jesus has always meant choosing to live out of a sense of abundance, not scarcity – choosing to live out of love, not fear, and to lay down our lives for others. These moments, troubling though they are, are opportunities for us to grow in faith, to draw closer to Christ and to inhabit our calling to follow in the generous, merciful, hopeful way of Jesus. 

I pray you will join us this Sunday, as we think about these things together, as well as next week, Remembrance Sunday, as we remember the sacrifices and severe impacts of war and conflict. I pray we will work this out together. I pray for God’s blessing and his help. 

With love 

Vanessa