'Real Lives' - Weekly Reflection 28th September 2025

I had a couple of friends who made the trip to Twickenham yesterday which must have been an incredible experience. It was exciting enough watching the match on TV.

In case this has somehow passed you by I am referring to the ‘Red Roses’, England Women’s Rugby Team winning the world cup playing against Canada.

I know some old die hards who will still say that it is proper Rugby, which of course is total nonsense, its simply a different type of Rugby, but its Rugby none the less with athletes at the top of their sport.  With 81,885 in attendance at the game and over 4million watching on BBC I think it is safe to say that this is being taken very seriously and in certainly not a novelty or a sideshow.

However, delighted as I was to watch England win I want to reflect on another game, a football match painted by L.S. Lowry in 1953 of fans arriving at Bolton Wanderers game at their old ground of Burden Park.  Lowry painted several sports related pieces, but this is the best recognised.  

We saw the painting at the Lowry Gallery on Thursday last. A beautiful iconic building situated in the former dock land of Salford, Manchester. What is also special about this piece is that it has been set up to offer you a fully immersive 360 experience.  During the experience the narrative draws attention to the figures. Initially if you simply look at the painting it might appear that what you are seeing is the same ‘matchstick’ figures only dressed slightly differently. However, you are invited to notice a couple walking hand in hand. A small crowd gathered around a man who seems to be speaking, perhaps preaching. In other words, individuals each with their own story, each with their own life, hope, dreams and aspirations.

Some months ago, I was invited to write a piece on how I came to live in Rugby in 3,000 words. This was for a project by the Rugby Café Writers. They invited 17 people to tell their story of how they had come to live in Rugby.  The idea came about by recognising everyone has a story, even the most ‘ordinary’ things that happen every day. Amongst their immediate fascination they also offer a historical record. The book is Real Lives – Everyone has a story to tell. My story is called, From Rochdale to Rugby.’

And given my age, being invited to write up my story, and then making a trip to Manchester to see the Lowry exhibition all came together to make me curious to know more about my early childhood. While staying in Manchester we called off to visit my older brother who was able to help fill in some blanks and unclear recollections. Plus we did drive around ‘old haunts’ and I took the opportunity to lay flowers at both mum and dad’s graves.

Those who know me will be aware that I am fond of remembering Saints and notable Christians from the past, especially when they have a dedicated day on which we are invited to remember them.  For me this serves as a reminder that we are part of a greater narrative. That there have been others who sought to faithfully follow Jesus in their own day with all it challenges. They have a story to tell.

And despite the occasional very questionable behaviour we know that they succeeded in passing on the Faith – otherwise we would not have had an opportunity to embrace the Faith ourselves.  

On Friday 26^th we remembered the Founder of the Church Army in 1982. I love the way a colleague put it on a FB posting and I can do no better than offer you his own words.

On this day 83 years ago, a guy died who most of us have never heard of. He struggled at school, failed at business, had a breakdown, suffered from depression and yet has transformed the lives of thousands.

Wilson Carlile had profound back issues and so struggled through school. In spite of this, he became a highly successful businessman. But the stock market led to the complete failure of his business, leaving him depressed and broken. For years his aunt had been writing him letters telling him of his need for Jesus, only now did he listen, finding faith.

He was later ordained but quickly became frustrated with how little the church was doing for the poor. He began outdoor preaching in order to reach those who would never come to church. This led to work in the slums and eventually the formation of Church Army UK & Ireland, in a way the Anglican equivalent of the Salvation Army. The Church Army still works with the most vulnerable and neglected in society and their mission statement still speaks of 'enabling everyone to encounter God's love and empowering them to transform their communities through faith shared in words and actions.'

I love the words on his plaque in St Paul's Cathedral 'A man greatly beloved who loved and served all – especially those thought most unlovable. “GO AFTER THAT WHICH IS LOST"' (The plaque has the caps!)

If God can do so much through one man's life against all the odds, what can he do in your life?

If God can do so much through the initially rejected letters of an aunt, who is God prompting me to share my faith with? I might even need to start writing letters!

A few things to consider as we step into the new week…

What might you like your epitaph to say?

Have you ever tried to write your story, especially how you came to embrace the Christian Faith?

Can we be curious (not nosey!) about people’s life stories and invite them to share something of their story with us.

Have a quick scan though the Scriptures and notice just how many names there are, why do you think that is?

And perhaps take note of any ‘Saint’ or notable Christians we are invited to remember and learn a little more of their story.

And finally we are very much living in the age of the individual and a good antodote is to remember  that 'I am because we are.'   Our stories are always part of a rich tapestry of other people stories and their interaction, reaction and responses. 

Have a good week.