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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Chine McDonald.

Good morning,

This weekend, I’ll be joining the tail-end of a 60-mile heritage walk members of my church will be taking part in. A few of us will be trekking from Herne Bay in Kent to our church in south-east London over three days and I – toddler in tow – will join the last five miles to raise money for our ambitious new church building project. Our church’s presence in the urban and diverse area of Deptford dates back to 1844 when a group of Christian men and women opened one of London’s first ‘ragged schools’ in a loft above a cowshed on the high street. Ragged schools were charitable organisations set up to provide free education for children living in poverty in the 19th century. These children were often excluded from Sunday School because of their ‘ragged’ appearance.

We’ve dug into the church’s archives and found that children from the Deptford Ragged School would love being taken on day trips to the seaside town of Herne Bay, where they would get to run around, sit by the sea and have the freedom and fun that all children should. As we retrace the route of these trips, I’ll be thinking about the generous hearts of our predecessors; those Christians who 175 years ago were moved to action by the plight of destitute children. This to me represents my faith at its best. Christianity was never meant to be exclusive; never meant to erect barriers between people – no matter their background – and God. The whole point is this belief that God loves each and every one of us. I’m proud of the heritage my church has and its commitment to providing a place of radical welcome for those in our communities today who need a place to call home.

God of love, thank you that you have made each and every one of us in your image; as we live in the light of your love for us, may we extend that love to those in our communities, showing them your radical hospitality. Amen.