Â鶹ԼÅÄ

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Rev Azariah France-Williams, priest, author and broadcaster.

Good Morning.

On this day in 1862 it is thought that the bowling ball was invented. I remember so many holiday clubs I attended where a trip to the bowling alley was a real treat. I was no good at it but would give it some welly and cross my fingers. Maybe I should have crossed my fingers after I launched it… Sometimes in my enthusiasm I would see my ball fly over the barrier and into another lane altogether! No wonder people would stand back when it was my turn. I just wished the lanes were wider,

In the 1990’s, bowling club membership fell into a steep decline, not on my account I hope. No this was indicative of a shift across western society at large. People were not signing up as members, and new recruits were not finding their way into these old institutions. Furthermore funding to other sectors of society like our libraries was being cut. The sociologist Robert Putnam wrote the book Bowling Alone where he documented the breakdown and loss of community.

The words austerity and decline can cloud our thinking. However as we approach a new year maybe it is time get the ball rolling. I was inspired to learn of a project in New York where elderly people are encouraged to join a virtual bowling league at their local library where they bowl against other teams using Nintendo Wii’s The leagues are really popular. Two fading institutions, combined with new tech and old fingers, to make a new type of belonging.

God of Play, help us to see how the things seemingly fading in the world around us can find new life and fresh impetus. Holy Spirit breathe life into us and into the areas of society that need your hope and renewal.

Amen