| It’s one thing to receive a mailing from Mary and Martha, with photo-graphics of developments, and listings from the programme, Carl’s “Ramblings” and reflections from Sarah and Hillary. It is quite another thing to live within the community for a week. Somehow everything comes alive in three dimensional richness, from the silvery gravel on the drive to immaculate finishing of all the construction work. Nothing has been spared to offer the very best provision for guests and the community.
We came needing a time of rest and quiet, and to be surrounded by people who would take all responsibility off our shoulders. We found just that in everything, from the welcome to the food in the larder and attention to detail in the furnishings. Even when the water supply went off, every possible care was taken to ensure minimum inconvenience to us.
There is a kind of tentativeness about Sheldon which I find somehow releasing: from the caution taken by the community not to intrude, whilst being readily accessible; to the large unframed picture icons in the new chapel taking their time to find a permanent resting place. The wooded walks, which could be a serious prayer trail or just an amble simply for the pleasure of leaves and mosses and birds. It is all just “there” and it’s “for me” to take or leave as I feel.
God is at the heart of everything, but He is mostly seen in a “life lived” and spoken of carefully, as if both He and the guest is sacred. Evening prayer in fresh timber-beamed chapel hangs with silence for what seems an eternity, after the seed of a word has been sown. Nothing imposed, nothing regulated, offered in a spirit of accepting love.
When there was community in-put both Liz and I found it professional in managing the welcoming, the feeding and watering needs of the group, and the excellent leadership skills. It is so good to see a Christian project doing things at the top range of service.
For me, Sarah’s one-to-one ministry with me gave me some more valuable tools to add to my progress in healing. I found her clear, intently focused, professional and warm. She looked me in the eye, something I found reassuring with all the community members.
In our experience as supporters almost since its outset, Mary and Martha has matured into something very special indeed in the work of God’s healing. Everything seems to speak of the possibility of restoration through struggle, of God’s love, compassion and faithfulness. And the joy of the hints of wonderful Dartmoor beyond, through the tiny chapel window and from the Lodges, never fails.
I couldn’t help noticing that the silver gravel was wearing off some of the old part of the drive, exposing the original cobbles. It seemed to speak to me of both the highest standards of contemporary care, whilst never losing site of the old conviction which began the transformation, which the community combines so well.
|
