From Sue Mott: A reflection

From my corner of the parish

​I was just up on the top floor of our house, checking the spare bedroom in case either
Christopher or I need to isolate ourselves from each other and I looked out of the spare
bedroom window. It looks north and I often reflect as I look out from it over the parish, how
lucky I am to live so close to S Giles Church. I began to wonder how everyone in the
congregation and our parish family are at this difficult time. It occurred to me that many of
our congregation live outside of the parish boundaries and so will not be able to see the
church, as I can. So I attach a photo, looking out of the window.

In case you are not familiar with the street names, other than hearing them in the intersessions
on Sunday at Mass, the street with the van is West Hill. There is a new car park, running
parallel to Southampton Street, where I live. The little bit of the house you can see with the
massive tree behind it, is where I lived before we were married; it is Sherman Place (off
Sherman Road). There are only 2 houses in Sherman Place, but it has the great distinction of
backing onto the sex shop!

The church looms up, just right of centre with the Oracle behind and the Vue Cinema turret
visible. Looking straight on we can see S Mary in the Butts, flying the flag and if you are
very careful you can see the edge of Greyfriars poking out. The scene looks a bit of a jumble,
but knowing the streets and the landmarks help to appreciate what a wonderful parish this is.
The words of a hymn we used to sing at Sunday School (I expect anyone aged over 40 did the
same!) Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light, are going through my mind, and it occurs
to me it’s the words: You in your small corner, and I in mine are the words I am thinking of.
Hopefully we shall not need to use the spare bedroom and I hope that no one from our parish
family will need to completely isolate from family members, but those words from Sunday
School days will ring in my mind if needed.

I hope that you all stay well, keep safe and keep in touch
Sue
s.e.mott@reading.ac.uk

In case you are driven to distraction trying to remember the words by Susan Warner, they are
printed below!

Jesus bids us shine,
With a pure, clear light,
Like a little candle,
Burning in the night.
In this world is darkness,
So let us shine--
You in your small corner,
And I in mine.

Jesus bids us shine,
First of all for Him;
Well He sees and knows it,
If our light grows dim;
He looks down from heaven,
To see us shine--
You in your small corner,
And I in mine.
​
Jesus bids us shine,
Then, for all around
Many kinds of darkness
In this world are found -
Sin, and want, and sorrow;
So we must shine,
You in your small corner,
And I in mine.