Everyday Faith – what does that mean?
What is everyday faith? What does it mean and what does it look like? Of course, as Christians we are in a loving relationship with God, so we enjoy constant dialogue, reassurance and everlasting confidence that God has it covered, whatever we’re going through. Except, it isn’t always like that, is it?
There can be days, weeks, years even, when we feel lost, disconnected and forget our relationship requires us to make an effort. God never leaves our side, perhaps we just forget to turn our heads and include Him in our everyday. Everyday Faith is a series of short conversations that are easy to dip into and remind ourselves what it can be to live and work with God, every day.
A series of short conversations about what faith means, everyday
You might have caught the Everyday Faith series of short conversations on Facebook over the past month or so. People from all walks of life, including a judge and a carer of vulnerable adults, answer four questions that reveal surprising insights to what everyday faith means for them:
1. Who are you?
2. What will you be doing this time tomorrow?
3. What difference does faith make to a normal day in your life?
4. How can your church support you better in your day-to-day life?
What everyday faith means at home and at work
Scott Rogers talks with Charlotte Irwin
Scott Rogers, a stenographer at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, undertakes ultrasounds that range from diagnosing cancer to helping people transition from one gender to another. When asked what difference his faith makes to his working day, he says, “It holds it together really…in my work, pathologies don’t discriminate…and I see so many different types of people, my faith has helped me realise that each person belongs to God and they are His… people have different views, traits, quirks.. and my job is to help them…to somehow, without saying it, let them know that I’m for them.”
“Pathologies don’t discriminate…people have different views, traits, quirks… each belongs to God,” Scott Rogers, Stenographer
How having faith helps when everyday involves dealing with unhappiness
Joe Stone being interviewed by Bishop Huw
Jo Stone is a district judge with an unhappy caseload that includes a dispute of some sort, often about children. Interviewed by Bishop Hugh, he explains how his role is to help parties reach an agreement, but more likely help the court to decide the outcome, or for him to decide the outcome.
So what difference does faith make to his working day? “I’m dealing with human unhappiness… dealing with a reflection of our failings as people… my faith is a constant reminder that there but by the grace of God go I.
“The people that come across my path…don’t need my moral judgement… they need me to accept that we’re all like that. My faith gives me a reality check… and say what can I do here to try to achieve the least worst outcome for these people… how do I deliver justice in a way that feels fair, compassionate and just?”
“The people that come across my path…don’t need my moral judgement… they need me to accept that we’re all like that… how do I deliver justice in a way that feels fair, compassionate and just?” Joe Stone, District Judge
Having faith intertwined with work doesn’t make Revd Anne Brown less ordinary
Revd Anne Brown chatting to Charlotte Irwin
For some, work and faith are intertwined. For Revd Anne Brown, Priest-in-Charge of the Atlantic Coast Custer, it’s very difficult to find a place where faith doesn’t have some effect. Like when she answers the phone and is perhaps not feeling especially upbeat but knows she has to show care and compassion, making time to give that person the time they need to talk and share.
So how can Anne’s church community help her better? “That’s a difficult question but I suppose I would ask them just to remember that I’m not a super person, I’m just an ordinary person called by God with the same hopes and fears and joys that everybody else has.”
Rich with the everyday faith that fills people’s lives
Jill Ternouth chats to Revd Jules Williams
These short films are rich with the faith that fills people’s lives, like Joy Ternouth who lives with three people with learning disabilities, helping them to live life to the full. Joy says her faith gives her patience, empathy, perseverance to deal with people that have challenging behaviours. For anyone watching, Joy’s faith brings hope.
Films to come back to when your faith tank might feel a little depleted
The conversation between Emi Ogedengbe and Revd Jules Williams is one to come back to on days when your faith tank might feel a little depleted. Emi is 15 and Jules speaks for many when she says she wants to be like Emi when she grows up! Emi has never known a time when she didn’t feel that God was with her and thinks it’s important to let other young people know that. When people ask her why she is so happy, she says, “It’s my faith, God is with me.”
“It’s my faith, God is with me,” says 15 year old Emi Ogedengbe
How did the Everyday Faith films begin?
The initiative for Everyday Faith came out of the Church of England’s desire to help us realise that we’re Christians all the time, not just on Sundays when we’re in Church. And that every one of us is called to play our part in God’s mission for God’s world. Our ‘everyday lives’ can speak of our confidence in the good news of Jesus Christ. This began back in 2017. This was back in 2017. A global pandemic came along and in many ways pushed the initiative further and faster than anyone anticipated. Who knew that in a few short years we would all be meeting through screens, at all times of the week and sometimes even in our PJs.
Have you got an Everyday Faith story you’d be happy to share?
The everyday faith stories, or #EverydayFaith if you’re searching for them on Facebook or YouTube, are a great example and encouragement for people being set free. It would be wonderful to have more stories of everyday faith from people from all walks of life – whether you are retired, at home with the children, at home on your own (as many are at the moment), looking after elderly relatives or volunteering for a local charity. We would love to hear from you and hear what difference faith makes to your everyday.
You can set up a Zoom meeting with someone you trust, hit the record button, ask the four questions and then send the recording to hello@truro.anglican.org If you’re not confident using Zoom, just email us and we will get in touch to help.
Click on each of the images to hear the individual Everyday Faith stories or to see more go to the Truro Diocese YouTube Channel:
