A WORD FOR TODAY, December 1, 2025
Peggy Hoppes
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Blessings. Peg
A WORD FOR TODAY, December 1, 2025
“Don’t reject me in my old age. Don’t forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together, saying, ‘God has forsaken him. Pursue and take him, for no one will rescue him.’ God, don’t be far from me. My God, hurry to help me. Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.” Psalm 71:9-13, WEB
One of my favorite things to do while we live in England was to visit the churches, many of which were hundreds, if not a thousand, years old. We regularly attended worship at a thirteenth century parish church in a small village near the American bases where we lived and worked. The church partnered with several other local churches, so we often had the opportunity to worship there. We attended Thanksgiving services at Ely Cathedral with the rest of the military community and locals who embraced our presence in their neighborhoods and church. During our adventures, we always tried to plan our visits to churches around the country at a time when a service was planned. Some of my best memories are those times of worship, in places like Westminster Abbey, York Minster, and Truro Cathedral. We also attended worship at smaller village churches.
Sadly, some churches around the country have become so old and dilapidated that they are difficult to maintain, a task made even harder by the dwindling congregations and lack of funding. Can you imagine how much money it would take to restore a seven-hundred-year-old building? One report I read said that 3500 churches have been converted, sold, or demolished. Some churches have been converted into private homes, arts venues, community centers, and even hotels This is not just a problem in England, too many churches have been abandoned in America, and though they are not quite as old, they are equally difficult to repair and maintain. I have always wanted to save an old church, but I know it would be beyond my resources to do so. Thankfully, some people are willing to invest in saving these buildings. It is sad to think that any church has become redundant, though.
The word redundant describes the unemployed in England. According to Merriam-Webster, redundant means, “exceeding what is needed or normal.” In 1969, England’s Parliament set up an organization called the Redundant Churches Fund which became the Churches Conservation Trust to care for churches that are no longer needed for Sunday worship. There are churches all over England that have outlived their usefulness. Villages that were once prosperous and had several churches are much less populated today and cannot provide for the maintenance of so many buildings. Sadly, the redundant churches fall to the natural ravages of time and weather. The roofs fall and the walls crumble away. Windows are broken by vandalism and weeds overcome the churchyard. Over time, these centers of worship disappear into the landscape, its service to the Lord only a memory.
We once attended a service in one of the churches cared for by the Conservation Trust. Some of the walls of this building were at least 800 years old. The majority of the construction took place 600 years ago. When the village no longer needed two worship centers, the other church was chosen because of its location. Though the church was redundant, the villagers continued to care for the church. Despite the lack of regular worship, the church remained consecrated and was used for very special services each year.
A representative from the Conservation Trust gave the message at the service. He spoke about the churches under his care and the people who continue to love them. He thanked the villagers for their time and commitment to caring for All Saints’. He said that the building was not redundant, but rather retired, having served the Lord faithfully for hundreds of years. He encouraged the people to share the church with everyone who would like to visit. “This church is a place where all people, despite their faith or lack of it, can find peace, love, and beauty, and all Christians, despite their denomination can find a home.” That building will continue to bless those who love, maintain, and worship within.
Thankfully, some of those redundant churches are being saved, but we live in a time when we don’t really appreciate old things. I have antiques that I love that my kids don’t really want. Our landfills are overflowing with old things we throw away rather than repair or reuse them. We let old buildings fall down and bulldoze the stones away, replacing them with modern construction of steel and glass. Sadly, this sometimes includes our attitude about the old people in our lives.
This time of year is difficult for the elderly. They have lived long and full lives but are often set aside by the younger generations for the things they think are more important. Though they no longer serve the same purpose as when they were young, those elders are not redundant. They are filled with wisdom and stories. They love with a heart of experience. They desire fellowship with us and are worth our time and resources. We can find peace, love, and beauty in their presence. This holiday season, remember those who are shut-in or living in nursing homes and need a friend to love and listen to their stories. Embrace what they have to share and you will be blessed.
A WORD FOR TODAY is posted five days a week – Monday through Friday. The devotional on Wednesday takes a look at the scripture from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. A WORD FOR TODAY is posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Word-for-Today-Devotional/339428839418276. Like the page to receive the devotion through Facebook. For information and to access our archives, visit http://www.awordfortoday.org.