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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with the Revd Sharon Grenham-Thompson

One of the things I’ve noticed about chairing online video meetings this year is that it’s much more difficult to get volunteers for jobs that need doing. When you’re all sitting in a room together, the only escape one has from stepping up to the plate is looking shiftily at one’s feet. Online platforms, on the other hand, provide seemingly endless possibilities. The video feed can go down all of a sudden, or the microphone stop working. A child or a pet needs dealing with right now, or there’s a delivery driver at the door.

I suppose it’s understandable, this reluctance to volunteer for things. We’re all tired and juggling our own challenges and responsibilities, without taking on anything else. But that only makes me admire those who do volunteer even more, especially for tasks that provide essential support to the most vulnerable.

Research seems to indicate that volunteering has a positive impact on the mental and even physical health of the volunteer, as well as contributing to community well-being. Volunteers have reported benefits that include enhanced self-esteem, the development of new skills and friendships, and even weight loss!

But perhaps the most important benefit is working with others to improve their life circumstances. The dignity this can afford the recipient, the sense of a shared endeavour rather than a metaphorical pat on the head, seems to me a vehicle for much needed healing and inclusion. And the beauty of it is we don’t need to make extravagant gestures to begin that process – only be willing to be available.

So Lord may we open our hearts today to the opportunities that present themselves, and may we find the courage to raise our eyes, hold up our hand, and say ‘Here I am; send me.’

Amen