The Ouse Valley Benefice

Mind the Gap: Embracing the Void

If you’ve ever travelled on the London underground, you know the warning: ‘Mind the Gap’. It’s a call to attention, a reminder of the sudden void between the platform and the train. In a similar, but far more profound way, the Ascension leads us into a gap.

One moment, Jesus, the risen Christ, was standing with his apostles, and the next, he was majestically lifted up into the clouds. The apostles were once again left in a void, stepping into the unknown.

This is not the first gap they experienced. The three-day gap between Good Friday and Easter Sunday was one of gut-wrenching emotions, turned to joy by the Resurrection. Now, 40 days later, a new gap develops—the 10-day period between the Ascension and Pentecost. Liturgically, that is where we are right now.

Waiting is hard. Whether it’s waiting for a delivery or waiting for a major life change, it can cause frustration. For the apostles, they were told to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit—a void full of anticipation and uncertainty.

But what if these moments are not just something to 'mind'? What if, instead, we are called to embrace the gap and use it for a purpose?

We all face gaps in our lives—gaps caused by grief, heartbreak, or loss. In those moments, we might long for an instant fix, looking up into the sky towards heaven.

The apostles show us the way to fill the void. They returned to the upper room and joined together, 'constantly in prayer'. Prayer is what supports us, helps us focus on Jesus, brings comfort and healing, and ultimately closes the gaps.

Jesus’ physical withdrawal was not about his absence; it was about highlighting the apostles’ presence and calling them to recognise him in a completely new way. God is asking us to do the same: to fill the gaps with His presence through prayer, seeking to see the world transformed through faith, hope, love, mercy, and justice.

The challenge is ours. We can stare into the clouds longing for the easy way out, or we can step into the gap—even into the unknown—for it is there that God is waiting to transform us and our community.

As you may be aware we have been developing proposals for formalise the Benefice Pastoral and Administration Team (effectively a meeting of the churchwardens) into a formal Joint Council. This is absolutely not a move to take power away from local PCCs. Each Church will still have control of their finances and responsibility for all local decisions. Each church will retain its individual identity. 

A Joint Council would however streamline the administration, the mission and ministry of the benefice and encourage joint working. For example, if we want to approve someone for lay ministry, we have to seek approval from 6 individual PCCs. Missing the intake deadline could delay training by a whole year. 

Informally, the Churchwarden have already been doing this sort of role since the benefice was created, but without the authority to make these decisions. For those areas where a shared Benefice decision makes sense, a Joint Council would be a huge benefit.

Each APCM meeting will be asked to vote on this proposal. Your can read the rationale and Frequently Asked Questions by clicking the links below.

Weekly Church of England Online Service

Do you know someone who is unable to get to church? 

If so, why not point them in the direction of the weekly online service from the Church of England. They can sign up to a weekly mailing with details of the service and watch each of the services online. Click the button below for more details and to sign up.