‘Life and work’
Good morning,
In today’s Companionship email, I thought we could reflect on work. For many people work has been profoundly altered over the past few weeks. Students are attending classes over their screens, and trying to concentrate on assignments away from favourite working environments – the Library, Butts Wynd computer labs, Costa. Most University staff are working from home, for some amidst family, pets, fellow home-workers, and for all, apart from the colleagues who form our daytime community. Many in our world are still going out to work, including a good number in the University, trying to do their work effectively while maintaining rules on keeping physical distance from people we are usually comfortable being nearer. And of course, there is no work for others across our country and beyond, furloughed or unable to make a living.
It is hard to imagine a time in recent history when we have been more conscious of the significance of work. It is something I have come to understand better over the past nine years as a workplace chaplain – for the University is a workplace for roughly 3000 members of staff and 9000 students. Work takes up much of our waking hours, worry about it can spill over into the rest of our lives, and the relationships we make at work can be as important as those outside it, or even more so. When people talk to me about what is difficult for them, it is often related to work.
The Church of Scotland’s magazine is called Life and Work – a typically Presbyterian title, perhaps, yet one which captures something important. Christians are called to follow Jesus in work as much as in the rest of life – in integrity, courage and kindness. That’s not always easy, and there are important dilemmas in the workplace which people face. But work can also be a place of purpose, fulfilment and joy – which contributes to the significance of unemployment and underemployment.
Here is Primo Levi from The Wrench, reflecting on this idea, which we would extend to men and women today:
If we except those miraculous and isolated moments fate can bestow on a man, loving your work (unfortunately, the privilege of a few) represents the best, most concrete approximation of happiness on earth. But this is a truth not many know.
And an image of my wife Maia working from home, with a helper called Hephzibah.
This evening (Tuesday) we will hold our second service of Compline for Holy Week, at 9 pm (UK time). In this service, there will be music from University singers and an address from the honorary Cornerstone Chaplain, Jared Michelson. Here is the invitation:
Donald MacEwan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Compline for Tuesday of Holy Week
Time: Apr 7, 2020 09:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/992096511?pwd=VklLdHRwM205d25Wc2U4ZXdYY3cyZz09
Meeting ID: 992 096 511
Password: 405848
I found last night’s service particularly moving, as we prayed and sang in those ancient words, and prayed for the Prime Minister just an hour after it was announced that he had entered intensive care. I hope you can take part this evening.
Take care,
Donald.