Maggie’s Blog Sept 1st
The Coat of Hope
I visited Lincoln Cathedral recently and was lucky enough to see the Coat of Hopes on display. It has enormous visual impact and I felt really moved by it and what it represented. The Coat is made up of squares of cloth in a patchwork. It is a pilgrim coat that is being worn and walked around Britain in response to the climate and ecological crisis that Britain faces. It is a very long garment so is worn by one person walking and the “train” is carried by other pilgrims. The coat is seen to symbolise hope in its warmth and responsibility in its weight. There is a commitment to keeping the coat moving while the threat to the environment continues. It is a statement about belonging and togetherness in the face of our climate crisis. I was pleased to have had the opportunity to see it before it travels towards Nottingham on Sept 7th.
The idea of a garment that symbolises love in its warmth and responsibility in its weight could, in my view, be a good metaphor for what we aim to do in Methodist Women in Britain. As a charity we have the responsibility to move and grow and keep affairs in order but balance this with the warmth of love as we respond to the issues that face us. As Christians our lives also reflect that same balance as we juggle the demands of everyday life. As I was leaving the Cathedral the sun shone causing the wonderful stained glass window to dance like fairy lights along my path…a special moment.
