Respond to the Word: The hour has come

List the number of ways we make promises — crossing our heart, shaking hands, ‘blood-brothers’, exchanging rings, raising hand in salute, holding badge on (football/rugby) shirt, singing anthems, exchanging contracts … Why do we make promises? Do promises come with different levels of expectation of fulfilment? What makes them different? What is important about ritual? What is important about the ritual of promise for us?

Reflect, in silence, on a promise to others, God or myself that I didn’t keep. What happened? How do we feel? What would we like to do about it? Can we start again with a promise ritual? Who needs to know about this to help it become real?

Develop a church covenant — let it be a promise statement of faith, the priority values and mission of your church, how you will relate to God, the world and others. When complete, print it on every order of service, make prayer cards with its inclusion for the congregation, put it on a poster placed on the front door; include it on calling cards and invitations to special services, events and so on.

Make covenant friendship bracelets together. Use three pieces of thread or string to symbolise any of the following: God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Faith, hope and love; Gold, frankincense and myrrh; God, the Church and me; Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Describe examples to show the possibility of ‘no longer remembering’, such as a slate to wipe it clean, a floppy disc which can reformatted, a wax tablet which can be heated and reset; or writing letters in the sand and watching when the tide comes in and goes back out.