Are we on our own in the universe? To put it more sharply, am I on my own in the universe? This is not a question resulting from watching the agonising of Dr. Who, the last Time Lord, but rather a simple and yet profound human question. The Christian answer is a robust ‘No!’ We do not exist alone. We do not travel alone. God is with us every step of the way, and we can walk our way through life with other human beings, too.

We can do so as members of the community of faith, the Church. At key points in our life we are on the move and the Church is on the move, too, responding to our basic human needs and offering the grace of God in them. It offers ‘rites of passage.’ ‘Passage’ suggests movement and journey as a ‘rite’ is a ceremony that helps us to make that movement and go on that journey. Here are some key ‘rites of passage’ for the Christian Church and part of what St. James has offered since 1863 and continues to offer.