This week I have had sometime to reflect on endings, especially as it is addressed in the biblical narrative. In the Bible there are many endings: endings of a journey, life endings, endings of kingdoms and even peoples. At the same time there seems to be always new beginnings born out of these endings. There is the shoot of Jesse, born out the ending of a reign of kings, with the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. There is Jesus’ own death, with the Resurrection and Ascension.

It seems to make a case for endings for churches, with the prospect of a new birth, or even a resurrection from the dust of the old.