01 Mar 2025
Rev Peter Crumpler, associate minister at St Paul’s Church, Fleetville, St Albans, explains why it’s still good to talk…
Talk is cheap, people used to say. But it seems to me it’s at a premium in a world where politicians trade insults and sneer at each other, and social media and technology has replaced many face-to-face conversations.
We can’t change the world, and declare victory against chatbots, artificial intelligence and online battles of words. But maybe we can make a difference on our doorsteps, here in St Albans, and in our circles of family and friends.
In just a few weeks’ time, the ‘Chance to Chat’ initiative at the Morrison’s café in Fleetville will be a year old. The idea behind the project is simple. Morrisons kindly set aside two tables in the café each Monday morning, and local volunteers come along to host ‘drop in’ sessions open to everyone.
‘Chance to Chat,’ co-ordinated by the local Anna Chaplaincy that works with older people, is an opportunity for people to stop by, and join a conversation.
It’s especially important in a world that’s losing the art of conversation, the skill of speaking to real people, in real life. One Midlands college has even launched a course to help its young students speak on the telephone.
The weekly project at Morrisons is just one local initiative based on friendly conversation. St Saviour’s Church in Sandpit Lane hosts a monthly Compassionate Café in partnership with Rennie Grove Peace Hospice. It’s a safe space to speak plainly about loss and bereavement and be listened to and heard. Other ‘talking groups’ have also been launched locally.
Over the past few years, I’ve been involved in a project to help Christians and other people of faith push back against the tide of fake news and disinformation. It feels that we are throwing tiny pebbles back into the sea as the massive tide of untruth comes crashing towards us.Yet we are committed to ‘keeping the conversation going.’ To keep raising the importance of truth in a world where the person with the largest megaphone, or bank balance, gets to say what reality is.
Sometimes it’s only face to face, with people with whom we have relationship that we can question a belief or understanding that’s based more on a conspiracy theory or rumour, than any foundation of truth.
Churches are one of the few places where people of all ages come together regularly, to worship, meet together and build community. We hold activities ranging from pre-toddler groups to older people’s lunches, and lots of other events for all ages. We like to bring people together.
Jesus believed in face-to-face conversations. In his world, he had little option. He gathered a group of followers and talked to them as they walked from place to place. They shared life together. The disciples watched and learnt as their master declared himself to be Truth, and challenged people who had a view on life based only on self-interest and power.
In a few days’ time, Christians will begin to mark Lent, the season of repentance and reflection leading up to Good Friday and Easter. It’s a good time to reflect on our words, on the importance of in-person conversation and on truth…in a world that’s fast-forgetting what truth actually is. Or maybe even caring.
