Civility in Caversham
AUGUST IS National Civility Month in the United States of America – but why should the Americans have all the fun? Imagine local people setting aside a few weeks to practise kindness, listening and neighbourly love. What difference could that make along our riverbanks, schools, shops, and side streets?
Civility starts in the small stuff. A smile at the bus stop, a wave to let someone merge on Henley Road, a friendly ‘No Worries’ in Waitrose after a bump with a trolley. Tiny things – but they’re the threads that hold our community together. Tug too hard and things fray; treat them with care, and the fabric of our community strengthens.
Jesus once told a story about a man who crossed the road to help someone others had ignored – the Good Samaritan (Luke, Chapter 10, verses 25-37). It wasn’t just about being polite; it was about active, compassionate neighbourliness. For us, that could look like helping a neighbour with their bins on Evesham Road, or calming tensions on the basketball court in Christchurch Meadows. Civility asks, ‘Will I step across and bring peace?’
Some think civility is just about manners – remembering your Ps and Qs – but the Gospel takes it deeper. Colossians Chapter 3, verse 12 urges us to, ‘clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’. Not just actions, but heart attitudes. You can hold the door open for someone and still be silently judging them. True Christian civility flows from a changed heart.
Think of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians Chapter 5, verses 22-23) as a kind of civility toolkit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Together, they shape how we show up in our families, our workplaces, and yes – even on social media.
Our community has so much to celebrate – from food banks and community gardens to litter-picking teams and school volunteers. But, like everywhere, we feel pressure too: parking rows, new developments, and, of course, the never-ending third bridge debate. Online, it’s easy to move from a toddler group post to a local rant in three thumb-swipes.
So, here’s a challenge – what if August became our own local Civility Month? Try these four simple actions:
● Greet five people you don’t know each day
● Invite someone who disagrees with you (about politics, faith, or even football!) for a friendly chat
● Be kind and encouraging to others
● Pause each evening for one minute to reflect on kindness – share what you noticed using #CivilityCaversham
Some may say, ‘Nice idea, but I’m too busy.’ But Jesus said, ‘If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? (Matthew Chapter 5, verse 46). He showed radical civility – even forgiving His enemies on the cross. Let’s make August the month we bridge divides, choose gentleness, and rediscover the power of a well-timed thank you or a simple sincere, ‘Help me understand.’ And maybe, just maybe, we’ll see glimpses of the Kingdom of God – right here in our community.
by Pastor Colin Baker – Caversham Baptist Church
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