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Echoes Of Jonah
Key Stage
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Theme
This collective worship is inspired by the Northern Bottle-Nosed Whale that strayed up the Thames on the weekend of 21-23rd January 2006.
Preparation
If possible, project pictures of the whale or show a newsclip about its fate.
Introduction
A whale in central London! The Thames used to be so dirty that there were hardly any fish in it at all! But over the last few years many fish, including salmon, together with dolphins and seals, have been seen further and further downstream. Experts say that it’s because the water quality has improved so much. Must be quite confusing if you are a sea mammal, though. For whatever reason, the whale, used to travelling in groups, was miles from its natural environment in a hostile, crowded area. Many people tried to help, but it was still a confused, tragic situation and even the experts felt helpless.
There is a story about another whale, hundreds of years ago, that got caught up in a confused, rather tragic situation. This time, though, it wasn’t the whale who suffered. Some of you may remember the story of Jonah, who knew he was called to warn a big, busy, hostile city that it was in danger of destruction because of the way the citizens were behaving. Let’s take a trip back in time…
Story
Jonah, son of Amittai, was sitting minding his own business when he heard the voice of God saying to him, ‘Get up and go to Nineveh. It’s full of wickedness and it’s about time something was done it. You’d better warn them.’
So Jonah went and got himself onto a ship going to Tarshish. The ship hadn’t been long out of harbour when a tremendous storm blew up and everyone was scared rigid. The sailors threw everything they could find overboard, including Jonah, who they had decided was altogether bad luck.
But that was not the end of Jonah. A great fish swallowed him up. It may not sound like it, this was good news – Jonah wasn’t hurt at all but sang praises to God from the belly of the fish until at last it spewed him out onto dry land.
And what became of Nineveh? Jonah didn’t give up but eventually arrived at the city safely. Surprisingly enough, the people of Nineveh even listened to this strange man and his message – they changed their attitude and God decided not to punish them after all.
Thought
Two big fish, two cities. Let’s start imagining…
We don’t know exactly how the whale arrived in London. It wasn’t a message from God, but it’s interesting to wonder what Jonah would have said if he had popped out from the Whale’s belly just outside the Houses of Parliament.
What do you think? Maybe the whale’s presence was the result of changes in our environment which make the natural world unpredictable. Maybe there are other things in today’s world which we need to think harder about – poverty, war, prejudice, to name but a few.
Brainstorm the sort of message you think a modern-day Jonah might want to bring to us today – both to political and other leaders and to us as everyday people.
(You may wish to make a list of these on a flipchart or whiteboard.)
Music
If possible, play a recording of the sound of whales singing at the beginning and again before and after the Prayer/Reflection.
Prayer / Reflection
May we be sensitive to the world in which we live with so many other beings, human and animal.
May we listen and be aware of how our lives affect those around us, and how those around us can give us insights into the right way to live.
May we be brave to stand up for what we know is right, and not to be discouraged.
May we be compassionate and may we support those who help others.
Amen.