Web Site Design: www.walkthewallcards.co.uk
Web site best viewed in Internet Explorer
Thoughts
From the Vicar February 2010
Dear friends,
We appear to have got off to a very busy start to the New Year and already Christmas seems a long, long way away, in fact, I feel I have no time for reflection
at all. A lot of joy was shared and celebrated over the Christmas period and rightly so and in the next few days the great Festival of Light will come to an end at Candelmass (2nd February).
Early January showed that we must really respect Mother Nature and when she says it’s ‘Winter’ she means it’s Winter! It did, however, bring out the best in us in terms of neighbourliness and caring with countless stories of helping and willing hands. Many people who are elderly and infirm are grateful for the help they received.
While we struggled with wintry conditions the people of Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake which destroyed hopes and dreams as well as property and possessions. We look on with disbelief and offer our thoughts, prayers and donations.
Sadly, a number of families have been bereaved within our own community in this New Year and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they come to terms with their loss.
Swine flu’ seems to have disappeared and at last we are out of recession! Although the Bank Rate remains at 0.5%.
So much on which to wonder and ponder in such a short period and somehow we have to try to come to a meaningful understanding of our world of today.
Suddenly, our focus changes from the past and the present to the future.
Lent is early this year with Ash Wednesday on 17th February which marks the beginning of our preparation for Easter. Traditionally, it is a time for prayer and study, a time to stop and reflect on the meaning and purpose of life and to reassess our own position and contribution.
We have much to reflect upon in our own situation as well as within our society while we keep a watchful eye on worldwide events.
The pace of ‘change’ in the world is breathtaking which often requires decisions to be made on the hoof!
As a Society we continue to live beyond our means and a future government will need the Wisdom of Solomon.
Where then do we turn for guidance, help and advice?
Or do we just continue on much in the same way as we always do?
“Without vision the people will perish” said the Prophet. Who are the Prophets of today? Where are the Prophets of today? If our vision is to have more of what we have already; or if we think the present financial position is going to right itself overnight; or if we think the wrongs in our society are suddenly going to disappear then we are sorry people indeed.
We need to re-discover the art of sharing and caring and to embrace personal discipline and self-sacrifice.
To help us on our way, Churches Together in Britain encourages us to join in “THE BIG READ” during the five week Lenten period. It involves our coming together to read St Luke’s Gospel and to share in discussion. A time to;
STOP – READ – LISTEN – REFLECT
We all lead busy lives and despite our best effort we all tend to find that there is still much left undone. However, there is a time to be active and a time to be not active.
I commend to you the penitential season of Lent as a time of reflection and renewal, a time to be at one with Him who is perfect Knowledge pure Wisdom.
Every Blessing
Dear friends,
We appear to have got off to a very busy start to the New Year and already Christmas seems a long, long way away, in fact, I feel I have no time for reflection
at all. A lot of joy was shared and celebrated over the Christmas period and rightly so and in the next few days the great Festival of Light will come to an end at Candelmass (2nd February).
Early January showed that we must really respect Mother Nature and when she says it’s ‘Winter’ she means it’s Winter! It did, however, bring out the best in us in terms of neighbourliness and caring with countless stories of helping and willing hands. Many people who are elderly and infirm are grateful for the help they received.
While we struggled with wintry conditions the people of Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake which destroyed hopes and dreams as well as property and possessions. We look on with disbelief and offer our thoughts, prayers and donations.
Sadly, a number of families have been bereaved within our own community in this New Year and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they come to terms with their loss.
Swine flu’ seems to have disappeared and at last we are out of recession! Although the Bank Rate remains at 0.5%.
So much on which to wonder and ponder in such a short period and somehow we have to try to come to a meaningful understanding of our world of today.
Suddenly, our focus changes from the past and the present to the future.
Lent is early this year with Ash Wednesday on 17th February which marks the beginning of our preparation for Easter. Traditionally, it is a time for prayer and study, a time to stop and reflect on the meaning and purpose of life and to reassess our own position and contribution.
We have much to reflect upon in our own situation as well as within our society while we keep a watchful eye on worldwide events.
The pace of ‘change’ in the world is breathtaking which often requires decisions to be made on the hoof!
As a Society we continue to live beyond our means and a future government will need the Wisdom of Solomon.
Where then do we turn for guidance, help and advice?
Or do we just continue on much in the same way as we always do?
“Without vision the people will perish” said the Prophet. Who are the Prophets of today? Where are the Prophets of today? If our vision is to have more of what we have already; or if we think the present financial position is going to right itself overnight; or if we think the wrongs in our society are suddenly going to disappear then we are sorry people indeed.
We need to re-
STOP – READ – LISTEN – REFLECT
We all lead busy lives and despite our best effort we all tend to find that there is still much left undone. However, there is a time to be active and a time to be not active.
I commend to you the penitential season of Lent as a time of reflection and renewal, a time to be at one with Him who is perfect Knowledge pure Wisdom.
Every Blessing