Letter from the Rectory

Dear Friends                                                                                                                                The Rectory

I’m just back from the baptism of baby Robert Wooles, son of Chloe and Mike, at St Matthew’s.
Robert beamed his way through the Service and has really endeared himself to the Sunday 11.15 congregation. There was a very strong sense of the church as a family welcoming a new brother in Christ.

In acknowledgement of the consistently good content of this Magazine in recent years the cover price has increased to £1.50. This is a rather more realistic estimate of the monthly costs of assembly and production. Don’t forget that an annual subscription and home delivery costs just £10! This issue has an extra four pages. I hope you enjoy a good read. As editor I’m always grateful for your ideas and contributions.

Thinking of communication: did you know that we have a new website (address on front cover)?

This is usually the first thing that anyone new to our parish looks at, which makes it really important. We are most grateful to Chris Sharp who has designed it and to Kelvin Goodson who first got us on the web some years ago. Do have a look. Chris really welcomes your comments and feedback.

You probably know that we have eight Parish Visitors who are available to offer support and a listening ear. If you, or someone you know of, is in any kind of need do please contact me, or Maggie Brecknell who co-ordinates this group. I’m really delighted that a further eight people are in training and will be commissioned at the Confirmation Service on 11^th March next year. We hope to have further training courses. If you’re interested do please be in touch.  Thinking of Confirmation: now is the time for any adults or young people, who want to find out more, to be in touch with me or Mary.

I have a very strong sense that our care for one another will be even more important next year. The fear of, and for some, reality of, unemployment puts a big strain on relationships and family life. Our ability to be open and to share our concerns makes us vulnerable. We sometimes feel this is a weakness. The message of the Christian faith is that vulnerability is at the heart of God. That is what we see in the helpless Christ child. May God bless our vulnerability. It is often when we feel at our weakest that God becomes real in a new way.

There’s lots happening this month and next. Together we are privileged to be part of a thriving parish. Lots of people are active in all sorts of ways which is just wonderful! Thank you. It’s worth remembering that a number of our key volunteers are working at full stretch. This means that new ideas need new energy. There’s no shortage of ideas.... Do please read the page about FUNdraising for the Hall Roof Project and respond by organising a Coffee Morning. I’ll come.

Advent is the traditional season of preparation for the birth of the Christ child. Those who take this seriously have a challenge. Amidst endless piped carols in every shop, (just think of those who work there), and the many demands of preparing for the big day, we are called to take just a little extra time to pause and wonder at the enormity of what God continues to do through the gift of himself in the life of Jesus. World changing? Yes, then, and again for us this year.

There’s just so much for us to be thankful for, and optimistic about. Our God is characterised by HOPE. The future is always in God’s hands and his fingerprints are everywhere.

With every good wish this Advent, for Christmas and 2012