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1 June 2020
Thoughts at Pentecost
Most of us probably have clear ideas of what we mean when we use words like God or Jesus, but talking about the Holy Spirit is a bit different. If I may use an example, there is a man who works on the South Bank close to Tate Modern who has a vast bubble maker. Not the sort of tiny ones you use for children’s parties but two huge sticks and a string, which he dips into a paddling pool of washing up liquid then lets drift in the wind running down the river. Hugh bubbles, some 6’ across, appear as if by magic. Children run to touch them and, puff, they are gone. I suspect the Holy Spirit is like that for many of us. We know it is there but as soon as we get too close it is gone.
The language of the Bible doesn’t help. There are many different words for the Spirit across the many books of the Bible – written in ancient Hebrew, Koine Greek and Aramaic. This is made even more complex by the fact that Jesus and his disciples wrote nothing down at the time. All we have comes from many years later, in a different language. The closest we have, text wise, are the notes Paul passes on to the young churches. He talks of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit but these have proved to be contentious throughout church history. Those who have tried to live by the Gifts of the Spirit have too often found themselves to be outsiders. Think only of St Francis or Mother Theresa, and the many who have been ejected from the mainstream church for trying to follow what Paul among others assumes is normal.
Over the years there have been many charismatic revivals. When I was a boy there were still people alive who recalled the Welsh revival and the vast numbers of local chapels across Wales which were built as a result – most of them now holiday homes. Following Vatican II there was a large outpouring of the Spirit in the Catholic Charismatic Movement. We were part of that in the late 1970s. Speaking in tongues, singing in tongues, prophecy, words of wisdom, words of knowledge were all quite normal. Then we moved to Hastings in 1980 and came into a charismatic desert. Luckily we found a small charismatic prayer group led by Nan Baxter. Subsequently we joined Hastings Christian Fellowship which eventually morphed into Kings Church.
It was during that time that we had very real experience of healing. I have genuine problems with the concept of miracles but have to accept what I have witnessed. We went regularly to Hove Town Hall for healing meetings led by John Wimber. A quietly spoken man, there was not sense of rousing the audience into believing something which was not actually happening. On one occasion Sally found herself in the Ladies standing next to a woman whose clothes obviously did not fit. She laughed and said that was the problem with being healed. She had spent so many years in a wheel chair that she had got used to having all her clothes made so that they hung correctly while she was seated. Now she was able to walk she was going to have to get new sets of clothes! On another occasion, as part of Kings Church, we were running healing services in the Falaise Hall. I was with one or two others praying with a woman who had one leg shorter than the other. By the time we finished praying for her, her legs were the same length. I can’t begin to explain – I only know it happened. But then it stopped. There are no regular healing services now. It is as if the wind of the Spirit blew strongly among us and then passed on.
Where does that leave us today? We are in a place of lock-down, very much like the disciples were following the resurrection. We are faced with a very real choice. Do we simply go back to the old ways, doing things just the way we did before? We may adopt a bit more technology, but essentially we will go on running our services and our events just the same, as if nothing had happened. Or will we face the challenge which I believe is staring us in the face? Are we prepared to really take Christianity into the 21st century? I believe this will mean realistically understanding the changes which have been made over the last half century in our understanding of language, sociology, psychology, mass media, fake news and ensuring that we speak to people in words they can understand and with the intelligence they deserve. This is – as they say – a big ask, and will not be without considerable opposition from those who would prefer a quiet life. But the challenge is there and surely it is the challenge we must accept?
Brian Hick
24 May 2020
FRUITS OF THE ZOOM
Over just a few weeks our common vocabulary has expanded to include a number of words reflecting the difficult situation in which we find ourselves– lockdown, pandemic, coronavirus, self-isolation… and the verb to Zoom.
According to another well-known website Zoom was founded in 2011. It has certainly come into its own during the current pandemic. During this time many churches have been amongst those to utilise this facility in order to keep in touch, to pray, study, to worship and reach out together. It has also been used for family gatherings, quizzes, work situations and perhaps the most high profile usage has been for journalists and others to pose questions at the government daily briefings on the BBC.
Towards the end of February I was staying with friends in Epsom and was able to attend a meeting of their new church plant. It was very exciting to be with a group of people passionate to build a church that would reach out into the local community. As people left I said I hoped I would meet with them again one day. How little did I know that one month later churches throughout the country would be unable to meet physically and the church plant meeting would have moved online. I was sent an invitation to join with them – and I continue to do so – an opportunity I would not have had before lockdown.
Weekday Morning Prayer has been happening at St John’s now three mornings per week since Easter 2018. Following on from my Epsom experience I asked Luke if he would be happy for me to try to develop an online version of Morning Prayer using Zoom. Brian & I experimented with setting up a meeting, both being new to Zoom, and we launched out. We decided that on the remaining days we would offer a social meeting for chat, discussion and prayer. Towards the end of the first week Bernard asked if we were going to meet on Sunday so we hastily prepared a short act of worship for then as well.
From the beginning, apart from being an excellent means of keeping in touch, we have seen growth in numbers, confidence and exploration of our faith together. It has been wonderful to experience a greater level of participation in terms of leading/prayer than we have normally seen “in church”. Numbers at Morning Prayer have more than doubled and we will have met together as church over 50 times in 9 weeks! St Peter & Paul have also been using Zoom meetings for a number of weeks now and a joint churches meeting for worship was well attended on Ascension Day.
We know that Zoom will continue to play a significant part in the life of our churches as we eventually see the lockdown restrictions eased. It will be a very useful way for those unable to attend physically to continue to meet with us as well as another way that people may discover our worshipping community. Our churches are not standing still. Please talk to Luke if you would like to be a part of what is happening. It would be a blessing to us all if more people would continue to join.
Stephen Page
21 May 2020
Some words Maureen wrote in 1973 that seemed to complement our website’s 2020 Virtual Chelsea Flower Show
My Garden
If I could choose the flowers that would grace my garden bright,
I’d have a wealth of colour that would dazzle human sight;
and so throughout the year every kind of flower would grow
in abundance, with perfection, for every bloom I know.
In winter, all the snowdrops would hang their little heads,
And brighten up the garden as they grew through snowy beds.
The yellow of the crocus would shine like drops of sun,
As too would all the daffodils as they nod their heads in fun.
The many coloured tulips would stand like soldiers tall,
till the time when tulip petals upon the ground must fall.
The iris and anemone, the hyacinth and pink,
will paint with little splashes, so bright it makes you blink.
The velvet of the roses, with petals steeped in dew,
are symbols of the beauty that are seen by me and you.
There are so many other flowers too numerous to name,
That might grow in this my garden, and we’d love them just the same.
Maureen (Hinkley)
19 May 2020
See St John’s VIRTUAL CHELSEA on the St John’s web page
17 May 2020
14 May 2020
God as the Gardener
Over the last few weekends I’ve been doing some projects in the garden with my 26 year old daughter who is with me working from home. We have dug new a flower bed, bordered the edge with redundant bricks that were stacked around the house, removed some shrubs and planted new roses, vegetables and sweet peas. And it got me thinking about how akin this is to how God works in our lives. He is the Gardener and our lives, and our hearts, are the garden. Sometimes He digs up and removes something because its season is passed and replaces it with something new. He digs out the harmful weeds (our sins) that are choking tender plants (our gifts), removes stones from the soil (bad habits) and adds mature compost (worshipful, prayerful spiritual nourishment!). He cuts back things that are becoming too rampant (work? pride?) and prunes out dead wood allowing the good branches to blossom and bear fruit. He will reshape flower beds (new job, new home?) and add new plants (new friends, neighbours, new dreams?) that bring a new dimension to the garden; And He will water it in season and bring the warmth of the sunshine to cause things to flourish and grow. The thing to remember is that He is a skilled, caring and careful Gardener who knows the shape we’re created to be and what He wants us to produce, and will work on us, tenderly enabling us to grow more beautifully and to bring glory to Him.
3 May 2020
Get involved this Christian Aid Week!
The coronavirus crisis means it’s more important than ever that we come together as a community to worship, share fun and fellowship, and support our sisters and brothers living in poverty.
As we aim to still build a community this Christian Aid Week we have a schedule of virtual events all taking place live from our Facebook page. An there’s several more creative and fun ways below to help you join in saving lives from your sofa.
Join us for virtual prayer and reflection:
Sunday 10 May, 1.00pm: Live-streamed Christian Aid Week service with Dr Rowan Williams.
Monday 11 – Saturday 16 May, 11am: Live daily reflections from our staff and partners overseas.
Sign up using the links on this webpage https://www.christianaid.org.uk/christian-aid-week/virtual-fundraisers?utm_source=christianaid&utm_medium=email&utm_content=txt-header-VirtualFundraisers&utm_campaign=20200427-CA-CAW-Org-4
Reflection for online Sunday Worship St John’s Hollington 26th April 2020 Stephen Page
Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread (Luke 24:35)
This passage has been an inspiration and a puzzle to many, including my Great Grandad (who was a Methodist local preacher for 60 years). It is good to read back a little, to discover that the ‘two of them’ were part of the group of Jesus’ followers who had been together after his death. Included in the group were the named disciples, now 11 in number, and others, including women and Cleopas, the only one of the two who is named.
There are many questions that can be asked. Why were these two going to Emmaus? Why didn’t they recognise Jesus to begin with? How exactly did he disappear afterwards?
It is easy to get lost in these sorts of questions – and there is a time and a place to ask them. But this morning I want us to focus on this verse (read again).
An unexpected bonus this week, during our Zoom social meeting on Thursday was the conversation many of us had regarding communion. We were able to hear what it means to people and to try to appreciate some of the different ways it is understood and experienced. At this time when we are physically prevented from receiving communion together it is good to think about what it is and why we do it.
There are many elements (pun intended) to what we do when we receive, when we celebrate communion. There is the aspect of brokenness – Christ’s body broken and blood shed. There is the aspect of it being an offering freely given to us. There is the necessity for us to choose to receive this gift. There is the notion that it is a sacrament – an outward sign of an inner reality. There is the understanding that by receiving together we join with one another to reconstitute the body of Christ, not just in that place, and throughout time.
Christians throughout the ages and in different places and traditions have carried out the command to “Do this in remembrance of me”. In a formal or relaxed setting. With a shared chalice or individual cups. Of wine or grape juice. With bread or wafer. Standing, kneeling or sitting. At the rail, in your seat or at another place. The question is debated as to whether the elements physically change or spiritually change or do they remain the same. I believe that in the end these things may be helpful but it is the attitude with which we approach communion that is more important. As we receive what is offered to us at communion we offer our lives back to God. Just like the boy who offers his five loaves and two fish, God takes what is offered, blesses and use it. We are blessed by the gift of God’s grace. We are then tasked to carry that grace with us in daily life and into each situation we find ourselves throughout the week.
It is possible to receive physically and yet not receive that greatest of all gifts. It is still possible to receive the gift of grace when the elements of communion are not available to us. What is important is that we recognise Jesus, the one who broke the bread and shared the wine, in the upper room, and in the room at Emmaus. The one who shared breakfast on the beach with his disciples, who fed the crowd with the gifts offered to him and who shares himself with us in his life, death and resurrection and the working of his Holy Spirit. So -do we recognise & receive from Jesus – the one who was broken and raised to new life for us? The one who breaks the bread, fresh for us each day of our lives? The one who will receive, bless and use what we offer to him and who asks us to break and share the bread with others?
Thursday 23 April 2020
I have been using “internet conferencing” for 23 years – since we sold our software company to one based in Atlanta, Georgia. Video conferencing has changed hugely in that time. The first system cost £150k to put in place and the software was crude and unreliable. With the introduction of webcams and improving software the cost fell and accessibility grew dramatically. The picture (from 2009) is a screenshot of Jane and Leo in Denver, Colorado video chatting with me in Ramsgate on MSN Messenger. Now (for our use) it is free and software is very much more reliable and sophisticated! Some people have, however, expressed “security concerns” about using Zoom. There are two main concerns: eavesdropping and what has become known as Zoombombing. If we were a government, military intelligence or a business discussing sensitive information we might have a concern over people joining to eavesdrop on a meeting but should we be worried about what we are using it for? You may have heard or read recently of a meeting on Zoom where someone started posting indecent images. Zoom’s recommendation is that the meeting’s host disables “participants’ screen sharing” which should prevent someone displaying anything inappropriate. I am not a computer security expert but I haven’t read that using Zoom puts any personal information on a user’s computer at risk. The basic technology is mature; all the concerns and risks (which Zoom says they have addressed) have been to do with unauthorized people joining, overhearing and interfering with the meeting. It seems very unlikely to me that anyone would want to eavesdrop on our meetings but if they did: would we care? All we are discussing is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and if someone did eavesdrop… maybe it would change their life! All that is to say – please don’t let concerns over Zoom’s security prevent you from joining our Zoom services and meetings!
Rev Luke Dean
Wednesday 22 April 2020
AND YET WE STILL FEEL SAD (Tune: PASSION CHORALE)
Stephen Page The tune is one of the saddest (and most beautiful) hymn tunes I know.
We know that we are members Of God’s great family.
We know that we’re invited With all humanity
To celebrate our Saviour, To worship & be glad.
We know that God is with us And yet we still feel sad.
At this time of pandemic Our lives have changed so much.
We long to be together, For closeness and for touch.
The things we took for granted That we no longer have.
We know that God is with us And yet we still feel sad.
The dedicated carers, The sacrifices made,
The little acts of kindness Are God’s love on display.
Our gratitude is real for Each blessing we have had.
We know that God is with us And yet we still feel sad.
We feel that we are different, We feel we are alone.
When others have got company, We’ve no-one else at home.
There’s no-one there to talk to About the day we’ve had.
We know that God is with us And yet we still feel sad.
This hymn, written during the Covid 19 “lockdown”, seeks to address issues of mental health, loneliness and depression in relation to the Christian faith. Many people will testify to these feelings disappearing when becoming a Christian, whilst many others hold on to their faith but still experience times when these feelings come back again. I want to affirm those people and re-state my belief that God does not necessarily take away every difficulty and heal every infirmity. What was Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”? It is deliberately written from a “We” standpoint when so often people will feel it is only “I” who feels this way.
SJP 12/4/2020
Waiting
We are all waiting for this lock down to be over. It is interesting to see how different people are doing different things with their isolation and time as we wait and pray for this pandemic to be over.
There is a lot of waiting in the Bible; Abraham waited 25 years for the promise of God to be fulfilled in the birth of Isaac; Jacob had to wait and work 7 years to be married to Rachel; Joseph waited in prison until he was remembered by Pharaoh’s cupbearer; The Israelites would have to wait 40 years to enter the Promised land; The exiles in Babylon waited 70 years until they could return to Jerusalem; Jesus waited until he was a grown and mature man until he could begin his ministry and then He spent a further 40 days in isolation and preparation.
It is tempting, sometimes, to see waiting as time wasted. Yet, if we reflect on those many instances of waiting in the Bible we realise that all of time falls into God’s abundant purpose and He was working out His plan and purpose of promise and fulfillment, allowing things to happen in His time rather than when, I’m sure, the characters of the Bible would have it.
Also, it is sometimes amazing when we look back at our lives to times which we may regard, not so much as wasted, but as unfulfilling. Times, we think, could have been spent better. But, with prayer, wisdom and reflection we see that those times have actually been the times that make us the people we are and were there and perhaps necessary to shape our lives and character.
But there is another time of waiting required of the faithful. Psalm 27;14 (and many other psalms) encourage us to “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” What I think the psalmist means is that we place ourselves in the presence of God. Yes, of course we must pray for those effected by the discordance, misery, anxiety and grievance this pandemic has caused, but to be in the presence of God, to be aware of His beauty and eternity gives us a perspective on our situation and that there is never a time wasted.
Rev Bernard Crosby
A recorded message from Archdeacon Edward.
You can view it here if you click on the link below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Luke’s reflections from Morning Worship, Sunday 19 April 2020
Most of the stories in the gospels are very well known but do we know which stories come where? The gospels sometimes seem to merge in one amorphous lump. Why don’t Mark and John record any of the stories about Jesus’ birth? Why don’t the shepherds appear in Matthew and why don’t the Magi appear in Luke?
Why does Luke refer to Galilee as a lake when Matthew, Mark and John call it a sea?
Matthew refers to the Kingdom of Heaven why do Mark and Luke refer to the Kingdom of God?
Why does only one miracle appear in all four gospels – what is so special about that one?
In the Garden of Gethsemane, why is John the only one to identify Peter as the disciple who wielded the sword, striking the High Priest’s servant and cutting off his ear? Why is John, in chapter 21, the only one to record Jesus asking Peter three times: do you love me? (Although that story appears to have been added later as what we read earlier in chapter 20 seems to be the original end of the book.)
I think it is fascinating to read, to study, to get to know each individual Gospel and the emphasis each author tried to make.
Why is John the only one to record the raising of Lazarus? Does he deliberate place the last of the seven signs as close as possible to his account of Jesus’ resurrection to invite a comparison between the resurrection of being brought back to mortal life and being raised on the other side of death?
In Matthew, Mark and Luke – Thomas is only mentioned once – when he is listed as one of the disciples. In John his name appears 7 times – we read 4 of them in those few verses just now.
Is it possible that John decided to mention Thomas earlier within his account of the Gospel to deliberately introduce him in preparation for this story?
Does John mention Thomas so that he (John) can make the comparison with himself? In verse 8 of the same chapter John (referring to himself) wrote…
8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
For John to believe in the resurrection it was enough to just see the empty tomb – he saw and believed – but did he use those words with a smile on his face was it: self-promotion or demotion?
For Thomas, unless he saw the nail marks in Jesus’ hands, put his finger where the nails were and put his hand into Jesus’ side… he would not, he said, believe.
When Thomas did see Jesus, he exclaimed:
28 … ‘My Lord and my God!’
Jesus replied:
29 … ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’
Did John smile to himself when he wrote about himself… “he saw and believed” because Jesus said “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”?
Doubting Thomas – as he has come to be known – seems to be a negative name but I suspect most of us share his doubts from time to time and all of us occasionally.
The Mar Thoma Church in India believes it was founded by Thomas – Mar Thoma means St Thomas – it is even suggested he reached China and preached the gospel there before returning to India. From Jerusalem. that is quite a journey for someone who previously had probably not travelled much, even in Israel, until he met Jesus.
Thomas overcame his doubts and preached the gospel of the resurrection of Christ.
It doesn’t matter how you arrive or by which route you came, there are no first or second-class Christians… so long as you arrive and put your trust in the risen Christ… there is no limit to what God can do through you.
17 April 2020
Life in lock-down in the vicarage
Compared to many other families life for us must be much easier in lockdown than for many other families as the vicarage is blessed with a big garden. This week’s big effort was “the alternative decathlon”, hurdles, basketball, throwing the tennis ball through the tyre, baseball etc. Garden badminton is very frustrating for a Junior County player. The effect of the wind is not something he normally has to try and account for – but it is better than nothing in good weather. As an outside game football is rather easier and has become a regular feature at 5pm (when electronic devices have to go off) – how long football lasted depended on just how long it took for the ball to end up in one of our 6 neighbours’ gardens. It became such a problem that “Dad” decided to buy 5mx20m of boundary netting which has been strung up between the trees at one end of the garden. It worked brilliantly to start with until the boys realized that they could now kick the ball harder without worrying about losing the ball with the obvious consequence: I didn’t realize it would go that high!
Schoolwork is a constant challenge. It is hard to inspire the boys to get down to work as it is either too boring or too hard. We have some sympathy with that lots of revision is boring but learning new stuff is hard without a teacher who has worked out how to communicate and present new concepts is tricky! We aren’t doing fantastically well with schoolwork but at least some is getting done.
16 April 2020
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK from John Fletcher
Jesus Christ – Risen and Recognised! A celebration of life! The foundation of all our hopes past, present and future! There was a different reaction however from those who were involved in the first Easter. The sight of Christ’s body being taken down from the cross and placed in a borrowed grave was seen as a tragic end to their hopes and dreams. They thought it was all over! Three days later, two despondent disciples, Cleopas and his companion made their way home to the village of Emmaus. They walked slowly, crushed by a burden of despair. Even when the risen Christ catches up and begins to walk beside them, their eyes are so blinded by grief that they failed to recognise him.
This story from Luke 24 is one of the most human stories in the bible. Perhaps we can see something of ourselves in it. Most of us have days when our hopes and expectations are at a low ebb and today, many are struggling to cope with the pandemic and the lock- down of normal life. People feel vulnerable and insecure, a sense of fear and the hardships of isolation. It is not easy to discern the presence of God at such a time as this.
But let’s come back to the Emmaus road for a moment. As Cleopas and his companion share their doubts and fears with the stranger walking beside them their hearts began to stir with a surge of new hope. Soon they arrive at Emmaus and invite the stranger to share the hospitality of their home. He readily consents and a meal is prepared. During supper the two disciples suddenly recognise they are in the presence of Jesus. We are told that – “their eyes were opened and they recognised him.” This is the true climax to the Easter Drama. It is our human response to God’s mighty act in the raising of Jesus Christ from the dead – risen, recognised and alive for evermore. Only our unbelief and stubborn pride can blind his presence from us.
The Emmaus road represents our journey of life. Today it encircles the world. It passes our front door! Jesus wants to meet us and walk with us every step of the way – in health and in sickness – encouragements and discouragements – joy and sadness – life and death. So may we, “open our eyes” and reach out to the one who walks beside us – Jesus Christ – Risen and Recognised – our strength, our hope, our joy, our salvation!
Easter Sunday, 12 April 2020
Easter Sunday but no chocolate eggs, no congregational celebration,
No Pascal Candle, no full liturgy, no flowers, no communion,
Just the locked-down come together via Zoom
To give thanks in the only way allowed to us –
But every heart is full of Easter joy.
Good Friday, 10 April 2020
Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia!
I never imagined that on Easter Sunday the church would not be able to gather together and celebrate. I observe from the different gospel accounts, however, that on the first Easter morning it wasn’t as simple as: Alleluia, Christ is risen.
As I write there are still days to go before Easter. While we applaud the NHS workers, other key workers and volunteers, the number of Coronavirus related deaths is still rising and there are many thousands of people in this country and around the world who are fearful, bereaved and in pain.
In the week leading up to Palm Sunday, the Old Testament readings set for Morning Prayer were the uncomfortable accounts of the plagues inflicted on Egypt before the Passover and Exodus. (I’m not going to suggest Coronavirus has been sent by God but) I prayed that for our country, our world, our generation, it wouldn’t take 10 plagues for humankind’s heart to soften and turn back to God.
CS Lewis, the author of the Narnia series of books, wrote in his book “The problem of pain”: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
And what must it have been like on that first Easter morning as those faithful but broken-hearted women made their way to the tomb? What would they find: we know they asked themselves: “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” What did they think of Judas betraying Jesus, what did they think of Peter denying Jesus? What did they think when they saw the stone had already been rolled away, that his body had been stolen?
What did they think when they heard the extraordinary message of the angel(s)? After the despair of the last few days, should they dare to believe, should they dare to hope?
Matthew recorded (Matthew 28:17) that even at the Ascension – 40 days later – that “some doubted”. It would take Thomas a week to believe. For Mary Magdalene Jesus only had to say her name. On the other hand, for John, it was enough to be inside of the tomb, to see the strips of linen and the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head – John 8:20 says “He saw and believed.”
It doesn’t matter how we arrive: we can follow Jesus at different speeds and by different routes to the same destination and today, together, we can declare “We believe” and pray that in this pandemic, our community, our country, our world will in their fear, loss and pain, put their trust in the risen Jesus Christ.
Rev Luke Dean
When all my friends have proved untrue
And those I’ve loved now hate me
When those I trusted turn their backs
And strangers all berate me
You will still be here.
When all the creeds are washed away
And all the promises are broken
When all the myths have been exposed
And all the lies have been forgotten
You will still be here.
Here, when nothing else is left
Here, when round me darkness closes
Here to lift me from despair
As my final hour approaches
You will still be here.
7 April 2020
If like me, you are a rather apprehensive computer user, this is for you! When we were invited to join the St John’s Hub, I thought it “wasn’t for me”, as I wouldn’t dare install Zoom in case I messed up just when my computer was my vital link with the outside world, and no one could come out to put it right! The answer came from Tim Collins, who has looked after my computer for many years and become a good friend. Talking over the phone, he installed both Zoom and Skype remotely from his home. The system is totally secure, with you in control and seeing what is happening at all times. The Hub has now become a really important part of our life in isolation. This system can also be used for other computer problems of course. Tim can be contacted on enquiries@c-and-c.co.uk (that is C and C Computers); phone – 07970 792335. The charge is £20.00 for half an hour, which is normally all it takes.
(In case you are puzzled not to recognise my name – Val and I belong to Calvert Methodist Church but come to St John’s regularly for singing groups, many concerts, and occasional services, and greatly appreciate the warm welcome we have received and the friends we have made.) Chris Edwards
6 April 2020
Palm Sunday – Then & Now – Stephen Page’s reflection from live link-up
Jesus enters Jerusalem. Compared to other accounts of Jesus in the gospels this action is out of character. He has often not wanted to draw attention to himself or who he is. However, the time was now right. Jesus knew what he had to do & he did it.
On Palm Sunday we often think about the significance of entering Jerusalem, of doing it on a donkey or colt, the OT prophecies of Messiah. This Palm Sunday, not just here in our local gathered community, but in the wider community & throughout the world we find ourselves in an extraordinary situation. Because of that I’d like to focus on the INDIVIDUAL & the CROWD.
Then – Jesus is the individual, called to fulfil his particular role in a particular time & place. A role which will eventually affect the whole world, for generations to come. We know the rest of the story. In Luke 22:42 we read how in the garden Jesus cries out to his heavenly Father, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will but yours be done.”
Now – We are seeing countless individuals doing things they may rather not have to do but to which they feel called to – NHS staff, key workers, those staying at home sacrificing income & social life.
Then – The crowd – all united in the spectacle, welcoming this man on the back of this animal, singing Hosanna.
Now – We are becoming more aware of our part in this vast crowd – the human family, God’s family – in neighbourhoods, in countries, throughout the world. We are acknowledging how we are in this together, although, as ever, some people are in better positions to cope than others.
We are perhaps being challenged to look beyond our usual circles to reach out & include others. This small group has only been meeting in this way since Monday but some of us have now met 6 times in a week – more than we usually would. It is my hope now that we will actively invite others on the edge of or outside of our church family to join with us. We may actually see growth as a result of this terrible situation.
We are being forced to think of those on the edge – those who are isolated and excluded from our normal lives and relationships; Those who don’t conform to our lifestyles or values; Those of a different faith or of none; The homeless; Those with little or no income; Those living on their own or in nursing homes; Those who work so hard to provide the things we need to live our lives but of whom we are often unaware. We are seeing some amazing things that people are doing for one another. This is God’s love in action. These are signs of God’s kingdom.
Finally, we know that by the end of the week the crowd had changed its mind…that Jesus, instead of being welcomed & honoured would be sentenced to death and would be abandoned. Our challenge is to ensure that the good that is coming out of our present situation continues once the crisis is over. We need to work towards a church that is at the heart of the community.
I decided to but a Kindle this week as a way of having access to more books if I need them and I’ve downloaded a devotional book by Bear Grylls. The section I read today is headed Be Thankful. He quotes two very good NT verses for us at this time with which I shall end.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you (1 Thess 5:18)
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things (Phiip 4:8)
3 April 2020
As we go into our third week of lockdown, we see our resourceful church family looking at a variety of ways to stay faithful to Jesus, stay in contact with each other and continue to pray for our world. This Newsletter seems to be reaching most of those who attend P&P and hopefully this week will include all those on email who attend St John’s (there was a blip in the system last week).We know that many phone calls have been made and even an online prayer group via zoom is ‘attended’ by a growing number of St John’s folk and hopefully this can grow to include the whole parish for those interested. Pastoral and Home Groups seem to be caring for each other, and offers of shopping are being taken up. If you are in need of a few bits then please call or text the P&P church booking number 07464005045, which has been dedicated for this at the moment, and your items can be brought to you. DON’T GO WITHOUT because you don’t want to bother someone!! Please use this newsletter as a means to let others know how you’re getting on, stay safe and blessings to you all. David and Geraldine
2 April 2020
From Paul Read – Nature Notes 2
As boys we spent a considerable amount of time exploring the countryside around our village in Suffolk. One of the activities we really enjoyed was bird –nesting. I was fascinated by the amazing variety of nests we found. Often the first nests we found were blackbirds. They were large nests and often so badly hidden they were easy to find. Sparrows and starlings make untidy nests. However, the starling goes to some trouble to decorate its nest using flowers. The robin uses all kinds of places to build its nest- I once found one in an old kettle. I read that somewhere that a man took his coat off in his garden and hung it on a fence. Five hours later when he went to put it on he found a robin’s nest in one of the pockets.
One of my favourite birds is the long-tailed tit. They are a highly social species travelling through woods and along hedges in family flocks for most of the year. They are wonderful to watch- restless and acrobatic as they feed in trees and bushes often hanging upside down as they take insects.
Their nests are amazing. I once found one in the middle of a bush of hawthorn. I was so impressed that after the fledglings had flown from the nest I went back to have a closer look at it . It was oval in shape made of moss lichens and lined with cobwebs and lots of feathers. This result is a flexible nest which expands as the young grow. It needs to as often there can be as many as 8 fledglings in it. Just imagine the effort that goes into feeding 8 young long-tailed tits. I wonder how many insects are caught each day? The adult birds become totally preoccupied with this task.
Recently, because of Covid 19 we have become somewhat preoccupied with feeding ourselves even to the extent of hoarding food. Jesus told us specifically not to be anxious about what we eat and drink Mt 6 :31. In fact our anxiety about food was misplaced and the panic buying was all unnecessary. Let us continue to trust God and take on board the words of the apostle Paul ‘ Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say , rejoice . Let your reasonableness be known to everyone . The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication and thanksgiving let your request be know to God . And the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus’. Philippians 4 4-7.
Prayer chain reminder
This is to remind you that there is a prayer chain at P&P. Although we all need prayer at this difficult time, if you, or someone you know has a particular need of prayer, please let me, or another member of the chain know so that we can start praying for that need.
The members are:- Julie and David Henty, Paul and Ruth Reed, Dawn Harris, Jean Nash, Tom Collins, Jane Marquesen and Kathryn Bristow.
Derek Hill Tel (01424) 426658 or derek.charleshill@outlook.com
31 March 2020
From Paul Read
I was with my elder brother John. We had been to Cavenham Heath to watch Stone Curlews and were now on our way home. Suddenly , he suggested a detour to see some more rare birds. We stopped outside a very isolated house and there in the orchard perched on some large bird feeders were the birds we were looking for – sparrows or to be more specific tree sparrows ( the ones wearing a brown hat ).
When I was a boy they were a common sight in the farmland and we would regularly find their nests at the top of the conical yew trees that surrounded the chapel where we lived. Now, probably due to more efficient farm methods they are becoming a rare sight . I was delighted to see them again.
I have been so pleased to observe a small flock of house sparrows in the vicinity of the church and every so often they pay a visit to my garden. There cheeky ‘chirrup’ reminds me of my boyhood spent roaming the countryside in Suffolk.
Jesus a keen observer of everything around him used them to help us understand the way God cares for us all :
Are not sparrows two for a penny ? yet without your Father’s leave not one of the falls to the ground. As for you even the hairs of your head have all been counted . So have no fear you are worth more than any number of sparrows’. Mt 10 29-31, NEB
30 March 2020
Thinking of you all.
Hello to all our church family.
In these uncertain times it is so good and reassuring to hear from so many enquiring about our wellbeing. Indeed it is good news seeing everyone coming together in one common aim – how lucky we are to be able to contact one another without leaving our homes. We are told to stay indoors other than for a few exceptions and this reminds me of a story dating back to when there was a great plague known as the Black Death. People carried this plague in their haste to run away from it, and, of course, spread it around.
This tragic chapter in the village of Eyam’s history began in 1665, with the arrival of a bale of cloth sent from London, where the Black Death had already killed thousands of inhabitants. Contained in the bale of damp cloth were fleas carrying the plague.
The story goes on to talk about two young people who were planning their lives together. The girl lived in the village of Eyam on the edge of the Derbyshire moors and her love in the next village. For a while the couple would meet and make plans for their wedding. Eventually the plague hit Eyam and the rector of the village, William Mompesson, together with others, persuaded the villagers to stay in the village and isolate themselves until the plague had burned out. Running away may have saved them but they would have risked spreading the plague to others.
No one entered or left the village – no letters were sent out – except one from the rector to the Lord Lieutenant of the county, asking him to arrange for food to be left beside a well outside the village, known today as Mompesson’s well. In return money would be placed in a pitcher which would be lowered into the well. Vinegar was poured into the well to help purify the water and clean the coins.
Secretly the two young people kept up their contact for a short while until the young girl from Eyam decided to stay away from her intended. Her love was so great that she made the sacrifice to keep away in order to protect him. As time went on many folk from Eyam, including the girl, contracted the plague and sadly died. Eventually the sacrifice made by the villagers of Eyam was successful and the plague was over………
These folk made the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect and save others and now we find ourselves in a similar situation amidst a worldwide pandemic. How lucky we are to have all those people around us, to help us, to lead us, to make difficult decisions in what is believed to be our best interest. Politicians – who, in the main, want to work together and not point-score despite their differences, Medical experts and researchers, Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, Emergency Service Personnel, The Army, Manufacturers of equipment, Teachers, Farmers, Food producers, Shopkeepers and their teams, Delivery people, Volunteers, Our family members, Our friends and importantly OUR CHURCH FAMILY. All are vital.
Again, it is indeed wonderful to see everyone wanting to pull together towards one common aim.
Take care, you are all in our thoughts.
With our love and prayers,
Bill and Fran Barlow.
28 March 2020
Seek First the Kingdom of God
With everything that’s going on at the moment with the corona virus, it’s easy to get distracted and, perhaps, rather fearful. But God has told us consistently, “Do not be afraid, for I will never leave you or forsake you”‘ and that is a promise that we can trust and hang on to. How do we cast out that fear? 1 John 4:18 says that, ‘perfect love casts out all fear’. We understand that the source of that love is God himself, so if we are afraid of the future, eternity or God’s judgement, we can remind ourselves of God’s immeasurable love for us and focus on that. The closer we get to Him the less power fear has over us. God’s love then grabs fear by the throat and throws it out of the window! A child hearing a noise in the middle of the night might yell for a parent to come. It’s ok for us to do that now asking God to be with us and to help us. And now is the time to ‘Seek first the kingdom of God’ so that ‘all these things may be given unto you’ and let’s take the advise Jesus gives us in the next verse, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Easier said than done you might say, but if worrying about tomorrow is becoming overwhelming it’s the best thing that we can do, and just focus on today and God’s love and presence with us.
27 March 2020
Praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Eritrea
Eritrea is often called the North Korea of Africa. Anyone who criticises the government is likely to be severely punished. Can you imagine that happening here ?! Hundreds of Christians have been imprisoned, some for more than a decade. More recently, the government has also started seizing and closing down church-run schools and hospitals.
Please pray….
- for strength and encouragement for Christians in prison;
- that those affected by school and hospital closures will have access to healthcare and education;
- for wisdom for support organisations offering practical and spiritual help to persecuted believers.
26 March 2020
From Derek Hill, 26 March 2020
As I lookout over the garden, it is obvious that Spring has suddenly arrived after the grey skies and huge amounts of rain. The sky is clear and blue and the sun warm, some flowers are in bloom and leaves on trees are starting to appear. The birds’ song seems louder than before, but this is because we are living in strange times, the hum and roar of traffic has quietened.
Beyond my garden, I know there are people who are self-isolating, some of whom are worried and anxious about the spread of Corvid-19, for themselves, their friends or family.
So what are we to do? Firstly, we should remember that we are adopted children of God and so we should behave as Jesus expects us to. We should remember to focus on Jesus, pray and read the Bible, and then be as helpful and supportive as we can be to our family, friends and neighbours. This is not a time for hoarding toilet rolls, or other things for ourselves, for there is enough to go round for everyone. We must not panic.
Secondly, we must do what the government and scientists say we should. If that means self-isolating, then we should, keep ourselves occupied and healthy, with appropriate food and exercise.
Let us remember that God who created everything that there is, is still the God who is Love and loves everything he has made – including every sparrow and each one of us! Let us think on the words of Paul in Philippians 4:4-7.
If you are missing services of worship, the following regular broadcasts may be helpful:-
Sundays
Sunday Worship (different denominations and styles each week), BBC Radio 4 8.10am
Worship at Home, Premier Christian Radio 10.00am
Songs of Praise, BBC1 1.15pm
Choral Evensong, BBC Radio 3 3.00pm (repeated from previous Wednesday)
Other days
Daily Service, BBC Radio 4 Long wave 9.45am Monday to Saturday
Choral Evensong, BBC Radio 3 3.30pm Wednesdays (Anglican cathedral style)
before 25 March 2020
Not So Self Isolated
I couldn’t go to church. No service.
I couldn’t see my family. No hugging.
I couldn’t visit friends. No touching.
I could help a neighbour. Yes please.
I could call out keep well to passers- by. Yes you too.
I could phone a friend. Yes I’m pleased you called
I live alone but am not alone for I know the Lord is with me.
And you. You too. Yes all of us.
from Sally Marchant
Letter to parishes, Lent 2020 from Martin, bishop of Chichester
I was recently asked by a reporter whether in the diocese of Chichester Ash Wednesday has become more popular – like Christmas is.
My own experience of offering “ashes to go” outside Brighton station was very informative. Generally, people on their way to work were not very interested and sometimes hostile.
People with a bit of Christian formation and experience were more pleased to see us. I sensed that for some of them, this was an invitation to re-connect with the season of Lent and the renewal of their faith. For others, it was encouraging, giving permission for the hidden, private practice of their faith to be affirmed by someone else in public.
The message of Lent is cheering and simple: God loves you and the Church is starting preparations to celebrate that fact at Easter.
But this year, in particular, the ashes with which we began this season of Lent offered a serious statement of protest.
As destructive fires raged in Australia, ash was everywhere. Our ashes were an identification with all who are the victim of climate change and environmental damage. But perhaps more importantly, ash was an even clearer symbol of the Christian call to repentance, a radical change of heart.
Extinction protests have certainly become more popular. But we might have more yet to do to make the Lenten discipline of repentance more popular within the Church, in order to become a catalyst for repentance in society and global change.
My hope and prayer is that we might emerge from this Lent with a greater sense of reverence for the earth and all its inhabitants. The celebration of Easter will then be marked by a different, freer, lighter way of living, rather than a return to damaging habits we had tried to give up for the time being.
+Martin
Palm Sunday
Today was easy, riding through the crowd
Waving to the people as they came
To spread their branches and their coats, to claim
Him as the Son of David, shouting out loud
As if the world was going to change and you
Were going to make it happen there and then –
Chuck out the Romans and all Herod’s men –
Restore Israel for all, not just the few.
But of course you see the crosses lined
Along the wall as you come down the hill
And know the cheering never, ever, will
Cause it to happen while this world is blind
To the need to love and go on loving
Even as you die to save the living.
Good Friday
Today was hard, the flogging and the nails
Before the hours exposed upon the cross
Longing for death’s darkness as he rails
Against his God’s abandonment and loss.
Where now the crowds who hailed you as their king
Or praised you as you healed them and brought cheer?
Only your mother and her sister bring
Comfort in their tears, while soldiers sneer.
And then the stillness of the tomb entwines
Your broken body as it sinks in death,
Until, unsensed, the coming of a breath
Transforms dead roots once more to living vines
Which will persist and give their fruit to all
Who hear your word and answer to your call.
Palm Sunday
Today was easy, riding through the crowd
Waving to the people as they came
To spread their branches and their coats, to claim
Him as the Son of David, shouting out loud
As if the world was going to change and you
Were going to make it happen there and then –
Chuck out the Romans and all Herod’s men –
Restore Israel for all, not just the few.
But of course you see the crosses lined
Along the wall as you come down the hill
And know the cheering never, ever, will
Cause it to happen while this world is blind
To the need to love and go on loving
Even as you die to save the living.
Good Friday
Today was hard, the flogging and the nails
Before the hours exposed upon the cross
Longing for death’s darkness as he rails
Against his God’s abandonment and loss.
Where now the crowds who hailed you as their king
Or praised you as you healed them and brought cheer?
Only your mother and her sister bring
Comfort in their tears, while soldiers sneer.
And then the stillness of the tomb entwines
Your broken body as it sinks in death,
Until, un-sensed, the coming of a breath
Transforms dead roots once more to living vines
Which will persist and give their fruit to all
Who hear your word and answer to your call.
Brian Hick
April 2020
Any comments or thoughts very welcome!