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Rector's Letters 2003
October 2003Dear Friends, As I walked my dog through the woods today, I was treading on a beautiful golden carpet of beech leaves, which will soon mulch down to form that rich leaf mould compost from which tiny seeds can gain their nourishment. The leaves were falling from the trees all around the path, leaving tiny scars on their branches, which in only a few months time, will be the very places from which tiny buds will begin to sprout again. I reflected that, what in the autumn actually seems to us like the end of life, is in fact the sign of a new beginning. The cycle of nature never ceases to amaze me. It is an image that St. Paul used when writing to the people of Corinth about life and death. Last month the members of our church shared their sadness at the loss of a much-loved friend Jamie Hollins. During my brief time here he has been bravely fighting illness, never complaining, and still applying what energy he had, to help in our church affairs, especially in the area of finance. We in village and church, will miss his warmth, his generosity, his gentleness and his business know-how. Our hearts go out to Jamie's wife Sue and all the family as they struggle with the raw pain of loss. Loss is so hard to weather, and many of us know how it saps our energy and leaves us feeling hopeless and defeated. Yet perhaps the image from the natural world is a good one. For, as Christians we do not believe loss and death is final. We believe that Jesus came to defeat death, enabling each of us to share with him in the place he went to prepare for us. We also believe that through his spirit God can help us work through whatever losses we have experienced, finding new life after what seemed like an end. It is those facts we remember at the beginning of next month in our service of “Grief and Gratitude” marking “All Souls Day” on Sunday November 2nd at 6.30 p.m. It's a special service for anyone at all, who has known the pain of loss but wants to reach out to the hope of new life which the Christian Faith promises us. Please note this is not on Remembrance Sunday this year, but has a special focus on the day when many remember their loved ones who have died. Do get that date in your diary and come to share with others as we join in celebrating the lives of loved ones and our belief in eternal life. yours Gill  Back to Top
June 2003Dear Friends, Its been a busy time for elections just recently, in the life of both church and village, as we've chosen our parish councilors, our borough councilors and our parochial church council members. What fortunate people we are, to be free to elect those who speak for us and work for the good of our communities. Iraq's desperate plight reminds us of all the places in our world which suffer under the iron rule of a regime which will not allow ordinary people to express their views, especially if they disagree with the “party line”. We are also fortunate to have men and women in Staplehurst, who are prepared to serve our community in these ways and it was particularly heartening to see so many people standing for election as village representatives on our parish council this year. But it did sadden me to hear that only some 31% of our village turned out to vote. It seems that so often, groups and organisations depend on just a few, hard pressed and hard working people. Then there are others who stand on the sidelines and wait for things to happen but are not keen to get involved not even, it seems, to come out and make a choice about those who will speak for them and make important decisions about the place in which they live. Most of us who live in Staplehurst would agree that there is room for some growth and improvement in our community life. We are trying to encourage our youngsters to have a sense of the community spirit which means we look out for each other. Perhaps we each need to ask ourselves what we are doing to make this a better place to live in. Not all of us have the time or the talent to take on major responsibilities, but if every resident here committed themselves to get involved in something for the good of our village, we could transform it. As Christians we are called to obey just two commands which our Lord gave us. One is to love God and the other is to love our neighbour as ourselves. Maybe this summer we could each find some way in which we could involve ourselves more fully in the life of our neighbourhood, getting involved in something which can enrich the lives of others around us. The possibilities are endless and the result might surprise us all! So lets have a good Summer together. yours Gill Back to Top
January 2003Dear Friends, As I write this letter I'm amidst the packing cases again. It seems to be becoming a habit! Moving twice in just a few months is not something I'm enjoying but it has made me think about those for whom 'home' has little real meaning. As I settle into the beautiful home which the Diocese of Canterbury have bought as your Rectory, I am reminded of those who have no home. It seems Jesus himself became a refugee, not long after he was born, as Mary and Joseph were forced to flee to Egypt, as a result of Herod's threats. He and his family shared the experience of those millions on the move today, forced from their homes by war or natural disaster. There are also those who, for one reason or another, are rootless and sleep rough on the streets. It is hard to envisage not having a permanent, safe place to come back to each night and most of us take our warm, comfortable homes for granted. In the colder winter months, it must be dreadfully hard to be without all those usual creature comforts and extra hard for the very young and very old. It can make us feel awfully uncomfortable when we think about all that we have, compared with those, who through no fault of their own, have so very little. So what can we do about it, when our consciences prick? Well, its long been our Christian tradition to offer hospitality where we can. It may be that we can do that, by using our homes as a resource welcoming others. Or we may choose to be involved by supporting an organisation which helps meet the needs of those in need somewhere in our world. There might even be someone reading this who could go in person to help, either in this country or overseas, for a short or long spell. And perhaps, as we start a new year, this would be a good time to reflect on what we have, what we need, and what we could give away to others to make this world a happier place. It was John Wesley, who said; “gain all you can; save all you can; give all you can”. Maybe there is no reason to feel uncomfortable about what we have, just as long as we are generous with it. I close with part of a prayer which the Methodists, John Wesley's followers, use at the start of each new year. Perhaps we might make it our prayer as we set out on the new year 2003. “Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you; exalted for you or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty; let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and whole heartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. Amen” Have a very Happy New Year! yours Gill Back to Top |
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