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Rector's Letters 2005
December 2005Dear Friends, Two months away on Study Leave not only allowed me to visit and observe exciting new ways of “being church” in North Michigan and other places in North America, it has also given me lots of time for reflection, reading and engaging in pastimes I used to enjoy, like knitting, watching a “soap” or two and flicking through women's magazines. It was whilst reading a copy of “Vogue” that I came across the courageous story of their former Fashion Editor, Deborah Hutton, a journalist who had also written for The Observer, The Guardian and The Sunday Times and who died last summer. That story might seem a strange thing to share with you in a month, which should be full of celebration, festivities and joy. But I believe Deborah's story is particularly relevant in this season. Let me explain. I was so affected after reading that article that I immediately went into a book shop and bought the book (*) she wrote in the last months of her life, with contributions included by many celebrities including Hugh Grant, Cherie Blair, Dawn French, Felicity Kendall and the Bishop of London. Deborah Hutton describes how she lived through her personal odyssey of “letting go” after her diagnosis with a cancer which she was told was “about as bad as it can get”. She speaks of how Cancer Relief have worked out that 739 people receive the worst piece of news imaginable every day, unexpectedly becoming members of the “Cancer Club, the last club in the world that anyone would ever chose to join”. From her own experience and out of her conversations with other members of this exclusive club, she has written this anthology of supremely practical examples of ways in which friends and family can make a real and substantial difference to the journey of the cancer sufferer. So often we feel quite helpless in the face of suffering on the grand scale as we watch the news, or listen to the latest tragedy on the world stage. This book assures each one of us that we can do something to help those suffering around us. We can make a difference by getting alongside people, just as that baby in the stable did some 2000 years ago “God with us, Emmanuel”. As someone once said, where there is a manger, there is also manure. The Christmas Story isn't about tinsel, twinkling lights and excessive eating and drinking. It's about a God who comes right into the mess of our human life and shows us how to love one another. I believe Deborah Hutton's book can help each one of us to do that more effectively, following in His steps and being bringers of good tidings today. Hers is a book worth reading and for every book sold at least 35p is paid to Macmillan Cancer relief. Best wishes to you all for a very Happy Christmas! love Gill (*) “What can I do to help” by Deborah Hutton (Publisher: Short Books £7.99)  Back to Top |
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