The Rector's monthly letter

Stephen Carter's monthly letter is shown below. If you wish to read past letters, please go to the letters index page.

This month's letter is from Canon Stuart Holden

CREATION to RECREATION

Recycling is very much to the fore in our minds, in government policy, local government policy, and is a major issue upon which we all need to keep in the forefront of our minds; we all know that we need to take active steps to put recycling into practice in our daily life – the earth’s resources are not inextinguishable.

The prefix ‘re’ means making something anew, something fresh in one form or another and that prefix constantly comes into daily use in many contexts – recovery, refreshment, reform, recreation, renew, replacement, revamp, and so many others – all such words come into every aspect of life, world affairs, society in general, and in our own personal life, mentally, physically and spiritually; renewal is a fundamental necessity.

THE CHRISTIAN’S FAITH

The use of the word ‘new’ is very prominent in the Bible, the Christian faith and life. The Old Testament is our understanding of God’s work in creation, ‘In the beginning God...’ and the outworking of His purpose in the life of the ‘people of God’, the old covenant between god and man for the fulfilment of His purpose for His world. Sadly that covenant was broken by man and people like Isaiah and Ezekiel spoke of what was to happen and Jeremiah had a vision and he wrote of it ‘The Lord says “the time is coming when I will make a new covenant. It will not be like the old covenant.... the new covenant I will put my law within them and write it in their hearts”’. That new covenant we have set out before us in the New Testament in and through Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament we know something of the ministry of Jesus. In and through His healing ministry (the miracles) He made men new, restored them physically to a new life. In His teaching ministry (the parables) He opened minds to a new understanding of life in right relationships. His life and ministry expressed in the words “I give you a new commandment Love one another”.

THE CHRISTIAN’S EXPERIENCE

This is not just theory; it is a practical reality of making new. For St Paul, for example, his life was made new following his conversion on the Damascus road, he was a changed man, he had a new understanding of life, a new direction in his life, a new goal and objective. What was true in his own experience he knew could be true in the lives of others “If any man is in Christ he is a new creation”- and so it has been down the centuries – making men new.

The world has changed down the centuries and clearly will continue to do so at an ever increasing speed, not only globally, but also on a personal level. We will face new situations, new developments, new circumstances – that is the way of life and will always be, but for those who have a Christian faith in the love and purpose of God there is still the ultimate dimension of what is new,the new creation of God, recreation. St John confined to the isle of Patmos had a vision which must have given him hope, peace of mind and confidence and it is that which can support us all in a life in a very turbulent world, “I saw a new heaven and a new earth....there will be no more grief or crying or pain. The old things have disappeared. The One who sits on the throne said Now I will make all things new.” We thank God for His creation, the beauty of the earth, for the harvest of the field and sea and the earth’s resources. But we also thank God for the new creation that we have yet to experience but which gives us meaning and purpose in this life as we live it.

Stuart Holden

RECTOR’S SABBATICAL

As many of you know, the Bishop has allowed me to have a three month Sabbatical. This means that I will not be available in the parish for the whole of August, September and October. During my absence, the churchwardens are in charge of the parish. The point of contact during my Sabbatical will be the Parish Office- telephone 01206-575565. Messages will be checked every day, and passed on to the appropriate person. I am conscious that my absence will create a lot of extra work for the churchwardens and the members of the ministry team. I am grateful to them all for enabling me to take this opportunity for study and spiritual refreshment. I hope that all those in the parish will support them. All the services will be maintained during my Sabbatical, except for the Thursday morning 8.00am Holy Communion. The details of all the other services will appear in the Diary for the month as usual.

Stephen Carter