The Vicar writes ...
... in the parish magazine each month with a topical message to all our Barton Chime readers.
September's message is about "Serving and Sharing".
July-August's message is about "Changing Lives".
June's message is about "Celebration".
May's message was about "The merry month of May".
April's message was about "Learning from what we see around us".
March's message was about "Early Easter".
January-February's message was about "Prayer Centenery".
December 07 message was about "What's on the post".
November 07 message was about God's guidance.
October 07 message was about Barton's Health Care Moving on.
September 07 message was about Back to Church Sunday.
July-August 07 message was about Small Beginnings.
June 07 message was about A Celebration of Skills.
May 07 message was about "God of the here and now".
April 07 message was about The Vocabulary of Easter.
March 07 message was about Spring and Lent.
January-February 07 message was about the 30 years of the Chime.
September
SERVING AND SHARING
One of the features of the celebration was of course the 475 wheelbarrows which were flower-bedecked throughout the village. In his address at the Festival Service Jon Rose, who was a Reader here some years ago, talked about the wheelbarrows. He spoke of wheelbarrows needing someone to push them. We all need help from one another in our lives and in our witness to Jesus and our commitment to the faith.
The 475 wheelbarrows were indeed a great feature of the Open Gardens Festival this year, in themselves representing the 475 years of service to the community. It was a fabulous weekend with so many visitors and so many involved in helping to make sure it was all a great success. First, thank you so very much to everyone who was involved. The aspect of supporting others is in itself the feature of the Festival, it was fantastic to discover at the Presentation Evening that £10,000 had been raised. This will support The Children’s Society, the Children of the Andes, The Donna Louise Trust as well as our schools and church. You will find the full details on the opposite page - again thank you to everyone who contributed in any way.
Sharing also involves sharing our faith. On the last Sunday in September (28th September), together with hundreds of churches throughout the country, the main aspect of the day will be to make the services especially welcoming to those who perhaps have not prayed in company with other people for some time. We all know we can say our prayers anywhere, we do not have to be in a church. There are many places where we can feel especially close to God. Places like churches, and being in company with others can also be very helpful and supportive ways to share worship and prayer. I hope everyone will think about sharing this worship and if you have not been to church lately then perhaps this ‘Back to Church Sunday’ will encourage you.
May God bless you all
Tony
July/August
CHANGING LIVES
This month we keep the Feast Day of Saint James, the Patron Saint of our Parish Church at Barton. He was called by Jesus and we learn from the gospels that it completely changed his life. (Saint Matthew Chapter 4 verses 20 - 22).
This year we are celebrating 475 years of our Tudor Church consecrated in 1533, with the 475 wheelbarrows representing the years the Parish Church has served the community. Not everyone has the moment changing experience of Saint Paul and Saint James. However over those years many people will have come particularly close to God through their prayers and thoughts in our Parish Church and been lead to guidance of the way their lives might travel - we give thanks for that. This embraces our stewardship of the building to be a place where the inheritance of faith and closeness to God may help every generation.
When you are made a Prebendary (or Honorary Canon) as I have been this year it makes you think. People say to me sometimes why did you become a ‘Vicar’ or when did you think about becoming a ‘Vicar’. Well, I did not have a Damascus experience. I have shared with many people that I can clearly trace my feeling that I should train to be priest came from about the time of my Confirmation, (incidentally at another Parish Church of Saint James). This is when we pray that the Holy Spirit will come afresh into our lives as we take on for ourselves the promises which were made for us at our Baptism. Many will have had similar experiences in their lives and it is sometimes helpful to share them. Our Parish Church stands as a base for us and future generations to come close to God and seek his guidance, his love and his help.
We keep Saint James Day on Friday 25th July, with Holy Communion at 9.45a.m. and on Saint Jamestide Sunday 27th July at 8a.m. and 10.30a.m.
The Bishop is coming for a Confirmation Service in October. If you would like to know more about Confirmation please ask me.
I hope you will have a pleasant break during the summer, whether it is at home or away on holiday.
May God bless you all
Tony
June
CELEBRATION
I have just been to ‘Let’s Party’ - it was a great afternoon for everyone. A real gathering of so many people from the village. As you will know it was arranged by Barton Churches Working Together and part of the National ‘Hope 08’ outreach. Thank you to everyone involved in making this day such a success.
This month sees more events involving the whole community. The making, distribution and the planting of the 475 wheelbarrows has been an enormous undertaking, supported by the village with great enthusiasm. Do not forget to put your wheelbarrow out from 9th June for the judges to see and to be ready for the Open Gardens Festival which has itself become a major happening in Barton for many years. It is encouraging to know that over £65,000 has been raised for charity in the nine years the festival has taken its present form. I look forward to your support this year when the charities alongside the church will all be focused on children in this country and beyond. This reminds us of the story of the birth of John Taylor and his triplet brothers.
As the community comes together for Open Gardens, the Scarecrows, the Teddy rides, and the viewing of the 475 wheelbarrows around the village, we recall that the Parish Church has served the village community for 475 years since being built by John Taylor in 1533. Barton Church will have touched many and been part of so many people’s lives in that period. We celebrate, we give thanks to God and pray for guidance and help in finding ways to serve the community and touch the hearts of many more in the years to come.
On Sunday 29th June at 10.30am we will celebrate the 475 years and look to the future with a Festive Family Communion Service. I hope you can come. On the 450th Anniversary of the Church Tom Kelsey, the former Vicar, came to share the occasion. This year I have invited Jon Rose, a former Reader at Barton Church to share the day with us.
So we celebrate, give thanks for our heritage of faith focused on Barton Church for 475 years and ask God’s blessing and guidance in sharing of the faith and giving service to the community in the years ahead.
May God bless you all
Tony
May
THE MERRY MONTH OF MAY
May has always been a great time for celebrations. Community happenings have focused particularly on May Day for centuries. It is a time of coming together, it’s also a time of looking towards all that summer will hopefully bring and then eventually harvest in the Autumn. Rogation Sunday usually comes in May. This year it was the last Sunday in April. This is an opportunity to ask God’s blessing on the fruits of the earth in their season and all the honest work of mankind.
This year a number of special events arranged by the Church Working Together in Barton will happen this month. On Sunday 18th May, join in “Let’s Party”. Repeating the success of a similar event a few years ago, the Churches Working Together in Barton invite everyone to a party afternoon on the Collinson Road Playing Field. This is an opportunity for a family get-together in the village and it is free for everyone, just pay for any refreshments. A programme of entertainment is planned involving all of the schools in music and dancing and an interlude from Barton’s own Fiddle Folk. Expect to find a magician on hand and a bouncy castle as well as other children-focused activities. Dogs are welcome to bring their owners, as there is a Fun Dog Show during the afternoon. Come along from 2.30 pm to about 5 pm with the main events starting at 3 pm. This is linked to the national outreach initiative of all the churches in the country - Hope ’08. I really do hope you can come and join in what promises to be a great afternoon.
The Annual Sponsored Walk, which supports St Giles Hospice and a church or charity of choice takes place on Sunday 11th May, starting at the Catholic Church in Wales Lane at 12 noon, with Fradley Junction being the destination. This is another event arranged each year by the Churches Working Together in Barton. Sponsor Forms are available at the Catholic Church, the Parish Church and the Methodist Church.
Each year Christian Aid Week comes in May and this has always been well supported in this village. There will be the usual house to house collection and a Banish Hunger Lunch in the Catholic Hall on Friday 16th May from 12 noon. You can read more about Christian Aid Week on page 17.
So quite a busy month.
May God bless you all
Tony
April
LEARNING FROM WHAT WE SEE AROUND US
Jesus told stories about lost sheep, the woman who lost a coin, he talked about the wheat growing in the fields around and a man who was attacked by robbers. The great thing about these parables that Jesus told, stories to help people understand more about his teaching and the ways of God, was that he used examples he found around him that everyone could see.
I greatly believe we should strive to learn from things about us and particularly in nature. It is just about the 21st March, the first day of Spring, but Spring seems to have come very early and as with all the seasons there does not seem to be a complete end to one but rather a time of change to another.
The April Chime comes to you when the message of Easter is still much in our minds. The resurrection opens up to us the fact that there is no end to this life, it is but a preparation for all that is to come. We think of life as a series of changes from being a child to having the responsibilities of being an adult with all its family and other concerns. We change in the passing of the years and following the pattern of nature what we call ‘the end of life’ is but another change - this time to the life that Jesus promises in his resurrection.
The passing of a loved one cannot but be sad and painful – yet the Easter Cards we give are full of joy (lambs skipping in the fields, beautiful spring flowers, chicken getting our of eggs) their message is that the resurrection brings hope and occasion for happiness. We have to live with this dichotomy and as we give thanks for all that we have shared with one who is now at rest, we commend that person in love and hope because of the joyful message of Jesus’ resurrection.
May God bless you all
Tony
March
EARLY EASTER
I have never been asked so many times as this year about the date of Easter. No doubt this because it is so very early – the Spring flowers seem to understand, as they have come along early too!
Most of our festivals are simple to predict. They either occur on the same date each year or at a fixed position such as "the first Sunday". Easter on the other hand is what is called a moveable feast. As such, the date changes every year. Easter Sunday can fall on any date from March 22 to April 25.
The reason for this variation in that the date of Easter is based on the lunar calendar rather than our more well-known solar one. There have been some attempts to change the date of Easter away from lunar calendar, however these have met with little support. In a ‘nut shell’ the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox is Easter Day (The vernal equinox this year is at 5.48 UT on 20th March. That is the moment of time when the centre of the sun can be observed directly over the centre of the equator} Easter can only ever be one day earlier and in the 250 years from 1875 to 2124 this never occurs and Easter is only on March 23rd twice in those years. The other year being – 1917, so this is once in a lifetime event – enjoy it!
So in the March we will also be keeping Mothering Sunday on 2nd March, always three weeks before Easter. It was a ‘rest Sunday’ in Lent when children who worked away were permitted time off to visit their mothers. I guess they realised how dependant they were on them when they left home. Today ‘mother’ is usually about and can easily be taken for granted. So it is an excellent time to say ‘Thank You’. The Mothering Sunday service in church echoes the fact that children who returned to have a day with their family would join them in church. A time to remember in general that we do take things so often for granted including the love of God who through His continuous act of creation provides for in nature day by day,.
This month will also see Palm Sunday when Jesus was greeted as a King and Good Friday when the leaders of the people turned them against Jesus and they called for his death on the cross, but of course triumphed over all in his resurrection on Easter Sunday. All of these events are part of the redeeming act of Jesus for us. I hope you will be able to stop and think about them and share in the observations in our worship. (Perhaps we might think how easy it is to be influenced by other people and change our minds without good reason)
The times of the services on these and other Sundays are on the front of the Chime.
The Bishop of Lichfield has appointed me an Honorary Prebendary of Lichfield Cathedral. This is a very unexpected honour and reflects all that we have been able to do together in our parishes and in the Deanery of Tutbury. A Prebendary is the title which is given to honorary canons in this ancient diocese. The office has an interesting history which I will share with you nearer the date of Installation on Saturday 28th June at Evensong in Lichfield Cathedral.
The Churchwardens of our parishes and Jill our reader join in hoping you have a Joyous Easter.
May God bless you all
Tony
January/February 2008
PRAYER CENTENARY
Over the years much has progressed with Barton Churches Working Together - as many will well remember. The outdoor Act of Witness on Good Friday was added to the annual calendar. Christian Aid Week has always been well supported here, to this was added the popular Banish Hunger Lunches. We have met in Lent and Advent, had special times of prayer together, experienced many forms of worship together. We have celebrated milestones in the ages of both the Methodist Church and the Parish Church and welcomed the complete renewal of the Catholic Church. We have had special events like the Christmas Tree Festival and Let’s Party on Collinson Park. In recent years the joint Holiday Club - Light Factory - has been a happy new feature with monthly follow up club meetings.
All this comes to mind as Nationally and Internationally the Centenary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity comes this month from January 18th to 25th. I hope you will be able to join the customary Fun Quiz in Saint James Hall on Saturday 19th at 7.30p.m. and the United Service which is this year in the Parish Church on Sunday January 20th at 4p.m. The essence of all our sharing together is in prayer.
Here are some thoughts about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year:
One crucial piece of advice which Paul gives is to ‘pray without ceasing’, and this year’s service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes up this imperative. The meditations and readings for the eight days of the Week of Prayer will explore also the other pieces of advice that Paul gives.
Praying without ceasing is a significant imperative for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2008 in particular. A hundred years ago an American minister, Paul Wattson, began the tradition of praying for Christian unity over the course of eight days, from 18 to 25 January. So as we pray this year, we can find strength not only in the prayers of brothers and sisters across the world who pray with us at this time, but also in the prayers of Christians of all denominations over the past century. With them, we root our yearning in the prayers of Jesus Christ, the source of our unity – Jesus Christ, who, as Paul had already told his friends in Thessalonica, lived, died and prayed among us ‘so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him’ (1 Thessalonians 5.10).
Thank you very much for all the kind greetings you sent to me for Christmas. I trust you had a great time and wish you a very pleasant year in 2008. Do not forget Lent begins very early this year; the Pancake Race is on Tuesday February 5th; Wednesday February 6th is Ash Wednesday. There will be a special Leaflet giving details about Lent in our churches quite soon.
May God bless you all
Tony
December
WHAT'S ON THE POST
Shortly, if not already, we will soon be singing ‘Hark the herald angels sing’
How do all these angels compare. What do we mean when we liken people or things to angels? The main common quality is that angels and those like them are seen as being good. That is the secret.
The Christmas stamps this year feature, for the most part, angels. Angels are messengers of God - they bring his good news. At this time of the year we think of the Angel Gabriel who brought the news to Mary that she was to be the mother of Jesus and the angels which told the shepherds the good news of his birth. So if we think of people and things as comparable to angels we are thinking of good things about them.
The stamps have pictures of angels or of Mary and Jesus reminding us that the angels brought good news about them. They will be on all our Christmas post and that in turn is bringing us good news. Greetings cards and letters reminding our friends that we wish them a Happy Christmas. The ‘postal angels’ are bearing our messages of love.
In ‘love’ we find another thought for the season.
‘God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son into the world that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.’ How do we know the message of the love of Jesus – because over the centuries people have told each other – they have been messengers of God’s love, like the angles.
When we send our Christmas cards we are playing our small part in sending that message of the good news of the love of Jesus to others today – we then too are the messengers of God today – we are as the angels.
When you look at all those angels on the stamps on the post you receive – think then of the messengers of the love of God – of the person who has sent you a message of love this Christmas. Give thanks that we have the reassurance of the Christmas message that helps us understand that God came into the world so that we might understand more about Him, about life, about this world and his promise of the world to come. Surely that is something to rejoice about at this season.
The Churchwardens of our churches, Margaret and Sue, Mick and Philip, Jane and Phil and our reader Jill join me in hoping you will have a truly joyful and peaceful Christmas and much happiness in 2008.
May God bless you all
Tony
November
God's guidance
I am writing on Sunday 21st October. The flag is being flown from the Village Millennium Flagpole in the churchyard. After some discussion it is obvious not everyone knows the reason. Two years ago we would have been very conscious that it is Trafalgar Day, because it was the 200th anniversary. We sang the hymn ‘Lead us heavenly father lead us, o'er the world’s tempestuous sea’ as a link with Trafalgar Day.
The flag will be flying again on 20th November for the Diamond Wedding of the Queen and Prince Phillip. Many people associate the hymn with weddings – it was Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s choice for her marriage to the then Duke of York in 1923 that made it popular for weddings. The Queen’s use of ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’ at her wedding in 1947 increased the popularity of that hymn.
We are all pleased to have special days in our lives which stand out and are important. Some of these we look forward to for some time, others are more unplanned events which mean a great deal to us and may even change our lives. These days are great but do not last forever and we have to resume our normal day to day living.
The singing of ‘Lead us heavenly father’ at a wedding is a prayer to strengthen our trust in God and asks his guidance through the days to come, even if life becomes more demanding. The hymn ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’ based on Psalm 23 reflects the same concept of the guidance of God.
We had a baptism this morning. Emily’s family were given a lighted candle to help think of the same guidance – Christ the light of the world to guide Emily on her journey in life. She will need the help of others too, certainly as she grows up. When we think about it God uses us to help each other. As we reflect on these two hymns we remind ourselves we are there to help each other o’er the world’s tempestuous sea – we can also give guidance to others in the light of Jesus the good shepherd.
We all then have a responsibility to each other - in the name of Jesus we are called to support each other in our lives.
Thank you to all those who were able to support me and the people of Tatenhill with your presence and prayers on Thursday 18th October when the Archdeacon of Stoke on Trent licensed me as Priest in Charge of Tatenhill. It was a very positive occasion, the Rural Dean of Uttoxeter supported by the Tatenhill churchwardens presented me to the Archdeacon on behalf of the Bishop. Rather as I have been writing above, it was a day to celebrate and now we move on with the parishes of Barton, Dunstall and Tatenhill working together in closer fellowship. Pastoral re-organisation in the area will involve consideration that our three parishes become a United Benefice.
Please pray for the guidance of God on those being married and those being baptised at this time and the ongoing life of our three parishes.
May God bless you all
Tony
October
MOVING ON
John Taylor High School has begun to celebrate 50 years with a big Anniversary Day. Year 7 who have just arrived at the school came to the Parish Church (which John Taylor built) for their Welcome Service during September. During that service we looked back to 1957, the year of the Sputnik and Elvis Presley’s recording of ‘All shook up’! We thought about how things had changed over the years – very different in many ways – if not exactly ‘all shook up’.
Students today come to the school to benefit from what has happened in the past 50 years and make their contribution, with their God-given skills, to the life of the school in the coming years. The Year 7 Learning Manager, Mr Colin Fogarty, reflected on friendships he made at school and how they have grown over the years – encouraging his students to do the same.
At the beginning of October Barton Church and Dunstall Church keep their Dedication Festivals. Sunday 7th October is the anniversary of their consecration in 1533 and 1853. This is an opportunity to give thanks to God for the life of the churches over the centuries, for all that they have meant to people in the communities, but it is also a time to pray for the blessing and guidance of God on the work and life of his family, centred on these church buildings, in the years ahead.
The life and pastoral care of parishes will in themselves change over the years and with a smaller number of ordained clergy, reorganisation has been necessary in recent years. This means clergy have pastoral care of more parishes and the laity has more responsibility for the growing of God’s kingdom. For many years the Vicar of the parishes of Barton and Dunstall has had a smaller responsibility than most clergy. As you will know, following a change of circumstances at Tatenhill earlier this year, the Bishop asked me to have care of that parish too in an informal way. With the rearrangement of pastoral care for the parishes of Branston and Tatenhill from 1st October, I am to have a more formal responsibility. The Archdeacon of Stoke will license and commission me for this new work on Thursday 18th October at 7.30pm and I hope you will be able to join me. The parishes of Barton, Dunstall and Tatenhill will in the coming months have an opportunity to look at the on-going situation. So things do not stand still and I ask your prayers for the life of all our parishes as we move on together.
Another area of moving on this month is at Barton Cottage Hospital which you will read about on another page in this month’s Barton Chime. Barton Cottage Hospital has served this community for 128 years and it is good to know that the same thoughtful care is to continue in new premises at Barton Community Health and Care Centre from 22nd October. On Sunday 14th October there will be a service in Barton Parish Church at 3.30pm to give thanks for all that the Cottage Hospital has meant to the community and the surrounding area over the years and to commend all that will happen in its new home in the years to come. I invite you to come and share in this service. Please let friends who may be interested know about this service - they will be very welcome.
This month then is a time to think and pray about many aspects of moving on.
May God bless you all
Tony
September
Back to Church Sunday
This is the season of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. I have just been enjoying a concert on the television. There are a number of ways to be involved with such music. You can listen to a recording obviously made some time ago, you can watch a live performance on the television, you can attend the concert and be actively involved in the occasion. You can of course make music yourself or with others.
I seem to be frequently saying that just as Jesus taught by parables, which reflected the experience of those around him two thousand years ago, we can learn from all that happens around us today.
For a performance of any musical work it means that all sections of the orchestra must be playing their part so that the whole is as the composer intended. Saint Paul helped us to understand that just as the body, like an orchestra, has many parts, each has its own function. Jesus has nobody to do his work today but ours! If we are all part of his body and we all have a responsibility to live our lives under his guidance, then the Body of Jesus will be effective in his world today. The Orchestra can help us think about that too.
There are many ways to pray, to talk to God – on our own or in company with other people. We all know we can say our prayers anywhere, we do not have to be in a church. There are many places where we can feel closer to God. The often quoted phrase ‘You are nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth’ can be very true. Places like churches, where we are in company with others, can be very helpful and supportive situations in which to worship and pray.
The last Sunday in September will be our Harvest Thanksgiving Sunday, and together with hundreds of churches throughout the country one aspect of the day will be to make the services especially welcoming to those who perhaps have not prayed in company with other people for some time. Amongst the tokens of God’s harvest, which are the produce of his ‘great garden’, we can all come close to him to give thanks and offer our worship and prayers. I hope everyone will think about sharing this worship and if you have not been to church lately then perhaps this ‘Back to Church Sunday’ will encourage you.
Services on Sunday September 30th will be at:-
Barton Parish Church
8 a.m. Holy Communion – a quiet reflective service.
10.30 a.m. Harvest Thanksgiving for All - an opportunity for the whole family to come together.
Dunstall Parish Church 6 p.m. Harvest Festival Evensong in a church truly in the heart of the country.
If you would like to know more about Back to Church Sunday, please ask me.
May God bless you all
Tony
July-August
Small Beginnings
It often seems very easy to feel inadequate, whatever we do may seem such a small thing – how can it help in any way?
The reading at Evening Prayer tonight (Tuesday 19th June) ends in this way – So Jesus said, ‘What is God’s kingdom like? What shall we compare it with? It’s like a mustard seed that someone took and placed in his garden. It grew, and became a tree, and the birds of the sky made nests in its branches.’ And again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom is like? It’s like the yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough’ Luke 13: vs.18-21.
Everything then has a beginning.
I am driven to think about the Open Gardens Festival which has just closed. We have been raising money for the Air Ambulance which costs £2.2 million a year and Worldwide Wheel Chair Foundation which is focusing in the first place to provide a million wheelchairs to those in need mainly in Third World Countries. £1,000 will pay for, round about, an hour’s operational time for an Air Ambulance, we may only provide a modest number of wheelchairs. What is that, we might say, when so much is needed.
The Mission of Jesus, his ministry, his message of love, his influence began in what we might call a modest way. This influence has grown over the centuries in ways which we do not always appreciate. Jesus himself sees his influence in the terms of the growing of a mustard seed, or as yeast ‘growing’ in some flour.
It is with confidence and love we put our faith in small things, we pray that they will be taken and will grow into something much larger. We have the example of Jesus and we have him in whom to put our trust as we commend to him the efforts we are able to make.
God, our Father, we lift to you the work of the Air Ambulance, the needs of those who require mobility through wheelchairs. Take our efforts that they may help and join with others to fulfil bold projects.
A big thank you to everyone who was involved in any way with the Open Gardens Festival. The Presentation Day is still a week away when we will know the financial results. These will be reported in the next Barton Chime.
We keep Saint James Day on Wednesday 25th July, with Holy Communion at 9.45a.m. and on Saint Jamestide Sunday 29th July.
I hope you will have a pleasant break during the summer, whether it is at home or away on holiday.
May God bless you all
Tony
June
A Celebration of Skills
It is strange how those who are associated with being ‘English’ have birthdays that are very appropriate. Shakespeare was born and died on April 23rd - St. George’s Day. This month we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the birthday of another great man who did much for being ‘English’. Sir Edward Elgar was born on June 2nd – which we recall as Coronation Day (1953).
Elgar’s great musical contribution to the nation cannot be over estimated. We admire and wonder at the musical skill of this man who has enthralled the nation and indeed the world from the Enigma Variations, to numerous symphonies and concertos, and, of course, Land of Hope and Glory, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches. We all benefit from the skills he had and the way in which he was able to use them. If you follow his life, he came from a very modest beginning with no formal musical training. Many would wish to have his skills.
St.Paul helps us to understand that we are all given skills and resources, everyone is different, each one can use what we are given to the benefit of others and in a responsible way. As a body is made of many parts, each complimenting the other, so the Body of Christ (i.e. its members) all have skills, each to be used under the guidance of God and complimenting each other.
In the first week of this month we think particularly about the guidance of God through his Holy Sprit on our lives. He is always ready to help us, but do we put our confidence in him enough to let him be our guide? Do we go our own way? Do we use skills given by God or do we forget he gave them to us in the first place. Whitsunday, the last Sunday of May, was of course the day in which we think of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon us.
This month we think about us co-operating with God in what we are given. God in creation provides for us - it takes skill and co-operation with God for the great beauty of our gardens to come to fruition. It will be great to welcome visitors to our Open Gardens Festival again this year and see the delightful gardens around the village. We will also acknowledge the part played in the community by the Scouts celebrating 50 years of Scouting in Barton and the Centenary of Scouting nationally. We know the amount of time and skill that leaders put into this work to foster the skills of younger people. We will acknowledge the skills of the Fire and Rescue Team too.
We will also have the opportunity of give generously of the resources we gain by the use of our talents and skills everyday in support of the County Air Ambulance, Wheelchairs for Third World needs and the ongoing work of the Church in Barton.
The Weekend is a Celebration of all the gifts and skills God gives us, a celebration of God in creation in our gardens and a celebration of the opportunity we all have to benefit those who need our support financially at this time.
I hope you will have a great weekend.
May God bless you all
Tony
May
God of the here and now
Jesus helped his disciples and followers to understand the things of God through means of illustrations – through parables. We are well aware of his story about the man who was overcome by robbers ‘The Good Samaritan’ and his teaching from the story about the sheep that was lost and the lady who lost a very important coin. He helped people see the truths of God with references to nature around him and in the fields which were ready for harvest.
We must be ready to see God talking to us today through the things around us. We see Jesus as the good shepherd caring for his sheep. I could not help feeling that this was spelt out when I learned the other day of a farmer’s wife who cared for almost-frozen baby lambs with heat from her Aga. Here was an illustration of love and care and here we can see in modern terms how we understand Jesus caring for one of us.
Think of that uninteresting bulb that was planted in the autumn. Who without hindsight would think that out of it would come a beautiful daffodil? At Easter we focused on the message of the resurrection – new life beyond this life. Not easy always to understand - life with Jesus beyond this life. We believe it is something very different and more glorious that life here on earth, which is but a preparation. We believe it is something beyond the material we see around us every day. So think again about the bulb - here is an analogy. Out of the growth in the very plain looking bulb comes the glorious flower, quite different, quite unexpected. We can learn from the things around us.
We must also be open to new ways of helping us in worship - things of the 21st Century. At the baptisms in April the congregation was able to follow the christening at the font in detail by means of a screen in the ringing chamber and cameras in the nave. In all ways we must be open to things around us to help us come closer to the things of God.
Our God is not only a God of the past, but a God of the present and the future. He is the God of here and now and we must not hesitate to use what we can experience every day to bring us closer to him and understand his message of love and hope.
May God bless you all
Tony
April
The Vocabulary of Easter
Every Monday morning Dad’s suit was taken to the Pawnbrokers and every Saturday it had to be redeemed to be worn on Sunday. Life was like that in many places not that many decades ago.
We do not use the word redeemed much now in every day speech, it seems to be kept for church language. On Good Friday and Easter Day we come against these words, which are not in our usual vocabulary. Redemption Saviour Atonement Resurrection. Let’s unpack them and see how they really do fit into our lives
We have looked at REDEMPTION - regaining something that we have allowed to be taken away. What about when something is lost at home – perhaps the passport, only minutes before going on holiday, then suddenly someone finds it - ‘your my SAVIOUR’ - you hear someone saying. ATONEMENT - perhaps we do not say that so much - lets take it apart. AT ONEMENT - clearly being at one - bringing things together. RESURRECTION – ‘she’s resurrected that old dress and brought new life into it.’
Now let’s look at Good Friday – and Jesus on the cross- and Easter Sunday – new life with Jesus.
You know what it is like if someone falls out with their neighbour – they keep in their own home, and never go out in the garden at the same time. This goes on until one or the other strives to make things up and say sorry. The barrier which has come between them is, as it were, taken away.
Sin is like that – it cuts us off from God. Jesus through the forgiveness of sins and death on the cross pays the price for us all, so that our relationship with God can be resorted. He REDEEMS us – we regain a relationship, which through our wrong doings we have allowed to separate us from God. He SAVES us from being separated from God. He restores relationships by ‘bringing things together - by ATONEMENT:
This is the message of Good Friday and on Easter Day - in the garden - RESURRECTION brings new life, new hope for us all. He helps us to understand that in this restored relationship with God this life is not an end in itself but a preparation for a new life in him.
We need to understand the separation that sins brings, we need to be at the cross with Jesus to fully appreciate the joy of the new life of Easter.
I look forward to sharing Holy Week and Easter worship with you. I hope you will enjoy a truly holy and happy Eastertide
May God bless you all
Tony
March
Something to think about this Spring - this Lent
Life is full of gradual changes rather than definitive ends. Have you ever thought how God often works and guides us in our lives very gradually? Like the gradual changes in the seasons, we do not always realise it – not until perhaps months or even year later.
Look at an old photo of yourself (or think about a situation some time ago). Try to remember what you were thinking when it was taken. What you were going through at the time. How have times changed since then? Pretend for a moment that the ‘you’ in the picture has been suddenly spirited forward to today -with no knowledge of what has happened in the interim. What would the old ‘you’ make of the new ‘you’? A lot has happened on the journey.
Pause now – many people can see in that kind of reflection and thought, a guiding hand and understanding that we are not alone on the way.
‘I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied : Go out into darkness and put your hand in the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.’
Pause now - reflect - think it over You may like to pray - in faith - thy will be done. Jesus Light of the World continue to be my guide.
May God bless you all
Tony
January/February
30th Anniversary
Many things have changed over that time - the look and format of the magazine has taken different shapes over the years. I was given a copy of the sixth edition to look at the other day - it was a special Silver Jubilee Issue to celebrate the Queen’s 25 year reign in 1977. This year could be marked as an Emerald Anniversary for the Queen’s reign (55 years) but the Royal Diamond Wedding is no doubt going to be celebrated in style in November.
The Barton Chime took its name from the Church Bells – as they could be heard throughout the village, it was hoped that this publication would broadcast news to the community. It is good that we have always included news from the churches in the area and village activities. Circulation was extended to Dunstall and news from the village and church began in January 1994 when I became Vicar of both parishes.
So what of anniversaries and special days - special events? We have them in our own lives, as well as shared in the community. Births, weddings, holidays, success at school, promotion at work, retirement all loom in our minds. We have just kept Christmas, New Year and thought about the visit of the wise men at Epiphany. I was told the other day of someone’s Confirmation by the Bishop some twenty years ago and how it made a lasting memory and was a special spiritual experience.
In the gospels we read of Jesus being with Peter, James and John when they experienced Him being transfigured - Moses and Elijah were with him. A meaningful spiritual happening for them. Yet when they came down from the mountain where it took place the crowds were all around him, the privacy was ended – it was, as it were, the usual everyday encounters had taken over again. (St Mark Chapter 9 verses 1 – 15)
We have to build on all the special occasions we have, whether they are family events, or whether they are special encounters with God to sustain us and give us strength in our family life or as part of God’s family doing the things we are called to do.
The Barton Chime has tried to give encouragement and help in all aspects of our life and I hope it will continue to do to so in the future.
This is an ideal of opportunity to thank all those many people who are involved in the publication and distribution every month. Thank you for being a regular reader.
I am delighted to record the great success of the Christmas Tree Festival arranged by the Churches working together in Barton. It was a great deal of work in a short time, many people were involved in numerous ways. Hundreds of people came and experienced the special atmosphere of Advent, and preparation for Christmas, which it gave. Thank you very much. The festival itself enabled over £700 to be sent to the UNICEF appeal for Children in Cold Climates and other monies collected over the Christmas for the fund meant that the final total was well over £800.
Many, many thanks for the all kind greetings I was sent over the Christmas. I hope you had an enjoyable time. My greetings to you for the New Year.
May God bless you all
Tony
December
Yo Ho Ho
But think a minute, most people have a Christmas cake as part of the celebrations. Celebrations are happy occasions. Have you ever seen a sad Santa Claus? A snowman is a figure of fun with his hat and scarf; the Christmas Tree with its lights is very cheery and the reindeer usually pulls a sleigh of gifts, and we all like presents.
Christmas is to do with Good News and Christmas is to do with a special present. The good news of Christmas is of course that Jesus, the Son of God, is born into our world to share our lives. Jesus is the present for us all to share. Something certainly which we should be pleased about.
How do we respond? We have celebrations – everyone celebrates when a new baby is born. A new baby makes a great difference to family life, some might say nothing is ever the same.
Jesus comes to make a difference to our understanding of life and nothing is the same once we have understood something about his coming to be among us. He is like a light coming into darkness. Jesus shows us how to respond to God and how to respond to each other. We learn more about God’s dealings with his people, he comes to show his love and care. We learn to love because God first loved us. He came to help us to understand more about this life and its relationship to the life to come.
Jesus, like any baby, came to grow up: it brought him to his death on the cross. He redeems us – restores our relationship with God and helps us to see the hope of life to come through his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
There certainly is something to celebrate - and if Santa, the snowman, the Christmas tree and the reindeer help us to celebrate, all well and good - providing we stop to think what the celebrations are about.
The Churchwardens and Jill, our Reader, join me in hoping you and yours will celebrate a truly joyful and holy Christmas.
May God bless you all
Tony
November
What would be your choice?
It would seem that William Blake’s ‘Jerusalem’ set to music written by C. Hubert Parry (the most famous orchestration being by Sir Edward Elgar for the Leeds Festival in 1922) is a popular choice. If it is your choice you will be in good company as George V said he preferred that ‘Jerusalem’ replace ‘God Save the King’
So what is it about – and where does it come from? It was written during the Napoleonic Wars and clearly intended to address internal English issues of the day. It found new place in 1916, when it was seen to define what Britain was fighting for in the Great War. Parry was asked to put it to music for the ‘Fight for Right campaign’ at the Royal Albert Hall. Considered now to be England’s most patriotic song, it was historically used by the Suffragette Movement and is of course the unofficial anthem of the Women’s Institute.
The text of the poem was inspired by the legend that Jesus, while still a young man, accompanied Joseph of Arimathea to the Glastonbury – Blake is said to have believed this legend. The ‘satanic mills’ which contrast with thoughts about Jesus are most often interpreted as the early industrial revolution, the destruction of nature and the abuse of the working classes subjected to hardship and poverty working in them.
The poem then looks to the building of the new Jerusalem, which features in the Book of Rev-elation when with God, all with be well, but that needs our cooperation and good will too. Jerusalem is a challenge to all of us who sing it, to see an improvement in our lives and that we should work for the good of all. This poem is very politically correct, perhaps that’s why it does, or should, appeal to us today.
It is termed by many as a hymn, it is found in many hymns books, it is sung in churches and often chosen for weddings and funerals. It is appropriate in that it is striving for perfection, which can only come with the help of God. Perfection can only come through recognizing what is wrong and putting it right and that is at the heart of the gospel message of the crucifixion and resurrection. Christ died so that through the forgiveness of our sins we can come closer to and be part of living for the good of all.
So what do you think – is there a place for Jerusalem as an English National Anthem – have you another choice?
May God bless you all
Tony
October
‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone - this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes’ Mark 12
On the first Sunday is October we keep the Festival of Consecration at both our churches. It is near the date at Dunstall and at Barton we do not know the actual day of consecration so traditionally the first Sunday in October is chosen.
We often think about what we can learn by looking at our church building. Clearly the cornerstone is the one on which the building depends; take it away and the building will collapse. The scriptures help us to see Jesus as the Cornerstone to our faith, to our lives. Take him away and everything we know and understand will collapse.
We are all likely to search for bigger and better ways to leave our mark. We can choose many ‘cornerstones’ in our lives, individually and collectively. Let us look at the cornerstones we can hold dear. There is the stone of prosperity that we can strive for, the stone of power on which many of the world’s dealings depend. Or on a personal level there is the stone of status. There is also the stone of popularity. There is the stone of security, we want to be safe, but if we are not careful our whole lives can revolve around that need. Then along comes Jesus and he rejects all these stones. He offers instead the stones of forgiveness, loving our enemies, letting go of things rather than acquiring more of them and risking all for love rather than sheltering in false securities. What have we done with the true cornerstones? We are all challenged by Jesus to take a look at the ‘stones’ in our lives – which shape us? Who is the cornerstone?
May God bless you all
Tony
September
Changes in the last 30 years
Am I writing about 2006 ? - well no, not exactly - that was 1976 - 30 years ago - just as Alison and I were moving to Barton under Needwood. Times have changed. Just before we left Telford, Mrs Thatcher was complaining about the 3/- loaf - now you can pay about £1 !!!
Yes, I have been here all those years and I have been persuaded to mark the day Wednesday 6th September. The Holy Communion that day will be at 12 Noon instead of 9.45 a.m. Deanery clergy will be joining me. Please call in at the Vicarage in the evening for a drink after 7 p.m. if you would like to do so.
Although we reminisce about changes in the past thirty years (or indeed the past 125 years since Barton became a parish) the mission of the church remains the same, as our mission statement puts it – ‘To show and share God’s love’. The way we do this may change. It is right that new modes of communications and expressions of being a Christian are appropriate to the 21st. century. The need for God’s help will not change and our need to come close to him in prayer will always be the same.
During Lent we looked at different ways to come closer to God in prayer. During September, I will be inviting you to make a commitment in prayer for a week of your choice. Our prayers will reflect some of the approaches to prayer which we used in Lent. These suggestions will, I hope, be available from 6th September, asking for God’s blessing and guidance on all we strive to do in the Growing of the Kingdom in the months ahead.
The longer I am here the more I have come to appreciate the privilege we have in serving God in our two communities in the heart of the countryside in two extremely fine buildings. So it is with thanksgiving and prayer for the future that I come to this anniversary and I hope you will be able to share it with me in some way.
May God bless you all
Tony
July - August
Gardens, Anniversaries, Concerts, Patron Festival, Holidays.
Collections of pictures taken years ago always seem fascinating. Most people like to think back and often with ‘rose coloured spectacles’. This month we can think back to July 22nd 1881 when Barton and Dunstall became independent parishes. The work of God’s family is the same yesterday, today and forever. We need to give thanks to God for his love and care for us and show and share that love, as we reflect the life of Jesus in our lives. We must help others to come to him.
We see God’s love and care for us in creation - we see it in our gardens. The beauty of gardens is an expression of using our God-given talents with his ongoing creation. When we think of how things are expressed differently over a period of 150 years ago we realise that today most people would see God-given talents and gifts as God-given skills. Our concerts demonstrate how the God-given skills of musicians can be used for the pleasure of all. God has given us all individual skills and freewill to decide how to use them.
James was called to give his life for his faith in Jesus, we read about this in the Acts of the Apostles. We often forget that so many people today have to witness to their faith against persecution or ridicule and not only in distant countries. Such people’s gifts from God, such as patience and endurance, would be taken to the limit. Here is the need of support from our love and prayers.
We read that Jesus went away to rest awhile. We all need the opportunities for rest, relaxation and refreshment. This is the time of the year when many find a holiday possible. We do not leave God behind when we go away, we just find new ways to show and share his love.
I hope you will have a truly restful break, be it at home or elsewhere.
May God bless you all
Tony
June
Love each other as I have loved you
This week I have been in contact with three cathedrals in rather different ways. Many people enjoyed the concert in our parish church given by the Lichfield cathedral Choristers. It was a stunning performance by the boys of the cathedral, ranging from Handel’s, “Let the bright seraphim” to Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and including instrumental music as well. We experienced a demonstration of enormous talent.
On Wednesday I was in Southwell Minster for an Old Students College Re-union. Before I came home I much appreciated the opportunity to spend time in the cathedral, which is large, light and very peaceful.
Yesterday I visited Oxford Cathedral for the first time with the Friends of Lichfield Cathedral here we saw the cathedral and stayed for Sung Evensong. An offering of worship to God in a way which can only be experienced in a cathedral or similar foundation.
To me these three experiences helped me think of the great wonder of God our Creator (the Sung Evensong at Oxford), the immenseness of God which can be contemplated in the vast quietness of Southwell Minster, where it is still possible to feel close to God too. The Lichfield Choristers showed how the talents we are given can be used for the benefit of others – in this case, to help us appreciate the beauty of music.
How does that relate to the verses I have quote from Saint John’s Gospel, which was the reading for this Sunday. Think of it like this – we need to consider the wonder and love and care of God, we need to come close to God in a quiet place to hear him speaking to us. We respond by using the talents and gifts God gives us not only for the benefit of ourselves but others too.
Last week was Christian Aid Week when we were thinking of the needs of third world countries. We can think too of others to whom we should respond and would benefit from our support. This could be in our families, among our friends or among those we know – this is how we respond to God’s love and care for us.
The worship and the coming into his presence in peace and quiet can help us see how to share his love with others through the use of gifts and talents God has given each of us.
“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you ... Love each other as I have loved you.”
May God bless you all
Tony
May
ATTACKS - DISASTERS - DISTURBANCES - WARNING
We read the newspaper … perhaps we are aghast … then do we just turn over to the next page?
It can happen while we watch the TV screen, a particular person or situation will make a deep impression on us. There and then, while our eyes are fixed on the screen, we can be aware of God’s Love and simply hold the person or crisis in that love.
While we read the newspaper a similar sensation might sweep over us. We should not ignore this; again we should translate this into prayer. It could be that we feel so drawn to the person, their relatives or the immense need of the situation that we actually find ourselves hurting, on and off during the day. This pain and concern can translate into a brief prayer, such as : ‘Lord have mercy.’
Remember we are called to share in the suffering of Christ - Take up thy cross and follow me.
We remember them in our thoughts and payers – a phrase we often hear and perhaps use.
Please pray for me … say a prayer for me … O God help me …
Prayer is not something that is foreign to people, but sometimes it is dismissed as always asking …sometimes the question arises – what are we doing when we pray.
Remembering in our thoughts is good – we are as it were getting alongside the person or situation, we are identifying our concern… And prayers …. Prayer is being at one with God, putting people and situations into his hands with confidence. We are as it were a bridge to put things into his hands…. And while we are thinking about the concern and identifying with the situation we are identifying too with the love and care of God.
MAY looks like a busy month.
As the forty days of Easter end, we look to ASCENSION DAY on Thursday 25th May. A day very much associated with Jesus and his prayerful concern for the world which he came to save. There is HOLY COMMUNION WITH HYMNS at 7.30 p.m. at Barton Parish Church. Afterwards there will the usual opportunity to support the Bishop’s Lent Appeal at the Cheese and Wine Party in the Vicarage after the service. I hope you can come.
Earlier in the month we can also address our concern with the needs of others during Christian Aid week from May 14th to 20th. You can read more about this on page 17. The usual House to House collection will take place and also the Banish Hunger Lunch in the Catholic Hall on Friday 19th May at 12noon is to support Christian Aid. To help others another way – join the Churches Sponsored Walk on Sunday 7th May - read more about this on page 21.
We are especially pleased to welcome the Lichfield Cathedral Choristers to Barton for the Barton Music and Art Festival. Their’s will be the next concert on Tuesday 16th May at 7 p.m. Again for this, I refer you to page 14.
May God bless you all
Tony
April
I'VE CRACKED IT !
or has the egg been cracked with a purpose ?
Sometimes the phrase is used to mean ‘the problem is solved’.
The Easter Egg is of course about new life – the chicken breaks out of the shell and we understand the symbolism of Christ bringing new life through his breaking out of the garden tomb. You cannot enjoy the egg until it is cracked.
Let’s have a think about all that.
The Scriptures talk about redemption – when people used pawn shops it was necessary to pay the price to redeem your possession before you had it returned. Scripture shows us that Jesus paid the price by his death to redeem us all from the sins we commit, sins which cut us off from God. He brought us back into a close relationship with God.
Through Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday morning he brings new life now we have been redeemed, hope of new life beyond the confines of this world.
When Jesus was crucified it clearly was a disaster for the disciples, they were devastated to say the least. They had yet to understand all that he had been teaching them.
Jesus overcomes disaster, breaks out of the tomb to bring us the hope of new life and helps us to see more about the relationship of this world to that which is to come. Jesus who we think of as a ‘ Light into the world’ at Christmas is the light which shows us the way to understand this relationship .
It could be said ‘he has cracked it’ - solved for us something about the true meaning of life today and in the time to come.
So we should celebrate Easter because of all that Jesus has done for us.
There are some other celebrations this month
We join with the nation in keeping the Queen’s 80th Birthday on 21st April; we learn few monarchs have reached this age in this country. We pray for God’s continued blessing upon her.
Two days later is Saint George’s Day on Sunday 23rd April. Compared with other Patron Saints of the British Isles he seems often forgotten. We will see more of his flag when the World Cup begins no doubt. The Red Cross on the White background reminds us that he died because he would not reject his faith in Jesus - he was a martyr. We often associate him with the symbolic story of George and the Dragon – the dragon representing evil and George killed it. We learn from the symbolism here that George, fighting for all that he believed in, overcame the evil of the dragon.
There is something to think about here - ‘good overcoming evil’ which is celebrated in this allegorical story. George was following the way in the Light of Christ.
Easter is almost upon us. I hope you will be able to be part of the worship as we keep Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
I hope you will celebrate a truly joyful Easter.
May God Bless You All
Tony
March
FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION
At Repton we were celebrating 1350 years from the time the first Bishop of Mercia was consecrated. Repton was of course the capital of Mercia. A few years later Chad was appointed as Bishop and moved the centre of the diocese to Lichfield. We were reminded in the celebration that the Christian Faith had been carried from generation to generation throughout all those years and it is the consequent of the handing on of the message of Jesus that we know about him today.
In the programme for the concert in the evening I learnt that the Gresley Male Voice Choir began with fifteen men meeting together in 1904. Through the hundred years since, it has grown from strength to strength. This has been possible because the God given skills of singing have been taught and experienced from generation to generation during those years.
We all learn from others, it all begins in the loving family when we are born. Skills are developed and used in the journey of life. From time to time we will have to stop and think where we are going and look for the guidance we may need.
If the Good News of Jesus is to pass from this generation then it is up to us to be as a light for him - for `he has no hands but our hands to do his work today'. We need to pause and think - Lent is a good time .... Ash Wednesday is 1st March.
Giving things up for Lent can be negative - the lady who we are told gave up sweets for Lent and kept the money to buy a new hat for Easter Sunday had not quite got the message.
There are three aspects of keeping Lent which it is good to think about, to help us focus our thoughts on passing the Good News of Jesus to others.
1. Have a think about our support of others, in our family, in our daily encounters and in a wider field. The first two involve stopping to consider and to resolve where we might me more helpful. For the third, read about the Bishop's Lent Appeal on page 17.
2. Help provide for others in a financial way. Many use the Lent Boxes for the work of the church beyond these shores. The Bishop's Lent Appeal itself involves monetary support. The giving up of some items during the season can be a way saving money to help others.
3. How good are we at talking to God about the people and things which concern us? Perhaps a look at the way we use our time of prayer might be helpful.
Some thoughts then as we set out into Lent and strive to become brighter lights for Jesus in his world.
CONFIRMATION
We welcome the Rt Revd. David Bentley, until recently Bishop of Gloucester, to Barton Church on Sunday 16th March at 10.15 a.m. for a Confirmation Service. Please pray for those who are being confirmed as they move along the path of their journey through life with this commitment to their faith. I hope you can come to the service to be with them.
MOTHERING SUNDAY is 26th March.
The Mothering Sunday Service is at 10.15a.m. on 26th March when it will be very much a family occasion with flowers for all the mums. Do remember to put your clocks on the night before or else you might arrive late !
May God Bless You All
Tony
January
SUPPORTERS
The commitment of fans to their team is much to be admired. The buying of shirts and memorabilia, the keeping of programmes are all part of the following, as well as frequently travelling many miles to support their team. They encourage others to join them. People who are known to have little interest in the game are suddenly caught up in the enthusiasm, when the local team is involved in a high profile match – important enough for Sky TV to be coming.
When Jesus was helping people to know about the things of God he used parables. He talked about the sower; the man that was overcome by thieves on the road; the shepherd who lost a sheep; the son that squandered his inheritance. His listeners would readily relate to all these things. He used situations and circumstances at hand which everyone understood. Where do we look to find illustrations today? Some events happening around us are much the same now as two thousand years ago – but other illustrations must be taken too from things of our time.
What can we learn from the football fan and the ‘beautiful game’? Could we find here a 21st century parable? – a 21st century illustration?
The fan will have commitment, go anywhere for the team, enjoy the experience, find encouragement from fellow supporters. The fan will tell everyone about the team, how good the players are and encourage others to come with them to see the game.
Followers, disciples, of Jesus pledge their commitment to him, to be prepared to witness to him in whatever circumstances that they may find themselves. Far from being miserable, following Jesus should be a happy experience – they should show delight in knowing that Jesus loves and cares for us and that there is a relationship between this world and what is to come. Followers of Jesus should want to share that with everyone they meet. Followers of Jesus should show team spirit as they strive for the goal of bringing those they meet closer to him.
How do we measure up? How does our commitment to Jesus compare with the commitment of the fan to the team they follow, and some people say almost ‘worship’?
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January gives up a special opportunity to share together, as Churches in Barton, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. First on Saturday 21st January, the highly popular Fun Quiz returns, in St. James’ Hall at 8 pm, with a Bring and Share Supper. On the following day Sunday 22nd January at 4.30 pm, a United Act of Worship in Our Lady’s Church, Wales Lane.
I hope you can come.
Many, many thanks for all the kind greetings I was sent at Christmas. I hope you had a happy time. My greetings to you all for 2006.
May God Bless you all,
Tony
December 2005
MARY AND JESUS
The information given with the stamps focuses on two aspects of them, ‘The elements of the Madonna and Child are so simple they can be reduced to three curved lines: a woman bowing her head towards the baby she enfolds in one arm ...’
This says a great deal to us about Jesus coming into the world. We, like Mary, need to bow our heads to him for the practical reason he is a small baby in a manager. He comes, the Son of God, into the world embracing our humanity. We in turn enfold his divinity. Christmas is all about God coming into the world to be like one of us.
Another piece of the information says ‘Mary and her baby Jesus represent all mothers and all babies.’ Another way of looking at Jesus identifying with us all.
The person who comes along side us to share in what we are doing is much more help than the person who just gives instructions and looks on.
Jesus came alongside us to share our lives, to show us his love and in that way bring us closer to the Father. Helping us to understand more about life in this world and that to come.
At Christmas we have lights everywhere, they make all the difference in the darkness. In the Bible reading for Christmas Day St. John writes about Jesus as a light – ‘In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never mastered it.’ (St. John Chapter 1)
May the light of Jesus, who came to share our lives and show us his love, shine for you this Christmas.
I look forward to welcoming you to Christmas worship to share in the joy of God coming into the world.
The Churchwardens at both churches and Jill, our Reader, join me in hoping you will have a truly joyful Christmastide and much happiness in 2006.
May God Bless you all,
Tony
November 2005
ADVENT - MEANS ‘COMING’ - not already here !!!
Last Christmas I saw some people putting all their Christmas decorations in the wheelie bin on Boxing Day – ‘I am glad to get all this out of the house – thank goodness it is all over’, I heard the good lady say.
I know it may be thought to be fashionable and expected for Vicars to be heard to tell stories like these. They are sort of expected to complain about these aspects of Christmas. Personally I hope whoever has the big Santa in their house will enjoy his presence and have a great time. I am sorry for the lady who was so glad it was all over.
Let’s have a think together about this. The last Sunday in November is Advent Sunday - the beginning of the season when the church looks towards Christmas. We think of those who were very much involved in preparing for the coming of Jesus. There were the prophets who foretold that ‘Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given’( Isaiah Ch 9 v 6) There was Gabriel who told Mary she was to be the mother of Jesus (Luke Ch 1 v 3), and there were Mary and Joseph preparing for the coming of a baby (Luke Ch 2 v 4 ff).
Christmas then is about a new birth, God becoming man to share our lives. The one thing that no one does is to celebrate a birth before it happens. Yes, everyone gets ready and prepared but you do not e-mail your friends that the baby has come until the birth has taken place – then there can be celebrations, and they can often last quite a while – that is the time ‘to wet the baby’s head’. If we want to really think of the birth of Jesus as the important part of the season – which of course it is – then we should, with the church, be preparing for Christmas before December 25th - when we celebrate the birth and continue to do so afterwards.
The lady who threw out the trimmings and said she was glad it was all over had missed the point. You cannot forget your baby the day after it was born. Here is a new member of your family for life.
Ponder on the thought that Jesus said ‘I am always with you’. May that be a great encouragement and source of hope and guidance for us all.
I hope you enjoy your shopping, your preparations for Christmas (they should not be a chore) and that the day itself will be really meaningful.
May God Bless you all,
Tony
October 2005
Jesus lived in a very agricultural conscious community, people related to what was happening on the land and he found this the inspiration for many illustrations in the parables he told - the story of the sower is a prime example.
The pattern of the year has just brought us to harvest and our thanksgiving services when we have been able to remember again how dependent we are on the way he sustains us and given us an opportunity to think how we as individuals respond.
We can learn much from thinking about the passing of the seasons. Seasons do not really end they just move into the next one - although a day ends at midnight, in effect it passes into the next day. We can learn from this about this life and the life to come. As we move into November, at our services during All Soulstide these thoughts may well be in our minds. Our Christian Faith helps us to understand that this life is not an end in itself, we should see in death a move to the ongoing hope in life to come. God in his creation gives us the pattern in which we can understand all that he is doing.
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In this month of ‘mellow fruitfulness’ our Harvest Thanksgiving Services continue, we will be giving thanks and praise to God our Creator for all he gives us and thinking of our response and commitment. Praise will much be in our thoughts on Music Sunday when we give thanks for the God given skills of all who make music which helps us so much in thinking and praying week by week. In the evening on Sunday October 16th the next concert in our series will give an opportunity for many from the community to share in the programme.
The concert on Trafalgar Day 200, Friday October 21st, is as a significant remembrance as was the VE and VJ Day anniversaries this summer. The victory at Trafalgar would have given this country freedom which otherwise it would not have enjoyed, and just as in the world wars many lives would have given to enable freedom for this country .We should not forget that. Early in November our services at which we remember family and friends now at rest take place on All Souls Day November 2nd and the following Sunday November 6th in the afternoon.
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Pause for a moment to think about the all embracing meaning of these words –
We thank thee then, O Father, for all things bright and good,
the seed time and the harvest, our life, our health our food.
Accept the gifts we offer for all thy love imparts,
and what thou most desirest, our humble thankful hearts.
May God Bless you all,
Tony