Rectors Letter : November 2005

the church : revd jo's letter : november 2005

28/11/05

Reproduced from Glenside News : November 2005

' I’m writing this just after our Harvest Festival celebrations and I now realise that these four churches really celebrate in style. Creeton church was packed, and looked wonderful, with richly coloured chrysanthemums, fruit and vegetables galore, a loaf and bunch of grapes on the altar. Add to that the spectacular playing of the harmonium, the rousing singing of those lovely old harvest hymns, an amazing Harvest Supper, and you have everything that makes for a true sense of community.

In the church where I grew up, a side of beef, donated by a local butcher, always hung for Harvest; massive changes that have come about in farming, and hardship that is now commonplace. As Christians, we have a duty to cherish the earth and to care for our livestock. One way of doing this is to buy locally sourced, organic food wherever we can. Supermarket meat is often produced in inhumane conditions, and fruit and vegetables are transported thousands of miles; farmers’ markets and farm shops offer a much better alternative.

Churchgoers are sometimes depicted as a miserable lot, always thinking about sin and judgement, or asking for money to keep the roof on. But Christian life should be a constant source of joy, with praise and happiness in the good news of the Gospel at its heart. And we have much to celebrate in the coming months.

I have been going into the primary school since the start of term, which is a great joy. The children love the Bible stories we have been exploring, and sing wonderfully. I am aware that we need to provide for them in our churches, and so, building on the Family Service that already flourishes at Careby on the second Sunday of each month, we are going to start a similar service at Castle Bytham on the fourth Sunday at 11.00. The school has kindly offered to send letters to all the parents, but the service is for everyone, and I do hope you will support it. We shall use modern hymns and songs, and the address will be aimed at the children. It will last about 40 minutes.

On Sunday 13th November, we have our annual service of Remembrance at Careby at 10.45 (note the slightly earlier time, to allow for the silence at 11.00.) The Church of England has produced a new form of service this year, to include those who served in more recent conflicts, and with an emphasis on peace and reconciliation. We certainly should all give thanks for our freedom while thinking of those who served in the two world wars, the Gulf, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and other places.

Wednesday November 30th is the feast of St. Andrew, the fisherman who left all that he had to follow Jesus. There will be a short service of Holy Communion (two hymns and no sermon!) in Careby church at 7.00 pm.

Details of Christmas services will follow next month, but you might like to note that our Christingle this year will be at Careby on December 11th at 4.00, when we shall have a triple baptism during the service! Do come and join that very special celebration.

With every good wish

Jo '