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church : revd jo's letter : april 2008 added 16/03/08 On each of the Sundays in Lent, a service was held in a different church in our deanery on the theme of ‘The God of Surprises.’ The idea was to present a different style of worship and content each week. So we had drama at Edenham, a talk on three representations of the crucifixion at Little Ponton, Taizé style chants and reflections at Careby – and Evensong from the Book of Common Prayer at Corby Glen. Most of us enjoyed the variety, but inevitably a few were less pleased. One rather irate gentleman told me in no uncertain terms what he thought of our Taizé worship. We are all entitled to our point of view, but maybe we also need to be open to the possibility that new forms of worship have a validity equal to that of the old. While the C17th language of the Prayer Book is undeniably beautiful, theology has moved on, and while I love the words, I am nowadays very uncomfortable with Prayer Book theology, despite being raised on it. But I know that, for many of our congregation, it is special, which is why we still use that service on the fourth Sunday of each month at Creeton, and I wouldn’t dream of changing that. But sometimes things have to change, especially when they no longer fit their original purpose. Our Castle Bytham Family Service is a case in point. Sundays offer so many activities nowadays that we can’t expect children to pour into church as they did years ago, and when Sunday School was the high point of children’s social life. The world has changed, and Sundays have changed, too. We are regularly supported by three families, and this is too few for us to sustain the sort of service I would like, where children are fully involved. It has also been suggested that the title ‘Family Service’ actually puts some adults off; they prefer something aimed more specifically at them. So after much thought and discussion, we have decided to change the service somewhat, in the hope of meeting a wider need. From April onwards, the service will be at 10.30 instead of 11.00 on the fourth Sunday. It will continue to be an informal, modern form of service, but with a rather more adult slant. Jennifer Froggatt has kindly offered to co-ordinate readers and others willing to take part in the service, so that it will be more inclusive. If you would be willing to read, to choose a hymn and speak about that choice or to give a short talk at any time, please let me or Jennifer know. My number is at the top of the page; Jennifer’s is 410552. The new service will be called Worship Together. Plans for the Castle Bytham Midsummer Fair are well in hand, and we shall be hosting Songs of Praise at 3.00 in a specially decorated church. I will put a list in the shop for you to nominate your favourite hymns, but of any of you have a particular favourite, and would be willing to say just a few words at Songs of Praise about your choice (a wedding hymn, perhaps, or one you sang at Sunday School or in school assemblies?) then do let me know, so that we can include it. If you’re too shy to stand up and speak at the service, just let me know about your choice, and I’ll do the talking! Elsewhere in this issue you will read about the four churches funding campaign. With ever-rising costs, we have all reached the point where our income does not match our expenditure, and if we are to preserve our four lovely churches for the future, we have to raise the money to do so. You will all shortly be receiving a letter about the campaign, and I hope very much that you will consider helping us. Even small amounts given regularly can achieve a lot, especially if you are a tax payer and willing to Gift-Aid your donation. £1 a week could pay for all the altar candles we use; ten people giving £1 a week would pay our annual heating costs. Old buildings need constant repair and maintenance. If you love to see the churches, please help us to keep them in good repair, whether you ever join us for services or not. And if you can’t offer money, but have time and talents to spare, we welcome those, too. DIY, gardening and mowing, flower arranging, cleaning and polishing, and many other skills will be very welcome. Do let me or the church wardens know if you feel you could help. With every good wish Jo |
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