Letters for 2006 
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Letters for 2010

“Snow White”

I looked out of the window and was surprised by a white world stretching out in front of me, the snow had covered everything - the garden looked almost mystical. It was very quiet as the snow muffled all the sound. The snow was pristine white without a mark but I couldn't resist walking on it seeing my own footprints but also catching sight of those of the fox and birds. Later on the day it was soon crisscrossed with more footprints, tyre marks and other wildlife tracks.

I wonder how you feel about snow - we’ve certainly had plenty this week. The children have made the most of it: sledging, making snowmen, snowballing and generally messing about. A day off school was also a bonus. It’s so long since we had so much snow we forget that some of the younger children have never seen it before.

Most adults are not so keen: snow disrupts all transport; it’s difficult to walk out and we see all the danger and inconvenience that it brings: especially as we watch our television screens. Everyone will be pleased when everything is back to normal!

However, I think we can learn a lesson from the snow. Our back garden never had a good tidy in the autumn and I’ve been looking out of the window seeing all the things I should have done and tidied up. BUT when the snow came it covered it all up - it all looked so beautiful - all the errors had disappeared.

It’s the same in life - we often think about all the things we should have done, all the mistakes we’ve made - but if we say sorry - God will forgive us - that’s why Jesus died on the cross for us. It’s like the snow He makes every thing clean and new and gives us a chance for a fresh start.

However when the snow melts it still leaves me jobs to do - as for life there are underlying problems to sort out.

Ash Wednesday, 25th February is the beginning of Lent a time of reflection: a time to get right with God.

Set aside some time to reflect or join one of our Lent Courses Page 8.

Come close to God and he will come close to you.

Joan

Easter is a great time for inner cleansing. During Lent we have been walking the way to the cross. Good Friday is the day to lay all our inadequacies at the foot of the Cross - that’s why Jesus died for us - to lift our burdens and allow us to inherit the resurrection life that Jesus won for us.

So come and join us this Easter to finish your own inner Spring Cleaning.

Joan

What can you get away with?

Well, the last three weeks our papers and televisions have been full of the misdemeanours of our politicians. Certainly some of them have betrayed the trust we have put in them and many others have pushed the system to the limit provoking a backlash from the public and “heads have been rolling”. The revelations have brought parliament into disrepute and given opportunity for a big shake up which will hopefully restore our government to the honourable place it should be.

However, before we personally start to point the finger let’s think about ourselves. Haven’t we all a tendency to try to “get away with what we can” - may be only small things but the principle is just the same.

Overheard in a shop a couple of weeks ago:
“I’ve just got a new computer - it’s great”
“Was the old one broke?”
“I told the insurance company that my granddaughter knocked
 it off the table - so I could get a new one”

He did it because he could get away with it - and the insurance company didn’t know. Are we sometimes tempted to do the same?

We have just been celebrating Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit that changed the disciples from frightened men to the bold preachers of the Gospel who started the first Church.

We, too, can receive the power of the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus as our Saviour: the Spirit that brings us love joy, peace, strength and guidance. But we should also remember what Jesus said to his disciples “I will send you the helper from the Father: he is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father” John 15:26.

The Spirit of Truth which helps drive out corruption.

Let each one of us try to live our lives in that Spirit of Truth and not try to “get away with it!”

Joan

To be honest I’m not too good at taking a rest - I can always find something else I ought to be doing - but I try really hard to get my “work - life” balance right. Jesus himself recognised the importance of finding the right place to be alone - ‘Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.’ Mark 6:31-32.

Holidays are a great time to switch off from everyday life: to let our hair down, see new places, spend time with the family and recharge our batteries. Trouble is we still often try to do too much - to pack so much in, that we forget to give ourselves time to rest and reflect.

So in the midst of sandcastles, football in the park and sightseeing, try to take time to rest, to take stock, to think through your life, your attitudes and future direction. Psalm 46 reminds us:-

“Be still and know that I am God”

I pray that this holiday you will be renewed in body, mind and spirit.
Joan

What’s your memory like? When I was young I found it easy to remember Psalms (which I can still remember) or swot for exams. Since I have got older the memory is not so good. But what sort of things do we remember from our childhood? When I was very young I remember the chimney getting on fire in one of those old black lead fireplaces - it was very frightening. I also remember my friend falling back into a tin bath fully clothed which made us all laugh. It seems to be those experiences which have a the greatest effect on us are those which we remember best.

Some people love to reminisce about their past but others I meet don’t like to think back because some memories are too painful to recall - so the door gets firmly shut on those experiences. However, opportunities to reflect can be good for all of us, it helps us come to terms with the past and try to rebuild our lives.

In November, we have two service in which we recall the past. On 1st November, we have our Memorial & Thanksgiving service when we remember loved ones who have died. This can be a difficult service, especially for those who have lost loved ones recently, but at the same time it provides a quiet time and space in which we can face our grief and hurts and remember the good times. We also light a candle in their memory.

Remembrance Sunday on the 8th is another time when we look back. These days fewer people remember the two wars but we at Christ Church also honour all those who have died for their country including those in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also pay tribute to others such as police and fire-fighters who also lay down their lives for their country. In these days of the internet we can look up individuals from our parish find out where they lived, the service they served in as well as the place and circumstances of their death. This year we will also looking at images from the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas.

I hope that you will be able to join us and take an opportunity to “be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46 and allow God to help heal your memories and give you strength for the future.

Joan

December 2009 - January 2010

More Than A Christmas Carol . . .

I wonder if you ever went carol Singing? As a child my sister and I would visit one or two of our neighbours houses and give them our rendering of Away in the Manger or Silent Night - and would received a little money for our efforts. How do you feel about carol singers at your door these days? Certainly I like to hear carols but I find that that the only “carol” that they know is “We wish you a merry Christmas”. My tactic is to give them a Carol sheet and get them to come back and sing a couple of real Carols.

Its true to say that for the older generation singing the well loved carols with the familiar words brings back to us the unique flavour of Christmas. Our Christmas Tree Festival this year has the theme “Carols and Christmas Songs”

The words of carols tell the story so well - can you guess the carols - 15 in all?

Long time ago in Bethlehem - on a dusty road, little donkey carry Mary safely on her way. In a lowly cattle shed - a draughty stable and an open door - no crib for a bed the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. Shepherds in the fields abiding - quail at the sight - heard the angelic herald’s voice - “to you in David’s town this day is born, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.” - the shepherds hurry down to Bethlehem, gaze in wonder at the Son of God. Three kings of the orient - did the guiding star behold - o’er Bethlehem it took it’s rest - they offered gifts most rare at the cradle rude and bare.

Finally

“How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still the dear Christ enters in.”

Joan