May issue - Magazine - Page 15
Glenside
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PARISH CHURCHES
THE CHURCHWARDEN’S LETTER
I have at last been ‘retired’ as a churchwarden don’t be surprised, I’m still interfering, can’t help
it! My letter this month, giving myself a rest, is a
repeat of my letter from March 2020, word for
word, just in case you missed it. I’m sure you will
be able to update it in your mind. Just change
Wednesday morning get-together to Tuesday, and I
leave you to complain about the soup lunch being
discontinued!
This may be my last letter - it has not been
easy, but a real privilege. I hope I have managed to
inspire you to keep the faith, and to make you
smile. Our world is in a mess but I believe that
prayer can change the world - as I have said
before - do not despair. Instead, spend a few quiet
moments throwing out your thoughts of peace on
to the troubled world.
March 2020 - Morning Prayer on Wednesday
The lesson set for Morning Prayer on the rst
Wednesday in February was from Paul’s letter to
Timothy. It struck me how pertinent it was in
today’s troubled world. Every single phrase in this
letter can be attributed to a headline in a
newspaper or the news broadcast on TV or radio.
The love of wealth, the abuse, the lack of respect,
scandalmongering, lack of gratitude. People
swollen with self-importance, boastful and the
traitors.
Paul’s letter to Timothy, Chapter Three
“You must face the fact: the nal age of this world
is to be a time of troubles. Men will love nothing
but money and self: they will be arrogant, boastful
and abusive with no respect for parents, no
gratitude, no piety, no natural affection; they will
be implacable in their hatreds, scandalmongers,
intemperate and erce, strangers to all goodness,
traitors, adventurers, swollen with selfimportance. They will be men who put pleasure in
the place of God, who preserve the outward form
of religion but are a standing denial of its reality.”
Very often, when reading the lesson in the
New or Old Testament one really hits home.
BIBLE VERSE
from Koleh
(disciple of Christ)
Equally, some don’t. We seem to be making a mess
of our world - every progressive idea we have
seems to have a drawback. So much good in
medicine and science is overshadowed by our
throw-away society.
Today’s children are not as fortunate as I was or my children were. They have such wonderful
expectations and opportunities, but when they are
young they do not have the freedom to ‘roam’. My
children could wander from home and I had no
need to be anxious, and the roads were not as busy.
As a 12-year-old myself, I cycled from Spalding to
Bourne Woods. No one had to worry.
What have we done to spoil this? Or are we just
more aware of the dangers? We are lucky to live in
these villages - the community spirit is alive. For
instance, Wednesday morning’s gathering [now on
Tuesday] in Castle Bytham Village Hall between
10.00 and 12.00 is a joy. There is coffee, tea and
delicious home-made cakes to be had. Then, nearer
lunchtime there is soup and rolls - a different soup
each week [a practice now discontinued]. You can
sit and gossip - sorry, exchange views - for a couple
of hours. They even warm the cups on the
radiators!
The ‘team’ do a great job. Give it a try, if you
haven’t already. They deserve every bit of support
and you are assured of a very warm welcome.
We are still awaiting the opportunity to
welcome Fr Ed and his family to live in the village
- perhaps this will be out of date when it gets to
print.
Read Paul’s letter to Timothy but don’t be
downhearted. There are many small things we can
do to change the depressing outlook.
Just do them and keep on doing them!
With every blessing, Sheila Robinson
BEREAVEMENT
We give thanks for the life of Martin Bradshaw.
May he rest in peace. Please remember Martin’s
family in your prayers.
Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that
the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. All who
declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and
they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put
our trust in his love.
[1John 4:14-16]
Thank you Father for your great love!
PROMOTING A SAFE CHURCH
Our churches are committed to “Promoting a Safer Church” which is the Church of England's policy statement for
safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and as such has a designated
Safeguarding Officer, Teresa Richards, who can be contacted on 07709 130 733.
Information about “Promoting a Safer Church” can be found on the Church of England website:
churchofengland.org/safeguarding
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