Burglary at Our Church

Our Church suffered a burglary on last Friday afternoon. Someone managed to break through a window in the church office and searched. Most things were locked, so they found a laptop and took it. The office door was locked so they didn't get any further to take anything else. Also, that evening, someone forced a side door to our church hall, again an untidy search, but everything was locked up and as far as we can see, nothing was taken.

The response to the burglary from local people has been astonishing. A new laptop is being delivered by a donor today and a local company is offering to install an alarm and CCTV free of charge.We love our local community and they turned out in solidarity yesterday to our Summer Fayre and the conversation was about "How can people steal from a church" and real support and some cash donations to assist our mission and ministry. We might be in an urban town on the outskirts of London, but local people call Belvedere "The Village" as it has a village atmosphere. 

And people love their local church, even though we only have 140 on our electoral roll. Many more come to Remembrance and social events and support our uniformed groups. We have much to be thankful for our supportive community. I have to say that we have five other churches in our "Village" and many people belong to them, so the worshiping community is much broader than just us. 

The reaction to the burglary has demonstrated something for us. Our Mission Action Plan has at it's heart reaching out to the community, not just staying inside the Bricks and Mortar.And on all of our activities a year or so ago, were centered on the Church Hall, but we made a decision that all events would include some activities in the church itself. So, that first year, hundreds came through the church doors for the first time, or more likely, the first time in many years.It was lovely to meet people who remembered being children in the choir forty years before, or whose parents, grand parents were hatched, matched or despatched there in the last sixty or seventy years. People feel a real connection with the church, we have many funerals from families who might have moved away, but come back due to family graves in the corporation cemetery five minutes walk away, or ashes in our garden of remembrance.

And the connection thing, also brings us weddings as well. We have nine booked this year, many of them marrying here due to their qualifying connections. 

The church is just over 160 years old, built by the Lord of the Manor at the time as a Chapel of Ease for his workers on his estate, and extended through benefactors over time to be adopted as a Parish Church after the Lord's wife before dying expressed a wish for it to be adopted by the CofE. The Church was consecrated by Arch Bishop of Canterbury (Benson) in 1862. 

The first Vicar stayed for 30 years, building two daughter churches in that time.Our tradition over the generations moved from early Evangelical, through relatively Anglo Catholic to our now, settled middle of the road tradition, inclusive and multi-cultural. Something like 12 languages are spoken by church members, representative of the diversity of our community.

Our annual multi-cultural service will be held next Sunday, and I will be reading the Psalm in Cockney to represent many of the people in the parish, who share my own London Heritage.Kent will feature somewhere as many of the original families remain represented in our parish, so a prayer in their vernacular will be included.

As you can tell perhaps, I adore the place that I belong, who welcomed me when I first joined them, supported me through training for Licensed Ministry and continue to support me when I preach and lead. Somehow, we share a strong sense of humour, which helps as we journey together. I thank God for the place, people and his action with us.  

Our next Prime Minister

I don't know who will be the next PM, but feel that the debate going on between conservative candidates is missing the point.

Their concentration on Brexit is obviously their priority, but what about the other priorities for the whole country. We are hearing generalisations of what they will do about various areas of policy and making sound bite promises, without much supporting evidence or substance.

What is so worrying is all of the candidates talk about leaving the EU, in the main, without a deal with the EU. One candidate, is rocking that boat and seems to be promising to be a Mrs May, Mk2. But some of what he says makes sense, at least to me, but not to his fellow candidates, all of whom have occupied senior posts in government for some time.  Does this make them more experienced, hence more suitable to be our Prime Minister?  I am not sure that is true.

They all appear to be afraid of the consequences of a General Election, which they believe will let Mr Corbyn into Downing Street.  Perhaps it will, but will voters vote for either of the main parties that have prevaricated over Brexit for the past three years.

The danger of Right Wing parties emerging to have a place in government is worrying, but the political breakdown among the mainstream parties could well allow that to happen.

I am in favour of proportional representation, which the devolved countries demonstrate works for them, The only reason the main stream parties don't support it, appears to be fear of losing their power base in Government, in other words, the opportunity to govern without having to compromise.

Surely, now is the time for compromise, if only politicians could put aside selfish self interest and consider the health, wealth and unity of the nation, whether in or out of Europe.

Our next PM needs to be a focus for unity, but on the current evidence, it would appear that whoever is selected will continue to divide, not unite.

I was looking for a lead from our Church Leaders, who have been remarkably silent on the issues, apart from in the Lords.  Surely our Bishops should be occupying the public space more visibly than they are, because we should be speaking truth to power, instead of just hoping that it will all go away?

I pray for unity of purpose and people, particularly from our Politicians. Hope is all that we have, because the lack of hope and sense of frustration of people with politicians is growing daily.

EU Elections

I am sad that the EU elections have not provided any conclusion about how the Government and Opposition will engage in Brexit debate in Parliament after the results published this morning.

Those who support remain emphasise the outcome of remain are saying that their combined result points to a new referendum, while the leave parties say that the evidence is that the outcome would be the same.

But we are ignoring the fact that turnout was relatively low.  In my own area the turnout was only 37 percent, leaving an undecided or alienated vote of 63 per cent of voters who didn't voice their opinion.

If we had a general election now, it is unclear whether people would vote for their traditional parties, discarding the populist parties?  Evidence is that when the crunch comes, is that people will stick by what they know, rather take the risk of voting for the unknown.   Pro-Brexit parties didn't do well at the last general election, which delivered a hung parliament, despite an overall conservative majority., which had to rely on the votes of the DUP to get any government business done.

I voted, but not for any of the mainstream parties, which probably means a wasted vote, but at least I voted.  Perhaps its time to make voting compulsory rather than the current position that allows people to abstain if they can't be bothered. Australia has imposed this and their most recent general election, while close has delivered a clear winner.

The other option might be proportional representation, rejected by the UK Parliament, but something that deserves to be considered. The First Past the Post system has failed us, so perhaps a negotiated coalition after a proportional vote, might be more representative of the electorate.

Now is the time to debate change, alongside the Brexit debate, we deserve to be well represented and for sensible policies for the greater good of the whole of the UK, rather than a situation where the country is subject to the whims of a single governing party for six years at a time.

When your Signifcant Other is unwell

Jen my spouse is in hospital once again. The last episode was 6 years ago, when she caught pneominia which became a severe chest infection and affected her breathing.  She recovered, but her system was weakened.

Now, she is struggling to get sufficient oxygene into her blood, which culminated in her heart not getting enough to move things around her body in a natural way.  So fluid has built up in her lungs and her body, making her very unwell.

She is in good hands, who immediately took things in hand, but she it trapped in a hospital bed on oxygene and they will not let her out until they have found some way of treating what is going to be a life long, and perhaps life limiting disability.

I feel hopeless.  I know that I can pray, I can ask God to heal his servant, but is that realistic? God's intervention would be a miracle, but a restoration to some sort of health will be down in part to the treatments available through the science of medicine held by her doctors, and also for some life style changes, perhaps even retiring from work.

She loves her job, she has been there for 47 years and doesn't want to give up, and being civil service, they have relaxed the age limits, meaning that she can choose when and how she retires.  She is above state pension age, so could retire immediately with her civil service pension and state pension and not be any worse off.  But something that she is reluctant to do.

I am wondering if my absence on church stuff has anything to do with that decision?

Yes, I feel called to do what I do as a Reader and outworker in the Church, but now fast approaching seventy, I am wondering where my priorities should lay.  At home, caring for Jen, which would be isolating for me, and possibly suffocating for Jen.  At the moment, our balance is really good as she is able to choose what she wants to do, and does. Would our being together all day, every day be something that would affect how our comfortable, supportive relationship works.  I think it would.

All of our lives together for the last 30 years or so has been of being apart, working apart, sometimes seperated for weeks at a time, but coming home being a wonderful blessing as we shared our stories and experiences while apart.   There was also 20 years of our shared military experience, me full time, her part-time, which brought us together for mid-week training, training weekends and Annual Training. Periods where we had different, but complementary roles and status. My role as an Officer, her role as a SNCO.   We have not only our shared relationship of love and mutual support, but shared work and life interests as well.

We broke that circle when I retired in 2009 after 43 years, and I found a vocation, tested it and eventually settled as a Reader.  In the meantime Jen also retired from her part-time commitment, and we had more time together, albeit we swapped roles as I became the home maker and she became the bread winner.   This worked well and continues to do so.

But her new illness changes all of that.  It overturns the balance, as Jen needs me home more while she recovers, whill I want to too and will do so, I will miss doing what I do a lot.

I am praying for Jen's recovery, and some Holy Spirit inspiration on the way forward for us as a family?  God willing, it will be forthcoming.

13 May 19

Jen is now home, with lots of meds. The illness has affected her lungs and heart and she awaits a follow up cardiac appointment.  But in herself, while weak and tired is in good spirits and just glad to be home with comforts familiar to her.

The illness amounts to a dsability, which can be controlled by appropriate medication and some small changes to lfie style.  She has already made adjustments and will be followed up by our excellent, new GP later this month.

I thank God for her recovery and I know that people who have been praying for her has been part of it.  Thanks be to God.


19 May 2019

Another update. Jen is recovering well, but blood tests last Wednesday, high lighted that there is still a remaining infection which has not yet gone away.  She had antibiotics for it while an inpatient and a biopsy which took out what was described as a pneumonia in her right lung.  And the lungs showed clear on two scans and xray.

She is to have more blood tests and we are attempting to get a GP apppointment for next week, which is proving difficult, given pressure on our GP's surgery.  But hopefully, as the GP is aware of the situation, we will be able to get an appointment sooner, rather than later.

She is easily tired and the meds are having some small side effects, so we will look to see if there are alternatives available soon.

I am praying for her recovery, as are people in our Church and elsewhere.

Sermon Preached on 27 Dec 18 for St John's Feast Day

Sermon for the Feast of St John the Apostle 

dand Evangelist.

Today is the third day of Christmas. The Church celebrates the Feast of St. John, apostle and evangelist. John was a Galilean, son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother to James the
Greater.

Born in Bethsaida, in Gallilea, he was called with his Brother James, while mending their nets to follow Jesus. John became the beloved disciple of Jesus. .

His narrative on the pre-existence of the Word, (Jesus) who by His Incarnation became the light of the world and the life of our souls, are among the finest of the New Testament.

He is the evangelist of Christ’s Divinity, (fully human and fully God). and of His brotherly love.

With James, his brother, and Simon Peter, he was one of the witnesses of the Transfiguration.

At the Last Supper, he leans on the Master's breast.

At the foot of the cross, Jesus entrusts His Mother to his care.

John's pure life kept him very close to Jesus and Mary in years to come.

John remained for a long time in Jerusalem, but his later years were spent at Ephesus, whence he founded many churches in Asia Minor.

John wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles and the Apocalypse. after the other Evangelists, about sixty-three years after the Ascension of Christ;

John was brought to Rome from Ethesus and, according to tradition, was cast into a caldron of boiling oil by order of Emperor Domitian. he was miraculously preserved unhurt. John was subsequently exiled to the island of Patmos by the Emperor returning to Ephethus, after the Emperors death.

Jesus showed John particular instances of kindness and affection above all the rest. His presence with Peter and James at the Transfiguration , his to witness to Jesus’ agony in the Garden. His resting on the Savior’s Savior's breast and Jesus’ giving him the care of His holy Mother as He hung dying on the Cross demonstrate this.

John was the only one of the Apostles who did not forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion and Death.

In John’s extreme old age he continued to visit the churches of Asia. St. Jerome tells us that when age and weakness grew upon him so that he was no longer able to preach to the people, he would be carried to the assembly of the faithful by his disciples, with great difficulty; and every time said to his flock only these words: "My dear children, love one another."

John died in peace at Ephesus in the third year of Trajan that is, the hundredth of the Christian era, or the sixty-sixth from the crucifixion of Christ, John then being about ninety-four years old, according to records of the time.

It is clearly a mystery how the Second person of the Blessed Trinity can take on human flesh and become fully human in the womb of a virgin. But it happened. And we accept the divinity of Jesus who was God made flesh in all his awesome mysterious majesty. We remember and venerate his Mother Mary, his Stepfather Joseph and the story of the shepherds, Magi, beasts and angels.

What John is saying is,

when you look at that baby, .

You see what God is like,

 and so

when you trace the story of this baby from the manger to the cross and beyond, you see God’s life.

You see what a perfect human life would look like, because you see God living one.

At this service we go even further.

As John himself reminded us in his Gospel, Jesus said, “Unless you eat on the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood,” you will have no life in you.”

At this Table of Grace, the Word who was from the beginning, took on flesh is symbolically in the elements consecrated here on Christmas Day.

We receive not just this flesh, not just his blood, but his soul and divinity as well.

Such a reality so exceeds our understanding that it can be accessed only through faith, trust, prayer and adoration.

But John’s message which we need every bit as much as his first hearers 2000 years ago is that God’s light housed in the fragile container of a new born baby is never overcome.

The Life death and resurrection of Jesus shows us that the light of God shines on despite the darkness. We need to stand firm in that hope in all the darkness that 2019 is sure to throw our way, particular/y with Brexit, to go on believing in the light, walking in the light and nurturing the light for others too.

I pray that we all will do so.

Amen

Sermon Preached at All Saints Belvedere on 18th Nov 2018

 Sermon for Sunday 18^th November 2018

Readings:

Daniel 12:1-3

Hebrews 10:11-13

Mark 13:1-8

May I speak in the Name of the Eternal Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen.

Sometimes when we get our Sunday readings, we find it difficult to work out why they were chosen together for a particular Sunday.

But today, the Old Testament Reading, Epistle and Gospel have a common theme. They talk of “things to come” what in theological terms is described as Apocalyptic es Khat ology, a term that is applied to prophecy of the God’s future plan, the destiny of God’s people, wrapped up in God, through Jesus’ teaching, often by metaphor, but never with a mixed methaphor (thank you Barry for your recent English lesson)

And in the context of our current time amid Brexit confusion, who could hope to predict what will happen, and where we will be in the days, weeks, years to come.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the signs of things to come -

sort off?

Jesus spoke often about the end times and certainly not in ways supported by a modern or secular worldview. For Jesus, who knew that God has a plan, that he shared in from the start, was fundamental to his ministry.

Jesus was with the disciples in the temple.

As they came out, one of the disciples exclaimed his awe of the structure. “Look, Teacher, what large stones and large buildings!” he said (Mark 13:1). Ancient historians described the the temple in Jerusalem as magnificent. Of its massive size and stature much of which was covered in gold.

Jesus’ response must have surprised the disciples:

“Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down” (Mark 13:2).

The disciples must have been in a mood to discuss the end times because later, when Jesus was sitting opposite the temple on the Mount of Olives, they asked what he meant?

“When?” they wondered aloud,

“What will be the sign?”

Jesus’ response was just as surprising.

Jesus warns of those “false prophets that would lead them astray”.

He tells them not to be alarmed by “wars and rumors of wars” which, to you and me, would be pretty alarming.

.

A more troubling time would be coming, Jesus explains. It will include war, earthquakes and famines.

But they are not to be afraid since, “This is but the beginning of the birth pangs” (Mark 13:8) of God’s new Kingdom.

Jesus’ response might be thought of as similar to the famous WW2 Slogan “Keep Calm and Carry on” a slogan revived more recently by Dr Bex Lewis, a Anglican Theologian and social media lecturer in her book of the same name.

Bex was describing the history of Propoganda posters, whose purpose was to “Attract, Persuade and to suggest a course of action¹”

I am not suggesting that Jesus was propounding propoganda, but he was answering the disciples - allowing them to work out for themselves in time, the meaning of what he was saying.

Like the disciples, we would like to to know every detail about when and how our future — and God’s ultimate justice — will take place.

Certainly, if we can use science and technology to detect earthquake or hurricanes, it helps save lives, but the disciples were longing for more.

They wanted a signpost, much as we often do, particularly if our map is out of date, or our satnav isn’t working or reliable.

We know that God’s nature and purpose isn’t a route map, we have to discern it ourselves with the assistance of the Holy Spirit - and hope that we don’t lose our way.

In this passage from Mark, Jesus uses language and terms common in the old and new testament to help reveal what is currently hidden to the disciples. It was common, around Jesus’ time, to mix visions, symbols and dreams to disclose a future more important than the present reality.

In Mark 13:1-8, and the passages we heard in the Old Testament In our readings from Daniel and Hebrews, they described the longed for future in which oppression is a thing of the past, but they must not be read as detailed step-by-step directions to the end of times.

The coming times are sometimes described in vague, rough, violent terms, but the ultimate end is full of God’s justice and peace.

Trust in God means living a life expectant and hopeful for Christ’s return; we have to be careful not to try to explain every world event in terms of God’s plan. It could well be man made. Climate change being one example.

Discipleship calls for a faith in which ultimately, despite our present struggle, God’s love is sovereign.

We are called to live out our lives seeking to conform them to God’s vision of justice, love and peace.

Waiting for the End

Believers today take many different approaches to the end times. Some read into the Bible explanations that simply are not there, mislabeling hurricanes and natural disasters, and causing fear and panic unnecessarily.

Note that in this passage, Jesus does not suggest times ahead will be easy. In fact, he warns of the danger of false prophets. “Many will come in his name”, Jesus says, but “they are not he”.

The furore a few years ago about the predicted “Rapture” demonstrates the danger of false prophecy. The Rapture supposedly of the “chosen” 10,000 never happened, but thousands of believers sold their homes and possesions only to be disappointed.

Since we are so prone to confusion, Jesus explicitly advises against alarm and overreaction.

The faithful response to disaster is not pointing a finger, or making accusations, but service to God and neighbor.

Sadly, we know too that one day there will be another storm, another shooting, another earthquake.

We need to try to break the cycle of natural events, although being aware of how man’s interference with God’s creation may be the cause of some. But not interpreting these events in ways Jesus warned against.

Instead, we need to follow Jesus’ example; the one who healed at every opportunity, who urged care for those without food and shelter, who loved beyond all love even in the most desperate of times.

Jesus gave a vague answer as to when God will renew the world in God’s justice, but his instructions for caring for our neighbors were abundantly clear. When disasters hit, Jesus’ followers should get to work in prayer and action and leave the end time decisions to God alone.

I pray that we, you and I will be prepared for the end times, but not to worry to much about them just yet, in other words “Keep Calm and Carry on” doing what we do.

Amen

---

¹  to attract the attention ....Persuade....suggesting the desirability of a course of action.

Lewis, Bex. Keep Calm and Carry On (Kindle Location 86). G2 Rights Ltd. Kindle Edition.

Lewis, Bex. Keep Calm and Carry On (Kindle Location 85). G2 Rights Ltd. Kindle Edition.

Retirement of a Respected Distinctive Deacon.

I attended an event last evening to celebrate Black History Month, but also to celebrate the 70th Birthday and Retirement from licensed ministry of Ann, a Distinctive Deacon in our Deanery, who I was also licensed to work alongside.

Ann has been an inspiration in faith and spirituality since I met her about 11 years ago, when she was an Ordinand in Training.  Visiting her church, I heard her preach and thought that I would like to hear more from her.  That started a friendship which continues today.

At the time, I was in discernment for Ordained Ministry, which sadly came to nothing, But she supported me in my struggle with a diocese that seemed not to know how to care for a failed Ordinand and to their discredit, actually ignored my pleas for another way forward.

So, after a change of diocese and selection for Reader(LLM) training, I was able to speak with Ann, by than, ordained and serving her own curacy, which due to the death of her training incumbent, meant a change of church and a new direction for her ministry.  I supported her in her ongoing ministry development and she supported me through my own travails and ups and downs of ministry training.  I, aged 64 had started my course with no academic qualifications and had not written a formal essay for well over 58 years, since leaving school at 16.

She, along with my incumbent, congregation and spiritual director cheered me on and encouraged me, even while she dealt with the death of her father and brother in the same year and having to sort out their affairs as the sole survivor of her family. 

Ann always has a positive outlook, despite all of the blows that life deals her.  Her faith is rock solid and her prayer life is deep and profound.  This enables her to overcome much, that many of us would wilt in the wake off.

She also has the ability to be inspired with ideas for the greater good of the poor, vulnerable and downtrodden and the interpersonal skills to share those ideas and invite people she meets to join in. This is building of community, but also God's Kingdom, and I was drawn in, as have many others.

A number of community projects started have become stand-a-lone and able to function within their own resources, and I have been privileged to be part of this ministry for the last five years.

So, prayers for Ann as she considers her future. Whether PTO in her current situation or whether to return to her native North and find a new path there.  Hard decisions to make as she has been part of our local community and church in many capacities for nearly 35 years.

God has blessed her ministry, late in life, and I believe that he will continue to do so, whatever shape or form or place that is takes.