In January, the PCC met for the second of two ‘Away Days’ to continue to pray about and discuss how we might further develop the welcome and inclusivity we offer as a church.

We thought about what we already do well and which areas we could improve upon, and we made a list of short-term and long-term objectives. Some were concerning how we relate to one another, especially those who are new, or unfamiliar with church, some concerning practical things we can do to make worship more accessible to all and some concerning the use of our buildings

In order to fulfil these objectives requires the gifts of a team of people. It requires all of us. Together, we are the body of Christ, called to work together in unity. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians 4: 11-12 tells us

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

And in Romans 12: 4-8, we are told,

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Underpinning all of this is a love of God, a love which we are called to share with one another.

I am sure that many of you heard the news a few weeks ago, when Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, of the Washington Episcopal Church, in the name of the love of God, asked Donald Trump to have mercy on the underprivileged.

When Bishop Mariann was interviewed and asked why she did it, she said that she wanted to present a vision of what unity can look like and acknowledge our common humanity. And I believe that is the Jesus we are called to worship and represent. A God of love who welcomes all.

Bishop Mariann had some negative feedback. And working to present the love of God, whatever gifts we have isn’t always easy. But I believe it is what we are called to do.

To know the suffering caused by division,
To see our sin
And to hope beyond all hope.

Please be assured that you are very welcome in all of our churches, but if there is anything you feel we can do to make you feel more comfortable, please do let me know.

Take care and God bless,

Sue

Rector’s Reflections

It was a privilege, on the third Sunday in January to lead, in addition to our morning services, a 4pm Refresh Service at Horndon Church, followed by a 6pm Discovery Bible Group at Orsett Churches Centre.

Our Refresh Services are informal acts of worship, with contemporary worship songs,  and give people an opportunity to share. On this particular occasion, our theme was the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the contributions were many and diverse with much to give thanks to God for as well as many things to think about on the subject of unity and what it means for us as a church both locally and globally.

The Discovery Bible Study Group, which is a joint venture with the Wellcome Church, was on the theme of  the Temptation of Jesus and the Bible passage was Matthew 4:1-11

The Temptation of Jesus

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written,

“One does not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”’

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

“He will command his angels concerning you”,
    and “On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.”’

Jesus said to him, ‘Again it is written, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”’

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, ‘All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

“Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.”’

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

The pattern for Discovery Bible Study is that the passage is read and re-read several times and involves retelling it in our own words. We think about what it says about God, Jesus or his plan, about people, what it might say to each one of us and what we might tell other people as a result of this. And we had some great discussions about the different temptations we all face in our daily lives and how praying, spending time drawing close to God, and familiarising ourselves with the scriptures, as Jesus did, can help us to resist temptations.

I really recommend coming along to Refresh or the Discovery Bible Study Group. All are welcome. No previous knowledge is necessary, and both are held on the third Sunday of the month- Refresh at 4pm at Horndon Church and Discovery Bible Study at 6pm at Orsett Churches Centre.

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Take care and God bless,

Sue

Happy New Year to you all!

Thank you to everyone who worked hard during December to ensure that all our Christmas services and events ran smoothly. And thank you to those of you who came and shared in worship. It was lovely to see you. Please do remember that you are always welcome at any church service at any time of the year.

We were, of course, privileged to be able to celebrate Christmas without fear for our lives. Ironically, and sadly, for many of our brothers and sisters living in the Holy Land, this would not have been the case.

You may have noticed that the carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ was  omitted from our services this year.  Out of respect for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, many of whom are living in fear, it just felt insensitive to sing ‘O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie…’ when that is currently far from being the reality.

I have, for the past two years considered including, in one of our services, an alternative version of ‘O Little Town’ which was shared with me on a clergy training day, the lyrics of which reflect the current situation. I decided against this, recognising that people do want to come to church to celebrate the joy and glory of the birth of Jesus at this time.

However, I would like to share those words with you now and ask that you might use it as a prayer for those living in fear in the Holy Land, as we move forwards into 2025.

1.O sad and troubled Bethlehem, we hear your longing cry for peace and justice to be born and cruel oppression die. How deep your need for that great gift of love in human form. Let Christ in you be seen again and hearts by hope made warm.	3.Amazingly and lovingly Jesus the child has come and, brought to birth through human pain, makes broken hearts his home. He comes to comfort all who weep, to challenge every wrong and, living with the weak and poor, Becomes their hope, their song. Words by Wendy Ross-Barker
2.While morning stars and evening stars shine out in your dark sky, despair now stalks your troubled streets where innocents still die. And Jesus, born of Mary, whose love will never cease, feels even now your pain and fear, longs with you for your peace.

I will continue to pray for peace in our world as we journey forward into another year and I wish you all a peaceful and joyous 2025. May God bless you all.

Sue

As 2024 draws towards its end, I would like to thank Revd Max, the churchwardens, the PCC and everyone who has worked hard, to serve God in in the Parish over the past year.

As the evenings become darker earlier, the new Church calendar begins, and we enter the Advent season expectant of the coming of the light.

So, our Christian year begins with waiting. We wait in anticipation of Christmas when we  celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we wait in hope for when Jesus comes again. Luke says in his Gospel,

‘And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’ (Luke 21:25-28)

Some of Luke’s words resonate with us today, as we witness the terrible things that are  happening in the world. Yet Luke tells Jesus’ followers ‘to stand tall and lift up your heads.’ Rather than allowing fear and confusion to dominate our thoughts, we are called to look up as we  wait for and work for the coming of God’s reign.

Christ is here, urging us to “keep awake”, and to trust in his light, a light that no darkness can put out.  

We stay awake, watch and wait, for we do not know the hour or the day of your arrival.

Come, Lord, bringer of hope.

Create in us a desire for a world transformed to reflect your glory.

Come, Lord, bringer of hope.

Lead us in your ways, as together we make a change, to dispel the darkness of poverty.

Come, Lord, bringer of hope.

CAFOD

As we approach Christmas, please do join me in continuing to pray for our world and for all those in need, remembering, also, to thank God for his goodness.

I look forward to seeing you over the next few weeks and wish you a joyous and blessed Christmas!

God bless,

Sue