Our Minister is Rev Frances Biseker. 

 

February Letter

This month I'd like to share a favourite poem with you that I think sums up what Lent is all about. It's so easy to think about giving up something that doesn't really demand much of us; verses 1 and 2 remind us of the hypocrisy of Herrick's age to give up meat in Lent, only to slap more fish on the plate. The Lent fast is truly marked by giving up jealousy, contentiousness and giving out of one's resources to the poor. It's no surprise that many groups such as MRDF and Christian Aid provide materials to use over Lent. However we keep Lent this year I hope it is a time when we let go of the things that diminish our lives, and take up things that are blessing to the wider world.

"Is this a Fast, to keep the larder lean,

And clean,

From fat of veals, and sheep?

 

Is it to quit the dish of flesh, yet still

To fill

The platter high with fish?

 

Is it to fast an hour, or ragged to go

Or show

A downcast look, and sour?

 

No; tis a fast, to dole thy sheaf or wheat,

And meat,

Unto thy hungry soul.

 

Is it to fast from strife, from old debate,

And hate;

To circumcise thy life.

 

To show a heart grief-rent, to starve thy sin,

Not bin;

And that's to keep thy Lent."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Robert Herrick 1591-1674

Every Blessing

Frances Biseker

 

 

December/January Letter

Christmas....Ahhhh

I suppose you could read that two ways; an 'Ahhhh!' of satisfaction, fulfilment and happiness. OR you could read 'Ahhhh!' as panic, frustration and weariness at the approaching season. I wonder, which your response will be? Probably a bit of both I expect. What both responses have in common though, is that they are reactions to the present moment - what is happening now, whether it's a moment of sheer happiness, or complete frustration. However, that's what I think Christmas is about; God being with us now - not tomorrow or next week, but in this very breath I am taking, this very moment I'm finding myself in.

When a tiny child was born in a dirty stable two thousand years ago, not many people noticed. Mingled in with the cries of the a new born were the sounds of ongoing life - the shouts of the crowd, the hustle and bustle of the inn, neighbours arguing, and friends passing on the latest gossip. But something had happened, something had changed. God had become incarnate, and he took the form of a real human being. He was lying in a manger, and his name was Jesus.

Sometimes it feels as though the outward experience of our lives is hard to change. We struggle with increasing bills, diminishing health, and worries continue to grow for our children and our world.  But Christmas tells us that God is in the business of doing something now. Our circumstances may change only slowly, but the gift of peace and strength can come quickly, almost in the time that it takes to say 'Jesus'. And that is what Christmas invites us to do. To utter his name in welcome, and to receive his gifts of this present moment, of now.

May the peace and hope of this season be with you.

Every Blessing

Frances