RECTOR’S LETTER – MARCH 2010

            The word “Lent” comes from the old English word “lengthen” meaning Spring, the time when the days begin to lengthen. In the 4^th. century the Christian church decided that the forty days (excluding Sundays) before Easter should be spent remembering the days Jesus was in the wilderness and in preparation for Holy Week.

            During March and early April we have services and events in the benefice which focus our attention on our Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection. Right in the middle we have Mothering Sunday and this year the Archdeacon of Colchester will be the speaker at Great Yeldham’s special All Age Service (March 14^th. ). On Palm Sunday this year we shall be at Tilbury, joined by our friends from Sible Hedingham Baptist and Stambourne Chapel, and led to church by two donkeys. (Pebbles has a friend!)

            I shall be retiring on 10^th. May and we will be moving (God willing) to the outskirts of Braintree. The house will, of course, be smaller than the rectory and that means downsizing. It’s quite a salutary lesson sorting out not only what will fit in but also what you really need. It reminds me of the remark the philosopher Socrates made when walking with a friend round the Athens market: “What a lot of things here that I don’t need”.

            Our politicians and the media are already gearing up for the election in May. Sometimes I wonder if party leaders are all Marxists now, followers of Groucho not Karl.

“Those are my principles” he once quipped, “and if you don’t like them…well, I have others”. Still, whether intended or unintended, the consequences of our democratic political system are that issues are openly discussed and politicians are held accountable. So, we should all try to vote one way or the other, remembering that many do not have that opportunity if freedom and responsibility.

            Principles and integrity were fundamental to our Lord’s mission and message. He died rather than change his commitment to God’s will and the salvation of the human race. God honoured that commitment by raising him from the dead. Easter points to one person that you can trust in life and in death. Why not read through a gospel (Mark or Luke, for example) this Lent. It could lead to the springtime you have been longing for.

The St Andrew’s ‘Knit, Natter and Sew Group’  commenced in 2007. It has a twofold aim for the ladies of the village – 1) to get to know one another and 2) to make hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, puppets and bags for the ‘Operation Christmas Child’ annual shoebox appeal.

Over the last two years our membership has grown considerably as has the beautiful knitware that the ladies have produced. The shoebox centre was originally at Clare but out grew its location and had to move to a warehouse kindly donated in Bulmer.

This year (2009) we sent almost 13,000 boxes to children in need throughout Belarus. Several of our ladies gave up their spare time to assist at the warehouse and sincere thanks to all of them.

Our group always welcomes newcomers and if you can’t knit or sew, we will help you!

We meet monthly for just two hours and you will always find the dates posted in the ‘Events’ page.  So if you are interested, want to donate materials,  or just want to know more,  please call Chris Persinger on 01787 237522 for further details.

If you would like any prayers to be included, please contact me and I will ensure this is passed on to the leader of the service and if you like, include on this site.

Gerald.

01787 237926

Site Manager.

Information from the book about St. Margaret’s Church Tilbury-juxta-Clare, St Peter & St Thomas’ Church Stambourne and St Margaret’s Church Topplesfield will be added on The Parishes page soon.

If you have any pictures you think would be on interest here please let us know. Full credit will be given for any images used on the site.

St Andrew's Church