Newsletter: September, 2003

Childish or Child-Like

“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” (Mark 9:37)

One of the many things, which have changed dramatically over the centuries, is the way in which we treat our children. It is a popular misconception that children have always been treated as separate entities within the family or community, or that a period of infancy is followed by a childhood without any responsibility leading to carefree youth and a rebellious adolescence easing them into adulthood. However, this situation does not accord with history.

The disciples were assailed by confusion and misunderstanding, seeming unable to grasp their role within their own group, let alone in the wider community. They were concerned with questions of status and role because much of what Jesus taught confused the accepted social and religious rules of the day, as well as turning the (then) class system on its head. For example, rich people were understood to be not just lucky or clever, but especially blessed by God, richly rewarded for their “good” life. However, Jesus taught that God loves everyone equally, even the poverty-stricken and sinners.

The disciples ached to discover where they fitted in it all. In using a little child to illustrate his point about his disciples’ service to the community, Jesus was choosing a stratum of society, which had no voice, no influence, no material wealth, no power. The littlest people in all respects. But this is not sentimentality. To be his disciple, then and now, means serving the needs of those who have nothing to give back, for which there is likely to be no reward, except from the “one who sent me”.

Jesus also makes another point. Elsewhere he refers to his disciples as “little ones” and “my children”. He is not being patronising but describing not only the fact of their innocence of life’s potential but showing them clearly how, in choosing them, God has already chosen the humblest. Those who God will uplift to greater things, beyond their imagining. Still the message remains the same.

Being childlike is different from being childish. Children accept God easily and trustingly. God our parent longs to teach us what we need to be happy, to become fulfilled and authentic human beings. However, children are also Jesus’ metaphor for those whom society regards as at the “bottom of the heap”. Asylum seekers (whether economic migrants or not), drug addicts, people who sleep rough, who sell sex or have other problems within our society need recognition and assistance.

As our society becomes richer, more and more weak, vulnerable or demanding groups are relegated to the back of our minds. Nevertheless, just as we have a duty to our children so, Jesus tells us, do we have towards the less fragrant members of society. He gives us no escape from his example. He consorted with outcasts just as despised as our list.

Jesus’ clarity of vision of the Kingdom remained constant in its simplicity, his trust in his Father was absolute. Jesus modelled childlike love and uncritical service for the future generations. Children are integral to the present and future Church, but then so are we and so is everyone we meet, however demanding.

Children have usually been valued as extensions of the family, ensuring the continuation of the family line, more especially in the case of a son. Nevertheless, as with some cultures today, children in first-century Palestine had no economic or social status. Though loved and cherished by their extended families, they had no special treatment partly because so many of them died in infancy. They became a viable part of the household when they could begin working, tending flocks and fetching water.

Their education, usually only for boys, entailed becoming a good Jew, learning the Torah, the Jewish Law. Girls assisted their mothers in learning the skills they would need in running a household. Not for these children the toys, fashions and accessories which are designed for children today. Children were at the very bottom of the pecking order, occupying a minor area of activity with no voice.

Lorna Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
Congratulations to Vera Long on raising £175 at the Coffee Morning at her home last month and to Kathleen Weldin for thinking of and organising the Cream Teas outside Church — this raised £91. Both events were in aid of the Parish Centre Appeal.

The Harvest Supper will be in the Church Hall (junction of Bond Street and Kings Lane) on Saturday 27th September at 7.30pm. Tickets will be needed for this and will be available soon in Church.

The final total raised by Bernard and Margaret Taylor for WorkAid was £170.

We are delighted that Peter and Helen Lloyd have agreed to take on the job of organising collecting boxes for the Children’s Society and then emptying them and counting the money. They will take on the task after the Coffee Morning and Box Opening at 6 Spencer Gardens on Saturday 27th September.

DEANERY CONFIRMATION
The Deanery Confirmation fixed for 26th November at St Paul’s Egham Hythe has been cancelled as Bishop John will have moved on to Chelmsford by then. However there will be a Confirmation in Guildford Cathedral on Thursday 6th November (by Bishop Ian). Anyone wishing to be confirmed at this time should contact the Vicar immediately.

WEDDINGS AT ST JUDE'S
The Chapel of Royal Holloway College shares our marriage registers. This means that when they have a wedding we are unable to have one at the same time. As weddings at Royal Holloway are getting more popular, you are advised to get in touch with Lorna, the Vicar, as early as possible with your booking to avoid disappointment over dates.

You would do well to book for 2004 now and even 2005 if possible. A deposit of £25 is payable (this is not normally refundable in the case of a cancellation).

PARISH CENTRE APPEAL
Total raised so far £80,248
Total expenditure so far £9,181
(architect, planning etc)
Total promises so far £17,688
Money available for project £88,755
Balance needed £411,245

Recent fundraising activities have included:
Concerts (the Chew family) £495
Royal Holloway Garden Party £111
Village Fair £240
June Coffee Morning £153
Vicarage Garden Party £1796
Coffee Morning (Vera Long) £175
Cream Teas £91
(these amounts are included in the above totals).

Several applications have been made for grants from various organisations but no money has been received yet. In the meantime, if you would like more information about the appeal, please contact the Vicar or Churchwardens (telephone numbers in Col. 3) or 01784 434254 (evenings). Any donations would be very gratefully received for this project which would enable St Jude’s Church to offer so much more for the community of Englefield Green.

ROYAL HOLLOWAY COLLEGE
Details are now available for the forthcoming courses introducing the main areas of Christian Theology at Royal Holloway. This includes A Christian Understanding of Jesus Christ, Towards a Christian Understanding of God and Christian Ethics this Autumn. More details from 01784 443950 or by calling in at the Open Evening on Monday 22nd September at 8.00pm in the Chapel.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Baptism:
(26th July) Alexander Owen Harden, Olivia Jane Harden.

Holy Matrimony:
(26th July) Christopher Neil Briercliffe and Rachel Catherine Bawn; (2nd August) Guy Adam Bunce and Louise Emma Taylor; (7th) Timothy Robert William Killen and Gillian Elaine Parker (9th) Anthony Joseph Howard and Mecaler Sines.

Blessing following a Hindu Wedding:
(25th July) Jonathan and Rima Clayton.

Funerals:
(4th August) David Peter Hollier; (10th) Norman William Leslie Stratten; (22nd) Lilian Ulrich; (27th) Muriel Foster.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

COFFEE MORNING
The next Coffee Morning outside St Jude’s Church will be on Saturday 13th September from 10.00am to 12 noon. All are welcome. The Church will remain open until 6.00pm as a refreshment post for the Surrey Churches Bike Ride. If anyone would like to get involved with the biking itself, we have sponsor forms etc available in Church or ring 01784 434254 (evenings, or leave a message). The arrangement is that one half of the money raised goes to the Surrey Churches Preservation Society and the other half to the local Church.

Sunday 14th September
Concert by Young People
at St Jude’s School
3.00pm
Tickets available from
01784 436541 or in Church

Saturday 27th September
COFFEE MORNING
in aid of The Children’s Society
6 Spencer Gardens
10.30am–1.00pm

CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 2003
6 Saturday 1.30pm Holy Matrimony
7 TWELFTH SUNDAY after TRINITY 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)9.30am Youth Eucharist
1.00pm Holy Matrimony 11 Thursday 8.00pm PCC meeting in Church Hall
13 Saturday 10.00am to 12noon Coffee Morning outside St Jude’s
1.00pm Holy Matrimony
14 THIRTEENTH SUNDAY after TRINITY (Holy Cross Day)
3.00pm Concert by Young People at St Jude’s School
6.30pm Evensong and sermon
16 Tuesday 9.15am Teddy Bear Club re-starts at the Methodist Hall, Victoria Street
18 Thursday 8.00pm Christians Together in Egham meeting at St John’s Egham
20 Saturday 1.00pm Holy Matrimony
21 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY after TRINITY (St Matthew)
3.00pm Holy Baptism
24 Wednesday 8.00pm Churches on the Green Committee meeting at the Vicarage
27 Saturday 10.30am–1.00pm Children’s Society Coffee Morning (6 Spencer Gardens)
2.00pm Holy Matrimony 7.30pm Harvest Supper in Church Hall (tickets needed)
28 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY after TRINITY
29 Monday 8.00pm St Michael and All Angels Holy Communion with hymns