Newsletter: June, 2004

Your sins are forgiven...

(Luke 7.48)

There are some wonderful attention-grabbing ­ and thought-provoking — church notice boards, aren't there? Sometimes, too, a simple entry in a church’s visitors’ book may make us stop and think in a very profound way.

One church notice board, advertising its forthcoming healing service, announced, "Try our Healing Service — you won't get better."

Another notice, displayed by a New York church, could well be adopted by every church and should be read by every passer-by: “Do come in — trespassers will be forgiven.”

That particular notice can, perhaps, be set alongside a very revealing entry in the visitors’ book in the tiny church at Capel-y-ffin in the Brecon Beacons, a beautiful jewel of a church in the Gospel Pass leading from Llanthony to Hay-on-Wye. Browsing through its visitors’ book a visiting clergyman was very taken with an entry written appreciatively, earlier that day: "In a world that is all rush, a moment of stillness and quiet. Thank you for being open.” Reflecting on that, and sensing the deep gratitude of its writer, the clergyman reflected that the Church is indeed always open — or it should be! And it is open to all — or it should be!

St Luke’s Gospel records an occasion where Jesus is at supper with Simon, a Pharisee, who, almost certainly, is well established (perhaps even well regarded) in the community. With Jesus, the “man of the moment” at his supper it is likely Simon has invited his friends along with others he would like to influence. It seems to have been the custom then that such an occasion was “open house” for poorer folk, who would drift in to see what they might find to eat.

The woman in Luke's story ­ he calls her “a sinner”, other commentators refer to her as an immoral woman, others say she is a prostitute — has slipped in to the meal and, not content with sitting quietly in the background, in a very intimate and yet loving way she takes centre stage.

Simon clearly is aghast. He can’t, or doesn’t, put his thoughts into words — but Jesus can read his mind. He takes the initiative and with a well-crafted parable makes Simon aware of just how easy it is to be blinded by one fault in a person, to be one-eyed and prejudiced. Above all he makes abundantly clear that God's love is for everyone — and so, too, is his forgiveness. Jesus makes unequivocally clear that his love is for all. His forgiveness is open to all, no matter how great their trespasses. His forgiveness is for all who recognise their need for it, and seek it — as that amazing woman recognised her need for forgiveness and recognised his willingness to give her his unconditional love.

We are all sinners. We need his love and his forgiveness today and every day of our lives. When, like the woman in this gospel account, we recognise that we too are trespassers, and that we need his forgiveness and love, we shall find our gratitude is so great that, like the woman's, it will overflow. We shall not feel in any way inhibited in responding lovingly to the love that Jesus holds out to each one of us. Every person is called to faithfulness, not to judge others and to receive and to give love. Lorna Smith

Lorna Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
Congratulations to St John’s Church, Egham’s U13 football team for winning the Bishop’s Cup recently.

PARISH CENTRE APPEAL
Total raised so far £96,740
Total expenditure so far £9,181
Total promises so far £17,688
Money available for project £105,247
Balance needed £394,753

May’s receipts were £6918 from the Inland Revenue in Gift Aid tax recovered, Quiz Night £175, Cream Teas £240 and donations £406. It is encouraging news that we have exceeded £100,000 in money available for the project.

CHRISTIAN AID
Last month’s Christian Aid Week collection raised £1556.61 which after Gift Aid tax recovery will come to £1792. Many thanks to all who helped deliver and collect the envelopes and count the money.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Baptism:
(at Royal Holloway College on 9th May) George Peter Rowe; (23rd) Owen Christopher Davies.

Confirmation:
(at The Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit, Guildford on 16th May) Steven George Bridgeman, Kelly Anne Davies, Emma Kate King.

Holy Matrimony:
Paul Charles Latarche and Samantha Annie Martin-Schneiter.

Marriage Blessing:
(7th May following a Civil Marriage Ceremony in Italy) Raffaele Cimmino and Sofia Thatcher.

Funerals:
(7th May) Doreen Heafield; (21st) John Matherson; Vera Joyce Humphries; (24th) John Anton.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

AUCTION OF PROMISES
There will be an Auction of Promises (and items) in aid of the Parish Centre Appeal on Saturday 26th June at 7.30pm. This makes money for the Appeal by having as many promises as possible which are then auctioned and sold to the highest bidder. Think of it as Englefield Green’s local answer to Ebay.

Nearer the time there will be a leaflet showing details of all the available items.

We have received some offers already but to make this really successful we need a lot more. Just to give you a flavour of what’s on offer so far, we have:—

A week’s accommodation in Tuscany to sleep 4/5, trip to Wisley, trip to Long Acre, a guitar, 5 piano lessons, gardening, transport and admission to Savill Garden, 6 jars jam, Sunday lunch for 4, a watercolour of your house, a decorated sponge cake, a specially written piece of music, knitted garment, etc.

If you would like to make an offer of either an item for auction or a promise of time/effort you would like to make available for someone else to bid for, please supply details either by email to auction@stjudes.info or by post to The Auction of Promises, St Jude’s Church House, Kings Lane, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey TW20 0TZ.

COFFEE MORNING
On Thursday 17th June there will be a Coffee Morning at 40 Bond Street from 10.00am to 12 noon in aid of Calibre (tapes for the blind and partially sighted).

ORGAN RECITAL
The last in the current series of organ recitals at Royal College College will take place on Sunday 6th June at 7.30pm. The recitalist will be Tim Uglow who is Organist and Head of Academic Music at Cranleigh School. It starts at 7.30pm and all donations go to the Chapel Choir fund.

AFTERNOON TEA
Cream Teas will take the place of Coffee Mornings for the next few months. The next one will be on Saturday 12th June from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. There will also be cakes, biscuits, preserves etc on sale. Offers of help would be appreciated.

OPEN GARDENS
Open Gardens will again be for the Thames Valley Hospice this and will be on Sunday 27th June between 2.00 and 5.30pm. Tickets will be available soon from Blacklock’s Bookshop in Victoria Street.

SUMMER FAIR
The St Jude's Church Summer Fair will take place at St Jude's School, Bagshot Road from 12.30pm to 4.15pm

IMAGINE A WORLD ... ENRICHED BY DIVERSITY
This is an event organised by the Focolare Movement on Saturday 19th June (10.30am to 5.30pm) in Central Hall Westminster. Through a series of talks, reflections and the performing arts, the day will bring together Christians from every denomination as well as representatives of the different faith communities — all united in a common purpose: to strive for a more peaceful, more united world.

The keynote address will be delivered by Focolare’s founder, Chiara Lubich on the theme What future for a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-faith society? Special guest will include Church leaders, Baroness Shirley Williams and others. Tickets (suggested contribution £12) are available from bookings@focolare. org.uk or from 01707 336413. Information locally from Ann and John Pym on 01784 435897.

CALENDAR FOR JUNE 2004