Newsletter: November, 2004

Apocalyse

There are times when the world falls apart. Not so much a cosmic disaster — an apocalypse — as an end to our own world; to the structures and systems and people that we thought would always be there, would always be more or less the same, and would keep us safe. It’s at these times that we can find ourselves asking the hardest questions of God: “How can this happen?” “If this can happen, who am I?” and “Does God exist, and if he does, does he care?”

People make sense of their suffering in different ways. For some, their questions remain private and are never shared with anyone. Others need to talk about it. Some write it down in diaries or letters or poems. Robert Palmer, who was killed in action in the First World War, wrote: “How long, O Lord, how long, before the flood Of crimson-welling carnage shall abate? From sodden plain in West and East the blood Of kindly men streams up in mists of hate “

It is something of this question, and this “end of the world” feeling that provides the background for the reading from St Luke’s Gospel Chapter 21.5-19. It’s all about setting the events of life and death within the larger context of God’s purpose—- especially when it seems like the world is ending. Jesus addresses a group of his followers gathered about him in the Temple. They sit amid the everyday buzz of activity, debating, arguing and people-watching. They admire the Temple itself: it must have been a sight to make the heart swell with pride and to inspire a sense of “all’s right with the world”. But Jesus says that one day all the things that they see before them will be destroyed — the bustle will stop and not one stone will stand upon the other. The world as they know it will end.

But while Jesus is telling all this to the people sitting at his feet, he’s also addressing another audience — the Christians who lived and worshipped at around the time Luke wrote his Gospel. For these Christians, the events that Jesus described had already begun. In around 70 A.D. the people had risen in rebellion, a rebellion that the Romans brutally crushed. They destroyed the Temple, killed the perpetrators and tightened their control of the Jewish people.

The followers of Jesus who up to that point where simply a group of Jews who believed the Messiah had come, were a problem for their community. Anything that might be brought to the notice of the Romans and trigger more persecution was to be avoided. The in-fighting must have been bitter. There were betrayals, arrests and persecution. The Christians split from the synagogues, their families and their friends. It must have seemed like their world had ended.

For the Christians of Luke’s day, Jesus’ words echo with their own experience and give expression to what they are suffering. The message is a simple one - almost too simple: stand firm, and speak out when called upon to do so. It’s harsh but it’s real. It offers no easy way out, no “get out of jail free” card. What it does do, though, is to set their suffering in the wider context of God’s purpose, and gives a glimpse of an end to the horrors. It doesn’t remove the pain, but it makes sense of it, and it offers a beacon of hope. This year, on Remembrance Sunday, we take time to remember the suffering and sacrifice of the people for whom Jesus’ prophetic words, “Nation will rise against nation” have a particular resonance. War is always an end of the world in some sense — even if a new world comes out of it.

On 14th November, we collectively acknowledge the endurance of those have been through this experience — or indeed, who are still going through it. We remember their stories and we give them space, where appropriate, to put their experience into words. Where words fail us, we use the power of silence to remember and to pray. And perhaps most importantly, we struggle in prayer with them to place their experience within the wider context of God purpose — and in doing this to try to make sense of what they went through, or still go through today.

Lorna C. Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
Many people in the village have been knitting teddies and blankets over the last few months. The teddies and blankets have now been sent off to their new home in an orphanage in The Ukraine. Many more are needed for both The Ukraine and other parts of the world.

Please keep knitting or let us have a contribution towards buying wool and needles. Knitting patterns are available on request. Email brian.hooker@stjudes.info if you are interested.

The Cream Tea in October raised £446.17 for the British Red Cross Hurricane Appeal. Many thanks to all those who gave so generously.

OPEN ON SATURDAYS
Newcomers might like to know that St Jude’s Church is open for visitors on Saturday afternoon from 1.00 to 4.00pm. Tea and coffee are always available and one can chat to the Vicar about Baptism, Weddings etc or a pastoral problem.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Baptism:
(3rd October) Stanley Luca Donovan Whiddett.

Funerals:
(7th October) John Douglas Pym; (18th) Samuel James Barr.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

CREAM TEAS
There will be no Cream Tea or Coffee Morning in November (staff shortages!). However, Creams Teas etc will be available at the Christmas Market (details below) and at Church on Saturday 11th December from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

BAPTISM PREPARATION
Many babies are not baptised into the Christian faith as parents believe that it is right to leave that choice to the child to be made at a later date. Baptism is a topic covered in both Key Stages 1 and 2 and this results in children asking questions and, indeed, wanting to be baptised.

There will be Baptism Preparation for Primary School children aged 6–10 years starting on Tuesday 28th September at 3.30pm in St Jude’s Church. Please contact the Vicar if you know of anyone who is waiting for this opportunity.

UNICEF GIFTS AND CARDS
Joan Wintour will be selling these in Church on Sunday 31st October, 21st November and 5th December after the 9.30am service. She will also welcome visits at home but ring 437796 first.

CRIB FESTIVAL
There will be a Crib Festival in Church on 17th, 18th and 19th December. Please let Margaret Taylor (01784 435886) know if you would like your Crib exhibited and blessed. You will then be able to take it home after the Carol Service at 5.00pm on 19th December.

We will need help with keeping the Church open for this and providing refreshments. Again, offers to Margaret.

CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER 2004