Newsletter: October, 2004

Prejudiced? - Not Me!

“Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:18)

Julia’s family lived in a detached house. She and the other children were not allowed to mix with their neighbours who lived on the estate. Friends were selected and visits approved but the children, doing their own thing, spent most of their time playing in the field by the river.

One day Julia fell in the water and was dragged by the current out of her depth. Johnnie heard her shouting and dived in after her, holding her firmly he dragged her back to the bank. She was not injured but very frightened. They decided to keep the matter from their parents for fear of the consequences. But Johnnie couldn’t hide his wet jeans.

Eventually Johnnie’s mother learned the truth and the reason for the secrecy. Julia was not supposed to be in the company of strangers who had not been approved by her parents. After all, Johnnie lived on the estate – they were worlds apart.

Julia and Johnnie’s story is not new. In the time of Jesus, Samaritans and Jews were bitter enemies in spite of being neighbours. They actually shared a great deal but matters concerning interpretation of religious truth brought them to loggerheads. At that time, people with diseases and other disabilities were isolated from the community and banned from the Temple. They remained on the outskirts of town, everyone looked down on them with pity and sometimes disdain, assuming that sin had caused their ailments.

But, even the lepers had heard of Jesus’ power to heal, and so convinced were they that he could save them, they would try anything to approach him, even while adhering to the rules that forbade physical proximity, shouting their pleas from a distance. These people would have done anything he asked without question. What Jesus asked of them was very little, simply to show themselves to the local priests and they did not falter for a moment, they obeyed. To their joy, they discovered they were healed. Their obedience in a small thing brought about an amazing miracle. They were so overjoyed that they forgot the customary politeness; they were so keen to re-integrate with the society from which they had been rejected.

All except one, the outsider, the foreigner, the least expected to conform to Jewish customs — the Samaritan — the enemy. He went back to thank Jesus and to salute him as Lord, the One to whom he owed his life. He created a bridge between two worlds, Samaria and Palestine, between those included and those excluded, between selfishness and generosity, and Jesus recognised this and praised the man’s faith.

We all have some prejudices, we all live in different worlds that are judged by differing criteria. Some parents still feel that only people of a particular ethnic, religious or social background are suitable life-partners for their children. Some countries are divided by religious or tribal differences. We sometimes become so caught up in marking these man made boundary divisions that we can reject the good in others because they are not like us. We can forget that everyone is made in the image of God and has the potential for good and evil whether or not they are similar to ourselves.

Every Saturday the football terraces resound to insults hurled at others because of their difference, even on the basis of supporting another team. There are many reasons why people judge others unfavourably, usually to underpin and justify their own position, or to blame others for the faults of the world. Jesus rarely judged anyone, except for hypocrisy, and healed anyone who asked.

Artificial divisions between God’s people played no part in Jesus’ ministry. This is the model of life that he gave us. To break down barriers and build bridges. To recognise our natural unity as one family of God and risk calling all people sisters and brothers. When we can do this, there will be no need for prejudice. When prejudice has melted away, then discrimination and oppression will follow and the kingdom which Jesus came to establish will start becoming a reality.

Lorna C. Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
During August and September, several hundred squares and forty-five teddies have been completed, all of which were on show in St Jude’s Church at the Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 26th September and during the following week. They will be taken to Guildford in preparation for shipping to the Ukraine where they are urgently needed for use in an orphanage.

The need for both blankets and teddies is constant so please continue (or start!) the knitting. Volunteers are desperately needed to help sew up the squares into blankets. Offers to the Vicar, please.

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.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
The Englefield Green Branch will launch its Poppy Appeal on Thursday 28th October and would welcome more collectors to ensure that the whole village is covered. If you would like to help, let the Vicar know and she will pass on your name to Mabel Pullinger, the local appeal organiser.

PARISH CENTRE APPEAL
Total raised so far £106,213
Total expenditure so far £9,127
Total promises so far £17,688
Money available for project £114,774
Balance needed £385,226

During August and September, £412 has been received in donations and the House of Colour session raised £115.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Baptism:
(5th September) Jessica Alexandra Gates, Harvey James Cox; (12th) Johnny Jay Cooper; (19th) Eloise Janet Edwards.

Holy Matrimony:
(9th September) Richard Christopher Marston and Yvonne Elizabeth McLaren; (11th) Dominic Gregor Guy Wynniatt-Husey and Tiffany-Kate Leison Panter; (18th at RHUL College Chapel) Mark Richard Evans and Karen Matson.

Funerals:
(1st September) Kieran Thomas Pullen; (6th) Sheila Dixon Clarke; Herbert Newman; (29th) Ellen Smithers.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

CREAM TEAS
Cream Teas and tea and cake will be available in St Jude’s Church between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday 9th October. During this time, St Jude’s Church will be visited by Members of the Surrey Churches Preservation Trust.

Money raised at this will be sent to the British Red Cross Appeal for the West Indies to help those made homeless in the devastation of the recent hurricanes.

ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE
Each year, F. Harrison & Sons, the local funeral director, organises a memorial service in St Jude’s Church for families of those who have died in the past year. It provides an opportunity for remembering their loved ones and to sing hymns and light candles in their memory. It will be on Sunday 31st October at 3.00pm.

ALL SOULS' DAY
There will be a said Holy Communion service with hymns in St Jude’s Church on Tuesday 2nd November at 8.00pm. If you would like a person remembered at this service, please let the Vicar know in writing or add the name to the list in Church.

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.

DEANERY CONFIRMATION
The next Deanery Confirmation will be on Wednesday 24th November at Christ Church, Virginia Water. The Vicar is collecting both adults’ and young people’s (aged 10 and above) names.You need to contact the Vicar by Sunday 10th October. Preparation will be organised depending on individuals wishing to be confirmed.

ROYAL HOLLOWAY CHAPEL
Sunday services at Royal Holloway begin again on 3rd October at 6.00pm in Chapel at which the preacher will be the Very Revd Victor Stock, Dean of Guildford. All are welcome at this service.

On Thursday evenings in Chapel, the Choir sings Choral Evensong at 6.15pm. The music at these services is of a very high standard and well worth attending.

There will be organ recitals on 10th October (Andrew Radford) and 24th October (Adrian Williams). Both recitals start at 7.30pm.

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 OCTOBER 2004