Newsletter: April, 2005

Who Was There?

"You are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised." (Matthew 28.5-6)

It was all over in a flash. A cry for help, a man running away with a snatched handbag, another young man after him, catching up with him, a tussle, the bag recovered, the thief on the ground, and soon the police taking him away. In the busy town centre there were plenty of witnesses to give their statements. There was little dispute about the facts. But what had those witnesses experienced? Sally went back to the office clutching her bag more tightly, worrying about new dangers. Simon went away guilty; he could have been the one to chase the thief, but he was frozen to the spot — so was he a coward? Jane went home rejoicing at the goodness of human beings, that someone was prepared to take a risk for a stranger.

There is no official report of the events of the first Easter Day; it happened in secret, in the darkness of a stone tomb. The Gospel writers do not attempt to describe it; it is beyond the capacity of human words. Instead, the different Gospels tell us different stories about the people who were there, hinting at what they experienced and what effect it had on their lives.

Take Mary Magdalene. Despite their differences, all the Gospels agree that she was the first to see the risen Jesus. We are told that she was someone Jesus had healed, and who had become his follower as a result. Imagine the emotions she must have felt that first Easter. Delight as Jesus was welcomed by the palm-waving crowds, turning to anxiety as the threats to his safety increased, despair as he was arrested and tried, torment as she watched him die, hopelessness as she helped to bury him, grief as she returned to anoint his body. Then the growing amazement as she met him alive again. Jesus gave Mary a new start, twice — once when he healed her, and again when he made her the first messenger of his resurrection.

Then there was Peter. He was one of Jesus' closest friends, who had let him down badly in his hour of need. Faced with the danger of arrest, Peter had been unable to cope with his fear. So he had denied knowing Jesus — as Jesus had predicted that he would. When Jesus died, his world must have fallen apart, because now he would never have the chance to say he was sorry. The resurrection gave him that chance, and with it a message of reconciliation for all people. No wrong that we can do, no denial or harsh words, no injury or insult, is beyond the reach of God's love. A love that can conquer death can deal with any wrong that human beings can do, can neutralise and forgive it.

Then there was Thomas, forever known as doubting. He refused to believe that Jesus was alive again — and who can blame him? It's such an unlikely story. But Thomas has come to stand for all who find faith difficult, who have doubts about the story of salvation. Thomas insisted on seeing and touching Jesus before he would believe. When Jesus granted his wish, he did not berate or punish him for his doubting, but accepted Thomas as he was.

What is there for us in these stories, as we once again experience the resurrection of Jesus? Perhaps some of us, like Mary, are in need of a new start. Perhaps we have become weighed down by problems, by bereavement, by illness, and we feel there is no escape. For us, then, today offers new hope. The resurrection of Jesus shows us that God's love is stronger than any power of despair.

Or perhaps, like Peter, we bear the guilt of hurtful things said, or perhaps things unsaid, things done wrong that we can never put right. The message of the resurrection is one of forgiveness. There is no condemnation in the eyes of the risen Jesus as he looks at Peter, and at us, only love.

And perhaps we have doubts about this very unlikely and strange story we hear again today. Like Thomas, we may have moments when we long for some hard evidence. Thomas' story affirms that we are allowed that longing. We are allowed to doubt, and our doubts do not cut us off from the power of Jesus' resurrection. Whatever the state of our faith in God, God has faith in us.

To all who are in despair, to all who are caught by guilt, to all who doubt, here and in all the world, the message of the resurrection is this: God's love is stronger. If even death cannot defeat God, then anything is possible. There is always hope, there is always forgiveness, there is always a future.

Lorna C. Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
The content of this Newsletter is dedicated to explain the developments in the discussions between the Anglican and The Methodist Churches in Englefield Green.

ABOUT THE PARISH
The Vicar, Churchwardens, and the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of The Parish of St Jude, Englefield Green wish to let you know about the latest developments for the Parish.

History
The ecumenical front in Englefield Green has been active for many years. You will be aware that the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption, Englefield Green Methodist Church, and St Jude’s Church have enjoyed a Covenant relationship since 1991. On 1st November 2003, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, together with the President of the Methodist Conference, signed a new covenant between the Church of England and the Methodist Church, which encourages all congregations to move forward in their quest for unity.

In November 2003 following a unanimous decision by the members of Englefield Green Methodist Church, we received a letter requesting that members of St Jude’s Church should consider the joining together of the two churches to form an Ecumenical Partnership, based on St Jude’s Church.

On 2nd May 2004 an Ecumenical Holy Communion Service was celebrated by The Revd Tom Bayliss, Minister at Englefield Green Methodist Church. This marked the start of Methodist Services being held at St Jude’s Church. Since that date, these monthly services have been held regularly. In December 2004 following unanimous decisions by The Methodist Church Council and St Jude’s PCC, the Shared Church Agreement was signed and on 28th February 2005 the Document of Intent and The Constitution was signed by The Rt Revd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford, representatives from the Methodist Church and St Jude’s Church.

St Jude’s United Church
We are now looking forward to 1st May 2005 when we shall come together to form St Jude’s United Church (Methodists + Anglicans Working Together). The Rt Revd Ian Brackley will be at the 9.30am Eucharist which will include a joint Confirmation Service for Methodists and Anglicans. In future we will be welcoming The Revd Tom Bayliss to share in leading worship in St Jude’s twice a month.

People
As a new United Church we will be recognising all those who minister in both Churches. Roy Gouriet, our reader, will be joined by Margaret Willis and Rita Berry who are lay preachers in the Methodist Church. At times other Methodist ministers and lay preachers will visit St Jude’s. The Revd Canon John Fowles and The Revd Bernard Taylor will continue assisting with services as they have faithfully done for the past nine years.

St Jude’s Church will continue to have two Churchwardens, a PCC duly elected by those on the Electoral Roll, a Methodist Church Council, and a Joint Church Council. Often these councils will meet together and separate only for denominational issues.

Location
From 1st May there will be Church of England and Methodist Services held in St Jude’s Church and Methodist Services will cease to be held at The Methodist Church in Victoria Street. At the time of writing no decision has been made about the future of the buildings in Victoria Street. We are awaiting consultation with surveyors and architects.

Weekly Services
There will be 8.00am Holy Communion (said) and 9.30am Sung Eucharist on each Sunday of the month (the first Sunday will be BCP at 8.00am and Youth Eucharist at 9.30am) with 6.30pm Evensong and Sermon on 2nd Sunday and Prayer and Praise in the Methodist tradition at 11.15am on 3rd Sunday each month. The 10.00am Holy Communion service on Wednesdays will continue and 9.15am Holy Communion will be celebrated on most major Saints’ days.

Baptisms, Marriages, and Funerals will continue as at present by negotiation with the Vicar.

The Church will continue to be open on a Saturday afternoon from 1.00pm to 4.00pm for visitors and those wishing to discuss pastoral situations.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Baptism:
(6th March) Ellie Rose Lambden, (26th) Yu Jules Omura.

Holy Matrimony:
(19th March) Ian Richard Nicholas Jenkins and Kelly Anne Davis.

Funerals:
(2nd March) Yvonne Crowe, (29th) Harold Campbell-King.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

ANNUAL MEETINGS
The Annual Meetings will be after the 9.30am service on Sunday 24th April. At the first meeting, the Churchwardens are elected for the coming year. The second (which follows on immediately) gives us an opportunity to look after over the previous year and thanks all those who helped with so many things. We receive the Annual Report and Accounts, Electoral Roll and various reports and then elect representatives to the Deanery Synod and some members of the Parochial Church Council. Please do your best to attend these meetings - they are an important part of the Church's year.

CHURCH ACTIVITIES
There will be the first Coffee Morning of the year outside St Jude’s Church on Saturday 9th April from 10.00am to 12 noon. Do come along for coffee and a chat as well as to buy home-made cakes, biscuits, jam, preserves, etc. It will be held indoors if the weather is too cold or wet.

BISHOPSGATE W.I.
Bishopsgate WI is holding a Spring Fair and Coffee Morning on Wednesday 13th April 10am-1pm at The Jurgens Centre. Stalls include cakes, handicrafts, books, plants, bric-a-brac, raffle and tombola.

CONFIRMATION IN ST JUDE'S
There will be Confirmation Service in St Jude's on Sunday 1st May - Bishop Ian Brackley will preside.

CALENDAR FOR APRIL 2005