Newsletter: December, 2007

The Letter - December 2007

From the Vicar
As we approach the season of Christmas, we look forward to welcoming people into the church for our special services. In particular, we will have some of our busiest services of the year when we welcome young people for the school carol concerts and the crib service. Seeing the church so full of young people is a reminder to us of the deeper values of Christmas, that so often become submerged in all the spending. It is about remembering the Holy Family, sheltering together in a stable, away from their own home. It is about remembering the strong bonds between a mother, a father and their child. The readings tell us of the message of hope that the infant Jesus brought to a troubled world, reminding us that if our lives and the world around us are not what we would like them to be, there is still hope for a better future. The choirs of angels that sang on the night that Jesus was born also remind us of the heavenly realm where people we love but see no more celebrate too, but on a further shore and in a brighter light. May all these reminders give a special value to our Christmas this year.

Mark Ewbank

A Royal Arrival

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 3:2)

When the people of Wolverhampton humbly invited Queen Victoria to unveil their statue of the late Prince Consort, Albert, they could scarcely believe her response: on 22nd November 1866, the Mayor received the news that she would be coming - on 30th November, just eight days later.

The town went into a flurry of activity, as "every man who could handle a pick, saw a board or drive a nail found employment". Normal business was suspended and people worked all hours to prepare the Queen's route. Galleries were put on the house-fronts, and then bedecked with flags and wreaths. As well as gas-lit illuminations, arches depicting local industries were constructed along the way, including a three-ton coal arch. In the marketplace, a pavilion and grandstand for 2,000 spectators were put up next to the statue, now patriotically curtained in red, white and blue. It was said if you'd been away from Wolverhampton for the week, you'd not have recognised the town on your return.

A monarch's visit generates enormous excitement in any age. Things that once seemed adequate will not suffice. When royalty comes to town, only the best is good enough.

In St Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 3, an imminent royal arrival is announced, and the people are called to make urgent preparations, not in outward display, but in inner renewal. It's an exciting time: after 400 years of silence from heaven, the prophetic voice is heard again in Israel, through a man of God called John. His appearance in the garb of poverty - camel hair garment and leather belt — is reminiscent of the last great prophet, Elijah. By the Jordan River, where God's people once crossed over into the new life of the Promised Land, John reveals the climax of the Almighty's long-promised salvation plan. John does not proclaim Jesus' coming in Israel's capital city, but out in the wilderness. Those thirsty for God's word have to go into the dryness of the desert to hear it, and many do.

Yet their willingness to travel here is just the start of a longer journey. As John heralds the coming of God's kingdom rule, the people's curiosity needs to become commitment. They need humbly to enter the Jordan waters to be baptised. Yet even this is not enough. Being washed clean of the past is to be accompanied by repentance, a determination to put aside behaviours and attitudes not appropriate for the kingdom of heaven, now drawing close in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ.

The cost of personal change is demanding, particularly for the Sadducees and Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day. It means humbling themselves before the people and being seen to have to put their lives in order. No wonder they prefer to turn to religious pedigree and background to guarantee their right of entry into God's kingdom. John bluntly disabuses them of their proud illusions: only a genuinely holy and renewed life is evidence of a heart fit for heaven.

Hearing God's word carries a challenge, and John's urgent appeal to the crowd underlines that the opportunity to respond will only last for a season. He also declares that choices have consequences: failure to show the fruitfulness of godly living is opting to exclude oneself from the kingdom of light. The time of repentance is a time of reckoning. Those who turn away from Christ as saviour will subsequently face him as judge.

If we were about to welcome our earthly monarch to our town, no effort would be spared, and we would work with the utmost urgency, knowing where our priorities lay. When we sense God speaking something new into our lives, will we make the space to listen, whatever else we have to put aside?

As we welcome Christ into our lives, we receive forgiveness, but also the responsibility of demonstrating our repentance in changed behaviour. The Christian life involves the Holy Spirit's refining fire as well as the cleansing water of initiation. It can be tempting to rest on the laurels of our Christian background or spiritual status. Are we willing to be pilgrims and not just passengers in God's kingdom? It's also easy to put off attending to those things we know God is prompting us personally to put right. But time is precious and also limited: we're called to make the most of every opportunity to prepare for our citizenship in heaven. If you knew Jesus was coming to you today, what would you need to do to be ready to meet him?

NEWS IN BRIEF
The Christmas Market held in St Jude’s School on Saturday 24th November raised £730 for USPG. We are very grateful to the School for allowing us to use the premises, to those who helped and to all those who came along and supported us.

UNICEF CARDS
Joan Wintour will be selling UNICEF cards, toys, calendars, etc after the 9.30am service on 2nd and 9th December. Please ring 01784 437796 or contact her by email at wintourej@aol.com to see them at her house.

CARDS FOR GOOD CAUSES
These are available obtained from Cordes Hall in Sunninghill up to 18th December (Monday – Saturday 10.00am–4.00pm).

DECORATING THE CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS
Decorating the Church for Christmas will take place on Saturday 22nd December between 9.00am and 12 noon. Donations and offers of help will be most welcome — please contact Vera Long (435197).

URBAN SAINTS (Crusaders)
The group urgently needs a Treasurer. To apply, please telephone Rita on 01784 433560.

STUDY GROUPS
Did you know that there is one study group which meets regularly throughout the year and not just during Lent? It starts up again after its summer break on Sunday 2nd September.

This is run by Geoff and Jenny Chew and it meets on the first and third Sunday evening each month. It is normally at The Mount, Malt Hill, Egham (almost opposite Middle Hill where it joins the A30). Please telephone Jenny on 435664 for more details.

SATURDAY AFTERNOONS
As you may know, we keep St Jude’s Church open for visitors each Saturday afternoon between 2.00 and 4.00pm. To do this safely and adequately requires at least 3 people at all times. To keep this running, we must have a rota of people who would take a turn — obviously the more offers we have, the less often each one would have to do. If you can help with this, say, once every two months, please contact the Churchwardens (telephone numbers are shown above) or by email to saturdays@stjudeschurch.info. Your help would be appreciated.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Baptism:
(18th October) Amelia Cate McCuaig; (25th November) Emily Povey, Susannah Povey, Benjamin Corrigan.

Holy Matrimony:
(10th November) Brian Steele and Samantha Leech.

Funeral:
(2nd November) Peter Brown; (14th) Hilda Parker.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

COFFEE MORNINGS
There will be a Coffee Morning for the Christmas season in the porch of the Methodist Church in Victoria Street on Saturday 1st December from 10.00am. Early mince pies will be available and there will be some stalls. Please do come along for coffee and a chat.

Coffee mornings at St Jude’s Church will take a break now probably until the Spring of 2008. Hopefully the weather next year will persuade us to have more of them.

CAROL SINGING
Carol singing this year will take place on Friday 21st December starting from St Jude’s Church at 7.00pm and ending at the Church Hall in Bond Street for refreshments afterwards.

METHODIST COMMUNION
On Sunday 9th December, the 9.30am service will be a Methodist Holy Communion and will be conducted by Linda Ashford, Methodist Lay Pastor.

NEW YEAR LUNCH
Lunch will be available in the Methodist Hall, Victoria Street on Tuesday 1st January at 12.30 for 12.45pm to celebrate New Year’s Day. Tickets priced £4 are available (newyear@stjudeschurch.info) or from Margaret or Rita in Church. All are welcome.

LENT IS SOONER THAN YOU THINK The 6 week Ecumenical Lent Group will start on Wednesday 6th February 2008. The aim is not to make it an intellectual exercise but rather an opportunity for everyone to discuss their thoughts on what things are important for living a good life. All are welcome regardless of beliefs or culture. On 9th January there will be an informal get-together over coffee and cake in Larksfield in order to get to know each other before the first meeting. To find out more please phone Jacqueline/Andrew on 01784 434139 or Maria/John on 01784 438392.

CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2007

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