Newsletter: June, 2007

Forgiveness

“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love.” (Luke 7:47)
Desperately thirsty on a hot summer’s day, the marcher on the peace demonstration approached the stall to buy some water. The woman in the hijab (Muslim headscarf) apologised that she had sold out of bottled water. However, she said: “Is it for you?” The customer nodded. “Here,” she said, “have a cup of mine”, and she produced a plastic cup poured from her own bottle behind the counter. “Thank you very much indeed,” said the customer, and she drank.

“In my religion, we believe that those who give even a cup of water to the thirsty will be blessed,” said the woman. “I, too, believe in God,” replied the customer, “and that we should do for others what we would wish for ourselves.” The stall keeper smiled: “So maybe it takes one to know one – eh?”

Jesus recognised real love when he saw it. The genuine article was clear. This woman was not just grateful for the forgiveness she had received, but was acting with an abandonment that showed love, as well as gratitude. Even if Jesus, and we, had not known or guessed about the sins of the woman who knelt before him and who touched him with such loving and gentle grace, there was no doubt about the degree of love and gratitude, which poured from her as abundantly as the ointment with which she bathed his feet. This woman asked him for nothing. Unlike many others, she did not demand signs, miracles, healing or food. She just loved him. She may well have seen him and heard him teach. She may have felt his power radiating from him and known, both from his powerful presence and from his teaching, that, from that moment, her life had to change. But first she needed to approach him, perhaps even to check him out before committing herself. But she did not even have to speak to know that he was the person she believed him to be. And even greater than this, Jesus knew her as the person that she wanted to be. Because when anyone commits themselves to righteousness, to Jesus, they receive all the respect and help that they need.

Jesus understood exactly what lay behind her action and the struggle it must have cost her to perform this loving act in front of those in the community who despised her. Women of those days were expected to be modest, not to draw attention to themselves, whatever their profession. By publicly weeping and allowing her tears to water his feet and by spending her hard-earned money on expensive ointment, she gave him the last vestiges of everything she had. This was no mild and embarrassed act of reparation, but complete abandonment to him and whatever he meted out. Jesus recognised in her the degree of sacrifice that he would one day soon expend upon an ungrateful world and he loved her for it.

It took love to recognise love. And although she asked for nothing from him, the woman’s reward was forgiveness – and Jesus’ gift of peace. Her life would change because he had given her the wherewithal for this to happen: spiritual healing, the right to worship with others again and the peace of heart and mind she would need to complete her restoration within the community.

We do not know what sin the woman had committed, but we do know that we, too, are sinners and in need of Jesus’ forgiveness and peace. We, too, know that we have not earned what Jesus gives, and cannot measure our response, but can just emulate her abandonment to love. This woman’s attitude was an antidote to all the legalism in religion at the time and, in some quarters, still. Perhaps this is why we are not given her name, so that we may serve as she does. A name would tie her to a space and time, and suggest that only she could claim the role she fulfilled. Instead, she is all of us and we are all in her, along with generations of Christians to come. Our tears of penitence, like hers, will be noted in heaven. Our righteous actions, in accordance with Christ’s teaching, will be the perfumed ointment which anoints God’s troubled world. For whatever we do for the least of God’s “little ones” we shall be doing for him, and Jesus will recognise us as one of his, just as we know him as the One. teaching, will be the perfumed ointment which anoints God’s troubled world. For whatever we do for the least of God’s “little ones” we shall be doing for him, and Jesus will recognise us as one of his, just as we know him as the One.

FROM THE VICAR
As we head into June, hot on the heels of the new planning application for the cemetery, comes the news that the Brunel site has been sold to developers, on the very day of a residents’ meeting. Needless to say, the news was not well received. Time will tell how the saga plays out. But is it all bad news? More congestion on the roads? Perhaps, but can we subtract the student cars that are already there as well as those which would have come with the new accommodation blocks for which planning permission had already been granted. Pressure on schools and hospitals? Anyone who can afford a house up there is likely to go private. More council housing? Thank God. With houses on the estate being bought and let to students, we need every house we can get. Just remember we are talking here about people who need homes, not aliens. So no, it is not all bad news.

And it is an ill wind that blows no good. The view at the residents’ meeting seemed to be that the site should be sold to the college to offer both existing places and future growth. Now there is a sentiment I did not expect to hear. Whatever happened to all the town and gown tensions? It seems we do love students after all. Perhaps the Spirit of Pentecost which we celebrate in this season is moving amongst us.
Mark Ewbank

NEWS IN BRIEF
You might be interested to know that it is 40 years ago this month that the decision was taken to stop producing a parish magazine for just a few people and circulate the whole Village with a Newsletter. The first one was printed in June 1967 when the printer was still at school. Now all this time later he is (fairly recently) a grandfather but the Newsletter continues.

THE WORLD CAN'T WAIT
An opportunity to meet up with thousands of others at an event in Central London on Saturday 2nd June, to make your voice heard ahead of the G8 Summit in Germany. We want to urge immediate action by the eight Governments to advance the eight agreed Millennium Goals to reduce world poverty by 2015.

For free tickets in advance (advisable) telephone: 020 7207 2130 or e-mail:uk-coordinator@micahchallenge.org.uk

11.00am Prayer and information at Central Hall, Westminster

1.00pm Prayer walk from Central Hall to the Thames

2.00pm Ring the Alarm — between Westminster Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge — bring your own alarm clock or bell.

Why not go in a group?

STUDY GROUPS
Did you know that there is one study group which meets regularly throughout the year and not just during Lent?

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:
(6th May) Peter Flower; (20th) Zak Pooley

Confirmation:
(6th May) Christine Deborah Lenthall, David Lenthall, Barbara Read, Holly Rebecca Searle

Funeral:
(3rd May) Eileen Olive Parker; (10th) Mary Patricia Maughan.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

SUMMER CONCERT
There will be a Concert in the Chapel of Royal Holloway, University of London on Saturday 23rd June at 4.30pm. This will be given by the Voices Anon Choir and local musicians.The concert will feature organ music, light classics and popular songs including Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine and Haydn’s The Heavens are Telling. Tickets are £7 for adults and £4 for concessions and they include refreshments. They are limited in numbers and may be reserved by calling Guy on 01753 833551. The proceeds will go to St Jude’s Church.

SUMMER FAIR
The Summer Fair will take place around St Jude’s Church on Saturday 14th July from 1.30–4.30pm. Tickets for the Grand Draw will be available soon in Church. Offers to help on stalls or even to run a different stall would be very welcome. Please contact the Churchwardens.

TABLE TOP SALE
This will take place on Saturday 8th September outside St Jude’s Church from 2.00–4.30pm. (setup from 1.00pm). Tables are limited and will cost £7.50. Apply to tabletop@stjudeschurch.info or leave a message on 01784 434254.

COFFEE MORNINGS
There will be a Coffee Morning on Saturday 2nd June 10.00am–12noon in Englefield Green Methodist Church porch
All welcome

The next Coffee Morning outside St Jude's Church will be on Saturday 9th June from 10.00am (inside if wet).

CALENDAR FOR JUNE 2007