Dear friends,
As we enter advent season this weekend I am sure we each bring to it various emotions, stresses and longings. Advent is a wonderful season to think about our hopes and longings, holding them within the tension of the celebration of Christmas and the waiting that is the backdrop of our lives. Waiting for things to improve, for a better job, a better pay check or perhaps for family situations to change – for people to get better, for a new baby to be born or for a friend to return back to us. I hope and pray that we can all engage with this advent season and all it offers to us both in church and at home. Many of you will have seen the advent discussion material appear in church this weekend. These booklets are available to anyone who would like to use the readings, reflections and discussion questions inside to help you in this advent season. Some of you might like to join our in-church discussion on Tuesday 3rd and the subsequent Wednesdays but equally you might like to read them at home with a friend or your family. If you are able to make a small donation towards the cost of these that would be helpful, just a pound or two if you are able.
Yesterday our parliament debated the assisted dying bill and I know it will be something many of you are thinking about at the moment. For some of you it will be an interesting or passionate ethical dilemma as you ask how our Christian values speak to it. For others it will be much more of a reality as it either brings up a memory or speaks to a current situation in your own life and family. However you are engaging with the debate and discussion I would urge you to do so in a kind and gracious way. Our primary calling as Christians is to love our neighbour and so any conversa on about how our faith leads us to vote or legislate should be permeated with love. Remembering that it is not a straight forward topic and that law making in this area is even more nuanced that the discussion of the ethics behind it, I wonder how we are feel called to love and pray for people who are experiencing pain, especially for those who are at the end of their lives? Let’s also be praying for our MPs, hospices worker and all people who offer palliative care.
One of the wonderful things I have gained in marrying into an American family is the annual tradition of Thanksgiving. It is such a brilliant autumn feast that I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in each year. We tend to spend Thanksgiving, along with some of Abbey’s family, at a friend’s house who invites lots of Americans who now live in the midlands into his home. He really inspires me with his hospitality and I am always blown away by his generosity. For him it began when he worked in the States for several years. Every year he received many invitations from families who insisted he couldn’t be on his own on such a community driven occasion. It’s a lovely story of how receiving love and kindness from others has opened him and his home to so many people since then. Whether or not we celebrate thanksgiving as a holiday, let’s take me this week to remember (and remind one another) just how much we have to be grateful for and remember that our hospitality now might lead to a spreading of kindness in the future.
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent and Chris Dursley will share her thoughts on the Bible readings at both our 8:30 and 10:30 services with Sunday Spirit at the latter. We also have our special Advent evening prayer, led by Frank this year. Do join us for something if you are able, it would be lovely to see you.
Grace & peace,
Phil