Last month we held the annual Deanery Evensong Service at St Mary’s Chapel at Arley Hall – the first time we had been able to come together for the service and the b.y.o. picnic in the beautiful grounds beforehand since 2019 – and it was a wonderful service and so lovely to be able to gather again as members of the Deanery to worship together. It was also Ian Chesworth’s last service with us as the family prepare to leave for Malaysia, and Sarah Chesworth sang a beautiful anthem during the service. The guest preacher was the Vicar of Stockton Heath, The Revd Michael Ridley, and he preached in his inimitable style about, amongst other things, the importance of small things in our lives as Christians – how to get along with each other, how to be always hopeful, how to encourage one another and how to be Christ’s ambassadors in today’s society.Earlier that day, in the set readings, we had heard the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha and of their different personalities and approaches – Martha busying herself with household chores and tasks and Mary sitting contentedly at Jesus’ feet and listening and imbibing the spiritual atmosphere. One can only hope that she later lent a hand to her sister Martha – but Jesus was making a point of course about the importance of prayer, of contemplation and of listening, rather than constantly busying ourselves with small, and sometimes unnecessary, tasks and jobs – which we’re all very good at!The extreme heat we experienced during part of July forced us all to rethink, at least in part, the way in which we go about our daily lives, and Jesus’ words to Mary and Martha, and his other and many teachings, should help us to reflect on our priorities as Christians and as members of communities, where we rub shoulders with all sorts of people in all sorts of conditions. Michael Ridley made the point on several occasions that small things matter – giving the example of mosquitos in your sleeping bag when out camping - but I’m sure we all know the truth of his point and how important those small things can be. I know I shall be reflecting, and acting hopefully, on his sermon pointers and I shall finish with the last re-ported words of one of my favourite Saints – Dewi Sant (St David) who reportedly said these words on his deathbed:“Lords, brethren, and sisters, be joyful and keep the faith and belief, and perform the small things which you have heard and seen with me, and I will go the road which our fathers have travelled. Be courageous whilst you are on the earth, for you will not any more see me in this world.” (Lives of the Cambro-British Saints).May God bless each one of us in the coming month, and especially in all the little things – y pethau bychain - of life.The Revd Alec Brown.
Dear friendsI waited anxiously for Dave to phone me. I had been feeling nervous all morning. Our house was being inspected by Cheshire West to see if it would be appropriate to house a family from Ukraine. The problem was the family had already moved in! Our house, built in 1814 would be described by an estate agent as “full of character!!” We had been asked to sponsor a lovely Ukrainian lady and her 12 year old daughter who had arrived in Northwich but the original placement was not working. Could we help? This was the Sunday, we met Ira and Liza on the Tuesday and they moved in on the Thursday. I was so anxious that our house was not good enough but I quickly realised that this was not important.What was important was the welcome, the acceptance and for them to feel safe and cared for. If we had waited until I felt our house was ready, then it probably would never have happened. The past six weeks have been amazing. Dmytro (husband and dad) joined us 3 weeks ago and I love our new extended family.The experience has made me reflect on so much, I read a great article on “scruffy hospitality” by Father Jack King an Anglican Priest from Knoxville USA he defined this as “Scruffy hospitality means you`re not waiting for everything in your house to be in order before you host and serve friends in your home. Scruffy hospitality means you hunger more for good conversation and serving a simple meal of what you have- not what you don`t have. “Authenticity is the key. Community is more important than tidiness. Making memories is more important that a 6 course Jamie Oliver extravaganza. In the last 2 years we have missed having that shared time round a table. Why not make up for lost time?“Hospitality ” writes Father Jack” is not a house inspection, it`s friendship” I know myself that worrying about how our house looks holds me back from issuing that invitation – perhaps even pride. Being hospitable is the desire to share God`s love with other people through practical action. It has been described as the Golden thread running through the Bible. Hebrews 13.2 is one of my favourite Bible verses “ Don`t forget to show hospitality to strangers for in doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it” Sometimes in life you just have to go for it – you may never feel ready – chatting to that person about faith, leading prayers in church, visiting someone who is sick – whatever you do, however you feel, God is right next to you.Love, prayers and blessingsChristina
Many, if not most of you reading this letter will not, I’m sure, even have been born when the event we will all be celebrating this month took place. I wasn’t..........but only just wasn’t! All of us though, whether we were alive at the time or yet to be born, have undoubtedly lived through one of the most momentous and significant periods in the life and history of the monarchy, and of this country and the Commonwealth. It was of course in a part of the then British Empire, Kenya in Africa, that Princess Elizabeth learnt of the death of her father King George VI, and began the first steps of what would turn into a very long journey indeed, and one which continues to this day and which we are celebrating on the occasion of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee – when I hope there will be much bubbly, or should I say jubbly, served across the country and indeed the world! And we’ll no doubt be adding to the collection of beautiful Silver and Golden Jubilee kneelers in the Church! As some of you know, I was born and brought up in Central Africa, in what was then still a part of the British Empire – the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland – and what is now the Republics of Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe (where I grew up). I was asked recently how I, and members of my family, had felt towards the Queen and the Royal Family during that period of time, when all sorts of political developments were taking place, not least, in our case, UDI in 1965! With staunchly loyal and royalist Grandparents, who had emigrated to Central Africa with their daughter, my future mother, in 1947, there was never any question in our household and wider family of the deep respect and affection for Her Majesty we held, in spite of the political differences that did come between our countries for some time.The history we have all shared, in one way or another since the Accession of Her Majesty to the throne in 1952, and her subsequent coronation, has I’m sure done much to reinforce and re-emphasize the incredibly important role occupied by Her Majesty the Queen – through all sorts of emergencies, crises, conflicts and wars and periods of great social, political, economic and societal change. Through them all the Queen has been, for all of us, a shining example and role model – none less so I’m sure we’d all agree – than during the last two years of the Covid-19 Pandemic, and for this, and for her continued place and role in our national and international life, we should and do rightly give thanks to God, who is her, and our, rock.God save our gracious Queen,Long live our noble Queen,God save the Queen. Amen.The Revd Alec Brown, June, 2022. Vicar of Great Budworth and Priest-in-Charge of Antrobus.
From the VicarI hope everyone enjoyed a very happy, peaceful and blessed Easter – and, as I said at theservices on Easter Day, it was such a joy to be able to meet again in person to celebrate themost important festival in the Church. I am writing this letter on the day when, across muchof Europe, Orthodox and Eastern rite Catholic Christians are celebrating Easter – and myhope and prayer is that the joy and hope of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead will bringgreat comfort, peace and hope in a very troubled part of our world.For all of us, Easter is the rock and foundation stone of our faith as Christians – the faith thatwe try to live out each day of our lives, in whatever circumstances or situations we findourselves. And just as the angels – those two figures dressed in white outside the tomb –brought news of this wondrous and history changing event to Jesus’ followers, so too arewe, in our own ways, messengers (angels) to others of that good news.A number of things have struck me this Eastertide – Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is beingrebuilt following the devastating fire in 2019, at Easter, and the rebirth of Churches andworship and community life is taking place in many parts of Iraq, following the ravages ofthe Islamic State terror of a few years ago. The worldwide Covid-19 Pandemic is beingbrought slowly under control, in spite of new variants and outbreaks and restrictions, andpeople are working day and night to bring about an end to the violence in the Ukraine, andto try and deal with the displacement of people on a scale not seen in Europe since theSecond World War.And in the midst of all of this it is Easter – the resurrection of Jesus from the dead – thatbrings new life and hope to so many people and communities across our troubled anddivided world – and we can all play a part in the unfolding drama/story of our time, throughprayer and action, as individuals and as churches, as sisters and brothers of a worldwidefamily, built on the strong foundations of faith, hope and love.In our small part of God’s kingdom, much is happening – and in May we, with Bishop Julie,will be welcoming Christina as our new Associate Minister, giving thanks for all Jenny’s workas she comes to the end of her Curacy, and gathering together with Bishop Sam atRogationtide to give thanks for the beautiful countryside in which we live, and to pray forGod’s blessing upon the land and the newly planted crops. We will also continue to support,through collections and donations, the work of assisting Ukrainian refugees in this country,and further afield. In whatever we do, let us make it our business to ensure that the Easterstory lives and continues in us, acknowledging that it is our responsibility, and our deep joy,to make sure, in every way possible, that we convey to those around us, near and far, thatthe new life and hope of Jesus’ resurrection is both life changing and transformative –definitely not “an idle tale” but very much “the most wonderful story ever told”!May God bless each one of us in this coming month.The Revd Alec Brown.Vicar of Great Budworth and Priest-in-Charge of Antrobus.
