Aston February 2025

The feeling of community in our Christmas Carols, Crib and Midnight Mass Services was wonderful and uplifting. ‘Extras’ of all ages joined regular singers and readers. Congregations gave generously to people in need and mingled over festive mince pies and mulled wine. Numbers reached or exceeded pre-Covid levels. Fragile candles and twinkling lights proclaimed eternal hope amid the darkness of world conflict, economic hardship, injustice and personal suffering. Families from near and far shared the excitement, comfort and joy of Christmas. Beauty and kindness filled the air. It would be so good if every Sunday was like this!

If you come to Church on an ordinary Sunday you need to lower your expectations. You may find someone/something rubs you up the wrong way, because all Christians have flaws and get things wrong. The music or sermon may not be to your taste. The seats may be uncomfortable, the building chilly, the timing inconvenient. The congregation may be older than you. There may be noisy children. If you linger you may end up on a rota. The C of E as an institution may annoy, frustrate and disappoint you hugely. But, I can promise you, the hope, comfort and care you found at Christmas will be there too.

Every service is a celebration of God’s love for us and for the world. An opportunity to give thanks for all that is good. A time let go of worry, guilt and regret. Regular worshipper, occasional visitor, new or returned to faith, whatever your questions and doubts, Church is a ‘rag-tag’ community growing to be the people God created us to be - more generous, compassionate, loving and joyful than we would be on our own. Those in our pews (many or few) are part of a great company of believers throughout the world and in heaven, including loved ones remembered on our Missing You Ribbons. Together, as God’s people, we pray for God’s Kingdom of justice and peace to come on earth as in heaven. And work with God to care for our neighbours, near and far. Knowing we are loved unconditionally by God, we can be kinder to ourselves, accept our own shortcomings and those of others. Whatever hardship we face, in life and in death, we are not on our own.

In all that happens in this coming year, may we trust God’s loving purpose, revealed in Jesus,

who has promised to make all things new, in us and through us.

Jenny Gray

‘Whether you are baptised, seeking baptism or not certain what you believe, know that you are welcome to linger, be still and drink in all that is given here.’ (Archbishop of Paris