Dear Friends,

 

As I write this, we are about to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which for us, begins tomorrow evening with a united service at St. Andrew’s, Backwell.  Christians representing the various denominations of this area will join together in celebrating the faith which they share, although they may have different ways of expressing that faith. Even within one denomination, the Church of England, there is diversity: a service at Trendlewood, for example, meeting informally in a school hall, will feel quite a different experience from our more formal 8.30 service of Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month, which follows the wording of the book of Common Prayer. It is good that our Local Ministry Group, which comprises all the Anglican churches of this area, should reflect that variety of styles of worship, for all are valid ways of seeking to draw closer to God. In our parish, there are young and old, new-comers and people who have roots in the community going back for generations; we need constantly to work at building relationships of care and trust, and this can only be done if we make a real attempt to get to know one another, reaching out a hand of friendship and trust, thus overcoming our prejudices and differences.

 

As Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, we shall once more meet together (this year at Christ Church, at 7.30pm) to begin our journey towards Holy Week and Easter, and during Lent there is the opportunity to join in with local Christians to study together the prayer which unites us all – the Lord’s Prayer. Further details of these groups are available in church – there is sure to be one near you, on a day which is convenient for you.

For the card shops, one day in February is of importance, and that, of course, is Valentine’s Day, when either those who are in a relationship, and glad about it, can express their appreciation, or those who would like to be in one can try to attract the attention of the object of their desire. However crudely the sentiment may be expressed, I suppose that the underlying message is that we are all designed to be in relationship with one another, whether that may be with an individual, in a family, a church group, with work colleagues or  neighbours. We often hear people lamenting the breakdown of society, and indeed it is sad that many relationships do break down, and in many areas people ‘keep themselves to themselves’, so that there seems to be little sense of neighbourliness. New housing estates, such as The Elms, can seem the

loneliest places, especially for someone who lives alone and doesn’t go out to work each day.

 

Churches should be places in a local community where people know that they will be made welcome, made to feel that they belong. I hope that has been your experience if you have come through our doors. I hope that in our church family, everyone knows that they are included in the relationship of care that exists because we believe in a God who loves and cares for each one of us. So whatever circumstances you may find yourself in on Valentine’s Day, may you know that there is someone you care about, someone who cares about you, and that you are not alone. For the hearts you will see all over the place on February 14^th point to something much bigger than a bit of romantic fun; they remind us of a deep need within each one of us – and of a love that is so big that it embraces us all.

 

With love,

Rosey