The Church of St Mary, Rushden, Northamptonshire

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RECTOR'S LETTER - SEPTEMBER                                                

 

Dear Friends,

 

Driving home from Ben’s wedding at the end of July, I noticed that some fields had already been harvested – the corn collected in and the straw in picturesque bales in the field.  

To me, it was both a foretaste of the many crops whose harvests are still to come and a reminder that, although we tend to think of Harvest occurring in late September or early October, the actual agricultural harvest begins much earlier and, for some crops in some areas, extends much later into the autumn. In an age when fewer people in our society are involved in the production of our food, Harvest Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to thank God for the gifts which, if we are honest, we tend to take for granted. It is a reminder that even in our technologically centred age that we are dependent upon God’s gracious provision.

 

When Jesus said to his disciples “the fields are ripe for harvest” (John 4.35) he was, of course, referring not to the corn but to the fact that men and women in Israel were ready to receive the good news of the Kingdom of God and enter that Kingdom through a relationship of trusting faith in Him.  Over two thousand years later, there  are still men, women and young people ready to be brought in (“harvested”!), by the gracious action of God’s Holy Spirit, to His Kingdom.  So Harvest Thanksgiving is also a time when Christians remember God’s desire to bring people into His Kingdom through faith in his Son, Jesus. Once again, we will be linking these two themes by celebrating “Back to Church Sunday” on our day of celebrating Harvest Thanksgiving. 

 

This year, we are also reaching out to our community through the Heritage Weekend, as a precursor to Harvest. Through the activities and opportunities for talking with people at that weekend, we hope to show how much the Christian faith is part of our “heritage”.  We are praying that people will have had their curiosity piqued and will want to explore the church, and the claims of Jesus, further.  “Back to Church Sunday” can then provide an excellent way in.

 

There will be a joint service at 10.30 a.m. followed by a Harvest lunch in the Church Hall, free to all. For those who prefer a more traditional style of worship there will be a choral Harvest Evensong at 6.00 p.m.  Both services will be ones to which you will be able to invite a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague with confidence. We are asking each church member to invite simply one other person (but feel free to ask more if you wish!). Invitation cards will be available in church early in the month. 

 

Sending out his followers to proclaim the good news of God’s Kingdom, Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send workers out into his harvest field.” (Luke 10.2 and Matthew 9.38)  Please pray that the Lord will show you the person/people he wants you to invite; pray that the Holy Spirit will work in their hearts and that many respond to the invitations they receive; pray that those who come may experience something of our loving, gracious God in our midst.

 

Steve

IN JULY / AUGUST The Rector wrote

 

Dear Friends,

 

Well, the World Cup is on and Wimbledon is about to begin, so despite the fact that there’s a cold wind blowing, it must be summer!  By the time you read this, the excitement of the World Cup will be over.  This four-yearly phenomenon has intrigued me, although I am not a sports fan of any description and write from a perspective of almost perfect ignorance (is that what we call soccer?)  But even I watched that match of England versus the USA, amazed that the USA managed to draw, instead of being annihilated during the first five minutes.

 

I have heard people compare football to religion. I admit that it can become a problem if it becomes idolatrous – a false god.  No false god will ever keep its promise of fulfilment; and football, although absorbing for millions, can no more be the answer to the “meaning of life, the universe and everything” than the number 42.*  Fortunately, most fans realise this, but during World Cup season, they sometimes forget.  In the words of the psalmist (Psalm 147) God does not take pleasure

“in the strength of the horse,

nor delight in the legs of a man…”(!)

 

The word ‘fan’ is an abbreviation of fanatic, suggesting the worst aspects of religious adherents, including intolerance and even violence. Football, like religion, has sometimes been used as an excuse for violence and the display of devotion by fans has sometimes been seen as over the top. But this may be a matter of taste. Then, of course, there is all the peripheral stuff that has developed around football; vuvuzelas this time, although irritating in their own way, may be less irritating than endless coverage on the activities of the “WAG”s. Too much “razzamatazz” as we would say back home.

 

As I watch the occasional match, even in my ignorance I can marvel at and appreciate the skill of the players. It seems incredible how they can shoot – or head the ball – so accurately past their opponents and into the goal (well, sometimes, anyway!).

 

And perhaps this is a real part of the attraction of the game: that God has created us with the ability to stretch ourselves to perform such amazing feats with our bodies, as well as with our brains.

 

The Bible records the wonder of humankind, made in the image of the Creator, and how their skill and beauty bring glory to God. This is true of all creation, including plants and animals, but is supremely true of humanity in its work, crafts, artistic ability and sport. The speed, strength, stamina and skill of footballers and other sportspeople rightly bring delight to those who watch.

 

“I praise you

because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful.” (Psalm 139.14)

 

“You made [humans] a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honour.” (Psalm 8.4-6)

 

An additional skill demonstrated by the players is the teamwork, timing and coordination demanded of them. That communal aspect of the game is also reflected in the spectators, fans and followers, giving us something in which to share. They are our team, about which we can talk with strangers as well as friends. It provides a sense of community and connectedness often lacking in everyday life. True community, founded on our shared relationship with Christ, is more enduring than any provided by a sporting event, contributing both to the strength and attractiveness of the church.  

 

But football can still be fun to watch!

Steve Prior

 

*  Douglas Adams, “The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy”

 

 

RECTOR'S LETTER - JUNE

Dear Friends,

 

The PCC went for an “Away Day” last month in order to give us an opportunity to discuss in depth issues of ministry and mission in the life of our church. I would like to share with you some of what we discussed together.

 

The day began with Tony Smith reminding us of some of the things that God has been doing among us over the last four or five years, by way of an excellent overview of the many initiatives in mission that have begun in our parish, extending in variety from Bumps and Babes to Alpha to the Pudding Club.  We ought to be encouraged and give thanks for the ways God has used us to reach out to our community with his love.

 

In the afternoon, we took time to discuss our youth work and our worship services.  There is real sadness at having to end one of our youth activities – Friday night live – due to an insufficient number of leaders, while at the same time we are encouraged by the good things going on at DEEP.  We recognize in our worship services the benefits of being able to provide a variety of styles as well as enjoying occasional joint services together. One of the main items for prayer is our need for a keyboard player/worship leader at the 9.30 service.

 

My main contribution to the day was a presentation on Growing Leaders, the leadership development programme devised by the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS).  At the APCM last month I identified leadership development as our priority for the year ahead.

 

Why is this so important?  Students of church growth agree that quality leadership at every level is a key factor in growing healthy churches, yet these same sources report that this is lacking in most churches. How often worthwhile programmes grind to a halt, become interrupted, or never get off the ground through lack of leaders! Leadership is by no means the only form of Christian ministry – far from it. But there are a wide variety of leadership roles which are essential if Christian ministries are to flourish. 

I believe that leaders need to be discerned, developed and supported, both for the future health of our church as well as for the effectiveness of those Christians who exercise leadership outside the church.

 

To that end, I am planning to pilot a course in the coming year of Growing Leaders.  By necessity the group will be small, however it will contain a wide range of experience among its members.  If, as I hope, it proves worthwhile, we will run it again periodically. I realise that this programme is not going to transform the life of our church overnight: growing anything takes patience, diligence and effort; and, as any gardener knows, the results are not always easy to predict! But it is important to invite and invest in people now, trusting God for the growth. 

 

Please pray that God’s Spirit will give me discernment as I ask people to participate in the course over the coming months, and that the Lord will pour out the gifts of his Spirit upon us for the building up of his Body.

 

Steve Prior

 

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

 if it is encouraging, let him encourage;

if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;

 if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;

 if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 12.6-9