A letter from the Assistant Vicar - July 2010

Dear Friends,

This month is a busy one with fetes, concerts, Songs of Praise – all part of our on-going programme of fund-raising and social gatherings. These events are an important part of our life as churches and communities – they build up our links with one another, they help build relationships and enrich our life together – as well as raising much needed funds. In an increasingly individualistic society, when people can easily feel isolated, they are a good opportunity to do things together with a common purpose. They also can unlock hidden talent – with new ideas for activities and events, or new ways of doing familiar things. So firstly a thank you to all who organise these events, and a plea for everyone to get involved.

The early church had a strong vision of this community aspect of its life – getting involved in their communities and also emphasising the mutual belonging to each other that is the hallmark of ‘fellowship’. Paul uses the analogy of a body – that every part of the body plays a different role, has a different function, but all parts are vital if the body is to be strong and healthy. If one part of the body is missing, or is not playing its role, the body is disabled in some way. The concept of every ‘member ministry’ is one that goes back to the Acts of the Apostles, and was always the principle under which the church operated. Each person was important, and had the task of discovering and exercising their ministry to build up the whole community. Sadly many churches today operate with a something of the attitude to the definition of a soccer match – ‘22,000 people in desperate need of exercise watching 22 people in desperate need of a rest’ – the faithful few doing all the work!

We all have a role to play in building up the church, and the community – so let’s encourage and inspire each other to play our full part, enjoy all that we do together, and see how we each of us can bring our own skills, talents and life experience into play. We need you, you are important, and your ideas, your way of doing things and the very fact of being ‘you’ is something no-one else can give!

Yours in Christ

Peter

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