...for the earth is Mine

In years gone by, an ‘environmental enthusiast’ was somewhat a figure of fun - a principled individual who renounced the luxuries the rest of us took for granted. But today even those who are entirely disinterested in the great-outdoors and what lesser-spotted creatures might be endangered, can no longer claim ignorance of the fact that we should all adopt a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.

We’re using up our coal, oil and gas, at an alarming rate; and in the process we’re not just polluting the environment and damaging the earth’s atmosphere. We’re also buying the present at the cost of the future. Unlike wind, solar and tidal energy, the fossil fuels we burn now won’t be there for our grandchildren. Regrettably those of religious faith have been amongst the most lazy or careless towards the environment believing that the world is for our enjoyment and is big and old enough to look after itself.

But when we look closely, we will find no licence to pollute or destroy in the Bible. In Genesis 1 we read of how humanity was told to fill the earth and subdue it, our responsibility for science and technology. But in Genesis 2 we’re told that mankind was placed in the garden to serve and protect it, meaning that nature has its own integrity that we must respect and preserve.

The line that resonates with me is that remarkable verse in which God says, ‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the earth is Mine; you are only temporary residents’. What this means is that we don’t own nature; at most we hold it in trust on behalf of God who made it, and the generations who will inhabit Bathford in the future. So all those laws in the Bible – don’t work the land on the seventh day and the seventh year; don’t mix species, don’t destroy fruit trees in the course of war – possibly the world’s first environmental legislation are far clearer than any Communiqué to come out of Copenhagen!

It took the modern experts in ecology to make us go back to the Bible and realise what it was whispering to us all those centuries ago. We’re the guests of nature, the guardians of creation; not the owners who can do with it what we like.

And looking over Bathford Hill covered in snow or as the first shoots of Spring push through, it is a wonderful world and one worth preserving. Speaking personally, this particular world is far better than anything else I’ve seen…

Best wishes,

Michael Craine (Reader)

Time of worship and fellowship

We are having morning of playing instruments, singing and tapping feet on Saturday 6th February from 10.30am until 12.00pm in church. We will be looking at a few songs that we will be using on Sunday (7th). Come and praise God, have fun and enjoy fellowship with one another. All are welcome, please come along and strum a chord, bang a drum, sing or play a note or just come and 'be'.

Bristol Women’s Conference 2010

Saturday 6th March 2010 Kensington Baptist Church, Bristol. The cost including lunch and refreshments is £10 and if you are interested in coming to this year’s event please contact Rachel Emmett or Heather Gillard asap for full details. More info Bristol Women's Conference 2010

Save the Children Concert

The Bybrook Singers and their friends will give a concert at St Swithuns Church on Saturday 6th February at 7.30pm.There are no tickets and the concert will be free with a retiring collection for the Save the Children fund. The concert contains choral and instrumental music from the 16th to the 20th Century.

Well, how was your Christmas?

Christmas should be an enjoyable time for all of us. But I must confess I have reached an age when I can't help being nostalgic about Christmases past, when most people had less money than today. Christmas then was less commercialised, and even simple presents seemed exciting.

Much as I like giving presents, I find it is now difficult to give something that will be wanted. By the time you read this it will be all over for another year, The wrapping paper will be cleared up and the decorations coming down.

After the rush of Christmas, now is the opportunity to stop and think - a time to reflect on the old year and think what the future holds.

What stands out from 2009 for you? I hope there are some good personal things for you to look back on. But on the world stage we see - wars, terrorism, disasters, unemployment, and climate change - seemingly not a good year for mankind.

In 2009 there has been a lot of discussion about how we have evolved into the intelligent beings that we are. But despite this, we all know how cruel humans can be to each other, and that we are destroying the planet on which we depend.

If we dare to think deeply about these things, we are bound to ask ourselves "What is life all about ?"

The Christian message, (which underpins the original story of Christmas), is that there is purpose and meaning in life. Christianity teaches that we are not just accidents of nature, but are here because a creator (God) planned it.

We do not have all the answers, but firmly believe that through Christ's teaching and prayer, we can learn to live more fulfilled and useful lives.

Looking forward in this new year, St Swithun's church will have a new vicar but not until late summer. In the meantime, we should all seek to continue our faith journey.

For those wondering where to start, we plan an informal short introductory course (focusing on Jesus) in the spring. If this might interest you, have a word with a church warden or me.

With best wishes for 2010,

Dennis Pearson

Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010

Lunch meetings. A short time of prayers and readings each day followed by Bring Your Own lunch from 12.30pm Monday 18th to Saturday 23rd January

All at Batheaston Parish Church except Wednesday when the meeting will be at Batheaston Methodist Church. Dennis Pearson will be taking the prayers on Tuesday. Everyone is welcome. The Service on Sunday 24th will be at 3.30pm at Batheaston and to enable as many as possible to celebrate together there will be no service of evensong at St Swithuns that day.

Pastoral Tea Party

Pastoral Tea Party on January 14th at 2.30 pm in Church with entertainment by our very own Peter Watts. Everyone is very welcome. Please call Pam Priston if transport is required.

Thursday night House group

Thursday night House group at St Cuthbert’s 20, Church Street begins again on Thursday 7th January at 8pm. All welcome. Please contact Fenella or Anthony Avison for more details.