Who do you think you are?

The series on TV called "Who do you think you are?", where famous people trace their ancestors, has proved to be so interesting that it may be one of the reasons why there is now an upsurge in many folk doing the same. The increasing number of websites where you can search for information on family history certainly bears witness to this.

When I cleared out my mother's house I came across birth, marriage and death certificates of parents and grandparents and this has given us a starting point in what is proving to be a very absorbing interest.

I'm looking forward to turning up a few skeletons in the cupboard but so far the most unusual thing we have discovered is that my great uncle, who fought in the First World War, returned home wounded, having been shot in the buttocks. We found this amusing but I'm sure he didn't! And no, his name wasn't Forrest Gump. When he returned to the front he was wounded again and taken prisoner but received good treatment from the German doctors and, unlike many of his comrades, eventually returned home at the end of the war.

To my amazement I have found there is a real sense of being connected to these relatives that I have never met but far more important than knowinq where we have come from is knowinq where we are going to. Although belonqinq to an earthly family is great (most of the time) it is important to be part of the family of God.

Right at the beginning of John's Gospel we are told how this can happen:

" to all who received him (Jesus), to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."

So perhaps the question we should be asking is not "Who do you think you are?" but:

"Who do you think Jesus is?"

Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, one part of the Trinity, and through him we have access to God the Father. He demonstrated God's deep love for mankind throughout his life and particularly in his death.

This period of Lent is an ideal time to reflect on these truths in the lead up to Easter and to consider what it cost Jesus to make us members of the family of God.

May God bless and guide our thoughts throughout Lent so that we may be drawn closer to Him and to each other.

Gillian Gilbert

...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)

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)

Christmas Message from Gerry Miller

Dear Friends

What does Christmas this year mean to you?

If like me you are an older person it may well bring back memories of many years ago when during the Second World War we tried to celebrate the birth of Jesus as normally as possible in a world torn by conflict and loss. In 1940, for example, we faced great uncertainty, the fear of invasion, imposition of rationing, but also recalled the outstanding bravery of our young pilots in the Battle of Britain. As Winston Churchill put it “Never was so much owed by so many to so few”

1940 had also seen the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk with severe losses and the beginning of the Blitz of our cities. On a more personal note most of our fathers had been called up and unless they were fortunate enough to get a 48 hour leave pass mothers and their children were on their own.

All this came back to me nearly 70 years later as the situation in Afghanistan seemed to deteriorate with increasing losses, a world economic crisis and the risk of a swine flu pandemic, all pointing to a time of major anxiety and uncertainty. As in 1940 there will also be many celebrating Christmas with a member of their family who is away on active service. Sadly some will feel unable to celebrate because of the loss of a dear one or deep concern about coping with someone severely injured so that life will never be the same again.

1940 and 2009 also have something else in common, an increasing recognition by many of our need to turn to God and place our hope and trust in Christ, both personally and nationally.

The reports from Afghanistan are often a cause of great sadness (and, of course, of many arguments about the justification for us being there at all) but also of great pride as we observe the outstanding courage, comradeship and commitment of our servicemen and women in situations quite beyond most of our imaginations, many of them very young, often with limited military experience.

Many of you may have heard the moving broadcast of Sunday worship from Camp Bastion on Remembrance Sunday in which a number of them spoke very movingly of their faith and of God’s presence with them at the most challenging of times.

And again this year the Queen will follow the example of her father George VI by broadcasting a personal message of encouragement to us all as he did in 1940.

You would be very welcome to join us at St Swithun's for any of our Christmas Services.

With best wishes for a blessed Christmas.

Gerry Miller (Licensed Lay Reader)

“The vicar only works one day a week!”

It’s an old joke. I much prefer the new ones that Paul, the manager of our shop, comes up with every time I walk in. His jokes on my lack of activity are excellent and I love our banter. Much less funny is when people say, ‘I know how busy you are.’ Even less funny when they say, ‘I didn’t ring you because I know how busy you are.’ Somebody once said that the phrase ‘a busy pastor’ should shock us as much as ‘an adulterous wife’ or ‘an embezzling banker’. So how do you work a 50-60 hour week, as most vicars do, and not be ‘busy’? And, of course, it’s not just vicars. Everyone is busy today. If we had to choose an adjective to characterize 21st century life, I think ‘busy’ would top the list. Is there anything we can do about it? I’ve come across two things recently: one practical and one much more fundamental.

A practical thing. C.S. Lewis used to say that only lazy people work hard. If we let others decide what we will do instead of resolutely deciding for ourselves what it is right for us to do, we will be rushed off our feet.

A more fundamental thing. We can pray. If we pray, it won’t necessarily transform the number of hours we put in, but it will transform us. Being ‘busy’ doesn’t have much correlation with how much we do. Being ‘busy’ is about being inwardly rushed. We can be inwardly rushed and not have much to do at all but still seem ‘busy’. But when we pray we create space within, space in which to become aware of the rhythms that God intends for our life; space in which to begin to move in time with those rhythms. It may not change the hours we put in but it will change what God puts into us during those hours. Somebody once said, ‘I pray for fifteen minutes every day, except when I know I’ve got a lot to do; then I pray for an hour.’ I’ve not yet come across a labour-saving device that really does; I wonder if this might be it?

***

The Village Barbeque was a great success. The sun shone (until it started raining again), the food was delicious, and it was lovely to see people from every part of our community enjoying spending time together. Thank you to all those from St. Swithun’s who worked so hard, and provided such wonderful food, to give the village such a great afternoon.

Amazingly, the sun shone throughout the Village Service on the Green. This was because we told the story of Noah and the Flood and built an ‘ark’ out of umbrellas. Guaranteed it would stay dry! Again, it was great to see well over 150 people celebrating the life of our village and, in particular this year, giving thanks to God for Iqbal and Masuma and their wonderful service of our community in the Post Office over 25 years.

Tim

Very Ordinary Men

From the May Bathford Parish Bulletin

Dear Friends,

I want to tell you one of my favourite true stories; it concerns a school inspection - not in Bathford but in India of a school for poor and orphaned children run by a Christian Charity.

When the inspection was announced the governors, Head, teachers and children all prepared very carefully for the two crucial days; nothing was left to chance, they had a reputation to keep up.

The Inspectors duly arrived on a lovely sunny day. As they entered they were greeted by a small boy with an infectious smile sitting on a wall welcoming them. They were touched but thought no more about it at the time. The inspection went very well - even the Inspectors seemed very pleased. They had observed all the classes being taught, interviewed all the teachers and discussed future plans for the school with the Head and Governors. On the final afternoon they all met for a wash - up and preliminary report. Just before the discussion ended, the Chief Inspector had a sudden last question; there was just one thing he could not understand and it concerned the small boy on the wall. It did not seem appropriate that he was there. The Head smiled and much to the Inspectors amazement advised that the little boy was the most important pupil in the school. "You see", he said, "although he is severely handicapped, including deaf and dumb, he is the 'Welcomer' who greets the children as they arrive, often sad and anxious. His smile and wave is infectious and makes us all happy". The chief inspector commended the little boy in his report.

What is so moving and true about the story is that it reminds us that we can easily fail to recognise the value of another person because we are looking with a limited perspective. Many in our communitymight be overlooked, but God knows them - and of course, so do their families (for example those caring for a sick or elderly relative).

We have recently been celebrating the Ascension when Jesus returned to Heaven and the Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to empower the disciples to carry on the work of the Gospel. On that first day some three thousand were baptised, the very beginning of the Church worldwide.

Those first disciples were just very ordinary men, not among the "great and good" but God knew what he was doing when he called them.

Best wishes,

Gerry Miller

Sabbath

From the May Bathford Parish Bulletin.

Dear Friends

As you read this I will be beginning a month of what is known as ‘study leave’. (I will be studying, I promise!) The prospect of this time and how to use it have caused me to think a bit about the whole idea of ‘Sabbath’. The word ‘Sabbath’ means ‘rest’. It is fascinating how there is universal medical consensus about the importance to our physical and psychological health of regular periods of rest; and there in the Bible’s account of creation we find ‘Sabbath’ - one day of rest in every seven. It’s almost as if a loving Father knows what is best for his children!

But the idea of ‘Sabbath’ is far richer than simply stopping what you normally do for a day a week. Nor does it mean cramming into that one day all the thousand and one things that need doing around the house and in the garden which we can’t do any other time because we are so busy at work! (I’m definitely guilty of this one.)

In the Bible’s account of creation the seventh day is the day of ‘rest’ - the day when all the wonders of creation are to be enjoyed in relationship with the God who made them. And, interestingly, in the way the Bible tells the story this seventh day has no end. In other words, this is the way things are meant to be; this is what it means to be human - living in God’s amazing world in relationship with him.

Of course, that’s not the way things are any more; and elsewhere in the Bible the ‘Sabbath’ is described as the day to remember what God has done to ensure world in relationship with the God who is our Creator and our Saviour.

Such are the pressures of living in this world that if we don’t take one day out a week to remind ourselves of these things and to enjoy them, it’s not just our physical and psychological health but our very identity as human beings that will suffer. ‘Sabbath’ is a gift from a loving heavenly Father. It’s one day in the week designed to help us live all seven days in the week as proper human beings.

I’m looking forward to my ‘Sabbath’. I recognise what a great privilege it is to have a month in which to study and reflect on what it means to be the child of a heavenly Father who is my Creator and my Saviour. I hope I will return better able to live and share these wonderful realities with the community in whose life I am privileged to share. I hope also that you will be able to find a ‘Sabbath’ time in your week. I know you won’t regret it!

I look forward to seeing you in June.

With my best wishes,

Tim Ling

Vicar At St Swithuns

What is St. Swithun’s for?

Tim's letter From the April 2008 Bathford Bulletin

If St. Swithun’s didn’t exist, would we need to invent it? What is St. Swithun’s for? What part does it play in the life of our village?

First of all St. Swithun’s exists to help us to worship God, drawing on the strengths of the past and incorporating some of the new approaches and wonderful new hymns of the present. An interesting balance to try and achieve!

But worship of God has to be real and Sunday is not meant to be an escape from the rest of the week. So we try our best to make our services relevant to life as we all know it.

But Sunday is not just for the already convinced. To worship God you have to know God and so we try our best to make our services accessible to those who are thinking about faith but not yet sure what they think about it!

And worshipping God is not just for grown-ups, it’s for children too. And so we run groups on Sundays for children from 0-14 (and for older teens on Saturday evenings) where they can explore the Christian faith in fun and exciting ways that make sense to them. At present we have over 50 children doing just that at least once a month.

But worship is about a lot more than church services and church is about a lot more than Sunday. So throughout the week we run a series of groups where people can come and explore the Christian faith together and how it applies to the lives they are leading.

At least once a year we run a course specifically for those wanting to explore what Christians believe. The next of these will take place in the autumn.

But Christianity is not just about understanding faith, it is about living faith and the church is not just about being an individual, it is about being part of a community.

And so a vitally important part of what a church is for is to be caring for one another. That’s why small groups are so good, because you can get to know a small number of people well.

That’s why we run a monthly men’s group and a monthly women’s group where people can enjoy being together, sharing similar concerns and supporting one another.

That’s why we run a monthly Parenting Course where parents can encourage and support one another. That’s why many church members are involved in visiting people in the parish.

But the church is not just about ‘us over here’, it’s about being a part of the community. That’s why we run a monthly service for Bathford’s more senior citizens in the Community Room. That’s why we put on a community lunch in the Parish Rooms for 5 weeks during Lent. That’s why we put on open air services in the heart of the village during the summer and hold a barbecue for the whole village. That’s why we pray regularly for every aspect of our community and its life. That’s why I’d love to hear from you if you think there are ways in which the church could be serving our community or if there is something you would like us to be praying for.

And church is not just about being part of Bathford, it’s about being part of the whole world. That’s why we support many practical projects in this country and throughout the world.

On Sunday, 20 April we are holding our Annual Meeting as part of our 10am service. Why not come along and find out more about your village church?

Gain the Perspective

Tim's letter from the March Bathford Bulletin

There is a surprising moment right at the very end of the film, ‘A Bug’s Life’ (you can see the level of high culture that exists in our house). The camera pans out and out and you see that the world of the ants in which the whole film has been played out is actually a tiny part of an area of scrub land in a park by a road on the outskirts of a major city with sky scrapers stretching away to the horizon. Only now do you see that there is so much more than their little world; only now do you gain the perspective to make sense of all that has happened.

The resurrection of Jesus is like the camera panning out and showing us that there is so much more to life than just this life. If this life is all there is, then it is frankly impossible to make any sense of so much of the pain and injustice that so many people experience. The resurrection of Jesus enables us to gain perspective on all that we experience in this life. The resurrection of Jesus is the light of the world to come breaking in to this world enabling us to see more clearly. The resurrection of Jesus offers a challenge to those for whom this life ‘works’ and who have ended up thinking that this life is all there is. The resurrection of Jesus offers comfort to those for whom this life does not ‘work’, who have known little but illness or sadness or disappointment for years and years. The resurrection of Jesus shows us the life of the world to come - a life in which people with resurrection bodies like his will finally enjoy life in all its fullness and in which there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. The resurrection of Jesus shows us that we are not foolish to think in this way.

The apostle Paul, who so knew what it was to suffer, once wrote these words:

‘For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.’

It is the resurrection of Jesus that shows us what we hope for and that can guarantee that our hoping will not be in vain.

Happy Easter!

Tim

The Good Shepherd

At the moment I am aware of a number of people who are facing really hard times in their lives. For many, their battles have been going on for a very long time; for some, they will not get any easier in the future. I am struck by the depth of care and love that others are showing to these people in their suffering. Indeed, some of them have said to me how they have been overwhelmed by the concern shown to them. Long-term suffering is, of course, extremely hard to bear and to make sense of. More often than not, no sense can be made of it at all; it is a mystery, to be endured not explained. And many of us, I know, are profoundly inspired and challenged by the way in which our friends do face their troubles or suffering with remarkable patience and endurance; and yet also with great honesty, acknowledging the exhaustion, the temptation to despair that the struggle with suffering so often entails.

In the season of Lent we remember particularly the sufferings of Jesus: not just the 40 days in the wilderness without food, but the suffering that characterised the whole of his life on earth and that culminated in his death on the cross. His was a persistent, long-term suffering: the sinless one, devoted to serving all whom he encountered, yet bearing the pain of insult, rejection and hatred year after year; all the while knowing that his suffering would not lift but only intensify; the gathering cloud of Calvary steadily growing over him.

For those whose daily walk is a battle with pain or trouble or despair, there can be deep comfort in the knowledge that he who said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’, is one who knows what it is to suffer and to go on suffering; that he is the Good Shepherd who offers to walk with us through the darkest valley, his rod and his staff to comfort us.

But his experience of those 40 days in the wilderness also has much to teach us about how to deal with suffering and the temptations of mind and body that assail us because of it. Jesus met his temptations by standing on the solid ground of Scripture. He found strength and perspective in the words of God in the Bible. It is far from easy to do this when you are suffering; but then I don’t think anything is easy when you are suffering.

The apostle Paul, who also knew what it is to suffer, wrote of those same Scriptures, ‘everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.’ This is where Jesus found his hope, in the Scriptures. It was a hope that enabled him to endure the cross; it was the hope of Easter.

May God bless you this Lent.

Tim