Saint John the Evangelist

March 2009

Dear Friends

One of the hardest aspects of parenting must surely be getting one's children to eat. Offer them a bar of chocolate or a bag of sweets and there's no problem, but give them a healthy balanced meal and they will sit there picking at it for all the world as though you're trying to poison them! Sometimes they just don't know what is good for them!

That's not just true of children but all of us. When it comes to nourishing our souls we can all tend to be addicted to junk food rather than to what can truly satisfy. We cram so much into our lives in an effort to find fulfilment, yet we can not fill the aching void deep inside. It's nothing new: countless generations have done the same since time immemorial. As the prophet Isaiah knew all too well, we are hopelessly addicted to instant satisfaction; to that which instinctively appeals to our senses yet can not begin to meet our innermost needs.

This Lent why not try something different to find some space to grow more as a Christian. There is the Bible study group 'Weft and Warp that meet on a Monday night at 7.30pm in church. A warm, non threatening welcome awaits you. Or you may want to spend some quiet time on your own with a book for nourishment. I have some suggestions that you may like to read. The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent book 2009 is by Timothy Radcliffe 'Why go to Church? - the drama of the Eucharist. Another one is Stephen Cottrell's The Things he Carried - a journey to the cross. And an easy one to challenge us is The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (not a Lent book). Each week during Lent , on the newsletter, I will give a question that may help us reflect.

We need to make time for God, space for prayer and reflection, and room in our lives for spiritual sustenance. Fail to do that and, though our stomachs may be full to overflowing, our emaciated souls will slowly starve within us.

Blessings

Margaret

February 2009

Dear Friends

Where does the time go?! In March I will have been here for 6 years, and what an exciting although sometimes stressful 6 years they have been! There have been some changes. Some that most, but not all, have found to be a good change.

We as a family have had a number of changes. We arrived with primary school age children and now have one who has left school and the other starting their GCSEs! Where once we had to make sure that someone was at home for the children in the evenings and during school holidays, we now have to make sure one of us is around as their taxi driver - well into the evening!!

As a church we have had a number of changes. Our primary school has been redeveloped following the fire, was placed in special measures but now out, and there have been some changes to the staff who continue to work, as they always have, to give the children of our community a loving and caring environment in which to be educated and learn about the love of God. At church a Shared Ministry Team has been commissioned and have completed their first year and many good things have happened through this team's efforts and encouragement. Our choir has 4 youngsters who take part in our services. There are new faces in our congregation and, sadly, some of our familiar ones are no longer with us because they have moved home, church or have passed away.

Then there is the change for me personally. I came as a vicar 6 years ago and now Area Dean and Canon of Liverpool Cathedral! This speaks volumes of us all and our willingness to serve God in many different ways. As things change and new ways of working affect us I am grateful for the prayers and support of the Churchwardens, Licensed Lay Readers, PCC and congregation. There are more changes to come as we don't live in a static world. As 2009 approached there were changes for us as a family with the death of my Mother-in-Law. I am sure there will be more changes to our family as time moves on.

There are changes for us as a church. One of the changes that I know many of you are aware about is the change of place for the Vicar of St John's to live. The vicarage is 101 years old and in need of a lot of repair. The Diocese for many years have been trying to sell the land, demolish the present vicarage and build a new purpose built vicarage along with other housing. Due to planning regulations in Wigan this is no longer an option. A suitable 7 year old property has been found within the parish and the Diocese, Vicar and PCC are in negotiations regarding the present vicarage. The vicarage is to be sold as a dwelling, and there is serious interest in the property.

I am not in a position at the moment to go into further details about the proposed new vicarage, or the fine details regarding the sale of the current one. I know that it will be wonderful to see the vicarage used to its full potential and for it to be brought up to date. There are still the original gas mantles in the attic and no lighting in 3 out of 4 rooms!

It is my intention each month to update you regarding the proposed move, and next month I may be in a position to say when it is likely to take place. There are many changes but some things remain. I may be moving house but I am NOT moving church. I will continue to be the vicar of St John's and the church is NOT being sold or closing. I am looking forward to God revealing more exciting things for us at St John the Evangelist, Hindley Green.

One of the hymns that is often sung at funerals is 'Abide with me', in fact we chose it for my Mother-in-Law's funeral recently. The phrase 'change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me.' is really helping me to face the changes of this world. As we live in a world of change, God is a constant. He does not change; He is eternal. His character, promises, words and ways do not change.

Blessings
Margaret

April 2009

Dear friends

Some animals, when faced with danger, make use of a cunning trick. Instead of running or standing up to fight, they play dead, thus confusing their attacker which is only interested in live prey.

To hear some people talk, you might imagine that the crucifixion involved a similar trick. Maybe Jesus wasn’t dead, after all, some suggest; perhaps in the coolness of the tomb he regained his consciousness, and was subsequently whisked away by his followers under cover of darkness.

It’s far-fetched, I know, but some people will believe anything rather then have their preconceptions challenged. The idea of resurrection simply goes against everything they believe or experience. Yet, one look at the Gospels – and at the Gospel of John in particular – leaves us in no doubt about the truth.

Jesus was dead, a spear thrust into his side to make doubly certain. He was laid limp and lifeless in a tomb, and a stone rolled against the entrance. Humanly speaking it was over, the end of a wonderful ministry and an unforgettable man. He had shared our life; he had shared our death. If the story was to continue, it was out of human hands – it was down to God.

When my eldest child was a baby he had a wonderful inflatable toy called ‘Bopper Bear’. No matter how hard of how often you knocked it over, it would always bounce back up again. I don’t know if Luke enjoyed it, but I did!

There is something of that idea in the story of the resurrection, for we see there a supreme demonstration of the God who cannot be kept down. The enemies of Jesus had conspired together, determined finally to do away with him, and as they cut him limp and lifeless from the cross, sealing him in a tomb, they must have been convinced they had succeeded. Even then, they placed a guard outside the tomb, just to make sure. They were leaving nothing to chance. Yet, it didn’t matter, for the next day what did they find but the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, their worst fears realised. How could it be? What could have happened? These are good questions, which anyone who disputes the resurrection still needs to answer. Hatred had done its worst, but the love of God could not be kept down. Christ was risen! It’s as true today as ever; ultimately there is nothing and no one that can frustrate the will of God. Though many still try and sometimes seem to succeed, ours is a God who will finally triumph, and who gives us the victory in turn.

Blessings this Easter

Margaret