November is a month for remembering, particularly the dead. It starts with the two Christian festivals of All Saints and All Souls and then moves to Remembrance Sunday. Somewhere in the mix is All Hallow's Eve, "Halloween", with alleged links to memories of a pagan past. In our society today we largely try and avoid thinking about death; we prefer to speak of people "passing away". But we cannot avoid it; it will happen to me, it will happen, dear reader, to you. November can remind us of our mortality. So what, if anything happens then?I do not really know what happens to us when we die, at least not in any detail. For much of Old Testament times there was no clear concept of any kind of worthwhile afterlife; just vague references to a place of shadows called Sheol. By the time of Jesus, there was a much stronger belief that the dead would rise again; as a Christian I believe this is what Jesus showed. But Jesus himself was vague on the details, as are most New Testament writers. I do not need to know the details of what happens, how it happens, what it means to have a "resurrection body". All I need to know are the words I proclaim at every funeral; Jesus's declaration that he is the resurrection and the life, St Paul's insight that nothing, not even death, can cut us off from the love of God. As a recently deceased theologian said, when asked about what happens when we die; "The God of life will prevail". There is nothing else I need to know.
We welcomed some very special overseas visitors last month who had travelled from the USA. They share their family name with that of our village, Billingsley. We hope they enjoyed their visit; their comments in the visitor book would seem to suggest they did.Looking through the visitor book no fewer than 29 entries have been made so far this year. This is something of a record and certainly makes up for the times when visiting was difficult during the pandemic. Many of the comments left by visitors make note of how special St Mary’s is and they are pleased to find the church open. We are quite sure that many more have visited but preferred not to leave a comment.The church is always open and welcomes all regardless of faith or those of non faith. The church and it’s grounds offer a quiet space for contemplation, reflection and prayer. It is also full of many significant historical features, local history and interesting artifacts.; leaflets are available to guide you around the church and provide background information. There is also a well used book exchange which visitors are welcome to take advantage of.
