From the VicarWriting this letter in the immediate aftermath of the general election, and in the last weekbefore Christmas, and looking forward to the coming year, I am very conscious of the rangeof feelings and emotions which people across the parish, and country, will be experiencing.In the run up to the general election the Archbishops of Canterbury and York wrote apastoral letter encouraging members of all churches to “...set aside apathy and cynicism andto be people of hope” and also, as each of us is called to honour the gift of truth, that thisshould be done “...with humility and in love.” In their letter the Archbishops make the pointvery clearly that those who hold different political views from our own are not “...ourenemies” and remind us all that taking part in the democratic process is a “privilege and aresponsibility” and that as Christians we should be guided by a “love for our neighbours,near and far, and seek the common good that truly benefits us all.”I know I really appreciated the wisdom and thoughtfulness of the Archbishops’ letter, and aswe look forward to the New Year and all that it will bring, it is my earnest prayer that weshould all continue to heed the wise words of Justin and John. As citizens we do of coursediffer in our political persuasions, but as Christians we are all united in our faith and in ourlove and respect for our fellow citizens, however much we may disagree with thempolitically. Our shared faith brings us together in a way that transcends ideology and dogma,race, class and creed – it is no accident that some of Jesus’ most powerful teachings aredrawn from examples of relationships between groups of people traditionally seen as beingopposed to each other – Jews and Samaritans most famously in the case of “the goodneighbour”. In a different way this is what each one of us is called to do and to be – goodneighbours to all around us, loving and caring for all, especially the most disadvantaged inour society, but also those with whom we disagree the most.The Archbishops end their letter in these words: “Let us be filled with hope and call on Himwho is the ever- present guardian and final judge in our nation and in our politics.” As thewise men were led to the infant Messiah by the light of the star, so may we all, in thisseason of Christmas and Epiphany and in the coming year, continue to be led by Christ andto walk always in his marvellous light, which dispels all darkness from our hearts and minds.May God bless each one of us richly in this coming month and year.The Revd Alec Brown.
