Dear friendsOn social media, we are bombarded by pictures of people being happy, celebrating, going on holidays, living their best life – whatever that expression means but for so many, this is not how life is. The outward appearance can often hide hidden grief and bereavements. Through life we experience many bereavements, (in the old definition meaning being deprived of..).it may be a failed relationship, the loss of a job, failing health or the fact that life has not turned out how we hoped it would. There may be explanations for these disappointments or events may seem random. We may blame ourselves or we may blame God.It is fine to be cross with God. The Bible is peppered with people who shout out to him in pain, grief, doubt, betrayal, disappointment and despair.... or just shout at him. We won`t be the first, There are laments in the Bible where deep sorrow, pain and regret are demonstrated. We are allowed to wailLast year I discovered a new author - Kate Bowler was a 37 year old theology professor with an amazing job, married to her high school sweetheart and besotted with her newborn son. Her life is blessed and then she is diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. In her memoir she reflects on what it means to die when society insists that everything happens for a reason. We have to explain things but sometimes we have no idea why things happen, why life can seem very randomKate gives a list of things not to say when people are experiencing hard times “ Well, at least...”, “ In my long life I`ve learned....”, “It`s going to get better..” “Everything happens for a reason...” The hurt that can be caused by Job`s comfortersIn the 16th Century a Roman Catholic Mystic San Juan de la Cruz, or Saint John of the Cross wrote a poem with the phrase “dark night of the soul” It will be unusual if we manage to live without one or more of these nightsCS Lewis went through many dark nights of the soul following the death of his wife Joy, when he felt that God had slammed a door in his face, bolted it and remained silent.The fact that we question does not for a moment make our faith weak. Philip Yancey in his book “Disappointment with God” said that on Good Friday on the cross, God learned for himself what it meant to be God-forsaken”God may seem absent but he is not. Often when he is seems silent, we hear him through the voices of others or through acts of kindness. He is closer to us than we can imagine but it requires faith to believe that and faith to trustKate Bowler gives advice as to how to help someone who is going through “ a dark night of the soul” – pray, offer a meal, a hug, allow them to talk without interrupting, be silent – or just show up.If you ever need to talk, or have someone pray for or with you, or you just want to rant, we are always here.Praying for you all this LentChristina
Dear friends, I read an article by the Council on Foreign Relations who listed the 10 most significant world events in 2022. The turmoil in our political landscape was 10th , unrest in Pakistan, humanitarian crises, protests in Iran, increased inflation, intensification in climate change, tensions between the US and China and the invasion of Ukraine – the only positive news item was the reduction in Covid cases. The world can seem incredibly bleak. We continue to pray because sometimes being able to do things to make a difference seem incredibly hard. For my well being, I continue to seek out and embrace moments of joy. Being part of the Community at St Mary`s provides me with many of these. Sometimes being inside the building and seeing the light filter through the stained glass is enough. The procession at Candlemas is another joy filled moment for me, the celebration of God working through two incredibly old people Simeon and Anna. We started Forest Church in April and this gives me much joy as we build a community of people who enjoy spending time together exploring the outdoors and our connection with God, When I was licensed as Associate minister in May I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love at that service The many weddings and baptisms we have in church, ensure that the walls are joy soaked. The trip to Oxford, the summer garden party, the Harvest Torch Event at the Ice Cream Farm were all joyous moments, together with our Pet Blessing Service and Rogation Walk with Bishop Sam. There are so many moments I could include. It is great to look back but it is also vital that we look forward. Bishop Mark wants to develop a Vision and a Strategy for our Diocese and he is “casting the net wide” to seek out views of many different people of different ages and backgrounds. He wants us to stop and to consider what it is that God is calling us to do, how can we be the best news we can be in our communities? The church exists to proclaim the good news of the kingdom and to increase followers of Jesus. We can look at how our faith connects with our everyday lives. There are more details and a questionnaire if you would like to engage directly at chester.anglican.org. There will be more details coming soon. At the same time we could look at our vision at St Mary`s. Is there anything you feel we should be doing? We would love to become an Eco Church – perhaps this is something you may be interested in helping. We could use our building in different ways, speak out more on global/local issues. We would value any ideas and feedback ensuring that we always look upwards to God and outwards to others. This year was marked by the death of the Queen who had an incalculable influence on each of us – so I will leave you with her words. “Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings and to put my trust in God. I know just how much I rely on my own faith to guide me through the good times and the bad.” My prayer for each of you is that 2023 is full of love and joy and moments that make life memorable, that you have moments of awe and wonder, that each of you are kind to yourselves, realising that you are loved by God more that you will ever know. Love Christina
In a few weeks time we may well be singing, amongst many other favourite Christmas Carols, “In the bleak mid-winter” but whether or not we sing it there’s no doubt whatsoever that many across our country will be living through, or trying to live through, a very bleak mid-winter indeed. Hugely increased energy prices and a cost of living crisis which has not been experienced in this country for decades is upon us, and its effects will not be fully known for some time, though the hardship and inevitable suffering that many will endure will definitely cost us dear in the short, medium and probably long term.As we all think and pray about ways of keeping warm and of balancing budgets I have been astonished (well, reasonably astonished!) at the Christmas advertising and marketing campaigns which are now (as I type in the middle of November) well underway across all forms of media. Watching them you could not be blamed for thinking, “cost of living crisis – what crisis”? At the same time and across the country Churches, and many other religious and secular institutions are offering “warm spaces” for people to come to, and we and many other Churches will be collecting for special appeals for food and for support for rising energy prices for the least well off in our communities.In the midst of so much turmoil and suffering across our world – Ukraine, Somalia and Yemen to name but three affected countries – we are all called to give not only our hearts, as the last line in Christina Rossetti’s beautiful Carol urges us, but also to dig deep into our pockets to help all those less fortunate than ourselves. Christmas is indeed, as we are constantly reminded by the advertisements, “a time of giving” and we will all be having to think, pray and reflect on just how and what we will be giving this Christmastide, and especially, to whom?And for those “...beneath life’s crushing load, whose forms are bending low” (It came upon the midnight clear – Edmund Sears) it behoves us, as we remember and celebrate with gratitude and joy once again the birth of the Christ child this Christmas, with all that this means, to help them, in whatever way we can, in Sears words to “....rest beside the weary road, and hear the angels sing”.With best wishes and prayers for a very happy, joyful, peaceful and as warm as possible Christmas!The Revd Alec Brown.
Dear friends, Last month I gave a talk to a local group about my love of books and how many of my books hold memories for me, from my copy of Heidi, given to me by my grandmother for being helpful, to the copy of Anne of Green Gables sent to me by my law lecturer when I was recovering from surgery, to the biography of Audrey Hepburn which I took into hospital when I was having Nathaniel and which I thought would distract me from labour pains (what did I know!!) to the books I have read to Nat, to gifts I have received. So many books – so many memories. As a family, especially since my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, we treasure every new memory we create. Spending time with my Aunt, who has dementia, shows me how important it is to keep alive past memories of events or favourite pieces of music. Memory is part of what makes us human. October and November are months filled with remembrance. At the start of October we had the Animal Blessing service – the church this year was filled with dogs. It is a sad time for some as they remember animals that have previously attended but are no longer around. For those who have never lost an animal, it is hard to understand the depth of loss people can feel. Our cat Flora died suddenly in May and as a family we grieved. She had arrived the weekend before Nathaniel started High School and had been his faithful friend through lockdown. We do however still talk about her and keep her memory alive. Then at our All Souls Service of Commemoration, we remember those who have died. I was listening to Woman`s hour and Jayde Adams, the comedian was being interviewed. She is appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and had danced the American Smooth to Bette Midler`s “The wind beneath my wings” She dedicated it to her sister Jenna, who had died at the age of 26. Before she had died, Jenna had asked her mum “Do you think people will forget me?” To her family, she will never be forgotten as they talk of her often. During the service Alec read out the names of those who have died. It is helpful to remember, to speak into the silence the personal name of someone we have loved, and who has died. It helps to keep the memory alive, it helps to remind us, - because of course God doesn’t need reminding -, but it helps to remind us of our duty to be the living biography of the people whose lives have intersected and intertwined with ours. This was one of the comments following the death of Queen Elizabeth, that our lives should reflect hers with regard to faith and acts of service being her continued legacy. On the 13th November we have Remembrance Sunday where we remember all those who have died in wars, preserving our freedom. “At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.” The Spanish American writer, George Santayana said “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” - that is why it is so important that we remember each year those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. This year we will also not doubt think of the many who have died following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. In the Bible Moses told the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land to always remember God`s faithfulness. On the cross one of the thieves asked Jesus to remember him. Each time we have communion, “Do this in remembrance of me”, we remember the life, death and resurrection of Christ. No matter how we are feeling at the moment we need to remember that God will never forget us. He has each of our names tattooed on the palms of his hands. A simple text to remember is “God is Love” and we need to repeat that to ourselves so that it is engraved on our heartsSo continue to make memories and keep remembering that you are loved, more than you can ever imagine, by a God who is with you always Love Christina
