We hear about the joy of the angels at Christmas, about the joy of the shepherds and the wise men, but most of all about the joy of Mary and Joseph at the birth of Jesus. St Mark’s was truly blessed this year whilst sharing the familiar Christmas Story. Over 85 people and children attended the church on Christmas Eve at 4pm to hear the story again and sing some familiar carols, with the children bringing forward the figures to populate our lighted crib, with our star of Bethlehem sparkling overhead. New heating meant that the church was truly warm, with many people taking off their coats and children happy and lively, not cranky and crying in the cold. A slightly different telling of the story was rendered through the use of technology and a large screen in the pulpit. St Mark’s is embracing the 21<sup>st</sup> Century, which also enabled worship to take place without the need for service sheets, which might have spread the COVID-19 virus. Everyone wore masks, even whilst singing, to help reduce the risk of transmission, and all were most considerate of others in passing along the nave aisle as they arrived or left. A raffle took place, with prizes distributed at the end of worship, again being careful about social distancing. The children from Friday Bridge School had decorated the Christmas Tree, which sparkled and shone radiantly from the front. Many ladies had done much work to place wonderful arrangements in each window, with candles (safe LED candles to avoid a fire hazard) shining out along the ledges. The altar pedestal held the Advent Crown, where the final light for Christmas, the white one in the middle, was lit with a prayer given by Rev’d Nigel Whitehouse, who also pronounced the blessing. Judging by the strength of the singing, everyone was in very good voice and seemed to be enjoying the choice of carols. There was time for reflection and a prayer near the end, reminding all that Christmas is about feeling God with us. It was a marvellous time, which the village of Friday Bridge supported in great number. Keeping the thought of providing an amenity for the village, now that the church has heating, the Film Night begins again on 28<sup>th</sup> January 2022 and will continue on the last Friday of every month. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The first film being shown is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but there are plans for many others in the months to come. An organisation of the tables at the back of church has been made so that people can collect something to drink and a carton of popcorn whilst remaining safe and socially distanced, handling only their own cups. Admission is free, but if people wish they may make a donation to the upkeep of the church, which would be most gratefully received. There are plans for some other events to be held at the church, both regular and one-off. St Mark’s sits at the heart of the village and would like to be considered as a valued amenity. Sadly, just before Christmas some unidentified visitors took the opportunity of the church being open to the public every day between 10.30 and 5pm to abuse that hospitality. Damage was done to a number of items, and some beautiful floral displays were destroyed and strewn about the porch and church. It has just been discovered that the miscreants also stole two bottles of communion wine (also known as sherry or fortified wine). The sad outcome of this has been the locking of the church, on the advice of the Police, and for churchwarden or other responsible person from the church to be present on any occasion that the church is open. Such lack of respect has reduced the very great desire of the church to be available to all villagers and visitors. However, if anyone wishes to go into the church to look around or sit quietly for private prayer, a key may be sought from the house of the churchwarden, who lives immediately opposite at 21 Main Road. Someone from the church will have to be present with the visitor, and will be available to talk to, but can remain silently in the background if that is preferred. We wish you a Happy New Year! Vicki Smith PCC Secretary
What a Day to be baptised! As I write, the world-wide Anglican community prepares for its annual celebration of Trinity Sunday. We remind ourselves again of a wonderful mystery: God has made himself known to humankind as one unseen, divine and eternal Creator, but as three (tri-) Persons - ‘Father’, ‘Son and ‘Holy Spirit’. I’m also preparing for and looking forward to the baptism of a child – as part of the same Trinity Sunday ‘Family Service’. But, oh dear, how lightly and presumptuously most of us regard our baptism, our ‘christening’! Nevertheless, I’ll try my best in the service to emphasise that baptism is God’s way of generously welcoming us to live life as God longs us to do. Each sincere and faithful follower of Jesus, the Jesus who was and is himself ‘God-with-us’, a true and unique human Person, is taught also to trust God as a loving ‘Father’. Our Father in ‘heaven’ that is, in that unseen dimension of reality which, if we did but know it, is so close to us. And ever since Jesus withdrew his visible presence from us, God our Father has given the gift of his Holy Spirit - who is also ‘God-with-us’ now, an inner creative Personal presence of new animating life. Now here’s the wonder of wonders. When someone is baptised in the name of God – the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit – by that means God extends a welcome by name to that individual, a welcome to live with his help a deeper God-given life that can have no end. But suppose I make light of that welcome and, despite having once been baptised, live in a negligent and heedless way? God is amazingly patient, but no-one can be sure for how long. Perhaps this year could be the year each baptised person in our parishes decides on new priorities. The Rev’d Dr Richard Hines richard.hines@outlook.com (01945) 587742
Windsor Reflections I woke at dawn one chilly January morning in a luxurious bedroom where the evening before a maid had knocked at the door asking if she might close my curtains for me and turn back the bed cover. She also, I later noticed, left me a beautifully wrapped dark chocolate on the pillow. I woke that next wintry day to the fabulous sight of the snow-dusted round tower of a castle. I was a privileged guest at St George’s House, part of Windsor Castle, a residential study centre established by the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. To this day, St George’s remains a place where people from widely different backgrounds gather together to grapple with issues pertinent to our contemporary world. There’s nothing so stimulating as thinking out with others the implications of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and of his teaching and his example. But we all do well to heed the gentle rebuke of Jesus to Thomas, the doubting disciple, who declared he would not believe until he had seen the risen Jesus for himself. Later Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ During this Eastertide, as we continue to give thanks to God for the long and fruitful life of Prince Philip, let us also carry in our hearts our dear Queen Elizabeth – not only as someone who, together with her family, now passes through the lonely and numbing experience of personal loss and grief – but also as someone who ‘came to believe’, and whose life and words have so regularly commended to others an unshakeable conviction about the truth and reality of the risen Lord and God, Jesus Christ. The Rev’d Dr Richard Hines richard.hines@outlook.com (01945) 587742
