From the Ministry team I am writing this the day after our afternoon Benefice Worship service in Bob and Alex Pratt’s garden and what a joy it was to be there and celebrate together. It is always very encouraging to meet and worship together with others from across the Benefice and, while all our services are open to anyone from across the Benefice (and indeed from anywhere!), in August there are two further opportunities in particular for us to come together: Choral Evensong at Stonham Parva at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 17th August, and then the Benefice Holy Communion service at Stonham Aspal at 10 a.m. on Sunday 31st August. In the words of St Paul to the people of Ephesus: ‘Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Ephesians 5.19-20). And St Paul also said something similar in his letter to the people of Colossae when he wrote: ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ (Colossians 3.15-17) August is also a time when many people are on holiday, and if you are fortunate enough to be going away then, I wish you safe travels, enjoyment and refreshment. And, as the summer is a time when many Christian holiday camps take place, let us pray for those leading, helping and attending them, that those who already trust in Jesus will be strengthened in their faith and that those who do not yet do so will come to understand what Jesus achieved on the Cross. We have a wonderful Saviour. Henry Stanford Reader
From the Ministry TeamJust recently I have been reminded of personal and experienced the sadness and joy in the deaths of loved ones; loved by me as well as family and friends, all mourning our loss. But there has been joy and laughter as we shared precious memories and planned and prepared for what was once the funeral, now often called a Celebration of Life, both in Christian and secular celebrations. But there is an enormous difference between the secular and Christian which is worth exploring. After all we as humans will someday have someone plan and prepare our funeral or celebration of life. The end of our life on this earth is certain. Probably, the awareness of the number of people killed through war, terrorism, mindless shootings and knife crime as well as seeing the aftermath of the plane crash in India, as I write, has fed my mind with the need of a time and place to express love and compassion and comfort the bereaved when there is need, and to explain the difference between the Christian and secular thinking in planning and preparing the funeral or celebration of life.Times have changed, the parish church is no longer the familiar place where families gather regularly for praise and prayer, the setting for all Christian celebrations and rights of passage, a place which was once more associated with life than death, and they would have been led by a minister whom they knew and to whom they relate. The whole community would share in the joy of weddings and baptisms, if only to see the dresses at the wedding or listen if the baby would cry at the baptism!Times have changed but the Christian funeral, a celebration of life, faith and hope hasn’t. The life of our loved one is honoured and commended to God and the Christian faith is paramount. The promise of eternal life is in the Gospel message of Christ’s death and resurrection. That is the difference between Christian and secular. We, the team, have contentment, faith and joy in the hope of eternal life after our ending on earth.I am sure that any of our team would be willing to listen and chat through the understanding of the faith and hope in Christian funeral planning and preparation even if there is no immediate need! In the knowledge of God’s love for us all and the words of the scouts and guides, Be Prepared!Judy Hailes Reader