Happy New Year!I hope it is going to be a good year – who knows? “For last year’s words belong to last year’s languageAnd next year’s words await another voice.And to make an end is to make a beginning.”Those are some words from T. S. Eliot – a poem called ‘Little Gidding’, and seem to me to be very appropriate for a New Year. We are so often glad to see the end of a year if it has brought its fair share of sadness and challenges and problems. We wait for this new start which the end of an old year seems to suggest, and the hope that a New Year will bring better things. Many will be very pleased to see the end of 2024 and the poem suggests all the ways in which a new year could bring about change for the better. I hope 2025 is a better year for everyone; I hope that it brings health and happiness for you all. But realistically…most years bring mixed blessings.We began our preparations for the Birth of Jesus way back in Advent , looking forward with anticipation to an event – an event which changed the course of history, lighting a candle for each Sunday in Advent and moving through significant themes of hope, peace, joy and love.As we begin the New Year we are very quickly into that Festival called ‘Epiphany’ – that celebration of the journey of the Magi, the Three Kings- Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, or wise men from the East.The Christmas story is not complete without this journey of the three sages who followed the star to find a newborn King. In their search, they took great risk by travelling at night, but they wouldn’t be put off until they had found what they were looking for. They didn’t know where their journey would take them but they did know who they were looking for. And when they found their King, they went into the stable, and offered their gifts to the child before them. Since Christmas, and now in this season of Epiphany, we will hear stories in which God in Jesus is revealed………………….and the focus will be on Jesus, in his own baptism by John in the River Jordan and how he was commissioned for his vocation and ministry. And then we move on– for here he is beginning his public ministry.Jesus begins his ministry not in his home village but in the centre of the local fishing industry where the trade draws crowds. He picks up where John left off, preaching the same message. He looks for support and for supporters and calls local fishermen to join him in the task of calling men and women – calling all people and all who would listen – to God.What was it about Jesus whom those down-to-earth fishermen saw? They would know nothing about his history that we know…………………. of Mary’s call…………….of Jesus’ birth, the star, the inn…………… of the visit of the shepherds and kings …………………….and of the cross. Now it’s our turn. We become God’s people not by great gifts of oratory and eloquence, but by choosing the right moment to speak sincerely about our own experience of faith………. about talking of those ‘epiphany’ moments, however ordinary.At the end of the month we hold a joint Benefice Service with Alrewas Methodist Church for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.We have gone through times of unity and great disunity…and great hope that there might be greater unity…but in recent times it seems that the church will never achieve harmony let alone unity!We will also see, this month, another (or returning!) America President installed. I remember just 4 years ago, the inauguration of President -Joe Biden. His words seemed very significant. He talked about a great political gift – that of “empathy”. We are still in the Christmas /Epiphany season when we celebrate a great gift – that of Jesus Christ coming to us as a tiny child – ‘God-with-us’ - God becoming human and empathising with us in every possible way. We call it the mystery of the incarnation……..but it is very simple really. The God who came to us at Christmas is in every way able to empathise with humanity – he was one with us. The shepherds, Mary, the Magi realised the gift of grace ……………and those first disciples saw fit to spread the news. We have to seek God’s presence like those Magi and to follow a star; we may not know where it will take us, and there is no promise of an easy ride!But to enter the stable where Jesus is found is to take part in an epiphany for ourselves – to find that God is often revealed in unexpected places and through unexpected people.So………….’Travel safely, and may you find your stable with a manger and a child.Listen carefully, and hear the child cry to you and take him to your heart.Watch closely, and see the guiding light that shows you the road to travel.And as you listen for the cry and watch for the light on your journey, feel the presence of hope and peace and love.’ Rev'd Elizabeth Wall
Receiving CommunionDuring any Service of Holy Communion the invitation is to all. Sharing of a Common Chalice was suspended during the Corona Virus Pandemic as our churches were closed for services. This is now over 4 years ago and at our last meeting of PCC a decision was made to resume sharing a Common Cup from Sunday 1st December.People will be able to choose whether or not they wish to receive Holy Communion in the form of wine as well as bread. If you decide to take the chalice, please help the person administering by guiding the cup to your lips.Just a reminder – we do not allow self intinction (dipping the bread into the wine); this potentially may contaminate the wine. Gluten-free bread is available. Please alert the steward on duty.As always, if you prefer to receive a blessing instead of communion please bring you Service booklet with you to the Altar Rail to indicate your preference.
"Heavenly Father,We come before you with grateful hearts, seeking your guidance and wisdom.As we search for a new vicar to lead and serve our church,Help us to trust in your plan and to listen carefully for your direction.Guide those who are part of this process,Granting them clarity, patience, and unity in their decisions.Bless the person you are calling to this role,Preparing their heart and mind to respond to your call with faith and joy.May our new vicar be a faithful shepherd,Who will guide us with wisdom, inspire us with their teaching,And walk alongside us in love and humility.Help us to be a welcoming and supportive community,Ready to work together for your kingdom.May this season of transition strengthen our faithAnd draw us closer to you.We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen."
A TRULY HEART FELT THANK YOU……. For each and every one of our very dear friends in the congregations and village communities of Alrewas, Fradley and Wychnor, for which I’ve had the enormous privilege and joy of serving as your Vicar (and hopefully friend too!) for the past 23+ years….. Following my final public worship service on Alrewas’ Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday 29th Sept, we as a family wanted to share our deepest, heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for the overwhelming number of cards you’ve sent to us (many of which have been personally designed and beautifully so!), and the incredibly thoughtful and generous gifts you’ve given to us - including beautiful hand-crafted gifts and paintings, super gift vouchers for movies and meals out, fantastic National Trust gift cards to enjoy membership with many new places to visit, and much, much more! Your love and appreciation has touched us very deeply indeed, and we hope these few words will somehow successfully communicate the incalculable value we place on your affection and friendship, which we very much wish to reciprocate.As we now retire from full-time ministry following 40+ years of service, and begin a new chapter in South Derbyshire, we want to assure you of our continuing appreciation, love, friendship and prayers as we endeavour to ‘live our Dash’ to the full, and very much hope that, with God’s help and blessing , you will too!!With our love and appreciation, from Vicar John and Sally, with Jenny, Katy & Vicky
