“So Much More Than a Building…”Dear Friends, When you think of ‘the Church’, what is the very first thing which comes to mind? More often than not, when I’ve asked this question, most people offer the usual answer, ‘the building’. That is in fact very understandable, because our lovely English church buildings are truly unique and special places within the local community – generally quite historic places where beauty, tranquillity and ‘treasures from the past’ can be found and enjoyed, and that is certainly true of our wonderful historic church buildings in our benefice of All Saints Alrewas, St Stephen’s Fradley, and St Leonard’s Wychnor! In the New Testament of the Bible, however, ‘the Church’ is always characterised as ‘the people of God’, and ‘the body of Christ’. Although the Church has a meeting place (perhaps a historic building, perhaps a more modern structure), the Church as the ‘body of God’s people’ is always understood to be, first and foremost, a living organism (very much like your own body) which, precisely because it is alive, is quite naturally changing since it is constantly growing and developing. Indeed, this is a vitally important feature for all of us to recognise and accept. A Roman Catholic priest who is a friend of mine was lamenting how so many of his parishioners seemed to expect ‘the Church’ (both as a meeting place, as well as a gathering of God’s people) always to remain the same, and who found it immensely difficult to embrace change for the Church when it came along. He then shared with me a short written reflection which he’d acquired somewhere (author unknown, sadly), which may well offer some challenging and insightful ‘food for thought’ for each of us as we consider what it means to be (in the words of this piece’s title), a ‘Church Alive’: “Living churches are constantly changing… Dead churches don’t have to.. Living churches have lots of noisy babies and young people… Dead churches are fairly quiet. Living churches are constantly improving..... Dead churches simply focus and planning for the future… upon their past. Living churches are intense and earnest about their worship… Dead churches aren’t. Living churches move out in faith… Dead churches operate totally by sight. Living churches support missions heavily… Dead churches keep it all at home. Living churches focus on people… Dead churches focus on programs. Living churches are filled with generous givers ........ Dead churches are filled with ‘tippers’ who only give their ‘spare change’ to God. Living churches dream great dreams for God… Dead churches re-live nightmares. Living churches have fresh winds of love blowing... Dead churches are full of bickering. Living churches don’t have ‘can’t’ in their dictionary... Dead churches have nothing else but. Living churches evangelise…. Dead churches fossilize.”You may (or may not) happen to agree with everything said in this reflection, but – above all – I do hope that it will stimulate each of us to reflect upon our churches in Alrewas, Fradley and Wychnor as ‘living organisms’ which continue to grow and change naturally (never seeking ‘change for change’s sake), as we claim Jesus’ own promise that we may have true life in him abundantly. So, then, how shall WE live? The answer lies within each of us – and I truly hope that, individually as well as together, we will choose abundance of life - with all of the natural change and growth that it implies! Your Vicar and friend, John Allan
Celebrating a ‘Right Royal CORONATION’! This month of May offers our United Kingdom, and indeed the Commonwealth nations throughout the world, the wonderful opportunity to experience and to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III the weekend of 6-8th May! Born in Buckingham Palace during the reign of King George VI, Charles Philip Arthur George was only 3 years old when his mother ascended to the throne in 1952; he is acknowledged as the longest serving ‘heir apparent’ to the throne, and at the age of 73 he became the oldest person to accede to the throne upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. Having served his country in the Royal Air Force as well as the Royal Navy, Charles became a Prince of the Realm in 1958. During his 64 years of service as the longest serving Prince of Wales, he often undertook official duties and engagements on behalf of the Queen. In his own right, he has offered a significant contribution to the life of the nation in numerous ways - such as founding ‘The Princes Trust’ youth charity in 1976, which to date has helped more than one million young people aged 11-30 to develop essential life skills, get ready for work and access job opportunities; recognised the importance of architecture; and has been an active advocate throughout his life for the care of the Earth’s environment through the promotion and practice of organic farming, the creation of meadows, and providing leadership in addressing the climate change crisis affecting every inhabitant of this fragile planet. King Charles also gives valued support to over 400 charities and organisations as a patron or member. On Saturday 6th May, Charles will be officially crowned as King (and his wife, Camilla, as Queen Consort) in a historic worship service in Westminster Abbey by the Archbishop of Canterbury, which will feature both ancient traditions and brand-new aspects reflecting greater ethnic and religious diversity, as well as the Monarchy’s changing role into the future. Charles will still pledge to be ‘Defender of the Faith’ in his Coronation Oath, and - as his Mother before him - serve as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. (Continued….) However, the formal investiture service is merely the beginning of what King Charles hopes will be a special national opportunity for communities to come together and join in both celebration with each other, and in service to our neighbours! On Sunday 7th May, I do hope you and your loved ones will actively participate in and support the special worship services and civic festivities taking place in the villages of our own benefice, marking the King’s desire for everyone to unite together, enjoy local street parties and a ‘Coronation BIG LUNCH’! (Further information available in the Parish News, local posters and digital sources). On Bank Holiday Monday 8th May, I also hope you will avail yourself of the opportunities on offer in your own locality to be of practical assistance and service to fellow residents, by joining in the King’s ‘Big Help Out’ National Volunteering Day inviting everyone to do something which blesses others - including planting new trees or flowers, tidying up the neighbourhood, helping provide food for those in need through the local Foodbank or preparing hot meals to share, offering friend- ship and a ‘listening ear’ for someone feeling lonely, and many other possibilities (again, look for further information in Parish News and local sources….). As King Charles prepares for this unique opportunity to serve God and Country, please hold him and one another in prayer: ‘Blessed are you, Lord Jesus, for as you were sent by God the Father, so you send us. Equip Charles our King, and all your people, with the gifts to fulfil our calling, that we may love as you loved, serve as you served, and willingly follow wherever you lead. Amen.’ Your Vicar and friend, John
“A Most Special Invitation for Each of Us"When a friend invites us to join in an event which has special significance for them, enabling us to share more fully in their life, it is a wonderful expression of their appreciation and love for us……and that is especially the case when Jesus, the presence of our living, loving God ‘in the flesh’, invites each of us to ‘come and follow him’ (the very same personal invitation he gave to the fishermen who became his earliest followers), offering us the opportunity to ‘come and see’ for ourselves how the living God is revealing his own awesome presence, power, purposes and promises in the events of Jesus’ life and ministry! This personal invitation especially includes journeying with Jesus through Holy Week (2nd – 9th April), and our churches in Alrewas, Fradley and Wychnor most warmly wish to welcome you and your family to join in with the various special services and activities hosted by each one.Come and experience the first day of Holy Week – Palm Sunday (2nd April) – as Jesus’ triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem is retold in story, movement and symbol (with palm crosses for all) …enter into the awe and wonder of the crowds which celebrated Jesus as King, but had no idea what that might mean for their own lives……what might it mean for ours? On Maundy Thursday (6th April), join us at All Saints Alrewas as we gather from all three villages to enter into the experience of Jesus’ ‘last supper’ with his disciples, and Jesus blows his disciples’ minds as he reveals completely unexpected insights into God’s presence and power in their lives….and ours too! This moving Communion Service will include symbolic ‘handwashing’ for those who wish to partake……. ……as we remember Jesus being betrayed by one of his very own and his disciples abandoning him out of fear for their own lives, from 9pm to 12am a ‘Night Watch’ will continue in All Saints, with opportunity for candle-lit personal meditation and occasional readings – you are warmly invited to ‘drop in’ and stay for however long you wish, as we prepare for the world-changing events the next day…On Good Friday (7th April), you are invited to participate in a variety of services and activities which help us to experience the awesome depth and costliness of God’s love for our world, and for each one of us personally, as the events leading to Jesus’ death are retold in story, song, activities and experiences for all ages……Following an eerily quiet ‘Holy Saturday’ as the painful reality of Jesus’ death sinks in, we sincerely hope everyone will join in our churches’ joy-filled celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection on EASTER SUNDAY as we celebrate the life-changing victory of God’s love!We sincerely hope you will accept this personal invitation to join in the wonder of Holy Week and experience afresh the amazing presence and power of God to make all things new….including me and you, and our lives now and eternally!With every blessing, Vicar John
Getting ‘in the Way’…. I’m certain we’ve all heard this phrase before and, for most of us, I guess that it has mostly negative connotations….when I was much younger and growing up in the USA, if I was hanging around in the kitchen (trying to eat an illicit snack much of the time!), my Mom – trying to unpack grocery shopping or get a meal prepared – would frequently say, ‘Stop getting in the way, and let me get on with things!’ Fair enough….point taken! However, this phrase actually had a very different, and indeed positive, connotation when the Christian Church was in its infancy. In the New Testament book The Acts of the Apostles, the early followers of the crucified and risen Jesus, who recognised him as the promised Saviour and committed themselves to following his teachings and example, were referred to as ‘any belonging to the Way’ (Acts 9:1-2) and as ‘followers of the Way’ (Acts 24:14).Undoubtedly this is rooted in Jesus’ own revelation in John’s Gospel, when he assured his followers that he is ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’ of the living God (14:6) through whom we can have ‘life in abundance’ (10:10). When spoken of in this sense, the phrase “getting ‘in the Way’” can take on a whole new and exciting meaning; during this continuing season of Lent – when Christians are encouraged to ‘journey with Jesus’ and re-experience his costly suffering love for us all as he heads towards betrayal and crucifixion – we are invited and indeed challenged afresh to “get ‘in the Way’” by deepening our relationship with him, and drawing closer to his will and ‘his way’ which reveals the presence and power of God for our own daily lives.Of course, from our own personal experience we know that Jesus’ challenge to ‘take up your cross and follow me’ (Mark 8:34) is not at all easy for any of us, especially if we attempt to ‘love God with our whole being, and our neighbour as ourself’ simply in our own strength and power!So…..how might you personally choose to ‘journey with Jesus’ more intentionally this Lenten season? The following ‘spiritual practices’ may prove helpful for getting ‘in the Way’: ……taking time to honestly speak to, and deeply listen to God in PRAYER – to give you wisdom and understanding about his call upon your life, and how you might serve his purposes more effectively; to help us seek healing, hope, and peace for people in every nation, especially those subject to war and oppression….……re-discovering what God is trying to tell us through the amazing ‘gathered library’ of 66 books which we commonly call the Bible –discerning the powerful presence, and precious promises of God through ancient truths which help us live our lives more meaningfully in the challenging present…… …….perhaps choosing to ‘give up’ something which you enjoy very much during the 40 day ‘Lenten fast’, as a way of personally appreciating Jesus’ own human experience of temptation and suffering in order to stay true to God’s sacrificial, loving purposes for his world….……and, alongside all these useful practices, actively ‘taking up your own cross;’ of costly service for the sake of others’ needs….whilst this can of course take many different forms, at this particular time - with so many local families struggling with the huge challenges caused by the ongoing ‘cost of living crisis’ – one of the most significant ways we can serve others is by providing generous support for the Lichfield Foodbank which is currently facing unprecedented levels of demand (you would be most welcome to support the special Lent Appeal being run by Alrewas Parish Church, whether through donation of food goods or a financial contribution to enable the Foodbank to purchase the supplies needed most urgently at this time)I sincerely hope these suggestions will help you to succeed in truly ‘getting in ‘the Way’ during your Lenten journey this March. The journey will continue, of course, with special events for Holy Week and Easter from April 2nd to 9th ….but more about that in the April Magazine! With every blessing for the journey, Vicar John
