Condemned?16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)As I write the news is full of condemnation: Israel has a death penalty law; Iran is striking nations that have not attacked Iran; Russia continues to be aggressive to Ukraine; Antisemitism in the UK is condemned by the British government; even the US press have condemned their president for threatening to attack Iranian civilian infrastructure.Closer to home, the boiler in Alton Church has been condemned. Not that it has failed to work, it has served us well for over 20 years, but the regulations for ventilation have changed so the engineer told us that without more air around the boiler we could not use it. Some folk noticed as soon as we changed the historic west door of the Church (without cutting it) removing the top right side; and replacing it with horrible plywood and a grille. This means the door looks terrible and the bellringers have a draught. The Church is seeking to look after the environment, so we had to look at replacing the boiler with a heat pump (too expensive, and not suitable for buildings that are not heated all the time). Then we thought about using hydrogen gas in the boiler which is apparently on its way but not available yet. So we had a serious look at electrically heating the Church but this would require many heaters suspended from the ceiling throughout the Church and we did not like the look of them. So we have gone back to the idea of a gas boiler – but much more efficient than the old one, installed by a local contractor, with a balanced flue through the stone wall on the side most people don’t see. The Church does its planning permission through experts based at Lichfield who know about listed buildings and the plans for the new boiler are now with them for permission. Once the new boiler is in place we can put the west door back how it used to be.We do know it will cost about £20,000, and we can probably just about stretch to it – but it would leave us with nothing for rooves and churchyards. We always ask the local congregation to give a special gift in June (St Peter’s day is 29th). I know this article is read by many who don’t often come in the Church but value us being there for the village and for the many services we offer (baptisms, weddings, funerals). If you would like to give to the appeal, I have included here the QR code you can see in the Church pews which allows donations to be given digitally. (You will need to download it from this page before you can use it)Continuing the theme of condemnation in a more fitting way for the Vicar’s letter I want to briefly look at the most famous verse in the Bible.John 3:16 begins with God’s heart: “For God so loved the world…” This love didn’t wait for us to be perfect. God loved first. And because of that love, He gave His Son. Jesus came not to embarrass us, not to crush us, and not to cast us away. He came so that whoever believes in Him would not perish.Verse 17 explains even more clearly why Jesus came: God sent His Son “not to condemn the world.” Instead, Jesus was sent to save it. That means condemnation is not the final message from Jesus. The final message is redemption, God’s rescue plan reaching into our weakness.Then John 3:18 draws a direct line: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned.” Notice what belief does, it brings us out from under condemnation. But John also includes a sobering truth: “Whoever does not believe… stands condemned already.” The issue is not that God delights in punishment; the issue is that refusing Jesus leaves a person without a Saviour.So, the question isn’t, “Am I a bad person?” The question is, “Will I trust the One God sent?” If you believe in Jesus, you are not condemned, because He came to save you, not to shame you.Confess your need, receive His love, and walk forward in hope. Jesus is calling you out of condemnation and into life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:17-18) Brian Leathers April 2026
What’s the point?1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king of Jerusalem: 2 ‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’ 3 What do people gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1)“Meaningless! Meaningless! … Utterly meaningless!” Those words from The Teacher in Ecclesiastes can feel brutally honest, especially when you’ve poured effort into something and still ended up disappointed. Sometimes disappointment doesn’t just sting; it shakes our sense of purpose. We ask, What’s the point? By the time this is published things might be resolved, but this week, people in the area are reeling under the news that Abbotsholme school is suddenly to close leaving the staff unpaid. We all face many disappointments in life, and I want to show how our faith can help us cope with them. In a world that often demands fixed answers, Ecclesiastes reminds us that life doesn’t always deliver the result we were hoping for. Faith doesn’t deny disappointment. Instead, it gives us a way to keep walking through it with hope intact. You could say that your faith can help you reframe a disappointment, not as a defeat, but as part of God’s seasons.Ecclesiastes speaks of seasons for everything: a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. (I know many people have this reading at their wedding.) Disappointment may feel permanent in the moment, but faith teaches us that it is not the final chapter. God works within rhythms, planting and uprooting, tearing and mending, silence and speaking. When you trust that there is “a season for everything,” disappointment becomes something you pass through, not something you must surrender to.Many philosophies suggest purpose is something you create. Existentialists emphasize choosing your own direction; others point to well-being, altruism, or spiritual growth. As Christians, we affirm that your purpose matters, but we also ground it in God. Disappointment often reveals what we were trying to control. Faith gently redirects our focus: not only on what we wanted to happen, but on what God is shaping in us through the waiting.In other words, faith helps you say, “What I can’t change, I can bring to God. What I can’t find in results, I can find in obedience, character, and love.”When disappointment tempts us toward bitterness, faith calls us to practice wise “rules of life”: make peace with your past, stop comparing yourself, give it time, and don’t surrender your joy to other people’s opinions. These aren’t just self-help tips, they’re pathways of trust.And faith doesn’t only comfort; it also motivates. Altruistic purpose, serving others, building up your community, can restore dignity when your own dreams fall short.Ecclesiastes still names pain: a time to search and a time to give up. But Christian faith doesn’t leave us there. It teaches that God can heal what disappointment breaks, and that love never loses its meaning, even when the outcome hurts.Jesus went through real suffering on the cross – He is one with his followers, He has been there. Let’s continue to follow our saviour.So when the world echoes “What’s the point?”, faith answers with a deeper truth: God is still at work, and your life is still held in His hands.3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3) Brian Leathers June 2026
The APCM is basically the church’s annual meeting. It was a chance to look back over the past year, hear what’s been going on, and find out about any important updates. Even if you’re not on a committee, it’s helpful because it gives you a simple overview of church life and where things are heading.At the meeting, people usually heard short reports about the church’s worship, activities, finances, and ministry. There were also elections for roles like churchwardens, PCC members, and deanery synod reps. These are the people who help with the practical side of church life and support the church’s mission and future plans.For most church members, the APCM was mainly about staying informed. It was a chance to celebrate what had gone well over the year 2025, thank the people who give their time and energy, and hear about any priorities for the year ahead. It was a good opportunity to ask questions and feel more connected to what’s happening in the church. I want to thank those who attended and particularly those who came on the Church council and took on various roles in the Church. Sadly we are still short of a secretary – and having said he was going to give up a year ago – Chris has kindly kept his role of treasurer until December 2026. If any others would like to help in any way – please let Brian (Vicar) or Linda (Churchwarden) know.
https://www.youneedtotalkaboutgod.com/filmsFollow the link to five short films
