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
Do you need repairing?“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)Easter morning is a glorious reminder: Jesus is risen! But the good news of the Resurrection does not end when the holiday calendar turns. For many of us, the days after Easter are when faith is tested, when we notice that life is still full of brokenness: strained relationships, worn-out bodies, quiet loneliness, forgotten dreams, and “repairs” that still need to be made.As I have shared with many of you my garden shed had fallen into disrepair. It had become a disappointment—partly because it no longer served its purpose, and partly because it looked neglected. At times, it felt like the shed had simply been left to suffer, the way we can sometimes feel left behind.But knowing how useful it could be, I decided I would not give up on it. I began by repairing what was truly broken— rebuilding a frame inside it, steadying the back wall which had dropped 6 inches on one side, replaced what could not be saved, and fixed the damage that had spread over time. Then I cleaned it carefully, replaced the roof and floor, and finally painted it. Bit by bit, it changed from something unusable to something strong, clean, and useful again.As I worked, I couldn’t help but think about what God does in our hearts. The Resurrection is not only a doctrine we celebrate, it is a power we live by. Jesus’ victory over death means He can bring new life into what seems hopeless.Sometimes older saints can feel invisible, as if their value fades with time. Yet Scripture is clear: God values every person, and He knows the number of hairs on our heads. The same Saviour who rose from the grave is still at work, still attentive, still tender, still calling His people to healing.Even if our “shed” looks beyond repair to others, or even to ourselves, God specializes in restoration.When I repaired my shed, it was not a quick patch. Real restoration takes steps. First came honesty about what was wrong. Then came patient work and the help of some strong young men. Then came renewed protection, painted and sealed so it could stand against future wear.In a similar way, God brings healing with purpose. Sometimes He uses time, sometimes He uses help from others, and sometimes He brings comfort in the quiet moments when we finally stop fighting alone.“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” (Joel 2:25)God is able to restore what was lost, strengthen what was weakened, and renew what was ruined.The Resurrection doesn’t only promise a future resurrection, it promises a living Christ who works now. When Jesus rose, He declared that nothing is beyond God’s reach. Not grief. Not sickness. Not regret. Not burdens carried too long.“Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19)That “new creation” doesn’t mean we suddenly forget our pain. It means God can transform our story. Like the shed after repair, we may still have “history”, but our ending is not defeat.If you are carrying a broken heart or feeling worn out, please remember this: God does not waste brokenness. He can turn it into testimony. He can rebuild what has sagged. He can paint over the places we thought would always remain damaged.So, after Easter, keep trusting the risen Lord. Ask Him to bind up wounds, strengthen weak hands, and help you take one faithful step at a time.“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)God values you. God sees you. And through the power of the Resurrection, God brings healing and restoration—until what was once unusable becomes useful again, all for His glory.“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Brian Leathers March 2026
Meeting held 4pm on 18th Nov 2025Churchyard: A party of local people have made a wonderful difference by strimming the Churchyard extension on Sat 8th Nov. Thank you if you were involved.Alton Advent Calendar is out – do get a copy and support many of the eventsBoiler Saga is ongoing. There are no spare parts for the old boiler that has worked well for years and new government rules mean the ventilation is not considered adequate. We will need to make a hole in the Church wall once a replacement is obtained. We have a temporary grill in the West door as we cope with the changes – this will be reinstated as it was as soon as we can. We had to consider electric heating for the Church but have decided to stay with Gas, but now are finding quotes for the work hard to source. Please be patient with us. There has been minor progress as we have been advised to get one industrial boiler instead of two domestic boilers. But we are still waiting for quote for the work. They look like being in the region of £22,000 which would wipe out our savings so we might not be able to pay the Common Fund to the Diocese in full.Fundraising: - Bingo went well – Lent Lunches are planned for next year – and there will be an organ concert on 25th April at 6pm in the Church – donations in aid of Church funds.Eco-Church: We are making progress. New LED lights in Church – change to Octopus energy which is 100% renewable energy. We were reminded that we have the silver award and we will look at how we stand with applying for a gold award. Quinquennial report: (This is the architect’s 5 year maintenance schedule) We have achieved some of the work (the boiler is the big part of this) and the list of other jobs will be on the PCC agenda until they are done.
https://www.youneedtotalkaboutgod.com/filmsFollow the link to five short films
