The Vicar's Letter - June 2008
Dear Friends,
“…you always have the poor with you...” (Mark 14.7)
What on earth is one to make of the two natural disasters that we have seen in our world in recent weeks? The cyclone that tore through Burma and surrounding areas was terrible enough; but then so soon to be followed by the many more random casualties in China as a result of the earthquake that shook Sichuan province. It all seems so inexplicably cruel in the extreme. Everything we say in response seems trite and almost too easy; but to say and do nothing is not an option.
Internationally, we are accustomed to making a material response; but this time (especially in Burma) we have been hindered in doing so. Can we be sure that anything we give will actually make a difference? How do we know that the rumours of Government hoarding of food-aid (as in Burma) are unfounded? Should such uncertainties inhibit our personal response? There is however a Christian perspective at such times which should help us to know what to do.
First of all, we should recognise that not responding wounds us as well. There is the Christian imperative always to see something of Christ in our neighbour. The Christian has a vocation to respond; and it is one that we should not shirk…even if we are unsure of how it will be received.
The daunting prospect of climate change has brokered the concept of “carbon off-setting” whereby all of us can do something to “off-set” our less avoidable behaviour by not doing something else that we otherwise would! Perhaps we should view the world’s suffering in the same light. The fruits of our giving may not always leave a comforting audit trail behind them; but the odds are that they will still make life easier for someone somewhere who has far less to take for granted than we do.
In St Mark’s Gospel, a woman poured costly ointment over the head of Jesus, and in so doing elicited the scorn of others sitting close by; for it could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor. Jesus rounded on them: “Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me.” Generosity of spirit has virtue in its own right as an expression of love. We are not called to miserliness; but to generosity; and we do not have to search far for excuses not to give.
Christians are also called to pray for others…especially for those in need. Bringing our concerns before God in prayer is a fundamental part of our relationship with him. Even the expression of our own sense of inadequacy in the face of overwhelming odds (such as in natural disasters) is valid prayer because we must be open with the Father we profess to love. We may not always understand how prayer “works”; but we should most certainly know that silence is also not an option for the Christian. Manifestly, it was not for Jesus.
Having just fulfilled the Easter season at Pentecost, I am mindful of the Ascension-tide image of the disciples being chided by the angels: “Men of Galilee! Why do you stand looking up into heaven?” They understood the angels’ message; and the story is fulfilled by those same men – now changed souls - returning to Jerusalem…and getting on with the job…uncertain though the outcome might be. We too can wring our hands and look up into the sky…or we can get on with the job to which we have been called.
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SUMMER FÊTE – Planning for the Summer Fête on Saturday 2nd August is well under way! The meeting on May 9th was well attended, and most stalls and tasks seem to have been assigned. Nevertheless, we do need more help with some…and it is not too late to offer your services. If you have not already done so, PLEASE consider doing so to me personally. We hope to be able to have a few more games this year…and we certainly need more help with managing the car park.
In this magazine next month there will be a full list of stallholders to which contributions of items for possible sale may be made. Please think what you might have that could be given; but please remember that this is not a Jumble Sale! Items of clothing especially should be of good quality and in a good and clean condition. Please remember also that nothing electric can be sold. Clear your shelves of old paperback books…and maybe your grow-up children’s toys could finally seek a new home!
With best wishes
About the Vicar ...
Jeremy was born in January 1951 in Putney, London. Educated at Wellington School, Somerset, he left in 1969 to become articled to a City firm of Chartered Accountants. Soon after qualifying, he felt that he wanted to test his vocation to the ordained ministry. Upon being selected for training, he attended Westcott House, Cambridge for three years before being ordained in 1978. Whilst there, he obtained the University's Certificate in Theology having been affiliated to Fitzwilliam College.
His first curacy was in the parish of St Denys, Evington on the outskirts of Leicester. Having managed a long interregnum there, he moved in 1981 to Ringwood in Hampshire to be curate in charge of St John the Baptist, Poulner as well as assistant curate to the parish as a whole. In 1984 he returned to Leicester to become priest in charge of the parish of Christ Church, Thurnby Lodge - a large estate just within the city boundaries. In 1989 he came to Poole to become Team Vicar of the newly opened church of St Paul's, Canford Heath which itself was part of the Oakdale Team Ministry - the largest parish in the diocese of Salisbury.
In 1995 he was asked to become Vicar of the parish of Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks.
Jeremy has served on various committees, most notably on the Boards of Finance of both Leicester and Salisbury diocese, the latter of which he chaired for six years up to 2006. He is a non-residentiary Canon of Salisbury cathedral.
Jeremy is married to Alison who is a Registered Nurse at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. She is also Archdeaconry Chairman of the Mothers Union in Dorset. They have two children Helen and Tom. Jeremy also has two children from his former marriage, Sarah and David.
