‘Lenten Valentines’
This month both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day. The link between the two can be summed up in terms of the nature of real love. Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, focuses on learning to love God more, as we give Him space in our lives. This is what Jesus found when He was led into the desert by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan. (Luke 4:1-13). Jesus was tempted to turn stones into bread. Yet loving God and His word comes before satisfying physical desires. Satan tempted Jesus to worship him. However, worshipping God is an expression of loving God and serving Him. Finally, He was tempted to put God to the test, by jumping off the Temple. Real love for God does not put Him to the test, but wants to obey Him. Lent also teaches us how to live out the love of God in practical ways, as we follow Jesus in the in the way of the Cross. We see this clearly demonstrated in the life and death of Saint Valentine. Valentine was a Christian who demonstrated the importance of sharing God’s love with others. We know little about him, except that he was a priest who lived in the 3rd Century AD and that he was martyred on 14th February. Emperor Claudius felt that soldiers in the Roman Army were distracted from their duty by their wives, and so had attempted to outlaw marriage. It is believed that Valentine married couples in secret, which is why today we celebrate our love for one another on his day. In trying to understand the meaning of her revelations from God, Julian of Norwich found:
‘What, do you wish to know your Lord’s meaning in this thing? Know it well, love was His meaning.’
The Reverend Helen Kendrick, Rector of the DAMASCUS Parish
Dear Friends
This year I find myself thinking about Christmas every time I hear or see the news. Reports of terrible suffering bring a sober challenge to how the historical events around Bethlehem have been turned into a Festivitymas by consumer excess. News and images of young migrants forced to move from their place of birth with no secure abode once they arrive at their destination. Political and military threat surround the population: poverty in body and spirit are everywhere. Few have secure homes or places to stay. Infants are the most vulnerable, but the despised, the outsiders are hardly better off as they eke out a meagre existence in the wild, harsh hillsides.
To the world 2000+ years ago comes the same message as today: ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news.’ The first to hear such news are the innocent, the vulnerable, the ordinary and the despised. The most precious word for this Christmas is the same as 2000 years ago; it is Emmanuel - God is with us. I pray that this Christmas we do not ‘spend’ Christmas or ‘observe’ Christmas but rather ’keep’ it and ‘share’ it.
Christmas/sacred Christ/massacred – where do I draw the line?
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their
flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers, to make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman’s poem “The Work of Christmas”
With my thanks and best wishes to you and your teams for this Christmas and in 2024
Revd
Philip Sutton
Associate Minister, DAMASCUS Parish:
Drayton | Appleford | Milton | Sutton Courtenay | Steventon
Tel: 01235 635476 Mobile: 07507378737
November -the month of Remembrance - may be especially poignant this year as we witness the violent conflict in the Holy Land and as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on, and trouble between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues. Millions of people’s lives are being turned upside down, with no hope of peace and security in sight. It is indeed a time for Christians everywhere to pray for peace, based on justice and mercy. It also a time to remember the victims of natural disasters - this year alone, we have seen the Libyan flood; the Moroccan and Afghanistan earthquakes; the wildfires in Greece, Spain, Canada, and the USA.
In the season of Remembrance, which in the church covers All Souls’, when we remember all those who have died; All Saints’, when we remember and celebrate the lives of all the saints and of course, Remembrance Sunday, when we consider those who have heroically given their lives in war.
However, Jesus calls all of us to a radical heroism in our daily lives: ‘You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.’ (Matt 5:43-45).
Love Your Enemies:
For most of us our ‘enemies’ are rarely life-threatening; they can simply be impatient, judgmental, self–righteous or just plain disagreeable! Whether the conflict is with a family or church member, work colleague or neighbour, our attitude toward them should be one of love. We will naturally want to retaliate, but Jesus commands us to love.
Pray for Your Persecutors:
It’s only when we are ready to pray for someone whom we find difficult, that God can soften our attitude towards them. Like us, they are those in need of God’s forgiveness and grace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor executed by the Nazis at the end of World War 2, wrote:
‘This is the supreme demand. Through the medium of prayer, we go to our enemy, stand by his side, and plead for him to God. For if we pray for them, we are taking their distress and poverty, their guilt and perdition upon ourselves and pleading to God for them.’
Become More Like Jesus:
When we start loving our enemies and praying for our persecutors, we become more like Jesus Himself. He willingly laid down His life for us, prayed for His persecutors and gives us the power to love our enemies as He did.
Last year I wrote to you about autumn being a season of beauty, of abundance, even a celebration of the earth, and it is also a season of preparation, of looking forward, as best we can, for the future. The harvest is gathered in, which seems earlier every year. The subtle changes to the seasons and the not so subtle changes to our climate are progressively becoming more important in our daily lives. To help think about what a Christian approach to environmental issues might look like, there is a 5 week course running, called "A Christian Look at the Environment", starting 18th October, in the River Room, Sutton Courtenay and online via zoom. Please register your interest at admin@damascusparish.org.uk. All are welcome with no pre-reading or study required
Revd Phil Sutton, mentioned in the September issue that autumn is a time for making a new start; thinking particularly of the beginning of the school year and the starting again of leisure activities after the summer break. The New Year is not the only time for a new start or resolutions perhaps?
To mark the turn of the Millennium, a prayer was written by Revd Peter Trow as a Millennium Resolution which could be used by all faiths and those with none .Like many prayers, it is an earnest wish or hope. It begins with an environmental hope and ends with a resolution wish. It is simple and short with five gentle reminders to us of how the future could be.
Let there be respect for the earth
Peace for its people
Love in our lives
Delight in the good
Forgiveness for past wrongs
And from now on a new start.
Revd. Rosie Bruce
As I write this, it is a beautiful summer's day, with a clear blue sky and a fresh breeze. A calm June day after the recent dramatic thunderstorms. At this time of the year many of us will be trying to make the most of the great outdoors, and even taking some time to relax and enjoy the great British weather. We often take time off to do this, even take a holiday, a break, time for a change to the routine of daily life.
Jesus often took time to rest and get away from it all. On one occasion St Matthew (chapter8: 23-27) tells us, that after preaching to large crowds, Jesus, along with his disciples, took a boat to go across the Sea of Galilee. They were going to the opposite shore to find some time and solitude to rest. As they were crossing, a furious storm broke. The worried disciples thought the boat was going to sink, and went to wake up a sleeping Jesus. He wakes up and asks them why they are afraid and then quickly subdues the wind and waves. This story illustrates Jesus' calming effect. This you can take literally and also as an analogy for our lives. There are many storms around us at this time; political ones, the cost of living, wars and refugees, climate change, the list seems endless. However, we are reminded in Matthew's story, that God both permits storms and delivers us through them. Storms do end, and calm will come again. The lyrics to Rock Me by Thomas A Dorsey might give you a little calmness too.
Make my journey brighter, make my burden lighter.
Help me to do good wherever I can.
Let thou presence thrill me, let thy holy spirit fill me
And just hold me in the hollow of your hand.
You just hide me in that bossom
'Til the storm of life is over
Rock me in the cradle of thy love.
Wishing a calm and peaceful summer,
Reverend Rosie BruceJune, the start of our meteorological summer, when our hopes
turn to restful warm sunny days in the garden or perhaps going on holiday. Looking
forward to a much-needed break from the gloom of the crises and threats which surround
us, or the gloom of the weather and our tiredness.
Pentecost heralds the start of summer – the time when the church remembers and gives thanks for God’s gift of His life giving, life enhancing, Spirit. To the early church, God sent His Holy Spirit to be their strength in times of human weakness and vulnerability. As our energy, faith and hope diminishes, Pentecost reminds us again that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Pentecost makes me realise that our sense of emptiness is not a negative thing, it is a capacity.
We read on containers the capacity they hold. Capacities are there to be filled. Without the Holy Spirit we are nothing. It is only through the Holy Spirit, God within us, that we come to believe in God’s refreshing love. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we can pray at all; for true prayer is always the Holy Spirit praying in and through us. It is only through the Holy Spirit that we are capable of any genuine good, for that which is of God within us is good. Without the Holy Spirit we are an emptiness. But this emptiness is a capacity waiting to be filled.
W.J.Carey, Bishop of Bloemfontein from 1921-1934, wrote a prayer which he suggested should be ‘prayed slowly; or brooded over; or thought and felt.’ This prayer includes the lines: ‘O Holy Spirit of God – come into my heart and fill me … I offer to thee the one thing I really possess, my capacity of being filled by thee…. Fill me so that I may live the life of the Spirit; the life of truth and goodness, the life of beauty …….and guide me today in all things.’
The full prayer can be found at https://prayerandverse.com/2019/02/05/holy-spirit-fill-me/
This summer may God grant you restful and refreshing ‘holy-days’.
Phil Sutton
The Coronation of King Charles III
Communities around the country are making preparations for Coronation Celebrations – whether in village wide gatherings or in smaller street parties or in large-scale concerts. Whether you are choosing to celebrate or not the Coronation on 6th May when His Majesty King Charles III will be crowned alongside Camilla, The Queen Consort, in Westminster Abbey is still an opportunity to pray for him, as he approaches this important event in the life of our country and commonwealth.
In the Bible, St Paul says: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.’ (1 Timothy 2:1,2).
For God’s presence to guide every aspect of King Charles’ life as he prepares for his Coronation and future roles. At his Accession, he was proclaimed Defender of the Faith, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Charles has talked about ‘the Sovereign's particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England - the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted.’
For God’s wisdom as he provides leadership that will honour God and promote the wellbeing of our society. King Solomon prayed for wisdom for himself: ‘So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.’ (1 Kings 3:9).
For God’s love to strengthen all relationships within the Royal Family; for reconciliation, understanding, forgiveness and good communication.
For God’s purpose to be fulfilled through the work of the King and Queen Consort and their family in the years to come. He has said: ‘and whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life.’
A Prayer for the new King:
Everlasting God, we pray for our new King. Bless his reign and the life of our nation. Help us to work together so that truth and justice, harmony and fairness flourish among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
With love and prayers
The Reverend Helen Kendrick, Rector of the DAMASCUS Parish
"Is it nothing to you?" (Lamentations 1:12)
In last month's March issues, Reverend Phil Sutton wrote about using the theme of "failure" in our parish services and study groups, during the season of Lent. Reflecting on, thinking or talking about personal failure, is perhaps more difficult for us to do than talking about and remembering our successes. We would rather have the positives than the negatives in our daily lives. Yet everyday news broadcasts are of what is going wrong in the world, and the good news story, if there is one, is left to the final item. We hear so much of the negatives, of suffering, fear and poverty, of failures which are the minus sign of living.
So often the question comes, why believe and trust in God, and Jesus too, if He seems to do nothing at all? Jesus shows us God getting involved, getting his hands dirty. Jesus is crucified and has his hands nailed to that crossbeam of the cross...the minus sign.
The events which we now know as Easter, and everything thereafter, is of the positives, the good news. The story of Easter does not end with the crucifixion on Good Friday, because of the third day; then came the resurrection. On that first day of the new week, came a new start, a new creation. That is the heart of the good news. The negative of the crossbeam to the positive of resurrection: the sign of the cross.
"The end of the story is
written by God, who knows what failure is and is not, and whose gracious love
overwhelms our greatest failures....so take comfort n God's merciful and
hope-filled judgement of each and everyone" (attributed Justin Welby)