From the Vicarage - February

It is now 5 days ago (as I write) since we awoke to our winter wonderland! Snow often divides opinion – initial delight at the scene on our doorsteps can soon wane as we begin to focus on the practicalities and inconveniences to be addressed!
Waking to the transformation on a Sunday morning made for an interesting day for a Vicar! Would my best-laid plans for celebrating Epiphany (the arrival of the wise men) be scuppered, and the church be empty? Well, it wasn’t. Numbers were greatly reduced but there were ‘takers’ at 8.30am (oh yes there were!), and at 10am, then at 12noon for a baptism (during which we ‘connected’ with virtual congregants in Hong Kong), and even at 4pm we managed to ring bells and sing carols at our Epiphany Carol Service! So well done to those intrepid travellers who journeyed on foot, wheels, or sledge, and reminded us of the challenging journey made by the Magi from the East who tradition leads us to believe traversed mountain and desert to worship the Christ-child.
I confess I am one of those for whom a blanket of snow initially evokes a reaction of delight –especially when it is truly new and white and untouched, and the world strangely still.
The Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran wrote, “Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers.” Those words remind me of the other feature of our Snowy Sunday - the ping of WhatsApp messages from neighbours. There were not just photos of the beauty, but also messages of kindness – offering to be there for those who might need a helping hand.
The Biblical Prophet, Micah, asks. “What does the Lord require of you / us?” The answer given is: - “to do justice, to love kindness, to walk humbly with your God”. Justice, kindness and humility are active qualities, they require us to put them into action. Similarly, St Paul, in the New Testament, suggests we “clothe (y)ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Kindness, and its companion qualities, are to be put on and outwardly worn.
Let us be thankful for the ways in which kindness is worn and acted out in our communities – and recognise its beauty.
On another note, many of you will be aware of the Church of England being in the media spotlight in past weeks, sadly not for the good. The issues raised are complex and the way in which they have been reported not always clear. In a world of soundbites what we hear can often be skewed and incomplete. In response to that, I am sharing some words written by Archbishop Stephen Cottrell to his clergy and their communities in recent days. His communication expresses his own and the Church’s priorities at this time. You will find this printed further on in the magazine.
I hope, for some at least, it will prove informative and even helpful. If it raises any questions you would like to ask, then please do feel you can get in touch, and we can have a cuppa and a chat.
Carolyn (Vicar)