Someone Else…
Dear friends,
It probably doesn't surprise you (at least I hope it doesn't!) to hear that I spend some time reading and reflecting on the Bible in my week. Recently I've been thinking about the parable of the Good Samaritan. You're probably familiar with it (if not, check here) but I've been thinking about it a little differently. Often we read it as making sure we care for those despite their differences or despite our feelings about them or any stereotypes or stigma attached to "those sort of people".
Alternative to that is what I've been reflecting on. There is a priest and there is a Levite (another temple official) - both had the skills to offer some help the man lying at the side of the road - at least as much as the Samaritan did. And yet they choose not to. They choose to ignore him in his plight. Whatever justification they might offer (too busy, not complying with religious rules, he's an outsider) essentially what they are saying is that they will just leave it for someone else to sort out: it is someone else's problem, someone else's responsibility.
My reflection was how often we might do that with our faith. In two different ways: about discovering more about God - leaving it to others to teach us or waiting to be told; and about talking about our faith with others. We don't have all the answers but we should be willing to talk about the questions! In our society we have seen many changes when it comes to the Church - both in its perception and in its position. But the message hasn't changed. The message is still one of hope. The message is still good news.
As we head into autumn (though it may not feel like it today!) and the seasons change again, let's try and make sure we look at the responsibility that comes with our faith: the responsibility to discover more and to ask questions and the responsibility to talk to others about it - not to explain to them or tell them the answers but to journey with them. And as we do that, as always, let's keep the faith.
September Services
Sunday 10th September
8am - Holy Communion (BCP) @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
10:30am - Holy Communion @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
4pm- Family Service @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
Sunday 17th September
9:15am - Holy Communion @ St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
10:30am - God in Quiet @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
11am - Holy Communion (BCP) @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
Sunday 24th September
9am - Come to the Table @ St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
10:30am - Harvest Festival Communion @ St. Mary the Virgin, Hurley
Harvest Supper at Hurley
On Saturday 23rd September there will be the first of our Harvest Suppers/Lunches - there is no reason you can't go to all of them! Tickets are £10 and can be obtained from David Burfitt or Jane Smith. Do come along and celebrate together and we will have a sing-song too while we're there.
Sunday Breakfast
This Sunday at 9:15-11:00am there is breakfast available in Hurley in the Priory Room. You are welcome to join us for the 10:30am service as well - I shall be attending both! There are bacon and sausage rolls available along with tea and coffee to refresh you for the day.
Cost of Living
We are all conscious that the cost of everything continues to rise and finances can quickly become a concern and a challenge in these times. There is a lot of support available from various charities but there is also a very helpful website here which details some of the local schemes and charities which are available to provide support to people. Do please talk to us as well if you need support and feel the church would be able to help you.
Morning Prayer at 9:15am
Wednesday St. James-the-Less, Stubbings
Thursday St. John the Evangelist, Littlewick Green
Friday St. Mary the Virgin
Our churches are open for private prayer:
Littlewick Green – open every day 11am – 4pm
Hurley – open every day 8am – 4pm
Stubbings – open Monday to Friday 9am – 12 noon
Parish Office
Please get in touch with Claire via the office e-mail (office@burchettsgreenparish.org). She is there on Monday-Friday mornings and can be contacted on 01628 820077 as well. For anything which you need I can also be contacted on vicar@burchettsgreenparish.org and 01628 822974, - please note my day off is usually Tuesday.
Blessings to you all,
Tom