Eunice’s letter for September 2008
Dear Friends,
Sunday, 28th September is to be designated “Back to Church Sunday”. This is a national and Diocesan initiative to encourage those who used to go to church on Sunday, to give it another go! There are many reasons why people stop going to church - and not a few excuses - but here is an opportunity to come along with a friend, relative or neighbour, which is not so difficult to do as coming on your own. The service at 10.30am will be with you in mind, and you may find that someone you know will ask you to come to church with them on that day.
Why do we need to meet together in a building anyway? Can we not be Christians without going to church? Believing is important, and many do, but they do not see the need to go any further than that. Here are one or two reasons why it is important to meet as Church if we are believers.
The current enthusiasm everyone has for he Olympic Games coincides with something St Paul said. Paul likens the Christian life to a race in which we all run; he says we need to ‘press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenwards in Christ Jesus’. Nobody runs in a race without others who are also trying to reach the goal - it would be pointless. If we try to run on our own, the enthusiasm will soon dry up, rather like trying to be a live coal in a fire with only one coal; again, this will soon burn out.
And again, the writer to the Hebrews (Heb.10, 25) said, ‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching’. This tells us that the gift of encouragement is vital in these days of uncertainty and it is this that keeps us going in many other circumstances and also in our Christian life.
Like the Olympians, we need to train for the race. We do this by sharing our lives together, studying, hearing and reading the Word of God, the Bible, doing what it says and learning to come close to God in prayer.
Each week, we come to feed upon the life of Christ in Holy Communion, and we do this in obedience to him who said, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’
If your experience of Church has not been easy, we sympathise. If you have been hurt by other Christians, we want to help to bring healing. If you need a refresher course, why not join the Confirmation class which starts on Monday, September 8th at 7pm at the Vicarage.
If you feel you have never fully understood the meaning of life, here is an opportunity to explore. If you just want to talk things over, give me a ring on 01252 792137.
One more thing! The Church is not full of perfect people, but by the grace of God, we are all on the way to being transformed by the Holy Spirit and that is what matters. If at first you do not feel a part of it, keep persevering. Without perseverance, the Olympic Gold Medals can never be won.
I look forward to meeting you.