Blessings from the vicarage

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I love the picture on the front of this month’s magazine and called it ‘everyone’s flocking to St Mary’s Church – even the sheep!’ I hope it makes you smile as it did me. I’ve actually got many more photos of the sheep both inside the graveyard and along the road and path down to the river, as we had a fun few days where they kept escaping from the adjacent field, no doubt searching for fresh grass… my thanks to our neighbours who helped me round them up and return them.

In the Bible, Jesus uses sheep and shepherd as powerful symbols: He frequently calls himself the Good Shepherd and compares His followers to sheep to show just how much He loves, protects and values people. Jesus says in the Gospel of John (chapter 10) that He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. He knows his flock and calls them all by name. They in turn follow Him because they know His voice. Unlike a hired worker who runs away from danger, Jesus as the Good Shepherd stays to protect the sheep from wolves.

In the parable of the lost sheep in the Gospels of Luke (chapter 15) and Matthew (chapter 18), Jesus leaves the other 99 safely in pasture but goes to find the one lost sheep, and when he finds it carries it back home on His shoulders with great joy… all this to show how precious we are to God and how God rejoices when one returns to live in God’s love.

Here, in the Benefice of Frensham and Dockenfield we also rejoice when people come to or return to church for whatever reason: people may come because they are seeking peace, healing prayer, strength or courage; they may be lonely or bereft and in need of a loving community and comfort; they may be interested in learning about faith in God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit; they may wish to learn how to read the Bible; they may wish to be baptised, confirmed or married; or they may simply be interested in the long and different histories of the church buildings or visiting Mother Ludlam’s cauldron! (which, by the way, is at present residing in Farnham Museum until November as part of a folklore presentation).

However, I hope that when people come to the churches here, they will know the Love of God through the welcome, loving care, comfort, interest, teaching and support that is given by all to all – not just by myself as your ‘shepherdess’, as it were… although that is for which I am here and have been for the past 15 years. I do hope everyone realises by now that my entire raison d’etre is simply to love everyone, no matter of belief, colour, culture or creed and I do believe that has ‘rubbed off’ on the entire PCC and congregation. I believe we are all children of God and loveable no matter what our status or character may be. And to that end, let me share with you that we are hosting another baptism and confirmation service on 4th October at 6pm in Mary’s Church this year. We utterly rejoice to pray for, teach and prepare people for this wonderful experiential, sacramental service which hopefully will sustain them for life and enable more joy throughout their lives even in difficult times. So, if you are interested, please contact me by phone or e-mail as soon as possible, and I together with the church people will journey with you on this illuminating path.

With love and prayers,

Jane

P.S. We also do fun things like the Christmas Festival (5th-6th December in St Mary’s Church) which will include the Christmas tree competition, musical entertainment, various stalls, fabulous refreshments and much more! If you would like to submit a tree – the title must somehow include the word tree in its title (e.g., vestree, plum(b)tree, solitree) – please contact Jenny Parsons.