Summer time events

Thank you to everyone who participated in the summer fair, whether through running a stall, having their face painted, or just buying a raffle ticket.
We raised over £3000 and the community happily passed through our doors.
These events are partly about income: £3000 is a major boost to us in raising the money we need to run our church for a year. They are also a lot about welcome.
People are welcome to our Church.
Of course, we'd hope people are welcome any time, but sometimes it's easier to start by stepping through the door and throwing a coconut at the coconut shy than it is to come in on a Sunday morning.
So thank you and welcome.

As for other upcoming events, this afternoon, we have Joseph and Hope's baptism, which will be very special, and of course around the diocese ordinations are happening, a very special day for those involved.

On Friday, the A-men club are meeting for their annual wine tasting. That's at Father Robert's house from 7.30pm on Friday. In two weeks' time on Saturday, the young people will have their annual summer trip, this year to Thorpe Park, and then on the Sunday, we will be hosting a Confirmation.

Confirmation is where people, either at the cusp of adulthood, or adults themselves, commit themselves to faith in the Christian Church. It's a confirmation of baptismal vows made on our behalf when we were children, a commitment to journeying with the Christian community for our lives. That will be at 6pm on Sunday 13th July.

Fr Robert

Ordinary heroes

A lot of Christianity is the curious mix between ordinariness and miracle.
Listening to the radio today, I heard one of those moments. The parents of Jimmy Mizen, the 16 year old killed in South East London six weeks ago, gave a remarkable interview about their preparations for the funeral of their son.
(You can download it here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/mayo/)
They showed a level of compassion, calm and love for their son without the bitter rancour that could easily have overwhelmed their lives.
As I listened, I realised I was listening to people who were saints. Not in the sense that they are perfect, but in the Christian sense of people who truly understand God's love and their own place in the world. And these are not saints in distant lands or times: we aren't talking about the 1500s or India or anything. These saints are here and now, walking the streets of South East London.
inspiring.

But look out for more church events:
Garden Fete is on Sat 28th June, 12 midday to 3pm.
This is an old-fashioned church fair in the best tradition. Bargains galore, activities and Caribbean food: fingers crossed for good weather.

We also have baptisms coming up both on the afternoon of the 22nd and of the 29th June and a confirmation on Sunday July 13th. It's wonderful to have people joining us in these seminal moments in people's lives.

Fr Robert


PS Father John is on annual leave at the moment and won't be back till Thursday 26th.
I'm also on annual leave from this coming Thursday (19th) until the Garden Fete.

Faith and works

This week, we've been considering heaven. More specifically, how one gets there.

Is it to do with works - what we do - or faith - what we believe?

Why this sudden question? it was inspired by our old friend, the lectionary. The lectionary readings for this week were Romans 3.22ff, allied to Matthew 7.21-29. Look them up if you're feeling keen.

Broadly speaking, Romans indicates it's about faith. Matthew 7.21 indicates that works and actions are significant too: you can't just say, "I'm a Christian". You need to live that perspective out. Faith and faith alone isn't quite enough...
(Discuss...)

But there's another question. Granted, we can't earn it: it's about grace, as Luther showed us: then how exactly does Christ save all humanity?
A lot (perhaps unbelievably) hinges on your translation of an obscure Greek word - "Hilasterion" - so we spent some time on that too. For a good commentary on this, see a fellow blogger:
http://theogeek.blogspot.com/2007/07/hilasterion-in-romans-325.html

On the one hand, this is esoteric scholar-speak; on the other hand, this is about considering how on earth God considers that we are good enough to join him in heaven.

If we take scripture seriously (and we do), then we have to consider what it might be saying. And ultimately, life and death are theological issues, as well as ones that shatter us and inspire us emotionally and in our relationships.

So even if we all had sore heads at the end of the service this morning, it's worth it every now and then. We need to think our faith as well as feel it.

Fr Robert