St Thomas' Brampton and St Peter's Holymoorside, Chesterfield
Rector's Letter February 1991-January 1992
Our vision statement: Sharing the love of Jesus
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February/March 1991
From the Curate
Some years ago Bishop David Sheppard of Liverpool wrote a book 'Bias to the Poor'. It was a prophetic book, not that it foretold the future, but in the tradition of the Old Testament prophets it addressed a particular situation in a particular society. The church is called to this uncomfortable role of bringing God's Word and God's Mind to a particular issue, person or place.
When that 'word' arrives 'on target' it always produces a response. That response may well be anger, discomfort, unease especially when we human beings are challenged on a particularly sensitive point. The prophets of old were often given a very rough time by the rulers of Israel: they were scorned, imprisoned, killed or ostracised as they spoke God's message. They were often an uncomfortable voice in the ruling circles of the 'establishment' of their times, yet they knew that this was inevitably the price of faithfully fulfilling their ministry ..... for the good of Israel.
Today we hear MP's and others huffing and puffing with fury…'how dare the Bishop say that…how dare the Church suggest this…' Yet, if we are to remain faithful to our calling, both they and we can do no other but speak. We live in an increasingly selfish society. The virtues of self reliance, self achievement, self betterment are extolled. The tendency encouraged at every level today from the top downwards is to 'thrust ahead'.
Man, being what he is, tends to do that and he does it so very often at the expense, or almost total disregard of the interests of others. One leading politician put it like this recently with the question …"Does someone's natural desire to do well for himself, to build a better life for his family and provide better op opportunities for his children, does all this make him a materialist?' Of course it doesn't," came the rhetorical reply: "the truth is we are actually encouraging the best in human nature".
Many would question both the theology and philosophy of this view. The inescapable answer to the question, 'does all this self .... self . . self .... make a person a materialist?' has to be 'YES, IT DOES!' The trouble is that it encourages the very worst in human nature: the fundamental human tendency to self and sin .... the word with 'I' in the centre. It is still pure self-interest at the heart of a view which limits concern and care to the four walls enclosing one's own home and family.
What the Bible teaches is that God has a special concern for those who are the most disadvantaged, in society .... to provide properly for the 'have nots’. There is in God's nature a 'bias to the poor'. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the poor man at his gate, Jesus taught clearly that the man with plenty is condemned, not because he positively harmed the poor beggar but because he did nothing to alleviate his situation and to meet his crying needs. God is concerned for justice.
Man's tendency to self interest has to be curbed, his natural acquisitiveness controlled; resources, of which there is a superabundance in the world, have to be re-directed. The state is entrusted with the duty to ensure that all its citizens live in dignity and decency. The virtues of giving rather than getting need to be encouraged and those who have must ensure proper provision for justice and equity for those who do not. In the Bible the question was asked, 'AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER?' The hard answer to that was, and is, 'YES, I AM'.
Brian Porter
1991 Motto
2 Chronicles 7v14
If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and SEEK MY FACE And turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
From the
February 1991 edition
of the magazine
April/May 1991
From the Rector
Christians are
RESURRECTION PEOPLE,
forgiven because of the death of Jesus, convinced that He really did rise from the dead, and caught up in His resurrection.
Resurrection people are secure people. Death, the worst enemy of all, has been defeated. Eternity is an inviting prospect. This life's problems and joys are put into perspective.
While we wait for heaven, we are bound together by the living Jesus Christ. Our common experience of Him makes us into a people, resurrection people. I want to encourage our three Churches to concentrate on being just that.
On the six Sundays after Easter the theme of our morning services will be 'WHAT ON EARTH IS THE CHURCH?' The sermons will explore different Bible pictures of the Church: a people, a bride, a temple, an army, a body, a family. It is the prayer of my fellow clergy and myself that all of us will approach these services with the sincere prayer in our hearts that our risen Lord will speak directly to us and make us more like resurrection people.
Our much heralded AIM AND VISION should be much more of a reality.
The body growing and moving forward with all members
-Playing their part
-Using their gifts
-and properly co ordinated
It involves every one of us.
Christopher Frith
From the
April 1991 edition
of the magazine
June/July 1991
From the Rector
We have an excellent custom whereby our Churchwardens stand down after serving for three years. They need a break for the task is considerable, but often it is tempting to thin that we can't manage without them.
This year,
David Oldale
has stepped down after an outstanding term of office. David is a man of stature in every way and yet it has been his humility, thoroughness and gracious manner which have stood out most. He has been gentle and firm at the same time and wonderfully supportive to me personally.
Alan Wilson
steps down at St. John's and will be responsible for our Church centre building programme.
Andy Wright
does likewise at St. Peter's, preparing for a move to take up a deputy headship in Hexham. Both Alan and Andy have put in hours of devoted, humble and cheerful service, much of it unnoticed.
Leadership characterised by service: David, Alan and Andy have epitomised this. They have pointed us to the example of the one who said, "I am among you as one who serves". We are truly grateful to them all. We can manage without them; of course we can, because God is always calling and equipping new people. They have a hard act to follow, though.
Many of our members are employed in Education and the Health Service. Almost all of them are showing signs of strain and dissatisfaction. They are always completing forms, assessments and records. Balancing the books is the other all important task. Pupils and patients don't seem to matter.
The time has come to shout loud and clear in the name of Christ: PEOPLE MATTER. Caring is long overdue. Pray for a caring society, rather than a profit making one and pray for teachers and medics.
Christopher Frith
From the
June 1991 edition
of the magazine
August/September 1991
From the Rector -Christopher Frith
We have had a family bereavement recently. The children conducted the funeral, without professional help and erected a tombstone with the epitaph, "In memory of Duncanella, faithful friend and rabbit."
Pets contribute greatly to family life, not least when they die. Coming to terms with death is one of the hardest things we have to do - and it is best started in childhood. It is evidently unhealthy to be preoccupied with death, but it is hardly less so never to talk about or face it.
I have been unusually aware of death recently, involved with a number of tragic situations. Surely there is no greater incentive to turn to Christ than the prospect of facing death without Him. He has overcome-death. He promises eternal security to those who trust Him, which means facing life and death with confidence. The Apostle Paul put it this way, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain."
Christopher Frith
From the
August 1991 edition
of the magazine
October/November 1991
From the Rector -Christopher Frith
This issue, I don't speak just for myself but for all our members when I say:
CONGRATULATIONS
to St. Peter's, 150 years old this Autumn. It is a milestone to celebrate and enjoy - and Spearhead is playing its part in this. Mind you, the Church of Christ is nearly 2000 years old and our local Churches are really quite young, in the light of that!
WELCOME
to Philip and Karen Herrick, Emma and Jonathan. At last they are with us and all four of them are playing a part in our Church life. Philip has been kept exceptionally busy in his first fortnight - I hope not too busy - and already I have felt the benefit. Before long, the improvement is bound to be felt right through our Churches. Co-ordination and communication are vital ingredients if we are to continue to be vibrant and growing.
AND FINALLY, THANK YOU DOUG
for being a brilliant Editor of Spearhead for 15 years. We don't want you to stop but you deserve a break. During Doug's term of office Spearhead our magazine has been of consistently high quality. It always looks interesting. Doug gives the reader every incentive to get on and read it. In my experience that is a rare quality in Church magazines! It is hard to imagine a more good humoured, tolerant Editor, brilliant at dealing with clergy who find deadlines hard to meet. Part of Doug 's secret has been Barbara's support and we are truly grateful to both of them.
In the coming weeks, a thorough review of Spearhead is to be undertaken. If you have any comments, please let me know. I hope to be announcing the appointment of a new Editor soon. (
Sue Ward
was appointed.)
Christopher Frith
From the
October 1991 edition
of the magazine
December 1991/January 1992
Some thoughts approaching Christmas:
C
– Christ: it's His birthday. Every celebration is in His honour - or should be.
H
- Homeless: the Son of God had nowhere to lay His head. Thousands have the same problem now.
R
- Rich: Jesus was truly rich - King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the only Ruler among princes. Yet, He who was rich for our sake became poor so that we, who were poor, might become rich. That's how the Apostle Paul unwraps Christmas.
I
– Icing: why not decorate your Christmas cake as a reminder of the Christmas story? Is there room for Mary, Joseph and the Baby among the Father Christmases, fairies and fir trees?
S
– Sadness: God has involved Himself fully in this hurting world. His Son has "born our grief and carried our sorrows".
T
- Time: there doesn't seem to be enough but we need to make time - for others, for thinking, for prayer, for Jesus.
M
- Money: Christmas means spending a lot. Over the Christmas period, there will also be the opportunity to give to those who desperately need it.
A
– Advent: the four weeks or so before Christmas are important. We focus on what it means for Christ to come to us. He assures us that one day, when we least expect it, He will come again gloriously, as Judge of all.
S
- Singing: Carols are great! Join with the herald-angels in proclaiming the news of "God and Sinners reconciled".
Have a great time.
Christopher Frith
From the
December 1991 edition
of the magazine
Rector's Letters 1992
