Rector’s Letter March 2016
Easter
One of the interesting things about Easter to me, is that it moves about. To many this is frustrating not least to schools and their holidays. But to me it is great as it shows that the power of Easter is not tamed. Christmas has been fixed as one date, 25th December, yet it too slowly moves through the week a day at a time, in a very predictable way. Such that it has almost be over taken by secular society, people know when it is, if not what it is truly all about. With Easter people neither know when it is, let alone what it is and so it evades the onset of consumerism.
Easter reminds us of a defining moment in world history and understanding. For many we focus rightly on Easter being the day that Jesus rose from the dead. Yet this in some ways is only a small physical miracle. If all Easter contained was the story of a body being resuscitated, it would be no great deal. But Easter is far more than that. Jesus’ resurrection was a fantastic thing that changed the world. But he didn’t just come back from death to die again in a physical sense. His earthly resurrected presence showed the reality of there being life after the end of our physical life here on earth. Sure, he came and shared some of our world again in a physical way. He ate and slept and talked with many people, but if that was all then he might have touched a few hundred or thousand of lives before he died again.
Yet Jesus didn’t die again, he is alive as much today as that first Easter day. Not with us in this physical world, but in the spiritual world, in a place referred to by many as Heaven. However we are not alone and left behind, for he sent the Holy Spirit to be with us, to be a continuing reminder, if we need it, of this promised new life. A life that brings light and hope into the dark places; a life that walks beside us and with us through our journey of life. A life that changed the way the world can see God, a life that cannot be neither tamed nor contained. There is an advert which says ‘why have velvet when you can have silk,’ I say why have bunnies when you can have the real thing! Happy Easter Christ is Risen, he is risen indeed, Halleluiah.
Rev Simon Dommett 01869 810903
This month sees our website having its second anniversary. We can be found at www.astwickvale.co.uk. Here you will find details of services and events as well as information about Baptisms, Christenings, Thanksgivings, Weddings and Funerals.
The time after Easter is also the time when the church elects its representatives to help run the church. Two very important roles are played by the Church Wardens who are elected on an annual basis. The Rector and they are supported by The Parochial Church Council (PCC) who look after the general running of the Church and oversees the finances. The PCC consists of various members; the Rector; the Readers; 2 Churchwardens; Deanery Synod Representatives; and 6 or 9 other Members. Elections for all these offices take place in April by members on the Electoral Roll at the Annual Parochial Church meetings. Now is the time to look around to see who you will elect. Have you thanked your PCC and wardens and Rector for all they have done this past year? Have you asked then if they will stand again or are a new pair of hands needed?
It is in your hands. Annual Parochial Church Meeting at Aynho 11th April 7.30pm
Mothering Sunday 6th March. All warmly invited to this Family Service. Come and receive a posy of flowers.
Palm Sunday 20th March Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week. This year we start our Palm Sunday procession at 10am from All Saints School in Croughton, with the blessing of our Palm crosses. We will then process the short distance to All Saints Church, the service will start when the procession arrives. At church, in the context of a Communion Service, we hear again the telling of our Lord Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, remember his last supper and passion, before spending the next 7 days, of Holy Week in our final preparations for Easter
Steane Special Summer Sermon Series
Come along and enjoy the beauty of Steane Park and the parish church of St. Peter, in our Steane Special Summer Sermon Series. Each month we gather to hear a special invited speaker and enjoy the beauty of traditional prayer book worship. Steane church only has six services a year so this is a wonderful opportunity to visit the church, enjoy worship and hear some excellent speakers. All services start at 6pm
April 10th, May 8th June 12th July 10th August 14th & September 14th = Canon Peter Gompertz
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