The Rectory, Mickleham
for December 2011 - January 2012

Dear friends

It’s good to be back after our ‘holiday of a lifetime’ in New Zealand. We had a fantastic time, despite England’s woeful performance on and off the field at the Rugby World Cup.

We returned to the ‘situation’ at St Paul’s Cathedral, which has so dominated the news and done little to enhance the image of the Church as an institution. There is no doubt that we only know what the press have chosen to report, but it is clear from those reports that the Church authorities allowed themselves to get completely wrong-footed in their dealings with the protestors and somehow became their enemy rather than their ally in a shared mission to address the huge inequalities which result from a society in danger of being dominated by capitalist principles.

What is so sad is that it is a further reminder of how far the Church as an institution has moved from the gospel of ‘good news’ that came to light in the person of Jesus whose birthday we are shortly to celebrate. He was born into a world torn apart by external and internal forces. The Romans were the occupying force, and keen to ‘milk’ the Jewish people for all they could get out of them. The Jewish people themselves were struggling with their own religious leaders who seemed hell bent on maintaining the institution which had given them security and a comfortable life style, despite the cost to the people they were supposed to be serving.

The gospel He preached and lived out, addressed this situation head-on with talk of the rich man in his castle, about giving up worldly possessions to follow him, about prodigal sons and burying talents in the ground. He attracted men and women prepared to put their lives at risk, so engaged were they in this social gospel.

Please do join us in celebrating the birth of this remarkable reformer, but don’t forget it is more than just a cosy family event that brightens our lives in mid-winter.

There are a number of Christmas events, including the Annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Michael’s on Sunday 18th December at 6.30pm followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Our ever popular Crib Service at Bethlehem Barn is on Christmas Eve at 4pm. If you have not been to this service it is a must for everyone including children of all ages. A real baby surrounded by sheep and lambs in abundance.

New to the Christmas calendar this year is Carol Singing at the Chapel Ruins opposite Chapel Farm. The National Trust have allowed us to use the site for carol singing and the Absaloms have generously invited us all back to the farm for refreshments afterwards. The date is Wednesday 21st December at 6pm. We shall also be carol singing in The Running Horses in aid of charity on Friday 23rd December. Do join us for these two most enjoyable occasions.

There are other events, including the continuation of our ‘Sundays at 7’ recital season.

Angela and I wish you all a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year. Thank you all for your continuing friendship and support.