Author: Worth Parish

The Associate Vicar Writes…

Clergy

I love a good storm – as long as I am dry and safe in a well built home that will weather whatever nature hurls at it.  There is nothing better than watching the force of nature unleashed, from a safe distance.  However that’s not where the disciples are.  They are in the midst of it – right out in the middle of Lake Galilee with no protection against the wind and the rain.

Probably the same way those who understood Jesus felt when he talked to them in parables. Their world had become quite a stormy place after Jesus spoke about God’s kingdom. It’s not an easy place. It’s a place where we are challenged, where the things we thought we knew don’t cut it anymore.

National media was full of the Church of England’s next storm about its teaching on marriage as Jeremy Pemberton’s employment tribunal began this week.  In our parish we have weathered storms over centuries and they reappear in different forms and on different issues.

Jesus calms the storm ! And it didn’t even need faith on the part of the disciples. If they had trusted Jesus they could have been spared much distress but they chose to panic. We all fall into that trap, but hopefully we can call on Jesus without panicking.

But we need to be out there in the storm in the first place. Just watching from the outside, from a safe distance, means that we’re not involved in the issues that really matter. Only when we as individuals and as the Church, engage in that which matters can we understand how Jesus calms the storm.

James

From the Rector…

Clergy

It was with a thankful heart that, on Wednesday, I took the Maidenbower Service Register out of the safe and watched Steve write the entry for Messy Church (over 40 present) below my previous entry “Closing Service”. It was poignant that the Messy Church service took place in the same room in the Infant School that had hosted the worship of The Holy Family (the ‘church plant’ in the newly constructed neighbourhood of Maidenbower). Our thanks to the Infant School for facilitating the initiative.

On Friday, sitting with three others at the “Chat & Pray” held in Stepney’s Café, I gave thanks for that gathering that ‘held the baton’ of our church’s presence in Maidenbower, week by week, since it was built. To me it is important, and I pray that it is so for the people of Maidenbower, that we have that record of faithfulness and long-term commitment to them and the community. It might not seem much … but then neither does a mustard seed.

Thank-you to all who have and will nurture this new plant through prayer and practical support. May it grow into a mighty tree, like the noble cedar of our Old Testament reading. For those not fortunate enough to have seen the cedars of Lebanon, the image Ezekiel evokes can be brought to mind by looking at the cedar in the St Nicholas’ churchyard. A noble cedar providing shelter for all reminds me of the desperate plight of Palestinian, Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Lebanon today – and so to our parish’s little ‘mustard seed’ of social witness in providing a welcome and hospitality to the Refugee Tales walkers at St Nicholas’ next week. Can any of you help us to welcome and show solidarity with those highlighting the plight of refugees in this country?

 

Anthony

Two Parish Magazine Errors

Pewsheets

Dear All,

If you have got your copy of the new Parish Magazine (June-September) you will find two mistakes in it.

Firstly, the Come and Sing Musicals has the wrong date on the poster on page 19 (although it’s shown correctly elsewhere). You can come and sing musicals with us on Sat 19th September.

Secondly, the crossword is not supposed to be so fiendish. Clue 12 is impossible since I took out the book review to which it refers ! The answer to Clue 12 is Parkinson.

From the Curate…

Clergy

Well, it has been quite a week and now ends with the celebration of the Patronal Festival of St Barnabas – whose name literally means ‘son of encouragement’. Encouragement is something we all need. I was trained to give constructive criticism to a work colleague by means of the ‘soft sandwich’. Words of encouragement – then the criticism – followed by more words of encouragement.

However, current corporate thinking is that in order for anyone to hear any words of criticism and change that the person giving those words must have encouraged their employee with seven pieces of praise.

Clearly, encouragement is important and this week I have been able to reflect as I approached my Ordination to the Priesthood all those who have supported and encouraged me along the way. There are too many to name in full but I will just mention two.

The first is Lizzie – my wonderful steadfast and beautiful wife. Lizzie signed up and has been on the adventure of our married life with its ups and downs. She has encouraged me at times and also sat in silence in my pain (sometimes when we share our hurt we are not looking for advice or a quick fix – rather just someone to sit with us in our pain). The second is Paul Voke. Paul was my mentor as part of the Barnabas (Encouragers) Team at my first Church. Paul helped me grow in my ministry with wise words of encouragement – a true Saint.

Let us this week try to build each other up with words of encouragement,

Steve

Crisis with Cleaning @ St. Nicholas!

Pewsheets

We have now reached a crisis point with the cleaning at St Nicholas’ Church, Worth. There are too few volunteers to clean the church and toilets – which means that some weeks it is not being done.

Can you offer an hour or so once a month to either clean a small area of the church or the toilet block ?

Please complete the form below if you could help ! Thank you

 

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Thank you for your response. ✨

 

CONGRATULATIONS Revd Steve Burston !

Clergy, Special Services

On Wednesday 3rd June, five candidates including our Steve were priested in a moving service by the Bishop of Lewes at St Mary, Horsham.  Steve says thank you very much to those who went to support him and who have sent him cards.

Here are some of the photos taken by the Diocese of Chichester: