From the Vicar

At the beginning of last month, on National Poetry Day, I attended a workshop which was held in The Old School in the Churchyard and lead by Chester Cathedral’s Poet-in-Residence Julia McGuinness. There were about 15 of us present, from across the Diocese, and the theme of the workshop was “Making words count” and we were all encouraged to wander around the Churchyard, Church and Quiet Garden and to look carefully at and think about the things we saw, and then to see if we could write about them in new and different ways. I ended up writing a poem from the perspective of one of the many former upright or “table top” headstones which were laid flat in the 1960s to form part of the new Churchyard paths’ scheme.

Thinking about the coming month though and the various celebrations and services, including of course All Saints and All Souls and Remembrance Sunday, our Poetry Day theme seems very appropriate and relevant – making words count. November’s festivals and services are amongst the most important in both Church and national calendars – from the simple yet incredibly poignant and powerful reading of names at both All Souls and Remembrance, to the short sentences and phrases on Remembrance Sunday with which we’re all so familiar, and which mean so much –

“They shall grow not old……..At the going down of the sun……..we will remember
them.”

And as for the poetry, the opening lines of poems such as John McCrae’s “In Flanders Fields” say so very much and are incredibly evocative: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row……..” One of my favourite poets is Edward Thomas, who was killed on the opening day of the Battle of Arras in April, 1917 and whose poem “Roads” (written in 1916) contains this beautifully poignant verse:

“Now all roads lead to France
And heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead

Returning lightly dance.”

Making words count is of course an ongoing task/responsibility for all of us and not just aspiring poets. We know how important our words can be, for good or for ill, and the Bible has quite a lot to say, in different ways, on this subject.

Remembering and giving thanks for the sacrifice of so many people during past conflicts, as well as our own departed loved ones, is so important for all of us, and November affords us numerous opportunities to do this together as a worshipping community (as well as individually of course) and I look forward to welcoming everyone to the Church over the coming weeks.

May God bless us all in this coming month

The Revd Alec Brown.

Dear friends, 
LM Montgomery once said “I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”  I love Autumn – the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. To see the leaves in the trees change into such a patchwork of colours gives me such incredible joy. This then leads to sadness when I see all the leaves on the ground reminding me of the hardship of letting go.

Most of you know that Nathaniel has now started his degree in York and I found it incredibly hard to let go. From the moment he was born, as he grew up and moved onto other adventures, it has always been from the safety of the nest, within sight of the mother ship. He is beyond ready for this next stage in life, but I have found that I am not.

The song, “Let it go” is from the hit film “Frozen” and I quite often quote “St Elsa” who is one of the main characters – I have beatified her. Children at school can, like many adults, hold grudges for years and I explain the concept of letting go and how that can lead to happier lives. If we enjoy the little ways we can make others happy then that can be the secret of being happy yourself.
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In Ephesians it says “Make a clean break with all the cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” So October is a good time to let go of negative things in our lives and enable God to come into our whole lives. Perhaps think about letting go of something this October or taking something up. Dave bought me Dr Michael Mosley`s book “Just one thing” How simple changes can transform your life. So far, I have bought a house plant, started eating more beetroot and am counting my blessings. Cold showers have not been attempted but I`m making a start.

October is a great time in church – things happening but not in a manic way. We start with the end of creation tide and our annual pet blessing service and end with All Hallows Eve. It is a reflective time as we move into All Saints and All Souls when we reflect on those we see no longer. For those who listen to Radio 4, you may have heard the interview with Simon Boas, a 46 year old aid worker who received a terminal diagnosis. He wrote a couple of articles which went viral and so before his death he wrote a book called “A beginners guide to dying” It is an amazing book dealing with how he dealt with his impending death and it is incredibly positive. He writes about how talking about his death, preparing for it and accepting it – helped him enjoy life all the more. “I have developed my ability to prioritise important things, Love, kindness, meaning” He wrote how inordinately precious life is. He encourages people to talk about death not in a morbid but a practical way.

October is also “Make a will month” – Solicitors will prepare simple wills in exchange for a charitable donation – 50% of Brits do not have a will – another thing to do in October – it lessens your life by not a single moment but is vital.

All of us are in different seasons of life, all of which bring joys and challenges – when we enter new seasons there can be times of happiness, sadness and lament – but we know that God loves us through every season of his wonderful precious journey we call life.

Love and blessings

Christina
Forest Church 27th October 2024 2pm under the Oak Structure, Marbury Park
Join us for reflecting, wandering, twitching, making, eating and enjoying nature. Not Church in any conventional sense, just like minded people who love being in nature, making connections with God and each other.
Dress for the weather!
If you want to find out more speak to Christina 07870 687 304