Rector's Letter

Home  Contact   Calendar   Help at Special Times  Music  Services   Sermons

		The Rector's Letter February 2010

February 2010

The Rector writes:

Dear Friends

Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.” Predictably, these words from the Ash Wednesday service resonate more strongly with me with each passing year. They are a stark reminder of our mortality and a summons to obedience. They herald the beginning of Lent.

In popular culture, the season leading up to Good Friday and Easter is associated primarily with “giving up something”. Whether it is chocolate, wine or biscuits, whatever is sacrificed is supposed to be a mark of self-denial, a spiritual discipline practised particularly in this penitential period.

The converse “taking up something” for Lent does not figure so prominently in contemporary culture. Yet, paying attention to the other spiritual disciplines such as prayer, worship and study is equally important in our keeping of Lent. One possibility is to come to church for prayers or Holy Communion during the week. Another is to join an ecumenical study group. A further opportunity is presented in the special books published to help us journey through these forty days. It may not be so obvious but “taking something up” involves a measure of sacrifice too; for example, we have at least, to set aside some time.

Both “giving something up” and “taking something up” are about deepening our commitment to God; they both require some sacrifice. This should not surprise us because the Resurrection follows the Crucifixion. Through a greater self-offering, we experience renewal.

There are two very particular events coming up in our life-together in February. On 8th February, it is our annual Stewardship of Money Sunday, when we consider our financial giving to God’s work in the light of the budget agreed by the District Church Council. The recruitment process for our new Director of Music and Organist continues with a call to pray individually and together. Further on in this parish magazine, you’ll find an interview with Andrew and further information.

Through these significant landmarks in our journey together, as in every aspect of our common life, we are encouraged into deeper relationship with God. By our individual and corporate sacrifices, we are drawn further into the mystery of the Cross. The path to Resurrection begins with a longing to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ that finds wonderful expression in the prayer of St. Richard: -

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me,
O more merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
Day by day.
Amen.

With love

David Tomlinson

Team Rector of Saffron Walden

Christmas 2009 letter

December 2009/ January 2010 letter

November 2009 letter

October 2009 letter

August/September 2009 letter

July 2009 letter

Contact St. Mary's