From the Vicarage

New Year Resolutions

Every year there are lots of smiling faces at the Christmas services, and people saying how much being in Church has meant. "We're going to come every week from now on," they say.
But on the next Sunday they feel too tired after the New Year parties to remember God, and the Sunday after that they have to go shopping. The next week is for visiting relatives, and then there's football, swimming, keep fit and all the other activities they cannot miss. Instead, they miss coming to Church, worshipping God, meeting their fellow-Christians, hearing the Bible being read and praying.

Some months into the year I often meet the same people again. They may be excitedly planning for a wedding or a baby's baptism, or perhaps they are sad because of illness, injury or death. As I talk to them and help them plan the service I try to explain how God can help them, whether it is to give a happy, fulfilled life for the couple or the child, or to bring comfort in their sorrow and loss. But thoughts are usually too full of the immediate joy or despair to look ahead or back very far. A little time spared from those minor distractions and spent learning about God's love when life was calm would have given a wealth of understanding to help at other times.

The Church was not founded for God's benefit, but for ours. Sharing thoughts, ideas, friendship and prayers with other Christians helps human beings to know how the world fits together, what is likely to lead to health and happiness and what will probably fail. Time spent in worship changes lives in a real and positive way.

This year, don't just put coming to Church, praying or reading the Bible among your New Year Resolutions. Make them your New Solutions - the way you will add to the happiness and fulfilment of your life and the lives of your loved ones.

With every blessing,

Ann

The above is the lead article from the parish magazine for January 2008.
If you wish to receive the full magazine it is available for a subscription of £3 per year from Mrs Mavis Bradley on 01322 338654 or email parishmag at sladegreen dot org

Index of the previous magazine articles