Rector's Letter

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		The Rector's Letter August/September 2010

August 2010

The Rector writes:

Dear Friends,

Lying in the tent at the end of each day’s safari, variations on “My, it’s hot!” punctuated our reflections on the lions, buffalo and elephants we had seen. Amusingly, my friend’s tetchy complaints about the heat remain for me as vivid a memory of that holiday as anything I saw.

Not surprisingly, our subsequent conversations about our time in Kenya have repeated our original exchanges. The gist of my argument was and is that we were in Africa and it was bound to be hot. His counter: he was not expecting it to be that hot.

Notwithstanding the undercurrent of mild irritation, this kind of shared experience, recalled with joshing and laughter, is a building block of friendship.

In whatever way our travelling companions affect our own enjoyment of the journey, this kind of time together has a significant impact on the relationships. Furthermore, how we relate, listen to and care for each other might be more important than what we do or see. Indeed, on an ideal trip, the photographs and stories that make up the folklore of any holiday all contribute to a deeper bond between the participants. This has been confirmed by the many encounters that I have with families looking back over their shared life. Regardless of where they went or what they did, these days away together are fondly remembered.

The metaphor of the church as a people on a journey, travelling together underlies this prayer at our baptism, “May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church, pour upon the riches of his grace, that within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit, and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.” This prayer highlights that the context for our experience of grace, renewal and, ultimately, the glory of heaven is amongst “Christ’s pilgrim people.”

Shared experiences of worship, ministry, mission, service, as well as social events, conversation and laughter constitute our common life. As we arrange and take opportunities to get to know each other better, then our collective journey is enhanced. Besides, listening to and learning to care for each other is integral to our Christian discipleship.

In the autumn, there will be a particular opportunity for us to develop our life together further. I am hoping that we can establish a number of small groups for learning and praying together, and for mutual care and encouragement. There will be more information about this new venture in September.

If you are going away in August or September have a great time. As we journey over the coming months, let us travel well together and help others to begin to journey with us.

Lord,
you run with us in our energy
and carry us in our weariness;
help us to recognise your companionship
in our journey through life.
Give us grace and sensitivity
so to walk with others on the way
that they too will find themselves
walking with you,
Jesus, our Saviour and Friend.
Amen.

With love

David Tomlinson

Team Rector of Saffron Walden

July 2010 letter

June 2010 letter

May 2010 letter

April 2010 letter

March 2010 letter

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