Church News – July and August 2012
From the Sanctuary
What are human beings, that you think of them; mere mortals, that you care for them?Yet you made them inferior only to yourself; you crowned them with glory and honour.
You appointed them rulers over everything you made; you placed them over all creation:
sheep and cattle, and the wild animals too; the birds and the fish and the creatures in the seas. (Psalm 8: 4-8)
Leading up to Synod, through Synod, and since Synod, we have been reminded on our TV screens, with an ever-increasing sense of urgency, of our need to do everything that we can to do our bit to protect our fragile planet. We keep being told that we are at the tipping edge of being able to save our planet. Green matters and renewable energies are now political priorities (and vote winners). Yet, the stewardship of God’s planet is something that we have always been called on, as Christians, to exercise responsibly; but the Christian voice, and the Church, has sadly been largely silent on these matters in the media, on something that the Church could/should take a lead.
Whilst we can recycle our rubbish and separate out our organic matter from our plastic waste, avoid single-use plastic and reduce our energy consumption, many of the things we might do to help are fiendishly expensive. I would love to replace my car with an electric or hydrogen car, to put solar panels on my roof, and to make my house a lot more energy efficient. However, that all costs thousands of pounds to do. We may be able to do some of these things, but many of them are beyond the financial reach of many/most.
At Synod, in June, Moravian congregations were encouraged to plant more trees on any spare ground they have, to decarbonise our investments as a province, and to switch energy providers to greener providers. As a Church committee, we have been looking at the possibility of installing solar panels on our Church roof, which is an extensive area that could be put to such a use, and which could save us money on our energy bills and generate income through sale of spare electricity to the national grid.
We will be bringing a proposal to do that to an extra-ordinary Congregation Council meeting in July. Please pray about that and discuss that with others – but also ask yourself what more you could personally do, within your financial means, to exercise better Christian stewardship of God’s precious world – for it is part of His wonderful creation, and every little action helps.
I wish you every blessing
NEWS
As is the norm for the summer edition of this Monthly Magazine, this will cover both the months of July and August. If, for any reason, we need to contact you with news before September, then an email will be sent out to you. For those of you without computer access, a quick phone call will be made.
Could we remind you that the church has its own website, where this magazine can be viewed. The address is www.dukinfield.moravianchurch.uk
The Good Samaritan – (Luke 10:25-37).
Following on from our discussions at Bible Study this week, it is a good idea to relook at the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This familiar story tells of a man who is mugged on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho and rescued by a Samaritan. Jesus tells it in response to a lawyer’s question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” When Jesus calls for a life of total love towards God and neighbour, the lawyer comes back with the question: ‘who is my neighbour?’ (29).
The plight of the man and the indifference of the priest and Levite would have horrified Jesus’ hearers. They assumed that the hero of the story would be a Jew! However, Jesus presents the Samaritan, a sworn enemy of the Jews, as a model of integrity and an example to follow: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?…Go and do likewise.” (36,7). The challenge of the story is that often our neighbours can be our worst enemies, yet these are the very people we are called to love as ourselves.
Of course, we can all think of people to whom we are called to be a Samaritan in our lives: those we try to avoid and don’t want to get alongside. If we are honest, we know that we don’t have it in us to love as Jesus says here. We all need somebody who will be our Good Samaritan, to rescue us and enable us to love others as ourselves. Jesus is that Good Samaritan for us.ting a Samaritan helping a Jew, Jesus could not have found a more forceful way to say that anyone at all in need – regardless of race, politics, class, and religion – is your neighbour.” (Tim Keller).
The plight of the man and the indifference of the priest and Levite would have horrified Jesus’ hearers. They assumed that the hero of the story would be a Jew! However, Jesus presents the Samaritan, a sworn enemy of the Jews, as a model of integrity and an example to follow: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?…Go and do likewise.” (36,7). The challenge of the story is that often our neighbours can be our worst enemies, yet these are the very people we are called to love as ourselves.
Of course, we can all think of people to whom we are called to be a Samaritan in our lives: those we try to avoid and don’t want to get alongside. If we are honest, we know that we don’t have it in us to love as Jesus says here. We all need somebody who will be our Good Samaritan, to rescue us and enable us to love others as ourselves. Jesus is that Good Samaritan for us. By depicting a Samaritan helping a Jew, Jesus could not have found a more forceful way to say that anyone at all in need – regardless of race, politics, class, and religion – is your neighbour.” (Tim Keller).
Calendar for July 2021
| Sunday | 4th | Family Service with Holy Communion led by Br Peter | 11 a.m. |
| Monday | 5th | Church Committee on Zoom | 5.15 p.m. |
| Sunday | 11th | Family Service led by Br John | 11 a.m. |
| Wednesday | 14th | M.W.A. Meeting on Zoom | 7 p.m. |
| Sunday | 18th | Family Service led by Sr Glenys followed by Extraordinary Congregation Council Meeting | 11 a.m. |
| Sunday | 25th | Family Worship led by Sr Susan Flint | 11 a.m. |
Calendar for August 2021
| Sunday | 1st | Family Service with Holy Communion led by Br Peter | 11 a.m. |
| Sunday | 8th | Family Service led by Br John | 11 a.m. |
| Sunday | 15th | Family Service led by Sr Sue Selby | 11 a.m. |
| Sunday | 22nd | Family Service led by Sr Gillian | 11 a.m. |
| Sunday | 29th | Family Service led by Br Peter | 11 a.m. |
Out of the mouths:
A young mother writes:
It is always busy in our home, as we have four young children running about. But one particular Sunday afternoon James, my four-year-old kept following me about very closely. He was on my heels every time I turned around, and after nearly falling over him several times, I lost patience. ‘Whatever is the matter with you?’ I demanded. ‘Why don’t you go play?’
He looked up at me and said: ‘This morning at church the teacher told us that we should walk in Jesus’ footsteps. But I can’t see Him, so I am walking in yours. instead.’ I gathered up my young son and felt tears in my eyes. I thanked God for this lesson I will never forget – about the value of being a living example to our young ones.”
When we feel shaken (Lk 10:42)
Faithful Father, when we feel shaken by the events of the past; when we don’t know quite how to go forward; when our confidence in what we thought we could control is undermined; remind us that one thing is needed – to sit at your feet and listen to You.
You are our security. You will never fail those who belong to You through faith in Your Son, Jesus.
As we take time to listen to You, Lord, and to meditate on Your Holy Spirit-inspired Word, may we know Your peace – and Your good plans for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Daphne Kitching
