Archived News

Father Peter Writes - December 2011/January 2012

 One of the great Christian imperatives is to spread the Good News of the love of God. We are all called upon to do this and have been since the Good News was first shared with Mary, when the Archangel Gabriel came to tell her she would bear the Word of God. The shepherds heard the news and came to worship. They returned from Jesus, Glorifying and praising God. The Wise Men saw the signs and came to worship. The Gospels are full of accounts of people coming to Jesus and then sharing their experience of Jesus often bringing others with them.

This mission, this outreach, is central to the life of each and every Christian. If the love of God has touched us, if Jesus’ message has had an impact in our life, then we have the great responsibility to tell others too. This is not an optional extra; this is not something that people in other churches do. This is something for each and every one of us.

Perhaps we do not feel confident with this. Perhaps we do not feel comfortable with this. Many of those who saw Jesus then simply brought others to him. Andrew brought Peter; Andrew brought the boy with his five loaves and two fishes. Andrew brought them along with him, God did the rest.

Christmas is a time when we can all do this. We still have a great message to tell and it is shared by so many at Christmas time. If we bring someone with us, they may then learn more about the true meaning of Christmas and what Jesus could mean for them.

One of the greatest gifts we can share at Christmas is the love of God. Do not ask shall I bring someone with me to hear about that love? Ask rather, who shall I bring?

Wishing you every blessing for this Holy Season. 

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - November 2011

November is the month for remembering. It begins with All Saints and All Souls; two important days in the life of the church when we remember the saints and martyrs who have gone before us in faith and left us the inheritance we enjoy today. On these days we pray in thanksgiving for them and seek their prayers for us. Please try to be at Mass on these days if you possibly can.

Later in the month is Remembrance Day when we recall the dead of the two world wars and other conflicts. We pray of the dead of those wars, remember those who have been injured and their families too. We give thanks for the sacrifices they made to ensure peace and justice for those of us who remain.

To have any real meaning our recollection of all these days asks that we make them not just about the past but about the future too. Why did the people who have died in conflict put themselves in that position? To ensure we can live in the peace we do. To honour that offering we in our turn need to do all that we can to maintain that peace and just for all people of our time and in the future.

The saints and martyrs we commemorate on All Saints and All Souls have also left us an inheritance we which in our turn must guard and pass on. It is an inheritance of grace, of truth, of love, of faithfulness, of sacrifice.

Members of the church today are called to live their life in a way that shows that faith is real. We are called to make our journey with God faithfully and sacrificially. Taking up our own personal cross whatever that may be and bearing it for God. Giving back to God is a deeply spiritual thing, one no members of Christ’s Church can get away from. This month bear in mind what we have been left by others and ask what we in our turn and in our own way will leave for future generations.

Wishing you every blessing.

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - October 2011

Offering to God is a theme at this time for us at St James. This month’s gift day is an obvious example. Our financial situation is not good; any more support we can receive will be greatly appreciated and well used. If our personal financial situation does not allow us to offer more in that particular way surely, we can all offer a little extra time in prayer. In church would be good but of that is not possible, at home instead. We, as a church, need to be praying not only for our financial situation but also for God’s guidance for the future. We are at a turning point and have many opportunities opening up to us but we do need the guidance of God as to where He wants us to move onto next.

We had a very helpful and positive meeting about our music recently. Adverts have been placed for someone to lead our music for us but as yet I have had no response. The music meeting felt that people are enjoying the Psalm being said rather than sung and that the Mass setting is going well but they sometimes miss an anthem being sung. There was not the feeling that we can have a choir on a weekly basis at the moment but ought to be able to enjoy a small music group to help lead our worship at important times of the year. There were many positive comments and the future looks good but more prayer is definitely needed here to seek God’s guidance.

These two areas, in different ways, speak to us about our relationship with God and our commitment to Him. What are we prepared and able to offer back to God from all that He has given and continues to give us?  That question is one that any Christian needs to be constantly revisiting in their journey with Him. Where is God in my life and where does he want me to go with Him?

Please use this question as the basis for our Day of prayer and Giving.

Wishing you every blessing.

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - July/August 2011

July is an important month for us at St James. At the end of the month we celebrate our Patronal Festival when on Sunday 24th July we remember St James the Apostle. We look forward to having Fr Barry Hall SSC with us to preach. Fr Barry, you may remember, came and led Good Friday for us a few years ago.

The Apostles were the first bishops in the Church and so we focus not only on St James but remember all faithful bishops and especially those who serve us. This year we have our new bishop, Bishop Norman, newly consecrated to serve us as Bishop of Richborough. We look forward to seeing him with us at some point soon. You will see elsewhere in the magazine about the role and responsibilities of a bishop.

At the beginning of the month some of us will journey to our Cathedral at Chelmsford for the ordination of Fr Taemin as deacon. You can also read about the role of the deacon in this magazine. This is an important beginning not only for Fr Taemin and Helene but also for us at St James as each new deacon and priest presents us with new opportunities and challenges.

It seems, for us, July is going to be an important month for anyone in Holy Orders, the orders of deacon, priest or bishop. We will learn more about their roles and responsibilities at the service to celebrate the Bible at the beginning of the month. The bible, together with our understanding of Holy Orders are crucial to the life of the Church.

Come and be with us as we celebrate both this month.

Wishing you every blessing.

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - June 2011

The great festival of Pentecost falls fifty days after Easter, hence its name, Pentecost. Pent being taken from the Greek pente for five. We use the same root for the word pentagon, for a five sided figure and pentathlon, an athletic event with five different stages and many other words too.

 Pentecost the third most important festival in the Christian calendar, following on from Easter and Christmas. Pentecost completes our keeping of Easter and after Pentecost Sunday we move into the ordinary time of the year. Pentecost, sometimes used to be referred to as Whitsunday and is of such significance that some of you may recall it being considered worthy of a Bank Holiday. That was until 1971 when the Bank Holiday laws were changed and this holiday was fixed for the last Sunday in May rather than being the movable feast it had always been. Before 1971 it was determined by Easter, which as we know, also varies from year to year.

Pentecost celebrates the great, powerful and life changing gift of the Holy Spirit. It is often thought of as the birthday of the Church. Some consider this to be inaccurate as the Church came into being when the blood of Jesus was shed on the Cross for our Salvation. In spite of that, it is certainly true to say that it was with the great gift of the Holy Spirit that the Church was invigorated and given the power from God that it needed to spread throughout the world. Which it did under the leadership of the Apostles, the first bishops of the Church.  The Holy Spirit also guides, leads, teaches and empowers the Church of today. It also guides, leads and helps us in our own journey of faith and so it is not only great celebration for the Church but also for each and every individual member of the Church.

Pentecost is great and wonderful festival which requires proper keeping. This year Pentecost falls on Sunday June 12th and although we no longer remember this day with a Bank Holiday we must keep it faithfully as Christians. Please join us at Mass that day.

Wishing you every blessing for this Holy Season.

 Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - May 2011

It has been a strange Lent for us at the Rectory this year. It has not been the usual sort of Lent with its high points of the Liturgy and spirituality, of its journey and discipline. We have missed out on our guest preachers and the joining together for Stations of the Cross. It has been so different because as many of you will know, on Shrove Tuesday Caroline and I were in the operating theatre of Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Ash Wednesday began the process of recovery, a day of discomfort and at times pain but also a day of hope and encouragement. Quick discharge from hospital has led to a time of recuperation and gradual gaining of strength. We are both now doing well and the kidney is flourishing, leading Caroline to a new lease of life. So although Lent has been different for us this year, it has, in its own way, led us through uncertainty and pain to new life and hope. These are, after all, the themes of this time of year.

We have been so encouraged by the prayers and good wishes of so many people: the special Mass on Shrove Tuesday, all the cards and flowers, the offers of practical help, the trips to Cambridge. Our thanks go to everyone who has been part of these good wishes and practical expressions of aid.

We would also like to thank everyone for the space that they have given us during this time of convalescence, it has been very much appreciated and just what the doctor ordered. Our thanks also to those who have borne the brunt of responsibility in the leading of services; the ‘saying’ of Mass, dealing with the day to day running of the Church and School; to Paul and Janet our churchwardens, Jenny Heaps the vice-chairman of the School Governors and Jeff Graham the Head teacher. Of all those priests who have presided at the Mass and of those priests who have helped out with funerals and Stations of the Cross.

This Lent has shown us, once again, the great benefits and joys of being part of a Christian family and our thanks and those of the whole family, go to all those who have shown us their love and concern in so many ways.

Wishing you every blessing for this Holy Season,

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - April 2011

As April begins we find ourselves half way through the journey of Lent. With Mothering Sunday we have a day of refreshment, an opportunity for a break from our Lenten discipline, which in turn will allow us to re-focus ourselves for the second half of Lent. It is also the time when we begin to think more about Holy Week and in particular the Easter Triduum, that is the three days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day.

If Lent is a journey, then the Triduum is the climax of that journey and the point at which we arrive at our destination. To really get the most out of our celebration of Easter we do need to participate in these very special three days. They remind us, through our keeping of the liturgy, of Jesus’ last days on earth. Of his sharing the Last Supper with his disciples, of his washing of their feet, of his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane and betrayal by Judas Iscariot.

On Good Friday we recall the events that happened following the betrayal in the Garden, Jesus’ humiliation at the hands of the Roman soldiers and condemnation by Pilate, of his journey to the Cross and ultimate crucifixion. Of the desolation that followed and the loneliness of those who were left.

On Holy Saturday, the eve of Easter Day, we come to remind ourselves of the loving action of God through the Old Testament and then the New Testament. Of the joyous promises of God made known to us in so many ways and most of all the proof that was found in the empty tomb and the appearances of Jesus after that.

Our liturgy on these three days allows us to experience all of these things in a way that words alone simply cannot, please do your best to join us for them.

Wishing you every blessing.
Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - March 2011

Journeys are important things, big journeys are more important, journeys that will take us somewhere special are even more important to us. Sometimes we do not think very much about them and do not consider them significant at all. That is until something goes wrong, a delay or a disruption and then we do realise how important that journey was and what the implications are of it not going well. To avoid such difficulty and disappointment we plan our journey, we take it seriously and the more lengthy or important the trip is, the more planning and organisation goes into it.

The Christian life has been likened to a journey. Some might call it a pilgrimage. It is a journey with God. The planning and the process of the journey are important and it should not just be when something goes wrong that we realise that. Within the overall journey of our life and faith there are significant smaller journeys as well. One such annual journey is the journey to Easter and the route we travel to arrive at Easter is Lent.

Lent is a journey, a pilgrimage. It needs to be undertaken seriously and travelled from beginning to end. Without the journey of Lent our arrival at Easter will not be all it ought to be, it will not be all it can be. If we do not keep Lent and Holy Week well, we will not be able to keep Easter well.

God and His Church give us things to help us in our pilgrimage with Him. They are there to aid us, not to give us hurdles to jump or difficulties to get round. Lent is one such aid to our pilgrimage with God, let us make full use of it this year.

Wishing you every blessing.
 Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - February 2011

This year sees the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. Whilst it was not the first Bible to be translated into English, it was the first to have such universal appeal and to be authorised for use in public worship throughout the land. This is why this version of the Bible is often referred to as the Authorised Bible. This is a very significant occasion as the King James translation of the Bible was the forerunner of all subsequent translations. It is so incorporated into the culture and language of the English that knowledge of it is essential for studying many other things.

Perhaps it is difficult for us to realise that before the Reformation the Bible was not available in English and being only commonly proclaimed in Latin at public worship, it was not known to ordinary people. It was always the intention that the Word of God, through proclamation in the Bible, would be freely open to all people. So the publication of this Bible was crucial in the development of the faith of the people of this land.

It is this fact, access for all to the Word of God, that is the real anniversary to celebrate. The King James Version of the Bible is only a translation of the original texts, which would have been written in Hebrew, Greek and some Aramaic. The language of the King James Version is now not familiar to most people and indeed at times is quite strange and confusing. It is not, in parts, a very good translation of these original texts either. That is why it is not used in public worship very much today. The Bible needs to be readily accessible to all people at all times. It is not like the works of Shakespeare or even the Book of Common Prayer, which being created in that period speak to us in the language of that time in history. The Bible needs to be a more living work than that and use the language of the time and place it finds itself in, whilst at all times remaining as true to the original texts as possible.

Having said that this is still a very formative document for Christians and especially those of the English speaking world, so this is indeed a very important anniversary to celebrate. An anniversary we will be hearing more of as the year goes on.

Wishing you every blessing.
 Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - December 2010 / January 2011

This year Caroline and I celebrated 28 years of marriage. We married in All Saints Church Poplar, East London. The Rector of Poplar celebrated the nuptial Mass and Canon David Cook, whom some of you may remember, presided over the marriage ceremony itself. As all married couples do, we took each other, from that time, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health. One never knows quite where life will lead and so the help of God is a very necessary thing in a marriage. This is one reason why it is a Sacrament of the Church. With the exchange of rings we also pledged to honour each other and share all that we had with each other. She and I are now to take this vow, to share all that we have, to a new level.

As some of you may know, she has not been enjoying good health for some time, currently being required to undergo kidney dialysis three times each week. Her doctors tell us that her best option would be to have a kidney transplant. Together we have been exploring whether or not I might be able to be a donor and offer her one of my kidneys. It seems that we probably are compatible on this front and at some point early in the New Year we hope this donation may take place, at Addenbrooks Hospital, in Cambridge.

You may well ask, why is he telling me all this? Well, I am sharing this with you to ask for your prayers for us both and as a family. Your support too, for if this comes to pass, I will be out of action for a time. How long that will be we do not know and can’t get a straight answer out of anyone either. In some ways this is understandable for everyone will recover at their own rate. Estimates have been given between four to twelve weeks to include the surgery and a time of recuperation. I am also letting people know about this to assure them that the parish will be well cared for in my absence. Fr Alan has offered whatever support he can give and will be, together with our Churchwardens, an initial port of call for people. I will also ensure there are others to support him in this, after all he is retired.

This is quite an adventure for us and as I’m sure you will agree rather daunting, in some ways. It is however an adventure that, we hope and pray, will have a happy and positive outcome.                     

Wishing you every blessing for this Holy and Blessed Season.

 Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - November 2010

The Church’s season of Advent begins at the end of this month. Advent is an important season of the year in its own right. It has its own wonderful music and hymns and very powerful readings. As such, it needs to be kept properly and appropriately. It is not Christmas. For the Church, Christmas begins with Christmas Eve; that is why in many churches, St James included, we do not begin the Christmas music, hymns and carols until Christmas itself begins. Some people find this strange and difficult, why can’t we sing our favourite carols in the run up to Christmas? The answer is - Advent is an important season in its own right. The secular Christmas begins earlier and earlier each year, in the Church we need to remind ourselves and others that it does not really begin until Christmas Eve.
Advent is one of the two main seasons of penitence and preparation in the life of the Church, the other being Lent. The word Advent means coming or the arrival, the arrival of someone or something special. In this case, it is the time of year when we think about the forthcoming arrival of Jesus as God in Flesh. This arrival is the one most important arrival in the whole history of the world and God’s relationship with His world. As such, it rightly deserves its own season.
At the Rectory we enjoyed a very important family occasion earlier in the year, the marriage of Meg, our elder daughter. It was a great day, which went off well because it had been prepared for well. We can only greet the King of Kings at Christmas if we have prepared for that meeting, hence the season of Advent.
We prepare by extra prayer, by coming to Mass a little more often and perhaps most importantly, by making our confession. I would urge you all to do this during this Advent; confession is one of the great healing Sacraments of God’s Church and one that would benefit us all.

Wishing you every blessing

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - October 2010

As I write to you today we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of His Holiness the Pope on what will be the first State Visit of a Pope to our country. It is important on many levels. It is important to remember that he is coming in response to an invitation from the then Prime Minister Mr Gordon Brown. It is important, as the Pope is the head of state of the Vatican, a significant and influential state in the world even though it is the smallest state in the world. It is important, as the Vatican represents the largest faith community in the world of any faith or denomination.
As head of state he will meet with, our head of state, Her Majesty the Queen and her representatives in government. The Pope will meet with religious leaders too. As I have said, he is to meet with the Queen, who is not only head of state but also supreme governor of the Church of England. He will also meet with His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. These will be important meetings as far as inter-church, international and community relations are concerned.
There has been much negative comment in the media about this visit, which has perhaps been part of the reason why one cardinal has described our country as aggressively atheist. There is certainly a very negative and hostile element in our society today where matters of faith are concerned, which is fuelled by the attitude of much of the media. In the history of the Church, this is nothing new. The Church has been persecuted, ridiculed, accused of being out of touch and outdated, since it first came into being two thousand years ago. Jesus in His life also found Himself on the edge of things. When we stand up for the things of God it will often bring us into conflict with the world, as the values of God and the values of the World are often very, very different. One Rabbi has said that the aggressively secular agenda is precisely because faith is still so relevant and considered a threat as it is undergoing resurgence of late.
The Pope will have to deal with the serious issues that surround his visit, especially that of child abuse, which is a great evil. We do need to remember however that it is not just the Roman Catholic Church that is blighted by this grave sin nor only the Church, society as a whole has been struggling with it for some decades and struggles with it still.

Wishing you every blessing

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - September 2010

I wonder how many of you could list all of the Ten Commandments?

The Ten Commandments are recorded in the Old Testament as being given to Moses by God. They formed the basis of the law for the people of Israel. They have also formed the basis of the law for all people who share this Judaeo-Christian heritage, including the laws of our own land. They are the foundation stones of the moral code of the Church. At one time people would have been very familiar with them, perhaps less so now but that does not diminish their importance.

This autumn there is to be a national, ecumenical, church initiative to raise the awareness of people to the Ten Commandments, to study their importance and consider their impact in our life today. At St James we are to be part of this programme and we will be studying the Ten Commandments as part of our Study Programme.

The Christian faith is something that we all have to work hard at. We need to keep our faith fresh and to grow in our knowledge of God and His wishes for us. One way that we can do this is to join the Study Groups. It would be good to see as many of our church members as possible at these groups looking at this important area.

If we do not keep our faith fresh we will find ourselves drifting from God and then many aspects of our life of faith will become difficult for us. Joining others in consideration of particular topic, hearing what the Bible has to teach us and discussing how we might live that in our life, could lead us closer to God and to a deeper understanding of His will for us.

Please do join us if you can.

Wishing you every blessing.

Father Peter Writes - July/August 2010

General Synod meets this month and one of the main items on its agenda will be the proposed legislation to allow women to become bishops in the Church of England. This is almost certain to be agreed, which in turn, will start the process to allow this to take place. The consultation will take almost five years to complete, so even if agreed this month, it will not happen very soon. If we are just considering an issue of justice then it is difficult to doubt the right of women ordained as priest to continue to be ordained bishop. There are other considerations here however which also need serious consideration.

The Church of England stated, when it made the move to ordain women as priest, that to agree with this development or not were positions of equal value and could be held with integrity. Legislation was then brought in to support this theological standpoint. Legislation we have, in this parish, made use of which is why we look to Bishop Keith for our pastoral and sacramental support.

The question will be whether or not synod has the mind or ability to allow this provision to continue. If it does not, the position of many in the Church of England will be very difficult.

We must pray that the members of General Synod will be guided by God in this and all other matters committed to their charge.

Wishing you every blessing.

Fr Peter Walker

Father Peter Writes - June 2010

This month sees the service of Baptism and Confirmation for this year. We are to present six candidates, three of our young people from church and three adults. This is an important occasion for them and for our church. For them, as it is a great spiritual step, a time of commitment to God and His Church. For us as a church, as we welcome six new members into the full life of the Church.

It is a time when we need to pray for them, that they will grow in their faith and come to an ongoing, deep relationship with God. That they will find their space in God’s Church and in His service. That they will be so moved by the Holy Spirit that they turn their lives to Him fully and completely.

As members of he Church we need to pray for them, that all these things will be real for them. We need to pray that we, as existing members of the Church of God, will help them in any way we can to fulfil their God given potential with us, His people in this place. That we will make space for them in our church family and that we will offer all the encouragement that they will need in the months to come. We also need to pray for Bishop Keith as he presides over these Sacraments of the Church.

We also need to do what we can to be with these people as they make this commitment and join them at Thorpe for this important service. I commend them all to your prayers and to your care.

Wishing you every blessing.

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