FROM THE VICARAGE STUDY

My dear People,

Some of you who contributed towards my Easter Offering will not have been present at the Annual Parochial Meeting and I want, therefore, to repeat what I said on that occasion - namely, that I am very grateful indeed for this extremely welcome present and all the goodwill that it represents. Whether it is used to offset the expenses of a large house and garden or of a holiday it is in any case a great encouragement.

Easter has come and gone since I last wrote. It was, and ought to be, a happy occasion. The white and yellow colour scheme of the Sanctuary Guild (helped greatly by money gifts from many people) showed up the church particularly well. Almost 100 communicants and a well-attended Matins showed that many of us are still well aware of the tremendous significance of the message of Easter in respect of our lives. At the same time there are many others in the parish (including a fair proportion of young people) who seem completely unaffected by it. Now, our cover photo this month shows a baptism in progress. Could it be that some parents have completely forgotten the solemn promise made before God on that occasion - among other things, that their child would be taught the Christian faith, brought up to lead a Christian life and "brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him so that .. he may come .. to receive Holy Communion"? At the end of last month's letter I talked about the responsibilities of the Church towards the young. Obviously this is a twin responsibility. Excellent teaching in Sunday School can easily be undermined by lack of, above all, example and of guidance in the home. I hope that every parent who reads this will face up fairly and squarely to these questions. May 17th is Whitsunday, a day of great importance in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit of God entered, for the first time, into the personalities of men, as we believe still happens to every child or adult at their baptism and confirmation. Only - we must remember - the apostles were waiting and willing; therefore they became different, transformed people. Traditionally Whitsunday is another day when the Church expects all communicants to make their communion with a special intention of thanksgiving for this gift. For those of you who have lapsed from this practice, is not this a highly suitable occasion on which to offer yourself all over again, with your parents or family, in the service of God and men?

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

JOHN GREEN.