FROM THE VICARAGE STUDY

My dear People,

October would appear to be quite a busy month, beginning with our joint Patronal and Harvest Festivals on 4th October. There is an overwhelming double reason for everyone in this picturesque country parish to worship God in Church on that day in a spirit of real thanksgiving; thanksgiving for the existence and witness of the Church here in your lifetimes and the 700 years since its dedication, and, secondly, for another wonderful harvest and the high standard of living most of us enjoy today.

I want, though, to mention two other events. First, the General Election on 15th October. Every Christian has a moral duty to vote and to vote with real care and thought. That means fairly examining the election manifestos of our candidates and the programmes of their parties, with special reference (1) to their ideas in the realm of social justice, (2) to the chances of their party forming a stable government, and (3) to their foreign policy being likely to assist towards the peaceful ordering of world affairs. This advice may be in general terms and the issues may appear involved and beyond some people's understanding, but with regular prayer many deep things can be made plain.

Secondly, St. Luke's Day this year falls on a Sunday - 18th October. Here is a special chance to remember that the Church has a definite ministry of healing in the world. Jesus instructed both the Twelve and the Seventy to "preach the word and to heal the sick" a double task, that still remains with His Church. From this do you infer a pattern of two separate fields of specialist work, personnified by clergy and doctors? If you do, you are wrong. It is widely recognised today that comparatively few illnesses are due only to physical causes; there are usually accessory mental, nervous or spiritual reasons also playing their part. Hence the need to heal the whole man and the need for the Church's ministry, as Jesus in His wisdom saw. This ministry is exercised through sheer practical caring for the sick, through prayer and through the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Holy Unction. Nothing can be more cleansing and strengthening, than the Holy Communion; yet how very few sick ask me to bring them their Communion. At any rate, as a start, please in the event of serious illness send for me, your parish priest, at the same time as your doctor.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

JOHN GREEN.