FROM THE VICARAGE STUDY

My Dear People,

Many will have seen some of the twelve broadcasters from overseas who stayed in our village this last week-end of October. The request from the B.B.C. for us to act as hosts came at short notice and I was particularly pleased how readily offers of accommodation and hospitality were forthcoming. In my opinion it was both a pleasure and a privilege.

It is a proven fact that contacts such as these are of the utmost importance. Members of the younger, newly independent nations are often very sensitive and impressionable. A week-end in an English home - and it may be their only one - can well give a lasting impression of a country and its people. The importance of our role was doubled when one realises that our guests were all broadcasters and the majority from Africa. I deeply hope that we in Hartlip may have played a very tiny part in helping towards goodwill and peace on that continent and elsewhere.

One remark made by a visitor still lingers - "I thought there would be more people at church", she said, referring to the Mattins congregation of about 45. "In my own home town of about 3,000, almost everyone goes to church. My own church with a capacity of 800, regularly has 1,000 at Sunday service." She was puzzled. She knew we Europeans gave them their Christian faith and yet the source seemed rather dried up, inactive. There are many lessons that could be learned, but is not one of them that we of the English Churches urgently need to recapture (as Our Lord suggested) the single-mindedness and enthusiasm of a child? Needless to say, this African lady was supremely grateful and a delightful, happy guest, perhaps because of the reality of her faith.

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

JOHN GREEN.