FROM THE METHODIST MINISTER

Dear Friends,

Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy said of her late husband that he was an "idealist without illusions". Most of us find it difficult to hold these two qualities together. There are idealists who are ineffective because they will not face up to the situation as it is. They will not take part in the struggle, the politics, the compromises which are present at every step of the road leading to their ideals. Then there are the hard bitten people who have no illusions about the perversity, and evil in human nature. They are only too aware of the obstacles in the way of human ideals. They lose their ideals and either accept things as they are or set their sights pretty low as to what they can be.

Many of us are sometimes idealists and sometimes people with no illusions. We need to be both people at the same time, of course. Christmas is a time when we tend to be sentimental idealists. We talk about peace on earth without facing the facts about present wars and conflicts, about the violence in our own society or about those who have no peace because they are hungry, sick, homeless and have no help. We easily talk about "goodwill toward all men" without facing the fact that men find it remarkably difficult to live together. However, when we do look at the facts then our idealism begins to crumble.

Jesus held together idealism with no illusions better than any other man. He lived a perfect life and exhorted men "to be perfect". Yet he was very aware of the sin around Him and detected all its subtle out-workings. On His cross we see what the sin of man does to perfect goodness.

So let us look to Jesus for our strength and inspiration to be idealists without illusions.

Yours sincerely,

David C. Lapworth.

PARISH NOTES

A Warm Welcome

Is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph O'Brien, and their son, Roger, and daughter, Kathleen, who have recently moved from Burham to take over the management of the Tuck Inn. We wish them well in their business venture. We also welcome Mr. and Mrs. Dalrymple, who are now resident at White Gates, Old House Lane, after owning both house and orchard for some years.

Farewell

And best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and Mark and Claire, who left us last month to live in Cwmbran, Monmouth. We shall miss them in our Church, School and community life. Mark and Claire will be specially remembered for their lively and colourful illustrations.