FROM THE VICAR

My dear People,

In this first issue of a new year it seems right to say a word about magazine policy. Already you will have noticed a fresh cover of which more in a minute. In addition, the magazine will this year contain local matter and the Sign inset only. Diocesan Notes are read, I think, by only a small proportion of subscribers. Further, the magazine in its revised form should be a more readable proposition for the average person - three different sections, each set in the other, can be confusing and result in an irritated reader disinclined to read anything! The change will also make it a little easier to balance our budget without increasing the price. Please note, however, that two dozen copies of the Notes will be available each month in church for any who want them. As regards content, each issue will contain at least one article; it may vary from the devotional to the historical but will, I hope, always be thought-provoking.

The cover has been specially drawn for us by my friend, David Gibson, who preached here Good Friday last and who is chaplain at Sutton Valence School. We are greatly in his debt; hours of thought and effort, as well as skill, have gone into it. This cover speaks to us of the life of this parish in jigsaw form. You will see, though, that there is one piece in the middle not yet in position. Therein lies the message - the life of a community or individual is not complete unless God is at the centre of it, unless the worship of God is behind every activity.

This message has been unchanged since the time of Our Lord. Jesus said quite simply that He had come to make men whole, that "they may have life and have it abundantly". It is the experience of millions down the ages that He is right; He makes all the difference to life to each new day, to your job, to relations with your neighbour, to your personal crises, to your end. God in the person of Jesus Christ gives real meaning to life. He makes it complete. If you haven't already, why not try it this new year of 1967?

Your sincere friend and Vicar,

JOHN GREEN.