FROM THE METHODIST MINISTER

Dear Friends,

June, 1967.

The transient nature of our life on this planet was brought home to our forefathers by things like cholera and typhoid epidemics; by infant mortality rates, or by hunger and poverty. Today, in our corner of the world, life usually seems somewhat more stable and certain. We have settled and organized lines along, which we expect our lives to proceed, and we do not expect to see them shattered and broken.

Just occasionally, however, something happens which makes us aware of just how precarious is our grip upon life. Sometimes it is an international cataclysm, sometimes a personal tragedy. Such a moment has come recently with the conjunction of the Middle East tragedy with China's explosion of a Hydrogen bomb. Both are grim reminders of the dark forces of chaos that are never far away.

In this situation, Christianity teaches us that we have a double task; to make life less precarious for more people, and to face the fact that life is always transient. Making life less precarious is Christian Service and Christian political concern. Facing the fact of life (and death) means finding the meaning and purpose in Jesus Christ, who He was, and what He has done, and is doing in the world.

Yours sincerely,

DENIS E. GARDINER.

PARISH NOTES

A Warm Welcome

Is extended to Colonel and Mrs. Macklin and their daughter, who have recently moved into Stepp House; also to Mr. and Mrs. R. Stewart, who have come to live at Chesley (in place of Mr. and Mrs. Dawson); also to Mr. Jack Fermor, who is lodging at "Hillside", Munn's Lane and working for the Newington Fruit Company and who has already played cricket for us.

Our Sympathy

Goes to the family of Mrs. Emily Read, who died on 17th June after a long and rather painful illness. With her husband, one-time bailiff at Sweepstakes Farm, Mrs. Read been linked with farming all her life and continued to enjoy seasonal work in hop-garden and orchard; we shall miss her gentle, quiet presence in our community life.

Afternoon Tea-Party

At Great Grovehurst was blessed with warm sunshine and proved a most pleasant occasion, offering, an excellent tea and producing a welcome £20 for Church Funds.

Lent

Missionary Boxes produced £10 13s. 2d. and a cheque for this amount has gone to S.P.C.K., whose missionary activities are mainly through its bookshops and the written word.

Christian Aid Week 1967

In spite of there being no special money-raising efforts this year, our total is only a little short of last year's. A cheque for £47 has been sent to London. Thank you very much - those who agreed to have one of our collecting-boxes and all those who gave into them.