A Warm Welcome

Is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Stephens and their baby daughter, who have moved into Orchard Lea, from the Wimbledon area; also to Mr. and Mrs. Layzelle and their baby daughter, who earlier this year bought Stamford House, Dane Close, having previously lived at Great Dunmow. We hope they will soon feel part of our community.

A Donation

As a result of a donation from the family of Mr. C. A. L. Vincent, who died last year, we have bought six bibles for use in church, principally for the Sunday School children to follow the Lessons at Mattins, but also for any member of the congregation to use if they wish. All the bibles are illustrated, two of them being a special edition produced by the British and Foreign Bible Society for young people, with numerous drawings and route-maps. We are very grateful for this gift.

Christian Aid Week

Final figure was £60, the best so far. A cheque has gone to their London H.Q.

Congratulations

To Mr. Faust on the success of Shopex 68, the Trade Exhibition in Sittingbourne, of which he is chairman of the organising committee.

J.H.G-W.G.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

"They all with one consent began to make excuse." - Luke 14:18.

It is not enough that we hear the invitation of the Gospel: many do that, and think themselves justified when they can say that they are regular churchgoers. It is not enough that we heed the appeal that our merciful Saviour makes to us: our good intentions may be our own condemnation in the Day of Judgement. There must be a patient continuance in well-doing, a practical response to the call of God, a growing up into Christ in all things, that we may become complete in Him our Head. Our Lord has warned us of the dangers of making excuses. An excuse differs from a reason by its falsehood: it is pleaded dishonestly. We are warned further that there are three classes of excuses commonly pleaded - the selfish, the commercial, and the social. The selfish man is occupied and satisfied with things as they are: the commercial man is absorbed in business: the social man has other interests in life which he thinks are imperative and exclusive. We need to learn (1) there is no true wealth apart from God, (2) the business of life is to prepare for eternity, and (3) in God all fatherhood is named, and no affection is sure that is not enfolded in the love of God.

B.A.

LOCAL COMMENT

Brief essay by - Lower Junior under the title "How the Prayer Book began:- "The monks had to get up in the morning".