Churches March 2022

St Helen's Church is still out of use following the incident last June.

We are very grateful to Ian Pagan for enabling us to use Longhorsley Mission for worship.

You are reminded that you must not attend if you have any of the symptoms of Covid-19. Please remember to comply with social distancing rules and wear a face covering.

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Special Services 

Ash Wednesday: 2nd March at 10am Holy Communion in the Vicarage 

Mothering Sunday: 27th March at 10am Holy Communion in the Mission Side Hall

Flowers will be distributed after the service.

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PCC Meeting

The next meeting of the PCC is 6th April.

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St Helen's Contact Details

Vicar: Audrey McCartan 708806

audreymccartan@btinternet.com

Website: www.achurchnearyou.com

Wardens: David Pringle 788283 (Treasurer)

Stephen Gibson 788711 (Secretary)

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Thought for the Month

Envy - it is something which we all feel at some time, wishing for something which we do not have.

Power, wealth, fame, talent, beauty; these are examples of the things which can generate feelings of envy - “if only I had some of those attributes my life would be so different” is a common line of thinking - but would they make such a difference to our lives?

Power: in theory, the most powerful person in the country should be the Prime Minister. Our current Prime Minister does not have his problems to seek; and, for various reasons and rightly or otherwise, many of our recent Prime Ministers are treated with much less respect than they would wish.

Wealth: our Royal Family is said to have a privileged existence but the problems which they have faced in recent times need no repetition here.

Fame: the growth of Reality Television shows has meant that we now have people thrust into the limelight and who are “famous for being famous”. What is noticeable is how much we now read about the emotional support which is given to people who suddenly become household names, helping them to cope with the fame which they aspired to.

Talent: at present we have a number of high profile Premier League Footballers facing serious criminal allegations. J K Rowling, one of the leading Authors of modern times, is the subject of much media discussion.

Beauty: as ever, it remains in the eyes of the beholder.

Power, wealth, fame, talent, beauty - none of them, and no combination of them, guarantee inner peace, contentment, stability and happiness.

I recall talking some years ago to a lady who was in her later years; she described her life, with a smile, as one of “happily getting by”. She had been contented. She had then come into money, quite a large sum and unexpected. She told me how it had changed her life: some friends began to treat her differently, some people asked her for loans or gifts of money. Within her small community, she became known as the woman who “had that big win”. The money had given her wealth, power and local fame. She made it clear that she wished that she had never come into the money and that she could turn back the clock. It changed her life, greatly for the worse.

We can all reflect on what brings us peace and happiness. It is good to be ambitious and hard working and to set one’s sights high. But, reflecting on what brings true peace and happiness, it is almost invariably the simple things in life - family, friends, home life, helping others.

Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud - I Corinthians 13.4.

Stephen Gibson

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