Easter 2011

What an Easter it has been, spiritually and meteorologically!   On Good Friday we had an ecumenical Stations of the Cross, conducted to great approval by the Anglican vicar; on Saturday we broke our Lenten fasts; on Sunday we had a magnificent service of Holy Communion; and today we had a picnic (in the churchyard, almost!) at East Garston, near Lambourn.   In the churchyard itself was the most wonderful Easter Garden I have ever seen.   I don't deserve such happiness.........

Cuts

It is right that Christians (and others) should 'look after' our weaker brethren - helping lame dogs over styles and that sort of thing - but we should do it with our own resources, NOT WITH BORROWED MONEY.   That's the reason our national finances are in the mess they are today.   So no-one should say "Not us!" - we must all play our part to live within our national income - it is only legitimate to question how and when the cuts must fall.

The Head of the Church

Recently I came across this in a Church magazine, celebrating a 200-years anniversary: "Briefly, Baptists believe that Christ, not the Monarch, is head of the Church".   I nearly choked on my cornflakes, then penned this reply: "I was startled by this explanation - as if Anglicans think otherwise: of course we don't!   Loyal monarchists think that the Queen is "head" of everything that "belongs" to our country, as custodian, but the true head of the Church of England is Jesus.   When King George VI died a clever non-Anglican remarked to a friend "I hear that the head of your Church died?" which earned the quick responses "Yes, but He rose again on the third day". That's us.  God bless you all - including Baptists in your anniversary year."   Then the cornflakes tasted even better...