CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEACHAM

Christmas seems like a distant memory, New Year resolutions long forgotten, the promise of spring not yet visible.

I'm writing this on a wet, grey day, the snow almost gone but with the prospect that it may yet return. The news on our televisions of an earthquake in Haiti with many feared dead and millions having lost everything. A gloomy picture: the start of a new year and a new decade hasn't been happy for many. Should we give in to despair, or can we look for signs of hope despite what we see and hear each day? During the recent severe weather, and in the floods in the Lake District before Christmas, stories of individuals and communities working together to care and support one another have been heart-warming, and give us hope that there still are people who care. The Bible tells a story in Luke chapter 10 that many will remember from childhood: the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus had told a man to love his neighbour as himself and when asked to define who was his neighbour Jesus told the story of the man lying injured at the side of the road, and people passing by, not wanting, for whatever reason to get involved.  Then the Samaritan came, stopped and helped, asking for nothing in return. Who is our neighbour? How can we love them as we love ourselves? Our neighbour may live next door and need help to do their shopping, or someone to talk to when they feel lonely, or they may live at the other end of the village, and appreciate a visit from a friend to show they care.  But our neighbour may also live across the other side of the world, we may not be able to go and do anything for them, but if resources allow we could give so that others can go to show we care.   To love others as we love ourselves, means at the simplest level we want them to have the basic necessities of life, food, water, shelter, safety, access to medical care, things we so often take for granted.  For the people of Haiti even some of these basics are not normally readily available, but following the earthquake their need is desperate.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, and if we can give even a small amount it could make a big difference.   Helping our neighbour nearer to home doesn't have to cost anything in monetary terms, just time and thought, sometimes seeing the need and responding rather than walking by on the other side.  Who knows what a difference that could make to our neighbour's life. God Bless.  

Sue Megahy, Reader at St. Mary's

PARISH REGISTERS

Baptisms

24/02/10 Jude Felix Thomas, son of Neil and Kelly, brother to Harvey and Louis.

"For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation"

Faithful Departed (Church Linked Funerals)

18/10/09 David James Woollard aged 67
19/10/09 Kenneth Casey aged 89
24/11/09 Bryan Arthur Newman aged 75
27/11/09 Anthony Bucher aged 64
08/12/09 George Everitt aged 78
08/12/09 Brenda Woods aged 79
28/12/09 Charlie Woods aged 89
10/01/10 Pauline Dorothy Hallwood aged 84

"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted"

We do extend our sympathy and condolences to all who have been bereaved, and who are prayed for at the Sunday morning services around the time of the funeral of their loved ones.

ST MARY'S PARISH CHURCH

Sunday Services
8.00am     Holy Communion (BCP)
10.00am   Morning Worship
(Holy Communion on 2nd and 5th Sunday)  Provision for children during services
10.30am   Morning Worship at Junior School (Holy Communion on 3rd Sunday)
 6.00pm    Evening Worship

METHODIST CHURCH: Sunday Services

Sunday Services 10.30am Morning Worship

FEBRUARY SERVICES IN NURSING HOMES

Tue 2nd            2.30pm Rebecca Court
Mon 8th          11.00am Holy Communion at Millbridge
Wed 17th         2.30pm Summerville
Sun 21st          7.30pm Neville Court  
Fri 26th           10.30am Fridhem
Fri 26th            2.30pm Sunnyside    (service subject to confirmation)

DEANERY LENT SERVICES FOR 2010: