The NIB Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turf Parish Magazine THE BENEFICE OF St BENEDICT The Parishes of Ashmanhaugh, Barton Turf, Beeston St Lawrence, Horning, Irstead and Neatishead Rector: The Rev’d David Smith 01692 630216
[email protected] From your Parish Priest It has been encouraging to see an increase in church weddings in the benefice, and it has been a privilege to get to know our wedding couples as they have prepared for marriage, and married life together. The words of the preface, read at the beginning of the marriage service, explain both to the couple and to the congregation the Church’s understanding of Christian marriage. The promises taken, the vows made, represent so much more than just a legal contract, and reflect a life-long commitment. On the wedding day, the focus is, of course, on the bride and groom, celebrating the beginning of their married life together. But the marriage service also has a message for the wider church community. In explaining marriage, the preface tells us that “Marriage is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, as Christ is united with his bride, the Church”. The Church of course is the people, all of us, and our relationship with Christ is here likened to the marriage relationship. This idea implies that the Church - that’s you and me - is united with Christ in all aspects of our being – heart, body, and mind. It’s echoed in the wonderful Gaelic poem which was translated to become the hymn St Patrick’s Breastplate: Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.