Little Hadham Parish News June 2018 Rector of Parish: Revd. Steve Bate 01279 842609 e-mail:
[email protected] Churchwarden, Mrs Karin Green 01279 - 771532
[email protected] Log on to www.littlehadham.com for issues dating back to May 2006 Letter from the Rectory Revd. Steve Bate Many years ago, I was shown a letter written about me. It was written by the Diocesan Director of Ordinands – the person responsible for recommending people for ordained ministry. He’d met with me to form his opinion about my suitability for ordained ministry. “What might he have to say?” I wondered, as the letter was unfolded in front of me. There’s one word I still remember after all those years. The very first sentence of the letter began by describing me as a disciple. I was shocked! I thought the word ‘disciple’ was for special people who were with Jesus during his earthly ministry or, at least, exceptionally spiritual people. Me - a disciple? Surely not. It was the last word I’d think of using to describe myself. It got me thinking, though. It made me reflect on what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It made me realise that, strange as it may sound, all Christians are disciples – learners. We are people who are learning to be more like Jesus Christ himself. When Jesus called his first disciples to follow him, he was calling them to a life of being with him and learning from him - being his apprentices so as to become like him.