THE FRIDAY EMAIL

Friday 20th August 2021

The Friday Thought from our Associate Priest, Revd Debbie

Choices, choices.

We’re faced with choices all the days of our lives. Constant little choices: tea or coffee to start the day. Then: what do I want for breakfast; what shall I wear today; what do I do first; where shall I have lunch; what shall I cook for dinner; what do I watch on television tonight; do I go to church on Sunday – or just sleep in?

My daughter is moving to a new house and is staying with us whilst it’s being renovated. Her husband seems to be constantly phoning her with choices. Do you like this style of light-fitting or would you prefer a different one?; do you want wallpaper or paint in the bedroom?; do you want wall-to-wall carpet in the living room or do you want hardwood floors with nice rugs?; do we replace the faltering fridge-freezer with another or buy a separate fridge and freezer?

We often have to make the choices which shape our lives at a very early age. Take education, for example. To go to college or not is the first choice of importance we make during our secondary school years. If we choose to go, then which college or university? We’re advised to choose which career path we wish to follow - at least at first. Our choices have shaped who we are; what we’ve become; the content of our character and whether or not the world is a better place for our having lived in it.

Of course, the same is true for us as a nation. I’m sure many of us have watched, heard and read the news with shock this past 10 or so days as the Taliban have made such rapid gains in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of American and British armed forces. On Wednesday, in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister came under great pressure from all sides to justify the choices he and his government have made in conjunction with allied forces. We’ve seen the immediate and dramatic impact of those choices on our TV screens this past week. We’ll have to wait longer to see the deeper impact of those choices; not only on the lives of millions of those living in Afghanistan but on the mental health of those many who served in the allied forces in Afghanistan and who are now questioning the sacrifices they made or witnessed, and on the longer-term security of our own lives.

It seems many in Afghanistan – particularly women and children – will soon have little choice about the way they live their lives. At least, in the Old Testament reading from Joshua (see below), the people do get a choice. God calls them to choose whom they will serve: the false gods of the past, the idols of the present, or the Lord their God of the future.

In the gospel (see below), the disciples also get a choice: whether to stay or to go. Jesus had the rare ability to offer a straight option - you were either for him or against him. He himself was fully committed to his mission and to all that’s best for us, even if at times his disciples complained. He was used to being criticised by his enemies. But when he couldn’t depend on the loyalty of his friends, he had to call them to account.

In a way it was hard on the disciples because, by the nature of what Jesus offered, it couldn’t just be an a la carte menu from which they could choose whatever suited them. When some of his followers began to walk away, he didn’t run after them and try to reason with them. That isn’t his way. Rather he turned to those who stayed and challenged them to commit themselves.

Peter was the one who stepped up to the occasion. “Lord” he said, “you alone have the words of eternal life. We know, and we believe that you are the Christ, the Holy One of God.” Perhaps for Jesus, losing the others was worth it if it left him with loyal followers like Peter.

The teaching and the life of Jesus will always challenge us at some level of our being. There may even be times when we will feel like walking away from it. That’s why it’s so important for us to keep renewing our response to our Lord’s presence and invitation. And the Eucharist is the primary moment through which we choose to commit ourselves again to the Lord’s vision for our lives; it’s our weekly opportunity to make those words of Peter in today’s gospel our own: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life.’

May God bless you and keep you, Revd Debbie

SUNDAY’S READINGS

The book of Joshua, chapter 24 verses 1-2a & 14-18: Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors—Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor—lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods.

‘Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’

Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’

St John’s Gospel, chapter 6, verses 56-69: Jesus said, ‘Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever.’ He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum.

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’ But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father.’

Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, ‘Do you also wish to go away?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’

The collect for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than either we desire or deserve: pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Details of Sunday’s 9.30am Eucharist, also streamed on our website and Facebook  President: Revd Debbie (Associate Priest)  Preacher: Revd Debbie (Associate Priest)  Reader: Richard Hore  Intercessions: Di Kitson (Lay Reader)  Mass setting: Mass of St Thomas (music: David Thorne)  Processional: Praise the Lord! Ye heavens adore him (tune: Austria)  Gradual: O perfect love, all human thought transcending (tune: Strength and Stay)  Offertory: Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart (tune: Slane)  Recessional: To God be the glory (tune: Doane) INTERCESSIONS FOR THIS WEEK

For the world-wide Church:  Bishop Alan, Bishop of  Bishop Michael, of Hertford  The Venerable , Archdeacon of Hertford  Archbishop Justin,  In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: for the Anglican Church of South America  In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: for the parish of Stotfold in the deanery of Hitchin  In the Deanery Cycle of Prayer: for the parish and people of All Saints’, Hockerill

For the ministry and vocation of the congregation of Great St Mary’s: For growth:  in our prayer life  in our depth of faith  in our fellowship  in our nurturing of new disciples

For our world:  For just and peaceful governance throughout the world, particularly in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Belarus, Syria, and central and southern Africa.  For those suffering from the effects of the climate or natural disaster.  For those working to relieve suffering throughout the world. For emergency and key-workers, scientists and leaders, medical and care workers, and, in this country, particularly for the NHS.  For those, in this country and beyond, who, because of Covid-19, have died or who are suffering in body, mind or spirit because of the virus.  For those being martyred for their faith or other reasons.  For those being persecuted for their faith or other reasons, including the Uyghurs of China, and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe being held captive in Iran.  For those who have been abused in body, mind or spirit.  For those who are victims of modern-day slavery and human trafficking.  For those who are victims of famine or poverty, particularly praying for the work of the Shiksha Rath educational project in New Delhi which we support.  For those struggling with addiction.  For those who are homeless, and for the work of the Holy Trinity Night Shelter in Bishop’s Stortford which we support.

For our town:  For those at our Central Surgery, for the staff and patients of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and the Rivers Hospital, and for our local care homes and social services.  For local businesses and commerce in these uncertain times.  For those feeling isolated and lonely; particularly those living alone. For the people of: Sunday: Springhall Lane, The Limes & Southbrook Monday: Newton Drive & Lowfield Tuesday: The Crest, Dale Court & High Tree Close Wednesday: Elmwood & Yewlands Thursday: Roseacres Friday: Brook Road, Buttersweet Rise & Merefield Saturday: Northfield Road & Edens Mount

For the sick and bereaved including: Linda Bowler, Una Bard, Pam Brown, Frieda Elfick, Steven, Doug Knights, Rodney Story, Betty Taylor, Peter White, June Willis

For those who have died:  Phyliss Mason  Constance Usher

NOTICES

 Services this week  Sun 22nd August: 9.30am Sung Eucharist  Mon, Wed & Fri: 9.30am Morning Prayer  Wed 25th August: 10am Midweek Eucharist  Sun 29th August: 9.30am Sung Eucharist

Fr Simon is on leave until the end of the month

 Message from the Shiksha Rath educational project in New Delhi we support Dear Great St. Marys, Greetings from all of us here at Shiksha Rath! Hope you are all doing well.

Since the re-opening of the centre after the lockdown, the activities at Shiksha Rath are going on full swing. Thankfully the spirits of our children have not been dimmed by the pandemic and lockdowns. Rather, they have come back with more determination and excitement to learn new things and do their work. They are so happy to be back!

We are excited to share with you that we were able to procure 5 laptops for the children to do their online classes and assignments. We plan to start a basic computer course by next month. The laptops will greatly help our children to virtually do their schoolwork. The Shiksha Rath girls are also using their time to make earrings in order to raise funds for more laptops. Also, the younger girls are developing their cooking skills, and we hope to create more skill-oriented classes before their school opens.

This would not have been possible without your help and support. We are really grateful for your generosity, and we are encouraged to give our best to help these children because of the support we have from you. Thank you very much.

With best wishes Atula Walling Director - Shiksha Rath

 Patronal Festival – Sunday 5th September Being Great St Mary’s, our patronal festival is held each year on the nearest Sunday to the Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8th). This year, our patronal festival will therefore be Sunday 5th September.

It's a time when many will be looking into the future with hope and optimism - not least as the promise of a new school year begins. It therefore feels like an appropriate day on which - subject to the pandemic situation remaining stable - to bring back the 8am Sunday Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer on the first Sunday of the month), a relaxation on the wearing of facemasks in church (though, if you want to continue wearing one, you should feel able and comfortable to do that), and drinks after the 9.30am and midweek services.

In addition, to make the patronal festival - Sunday 5th September - extra special, we propose a bring-your-own parish lunch from 12.30pm (more details to follow), and, at 3.30pm, we'll end our time together serenaded by the choir at a festival evensong. We hope it will be a very special day and a bit of a threshold in our lives together. I hope you'll be able to join in the celebrations.

 Mothers' Union Christmas cards now on sale! With Christmas fast approaching , you’ll no doubt have already rushed to purchase your Mothers’ Union Christmas cards this past week. But for those of you who think you’ve got all the time in the world before the final Christmas post (you’ve only got 13 weeks, you know!!), our local Mothers' Union branch are still offering you the opportunity to order your festive cards. (I don’t want to hear any complaints from MU members that the fairy on top of my Christmas tree has been installed too early!!)

Of course, many of us want to have a test-drive before we buy. (I still can’t understand why they threw me out of the bed store at closing time when I was asleep and comfortable!) If you’re the same with Christmas cards, you’ll be able to view samples to get a sense of the thickness of the card and the merriment of the message over the next two or three weeks in church after our main 9.30am service or in church between 10am and 12pm on Mondays and Saturdays. Orders and payment - by cash or cheque - need to be made by 12th September, with all proceeds going towards the important work of the Mothers' Union worldwide.

 GSM Parish Vision Morning – Saturday 25th September We’re still on course to hold our Parish Vision Morning on Saturday 25th September. The morning will start with coffee from 9.45am, with the event itself beginning at 10am. We’ll finish by 1pm when we’ll be able to socialise more with a Bring-Your- Own lunch.

 A new initiative for the Harlow Foodbank The Foodbank is now starting a Baby Bank called ‘Bump to Five’, to help families in need with baby/children’s clothes and equipment. If any parents or grandparents have anything which is still in good condition that they would like to donate, please contact Cathy Battson or Ann Bard for more information. Meanwhile, with Great St Mary’s once again open at various times during the week, you can leave other donations for the Foodbank in church, take them to Cathy or Ann, or you can give Cathy a ring (07913 427930) to arrange for donations to be collected directly from you.

 Content for the Newsletter If you have a notice for the Friday Email, please let us know by lunchtime on Thursday.

 Contact us Fr Simon Vivian (Vicar) [email protected] 01279 723719 Fr Simon is on leave until the end of the month Revd Debbie Hore (Associate Priest) [email protected] 01279 722948 Di Kitson (Lay Reader) [email protected] 01279 723212 Anthony Heard (Churchwarden) [email protected] Website: www.sawbridgeworthchurch.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com and search for ‘Great St Mary’s, Sawbridgeworth’ YouTube: www.youtube.com and search for ‘Great St Mary’s, Sawbridgeworth’

Thank you for your continued support of Great St Mary's

Please join us in praying for peace, justice and hope in Afghanistan