Keeping
inward and outward looking effort in balance
Dear
Friends,
The inter regnum has both advantages and disadvantages.
On the positive side I think its brought a higher degree
of cohesion between people working to keep things going
and its very nice to see the business of both our churches
carrying on effectively. On the negative side, the pressure
on us to “keep the show on the road” might
cause us to lose sight of our place in the context of
the wider church and the world in general. To try to counter
an inevitable inward focus, I thought I would highlight
some of the good we do with our support of a wide variety
of projects and charitable organisations.
Apuldram is a small church but is none the less rightly
proud of its involvement with charity and the community.
It has an admirable tradition of distributing money boxes
through Lent which are collected at Easter and given to
the USPG (United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel).
This is an Anglican Missionary Agency which is involved
in relief projects throughout the world and has been for
300 years!! In addition, our animal friends benefit from
the now traditional pet service. Proceeds are shared between
Mount Noddy, Noah’s Ark, Brent Lodge and the Cat
and Rabbit Rescue Centre. Finally, relations have been
built with our neighbours, the Apuldram Centre, their
customers enjoying newly established special services
for Easter and Christmas.
The Fishbourne Congregation are supporting the work of
Jenny Green, Jenny is a CMS Mission Partner working in
Kisoro, Uganda. This is an area struggling with poverty,
AIDS and the consequences of war with neighbouring Congo.
Recently she has founded Potters Village, a supportive
community which aims to care for the many vulnerable children
and destitute child mothers which aspects of the way of
life in those parts produce. Its vital work and we hope
Jenny will be able to come and tell us about it personally
one day.
Almost every week we seem to work on fund raising to keep
out buildings together and ensure we can pay our parish
share. Many people put incredible efforts into this and
deserve our thanks and prayers. Against this background
it is gratifying that both congregations are working with
the outside world in many ways. We need to nurture and
develop this and ensure we maintain these diverse links
and continue giving. Scripture is full of references to
giving and emphasises the benefit accruing to the giver.
One such reference comes from Proverbs. “When you
give to the poor, its like lending to the Lord and the
Lord will pay you back” (19, 17). A particularly
appropriate one in the New Testament can be found in Luke
(6, 38). “Give to others and God will give to you
indeed you will receive a full measure a generous helping
poured into your hands, all that you can hold. The measure
you use for others is the one God will use for you”.
Yours in Christ,
John Sheppard
Reader, St Mary the Virgin, Apuldram and St Peter and
St Marys Fishbourne.
