Letter from the Vicarage

December 2008 — January 2009

Dear Friends,

Christmas seems to come around more quickly each year! I would like to take this opportunity of inviting you to attend some of our Christmas services, details are in this magazine. There really is something for everyone; from the traditional Carols by Candlelight, to the exuberant Crib Services, from the reverent Midnight Communion to the celebratory Christmas day all age communion. You are all most welcome to attend.

In the past it has been customary for vicars to berate the large Christmas congregations for not coming Sunday by Sunday to Church. People still often apologise to me that they only come once or twice a year! Don’t get me wrong; of course I would love to see more people regularly at St Augustine’s! However making people feel guilty about not attending church is probably not the best way of encouraging them to come. I am delighted that large numbers of people choose to come to St Augustine’s over the Christmas period even if the attendance during the rest of the year is not as high. Please rest assured of receiving a warm welcome whether you are a regular worshipper, or simply a seasonal visitor.

It is interesting that nationally attendance at Christmas services has risen considerably over recent years. It is almost as if people are becoming tired with the relentless consumerism of the commercial Christmas and are looking for something deeper and more spiritual. This year with all the financial uncertainty and the prospect of a gloomy new year it is perhaps more important than ever to focus on more eternal truths. It was St Augustine (of Hippo not Canterbury) who famously prayed “Lord you made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you”. My hope this Christmas is that in all the frenetic activity of the season we will all find space to meet with Christ and discover the spiritual rest that he promises.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope to see you at St Augustine’s Church.

Yours as ever,

Mark

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