Letter from the Vicarage

September 2009

We are told that this autumn there may well be a significant increase in the number of people catching the H1N1 virus. As you will read elsewhere on this site we have followed national advice and stopped the sharing of the common cup at Holy Communion in St Augustine’s.

People that I have spoken to are reacting to all this in a variety of ways. I know of one person who has stocked up on essential provisions in case they are struck down with the flu and can’t get out. Many others have told me that they think it is all media hype and that everyone is over-reacting. Other people have told me that they doubt the seriousness of the flu but think that all the precautions are good for us and that we will be generally a lot healthier!

Only time will tell which of the voices are the most accurate; hopefully those who think things are being blown out of proportion. If, however, the panndemic is as serious as some suggest, it will be important for the community to pull together. In Kenya the word used to express this is harambe. It is a Swahili word which broadly means pull together or work together. The sense of the word is that people can do great things when they work collaboratively. If the virus does spread significantly or become worse, we will need to be neighbourly and keep an eye out for each other. The Church will be running a flu friend scheme. This will be particularly important for those who live alone or if a whole family becomes ill. You will be able to ask for your flu friend to pick up medicine for you and also some shopping. By pulling together in this kind of way hopefully no one in this village will be without the support that they need. The flu friend coordinator is Sue Welland who can be contacted on 831234.

Whatever happens this autumn, the flu virus has reminded us of our vulnerrability. One of the less attractive features of our society has been our belief in our own invincibility. That is being called into question by a microscopic virus. Each year at Harvest we are reminded of God’s role as creator and sustainer and our utter dependency on him for life itself. The words of the popu1ar harvest hymn will have more poignancy this year:

We thank Thee, then, O Father, for all things bright and good,
The seed time and the harvest, our life, our health, and food;
No gifts have we to offer, for all Thy love imparts,
But that which Thou desirest, our humble, thankful hearts.

A happy and healthy harvest to you all,

Mark

Select a Letter