Dear Friends,
As I write this month’s letter it is with the
backdrop of an unstable and rapidly changing world, a world in which
economic gain appears to be at the expense of all but the richest
and where the prospect of peace seems distant. We face the
challenges of the supreme court ruling on the definition of a woman,
and all that this means for both those who are happy with the
judgement and those who feel marginalised and stripped of their
identity. Into this challenge and confusion, we find ourselves
reflecting on the amazing realities of the Easter story, a story of
recognised identity, of acknowledged importance, as Jesus’ sacrifice
was for everyone, with no exceptions. On that resurrection morning
he appeared to those who where his closest friends and called them
by name. Jesus gave people worth and value for who they were and who
they could become, he loved the vulnerable, the oppressed and those
outside the norm of society. It makes me extremely glad that we
endeavour to make our churches here in Wrotham and Ightham an open
and inclusive place for all to find support and safety. It is into
that reality that I want to take a moment to reflect on the life of
service of Pope Francis and acknowledge his witness to the
importance of each person and his commitment to being Christlike in
his actions. We mourn his loss with the wider catholic faith.
As we continue to seek for the next incumbent, we
ask for continued positive prayer. We will endeavour to continue the
work of the churches in anticipation of their call. Thank you for
all the encouragement and support given to our church community
through this time and I hope that we may continue to serve you,
whoever you are, in the coming months.
Yours in Christ
Michelle Lawson
Lay Minister