Dear Friends,
At last writing, our first, Anne and I were quite new, only just beginning to find our way, and getting to know people. In fact we frequently found that just as we got to know people they packed their bags and winged back to their winter quarters! Now we write under clear skies and warm sun feeling much more at home, and praising God that faces we recognise are now coming back 'home'. This 'miracle' of spring is the joy of Saint Johns. Welcome back!
At last writing we were just coming to celebrate Christmas. Saint John's was filled for both the carol service and Christmas morning. Epiphany soon turned to Lent, and we returned in a way to the theme we had been looking at in our meditations in the autumn. You may remember that we began our look at Saint John's Gospel with the invitation of Jesus to 'come and see'.
During Lent a number of us had the opportunity to 'see' in a rather special way. Wednesday mornings we looked with Neil McGregor (former director of The National Gallery) at Christ as portrayed by some of the greatest painters in western art. Using a video course based on the marvellous exhibition he had mounted at the Gallery called 'Seeing Salvation', Mr Mcgregor , a devoted Anglican, brought home to us profound and wonderful revelations.
Perception is the fruit of an enlightened consciousness and so many of the great painters have become, through their own inner working out of gospel meanings, able to bring out deep spiritual insights to our inner minds. As we contemplated Christ as portrayed in the paintings it brought home to us images and visions that opened us up to that Christ's truth and spirit could speak to Christ's truth and spirit. 'Seeing Salvation' came to mean something very deep and rich to all of us.
One focus we were led into was Christ's passion, crucifixion and resurrection. As we meditated on this it was especially powerful as we were in the middle of the awful and costly war in Iraq and seeing daily those images on out TV screens. Here we fixed our eyes on the Grunewald Crucifixion now hanging in Colmar. The agony, the pain the terrible suffering of Christ on the cross brought vividly home to us, the suffering of our saviour for us. The patients at the hospital for whom this Christ was painted, found that contemplating the crucified Lord brought healing to them, because the other side of the panel is the painting of the glorious healed renewed body of Christ risen from the bed of death. It is Christ bringing to our suffering humanity new hope, new life in Him. Christ radiating light, and that light splashing out of the canvas on to those who came to 'see' and to know. A powerful image to those in that hospital, for us today, and for everyone in their thoughts and prayers for our world.
Easter this year comes with this dynamic impact of healing and new birth, life and hope in the midst of our deeply distressed world. Yet no message, no truth of awe and wonder could be greater than that of 'In me you shall have life'.
God's blessings in the risen Lord Christ Jesus be with all of us this joyful Easter tide.
A Devotional prayer for EasterBring to your inner mind and spirit the image of the Risen Lord, and as you breath pray repeatedly with Thomas when he first recognized the Risen Lord :'My Lord and My God' Remembering that our Lord said 'blessed are those who have not seen yet believe. As we pray we 'see' Him with our spiritual inner eye. |
Saint John's has the mission to call anglophones to Christ throughout the department of the Var. We have, not only our Sunday by Sunday worship here, but for sometime services have been held in the Port Grimaud region and now, we have extended monthly services, as experiments, at Lorgues and Seillans. If you live in those areas you are welcome to attend, but most importantly if you know of others who can't make it to Saint John's, please invite them to come along to these other worship centres. Port Grimaud Easter Day and there after the last Sunday in the month at 17.00 through October. Lorgues, Maisons des Pères, Rue St. Honorat. 17.00: May11th and June 15th. Seillans Parish Church April 27th, May 18th, June22nd .
St. John's as you know is totally self supporting and we have been encouraging people to join the planned giving scheme to help the treasurer budget on expected income and to give in the most efficient way as regards tax. One off donations can also be given through Gift aid and therefore enable the church to claim back the tax paid on top of your gift. If you would like more information about this please contact the church. With planned giving in mind we thought this story might amuse.
Two men crashed in their private plane on a South Pacific Island. Both survived. One of the men brushed himself off and then proceeded to run all over the island to see if they had any chance of survival. When he returned, he rushed up to the other man and screamed, "This Island is uninhabited, there is no food, there is no water. We are going to die!
The other man leaned back against the fuselage of the wrecked plane, folded his arms and responded, "No we're not. I make over $250,000 a week."
The first man grabbed his friend and shook him. "Listen, we are on an uninhabited island. There is no food, no water. We are going to die!" The other man, unruffled, again responded. "No I make over $250,000 a week."
Mystified, the first man, taken aback with such an answer again repeated, "For the last time, I'm telling you we ARE doomed. There is NO one else on this island. There is No food. There is NO water. We are, I repeat, we are going to die a slow death."
Still unfazed, the first man looked the other in the eyes and said, "Do not make me say this again. I make over $250,000 per week. --- I TITHE -- MY PASTOR WILL FIND US!"
Songs of Praise followed by Spring Fair Sunday May 4th 10.30 This is an opportunity to invite people you know who don't usually come to Saint Johns, to come and sing their favourite hymns in a Songs of Praise type service. This will be followed the Spring Fair.
Ascension Day Thursday 29th May 11.00 The annual reunion of the local congrgations will take place at Prasada, Montauroux, the home of the Revd. Sister Cexile and Sister Jean. Bishop Edward Holland will be celebrating and preaching. All are welcome. Please bring a picnic lunch and chairs.
Paella Lunch Thursday 26th June 12.00. Margery Farr will be holding her famous Paella lunch, at her home, in aid of the third world and local charities. Please keep the date free, more details nearer the time.
Patricia Poisson and Freddie Maplethorpe invite you to a super lunch on either the 8th or 15th of June in aid of church funds. Look out for the sign up lists.
A big thank you to Peter and Shirley Rowson For the fabulous quiz and lunch they organized in aid of church funds. We all enjoyed a stimulating afternoon.
Saint John the Evangelist , Rue Paul Doumer, 83700 Saint Raphael.
Phone and fax : 04 94 95 45 78
e-mail : revbeaton@aol.com