I was recently watching an umpteenth re-run of Father Ted, the politically incorrect comedy about the life of two priests.
I should perhaps note that there is no similarity between what is depicted there and life here at the Vicarage! Anyway, in this episode the two main characters, Ted and Dougal, are on board a plane and about to take off. Ted who doesn’t like flying says, “If God had intended people to fly he would have built airports nearer to the cities!” Obviously, this is a satirical comment about how remote some airports are from the cities they serve.
I’ve heard it argued that God is remote – “somewhere up there” and isn’t near the people, but has left us alone to our own devices. That simply isn’t true. It’s one of the key reasons why Jesus came to live on earth, to walk with us and to show us that God was anything but remote.
I often wish that St. Peter’s was in the middle of Yaxley rather than on the edge. I’ve wondered about the difference it might make if the church were physically right in the middle of the community it serves. Obviously, I can’t move the church building, but I’m really pleased that there are two occasions in May when we can bring the church into the centre of our community.
Firstly, I’m delighted that we will again be holding our 11.00am service on May 14th at the Yaxley Festival. I’m looking forward to meeting many of you over the Festival weekend. Please do join us for our open air service. The following Sunday, May 21st, we are holding our Community Sunday again. Instead of meeting in church for a service we will be doing various projects around Yaxley to support those who need assistance.
May I invite you to come to St. Peter’s on Saturday May 6th from 10.00am for Green Day, our annual plant sale. I am also pleased to say that St. Peter’s is now open through the summer on weekday mornings from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Please do come along for some quiet time in God’s presence, or to admire the architecture – or for any other reason. Lastly, a reminder that you are all of course always welcome to attend any of our services – details on our website.
As this year progresses I pray that we would all know that God is not remote, but that He is right in the middle of our lives, our cities, towns and villages.
With my prayers,
Jon Randall (Vicar) 01733 240339; vicar@saintpeters.co.uk
Read this article in the Yaxley Gazette.