Emberton, Filgrave, Tyringham, Little Linford and Haversham 

 

Christianity has had a chequered past. Joanna and I were sitting having breakfast in a pub in Kent after a wedding there, and on the wall was a copy of an ancient poster suggesting that the church should find and eliminate the so-called witches that were apparently in the local village in the 1690s. Prior to that were the crusades and an inquisition - with all the pain - all in the name of the Christian God. So easily faith can become a tool in the hands of evil people. 

Key to Christianity is 'Love your neighbour', and the far more difficult command of Jesus - to 'Love your enemy'. The Christian faith is one founded on love so when actions by Christians are patently not loving, then the hypocrisy of those claiming to live by the ethics, morals or tenets of Christianity becomes obvious.  

One of the younger disciples of Jesus was a man called John. In his later years he wrote the fourth gospel, and the Bible also preserves some of the letters he wrote. He had the opportuknity to reflect on the three years he spent with Jesus and in a couple of chapters talks of love, particularly saying 'God is Love'. Note, not God is lovely or God is loving, but God is love. 

After Easter, on the way back from France, we saw the French customs officers searching vans and cars to ensure that no one comes to the UK without the necessary documentation. Many are fleeing Ukraine, the Yemen, Syria or Afghanistan, in fear of their lives. Evidently more than half of those who risk flimsy boats across the channel are recognised, by the authorities, as needing sanctuary. The question is, do we love them? It is the question that the two Archbishops asked recently, and were told politely that they did not understand, and effectively to mind their own business. 

Apparently the UK is a religious nation. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs etc., all preach love of neighbour in some form or another. Yet if our neighbour is in need as a refugee then why must they risk their lives and pay criminals for that risk, only, maybe, then to be transported to where they do not want or need to go - to central Africa.  

Actually loving ones neighbour is opening our nation, hearts and homes to them, as so many have so generously done with the refugees from Ukraine. It should not be ilegal, inhumane, unpleasant or demeaning for our neighbour to come to us and seek sanctuary, safety and a new life. If the other religions in the world measure our Christianity, our love by the way we open our arms to people who are not like us - in some way or another - then they may recognise a sad hypocrisy in our Christian nation. 

Love is not primarily about passionate feelings but about self-sacrifice. And God knows that.  

Adrian Low 

Church of England priest for the villages of Emberton, Tyringham and Filgrave, Little Linford and Haversham. 

Phone: 07883 717642 http://www.thelampchurches.com 

 

 

 

6:00pm Evensong 

 

11:00am Café Church 

 

7:00pm LAMP Group Zoom service 

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84327754009  

Meeting ID: 843 2775 4009 

 

9:30am 5th Sunday Joint LAMP service - St Leonards, Little Linford 

4.00pm Annual Parochial Church Meeting - All Saints' church 

This is an opportunity to elect your churchwardens and PCC members for the coming year, and also receive reports on church life and finances. 

As always at Emberton, light refreshments will be served. 

Formal notices giving notice of the APCM and the election of churchwardens and PCC members can be found here and here. 

 

Following on from our very successful Lent Lunches (raising a magnificent £1,000 for Ukraine), we will be starting to hold lunches in the church on the first Thursday of each month. The first date is Thursday 7th July.  

Another series of talks by Adrian, now scheduled for June in Emberton. The sessions will start in the Bell & Bear.  

 

Our Churchyard working party on Thursday mornings is now back! Coffee is served at 11.00am for visitors and workers in the church during the winter, and churchyard during the summer. All are very welcome. 

 

9:00am A service is available on the Church of England website and Facebook page. You can join in online and there is a downloadable service sheet to enable you to take part. 

 

For up to date Church news, please visit our Facebook page, as well as this webpage, and there will also be some posts on the WhatsApp group, Emberton Echo. https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsChurchEmberton/ 

 

The Diocese of Oxford magazine 

 

 

6.00pm Something Else on Sunday 

An evening service with a difference. It uses video, soundtrack, and readings. This service offers a very different way to present some key biblical messages which we hope will deepen understanding and offer new perspectives. Please do give it a try.  

 

11.00am Holy Communion 

A Communion Service using modern liturgy. The children meet in the Gathering Area in church for Children's Church at about 11.45am. 

 

6.00pm Evensong 

A Book of Common Prayer Sung Evensong with sermon. Hymns are taken from a selection of books. 

 

11.00am Parish Praise / Café Church 

A Family Service with short talk suitable for all ages, followed by coffee and biscuits. Parish Praise will usually alternate with Café Church on alternate months.