Pastoral Letter
Dear Friends,
Well, a new year has begun, and another year has passed into the history books. A lot of people look at horoscopes at this time of the year looking for signs of hope for the future, but we don't always receive good news when we look at horoscopes. As someone once wrote:
"Now I don't know what will happen to me. My fortune cookie contradicted my horoscope."
I remember years ago, before I became a Christian, I looked at my horoscope for the coming year in a moment of depression, looking for some comfort and hope for the future. All I found was the even more depressing news that the coming year was going to be my worst yet! Needless to say, I felt even more depressed after reading that horoscope than I did before! Nowadays I never look at horoscopes, because I don't believe that they can offer me any hope. I trust in my faith, which helps me so much more - as someone wrote:
"A vital faith gives us the courage to face the present with confidence and the future with expectancy."
I am very much looking forward to 2005 because it is the year that Holy Trinity Church in Bottisham celebrates its 800th anniversary and I am very excited about the prospect. Watch this space for further details over the next few months!
I am also excited because 2005 is the year in which the "Alpha Course" comes to these parishes, and again I ask you to watch this space for more details. The Alpha course is now a worldwide phenomenon that has helped thousands and thousands of people come to a new and living faith in God, by helping them to find out more about the Christian faith, and by helping them address issues of doubt, uncertainty and ignorance in the context of a loving and caring fellowship. I hope that some of you will want to take advantage of the opportunity to "Explore the meaning of life" and enrol on the Alpha Course when it starts in February - look out for further details.
So I say to you, never be afraid of the future, but look forward with anticipation and hope, remembering always as William and Gloria Gaither so eloquently put it as they rejoice in the risen Christ:
"Because he lives I can face tomorrow,
Because he lives all fear is gone.
Because I know he holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because he lives."
May I wish you all a happy and hopeful new year. May God bless you all.