From the Rector:

"Whatever you do, do something!" is the slogan for this month's Christian Aid week (11-17 May).

The red Christian Aid envelope represents a great opportunity for us to get involved and to do something to help the poorest people in the world, even if you're confined to barracks!

But why should we? Why should we do something this Christian Aid week? It's a simple but important question.

Firstly, because God has blessed us with so much: our health, our homes and our friends; clothes to wear; food in the cupboard; money to spend; opportunities to do so much because of where we've grown up and the support and encouragement we've received.

Secondly, because we can. Most of us have disposable income - we can afford to be generous because God has been generous to us and to our families.

Thirdly, because the needs across the world are so great. During my recent visit to Nepal, I met children and adults who literally had no-one left in the world to care for them and no welfare state to give them shelter or food or security or medical treatment. Orphaned children of different faiths are being cared for by Christians in Nepal (and of course elsewhere) with very meagre resources.

Fourthly, because a little bit of help can go a long way. When someone has restored health, somewhere safe to live and good support, I witnessed how enterprising people in Nepal are - making things even out of rubbish! When I visited Satti Sawa (the Disabled Church) I was offered necklaces made out of rolled up coloured magazines and beautiful cards from handmade paper. That community supported each other and received some grant aid from a church in the UK. A little bit of help can go a long, long way in bringing life to others.

And finally, because of Jesus - he gives us an example of sacrificial love - he gave his very life for others. If Jesus does that for us then surely we can give sacrificially to others and not just the left overs.

"Whatever you do, do something!" might mean volunteering to be a collector. It might mean being generous when the envelope drops onto the doormat. It does mean praying as well as giving, that God will bless and multiply the benefit of the money. Or it might mean offering your time to any one of the excellent charities at work in our town. "Whatever you do, do something!"

Peter Chantry

From the Rector:

Ah well! So be it! That's the way life is!

In Nepal that is often the attitude that you meet. The Nepalis have an expression: What's to be done!

At Easter we remember the words of Jesus: Not my will but yours - as Jesus accepted the inevitable consequences of his mission. But all of this can lead to a feeling of powerlessness and fatalism that allows us to sit back and put up with whatever life sends.

In contrast, there are other occasions in the gospels where Jesus does not put up with stuff - injustice, bad treatment of others, inhumane rules - he chooses to challenge the status quo.

As Christians, we believe that Jesus had divine help in knowing the difference between knowing when to accept that which has to be endured and when to fight it. This need for discernment faces us in times of illness, but also in areas of justice and even global warming.

There are Christians that say that the end of the world is inevitable and therefore there is no need to campaign or work to change things. Jesus himself said of the needs around him in 1st century Palestine - the poor you will always have with you! Does this then mean that we should not campaign against poverty? Or do anything about carbon emissions?

In Nepal I encountered this dilemma. There was a strong sense of fatalism due to their religious and cultural heritage. And yet many of the Christians worked hard to overcome the injustices that poverty inevitably brings - not least the lack of opportunity to develop and lack of access to basic facilities.

Perhaps our guiding light as to how we decide is looking at how we apply the greatest commandment. It was Jesus's love for God and all people that led him to accept his violent death. Our love for God and for our neighbours challenges us to speak out against injustice and lack of opportunity.

For Nepalis, education is a key way of escaping crippling poverty. The Mary Poppins Academy was just one of many wonderfully named schools that gave some hope to a struggling society.

The 7 Nepali young people our Advent Appeal is supporting

In Advent, St Mary's people gave over £1,200 towards the support of seven young Nepali people heading towards higher education. I was fortunate enough to meet and talk with all of them on my recent trip.

Each of the youngsters (now in the late teens or early twenties) has grown up through the Emmanuel Children's Home. Sheila Addison calls them: The serious seven - because they are very committed to fulfilling their academic potential as well as committed to the church community they live in. Each of the seven help out in a variety of ways around the church by caring for younger children, practical responsibilities (like running the church shop), by leading worship or helping with the Sunday School.

The young man that I got to know best was Lil - a 21 year old from the North Dhading district. He has lived in the children's home for the last 7 years. He is a bright lad who has done really well in his studies. Lil helps with the worship at church by playing his guitar. Having done their equivalent of GCSEs and A Levels and having gained a BA in his studies, Lil wants to study to be an accountant. In Nepal there is only one place where such training is possible. To fund Lil through his four year cost will cost £312 each year.

eI was very impressed by Lil's friendliness, enthusiasm for others, his way of encouraging the younger children, his love for God and his gratitude for all that God had done for him in bringing him to the Emmanuel Centre. Lil and I played chess together. And at the end of my stay, he gave me two presents - a handmade multi coloured bag and a CD of Nepali Christian music.

I have no doubt that Lil will continue to give himself to his studies and after his four year course qualify as a very capable accountant. But I am also convinced that Lil will continue to develop into a wonderful Christian leader in his country.

Nepal is such a poor country but one way out of this poverty is to invest in young people who will not only fulfil their potential but who will also help others to do the same. Lil and his six friends send their greetings and thanks to you for your kindness, interest and help.

Peter Chantry

From the Rector:

What will your Lent be like this year? Will you choose to give up caffeine or chocolate or meat or alcohol? Will you join a Lent group or read a special book or perhaps attend church more often?

The first part of Lent this year for me will be spent in Nepal where there are few Christians and hardly any Anglicans. I'm not expecting much (if any) chocolate and probably no alcohol and not much meat. Nepal is the world's fourth poorest country where survival is the order of the day and health care and education are more of a luxury than a basic provision.

So may I encourage you this Lent to take up gratitude as a spiritual discipline. As we remember the needs of our brothers and sisters across the world let's realise how blessed we are with the things we often take for granted - like: meat to eat (unless of course you're a vegetarian and then there's always thanking God for cheese); soap to wash your hands with; central heating to keep us warm and comfortable; free schools for our youngsters to attend; pharmacies and health centres to help us when we're poorly; council and local authority workers to make our streets safe and clean up and take away the rubbish.

If it's not your normal practice, why not say grace before every meal - just something short and sweet. Before you drop off to sleep at night why not think (prayerfully before God) of 10 things that you'd like to thank him for during that day. If you've a criticism of someone else then make sure you say three nice things to them before the criticism. When your being served in a shop, make a point of smiling and thanking the shop assistant for their service.

In this country we are so blessed with all that we have but we very easily take it for granted. Lent is a time to be more aware, to think again about living simply and with the right attitude to God, to life and to our fellow human beings.

At the back of church you'll find copies of the booklet: Love Life, Live Lent - it will give you a very simple thing to do each day during Lent to help you remember how blessed you are. May your Lent be filled with thankfulness and generosity towards others as you remember the generosity of God to you.

Peter Chantry

From the Rector:

One year goes and another year comes and hopefully we are a little the wiser but ... Perhaps this year, you might think of giving more away to good causes (even in a sacrificial way) - God knows there are so many people and organisations needing help. Perhaps you'll commit yourself to praying more (for family, friends or indeed just to spend time getting to know God and His word better). Perhaps you might take up a new responsibility in church or in the community. Why not make a point of praying that God would prompt you with something that could just be what you need to refresh and revitalise your faith.

Of course, you could say: Why should I? I'm quite happy as I am! But the point is that the story of the Bible is very often about God asking people to step out in faith and do something new, something brave and something that will further his work in the world. Not for worldly riches but in obedience to his prompting. We all like our comfort zone, but sometimes it's time for us to be bold.

For me at the end of January, I'm off to Nepal to visit our link mission partners at the Emmanuel 2000 centre. I have never travelled outside Europe so it's going to be a great adventure. For our Advent Appeal this year we've been raising money to support some of the young people at the centre in the next stage of their vocational training. I hope to meet many of them and hear first hand their stories. I will also be seeing the other work that they do at the centre in health care, education, working with orphans and the training of pastors to lead churches in the surrounding villages and towns.

I will also be travelling north and south in Nepal - towards India (Sheila wants me to take a ride on an elephant!); and into the mountains to visit some of the churches that Emmanuel 2000 has spawned. In return for their hospitality, I expect that they'll want me to preach and do some teaching of their students - but quite on what, I do not know!

One thing's for sure, I know I will come back inspired and challenged by what I've seen, heard and been asked to do.

You don't need to go to Nepal to have faith stretching experience but you do have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone but in doing so, I am confident that God's blessing is never far behind.

Happy New Year.

Peter Chantry