A parish newsletter, written by the vicar, is published each month. The current issue is printed below.

PARISH NEWSLETTER No. 116 (April 2013)

In marked contrast to my reaction to the election of the last pope, I welcome the election of the new Pope Francis. A new name, from a different part of the world, with a distinctively pastoral touch and relaxed manner: a pope who wants to remember the poor, and has a humble (Christ-like?) lifestyle. Let us hope these characteristics continue to be displayed in his papacy.

Justin Welby, the new Archbishop of Canterbury, with wide industrial and financial experience, and negotiating experience, is wanting to promote reconciliation within the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, especially over the vexed topics of homosexuals and women bishops.

Both world church leaders also share a common problem: declining Christian faith and church memberships in the "west" contrasting with rising numbers of Christians and church members in the developing world (principally Africa). The danger for both is that the immature and unsophisticated faith of that continent might be thought the solution to the mature and sophisticated societies of the west. That would be a grave mistake. What is needed is a more mature reflective Christian faith by Christians in the west, one which is moderate, thoughtful, reasonable and rational without ignoring the possibility of divine intervention in a person’s life.

Christians are sometimes called "Easter People". We live with the living Lord living within us, strengthening and guiding us, giving us the character of Christ….if we let him. The church is celebrating the resurrection of Christ at Easter, a celebration which should be renewed daily.

As two world church embark under new leadership, we remember that the head of the church is Christ Jesus, the living Lord. It is his character and presence in the church which will make the church attractive to people anywhere in the world: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, in Christ shall all be made alive".