Vicar's Bit For March
Elections
These days, all forms of media flood us with talk of elections and their consequences. Our first-past-the-post elections produce big swings. Contenders there are many.
This month in church we have elections too, elections held at our seven church annual meetings – see the church porch for details. (The March elections are - 23rd Hasfield Church, 24th Hartpury Church, 25th Corse Church, 26th Staunton Church). Swings are unlikely as no one stands for a party. We do know that this year Veronica Funnell and Peter Singh are to retire as churchwardens. We shall thank them at the AGM for their years of faithful service to Ashleworth and Corse Churches, and go on to elect successor churchwardens. This is also the year when Deanery Synod representatives are chosen/elected for the next three years. The role is a notable one for the Deanery allows us to have a voice in the direction we travel across forty or so parishes. A Deanery Synod member can also stand for election to the Diocesan Synod.
In Christianity, election involves God choosing a particular person or group of people to a particular task. In the Old Testament election involved the people of God, God’s chosen people.
In the New Testament, the disciples of Jesus are challenged to “enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the road easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it…” (Matthew 7.13,14).
In other words we are involved in the process of being chosen or elected. Within God’s love and choice, we decide the direction we follow. Jesus wants us follow in the Way of the servant king. So when we are called to serve on a Parish Church Council there is both the sense that we have been ‘elected within God’s love and purposes’ and the sense that we are being ‘called to go down the narrow path’, that is, Jesus’ Lenten Way of prayer, humility and service.
As you read this, please do pray whether you might stand for church election. Is God calling you to serve on the church PCC, to be a churchwarden, or serve on Deanery Synod? Whilst these elections do not create media attention, they are important. They give you a voice in the direction our churches follow, even down the more difficult narrow path.
Thank you everyone involved in the Benefice Jumble Sale in January. About £1400 was raised.
Lent lunches are on Mondays 12-1pm – Soup and Roll (no cheese):
2nd March Ashleworth Church, 9th Maisemore Church, 16th Corse & Staunton Cricket Club, 23rd Hartpury Old Forge.
2pm Friday March 6th – Hartpury Church, World Wide Day of Prayer Service
11am Sunday March 15th – Benefice Mothering Sunday service at Ashleworth Church
8pm Saturday 21st March – Corse & Staunton Village Hall, Chris Bannister “A Songwriter’s Legacy” tickets £15 from 07801 656292 or 01452 780136
3pm Saturday 28th March – Maisemore Church, the Baptism of Louisa Rogers, parents Teresa and Stuart. We offer our prayers and congratulations.
At 7pm on Monday 30th Tuesday 31st March Wednesday 1st April (Holy Week) – the Rectory, Benefice Compline evening prayers