The media tells us it is all the fault of…! How easy it is to apportion blame to others. The recent high profile cases involving the abuse of children have led to a purge on Social Services with blame attached to individuals who often have far more to do than any one person could humanly deal with. Those of us who have spent our lives in the caring professions – and I would have chosen no other – know that working with people at the most vulnerable times of their life is a bottomless pit in terms of time and emotional energy. Of course it is a huge and tragic scandal when a child is killed at the hands of those who should care for it – and the concept of kidnapping one’s own child for financial gain is beyond the comprehension of most of us. But it is too easy to cast the blame aside on to the Social Workers. It seems clear to me that we all bear responsibility.

We have allowed ourselves to develop into a society that values material goods too highly. Those striving for ever higher profits have had their unrealistic pretensions dashed – taking with them their workforce along the way. Meanwhile, those at the other end of the social pile want a slice of the cake too – and that is only human nature. They run further and further into debt until desperation causes evil plans to provide solutions. In the case of many neglected children, or babies like Baby P, it seems to me that there is no real plan to maim and kill at the outset – the child just gets in the way.

It is easy to allow ourselves the luxury of being appalled. We live in a small and fairly close knit community. People here generally care well for their neighbours – and they generally know when there is a problem of sickness or other need – but not always. And what about those places like the estate in Dewsbury where Shannon Matthews lived – who is there to watch out for the weak and vulnerable there? Well, the Social Services of course – so we are back full circle.

Jesus told us that we should love our neighbour – and then told the story of the Good Samaritan – where the rich and prosperous and the religious leaders of the day passed by on the other side when they saw the man beaten up by thugs. Perhaps they thought the thugs might still be in the bushes! If we are truly serious about our Christianity I think it is time to get our hands dirty. For my own part it is lovely to spend the end of my working life in a beautiful village like Turvey, full of genuinely good and nice people – but I sometimes hanker after the start of my working life spent in a school in the middle of a large council estate where we had to smell certain children each morning and watch out for any little ‘hoppers’ that the rest of us might catch. Where children were given a cup of tea for lunch as the family allowance went to the pub. Where children sent home in new clothes one day came back in the old the following day – the new ones went to the pawnshop or were sold. In some way or other we need to be in there – to encourage and support - to speak out against the system that creates a self- perpetuating cycle of hopelessness. This, I think is best not done as part of ‘the system’ but just as people who care. Perhaps working through the churches, which have a long tradition of living and working alongside the most deprived and vulnerable. There are already some schemes in place - (see the report elsewhere in the magazine "When there is new life"). It also means not passing the buck – not always blaming someone else. It means looking at how we can be like the Good Samaritan, binding up the wounds, and paying, yes paying if that is the only way open to us, for care until the injured are healed again. It may be hard and costly, but at least we shall all take a share of the burden and not just push it off onto the few – and Jesus never said the Christian life was an easy option.

I wish you all a joyful and truly Christian New Year

Yours in Christ

Jo

The Church working in inner city areas

Those who have lost jobs and homes recently

All who work in Social Services

A very warm ‘Thank You’ to all who sent Christmas Greetings to Rob and me at The Rectory. It would be lovely to able to respond in person to you all – but not really practical! We do appreciate your kindness, however, and wish you all a Peaceful and Good New Year

Jo

Thought for the Month
Children grow to fill the space we create for them.

My plan for your future has been filled with hope
Jeremiah 29:11

Our programme kicks off at 10:15am on Saturday 10th January at Barton Homes. There will be a raffle and bring-and-buy stall (a good opportunity to recycle those unwanted Christmas presents!) If you need transport , please contact Anne Claypole White 881551

The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast day and is significant in a number of ways. In the East, where it originated, the Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River of Jordan. It also celebrates Jesus’ birth. The Western Church began celebrating the Epiphany in the 4th century where it was, and still is, associated with the visit of the magi (wise men) to the infant Jesus when God revealed himself to the world through the incarnation of Jesus. For many protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from the 6th January until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent leading to Easter. Other traditions, including the Roman Catholic tradition, observe Epiphany as a single day, with the Sundays following Epiphany counted as ordinary time. The Epiphany is also known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day). Epiphany means a moment of sudden revelation (Greek Epiphaneia an appearing)

www.bbc.co.uk/religions/christianity/holidays/epiphany.shtml

I shall begin confirmation classes this month. I have some names already but please get in touch if you or your son/daughter is interested in joining the class.

Jo Spray 01234 881312.

Having a first child should be a celebration of God’s gift to us, but the massive changes a baby brings can catch parents unawares and cause enormous stress. Bob Read runs an initiative in west London to help new families cope.

"It all began 15 years ago," says Bob. "Some friends were expecting their first child and asked my wife, Jess, and I what impact the baby might have on their lives. Jess is a midwife and therefore aware of the help and advice that new mums receive. We thought about it and realised there was little for the dad and nothing for the couple. From that, the ‘As 2 become 3’ project was born."

Since then, thousands of parents have benefited from the various workshops

and courses that are run, and many who have been helped in the past now volunteer on the project themselves.

"All too often, couples split up under the stress of beginning to manage a family," continues Bob. "We affirm the gift of life and help couples to prepare for the transition into parenthood. We therefore look not just to prevent family breakdown, but importantly we look for the flourishing of family and community life."

"We help couples to prepare for the transition into parenthood."

Taken from In Touch e-mail news from the Church Army

An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others. A W Tozer

"We cannot change the whole world, but we can change the world for one person at a time…"

From Light of the East, journal of the Bible Lords

Each summer, a group of young people from the Diocese spend a week in Taizé, a monastic village in Burgundy, France. It is an opportunity to meet and to worship with other young people from all over the world, as well as find time to see the beautiful village, relax by the natural source of St Étienne, or just play cards outside the tents.

Taizé is home to a group of Brothers who have taken monastic vows and now spend much of their lives looking after the thousands of young people who journey to Taizé for the peace and spirituality that it offers.

A normal day at Taizé includes prayer in the church, bible study and group discussions, practical work around the site and plenty of food, socialising and time to soak up the sun!

There are so many reasons to go to Taizé: the worship is so different from ‘normal church’, the Taizé chants make the services seem so beautiful and so peaceful that you can just sit and listen for hours. It is also a great experience to meet new people and make new friends, not just within the group but from all over the world. A group of us will be going again between 18th and 27th July next summer, and it’d be great to get as many people along as possible. If you’re between 15 and 30 and interested in coming have a look at the information below and get in touch to find out more. Hope to see you there! (Josh Young - Pilgrim)

We will travel by bus from St Albans leaving mid-afternoon on Saturday 18th July and returning around 6am on Monday 27th. The pilgrimage is open to young adults between the ages of 15 and 29. You are welcome to bring your children and there is a special families’ programme and camping area. Costs will be around £175 (please ask for costs for families) which includes travel and all food. Accommodation is in tents, and for those who do not have their own tent there are big dormitory tents available. For information, or to request a booking form, please contact:

The Revd Ysmena Pentelow on 01727 818151 or ysmenapentelow@tiscali.co.uk