September 2008

VICAR: The Revd. Martin Fredriksen Tel: 694109

PARISH OFFICE (Mondays to Fridays 9.30am - Noon) Tel: 697641

FROM THE VICAR: I was reading an article recently in the church press about the obsession in our present day of so-called 'healthy eating'. Things are calorie-reduced, fat-reduced, alcohol reduced and such like – the only thing apart from a decent flavour that is not reduced, is the price. The buzz-word is 'lite' - and the bottom line is, as always, if we eat too much of anything, then we will put on weight.

The article went on to say how there was an also an obsession for ‘lite religion’ – something that is not too challenging, makes the individual feel good, is user-friendly and has simple catchy music to accompany it all.

Like 'lite' foodstuffs, 'lite' religion may also have its place, but it does not cope with the realities of day-to-day living. Several times over my ministry, the pastors of fringe Christian groups have only been too eager for me to conduct funerals for them - simply because they did not know how to cope.

Our Lord Jesus came to this world and immersed himself in all its joys, as well as its sorrows. His journey to ultimate glory was along the Way of the Cross.

A faith that has nothing to say about the atrocities of the world and the environment, about sickness, disease, exploitation, broken relationships, inequality, death and all the rest, would mean that I would have nothing to give and share with others in my ministry.

The 'lite' option, may be the easy one, but it bears no resemblance to the reality of the world in which you and I live.

Martin Fredriksen.

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