November 2008

VICAR: The Revd. Martin Fredriksen Tel: 694109

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

FROM THE VICAR: When I began my ministry at the ripe old age of twenty three, I could look at the list at the crematorium and, with the exception of the occasional tragedy like a motor-cycle accident, everyone was older than me. As the years have caught up, I notice that there are several who are younger than me and personal mortality is brought sharply into perspective. I have lost count of the number of funerals that I have conducted, but know that the total is in the thousands by now.

I am always slightly concerned when I am told that someone has 'sadly died' – true, the circumstances may be sad, but for Christians (as well as for many other religions in the world) this is the start of something greater and more wonderful. The sadness lies with the mourners, but the hope of glory begins to become a reality for the Departed.

There is a growing tendency nowadays to want just to celebrate the life of a person, rather than acknowledge that they have actually died. As I have always understood it, there are three essential elements to a funeral service – Yes, to give thanks for that person’s life; but also to lay them decently and properly to rest (which is what the Latin word Requiem means) – and then to support those left behind with prayer after they have said their 'goodbye'.

November is the month of All Souls and Remembrance Sunday, but also of All Saints – a time of wonder and a glimpse of glory. Whenever we worship we 'are surrounded by the great cloud of witnesses'.

Martin Fredriksen.

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