Author: Chris

‘ Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect’
1 Peter 3. vs 15-16

Calling all ramblers, ramblers, doggie walkers, Sunday afternoon constitutionalists, pilgrims, marathoners………
On SUNDAY MAY 20th we are walking between our 4 churches. Manuden, Berden. Rickling and Quendon.
We will start at Manuden church at 10.30 am and then walk across country to Berden (bring a packed lunch). Then from Berden we walk to Rickling and from Rickling to Quendon. From Quendon we walk back to Manuden for Tea.
You can walk the whole Rogation Ramble or do a section of this very social event. Rogation is the very old name given to the time when parishioners would walk and bless the fields and crops around their villages.
If you feel you are unable to walk but would like to help by being at one of the churches to welcome walkers, or be able to help with transport to get people to and from the different stages, then please join in. (Please let me know (01279 812228) if you can help in this way)
Canon Chris Bishop

EASTER EGGS ARE JUST NOT ENOUGH
Dear Friends
On Good Friday each year, we spend time to reflect deeply upon the events surrounding our Lord’s crucifixion, and the hours that led to his resurrection and the changing of people’s lives for ever.
This year, I spent an hour in each church reflecting upon the ‘I AM’ statements of Jesus. Next time you go into St Mary’s church Manuden, have a look at the East window. Ther we have Jesus as ‘the light of the world, the Good Shepherd and the Resurrection’.
Every time we say the Lord’s Prayer, we say, ‘Give us thiday our daily bread’, and every time we worship at the communion table, we acknowledge how important that shared meal of bread and wine was to his disciples……..and is now for us also.
’Man cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ are words from Matthew’s Gospel, and then, in John’s Gospel, Jesus says ‘I am the bread…..’
‘Give us this day our daily bread’ challenges us to realise that we need only the basic things of life. Too often, especially in our part of the world, we are sucked into systems that make our lives so complicated. Basic nourishment in food and word is all that is needed. This was the type of nourishment that Jesus gave to his disciples for the 3 years or so they spent together. This is the message and the food of Easter. We are reminded of it each year in the bitter sweet events of Holy Week and afterwards, when people’s eyes and ears were opened, and they were given plenty of food for thought. There is so much more to Easter than Easter Eggs!
Chris Bishop