April 2012
The Rector writes …
This summer promises an exhausting round of national events. The Olympic
torch will make its way around the country, culminating in opening of the
Olympic Games in London. This will be the first occasion that we have hosted
the Games since they resumed after the Second World War. In 1948 we were
so destitute after the war that the athletes had to bring their own food
to the Games; no new venues were built and at its conclusion the athletes
donated their unused food supplies to feed the patients in nearby hospitals.
Of course, all a far cry from the way in which we experience the Olympics
nowadays!
Later in the summer, London will host the Paralympics and we will no doubt
marvel at the determination and courage of so many who have overcome their
disability to excel in their chosen sport.
But before the Olympic Games begin, the major celebrations for the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee take place over the first weekend of June. In addition to
the events taking place nationally, local communities the length and breadth
of the country are making their own plans to celebrate this wonderful anniversary,
and the villages of Campton, Clophill & Haynes are no exception.
Her Majesty is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and in each
of the parish churches there will be a service of celebration, with the usual
patriotic hymns at the main service on Sunday 3rd of June. In Campton the
service will be at All Saints at 11am that morning. I hope that you will
want to join us as we give thanks before God for the Queen’s example of service
and devotion to the people of this country and the Commonwealth.
With every blessing,
Dean Henley
October 2011
The Rector
writes …
It was a Christian, William Wilberforce, who led the way to make slavery
illegal in this country. Slavery was in integral part of the culture and economy
during biblical times and although Jesus insists that slaves are treated
fairly he does not condemn the practice outright. Our ethical and moral values
are something which have evolved throughout the ages and no doubt that process
will continue.
The news that 26 men had been discovered in appalling conditions of slavery
in Leighton Buzzard was somewhat eclipsed by the news the same day of the
ceremonies to mark the 10th anniversary of the Terrorist Attacks in the USA.
Slavery is something which we often think of as a phenomenon of the past
or at least not something which impinges upon our shores. Sadly, the reality
is all too different. Many young Eastern European women think they are coming
to Britain to work in shops or hotels, only to find that their passports have
been confiscated by those bringing them here; and that they are forced to
work in brothels instead. A charity in London works solely with those who
have been brought here as domestic servants by their overseas wealthy or
diplomat employers, and who have run away from the abusive conditions akin
to slavery that they are forced to work in. Their employers are often adept
in using their wealth or diplomatic status to evade the law here.
Apparently, the men released from their captivity in Leighton Buzzard were
mainly of English birth and were particularly vulnerable because they had
learning difficulties, were homeless or alcoholics.
I’m sure we all pray that the men released from slavery in Leighton Buzzard
will receive all the help and support they need from skilled and caring professionals,
to help them build an independent and happy life. Let us also pray that those
in the world with the authority to do so will do all that they can to stamp
out slavery and to afford every human being the dignity their status as a
child of God deserves.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
June 2011
The Rector
writes …
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives
the prize? … They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
1 Cor. 9.24
One of the most complimentary things written by a PE teacher on my school
report was ‘A boy not ideally suited to team games’. Even at that tender
age I rapidly worked out what that phrase was code for: he’s rubbish at sport.
It was one of those chicken and egg situations: was I bad at sport because
I had no interest in it; or had I no interest in it because I had little
or no ability? It didn’t help that the male PE teachers at my school were
all rather Neanderthal in their appearance and seemed to take a miserable
delight in humiliating the less able in any particular class, presumably
in order to reinforce their position as the alpha male in the group. So each
week there was a wearying inevitability, that it would be Christopher Blanchard
and I that were the last ones left on the touchline when it came to picking
the teams.
However in my final year at secondary school I rebelled; I worked out that
if you didn’t attend the first lesson in the academic year, the knuckle-dragging
gorilla of a PE teacher just assumed you were in someone else’s group. So
as prefect librarian (some have greatness thrust upon them!) I spent every
games lesson that year in the library office with my head in a book. No-one
could see in from outside if I left the stationery cupboard door ajar. At
the end of the year my teacher’s report for PE simply said ‘Satisfactory’
– and I was able to concur with his learned assessment of my educational
progress; for I had found the year from that point of view to be entirely
to my satisfaction!
In the intervening years there has been no change in my lack of interest
in all matters sporting with one notable exception: the trampoline! As an
undergraduate at Durham I was persuaded to join the trampoline club. The
tutor was a woman who funnily enough understood the concept of teaching –
that it is a process by which those with little or no knowledge or ability
come to improve their skills. I loved it and even made the men’s team, which
admittedly was a cinch as there were only two men in the club at that time.
So much to my own bemusement I find myself, and I think for the first time
in my life anxious to attend a sporting event. I have applied for tickets
to attend the Men’s Trampolining event at the Olympics next year, and I
wait with trepidation to see if I’m successful in the ballot for tickets.
If I do get a ticket I don’t imagine that I will be shouting and cheering
or even booing the judges. I just want to see the world’s best excel in
the one and only sport that I in my own very modest way was moderately good
at.
Only the best of the best can compete in the Olympic Games but for me watching
that event; in the arena if I’m lucky, or on the television if my name doesn’t
get picked out by the computer, will be a deeply ‘Satisfactory’ experience.
My friends who are teachers assure me that things have moved on in their
profession since the 1970’s. I certainly hope so, for with the right encouragement
almost everyone can take part in, and also hopefully enjoy doing so, in
one or other of the races this life has to offer.
In God’s race, the spiritual race, there is a medal at the end for everyone
who has done their best. And everyone, however exhausted they might be,
is helped up onto the winner’s podium to enjoy their moment of glory.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
April/ May 2011
The Rector writes …
God is love, and those who live in love live in God
and God lives in them. 1 John 4.16
As this edition of the magazine arrives on the doormats, billions of people
from around the world will have just gazed upon the spectacle of a British
Royal wedding. Apparently our Royal weddings attract the highest ever worldwide
audiences for a single television event. Queen Elizabeth II of course is
not just the monarch of the United Kingdom but of a host of countries around
the world; and as the head of the Commonwealth she has strong associations
with many more.
I have just returned from a sabbatical which for the most part was spent
in Australia and New Zealand. Even during the Queensland flooding in Australia
and then amidst the aftermath of the earthquake Christchurch the details
of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton were never far from the
news whilst I was there. One news bulletin whilst I was in New Zealand particularly
sticks in my mind: the guest list for those attending the marriage ceremony
in Westminster Abbey had just been announced, and we were told that whilst
the Duchess of York would not be there – “not had a good year”; the Prime
Minister of New Zealand John Key and his wife Bronagh Key would be in the
Abbey to represent the people of New Zealand. It was clear from the tenor
of the bulletin that this was a cause for genuine national pride in a country
of 4.2 million people.
I am by no stretch of the imagination a republican; but I couldn’t help
but reflect on what might motivate this identification with the monarchy?
Australia and New Zealand are thousands of miles from the United Kingdom;
they are economically independent from us – indeed their economies are much
stronger than ours; and in Australia there has been considerable immigration
over the years from a wide range of countries with no traditional associations
with the United Kingdom.
As much as I reflected upon the matter I could only conclude that whilst
history clearly played a part and it could be argued that there might just
conceivably be some modest strategic advantages in retaining the monarchy
– much of it was an emotional matter and no less valid for being that.
As a clergyman I am very aware that human beings are emotional beings
and not everything which drives and moderates our behaviour is governed
by logic. Of all the emotions; love is perhaps the most difficult to rationalise.
Anyone who has ever been in love will know how all consuming it can be: spiritually,
mentally and physically; conversely we know how painful bereavement can
be and similarly also is felt spiritually, mentally and physically. The
intensity of those feelings takes us beyond logic.
A marriage sets the seal on a loving relationship and is naturally a cause
for the happiness and rejoicing of the couple themselves and their families
and friends. Most of us do not have to conduct our relationships under the
intense scrutiny that face Prince William and Kate Middleton, and we no doubt
thank God for that. Though billions will have gazed upon this spectacle;
at its heart are two human beings whose emotions are no different from ours
for all of their Royal status. I’m sure that we all join in wishing Their
Royal Highnesses along with all couples marrying this year a lifetime of love
and happiness together.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
December 2010/ January 2011
The Rector writes …
“What are you doing for Christmas?” is a question we often ask of each
other at this time of year. For some it is seasonal variation on the polite
enquiry “how are you?” Others ask it in a subtle way to make sure that
the person to whom the question is addressed will not be on their own for
the duration of the festivities. Often those who describe themselves as
party animals ask the question because they love the feast of Christmas
and are genuinely excited that it is that time of year again.
You may have seen in the news recently that the holiday firm Pontin’s
has got into financial difficulties and the Receivers have been called in.
On the day the news broke our local BBC news programme sent one its intrepid
reporters to interview holidaymakers leaving one of Pontin’s camps on the
east coast. They had just enjoyed a ‘turkey and tinsel’ weekend and were
relieved to hear that the Receivers were forecasting that Pontin’s would
still be around next year for them to have a similar weekend – in early November!
This was good news to the weekend’s partygoers and probably even better
news to the 850 staff working at that particular holiday camp.
It is obvious that Christmas has a multiplicity of meanings for people.
For Christians it is primarily a religious festival, for others it is a chance
to party in the middle of winter. Some of the religious connotations have
transferred into popular culture, so it is widely seen as a family time
when the extended family comes together. It is also seen as the time when
people are particularly generous to charities with their time and money.
Most of us tend to incorporate most if not all of those aspects into
our own celebrations. Although I personally would not want to go to a turkey
and tinsel weekend, and definitely not in November, this clearly is an enjoyable
part of the winter season for some.
Some personalities like to maintain exactly the same pattern of activities
year of year; this becomes part of their ‘traditional’ Christmas and maintaining
the routine takes on a huge significance for them. Others would find that
a truly dreadful prospect and thrive on planning something new and different
each year.
Most of us, it has to be said, have some aspects which are more or less
fixed features and then with that framework in place are willing to consider
new and exciting things to augment the standard celebration of Christmas
fare.
Whatever the Christmas season means for you, I urge you to remember those
traditional Christmas virtues of coming together as a family and a generosity
to those who are less fortunate.
As a Christian I’d like us think of ‘family’ in the broadest possible
sense. Many thousands of our armed forces will be overseas in Afghanistan
for Christmas – they and their families back home need our prayers and support.
As we now tend to live much longer lives, many of the most senior of our
citizens have no immediate family left to visit them at any time of the year,
let alone at Christmas.
So whatever we’re doing for Christmas this year; let us be generous.
Dean Henley
November 2010
The Rector writes …
I was on holiday in Spain when the Pope made his visit to the UK. Sadly,
the only English language news channel available on the hotel’s television
was provided by the American news channel CNN. I must confess that I am
not a great fan of CNN but sometimes it’s a case of Hobson’s choice! Each
time the presenter introduced a piece about the Pope’s visit to Britain;
they did so by prefacing their remarks with an announcement that “he was visiting
the United Kingdom – a secular country”. I have to say that this bald statement,
each time delivered in a very matter of fact way, jarred somewhat with me.
Constitutionally we are still officially a Christian country and at
the level of government there are still some elements of the nation’s life
which reflect that position. But on a day to day level as a clergyman,
I am all too well aware of just what a secular country we have become in
a very short space of time. Intellectually I know that fact all too well.
So it must have been on the emotional level within me that I found it hard
to hear this country’s secularism articulated so routinely.
As a clergyman of the established church in England I cannot make any
pretence of objectivity in this matter – anything I say on the subject
is inevitably subjective. But with that proviso in place I do feel able
to argue that we have lost something as we have drifted relentlessly towards
a national ethic of secularism and secular humanism. Christianity is manifestly
a religion which promises personal fulfilment; primarily by worshipping
God and in the context of that faith and worship, ministering to others
in need. In Jesus’ words this is succinctly summarised as – to love God
and your neighbour as yourself.
It strikes me that so much in modern society encourage us to a wholly
different approach to spirituality; one which is founded on the premise
of that which seems good for me at any particular point of time in my life,
must therefore a priori – be a desirable and beneficial social ethic for
all.
I would be the first to concede that the Church has to some extent gone
along with this development in the spiritual mores of our time. Lately,
we have by and large provided a mix of styles of worship that is intended
to cater for everyone and yet despite these innovations, ironically church
attendance in this country is in steady decline. I know from my own experience
just how many people approach the Church with all the ambivalence of a comparison
shopper. But we need to remind ourselves that we are not selling tins of
beans or the latest electronic gadget – we cannot compromise the radical Gospel
message just because so few seem willing to buy in to it at the moment.
It was Woolworth’s who brought us the pick n mix counter. But we know
what ultimately happened to them – they went bankrupt.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
July/August
The Rector writes …
‘… it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ Luke 18.25
Over the last two months or so it seems as though hardly a day has
gone by without the announcement of specific cuts in public spending and
services. In the Budget last month the Chancellor of the Exchequer also
announced increases in taxation and big reductions in social security benefits.
Although politicians disagree about the timing of these measures or about
specific tax raising or cost reducing measures; everyone seems to agree
that a period of financial austerity is needed. It seems that as a nation
we have been living beyond our means for a number of years.
As someone who used to work for a bank I know that what usually precipitates
such a radical belt tightening exercise for an individual or a couple
is a change in personal circumstances – family breakdown, divorce or unemployment
for example. I often used to sit down with people and work out a tight
repayment schedule for the money my employer had (sometimes recklessly)
lent them. Tight repayment schedules hurt; things have to be sacrificed,
at least for a time. And they hurt not least because borrowed money comes
at a heavy price – interest, and often at eye-watering rates too.
As a nation we encountered a dramatic change in our circumstances with
the near collapse of the banking system. So we too are now being put on
a tight repayment schedule and it is clearly going to hurt. Even the most
seasoned political commentator looked startled as the Chancellor delivered
his budget speech. Many thousands of public sector workers are set to lose
their jobs in the coming months and most of those that manage to hang on
to their jobs will face a pay freeze for two years.
And yet, there will still be those who seem not to be too much troubled
by these austerity measures. I read the other day that the chief executives
of the top companies in the UK have seen their pay increase by an average
of 7% per annum in recent years. Apparently these directors sit on each
others remuneration committees and continually bid up each others salaries
– on a you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours basis. It seems there
is almost no-one willing to call time on this practice. The top bankers
seem hardly to have suffered for their ineptitude, and are still receiving
huge bonuses. Even in the public sector, a case in the news recently revealed
a head-teacher of a small primary school who had earned in excess of £200,000
in the last year – more than the salary of the Prime Minister.
From a Christian perspective, if there is to be a period of severe
financial austerity then the impact of that should be distributed fairly,
taking into account the ability of each family member to contribute to
the repayment schedule.
The Methodist Church has announced that they intend to vote against
any excessive remuneration packages for the directors of the companies in
which their pension scheme holds shares. I would like to suggest that we
as individuals adopt a similar method of direct action in respect of these
huge salaries. Those of us with shareholdings or building society accounts
are asked each year to approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report. If you
don’t approve of the salaries detailed there, take the trouble to vote ‘no’
and to return your voting paper. Admittedly this is a small protest on an
individual basis but collectively this might just make a difference – they
even pay the postage for you to send in your voting paper!
With every blessing,
Dean Henley
June
2010
The Rector writes …
‘Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his
lips, he is deemed intelligent.’ Proverbs 17.28
Silence can seem like a rare commodity in the hustle and bustle of
modern life. We can now publicise even the most mundane details of our
lives on Facebook®; tweet our news and opinions across the globe with
the help of Twitter®. As I write this letter a twittering trade union
leader has just been caught out with his indiscreet announcements from what
should have been a top secret meeting between his Union and British Airways.
It seems an Iphone® or a Blackberry® is the latest must have
accessory: so that wherever we are in the world we can surf the web, send
and receive emails, text our family and friends, update our social networking
profile, make an entry on our blog; and of course I almost forgot – make
‘phone calls!
These developments in communications technology are of course not
without their considerable benefits, but the downside is that there is
inevitably so much sound and fury also pinging across the airwaves all
day every day. In the dark ages not so long ago, when people had to rely
on writing letters, there was always plenty of opportunity to tear the
letter up before it finally dropped into one of the Royal Mail’s post boxes.
Even the most angry of ‘phone calls will fade from memory in time. But the
ability to click ‘SEND’ on an email, blog update, a tweet or a Facebook
entry, albeit quickly and conveniently; if done carelessly can wreak lasting
repercussions. The aphorism ‘act in haste and repent at leisure’ seems to
be apposite here.
From a Christian perspective being silent at times is not just good
for public relations it is also good for our souls too. It is in the times
of silent prayer that we can listen to God – for he finds it just as difficult
to make himself heard over the constant chatter as does anyone else. The
bishop expects his clergy to take an annual retreat each year or if that
is not possible because of family circumstances, to have regular ‘quiet’
days throughout the year. On these occasions the ‘phone and the lap top are
left behind, or at least locked away in the glove box of the car: there is
then the chance to be quiet, calm and reflective in the presence of God.
A retreat or a quiet day is not just something only for the clergy
though. Anyone can carve out such time for themselves formally at a retreat
house or at an organised quiet day; or informally by just ‘dipping out’
for some time alone with God. Do remember to warn your nearest and dearest
beforehand though, by electronic means if necessary, so that they do not
worry if they find you unavailable for however long it is you’ve set aside
for yourself! If that seems too much why not decide to go out for a walk
on your own in your lunch hour one day, not to carry on fretting about work
of course; but to consciously set aside some precious time for you and
your relationship with God.
With every blessing,
Dean Henley
May
2010
The Rector writes …
‘Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.’
Job 12.12
When my radio woke me up this morning it was to the Radio 4 presenter’s
reverential words: “Today is the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen – we
wish Her Majesty a very happy birthday” this was followed by the drum roll
which usually introduces the National Anthem.
We regularly hear in the news about how developments in healthcare
mean that in this country at least we are by and large living longer,
and leading more fulfilled lives well into old age than at any time in
our history. Apparently, the Queen sends out more telegrams to her centenarian
subjects than ever before, and as the older generations tended to marry at
a young age Her Majesty is also congratulating a record number of couples
who have reached their Diamond wedding anniversary.
Growing older is not without its challenges of course and the care
of those older people who are physically and mentally frail is a highly
charged political issue; also never far from the news and especially so
as an election in imminent.
The Bible shows that in those days older people were widely respected.
The Old Testament particularly demonstrates that living to a very great
age was a sign that you had been highly favoured by God. In some cases
the men are said to have lived to an improbably old age – Genesis 11.10
& 11 for example tells us that Shem lived to over 600 years of age and
fathering children for all those years too!
In the New Testament it is the elderly Simeon and Anna who greet
Jesus as the Messiah when Mary and Joseph come to the Temple to present
their new born baby to the Lord.
We however live in a society which by and large tends to celebrate
youthfulness and vitality rather than age and wisdom. The cosmetics industry
just stops short of promising its customers an eternal youth with its
vast array of lotions and potions. The ladies in their advertisements invariably
show no signs of any wrinkles or blemishes as they vigorously rub expensive
unguents, with vaguely medical sounding names, into their already glowing
complexions. An ever growing number of people are willing to subject themselves
to the surgeon’s scalpel to try and restore what they perceive their age
to have taken away from them. The popularity of cosmetic surgery also
means that sadly so many Hollywood actors whose faces showed a whole range
of emotions in their younger days, now only seem to have one expression
– that of looking startled.
As with most things in life, I guess it’s down to knowing when to
stop; in this case to stop trying to deny the effects of the aging process:
when in other words, recognising that its time to accept that our faces
will show hopefully the wisdom that comes with our years.
Writing this letter on her birthday it occurs to me that our 84 year
old monarch has the most wonderfully expressive face; endlessly photographed
too of course but which indeed reveals the dignity and wisdom of her years.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
April 2010
The Rector writes …
My last Rector’s letter caused quite some comment! In it I invited
you to challenge politicians seeking your votes in the forthcoming General
Election. Several readers asked me who challenged the Church; indeed was
the Church even open to the possibility of itself being challenged? To
use a biblical analogy: was the Church confident that it had removed the
plank from its own collective eye; before attempting to remove the specks
from the eyes of others?
This seemed to me to be a legitimate challenge and I discussed
it with a friend of mine who is a clergyman in a diocese some distance
from here. He told me of a visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury a few
weeks before, to the diocese in which he is a priest. The host bishop
had called his clergy together for a day conference with the Archbishop.
The great and the good of the county had also been invited, and as part
of the day there was an address from the chief executive of one of the local
authorities in that diocese. The chief executive was asked how the Church
was perceived locally; to which I’m told he replied: doing some great work
at grassroots level, but obsessed with sex and with too much time and energy
going into trying to preserve the Church as an institution in society,
at the expense of its raison d’être. You can no doubt imagine the
winces on the faces of the two bishops listening to this frank assessment
of the Church of England’s performance.
Those of us who love and despair of the CofE in equal measure
will recognise a good deal of truth in that chief executive’s analysis.
In countless parishes the length and breadth of the land the Gospel of
Jesus is preached and the sick, elderly, lonely and the dying are being
visited and cared for. Indeed the CofE is the largest voluntary organisation
in this country providing social care and support.
On the other hand it cannot be denied that the Church is institutionally
sexist and homophobic. So despite having decided many years ago that
there are no doctrinal reasons why women cannot be bishops, it continues
to procrastinate on the matter. I gather that this issue has been once
again booted into the long grass, this time until at least 2014. As for
the Church’s attitude to lesbian and gay people – well suffice to say its
standpoint makes my toes curl with embarrassment. Ironically, the Church
devotes considerable resources in its ministry to young people; whilst at
the same busily undoing its good efforts with that age group, with its sexist
and homophobic statements.
The reality is that there are aspects to every individual and
institution which are rightly open to being challenged. Hopefully we
see those issues in ourselves and address them; but sometimes it needs
someone else to challenge us out of our complacency.
I do still think that we should not allow any humility on our
part to stop us from keeping politicians on their toes. Those in government
pass laws which are binding on all of us and thereby wield considerable
power; including the power to go to war. We need to be vigilant in keeping
them accountable; this means exercising our right to vote but also in making
an intelligent, well informed choice at the ballot box. For those of us who
are Christians, it is our duty before God to do so.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
March 2010
The Rector writes …
In his enthronement sermon in September of last year the new
Bishop of St. Albans announced that he would be setting a challenge
to members of the Church of England in the St. Alban’s Diocese.
So last month on Ash Wednesday churchgoers throughout the diocese
began to receive a verse from St. Luke’s gospel each day via email or
SMS text message to their mobile ‘phone. The bishop has asked us to “read
it, learn it, pray it, do it”. So for example on the day I sat down to
write this Rector’s letter I have been reflecting on today’s verse:
‘Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is
that to you? For even sinners love those who love them”. Luke 6.32’
Well a challenging text indeed, as many of us find it difficult
to be kind to those who have behaved badly towards us; but then the Bible
is meant to be challenging to the people of faith. The Bible is a collection
of writings by many different authors, which includes: poetry, law, prophecy,
myth and historical accounts. The Bible as we know it contains two sections;
the first which Christians call the Old Testament, but to Jews this section
is the Bible in its entirety; and for Christians, the second (and much
smaller) section, which we know as the New Testament. So a collection of
different types and styles of writing yes; but all meant to be challenging
to the people of faith.
It can be easy to see the Bible as something from which we can
pick out the bits we like to find comfort or inspiration at key moments
in our lives: at weddings or funerals for example; and although the Bible
is more than capable of providing us with texts for those occasions, that
is not its sole or even main function. The Bible is meant as a challenge
– a challenge to live our lives according to God’s way.
Being presented each day with a verse from the Bible that someone
else has chosen for you is a gentle method of taking us out of our comfort
zone to something rather more demanding of us emotionally and spiritually.
It is not too late for anyone to sign up to these daily emails: just
visit www.challenge2010.org
In the next month or so it is likely that a General Election
will be called in this country. Some minority Christian sects teach
that Christians should distance themselves from such earthly matters
– that is not the teaching of the mainstream Christian denominations.
We are called to very much engage with the world but to be guided by
God’s teaching as we do so. As the political campaigning gathers steam,
I urge you not to be afraid to challenge the politicians seeking our votes
with the message of God’s love for all. Jesus summed up all of his teaching
with the injunction to “love God, and to love your neighbour as yourself”.
The recent scandal over MPs expenses claims should not be an excuse to
walk away from the political process; but rather give us the impetus to
challenge politicians to recommit themselves to sense of duty before God,
and the principle of public service and accountability.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
December 2009
The Rector writes …
And she gave birth to
her first born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in
a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2.7
Many of us will have
seen some or all of the recent television series presented by Diarmaid
MacCulloch - A History of Christianity. MacCulloch is an eminent academic
and his book published to coincide with the series is the weighty tome
entirely worthy of an Oxford don. The BBC obviously gave Professor MacCulloch
a handsome budget with which to make the programmes; and the resulting series
of programmes have been very watchable indeed.
However, watching the
series it has at times been difficult to comprehend that the impetus
for Christianity to begin, was the birth of a baby in a stable in Bethlehem;
whose first hours and days were spent in an animal’s feeding trough. Much
of the history of Christianity is that of a rich and powerful institution
– the Church – whose influence has spread far and wide. Some of that influence
has been undeniably for the good of those coming into contact with it
– but that sadly has not been the whole picture of the Church’s activity
in the world – there is much for the institutional Church to be ashamed
of over the past 2000 years. Such contrasts of course are the meat and drink
of historians; but an honest and factual portrayal of the Church’s high
and low points can also serve to reinforce the Church’s detractors in their
views.
Over recent weeks many
of you have spoken to me about the recent announcement by the Pope: with
regard to the arrangements he is putting in place to welcome parishes
and individual members of the Church of England who wish to move to be
a part of the Roman Catholic Church.
It seems that the Vatican
has managed to offend the majority of those involved: in both the Church
of England and the Roman Catholic Church here. There are many of us who
see the absence of any real consultation with those principally affected
by this development as a snub: to the Queen, as the Supreme Governor of
the Church of England; but also of course to the Archbishops of Canterbury
and York.
These rows all seem
so at odds with the example of Jesus of Nazareth; whose birth we celebrate
at this time of year. Jesus spoke with honesty and clarity and challenged
the political manoeuvrings of the religious leaders of his day. He was
of course too outspoken and straightforward for them; and they used the
Roman authorities occupying Palestine to have him killed.
In this season of Advent
let each one of us pray that all leaders, in both Church and State, may
demonstrate something of the honesty and integrity which characterises
Jesus’ life and teaching.
With every blessing,
Dean Henley
November 2009
The Rector writes …
Greater love has no
man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15.13
At a recent training
day for the clergy in this area, the visiting speaker, the Bishop of Lichfield
reported to us something he had recently heard elsewhere: that the Armed
Forces were just about the only institution in this country which still
held the widespread respect of a majority of the population. His argument
was of course that the Church of England is not held in as high a regard
as the Forces. Jesus of course did not come to earth in order to create
institutions, and there is a very cogent argument to be made that Christianity
flourishes best when its place in society is less than secure.
The Armed Forces are
necessarily an institution and their effectiveness depends on a highly
structured and defined role. There has been much in the news lately about
the relationship between the armed forces and the Government. The defence
of the realm is of course inevitably a hugely political issue; it would
be naïve to think otherwise. The forces have to do their job in a highly
charged political milieu whilst dodging the rows between individual political
parties – this has always been the case of course, the Bible gives us
some useful illustrations of that.
Amidst all the news
of political rows about the Forces, there has been a steady stream of
our young men returning home in coffins. The pictures on our televisions
of young men and the very occasional young woman cut down in the prime
of their lives make for very sombre viewing indeed. In amongst all the
political to and fro, here is the very human cost of war, writ large almost
weekly on our television screens.
This month the nation
remembers this human cost above all, and hopefully the party political
rows are put to one side albeit briefly.
I have never ministered
in a town or city centre parish; so my experience of Remembrance Sunday
as a clergyman, has always been in a suburban or village setting. Standing
in silence in front of a list of local names, is it seems to me the most
powerful reminder of the dreadful human cost of war. It strikes me as being
the very least I can do in recognition of such sacrifice.
The exact details of
the Remembrance Sunday services are detailed elsewhere in this magazine;
so suffice to say that there is a service in each parish in the morning
that day, with an Act of Remembrance timed for 11am. The children from
the schools in Clophill & Haynes will be involved in leading the prayers
at the memorials in those villages on Armistice Day, also with an Act of
Remembrance timed for 11am.
It is crucial in a democracy
that we are able to freely debate the justification and advisability
of particular military campaigns; but that is not what this vital time
of Remembrance is about at all. On Remembrance Sunday and on Armistice Day
it is our duty to remember the human cost of countless men and women who
gave their young lives in the service of their country.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
July 2009
The Rector writes …
Over the past few months
I have been very aware of just how important families are to our wellbeing.
Families are not without their challenges of course! Just as being a
part of a family is not always a completely untrammelled path to joy either!
However, for almost all of us, our family networks are what have helped
to form us as human beings and enabled us to flourish and to play our part
in the world. For most of us they are the first place we turn to celebrate
with when life is good; and the first place to turn to when life is hard.
Families come in many
shapes and guises of course; and it is important to remember that this
has always been the case. Wars, disease, the perils of childbirth, the
lack of penicillin have all meant that the conventional family, in so far
as it ever existed, is not always the ‘norm’ that we can so often take
it for granted to be the case. As we get older the more likely it gets that
we become the senior member of our family; which can be a lonely place at
times.
The Church often uses
the term ‘family’ to describe itself: the family of the Church; the Church
family etc. This can conjure up a cosy image, but as we know all too
well there can be volatile relationships within families, with even the
odd row along the way. But this it seems to me is a defining aspect of
a family – we can only be passionate about something we care about – we
can afford to be ambivalent about things which don’t really matter very
much at all.
Recently I have become
increasingly aware of just how important it is that friendships form
a part of our family of loving relationships. This is not to diminish the
importance of marriages and partnerships, or the profound love for one’s
own children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces et al. Some of us have
got life long friends; but friendships can also be much more fluid than
the relationships with blood relatives often allow for – so different friendships
can be hugely important and beneficial to our emotional wellbeing at different
stages in our lives.
Experience teaches us
that none of us can live happily in splendid isolation: we are designed
as human beings to interact and engage with one another, with all the
joys and occasional frustrations that can bring. Maybe this summer is
the time to catch up with someone we haven’t seen for a while; to write a
letter or two; or to make some overdue ‘phone calls?
With every blessing,
Dean Henley
June
2009
The Rector writes …
At the beginning of this
month we will all have an opportunity to elect those who are to represent
us in the new Council of Central Bedfordshire, and regionally on our behalf
in the European Parliament. Traditionally these elections do not attract
a high turnout of voters. There are as many explanations for this phenomenon
as there are pundits offering their considered opinion; and the Rector’s
letter is not the appropriate forum for me to throw my hat into that
particular ring!
Many of us will feel
disillusioned with politics at this time because of the recent revelations
about the expenses claimed by many Members of Parliament across the whole
of the political spectrum. When so many politicians seem to be tainted
by scandal; being asked to choose between them can seem like an absurd
proposition for the majority of us who do not enjoy such an affluent and
privileged lifestyle.
However, I would like
to offer one or two comments on this sorry state of affairs:
Firstly, not all MPs
have behaved in such a dishonourable way. I happened to see an item in
a regional TV news bulletin which detailed MPs from this region who have
an impeccable record in this regard. Interestingly, none of their names
or faces were familiar to me; presumably because they spend their time working
hard for their constituents, and not in self publicity or in creative
interpretations of the expenses rules for their own personal advancement.
We must be careful not to tar everyone with the same brush.
Secondly, it seems to
me that now more than ever we need to remind the politicians of the power
of the electorate. This may sound like an odd thing to say when in an election
we are necessarily being asked to choose; but our power here is also in
a high turnout of voters. It strikes me that politicians, can get casual
about their responsibilities when the electorate seems to be ambivalent
about voting. On June 4th we need to show all politicians of whatever political
colour that we are keeping an eye on them – and we do that most powerfully
when we pitch up at the Polling Station to put our cross on our ballot
paper.
Finally, we must be
careful about scape-goating politicians for sins that can all too easily
beset us. Let he or she who hasn’t used the office photocopier or telephone
for personal use cast the first stone! I quite agree that MPs who make
the rules for themselves; police their own rules; and then sit in judgement
on any alleged infringement of those rules by their colleagues; deserve
close scrutiny by a free Press. But Jesus’ teaching in the gospels does
not allow for moral relativism. We cannot expect to go before God justifying
ourselves by finding someone else down the road whose shortcomings seem
to us to outdo our own!
So however peeved you
might be with politics and politicians, I strongly urge you to exercise
your right to vote on the 4th of this month.
With every blessing
Dean Henley
May
2009
The Rector writes …
Those of you attending
the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will already know that the Bishop
of Bedford has awarded me a three month sabbatical to be taken from 2010.
After discussion with the Churchwardens and the Rural Dean it seemed that
the best time for me to take the sabbatical would be during the winter of
2010/11. Although this is almost two years away I wanted to give as much
notice as possible to the Benefice, to enable those responsible for covering
the ministry in the parishes here in my absence to make the necessary plans.
The arrangements for
clergy sabbaticals vary from diocese to diocese; but in the St. Albans
diocese the clergy are eligible for a sabbatical every ten years as long
as they have been in their current post for at least three years. By the
winter of 2010/11, I will have been ordained for fifteen years and the Rector
here for four. Needless to say, I am delighted by the Bishop’s offer.
A priest’s ministry is
not like a job as such, though there are many tasks associated with it
which may be seen as occupational rather than vocational. The provision
of sabbaticals for clergy reflects the vocational nature of the priestly
calling, and is offered to enrich the cleric’s spiritual and vocational
development. There are many different ways in which this can be fulfilled:
some will use the time given them to undertake a piece of academic work;
others may use the time to travel to gain experience of the Church’s ministry
in different countries, and even continents; those with family responsibilities
may wish to undertake a similar project but one which is closer to home.
Parishioners are often
concerned about how the ministry in the parish will be maintained whilst
the Incumbent is away. Obviously the diocese is prepared for a proportion
of the clergy to be on sabbatical leave at any one time, and my colleagues
in the deanery have offered their support too. The Churchwardens and
I, in consultation with the Rural Dean will be drawing up more detailed
plans nearer the time.
I have only just learned
of the Bishop’s decision and so I have only begun to think and pray about
how best to use this sabbatical. I’d certainly like to do some work overseas
with part of the time. I am meeting with Canon Dennis Stamps, the Ministry
Development Officer for the diocese this month, to have a preliminary
conversation as to what might be a suitable way for me to get the most
out of this wonderful opportunity.
With all good wishes
and every blessing
Dean Henley
April
2009
The Rector writes …
This month sees the
culmination of the most important sequence of events recognised in the
Church’s year: that of Holy Week and Easter.
For Christians, Holy
Week brings together all the dramatic events of the last week of Jesus’
life here on earth; the events of that momentous week are remembered by
the Church day by day over the course of the week. The week begins with
Jesus’ triumphal entry in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; moves through the days
when he is betrayed, agonises over his fate, is speedily tried and executed;
and then moves to the supreme triumph of the Resurrection, celebrated on
Easter Day.
To some extent these
events are paralleled in the life of our nation. The Queen as Monarch
and Supreme Governor of the Church of England; each Maundy Thursday has
led the service of Royal Maundy in one or other of the Cathedrals of her
realm. The service of Royal Maundy was only sporadically observed by her
predecessors: and yet Queen Elizabeth II sees this as a vital part of her
duty as the Head of State of a Christian nation each year. Before moving
to Bedfordshire, I was privileged to be present at the service of Royal Maundy
which took place in Guildford Cathedral in 2006. In some ways it was a
highly stylised occasion; but the smile from the Sovereign to each of the
80 elderly men and 80 elderly ladies receiving coins was obviously genuine;
as were the smiles that beamed back at the Queen from the recipients and
their families.
There are special licensing
laws in force on Good Friday – the Church’s most sombre and solemn of
days. And Easter Sunday is now the only Sunday in the year when the law
requires the shops to be closed.
It strikes me that we
must ensure that these observances do not become to be seen as quirky
reminders of a bygone age. I was brought up by my parents, who in turn
had been taught by their own parents, that in no circumstances would you
go shopping on Good Friday: if you’d forgotten something well you would
simply have to make do without it for one day.
I am a great believer
in the value of chocolate – it manifestly has wonderful properties for
one’s mental and emotional health! But even with my love of chocolate;
I would be the first to emphasise that Easter Sunday has to be about so
much more than just chocolate Easter Eggs. It is the day in the year above
any other; when we as Christians celebrate that God has given his people
the gift of eternal life with him. It is a day when all baptised and confirmed
members of the Church are expected to be in church in the morning to offer
their thanks and praise to God.
Wishing you a very happy
Holy Week and Easter;
With every blessing
Dean Henley
March 2009
The Rector writes …
The season of Lent has
traditionally been one of self-denial: partly to reflect our Lord’s period
of fasting and temptation for forty days in the wilderness; and partly
as a useful spiritual discipline for us as the followers of Christ. Fasting
and abstinence used to be an integral part of Christian spirituality
and not just in Lent and Advent. About the only from of denial practised
in Advent nowadays, is not having flowers in church for that period!
This year it would seem
that there is an awful lot of self-denial taking place this Lent. Restaurants
are pushing vouchers for two meals for the price of one. The sale of new
cars has almost ground to a halt, and any retailer selling ‘luxury’ products
is struggling to stay in business. If anyone had told us a year ago that
most of this country’s banks would be in State ownership in less than a
year’s time we would have laughed at such a preposterous notion.
Apparently those who
haven’t lost their jobs are drawing in their horns and building up their
savings in case they do. The economists tell us that paradoxically this
behaviour just makes the recession worse and tips us further towards
a depression the like of which has not been seen since the 1920’s.
None of this behaviour
of course has anything to do with sharing in Christ’s experience of fasting;
but to a greater or lesser degree is driven by an element of fear. The
season of Lent was never meant to be driven by fear; but rather by a love
for the God who created us and who remains alongside us both in the good
times and in the bad.
During his time of fasting
in the wilderness, Christ used the time he had to pray and to seek through
his prayers God’s guidance and inspiration for his future life and ministry.
Whatever our circumstances,
perhaps this Lent we can all pray for God’s guidance and inspiration for
our neighbours and for ourselves. Speaking from my own experience: time
spent in prayer is time which is repaid a hundredfold.
With love and blessings
Dean Henley
February 2009
The Rector writes …
In the midst of so much
bad news in the world it is heartening from time to time to see in the
news examples of the courage and dedication to duty of our fellow human
beings. Late last year we saw the ingenuity and skill of the surgeon working
for Medecins Sans Frontieres in the Congo. He was faced with a young man
who had lost most of his arm to a hippopotamus whilst fishing by a river.
The British surgeon David Nott, needed to amputate the rest of the arm
or the young lad would die. The required procedure is very rarely performed
and the surgeon had never done such an operation himself before. He sought
advice from a Professor of Surgery back home in London; and he received
step by step instructions via text messages on his mobile phone. The young
lad lost his arm but thanks to David Notts’ skill and his dedication to
duty his life was saved.
More recently the pilot
of the US Airways jet successfully landed his plane on the Hudson River
in the middle of New York. He quickly made a series of decisions which
resulted in all 155 people being safely rescued and without any serious
injuries at all.
Very few of us have
the skill or the opportunity to be a surgeon or an airline pilot; but
these are only two high profile, and newsworthy examples of the countless
acts of kindness, courage, and dedication to duty which happen all over
the world every day.
Jesus summarised all
of the Bible’s commandments in the following terms: to love God and your
neighbours as yourself. In taking care of, and striving for the best
for our fellow human beings, we honour the God who created us.
So often the news media
concentrate on the seamier side of human existence. We all need to regularly
remind ourselves of the potential for noble and generous acts in all of
us.
With love and blessings
Dean Henley
July
2008
The Rector writes …
Each year in October the church wardens at All Saints’ write
to every house in the parish of Campton and Chicksands inviting them
to support our Gift Day held on or around All Saints’ Day itself (November
1st). We are very grateful for the support that those living in the parish
are able to give us each year. As you will know All Saints’ church has
been a very visible Christian presence in the village for many hundreds
of years.
The Church of course is far more than just a building. St. Paul
teaches us that the Church (he uses the term: the Body of Christ); is
made up of all the faithful followers of Christ’s teaching and ministry.
Each member (part of the Body, to once again use St. Paul’s terminology);
brings themselves, together with their own unique set of skills, as
a contribution to the life of the Church in their time.
The reality is that All Saints’ is facing a difficult period
of time ahead. The late Fred Oakley left us a very generous bequest in
his will. However that legacy has been rightly used to reorder the church;
to make it a bright and welcoming environment. Fred’s generous bequest
has enabled the community at All Saints’ to equip the church as a ‘building’
to meet all the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The recent
fundraising effort to renew the bells has given us a first rate bell
tower, which is the envy of others far and wide.
However, despite determined efforts at general fundraising the
church is running a significant deficit in its income over expenditure
each month. As you will appreciate this has rapidly eaten into the small
amount of financial reserves held by the Church Council. I have to say
that these reserves are now almost entirely spent.
The Church Council now faces some very difficult decisions;
in the not too distant future it may have to default on its obligations
to the wider Church: in terms of paying for its share of the ministry
costs locally. We are obviously anxious to avoid finding ourselves in this
situation; as I’m sure you will appreciate, this will mean other hard pressed
parishes in the area having to effectively subsidise the cost of ministry
in Campton.
As a community we are challenging ourselves to give more each
week and month in order to keep our financial head above water. However,
if the readers of this newsletter were able to help us with a donation,
that would of course be very much appreciated.
If you are able to help us in this way our Churchwardens would
be delighted to hear from you, and can, if you are a tax payer supply
you with a GiftAid envelope which boosts the value of your donation to
us by something like 28%. The contact details for the Churchwardens are
detailed elsewhere in this newsletter.
I do hope that you will be able to help us maintain a Church
of England presence in the village of Campton.
With all good wishes,
Dean Henley
June 2008
The Rector writes …
“ … for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.” (Ecclesiastes
1. 14)
As I write this month’s letter the news bulletins all seem to
be full of doom and gloom about the health of the world’s economy. The
banking industry has got its fingers badly burnt with the dubious practice
of buying and selling of sub-prime mortgages in the USA; and the consequence
is that we all end up paying the price for the reckless business practices
of some extremely highly paid executives. Even if these incautious executives
do lose their jobs they always seem to depart with a handsome golden handshake
which we as the either their customers or shareholders inevitably have
funded one way or another. There seems to me to be something quite perverse
about lavishly rewarding people in this way for their lack of commonsense.
Meanwhile difficulties in the financial markets are exacerbated
by the relentless rise in the price of oil which also has an impact
on almost everything else we buy. I was somewhat alarmed when I realised
that the price of heating oil for the Rectory central heating boiler
had risen by over 60% in less than six months!
Now for many of us in rural Bedfordshire these difficult times,
whilst not exactly pleasant, will not affect us too much. I can wear
an extra jumper if necessary and with some judicious belt-tightening measures
my life will not be unduly affected. But there are many (and not always
those we would first of all think of) for whom these are very worrying
times indeed. Many of my friends have extended themselves financially
to such an extent that they have very little leeway. As the banks seek
to speedily recover their losses and return to a more prudent business
model; some of my friends are beginning to find that their personal finances
are beginning to unravel before their very eyes.
The message of the prophet Ecclesiastes is that there nothing
new or surprising about the human condition. We are unwilling to accept
the sometimes painful lessons of the past; and time and time again we
fall for the charms of the next slick salesman who rocks up. These salesmen
may be politicians or international financiers but their charms never
seem to pall to us for very long, if at all. We seem to want instant gratification
and we are willing to suspend our critical faculties when faced with
a smiling face promising us the earth, and at a bargain price to boot.
The reality of course is that credit has to be paid back – and
with interest. The reality is that our oil and gas reserves are finite
and there is no sign of an acceptable alternative to these fossil fuels
on the horizon. I read somewhere that Portugal meets something like 80%
of its electricity needs from wind turbines; and yet most of our politicians
seem to be selling the notion that no-one need have a wind turbine anywhere
near where they live, or near a beauty spot they like to visit. I wonder
at what point they will concede that it’s either wind turbines or the
lights going out.
Salesmen and politicians are of course by and large successful
because they tell us what we want to hear, and sell us what we want to
buy. The message running through the Scriptures is that we are called
to live our lives in a way which is sustainable for ourselves, our neighbours,
our children and our grandchildren. Are human beings willing to hear and
act upon God’s message for us in the Scriptures; or are we determined to
press on living beyond our means and in a way which is unsustainable?
With every blessing,
Dean Henley
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April 2012