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I wrote last month about the possible significance of the
date of 27th January in connection with any military action being
taken against Iraq. Well, that date passed without action. However, the
military build-up has continued apace and we seem to move from one possible
significant date to the next. The prospect of a war is still clearly
there but with even greater opposition being expressed by some leaders of
nations, there is very obviously considerable unease (to put it mildly) that
military action might be taken against Iraq even without any appropriate UN
Resolution. The demonstration against war, due to take place in London over the
coming weekend (I write this on 13th February), will perhaps
indicate the strength of feeling on the part of many in the U.K. that the case
for going to war has not yet been made out. Our prayers for those
who take counsel in these matters
continue to be needed; may they be given real wisdom and
understanding before coming to
final decisions.
The season of Lent will soon be upon us. The six weeks before the great
festival of Easter is a time each year when we can take stock of our lives and
where God fits in. As usual we shall be having services in St Giles' on
Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m. during Lent. This year we will have a series
of talks on characters from the New Testament. Ash Wednesday is on 5th
March when we shall be begin the series. Jointly with the United Reformed
Church we shall be organising study groups and this year we shall be studying
together the book 'On the Way to Calvary' by Hilary McDowell. For those who
join the groups the book will be available from either of our churches for
£6.35 (£6.99 from bookshops). Details of the days and times of the study
groups are available from either myself (622970) or Richard (234862) or in
either church. Please do think seriously about taking some time out to be
with God this Lent and learn more about his love and care for all his creation
as we journey towards the Cross on Good Friday and the celebration of the
Resurrection on Easter Day.
Greetings and peace to you all.
Philip
Feb. 9thæææ
Charles William Moore
æææææææææææææææ
Luke William Youens
Jan. 21stææ
Raymond Oggier, aged 76æ (after a
service in St. Giles‰ Church)
Jan. 27thææ
Jean Doyle, aged 68
Feb. 17thæ
Diane Pascoe, aged 64
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In January many folk at the United Reformed Church
took part in "The Pied Piper" (see the report). The familiar story is
of an invasion of the town of Hamelin by rats, and the vain efforts of the
townspeople to remove them until a mysterious Piper offered to do it for them.
However, they refused to pay him after he succeeded, so he took their children
instead.
In our version the Piper reappears in our day, to
find that the townspeople have learnt their lesson, and the joy of singing and
dancing return to Hamelin. But do human beings really learn the lessons of past
foolishness? An old Biblical commentator doubts it: "What has been will be
again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the
sun." (Ecclesiastes 1.9) Jesus warns our generation as he warned his own
of "wars and rumours of wars" until he brings about the end of the
present age. (see Mark 13 verses 7 & 8)
Many people believe that military action is not
the answer to threats to the world's well being - but as long as human beings
are prone to do evil we shall continue to find it very difficult to resolve our
problems justly and peacefully. We continue to pray for such a resolution over
Iraq, but above all we pray that God in his loving mercy might bring more
people of every nation to know his forgiveness and new life through the Lord
Jesus. This is Jesus' own response to the situation of the world that the
gospel must be preached to all nations (Mark 13.10).
By all means let us strive for peace, whether or
not we are Christian believers. And may we at last learn to turn from our
foolishness: "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of
every human being." (Ecclesiastes 12.13)
May the God of peace be with us.
RICHARD
FROM THE U.R.C.
REGISTERS
Cremation at Breakspear Crematorium
Feb. 4thææ Beatrice
Ellen Martin, aged 87 (following a service at the United Reformed Church).
PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO
PETE COTTAGE
11TH
MARCH CIVIC CENTRE, AT 10 A.M. - MAIN COUNCIL CHAMBER
The Government Inspector has already received the many hundreds of
letters written to Hillingdon Council, as well as the thousands of names on the
signed petitions concerning the future of Pete Cottage. Despite all this he
will need to be in no doubt of the will of Ickenham‰s residents with respect to
the planning appeal before him. The only way to ensure that he is absolutely
clear about your personal opinion, for or against the proposal, is for the
largest possible contingent of villagers to be present in the main Council
Chamber on 11th March at 10 a.m. Whatever may be your view, your
presence will have an impact on the outcome of the inquiry. Will you be there?
Editor
