FROM ST GILES’ REGISTERS

Baptisms
Apr. 4th      Jack James Havard
                   Nicole Du Cassé

Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Mar. 21st     Edward Price, aged 90
Apr.   5th     Barbara Wedding, aged 76
       11th     Hilda Marjorie Bugden, aged 98 (after a service in St Giles’ Church)
       15th     Ellen Evelyn Burr, aged 80

FROM THE URC ELDERS

For Christians there are many important and significant events during Holy Week (the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Day) to remember and think about. We consistently look for a deeper understanding to help us on our own Christian pilgrimage. One particular action that Jesus did during this time, which is sometimes overlooked, does have something important to say to us all today.

The 16th Century Italian artist Tintoretto captures the moment when during the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples, Jesus is washing their feet. It was custom in those days for a household servant to wash guests’ feet when they arrived. Servants were people with no authority at all. It would have been a most unpleasant job in such a hot country and where people wore sandals. Jesus did the job that the lowliest servant would do.

During the previous three years the disciples had been following Jesus’ teaching and also watching Him as He mixed with many different groups and crowds of people. The disciples had seen Jesus act with great power, they had heard Him teach with great authority, but the disciples did not realise that Jesus’ understanding of the words ‘power’ and ‘authority’ was different from that of everyone else. Simon Peter’s reaction in the Tintoretto picture, his arms outstretched and his body angled slightly forwards, shows how puzzled he was as he protested ‘Lord! You’re not going to wash my feet!’

We think quite often that having power and authority means being able to control other people. Jesus here showed by his behaviour that leadership, authority and power meant a responsibility to others and taking opportunities to serve them, not just the right to tell other people what to do. On the other hand it is not wrong for us to be authoritative or powerful, in fact on certain issues the church could be seen to be sadly lacking, it is how we put them across and whether we use them for good intent.

Are you willing to follow Christ’s example of serving others? This idea is not comfortable for leaders who find it difficult to serve those beneath them. How do you treat those who work under you – whether children, employees or volunteers?

Two thousand years later, Jesus’ ideas about authority and power are as radical as they were in the first century. Jesus’ message continues to be a challenge for us today as we remember that having power is not for our own benefit or that it gives us the right to direct others around and get our own way. Regardless of our own personal beliefs, Jesus is an example for us all to follow.

Peter J. Williams

FROM THE U.R.C. REGISTERS

Cremation at Amersham Crematorium
Mar. 23rd    Beryl Thomas, aged 76 (After Service at U.R.C. on 22nd March)

CHRISTIAN - JEWISH INTERACTION

We know, of course, that many Christian customs and rituals have evolved from Judaism, but we are less likely to be aware of the manner in which Christianity has affected present-day Jewish life. In fact some of the practices and teachings of Judaism have been deeply influenced by Christian concepts. For example while modem churches have replaced the old term "Whit Sunday" by "Pentecost", at which is celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, the Jewish Pentecost, which was in ancient Judaism a harvest festival has changed its emphasis to a celebration of the spiritual revelation upon Sinai. Again the celebration of the Jewish winter festival of Chanukah bas been influenced by Christmas customs.

On Wednesday, 8th June, at 8.00 p.m. in St Giles’ Church Hall, we shall be privileged to hear Rabbi Dr. Michael Hilton (author of "The Christian Effect on Jewish Life") give a talk on this subject, which should be of interest to Christians and Jews alike. All are welcome!

(The meeting is under the auspices of the Hillingdon Branch of the Council of Christians and Jews. Entrance: Members of CCJ, £1, Non-members, £1.50)

ST GILES’ CHURCH MONTHLY STREET PRAYER LIST

Each week at St Giles’ Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the parish. During May we will pray for the following roads;
 Sunday 1st         The Woods
 Sunday 8th         Thornhill Road
 Sunday 15th       Three Oaks Close
 Sunday 22nd      Vinlake Avenue
 Sunday 29th       Vyners Way
If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8.0 a.m. or 9.45 a.m. services. You will most welcome.

HOSPITAL COMMUNION SERVICES 2005
More Volunteers needed urgently

The next Sunday when volunteers are needed to collect patients from wards for Communion services in the hospital chapel is : Hillingdon Hospital on Sunday 15th May. More dates will be published in future months. This small service is very much appreciated by patients who have no family available to help them. To continue this service we need to supplement our regular team with more volunteers to provide cover for unavoidable absences. Anyone who is prepared to spend a couple of hours on occasional Sunday mornings, please contact Alan Grove on 020 8868 9220.