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St David’s Church—Eastwood

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Message from Father Paul

Quarterly message as in Parish Magazine

Dear Friends,

It has been such a pleasure to have so many  positive things happen in the last three months: Children receiving First Communion was such a moving celebration that so many people commented on; hosting a confirmation is always great, coming together with the Bishop and other churches, then to have a Churches Together in Eastwood Unity Service of Worship really put the icing on the cake! There was little time for rest as we packed a Community Fun day in the middle!. We have been busy!

I feel that I cannot write this letter without mentioning the difficulties in the C of E at this time. Everyone knew that women would be made bishops if you agreed or not,  perhaps the difficult thing is the way it happened. Despite calls form both Archbishops and senior figures at General Synod the vote was carried without creating a space for Conscientious  objectors. This also makes one think how much authority do the Archbishops have and is our Synodical  structure correct? It appears that a secular agenda was running the debate which is never helpful for a church, It has to make its decisions based on Scripture and tradition, including what has formed our common life for hundreds of  years. And I am sure from the way we have moved on here people will understand that I am not traditional but very much believe in the One Great Tradition of Christ's Church. We cannot just think we are alone in this area the Roman Catholic and Orthodox church of which we profess to be part of as the “One, holy catholic and apostolic church” have resisted to make this move. It is also worth noting that this is the church which we evolved from and it still holds the largest number of Christians within it. and It holds this view  based not on sexism but on theological grounds which have been tested again and again even in recent years. Part of the problem  is that people do not know all sides of the debate and start to mix up idea’s like Women can be doctors, mechanics and bus drivers etc and men can be nurses, househusbands etc. This unfortunately is to reduce the debate to a  liberal secular agenda and confuses people. Instead we need to look at the created order that God gives us, how women's ministry is valued fully in the church and the life of the church given to us at Pentecost by Jesus himself and passed on through the apostles. I hope to put together some teaching so all can have the chance to look at the real issues enabling us to appreciate all sides of the arguments. Please keep the church in your prayers at his time. Lastly please do try to get a rest this summer and thank God for the first half of the year  and I hope to see many on BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY 28 SEPT 10AM.

With love and prayers Fr Paul.