The Vicar's Message for June/July 2010
In our last Parish Magazine I wrote about our two outgoing Churchwardens, Edna Candler and Helen Cannam, and how much I've appreciated their support over these past years. I am very pleased to report that Christine Hodgson has been elected as St. Catherine's new Churchwarden, on Sunday 25 April in our Annual Parochial Church Meeting.
Christine of course, will be known to many of you already, as she had led our Children's Ministry for some years. Christine and the team have done some really excellent work, in bringing on the children's ministry (as testified by the Bishop of Jarrow when he visited us) and so I have no doubt at all, in her abilities as Churchwarden. We also have an excellent new Assistant Churchwarden too in Susan Hobson, who I'm sure, will be equally well known to you. Susan has admirable organisational skills which we are already seeing her put to good use, as she helps to organise our Summer Fayre - which, don't forget is on Saturday 5 June.
I love Spring and Summer (especially when we get them...). The newly born lambs in the fields always look so vulnerable. I often have wondered if that's why the Bible has, from the earliest of times, spoken of God's people in terms of sheep? In the tenth chapter of John's Gospel, we hear Jesus describing himself as the Good Shepherd. I've been thinking a lot about that passage recently, as I look at all the sheep around us. Below, I have included a couple of things that Jesus said about shepherds and sheep. Jesus said...
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came into the world so that people might have (eternal) life, and have it to the full. Often people think they have to die before eternal life begins... but that's not what Jesus said! He said that eternal life involves knowing God through Himself (John 17:3)! This means that anyone can begin enjoying eternal life - now!
When John used the word that we translate as know, he meant much more than intellectual awareness. He was writing about the intimate relationship between God and His people... those who love Him. In this tenth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus is saying that He knows our names... just as He knew Simon (John 1:42), even giving him a new name. He called Zaccheus by name too (Luke 19:5); and when He spoke Mary's name in the garden, she recognized her Shepherd (John 20:16).
If you've ever been unfortunate enough to have had your identity lost in a maze of computer operations, then you'll appreciate the comforting fact that the Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep by name.
He also knows our natures. While all sheep might look alike, each has its own distinctive characteristics; and the loving shepherd recognizes those traits. One sheep may be afraid of high places, another of dark shadows. The faithful and loving shepherd will consider these special needs as he tends the flock. For instance, have you ever noticed how different the twelve Apostles were from one another? Peter was impulsive and outspoken, while Thomas was hesitant and doubting. Andrew was a real people person who was always bringing somebody to Jesus. It's because Jesus knows our natures, He knows us far better than we know ourselves.
In my own life, I fought against God's call to an ordained ministry for five years before I could completely say yes. It was only after becoming a priest, that I then realised that it involved everything I'd ever yearned to do and be.
What about you... how well do you know the Good Shepherd's voice? In nearly every issue of our Parish Magazines, you will find short exercises that could help anyone wanting to get to know Jesus, the Good Shepherd better, do so. So, perhaps the next time you see sheep in the fields around Crook, you might remember what I've written and ponder to yourself... does any of this apply to you?Your friend,
Rev'd Vince Fenton.