November’s letter to the parish comes from the keyboard of Rev Sue.
Putting the clocks back gets easier every year, as more and more things do it automatically. There’s always the odd one that catches us out, though. I wonder how many of us have settled for a car radio whose clock shows the right time for six months of the year? That extra hour in bed was lovely, and it’s a bit easier to get up in the morning, but it gets dark very early. That does mean, though, that’s just right for fireworks night.
I must admit, I enjoy fireworks: the quick blaze of colour and the awe-inspiring show. It’s all over very quickly, but then it’s time for the jacket potatoes and parkin. One year, when my husband was training for the ministry, there was a debate in his college about fireworks. The arguments against were familiar: they’re a waste, they’re over in a few minutes, and the money could have gone to a worthy cause. Now I realise your cat or dog would not agree with me, but I feel a sense of wonder looking at fireworks, and one display can give pleasure to hundreds of people. We need some colour in our lives, and I’m all for Bonfire Night, especially when it’s done together and builds community.
The other thing I like about November is the Christmas fairs. This year St George’s is staying traditional with its Christmas Fair, while St Margaret’s is opting for Santa’s Coffee Morning. The real enthusiast can also fit in Santa’s Christmas Kitchen at St Gabriel’s. Although I complain every year about Christmas creeping earlier, it’s good to have some quality coffee and cake to brighten November. Once more, these are occasions for celebrating community, when those on the fringes of our churches come and support us.
It’s not surprising that we think about light in church a lot in this season. Advent starts in November this year, with the lighting each week of another candle bringing us a step closer to Christmas. This year we will be blessed by having a baptism on Advent Sunday. Perhaps surprisingly, we will light the Easter candle, because whatever the season, baptism represents dying to sin and rising to new life with Christ. From that candle we will light a little one to give to the child, a sign of the light of faith which we pray will burn brightly throughout their life and be shared with the world.
Fireworks give us a few glorious minutes of light; the candle we hand to that child on Advent Sunday can be a lifetime reminder. Whether you join us round a bonfire, over coffee and cake at one of the fairs, or in church as Advent begins, I hope you find some light to brighten a dismal month, and perhaps the chance to brighten someone else’s too. With every blessing, Rev Sue
