Dear Friends
We are still within the celebration of Pentecost and I greet you all with the radiance and joy of the feast: may it be for our growth in Faith and Wisdom.
Yet it is all too easy to see a great difference between the first Christians and our time: that was then but they did not have the cares of our modern world. How can I be a Christian with the same fervour, the same tenacity, the same Faith?
The Church offers us an answer on the Sunday after Pentecost—the Church offers us all the saints: people like you and me. The Apostle Paul tells us about such ones: though he is talking about the saints of the Old Testament they can equally be applied to those since.
Brethren, all the saints through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, received promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated – of whom the world was not worthy – wandering over deserts and mountains and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 11:33-40; 12:1-2
The saints give a witness of Christ from the first century until our very day. These Christians have come from all backgrounds—men and women, rich and poor, educated and illiterate, royalty and common, clergy and laity—and have been so alive to Christ that he has shone through them. For some we know their names, most we do not but they are known by God which is the greater blessing.
Get to know the saints: ask their prayers before the Lord for you, for your family and for our community. It is normal to feel a particular connection with one saint, or a group of saints, perhaps you could read their lives? Or buy an icon of them?
The saints are cheering us on in our life of faithfulness to the Lord: make use of them. It need not be only “God and me” but a whole team who lead us towards a life of holiness.
Our heavenly patrons—we are blessed to have all Twelve Apostles as intercessors for our community—have their feast this week (30th June). How will you honour their prayers for us?
Services this week
Friday 25th June
Discussion on the book of Genesis, 8 pm
Online only
Saturday 26th June
Vespers, 3.30 pm
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
Sunday 27th June
Liturgy, 9.30 am
At St Francis’ Hall, Eastleigh
You must register in advance before attending services because of Covid regulations, we are presently limited to 10 families (bubbles) being present for each service (see below).
Online session is via Google Meet, please get in contact for the details.
Attending Church
We will be meeting at St Francis’ Hall, Nightingale Avenue, Eastleigh, SO50 9JA. You must register beforehand. This is for two reasons, we must limit the number of people in the hall and this will facilitate NHS Track and Trace. We will restrict attendance at any service to 10 families (bubbles) and ask that you stay together in the service. Registration by email to [email protected] (please state to which services you would like to go and the names of those in your family). I will send confirmation of your registration by email: regretfully it is possible some may not be able to attend if we have reached the maximum number.
There will be a signed one-way system, entrance by the car park. You must wear a mask at all times when inside unless you are exempt. We may socialise inside in groups of no more than six (or only two bubbles) though outside may be in larger groups (of up to 30).
Your prayers!
With love in Christ
Fr Alexander
[email protected]