Julie's Jottings for May

St Francis of Assisi was born into a wealthy family in Italy in 1181.  As a young man he was profoundly moved by an experience of meeting a man who was disfigured by leprosy.  Francis was filled with compassion and gave the man his cloak, and his care.  On another occasion St Francis was praying by himself in a church, when he heard God say to him, ‘Francis, repair my church’.  He took this to mean, literally mend the building he was in, but over time he realised that the Church was the body of Christ, and his job was to live a simple life, doing the tasks that were given to him, and ministering to the sick, the poor and the disadvantaged.  He was also known for his love of animals and the natural world.  He gathered others around him who shared his beliefs and values.

Rev Edward Westrip and his wife Joanne will be joining us at St Mary’s from later this month.  Edward is a tertiary in the society of St Francis. This means that he tries to emulate St Francis by his words and action, his study, and his prayer.  Franciscans aim to be Christ-like in their teaching, acts of charity and social service. This is a way of life that is marked by humility, love, and joy.  Edward will bring much to enrich our worship, prayer, and lives at St Mary’s and in the village.  Please come and join us to welcome Edward at the service at 10am on 19 May.                                                                                                                                          Rev Julie Norris

Would you like to help out our Ministry Team?  You can work from home keeping in touch by phone, computer and Zoom with Rev Julie Norris and other team members.  You can plan your time to suit your other commitments, but 7 hours per week would cover the work of this administrative/secretarial job. The pay is £15 per hour.

If you are interested in helping, we would like to hear from you.  Please send (preferably by e-mail) a brief CV giving details of your background along explaining why you think you might be the person to work with us.
 
revjulienorris@gmail.com or 12 Church Street, Great Shelford, Cambridge, CB22 5EL.

Reflection for the month - May

 God has no favourites!

For centuries the descendants of Abraham waited for the promised Messiah who would right all wrongs for them alone - the Chosen People. When Jesus, the Messiah, finally came to them, many were disappointed. He did not stick to the rules. He mixed and ate with tax collectors and sinners; He healed the servant of a Roman centurion (Mt 8.5-13). He spoke well of the despised Samaritans, and even went so far as to speak with a Samaritan woman (Jn 4.4-42). He simply did not stay within the established boundaries. As He left his followers He commanded them to go out into the world and preach the Good News to all nations (Mt.28.19).

To law-observing Jews the non-Jews, the Gentiles, were ‘unclean’. Entering their houses, or eating with them was unthinkable, so when Peter was called to visit the home of the Roman centurion Cornelius he had to face up to breaking a whole list of Jewish rules, (Acts 10).  Cornelius was a good, God-fearing man eager to know more of Jesus. Once the embarrassments of their meeting were overcome, Peter rejoiced in his realisation that God has no favourites but accepts people from every nation who want to know God and do what is right.

Cornelius is a wonderful example of God’s willingness to reach out to anyone who desires to know Him. There are no favourites, God loves the whole world, Peter, Cornelius, you, me, - everyone!