January 2012
WELCOME to our new-look Parish website!
A special thank you to Jerry Watkiss for his professional help in designing and setting us up and, to Tony Donovan for becoming our ‘Webmaster’ – in our New Year’s Honours list!
There are still many details to come, and we rely upon your advice for any prospective additions and alterations.
The whole process to date has reminded me of the attraction of all these Foodie and T.V. Chef programmes – we like to see lots of things happening at once – and touring our new site is the equivalent of multi-tasking in the kitchen?
The danger is that, like all ‘listening’ or ‘viewing’, we become spectators in parish life rather than participators in ‘the living room’ of the Church, part of God’s growing family in Mayfield and Five Ashes. The challenge for us all, I think, is not to go for information overload or for that matter, ‘virtual worship’ but instead to use this site as a new way of sharing the Gospel, turning the ‘contacts’ into friendships, and finding a new resolve to develop and extend our living faith.
I found this lovely Crib prayer the other day in Firle Parish Church and offer it at the beginning of 2012 as one we can all pray.
LORD JESUS, MY SAVIOUR:
By the humility of Thy birth
Save us from our grown-up
concern for status, position and reputation.BY THE SIMPLICITY OF THY MANGER BED,
Save us from our grown-up dependence
upon possessions and material things.BY THE HOLINESS OF THY CHILDHOOD,
Save us from our grown-up world-weariness
and inability to trust.BY THE LOVE AND WARMTH OF THY HOLY FAMILY
which surrounded Thee, Bless our homes and families
and all whom we love.We ask it for Thy dear Name’s sake.
Best wishes until next month,
Fr Nigel.
