Here is the equivalent of the million-pound jackpot question on Who wants to be a millionaire? What is the significance of the numbers 1243, 1366 and 1406 to our benefice?
The answer can be found by looking at the board in each of our churches when the first known parish priest started their ministry: for Slindon it was 1243, during the reign of Henry III; Eartham 1366 – shortly after the Black Death; and Madehurst 1406, nine years before the Battle of Agincourt. And, of course, these are just the first known priests – almost certainly the lines in each case go back earlier: we know, for instance, that the bells at St Mary Magdalene, Madehurst, go back to the C12th.
The strength of the Church of England has always been its parish churches. Until recently, every community has had one and we in these three villages still have active churches, however small the resident numbers are. There has been a lot of comment on and criticism of the church at national and diocesan level – very understandably: but the lifeblood is laity and parish priests working hand in hand in their local communities. Archbishops and bishops are important (and please see the Rambling Rector for our local links to many archbishops!): but they have no role without the parish churches. We have a diocese and cathedral based in Chichester – but the diocese actually consists of 361 parishes and 478 local churches stretching all the way to the Kent borders!
Local parish churches try to go about their calling which has remained unchanged for about 750 years and counting: that is to worship God and to take and share Jesus’ vision of care, love, forgiveness, compassion and hope into our villages. It intrigues me that there is so much evidence that when local churches close or die for lack of support, people feel something very important has been lost – both in relation to community and all those values the church stands for and tries to live out. I feel very encouraged that in all our three villages there are so many not only who support our churches, but are so committed to their life and work.
So, this editorial seeks to ask all who live here to think about coming on a Sunday to help us further: it has been known to change lives – but if nothing else can give a space away form the incessant demands of life and modern technology.
I often ask people at christenings, “How would you define a Christian?” People often say being a good person. And, of course, that definitely should apply: but trying to live good lives is true of all faiths and indeed for people of no faith! Rather, for me, the answer is simply a “Christian” sees in Jesus someone who deep down does and teaches things that are important and life-giving. The church explores that in different ways – for instance with high philosophy such as the glorious opening to the Christmas midnight Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word”; or in terms of Jesus and bringing people together this time in the words of St Paul “God was in Jesus reconciling the world to Himself”. And Jesus’ constant refrain of our need to learn to forgive, as we are forgiven.
But for those who want just to tip a toe into the water, I would point to Abelard – the monk who fell in love with Heloise. Abelard in his writing said Jesus is the great “exemplar”, meaning he shows you a right way to live – see, for instance, the Sermon on the Mount. But to get that, it is necessary to read about his life and teaching – which is a part of every church service.
All this takes me back to those first priests and their successors on the lists in our three churches: they will all have been human and encompassed the saintly and not so saintly or, more probably, a mix of both. But I like to think those simple priests tried to share that loving life that Jesus offers.
Peter