From the Rector

Dear Everybody, hello again,

So now we know. We are having an election.

You often hear that “politics and religion don’t mix”. This may be desirable to some people, but it is not true in fact. Presidential candidates in the USA pray publicly; we are hearing about “the Muslim vote” in this country. Perhaps the two issues ought to be separate, but when there’s an advantage in it, politicians will use religion.

But should religion use politics? There are countries run by Muslim clergy along Islamic lines. Islam is a political, legal and social system as well as a religion; its fundamentalists believe that democracy, once it has produced an Islamic state, should not continue. It is a religion where it is natural to use politics.

Many of the laws we have in this country at the moment come from a Christian background. The original law-makers would have wanted to have what they believed was a Christian society. Over time, changes in the law showed how one generation disagreed with the previous ones. Slavery was abolished, children were not permitted to be exploited, women had rights to their own property. Many of those who changed laws did so because of their faith.

Our society changes, and we are electing people who will be enacting legislation. We are electing people to change things, hopefully for the better. Don’t just vote according to your self-interest, though. Even if they aren’t based in religion, do make sure that you vote according to your principles. You are taking a hand in the society we shall have.

God bless you

David Head

We are having another Rectory Open Day, on Saturday 14 May. There will be a men’s breakfast at 8am, and a Coffee morning/ Family Fun morning from 10.30 – 12.30. Last October, some people found it difficult to choose between the Coffee morning and the Family time in the afternoon, so we are putting them together. All are welcome.

If you would like to come to either of the events, please let Pauline Gray (01362 – 688032) know, so that we can have enough food/ games/ craft activities.

The new Bishop of Lynn, James Langstaff, will be with us for the Men’s Breakfast, but cannot stay for the latter half of the morning. If you feel you are missing out (!), he will be with us again for our combined service on the morning of May 29^th at Lyng Church.