New Year Celebrations?

As I write these notes the world is still reeling from the Tsunami which struck South East Asia on St Stephen’s Day 2004. Certainly there was a sense that there was not much to celebrate as I watched the New Year Celebrations in cities throughout the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. Events seemed to be overshadowed by the death and destruction which had only a few days earlier struck in regions renowned for outstanding beauty and tranquillity. Lives had been quite literally turned upside down and whole communities wiped out in a few minutes of savage power and young children were left orphaned and wandering through the wreckage of a lifetime of ambitions, hopes and plans. Such scenes cannot fail to touch our hearts and certainly they have reminded me of the frailty of human life. The world has been mobilised in a way which I believe we have never previously witnessed and perhaps never will again.

But as we think on our own personal response to this tragedy, let us reflect on the words of Jesus as he commanded the expert in the law to do as the Good Samaritan did and show mercy on a naked man, injured, beaten and left to die by the roadside without dignity (Luke 10: 25-37).
The Good Samaritan gave sacrificially, he gave in a way which hurt as he;
• took time to attend to the man
• gave up his mode of transport
• gave of his own money to provide for the man’s attention at an inn.
Jesus commanded the expert in the law to Go and do likewise and he commands us to do so also. As we respond to the command of our Lord let us remember that Jesus said that You are my friends if you do what I command you (Jn 15: 14). The commands of Jesus were not simply for a first century audience but should echo in our ears today in very different circumstances yet human need and suffering has remained constant. Our human frailty is something which has not changed either but in the midst of this human tragedy let us look to and lean on the Rock who is a very present help in trouble (Ps 46: 1).
Fasting, praying and giving
I would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who participated, in whatever way, in our day of fasting and praying, and subsequently in giving. Fasting and praying arose out of the Jewish tradition and is something which Jesus himself did. In doing so we are able to get closer to God, in a sense, but in this instance we are able to identify with the suffering of those affected by the Tsunami, some who will not have eaten for many days. Our day of fasting and praying was followed with a day of giving and I would like to thank everyone who gave so generously to realise a total in the region of £1800 on Sunday 9th Jan 2005. All monies given will be forwarded to the Bishops’ Special Appeal for the Tsunami.
If anyone would like to make a donation and has not yet been able to do so then either contact me or place a plain envelope on the collection plate marked Bishops' Special Appeal.

Devastation in South Thailand

Clothing and equipment appeal for Colombo, Sri Lanka
A number of parishioners have contacted me and indicated that they felt that we as a group might be able to collect items which could be sent to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the Tsunami. As a result of these calls I have identified an appeal right on our doorstep – Lisnaskea Parish Church, as part of a Diocesan initiative, are attempting to fill and dispatch a container to Sri Lanka. This container will be received by the Church in Colombo and then distributed to those considered to be most in need.
The following items are required;
Clothing for children and babies
Underwear and light clothes (tee-shirts and shorts) for adults
Bed linen
Unbreakable kitchen utensils (saucepans etc)
Non-power tools (hammers, saws, screwdrivers etc)
All clothing should be new or in very good condition.
In order to assist with the packing of these items we would need to be well organised and sort the clothes into age ranges and type of clothing and then pack them in strong plastic sacks/bags with clear labels firmly affixed to the bags. All of this will take time and we will need as much help as possible to make this all possible.
In order to receive the items which you would like to give, Tomregan Parish Hall will be open from 4 pm to 5 pm and 7 pm to 10 pm on Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th th and if you could volunteer your time to help out at any stage then please do let either Mildred Morton (00353 49 952 6104 during office hours) or myself know in order that we can co-ordinate our efforts. Please do let your neighbours and friends know about this appeal.

                       

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