Dear Brothers and Sisters

As a young man I studied philosophy at a Spanish University for two years. Please don’t get the wrong impression about my linguistic abilities; the  Spanish for philosophy is filosofia. So I didn’t have to strive too hard to keep up with my studies. However Bishop Nick is a fantastic linguist. I know he speaks Russian and German exceptionally well but I think his use of English is outstanding. In the first weeks of the pandemic he reminded us of something crucial to our common life. The Government was (and still is) talking about the need for us all to Socially distance from each other. Bishop Nick pointed out that what we were being asked to do was to Physically distance from each other (but within those confines to remain socially close). As the months have gone on I have continued to see the wisdom of his words. We need to be together, but we need to be together as safely as possible.

The news of tiers and local lockdowns, of arguments between national and regional governments fill our news to the extent that it seems impossible to work out what we can or cannot do. And we can be forgiven for wondering if it is worthwhile even trying, as the regulations will probably change next week anyway. But we all have to keep trying to do our best. Doing what we are asked to do will protect us, our families, our communities, our country, our world. So wash your hands, wear your mask, keep your distance physically but keep in contact with those around you. Make sure they are all right.

Since my days in Spain 40 years ago, the last three words of a prayer have been part of my life. Solo Dios basta; God alone is enough. They are the last line of a prayer by Teresa of Avila, a 16th century Carmelite nun.  In these troubling times the whole prayer might be helpful to you.

Let nothing frighten you,
let nothing disturb you,
all things are passing .
God never changes;
patience obtains all things,
whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone is enough. Amen.

As always, if you would like to have a chat over the phone or for me to have a physically distanced visit please let me know. If you know of someone else who might like to talk let me know as well but do make sure that they are happy with this. Getting a ‘cold call’ from the Vicar doesn’t go down well with everyone!

I will be away on retreat at Wyedale Hall from Tuesday afternoon until Friday afternoon.

Sunday’s Readings

A Reading from the book of prophet Isaiah

Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him—and the gates shall not be closed: I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know me, so that they may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is no one besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe;
I the Lord do all these things.                                                                   (45:1-7)

The Gospel according to Luke

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title?’ They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.                                                                                                     (22:15-22)

Services next Sunday 25th October              

  • Fewston                           9.30am
  •  Weston                            11am
  • Leathley                           2.30pm

Services for Sunday 1st November               

  • Denton                             9.30am
  • Blubberhouses                11am
  • Farnley                            2.30pm

Annual Parochial Church Meetings: 18th October Denton and 25th October Leathley. Both meetings after the 2.30pm service.

Please remember in your prayers: Our public health workers and all battling Covid19. Those facing further restrictions on their lives. Our Government and all who have hard decisions to make. The sick and the dying and those who care for and love them.

God bless you all.                                 

Stephen