Monthly Letter from the Ministry Team
| In October 2026: The Revd Phil Smith writes: I have just returned from presiding at a baptism held in beautiful church of All Saints’ here in Coddington. The service was well attended with over sixty adults and children present and we also managed to squeeze in a couple of songs via our church music system which is again up running. Perhaps most unusually for this service two family members were really keen to have a reading each to share with the congregation – with which I was delighted, not least of which for giving my voice a rest. Our first reading was taken from Matthew beginning with 16:18 ‘And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.’ Our reader then continued the theme also from Matthew of the ‘Two House Builders’ – a story I am sure most of you are familiar with. Jesus reminds us that those who hear his words and obey them are like wise man who built his house on a rock and when the floods and storm came and gave it a good battering it did not fall because of its solid foundation. Then Jesus speaks of a foolish man who did not listen to his words and obey them and built his house on sand, and when the same storm came along it fell – and what a terrible fall it was!! Now I know children love this story and it is usually accompanied with actions particularly the last bit – but sadly we weren’t able to fit those in. This reading did however, give me the opportunity to share with all those present the wonderful fact that in having their child baptised they were giving them a truly solid foundation on which to build their lives. That in a world where it is now becoming increasing difficult to tell the truth from falsehood, who and what to believe, if something actual happened or is the whole thing fake. I reminded them that the teachings of Jesus, his actions and his ultimate sacrifice were well documented and had been so for getting on for 2000 years – they had been analysed, tested, verified and found not wanting – the Gospel truth being just that. I added that in an ever-changing world we need certainty and in Jesus we have just this – Jesus is going nowhere, because he is everywhere. I hope in sharing my thoughts with them that it brought home the significance of baptism and the positive impact on their child’s life especially if as parents, godparents and church we together support, encourage and guide them on their journey of faith. |