St Peter's Parish Council

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the healing of wounds caused by another. You choose to let go of a past wrong and no longer be hurt by it. Forgiveness is a strong move to make, like turning your shoulders sideways to walk quickly on a crowded sidewalk.

It's your move.

It really doesn't matter if the person who hurt you deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. You have things to do and you want to move on. You can't forget. Forgiving has nothing to do with forgetting. You should remember everything and learn from it. Forgiving is goodness in the middle of remembering.

Above all, forgiveness is a series of choices you make. You choose not to seek revenge or fantasize about it. You choose not to talk badly about the person who hurt you or wish evil for them. You choose to let go of your anger and not to feed upon it. Shedding anger takes time and practice, but you choose to move in that direction. You choose to wish that person well. If these choices seem impossible to you, you might start by choosing to pray for the person who wronged you. You can pray for someone even if you don't think God exists. You should be quiet about your forgiveness, except with close friends. If you need to tell the story, you have not arrived. Choose not to tell the story until you no longer want to. Forgiveness does not always lead to a healed relationship. Some people are not capable of love, and it might be wise to let them go along with your anger. Wish them well, and let them go their way.

Whatever happens, forgiveness is good food for your soul.

Revd. Duncan Ballard, The Vicarage, 11 Jasmine Close. Tel: 01905 350670.
http://www.stmarksworcester.org.uk

Thinking about marriage

So, you've decided to commit matrimony! But why get married in Church?

To experience love for another human being is to be fully alive with the love of God in our hearts. A marriage service, wherever it is held, is a public declaration of that love and commitment to your partner.

If you choose to get married in a Church of England church (such as St. Marks), there is an added dimension - the assurance that God cares about your relationship and that his resources and strength are available to help you. Including God in your marriage doesn’t mean that you will avoid all the usual ups and downs, but you will know that you can look to God for help and guidance, and that his love will sustain you. You will also have the support and encouragement of the St. Marks Church family.

Once you've decided to marry, talk to Duncan your vicar or ring the parish office on 01905. Everyone who lives in the parish of St. Mark in the Cherry Orchard (which takes in the houses either side of Bath Road and the St. Peter's estate) can be married in St. Mark's. If you've been married before then a church wedding is also possible, as are a whole range of services such as the renewal of marriage vows and the blessing of the marriage after a registry office wedding – a member of the clergy will talk through the possibilities with you. From February 2007 there will be a comprehensive booklet available telling you exactly what happens in a church wedding and what you need to do – ring Duncan for a free copy.

The church is here to support and help people at troubled times as well as at joyful occasions. When relationships become strained for whatever reason, there is a need to talk to others and often to seek specific help at a time of pain and hurt. Don't be afraid to speak to a member of staff at St. Mark's; there are those in the church community who can offer advice and help.

Revd. Duncan Ballard, The Vicarage, 11 Jasmine Close. Tel: 01905 350670.
http://www.stmarksworcester.org.uk

Thinking about Baptism?

Have you been thinking about baptism? Have you just had a baby (if so, congratulations), or been meaning to get your child christened Perhaps your Gran has been nagging you for ages to 'get them done', but somehow you've never got round to it. After all, you say, Baptism is for people who go to church – and we just don't have the time on a Sunday!

The arrival of a new baby is a wonderful event that needs to be gloriously celebrated, and the ritual of baptism (sometimes called Christening) provides the occasion for doing this. The preciousness and fragility of life is especially evident in the case of babies, and many parents want to thank God for the amazing gift of a child. There may be a sense that you, as parents, want 'something of God' to touch your baby.

This, at St. Mark's church, is what baptism is all about. It's a celebration – of new life, of families and friends, of God's goodness. It's also a holy moment - a time when we ask God to bless our children, to make them holy and special. To request Christian baptism is to make a solemn promise to be a disciple of Jesus, to learn the way of life which he taught, and with God’s help to follow him as best you can. It also means taking responsibility for working out a faith to live by and treating the faith and feelings of others with respect, tolerance and compassion.

By choosing baptism for your child you're making those first steps for them, until they can make their own choices.

Everyone in this parish (roughly the houses either side of Bath Road and the whole of St. Peter's estate) has a right to be baptised, married and buried in St. Mark's church. But more than just having the right, we hope you'll find St. Marks to be a welcoming, loving and supportive family who are there for you when you need them. The first step to Baptism, either for your child or for yourself, is to contact Duncan your vicar or Bea Knowles (01905 ) who can visit you and talk you through the service and answer any other questions you may have.

Revd. Duncan Ballard, The Vicarage, 11 Jasmine Close. Tel: 01905 350670.
http://www.stmarksworcester.org.uk

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Forgiveness

Thinking about marriage

Thinking about Baptism?