Hertingfordbury Parish News: March 2003
Clery Letter
Dear Friends, The weeks seem to pass so quickly, especially when it comes to writing for the Parish Magazine. What to say that has not been said before? How, perhaps to say the same thing in a different way or even the same thing in a way that might bring a reaction? Writing this each month often feels like travelling a one-way street alone, and yet knowing others are not far away. I look anywhere and everywhere for inspiration: it comes to me in all shapes and sizes, and more often when I am not actually thinking about the letter and its content. Such an inspiration came to me last week (3rd week in February). I was approaching the Church along the main path when I heard a sound& tap tap, tap tap tap. The rhythm changed, but the depth of sound was the same. I looked around, no birds, moles or squirrels were visible, and yet the sound continued. Suddenly I found the source; there squatting by the commemorative plaques to those who have been cremated, was a man, he was wearing working clothes and he had a sack draped across his knees. I have forgotten to mention that it was a bitterly cold morning with frost still in heavy patches on the grass. But the man was a craftsman, he was a Stone Mason, and he was cutting an inscription on to one of the existing plaques. I stood for a while, quiet, still& watching. When he paused I spoke, he had obviously been aware of my presence, for he did not show surprise at the sound of my voice. We chatted for a few minutes and I discovered he had been a craftsman for many years having completed a 5 years apprenticeship. He told me there were machines that could be used for cutting, but they didn't give the same depth, nor could he enjoy the same sense of pride in his trade/profession that he did with the hand carving. His fingers were bare yet they showed no tremor in that bitter cold; here was a man at one with his job whatever the weather. Here then we have a simple example of one who was given a talent, improved on it with training, and gave of his best in perhaps sometimes difficult and not always pleasant conditions, to give comfort to others; others that never met him, but only saw the efforts of his labours. Think now not of the Stone Mason, but of the Carpenter, and the Gift and Task He was given, of the effect He has had on the many lives of those who have never seen Him, but who rely on Him to be there when they need Him. Lent is almost upon us, so is the possibility of war. Let us Pray then that the gift we were given 2000 or more years ago, will be our guide now to repentance and peace; and may we be assured that we are worthy of the Life given in love, cruelly taken for each one of us. For God gave His Son because He believes in us, how great is the loss of those who cannot, will not, simply do not, believe in Him. With love and every blessing Rev'd RosemaryPlease note: Although the Hertingfordbury Parish News is produced by St. Mary's PCC, the opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the PCC.