JanS

20 July – Mary Evans, Petersfield & Liss United Reformed Church

It’s in the Genes

Isn’t it fascinating to see the different characteristics that are passed down through the generations?  From hair and eye colour to manner of speaking and much more besides, we can see how children inherit so much from their parents and grandparents.  We often hear the expression “It’s in the genes” referring to this phenomenon.

Today (20 July) marks two hundred years since the birth of Gregor Mendel, who is well known for his interest in heredity and for discovering genetics – the study of genes.  His work in the nineteenth century formed the basis of all the research and development in the knowledge of genetics, that has continued since, and which has had a dramatic effect on our lives today.

What may be less well known, perhaps, is that Mendel was a devout Christian.   Born Johann Mendel, he was brought up in a Roman Catholic home and when he grew up, he entered an Augustine monastery, where he took the name Gregor.  His fellow friars respected both his faith in God and his human values and some years later he was elected abbot.

It was in this monastic setting that he had the time and opportunity to devote himself to his scientific experiments.    Particularly well known are experiments growing pea plants, from which he was able to discover a great deal about genetics in plants as well as in humans.  Some of his writings still remain and it is in these that he uses his interest and knowledge of plants to illustrate aspects of the Christian faith.

Many people consider that science and Christian faith are not compatible, but the life and achievements of Mendel and many other scientists over the centuries, show that this is not so.   We only have to look around us at the wonder of creation to see the work of God, and to see that within this creation, science exists in all its forms.  How unimaginably great must our God be to create such complexity, much of which is way beyond human understanding.

13 July – John Callaghan, Life Church & vice-chair of PACT

Welcome to our Ukrainian Guests

вітаємо наших українських гостей

Could I say a hearty well done to the huge number of residents in this area who have welcomed Ukrainian guests over the past few months. To those hosting and others making welcome packs, it shows just what can be achieved when we work together. Our individual small efforts might seem unimportant but together we can extend a welcome and kindness which might help damaged lives to grow again. You all have created a space for our Ukrainian friends to grieve, to share anxiety, to stand in solidarity and the hope to plan for the future.

Life is hard for many people and for all of us from time to time. Sharing those moments is often helpful and healing. Jesus said giving is better than receiving. The church in this area is also a source of comfort, listening, and hope.

Rebuilding damaged lives is so much easier  when we find out that we are not alone and that other wonderful people will stand alongside us, cry with us and celebrate with us as we move forward.

Try it today, show some kindness, care for others and together we can build a brighter future for everyone.

6 July – Jeannine Davies, St Mary Magdalen Church, Sheet

Prepare Your Own Oil Lamps; Prepare for the Future

There’s a story in Matthew 25 about 10 Brides, 5 of whom kept their oil lamps at the ready with oil to spare and 5 who were unprepared, ran out of oil and were refused the loan of ‘spare’ oil which lead to them being unable to see Jesus …more or less! Whilst I understand the meaning of the story, I have always struggled at the selfishness of the 5 prepared Brides’ refusal to share out their own oil – however – recent events have woken me up regarding ‘preparedness’ …Totally!

One of my dear and lovely Sons-in-Law died very suddenly 3 months ago leaving my Daughter in a state of utter brokenness and her 2 girls not fairing much better.  He said he had prepared a file with all the information his Widow might need.  The question is, where did he put that file?  After weeks of frantic searching, our Daughter has been left with hunting old files and records.  The more she tries to sort his papers out, the more unexpected problems rear their ugly heads to cause further distress and she slips further down the line of shock and depression – and we can’t help; Data Protection etc.

The wonderful, truly reliable, Christian, considerate and very organised man wasn’t, it turns out, very organised at all.  He’d be devastated to see how badly everything is going for the Love of his Life.  But through his death, those of us left behind have been jogged into our own states of affairs; we weren’t entirely ready either and we’ve all had to ‘fill’ our own oil lamps, ready for use and with oil to spare – and while I fully admit to taking the story of the 10 Brides out of context somewhat, the 5 prepared Brides couldn’t have loaned their oil to the unprepared Brides because each of their, and indeed, our oil lamps, are different.  We really don’t know when we will be called:  we must prepare our own lamps to light the way, not only for our own Heavenly journeys but for those who are left behind here on earth.  Please, please, get your paperwork in order and ensure it’s ‘at the ready.’

29 June – Ivan Huntington-Thresher, Petersfield Methodist Church & Chair of Petersfield Area Churches Together (PACT)

Memories: The Benefits of Forgiveness and Love

Recently my daughter asked me why bad memories are so much easier to remember and visualise in her head than the good memories that she would much rather think about.

The reason is that when something really upsets us it is natural to replay it in our minds, a lot; thinking about what we could have said or done differently or just feeling aggrieved by the unfairness of it all.  But the more we fixate on an event, the more deeply and vividly we burn it into our memory.  We tend not to replay and fixate upon even half as many memories of nice things that have happened; and so, of our most vivid memories, most are of events we would rather not remember.

Jesus teaches us about the importance of Forgiveness; and now we find that it could have mental health benefits too!  The more we are able to practice Forgiveness, the more we may be able to ‘let go’ of unpleasant things that have happened to us, replay them less in our heads and as a result have a higher proportion of nice things haunting our bank of memories.

Forgiveness is hard, very hard, and takes a lot of practice; but the more often we succeed, the more benefits we should start to feel.

As well as reducing the number of bad memories we burden ourselves with, we can also try to actively burn more good memories into our minds.  Whenever something nice happens, even small things, relive and hold them in your mind.  The power of Love is amazing; and the more we can fill our memories with it the better we will feel. 

Proverbs 17:9 “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”