We publish a Parish Magazine 4 times a year and in each Magazine there is a letter from Jonathan Smith, the Vicar at St John's. Here is the Easter 2007 letter:
I have to confess that I don't like shopping. Perhaps I should qualify that statement. I don't like shopping for the staples of life like food and clothes … especially clothes because at heart I feel it to be such a thwarted exercise in that nothing ever seems to fit my shape and even when dressed up I resemble a sack of potatoes. Nothing comes close to the exhilaration of finding a garment that fits perfectly; alas it is an all too rare event. A recent overcoat, though, bucks the trend and I am proud to be dressed by M & S and the Grove Hospice Shop. I guess that if I had the income to be a collector of fine art then I would rather enjoy shopping in galleries but that is merely a fantasy.
A lot of my food shopping is done at the local supermarket, Somerfield in Southdown. Some aisles hold more interest than others. Milk and dairy is OK as is breakfast cereals and rice and pasta. I simply dare not venture down the chocolate and sweeties aisle for the spirit is willing but the flesh is very weak indeed. The wine aisle holds far more interest, especially when some good bargains are to be found.
What however makes the whole food shopping business so much more bearable is the unfailing courtesy and helpfulness of the Somerfield staff. I am particularly impressed by the till staff who manage to scan and pack the purchases of customer after customer, all the time showing a friendly and pleasant attitude. As one of my favourite till ladies, who always proffers the greeting "hello darling", says "a smile and a hello doesn't cost you anything" She is right, it doesn't cost but it is worth a huge amount. People who offer any kind of service, be it scanning groceries, mending a boiler, answering a 999 call, taking a pulse, conducting a wedding or what have you, deserve respect and consideration and in their turn offer the service to the very best of their ability.
Perhaps it is considered to be rather an old fashioned concept these days but I believe there is a dignity to work and while remuneration varies considerably from job to job, I believe that all work carries with it a proper honour and respect in that each plays a necessary part in the life of the community. If I am hungry, the business of selling food to eat is as important to me as is the attention of my dentist if I have toothache.
During the season of Lent the church remembers how Jesus, having left the occupation of the carpenter's work bench, goes into the wilderness to prepare himself for the new work of proclaiming the Kingdom of God by the preaching of the gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. This work was to find its destiny and fulfilment in the Good Friday Cross and Easter Resurrection. I have little doubt that, in the more extreme moments of his ministry, Jesus looked back with a certain wistful nostalgia to his carpenter's life and work. However, such was his trust in the Heavenly Father that he was obedient and faithful to continue and complete the work of our salvation.
This prayer has long been a favourite of mine
Jesus, Master Carpenter of Nazareth , who on the cross through wood and nails didst work man's whole salvation: Wield well thy tools in this thy workshop; that we who come to thee rough hewn may by thy hand be fashioned to a truer beauty and a greater usefulness, for the honour of thy name. Amen
I wish you peace and joy this Easter,
