Reflections Blog

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NEWS FROM ST. IPPOLYTS

OUR TRIP TO THE HOLY LAND - 14^th to 23^rd May 2019

There were 20 in our group and our leaders were Venerable Paul and Canon Liz Hughes and Tony Boon.  The trip was advertised in Pax Magazine 6 months earlier and we decided to go.  We all met at 6.30am. at Luton Airport for the Easy Jet flight to Tel Aviv where a coach met us for the 2 hour drive to Jerusalem.  Our hotel, The Golden Walls Hotel, was just by the Golden Gate into the old City.  Both old and new are bustling, noisy, chaotic and very busy and we walked everywhere in the city;  through the narrow busy Souks to the Wailing Wall, along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Manger Square.  Oh so busy!

Next day we drove to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane and looking over the old cemeteries to the panoramic view of the walled city, we could hardly believe we were there!  Another day we went to Masada, a Roman Fortress built by Herod the Great and then on to the Dead Sea and a chance to float…...Frank tried it! 

On Sunday at 6.00am. we walked through the Souks to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a more peaceful walk around the church.  The trip encompassed all the different aspects of the area, geographical, historical, political and especially the religious areas.  We crossed into Palestinian territory where we celebrated Eucharist at The Fields of the Shepherds, in Bethlehem.  A truly emotional experience, except for the electric fences and walls surrounding us.

Next day we travelled through the Judean Wilderness to Jericho and to the banks of the River Jordan where we renewed our Baptismal Vows and had Eucharist.  Then on to the Ron Beach Hotel by the Sea of Galilee for the rest of our trip, visiting Nazareth, Mount Tabor and The Basilica of the Annunciation and the area of Jesus’ ministry.  On the way back to the airport we stopped at the remains of the Roman city of Caesarea, built by Herod the Great with a magnificent Amphitheatre and Circus.  The trip was very uplifting tinged with sad sights of the walls and electric fences, cutting off the Palestinians from selected areas.  Certainly a trip we will never forget. 

Sheila and Frank Harding

THE JUBILATE! CHOIR

The JUBILATE! Choir, directed by John Edwards, will be performing a concert of carols and Christmas music on the afternoon of Sunday 8^th December at 2.30pm. in St. Ippolyts Church.  Tickets can be purchased on the door for £6.00 which will include teatime refreshments following the concert.

                                                                                         Mary Hooper

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STRENGTHENING UNITY

It may be odd to admit this in deepest Hertfordshire but I am an enthusiastic follower of Gloucester Rugby Club - the Cherry and Whites. Scarcely a fan since I was last at Kingsholm in 1956, but as one who was brought up and then married in Gloucester (to a Gloucester girl of course) the club has always had a special place in my affections.  So when Bedford played Gloucester and won in 1988 I was so horrified that I realised that no matter how long we lived in this part of the world we would always be Gloucestrians (you can take the couple out of Gloucester but you can't take Gloucester out of the couple).  Even after 40 years in this area we get a warm feeling when we cross the county boundary heading west near Chipping Norton.

Rugby is to Gloucester what soccer is to Manchester or Liverpool.  Ironically I played the game at school and absolutely hated it, giving it up at the earliest opportunity in favour of cross country running (what's the point of running around in the cold and wet while someone puts a muddy hand in your face or removes your legs from under you?).  Nevertheless I love watching it on television and throughout October I shall be glued to the World Cup in Japan as time allows.  Less hyped than the soccer one, but hopefully just as exciting as the cricket one with the same result.  I mention this because events like this have an important place in the world as a force for good.

One Rugby World Cup had as its theme tune a song called 'World in Union'.  This is something that is desperately needed these days.  Much has been made over the past century (and throughout history) about disunity;  history is one long saga since before records began of conflict between races and nations.  As I write this in early September there are endless divisions over Brexit and there is unease between ourselves and the rest of Europe.  There are continual tensions in the Middle East, over Kashmir, and in other places as well.  Over and beyond this, racial and religious tensions simmer beneath the surface and emerge horribly from time to time.  World sporting events are times when representatives of nations can get together and recognise that they are part of a common humanity, that the things that unite are far greater than those that divide.  They are times for unity rather than division.  This is very badly needed in the 21^st century.

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The Christian Church was born into a divided world, one that was far more divided even than it is today.  Apart from racial and cultural differences there was a huge class divide between freemen and slaves that today seems utterly abhorrent.  Christ died for everyone, regardless of their race, creed, colour and social status.  He spoke of being lifted up on the cross to draw everyone to Himself, and I see those arms outstretched on the cross as enfolding everyone.  This remains the same today and the world must recognise its unity and work towards strengthening that unity.  If global sporting events like the Rugby World Cup can be small steps along that road then whether we enjoy the game or not they are worthwhile.

           Happy Watching!  Paul (Lanham)