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Hillside Parish Magazine

September 2009

From the Vicar – September 2009

When asked if he was a pillar of the church, Winston Churchill famously replied that he was not a pillar but a flying buttress, providing his support from the outside! It’s an amusing story, and of course it seems to describe the situation in the Hillside churches – smallish congregations at most regular services, bigger numbers at Harvest, Christmas and occasional services such as weddings and funerals; but also considerable financial support coming from the local community through lotteries, gift days, fetes and other events.

William Temple was Archbishop of York and then Canterbury during the Second World War when Churchill was Prime Minister. He used to say that the Church is the only institution which exists for those who are not its members – in other words the task of the Church is to be of service to the world, and the local church is to serve local community in which it is set. Because of its historical background that is particularly true of the Church of England which continues (although sometimes with difficulty!) to maintain its parish structure across the whole country.

But I’m not sure just how helpful all this talk of inside, outside and membership is when we start to look behind the Church itself to look at its main purpose – which, of course, is to point us towards God.

St.Augustine wrote “Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” The voice of God is constantly calling to each one of us. But it can be difficult to hear God’s voice clearly, let alone understand what God might be saying! That’s true for everyone, and however we view our relationship with the Church it is our relationship with God which is most important. The role of the local church, both the building and the people, is to help that relationship to grow and to flourish. That’s why the Church is said to be like one beggar showing another beggar where to find bread.

Here in the Osmotherley and Hillside parishes most of our churches are open every day and some are open 24/7. Most churches have a service once a fortnight and the details of services can be found elsewhere in the magazine. Over the next couple of months we will be celebrating Harvest Festivals and on 27th September some of our churches are keeping “Back to Church Sunday” which is a national event encouraging people to return to their local church. Whether it be a Sunday or any other day of the week, whether you see yourself as a pillar or a buttress, whether you are coming back to church or coming for the first time, it is always good to see you and you are most welcome in church. Not least, you will be able to share your own gifts and skills as we search for bread together!

With my prayers

Ian Houghton