August in the Year of the Lord Jesus Christ 2010

Dear Friends

Not being one for sunbathing around the pool with the latest bestseller and despite Factor 50, it came as a bit of a shock that I recently had to see the Consultant at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. After an anxious trip to my GP and a short wait for the appointment I had my head examined by the Consultant under his giant magnifying glass. Nothing to worry about he proclaimed but there has been some skin damage. “Use this prescription cream for three months and, and this is the important advice always wear a hat!

Not being one for hats of any sort I find this advice difficult but I know, essential. Not being entitled to wear a mitre (nor likely to be) I rummaged round the cupboard and lo and behold found a top hat once used in a Family Service as the Mad Hatter complete with label “In this style 10/6” (or 52 ½ if you prefer but doesn’t sound as authentic does it?) Otherwise the cupboard was as bare of hats as Mother Hubbard’s, no bowlers (so redolent of bygone city gents) not even a trilby which I could wear at a jaunty angle as the kids do these days. Well how about a baseball cap they’re in fashion but rather remind me of my cup cap of long ago. Of course I could try a fedora (so dashing) or maybe a panama. So here I am newly kitted out as the “prat in the hat”

To my cost I’ve learnt to be careful of the sun. Factor 50 for me being so fair skinned and no lounging round the pool envying that elusive tan. For me sun colouring comes more in shades of beetroot. Yet I know that the sun does so much to brighten our days, its energy power and sheet brilliance does so much to change a day. Why is that memorable days are so often bathed in sunshine while days we would rather forget stand out as being dull.

Now here in Uckfield are two visitors from India who have arrived from Madras for whom our weather with temperatures over 30 must seem rather cool. The Revd Daniel Chelladurai and his son in law Easter are our guests and they have been so warmly welcomed by so many people becoming familiar figures in and around the Churches. From 9000 miles away the weather in India is hot, hotter or hotter still. Daniel and Easter brought the greetings of the Church in South India as they took part in the Service at Holy Cross at 9.30 on 25^th July. They are here until mid August and their programme of events will take them to Chichester to meet Bishop John and attend Evensong in the Cathedral; to Lambeth Palace to meet the Archbishop and to see the Lambeth Palace Library Exhibition celebrating its 400 year history. They will attend Parliament courtesy of Charles Hendry MP and then go to Westminster Abbey. Standing on the meridian at Greenwich they will span east and west and tour the Royal Naval College Chapel and the Painted Hall. Going to Canterbury for Evensong as well as attending School end of Term services; the Ladies Fellowship Garden Party; attending the Licensing service of the Revd Paul Broadbent at Fairwarp with the Bishop of Lewes as well as  many other Parish events and services.

As we welcome their visit we are reminded of the warmth of faith and fellowship around the world and of that love which is with us wherever we go. It is that same Lord Jesus we serve in Uckfield, Isfield ,Little Horsted or in Madras knowing that his love is freely given and shared for us all wherever we are all over the world.

Suitably hatted

Brian Wilcox