Author: Jacky

“Fr Kevin Dring Writes”

Becoming a Single Parish – How will it affect YOU?

As Dean of Eastbourne & St Leonard’s Deanery, as we presently are, Bishop Richard has asked me to take on role of Moderator of the new Single Parish.  Last November we formally began to come together from what were currently 8 individual parishes, from Eastbourne to Rye, into a SINGLE PARISH.  This will be a BIG Parish and a BIG challenge for all of us, clergy and laity together.

Firstly, this is about all of us together discerning what we need to do to make this work well.  We won’t be looking at making any unnecessary changes (“change for change’s sake”) but instead, only what looks to be genuinely good and helpful for everybody in the parish.  We won’t be about “closing down” but building up what we already have, sharing all our good resources, especially our many good and gifted people.  We’ll do this by listening to people’s views and   concerns and then discerning the steps forward we need to take.

“Most important, God’s Salvation”

As we continue our journey of life there is so much conflict and anxieties, real reasons for apprehension, the outcome of our Christmas celebrations are of the utmost importance.  The Son of God, Jesus, has come down from heaven with the assurance of bringing to us God’s salvation.  His words are “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  I will be with you always”.   From the beginning after his birth in Bethlehem, the Holy Family had to take flight down into Egypt as the force of darkness, then under the threat of Herod, brings about the massacre of the Holy Innocent.  Here we are over 2000 years later confronted with the massacre of children in the place of Jesus’s birth.  At times it is heart breaking to listen to it.  This is amplified by many things including global warming, and the constant threat of war.

It is at this time our faith takes hold of His promise “I am with you always”.  He is our rock, our strength and gives solid direction to our lives.  Our Christmas celebrations were very helpful, life giving and a solid foundation to build upon.  This weekend it the Epiphany Party which helps us to begin the new year with a good sense of purpose, and to prepare us for what the new year brings.  Which will be different, and we must be ready to take one step at a time and continue to build our communities of faith.  So we simply have to rely upon God’s providence to make the most positive, energetic effort to build up our lives through the strength of our faith.  Our churches, our halls and whatever else may be required to strengthen our lives of faith.        

With the help of God we will be capable of doing this.