St. Mary's Church was very well attended for the seventh Sunday after Pentecost. The processional hymn was 'Come ye faithful, raise the anthem.' The service was in the care of Rev. David Hammon and he warmly welcomed all to the morning sacrament. The first reading was by Mrs. Ruth Webb from the Book of Deuteronomy, while Mrs. Anne Sterlini gave the second reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians. Rev. Hammon read the third reading from the Gospel of Luke, relating the parable of the Good Samaritan. He took the reading as the text for his sermon. He stated that we had recently read in the press of the death of a man in a flat and he had lain undiscovered for months. Also, of the natural death of a mother on an Air Force base and her child subsequently starved to death. Not only do we reel at the horror and shock of the discovery, but we also feel a terrible guilt. We don't seem to know our neighbours very well these days. Life is more mobile and due to hectic lifestyles, cars and holidays, people are away so much. Who is my neighbour? I don't see them regularly. How much responsibility should I take for my neighbour? Am I my brother's keeper? In this parable, Jesus has enlarged the concept to all in need, even our enemy. The Levite and the priest should have stopped to help the man, but it was the Samaritan who did help and paid for his care. We are shocked and indignant with the priest and Levite, for as we know, any civilised person would have helped. But would we? Even now, the cries for help of people mugged and attacked in daylight are ignored. People prefer to sit in broken down cars rather than ask for help. If I was in a sleazy part of town would I stop? I'd be frightened in case that mugger was still around. Yet, when an elderly person trips, I run to assist. It is so much easier to dispense neighbourliness from a distance. We give to the charity requests on TV - they are still far away. It's easy to be neighbourly to those who don't present a threat. It's less easy when neighbours are grumpy, rude, demanding and offensive. Everyone is your neighbour - near or far away, easy or demanding - take risks, forget yourself and be your brother's keeper. Mrs. Christine Kirby led the prayers. The offertory hymn 'Immortal love for ever full' followed the prayer. Rev. Hammon led the morning Eucharist and welcomed members of all branches of Christ's church to join with him. During communion the choir sang the motet, 'O Lord my God' by Arcadelt. The final hymn was 'Ye that know the Lord is gracious.' The Parish Fete will take place on July 25 at 1 pm in the grounds of St. Mary's. Donations of books and bottles and other items are welcome. If you would like your books collected, please contact Mrs. Fryer on 844495.
