Dear Friends,

The old year has drawn to a close, the new year beckons. We find ourselves facing both ways, wanting to look forward, but with the past year, its broken promises and withered hopes, dragging us back, we dwell on the past.

Yet even after a year of trouble and unrest, the knowledge that God has brought us through it gives us the courage to turn and look forward to the year before us.

As I write the letter for this month's magazine, my thoughts stray to the story of the Israelites and their journey out of Pharaoh's Egypt when after many years of wandering in the desert they were at last brought to stand on the brink of the Promised Land. God extends his favour to his chosen people, and establishes his everlasting covenant with them.

He will be their God, and they will be his people. However many times they reject him, he will never reject them. Like a loving father addressing his child, God speaks to us of protection, pardon and peace, a threefold blessing.

This Christmas the church, too, looked backwards and forwards at the same time. We looked back at the story of our origins, the birth of Jesus Christ. In meditating on that story we have much to ponder and much to cherish. Like Mary, we hold the story of Jesus in our heart; we treasure it and learn from it. That story of her son accompanied Mary her whole life through. Her life was defined by that story. So, too, is ours.

As a new year begins, let us imitate the Christmas shepherds, who rejoiced in the birth of the Christ Child. Looking to the future, may our lives bring blessings to our community of Lowton and to the wider community. As the face of God shines upon us in Jesus Christ, may our lives bring brightness to this troubled and dark world, and give to one another a true cause for rejoicing.

Whether the old year was one of trouble or joy, or both, we need not fear the beginning of a new year with God's blessing upon us, to protect and pardon us, and to bring us peace. Just as he brought the Israelites out of Egypt, and through the desert to the threshold of the promised land, so he will bring us out of the bondage of sin and death, through countless trials, and into his peace, which is like no other. God's peace will not mean merely the absence of war or trouble; it will not mean the inertia of those too exhausted to fight. It will be of such a peace that those who behold it will long to partake; there will no longer be any desire for conflict. For within God's blessing and promise of peace there was contained the promise of the Prince of Peace.

In 2006 as a church we have enjoyed God's love, and grace, and blessings. We have enjoyed his Word and Sacraments. He has been with us through everything. He has felt our pain and sorrow and our joys. We look back in appreciation. We also look forward with anticipation. God will be with us again in this new year. He will provide us with what we need both physically and spiritually. He will comfort us and share our good times and bad. As we ring in this year of 2007, let us celebrate God's grace. Grace that moves us to look back with appreciation and thanksgiving. Grace that allows us to look ahead with expectation and excitement.

Will you join in with me in saying this prayer —

"Lord Jesus Christ, under your protection, we place our lives. As a new year begins may our memories be blessed and may our hopes be bright. We ask this in your name. Amen."

Your friend and Vicar