July message from James

Dear friends,

When I last wrote it was a time of great political change out of which the current coalition government has been formed. One of its first tasks is to tackle the enormous budget deficit that has built up over a number of years. This is a difficult dilemma to engage with as none of the choices are very palatable and will impact upon different sections of society. We’ve all been told to expect a ‘rough ride’ over the coming years as the effects of the recent budget come into play. As in my last letter we need to pray for wisdom and discernment for all those involved in the decisions that need to be taken.

Whilst national government will usually take the headlines, it will often be local issues that touch our lives most tangibly. I was saddened the other day to hear that the Red Cross Day Centre in Princes Risborough is facing closure under Buckinghamshire County Council plans. The Day Centre helps older people to live independently as well assisting those with learning and mental health difficulties. The Day Centre also provides valuable respite to those who unselfishly spend time caring for loved ones, other family members and friends. Whilst a significant sum of money will be saved that can be put towards other healthcare projects, those who are most frail will probably struggle because of having to travel further to the larger centres that will remain open.

I become concerned when phrases such as ‘service users’ are applied in these discussions and decisions as they take out the human element out of the debate and replace it with the cold and calculating element of economics. Just as ‘every child matters’ in schools so does every person matter in our society. Jesus never gave up on those who were often looked down upon or marginalised. Jesus always encouraged his listeners to broaden their view of humanity so that more people could enjoy life in all its fullness. In the well known story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus labours this point. He challenges the clinical view of the lawyer as to who was his neighbour and replaces it with a definition that has far reaching implications for the ordering of society. Jesus extended his concern to all people, especially those who were often unable to defend themselves.

I can understand the need for Bucks County Council to look again at the way this care is provided since it is a generation since the current package was put into place. I realise that the provision of care is an increasingly costly item of expenditure. It is also the case that the health of any society is measured by the well being of all of its members. Please can I therefore encourage you to respond by August 25th to the consultation process initiated by the council under its paper ‘Having a Good Day’ by either completing the questionnaire online at www.buckscc.gov.uk/HaveYourSay or by phoning or writing to the council at ‘Having a Good Day’, Adults and Family Wellbeing, Buckinghamshire County Council, 11th Floor, County Hall, FREEPOST, RRBS - EBKU – LJXR, HP20 1YU Telephone: (01296) 383033.

Your neighbour in Christ,
James


A Tale of Two Bishops coming to the Parish

It is with great pleasure that we will be welcoming both Bishop John Pritchard of Oxford and Bishop Alan Wilson of Buckingham to the parish at the end of September/beginning of the October. Apparently the last Bishop to come St. Peter’s, Owlswick was in 1949. Bishop Alan is coming to celebrate the Harvest Festival Evensong there on Sunday September 26th at 6 pm. Bishop John is coming to lead the Harvest Festival service at St. Dunstan’s at 11.00 am and will be attending the Harvest lunch in the school on October 3rd. More details about these events can be found elsewhere in the magazine.

Rev James Tomkins

The Whitechapel Mission – Harvest Collection

As in previous years we are delighted to accept your donations for the work of the Whitechapel Mission at or before our Harvest services. These take place on Sunday September 26th at 6 pm at Owlswick Chapel and on Sunday October 3rd at 11 am at St. Dunstan’s. The Whitechapel Mission provides hot food and drink, showers, clothing, free toilets and the chance of a wash and brush-up to homeless people in London. To enable its work to continue please log on to their website www.whitechapelmission.org.uk, click on ‘how to help’ and scroll down to ‘harvest’ for a list of the things most desperately needed. A list of urgently required items will also appear in the pew sheet nearer harvest time. To give you an idea of how much help is necessary the charity requires 3 lorry loads of clothing each week! Thank you in anticipation of your help.

Rev James Tomkins