Facial Recognition

Dear friends,

In recent weeks, police at events in both Cardiff and London were actively scanning the crowds attending. Cameras were monitoring proceedings, and the physical parameters of every face were being compared by computer with watchlists of known, or wanted individuals. Some civil libertarians complained about the intrusive nature of this action, some members of the crowd felt concerned, others were reassured that the police were being proactive in the prevention of crime. Big Brother was for real, and was out and about.

Being recognised by machine is one thing. Being known and loved is quite different. A former chaplain at University College, Oxford, the Revd William Sykes, would spend each summer vacation with a folder containing the passport photos and brief details of every single new undergraduate due to arrive at the College in the coming autumn term. He would memorise each face and name, (perhaps about 120 a year) such that he could greet you personally, without the need for introduction, whenever and wherever he bumped into you around the college. Imagine being a new, shy first year, arriving at University, not knowing a soul. It is extremely intimidating. And then, early on, one day you are walking back to your rooms, and a smiling friendly face, unknown to you, stops you and says “hello, John, how are you settling in?” You never forget that feeling; in all the newness, all the bustle and industry, there is someone who knows, and cares about you.

Revd Sykes (“Bill” to us) was, for his part, doing his best to model the way that God loves us – with intention, forethought, and interest. It is in the realisation of this knowledge, deep within, that one finds passion for life, and hope for the world. St Paul found it too: at the conclusion of the famous “love” passage in 1 Corinthians 13, he writes, when looking forward to the life of heaven: “Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (Italics mine.)

So, my dear friends, don’t worry about Big Brother. Look him/her/it in the lens with a smile. You are already fully known, and that by Love.

Worship Services for Sunday 7th September

9.30am Family Service at St John’s Stoke Row with Revd Kevin Davies

11am Morning Prayer at St Peter and Paul, Checkendon with Revd Kevin Davies

Midweek zoom service: Wednesday Evensong at 5.00pm  410 935 129

September celebrations

Rejoice in the Lord that good things still happen, and that fidelity and promise do have a place in this world. Give thanks for Liz and Damien, making the commitment of marriage at St Mary’s Ipsden this coming Saturday, while, elsewhere, on the same day, Simon and Catherine will celebrate 25 years of married life together. And this very evening, over to the East, Revd Romey Poston will be licensed as an Associate Priest in the Saffron Walden Team ministry. Give thanks to God that, in knowing us, he calls us, and we each do our best to serve him, wherever, and whenever, and however that may be. “Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?” we sing, echoing Isaiah, the awestruck prophet.

Looking ahead, the family service at Checkendon on Sunday 21st September will feature a Treasure Hunt, as well as some great songs to sing, with refreshments too. For your diaries, the Harvest Festival this year is on Sunday 5th October, and the pre-Christmas Coffee and mince pie morning is in the village hall  on Sat 6th December.

It is likely that vehicular access to and through the centre of Checkendon is going to be highly disrupted this week by the road closures associated with the arrival of ultra-fast broadband in its trench. I find it somewhat ironic that, in order to be “fully connected”, we have to be “cut off”…… Speaking of which, next week, access to Checkendon church will not be possible from Mon-Wed (8-10th) as there will be electricians working in the building, making improvements to the mains supply and associated switch gear. These rather unromantic works involve the replacement of several essential pieces of fairly ancient electrical equipment, and will be funded by the church council – that is, those like you who kindly support the church through regular donations and one off gifts.

Finally, I’ve not said this for a while, but, at the start of the new “academic year”, it seems an apt moment. You are receiving this email from me because, either you are a member of the church electoral roll at Checkendon or Stoke Row, or you have some position of responsibility in the Langtree Team ministry area, or  you’ve previously expressed a desire to me – in person or online – to receive it. If you’d like to stop receiving it, please just send a blank email to me with the word “STOP” in the subject box, and I’ll take your email address off the circulation list. And I won’t be offended.

with every blessing to you, and peace, in our Lords’ name.

Revd Kevin Davies.