Petertide

I never really used to like the character of Peter. He always seemed to be making trouble for the women - even making his mother-in-law get up and do the housekeeping and serve the guests just after Jesus had healed her. And what guests there were - the roof of her house even being taken apart to lower down someone on a stretcher into the main room.

And then with Michael, I worked on some reflections about Peter for our patronal festival, imagining something of what must have gone through his mind at various points. And suddenly I realised - of course Peter was the rock upon which the Church must be founded! He was flawed, but he was passionate. He would fly off the handle, lose his temper, and then weep bitterly in repentance. He was afraid at times, afraid even to have his feet washed, and affronted - then begged that his whole body be bathed. He was everything all of us are - but he was also 'big' enough, to admit his mistakes, to carry on following Jesus even when he called him a devil for denying the way of the Cross. He carried on. It takes guts to face your own mistakes, admit to them and keep on trying.

What better example could we have for the Church? I used to think it should have been John, the beloved John. Or Mary, Mary who followed him to the Cross, never thinking of her own safety. But these are so difficult to live up to. We all have to face our fears, face our sins - and this is what Peter did. He faced his humiliation, his denial of his beloved Jesus, and with even more bravery accepted the forgiveness and love offered by the Jesus he denied.

Bonnie Evans-Hills

'Discovering Through Death: Beliefs and Practices'

Several weeks ago I was told by one of the members of our Oadby mosque to watch for an invitation from the Muslim Burial Council of Leicestershire for a book launch. So last Friday evening I had no idea when I turned up at the Parklands Leisure Centre what kind of event it was going to be, or what the book was about. The room was set out with lovely tables all arranged for what looked to be a gala event. Fruit juices were offered in glittering wine glasses and a huge stack of books were being handed out.

Leaders from different faith communities were in attendance and invited to speak, from the Hindu community, Buddhist, Jewish and Christian communities, as well as the Muslim community. Rev'd David Clark, former rector of this parish, was there as the Christian contributor to the book. The key note speaker was His Honour Howard Morrison, from the Hague - currently hearing the case against Radovan Karadzic, who also wrote the introduction to the book. He and the author, Suleman Nagdi, have know one another for a number of years.

So what is so special about this book that it warranted such a gala launch here in our own Oadby? It looks into all kinds of question about 'Beliefs and Practices' surrounding death, at the traditions of the various religious communities living here in Leicestershire. It also asks questions such as what is a post mortem or autopsy, and what happens during one? How do you register a death? What are the issues surrounding transplants and organ donation? These are the kinds of questions that when death strikes, can be so confusing and difficult to deal with. But even more importantly, this book also examines some of the variety of ways in which we all cope with death, whether it is tragic or loss or blessed relief; the human need for something holy, something sacred to be at the centre - even from the perspective of the Humanist. So I am really looking forward to sitting down and reading it!

The Muslim Burial Council also saw to one of our other human needs - and provided a fabulous meal.

to find out more: http://www.pukaarnews.com/Pages/Rv306Beliefsandpractices.html

Oh, and there is a copy of the book in the parish office if you'd like to have a look at it for yourself.

or order from: admin@mbcol.org.uk

Bonnie Evans-Hills