From the Vicarage Archives | Page 2 of 8 | Saint Eustachius

The Very Reverend Dr Christopher Hardwick writes …

30th April 2020 By Martin Pendle

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

What might the future Church of England look like? What will be the “new normal” for the world in which we live when we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic? And where will we find lay and ordained leaders who will help shape the Church for future generations?

Two of the most profound questions that people ask are: ‘who am I?’ and ‘what am I here for?’ People ask these questions at different times in their lives. When Christians talk about ‘vocation’ or ‘calling’ we usually mean God inviting us to make a choice, for a particular job or to a way of life. But it is important to remember that vocation is about the whole of who we are. Vocation Sunday, which is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, 3rd May, and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, is an opportunity to think and pray about the nature of our calling.

At baptism all Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. This means following Jesus and serving him in all that we are and all that we do. We believe that it is in this way we become more fully the person God created us to be. Vocation simply means what you are called by God to be and do. The good news is that if you are baptised you already have a vocation because you have already been called. Our primary calling as Christians is to live life in all its fullness and be representatives of Christ in the world. God loves us and wants us to be the person he has called us to be. For some we may identify our calling as a role in the world that allows us to follow Jesus as a disciple and share our God given gifts and abilities to the benefit of others. There is also another calling, sometimes called ‘having a vocation’ which is not for everyone, but may be for you. This particular calling is to serve God and all people through one of the Church’s authorised lay or ordained ministries, for example as a Deacon or a Priest, as a Reader, or as a Church Army officer. For this particular calling you have to allow your sense of vocation to be tested by the Church through its discernment processes.

Many people feel called to serve God through ministry in various different forms, for example, as a churchwarden, musician, in children’s or youth ministry, as part of a pastoral care team, or as part of a prayer or study group, to give only a few examples. God calls all people to follow him, and some to exercise authorized minister in his Church. God calls young people and older ones, men and women, the wealthy and poorer from all walks of life, social classes, ethnic backgrounds and educational abilities. God has a place set aside for us all in his world.

You may feel certain about what God is calling you to, or you may be quite unsure. You may feel confident and excited, or you may be confused and reluctant. Maybe a number of people have been saying to you “have you ever thought of …?” Maybe you have had an experience of God speaking clearly. Or maybe you have a persistent nagging feeling that what you are currently doing ‘is not enough’. Understanding God’s calling can be challenging – you might feel excited, anxious, scared or not sure of what to do next. Prayer, and being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help you discern your calling, whatever it may be, is a good starting point. Pray through what you are thinking and feeling and ask God to guide you. Often, the first step to exploring a sense of calling is for you to speak to someone, either to me, or to a member of our ministry team.

Here in Devon, The South West Ministry Training Course (SWMTC) is one of the best ways of discovering more about the Christian faith locally. Courses are held regularly for those wishing to study various aspects of Christian theology or to pursue a specific vocation and this work continues as best it can even during these difficult and challenging times. Again, I have details of these courses and information can also be found on the SWMTC website www.swmtc.org.uk. Please do speak to me if you are interested to know more about this as well.

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Please be assured of my continued love and prayers and stay safe and well.

Chris Hardwick

Easter Message

12th April 2020 By Martin Pendle

Easter Message

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Easter is the revelation of Good News. As we worship and pray together as a Church community, I share with you my Easter message, recorded for our Easter Sunday Eucharist, and broadcast on Easter Day:

“Alleluia, Christ is risen” we triumphantly proclaim, and speak of resurrection life, and yet, I suspect if we are really honest, Easter raises as many questions for us, as it answers, for much pain and suffering and death remains in the world: the coronavirus, warfare, injustice, hunger and poverty have not yet been fully defeated.

Today, the total number of global cases of the coronavirus has exceed 1.5 million, including more than 100,000 fatalities, with over 8000 in the United kingdom. Thankfully, more than 370, 000 people worldwide are reported to have recovered.

People are suffering and continue to suffer. This year as we celebrate the victory of Christ over death, Easter is surely a time for questions – questions that call for honesty as well as for faith.

This is why I am struck by the openness and honesty of St.Luke, who in his Gospel says of the disciples: “While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering” (Luke 24.41a). While in their joy. The resurrection is Good News. With great integrity, the Gospels hold the tension between the themes of joy, disbelief, questioning, and the disciples’ experience of not fully understanding. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead brings joy and hope to the world – overcoming fear and uncertainty, and offering a new hope for the future.

St.Matthew records that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning. This is Easter Day. The stone has been rolled away and they can see inside the tomb. We can picture the scene in our minds. It is dark, cold, and uninviting. The body of Jesus is not there. We can see the discarded linen shroud, but little else. And suddenly there is a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord appears. “Do not be afraid” the angel says, “I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised.” (Matthew 28.5-6)

St.John records in his Gospel the meaning of the Resurrection: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3.16-17).

Now, just imagine you are with Mary Magdalen and the other Mary on that first Easter morning as dawn is breaking. What is your perspective – where are you standing “in the picture” as it were? What do you see? What is your understanding? Perhaps you see a cold, dark empty tomb, and little else? But just imagine for a moment that you are not standing outside the tomb looking in, but rather, you are in the tomb itself, on that first Easter morning surrounded by the darkness and silence – and, you are looking out through the entrance where the stone has been rolled away. In the darkness of disbelief and questioning, you can see outside the tomb. Christ has risen. The tomb is empty.
Christ is in the world! And you can glimpse, just glimpse, the joy the breaking Easter dawn – the first dawn of the light that has now come. In the silence where Jesus’ body had been, there is stillness, and a space for questioning and wondering – space to be honest about not fully understanding how death has been conquered and what this “new dawn” might mean. But this has taken place and the world will never be the same again.

Being honest about not fully understanding is to be human. I can easily identify with the questions and uncertainties of the first disciples: “While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering” (Luke 24.41a). It is St.Paul who has to remind us: “Now we see in a mirror, dimly”. Even after the resurrection: “Now we know only in part” (1 Corinthians.13.12). We are people of faith and of hope who trust in God’s ultimate good purposes.

The Good News of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, is a message of hope for us and for the world. I want to affirm that God not only creates us, but sustains us throughout our lives. We live in God’s world, in his kingdom – his kingdom in which Jesus is alive and active – his kingdom where there is still a great deal of “not yet” about life in this world. We are called people of the resurrection, because we are people of the resurrection, and God journeys with us and comes alongside us in our suffering, and offers comfort, love, hope and healing.

I want to assert and proclaim today, as loudly as I can, that the resurrection assures us that we are accepted and loved by God, and that we are not alone in the world. In these difficult and challenging times we are united in our prayers, and united in affirming together our faith and hope in the risen Lord.

I pray that today you may experience the reality of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Remain strong in faith and love.

Please stay safe and well, and follow Government advice. I look forward to resuming our activities in our churches as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.

In the meantime, I will continue to keep in touch by telephone, email/letter, and upload worship, prayers and reflections on our website, on Facebook, and on YouTube.

Please be assured of my continued love and prayers.

Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Christopher Hardwick
Vicar
Easter 2020

Passiontide Message

12th April 2020 By Martin Pendle

A message from Revd Chris

Hello Everyone

Passiontide 2020: Coronavirus

In line with Government advice we are, wherever possible, being asked to “Stay home, protect the NHS and save lives”. As vicar of Tavistock, Gulworthy and Brent Tor, I know that many have been asked to self-isolate and I thank you all for the ways in which you are responding to the Coronavirus crisis by seeking to follow this guidance. I too have been asked to self-isolate and thankfully, for me, this will end next week when I will be able to fully resume my duties. I have missed you all. You have been very much in my thoughts and prayers.

As we try to curb the spread of the virus, we are finding new ways to care for one another pastorally – particularly those who are vulnerable, anxious, or frightened and in need at this difficult and challenging time. I have heard numerous heart-warming stories of the kindness and generosity on members of our congregations in helping others – literally, putting “love into action” and I thank you for all for what is being done. I thank you too for the faithfulness of prayer. This is what the Gospel asks of us: that we should love God and love our neighbour. To love someone is to take responsibility for them and for their wellbeing. We are being called upon to do this in new ways as we seek to support one another and our communities.

Nationally, the Church is making a growing range of digital resources available for those at home including weekly video broadcasts each Sunday; audio broadcasts for day and night prayer, and new mental health reflections. Much of this content is downloadable and in printable formats. Over the coming weeks, I also hope to stream services, prayers and reflections. The first streamed service will be on Palm Sunday at 9.45 am and this will be followed by daily worship and reflections during Holy Week.

As Passiontide begins tomorrow, I offer this reflection in the hope that it may be of help at this time:

In his Gospel, St. Mark records a story of storms and chaos – of a world out of control. You can read this in Chapter 4, verses 35 to 41. In many ways it feels at the moment as if we’re on that boat and in the storm ourselves. We can imagine exactly what it’s like: we can picture the fear on the disciple’s faces, and their agonised expressions; the sound of the waves breaking over the boat; the force of the raging wind. It’s frightening. We know what it feels like to be afraid. Storms and chaos are frightening. We know this only too well, because this is our world too. Storms and chaos are being experienced now. We know about all these things and it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by them. But St. Mark’s story holds good news, and we need to hear it. Jesus calms the storm. Storms, chaos, and a world out of control are not the final word. God speaks powerfully.

And from the Old Testament, in the book of Job, there is a story of personal suffering and chaos – the story of a life out of control. This is the story of Job. If we put ourselves in Job’s shoes for a moment we can feel his discomfort, and we can hear his questioning. Everything is ripped away from Job, his life appears to be ruined. We hear him

complain bitterly. He argues vehemently, he protests, he questions, and he rails against God. He demands a right to be heard. Job is destitute, sick and alone.

We know about all these things too, and it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by them. But this is an amazing story of an amazing person. Job’s faith never waivers, and, as we read his story we can feel his inner strength. Job never lets go of God – he never curses God, he never disowns God. Job reaches out to God and God stands by him. Job comes to know God in a new and deeper way than he has ever known before. Literally, plucked from death, he’s not only restored to his former status, he surpasses it. And the strength he discovers – the assurance he feels – is there for us too. This is good news, and it’s the nearest the Old Testament comes to an Easter experience.

Remember too that on the first Good Friday, though mocked, deserted, and hung up to die, Jesus held firmly onto God even when he could no longer sense God holding onto him.

Jesus’ story is much greater than Job’s, but the good news is the same: Hold on to God – hold on really tightly the tougher things get. Even when everything looks desperate, God is there. Personal suffering and chaos – and lives out of control are not the final word. God speaks powerfully.

These stories speak powerfully to us today in the face of the Coronavirus – there is good news to hear. Clearly, we must not act as if Christ has not come – for that would lead us to avoid taking responsibility. Acting responsibly means that our priority now is to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. To pray and support one another in the best way we can.

The taking of responsibility as a Christian means living in the knowledge that decisive battles have already been won. It means living with the strength and assurance that comes from holding on really tightly to God, the tougher things get. This is a time of crisis: of storms, chaos, and suffering. But, we will not be overwhelmed if we hold on to the story of Jesus calming the storm, and to the story of Job – the good news of the Christian Gospel. Despite apparent evidence to the contrary, Christ is present and God speaks powerfully. As the Church of God in this place we too can speak powerfully in the days and weeks ahead.

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross
we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Please be assured of my love, care and prayers. My God bless you.

28th March 2020

Message from Revd. Chris Hardwick

12th April 2020 By Martin Pendle

From the Vicar of Tavistock

As you read this please be assured of my prayers and those of the Ministry Team, and of our love, care and compassion during these difficult and challenging times. We hold before God all those suffering from the Coronavirus, the members of our National Health Service, all volunteers from different spheres of life, and many others who are seeking to aid and support the most vulnerable and those in need. In line with Government advice, we are, wherever possible, being asked to “Stay home, protect the NHS and save lives”. As Christians, we pray for all those suffering from the Coronavirus and who are unable to leave their homes at the present time. We also join our prayers with Christians throughout the world as we try to support one another in the best ways we can. Following the latest government restrictions, our Church has to remain closed until further notice. However, our church remains strong and active. If you are seeking pastoral support or prayer, please use the contact details on this website. Nationally, the Church is making a growing range of digital resources available for those at home including weekly video broadcasts each Sunday; audio broadcasts for day and night prayer, and new mental health reflections. Much of this content is downloadable and in printable formats and I commend it to you. I also hope to stream services, prayers and reflections and these will be available here, on Facebook, and on YouTube.

This is a time of crisis but we will not be overwhelmed if we hold on to the good news of the Christian Gospel. Despite apparent evidence to the contrary, Christ is present in the midst of suffering and Christ is our source of hope and strength.

Most merciful God, who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ delivered and saved the world: grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross we may triumph in the power of his victory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

May God Bless you. With my love and prayers

Christopher Hardwick

Vicar

The Very Reverend Dr Christopher Hardwick writes …

29th November 2019 By Mandy Betts

At Christmas, our attention is focused on the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem cave. It was completely unexpected. The star, which the wise men followed, did not stop at a royal palace, but at a stable used for sheltering animals. Perhaps we are amazed and surprised that God should come to us as a helpless and dependent child, of poor parents far from home, who were soon to become refugees in Egypt? Perhaps we are disappointed because in our search for God we tend to look for the spectacular rather than the ordinary? We should not be. The Christmas story tells us that God is to be found right before our eyes in every day places – in the people and situations that perhaps we take for granted. By choosing to be born in such a humble and desolate place, away from the public eye, and away from the world’s palaces and riches, God turns our worldly understanding of the spectacular, of celebrity and success, upside down. God gives us a clear message about the need to see Grace and goodness among the very poorest people, and in most desolate and ordinary places. This is good news. The first to share with Mary and Joseph the joy of the birth of God’s Son were country people, shepherds guarding their flocks by night on nearby hills. Their presence at the birth was the assurance that God was accessible to ordinary people carrying out their everyday work.

Our celebration of Christmas is more than a remembrance of the happenings in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. It is a reminder that God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to be with us, to show us the ways of God, and to journey with us in our lives. That night, a new-born child became our living link with God.

Christmas focuses not only on what Jesus did by making his home with us, but on what we must do also, for it reveals that we are part of God’s family. This means that we should reverence each human life, and that raises tough questions about our treatment of other people. As Christmas approaches, we are invited, once again, to celebrate God who makes himself known to us. The simplicity of it challenges us to rid ourselves of falseness and pretense, and to recognize, in the new-born child, a Saviour who will show us a new life with glorious possibilities. We need to be a part of the story ourselves, and we need to rediscover the joy and wonder of the Christmas message. God comes to us to show us how to live and how to love. Our life, all human life, is part of this story; it is the story of God’s care and concern, and of involvement with the world in which we live. As God’s Son, Jesus comes into all the complexities of human living and shows us that, through his birth, life, death, and resurrection, we can all share in this new life. Life can be different, and life can be changed. St John, speaking about the birth of Jesus at the beginning of his Gospel, says this: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” As we celebrate the love of God seen in the Christ-child this Christmas season, may we all come to know the good news of the Christmas story and be transformed by it.

May the joy, peace and love of this season be yours.

Chris Hardwick

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The Very Reverend Dr Christopher Hardwick writes …

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