When I was in conversation with a young man in his mid-thirties recently he told me this about Christianity: it is only for the elderly or ill, because it is like a wonderful box of chocolates which you can only open when you die.  To a committed Christian this seems an extraordinary suggestion - a view of faith as an insurance policy.

As this magazine is published we will be entering the Kingdom season of the church's calendar - it runs from All Saints to the Eve of Advent (1^st November to 1^st December 2007).  This little excerpt from the daily office book Celebrating Common Prayer gives a flavour of how our thoughts might be directed at this time: "In the darkness of this age that is passing away, may the glory of your kingdom which the saints enjoy surround our steps as we journey on."   A prayer for this season asks that, by following the saints, we may come "to those inexpressible joys" which God has prepared for those who love him.  This is the season to remind us that faith is for now; not for tomorrow, but for now.  It is our strength, our joy, our guidance for every minute of our lives, starting immediately.

You already know this..... but this is the Parish of Hale with Badshot Lea and we look beyond our own needs out into the wider community.  We want to share those ‘inexpressible joys' with others, helping them to find them for themselves.  We want to share our vision as discerned by prayer and discussion with those around us.  The thing is that in day-to-day church life we can sometimes lose the bigger vision for worries about money, the buildings, and whether there is milk for the coffee.

Last month we had a ‘Morning with Angels' in which we worked to discern what sort of church we have and what sort of church we would like.  It was led by Rev Bonnie Appleton the Parish Resources Officer from Diocesan House.  A number of discussion groups have been formed across District boundaries.  These groups will be meeting through the Kingdom season and at the heart of their discussions will be that notion of ‘Let your Kingdom come.'  That way we transcend our worldly expectations, replacing them with expectations of the heavenly Kingdom.  

Please help frame this vision in whatever way you can - every person can make a contribution to building up the Body of Christ in this place.  If you love the church but can't get to it through infirmity or old age, please pray.  If you are a musician or singer - make music, and pray.  If kindness is your vocation - encourage others, and pray.   If you are a dreamer - prophesy, and pray.  Help to bring in the Kingdom for this generation.