Page 26 - link magazine

The Link Magazine April 1994
26
Modern Driving Techniques A welcome to women priests
Friendly, Professional Tuition The deed is done, the rubicon has been crossed. Rev. Andrew
Full Individual Hour • Door to Door Hetherington, Church of England Team Rector for West Swindon & the
Lydiards in the Local Ecumenical Team, reflects on the historic event in
A \FIRSTLES
== March which he attended
Alan Collict THE
Tel: 872244 Made it! After years of deliberation,
FREE
Est. W. Swindon 1978 the Church of England has at last got
round to ordaining women to the
SWINDON SOFT WATER CENTRE priesthood, enabling them to be-
Makes water softening simple come vicars and rectors of parishes.
History was made in Bristol Ca-
No. 1 Best selling water softener In the UK thedral at 5.50pm on Saturday 12
KIN-ETI March, when the first women in this
country received the laying on of
hands.
The world's most advanced fully automatic non-electric meter-controlled system Since West Swindon is in the Bris-
Showroom at 260 Ferndale Road, Swindon tol Diocese, there should have been
Call BRIAN COX on SWINDON 527172
great celebrations here. However
the Rev. Ruth Walker, the only
PQYeSTINE woman on the staff team in our par-
ish, couldn't be there. Just a week
before the day, she gave birth to
CLEANING RQVICM their second child. This has been a
happy event for all the family, but Rev. Andrew Hethrington
DOMET1C CLEANING &EPVICE there is still the sadness of missing
this historic occasion, having waited churches. Since the founder of our
Does your home need so long. Ruth's husband, Pete, one faith, Jesus, championed the cause
a little care and attention? of our Team Vicars, was priested of women in his day, this step is a
some years ago, and they make up natural out-working of what he be-
From a once-a-year spring clean to regular one of a growing number of couples gan. At Easter we celebrate his res-
domestic help, Prystine has the answer. both of whom are clergy. However, urrection after his death by crucifix-
we look forward to Ruth's ordina- ion. It is noteworthy that the first
All aspects of domestic help are covered
tion in the near future. appearance of this mind boggling
by this service - ironing, oven cleaning, etc. On 17 April we will welcome Rev. event was to a woman, one of the
Our Swindon rate is £5 per hour Annis Fessy to work in the parish in Marys.
Call Prystine on 727926 a part time capacity for a year. Her Many people have already com-
husband, Brian, wifi be the new Vicar mented how they appreciate the
of Purton, and she was one of those ministry of women, whether at a
who was in the Cathedral. funra1 or wedding, or in the more
RON AHRENS Being a parish in which Chris- personal circumstances of their
BUILDER tians from other churches, Baptist, home. This will continue to grow as
Methodist and the URC worship women takeon the moreseniorposts
DECORATOR
jointly, we have already had women and bring their own distinctiveness
lead CommunionServices, and take to the service of God, not least that of
Specialising in all aspects
a significant lead in the life of the motherhood.
of high quality building
work especially decorating,
carpentry & plastering. Fool on the Hill
All work guaranteed. Helen Lawrertcefrom Westlea Church asks if Jesus
should have freed himself from the cross
No job too small.
Free estimates Remember that song? This year, as manded punishment for offenders,
it happens, April Fool's day is also but God's kindness sent Jesus to
See the local area Telephone: 692134 Good Friday. Perhaps the first Good step between God and us and take
and even take the (West Swindon) Friday was also the first April Fool's the rap - all of it.
day. Some years later, Paul wrote 'The
controls with one of That's certainly how Jesus was foolishness of God is wiser than the
England's leading Fililip Stcne seen then - the fool on the hill hang- wisdom of men'. since civilisation
flying instructors ing on the cross. The onlookers began, man has tried to improve
mocked him, "He saved others but himself - live more comfortably, be-
Take photos from Idinter & he can't save himself, ha, ha! Get have more rationally, know more,
the control tower IDeccratcr yourself off the cross and we'll be- control more. And in many areas
lieve you, hoot, hoot..."
we have gone a long way. But our
FLIGHT GIFT For a high standard And the silly thing is that Jesus failures spoil it all, broken families,
could have freed himself. When his suicidal children, Bosnia ... The wis-
VOUCHERS £35 of work friend Peter used violence to stop dom of men has let us down badly.
References available Jesus' arrest,Jesus told him he could The message of the cross, Christ
Redlands Airfield call up 36,000 angels (12 legions) if crucified, is offensive to some, non-
Telephone now for a he needed them. Well, how many sense to others. But to all whom
Lower Wanborough Swindon angels does it take to pull out a few God calls, Jesus becomes the power
FREE estimate.
Tel: (0793) 790052 nails? of God and the wisdom of God.
But he had chosen God's foolish And guess who God calls - the fool-
or 740854 eves. Tel. 870515or way to buy back his people from the ish! - those who know they need
Mobile 0374 - 208527 slavery to sin which we have all sold help. And with our first yelp to
ourselves into. God's justice de- Jesus, help comes. Try it and see.