A Message from the Rev’d Amanda Collinson

Posted by Admin on 23 March 2015, 10:00 am

Amanda Collinson

Priest-in-Charge

St John the Baptist Church

Northwood.

Tel: 01983 294913

A word from the Vicar …
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‘So what do you think?’
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‘Hmmm?’
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‘You haven’t listened to a word I have said have you…’.
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How many of us have had a similar ‘conversation’ with a loved one? When you have been the questioner how upset have you been … and how have you felt when you have been the one that hasn’t necessarily been concentrating as much as you should have??
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As we enter this new month we are reaching the end of lent, the season of reflection and in my reflections I have been wondering whether you have felt or currently feel that the church has been a non-listener to you now or in the past. Has there been a time when you have wanted the church to listen or hear your cries and they haven’t or when it hasn’t seemed to understand what you are saying or going through …
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We all need to listen – The Bible tells Christians to be ‘quick to hear’ and ‘slow to speak’ (James 1:19), even my Gran always said you should listen twice as much as you speak, that’s why you have two ears and only one mouth … so in this opening article of this month’s magazine I want you to know that I am truly listening – so tell me how you feel.
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What do we do that is good or bad?
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What do we not do that perhaps we should?
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What would you like to see in our church that would encourage you to visit?
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What do you want us to be part of in the community?
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How can we help those in need in our area?
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… and any other question you want to answer
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I have been a fairy godmother in my time (HMS SULTAN Panto 2000 – way too much glitter spray is my overwhelming memory of it) but the wand is a little rusty now, so I cannot promise to do everything that you may ask, but I can certainly promise that I will read and discuss every comment I receive: we as a church will be listening properly to what you want to say.
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We are all very good at commenting on other people’s poor communication – ‘I never hear from them any more’, ‘I cannot remember the last time I received a handwritten letter’, ‘I got an email from my work colleague – he only sits 3 feet away from me’ … Maybe we should all challenge ourselves to actually SPEAK to people this month. Don’t send them an email, text or Facebook message, pop around and say hello, or if they are too far away give them a call.
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Drop the technology and embrace the real, rather than the virtual, smile at people rather than send them smileys. Leaving your phone, iPad etc at home is a great way to quicken your hearing of what people are saying. The more we give people our full attention, the more we will be ‘quick to hear’. And when our hearing is enhanced, our spoken responses will be more considered and the speaker is more likely to feel respected, important.
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This month we will celebrate Easter – the time of Resurrection, New life. Let this also be a time when we turn over a new leaf and start listening to one another more. We celebrate the Risen Jesus, we also need to celebrate one another: and we can only do that through care, support and love.
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I care, I am reflecting, I AM LISTENING … I look forward to hearing from you.
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With all good wishes
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Rev Amanda
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The Rectory, Chawton Lane, Cowes PO31 8PR or amandacollinson01@gmail.com

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