St Andrew's Chaplaincy Newsletter January 2022

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Newsletter January 2022

Reflection...

Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Looking back over the past 18 months something that has become part of our daily lives is the wearing of face masks. I realised how much things have changed over that time.

When the wearing of masks was first introduced it was almost impossible to find them in the shops and they were very expensive, 1 Euro for one simple blue mask. I remember setting to with my sewing machine and then having an illicit meeting with my sister in the supermarket carpark so that I could share my creations with the family.

Since then the price has come down as we buy multipacks where the masks can cost as little as 10 cents each. Far more talented folk than me have produced some very glamorous masks. I read that it is thought far more fashionable if your mask compliments your outfit, as Juliet demonstrates for us, rather than being from the same material. For me, although I do like to have a mask of different colours, it is far more important what my mask does.

There are no guidelines in the bible for the wearing of facemasks but Health experts say the evidence is clear that masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and that the more people wearing masks, the better. That is good enough for me. Yes they are a nuisance, yes they cause my glasses to steam up at times but I can put up with that. I consider that I am following our Lord’s command to ‘Love thy neighbour’.

After I had written this reflection I read that the Archbishop of Canterbury also referred to loving thy neighbour in relation to getting the vaccine, but that is a different issue. For today I am thinking about the words of St Paul, I won’t worry to much if my mask doesn’t match my outfit although why not as long as it isn’t the main consideration, what I am doing is ‘to look after the interests of others’ and will continue to wear a mask as long as it is needed.

Caroline Macfarlane

Archdeacon’s Visit

On Wednesday 5th January we were delighted to welcome Archdeacon David Waller to the Chaplaincy from his home in Majorca. He joined us for our Wednesday morning Communion Service and was able to meet a few people afterwards although sadly due to the latest restrictions we were unable to have our usual coffee morning.

He spent valuable time with the Council discussing what was needed for a new Chaplain for St Andrew’s. Again due to the current situation we were unable to entertain Archdeacon David as we had planned with a tour around the Chaplaincy but I think that all the Council members present would say that having the opportunity to meet with him in person was extrememly helpful. It was literally a flying visit with Archdeacon David returning to Majorca that night but he has promised to try to return later in the year possibly for a weekend. We hope that he left having seen how we are all working together to keep the Chaplaincy going during the interregnum and with a better idea of what we need in our new Chaplain.

Locum Priest

From Sunday 6th February we will be joined by Rev Michael Lloyd Rees as Locum Priest. He will be with us until the beginning of May. Michael is an old friend of the Chaplaincy having been with us during the last interregnum. We look forward to welcoming Michael who will be covering services across the Chaplaincy. He is pictured here in San Pedro in August 2021 when he was at Costa del Sol West.

Charity of the month - ADIMI

ADIMI is an organisation in Mijas created in 1999 by parents in conjunction with the Town Council to look after and assist disadvantaged and intellectually handicapped young people.

ADIMI have a purpose built facility for day and longer stays, in which there are class rooms and occupational work spaces for all ages together with living accommodation.

They are a non-profit organisation and our contributions will be gratefully received.

Christmas Services

Admittedly, for Clergy and lay leadership alike, the week immediately following Christmas day is a time to take a deep breath and relax.

This year was no different, as our Interregnum meant we had to use our Lay ministry team, made up of Caroline MacFarlane and Peter Hammond along with Canon John Sutton, more than normally anticipated, but I know I speak for them all when I say, we are thankful for a wonderful time of celebrating our Saviour’s birth with our regular members as well as visitors.

The special services started with the Carol Service in Alhaurín on the 12th December when a good number attended. In addition to our normal services, we had another Carol Service in Los Boliches on the 19th where extra chairs had to be put out and we were joined by people who had found out about the service on Facebook.

On Christmas Eve, with services in Alhaurín and Calahonda the story of Christmas was told through rhyme, followed by Holy Communion. Finally on Christmas day we had our service in Los Boliches.

One lovely departure from our regular services was the Carol Service held in Sensara in Benalmádena where Chaplaincy members, Hugh and Eunice along with Frank and Sally now live. We had 20 of the residents attend, plus other Chaplaincy members from Benalmádena. Singing familiar carols was obviously a welcome activity as was the coffee and mince pies that followed!

Advent marks the new year in the Church’s calendar but as we face the start of the Julian Calendar of 2022, Covid statistics are not encouraging; however, we face the year with God, our guide and our helper, and look ahead to exciting times.

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