Ketton and Tinwell Benefice

An Inclusive Welcome

Did you know that both our Churches are open every day for you to visit? We are also looking to create a special prayer space at St. Mary’s for personal prayer and quiet reflection. We are here for you, whoever you are, and whatever you believe or don’t believe, all are welcome. 

During Lent this year, we’ll also be thinking about inclusion, when St. Mary’s, All Saints, and the Methodist Church join together for our Lent Course – “Inclusive God”, an exploration of how various groups of people sometimes feel excluded by Christianity, and how we might be more inclusive as a Church. As usual, there will be regular lent group meetings during the day, and we’ll also be looking at holding evening meetings so as many of us as possible can participate.

Later in the year I aim to offer a reflective and meditative exploration of our faith, possibly in both Tinwell and Ketton, as well as a (potentially noisier) Pet Service!

In the meantime, all this thinking about inclusion reminded me of this poem:

“Some people look at me” by Marjorie Dobson
Some people look at me as if I’m not human.
It wasn’t my fault that I was born like this.
But when you’re not the same,
some people can’t cope with that.
They bully, or call me names, or stare,
or play on my weakness,
knowing that I can’t fight back.
Why are they so cruel?
Why is life so unfair?
God, do you love me?
Am I really made in your image,
as the kind and loving ones try to tell me?
Are they telling the truth?
I really need to know!
 
God Bless, Revd Dean.