Dear friends
Happy New Year!
With the turning of the year, we stand on a threshold between the past and the future. It’s a moment to remember that time is a gift from God. God who chose to step out of eternity and into human life, in Christ, shows us how to live our earthly lives. We cannot know all that the new year holds for us, but we can walk this year, with confidence, in the way of faith, hope and love.
One certainty is that in just a few days’ time, on 13 January, we have the pleasure of the Service of Welcome at the cathedral, of the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen as the 98th Bishop of Winchester. The Service is going to be profoundly moving as well as monumental, as we gladly welcome our new spiritual leader who is following Christ in the way of humble service. I’m greatly looking forward to this new year and new season in the life of Winchester diocese.
The Cathedral begins this new year of 2024 having had the busiest Advent and Christmas that anyone can remember. Congregations have filled the building, often to capacity, throughout December for special services. Market Carols, Christmas Evensongs and many more. I wonder whether this is a reaction to the challenges of the past year, domestic and international, and the resulting hunger and desire for connection, human and divine.
Whatever the reason, people have come to their cathedral. On Christmas morning Bishop David memorably preached with his 12-week-old grandson in his arms. The ‘Bishop and the baby’ was a touching image that many will carry with them into the new year, highlighting not just the gift of the Christ-child, but the precious gift that is the life of every child.
Yet, as the carol says, ‘man at war with man’ hears not the love song of the heavenly hosts. We live in a world of on-going conflicts and wars with shattered lives and landscapes and devastating consequences for people of all ages. Young people especially need hope of a better future, of a better life of peace with justice.
As the days grow longer, I know that later this month, or perhaps in February, during early Morning Prayer I’ll see the sunshine come through the window of the St Alphege Chapel. The light returning is, for me, a sign of Gods eternally reliable and predictable faithfulness. As God is faithful to us, may we be faithful to God this year. May we be people of faith and hope, more ready to love than to judge and more ready to serve than be served.
When the Archbishop of Canterbury gave our new Bishop his charge he said, most importantly, ‘remember, it is not who you are, but whose you are that counts.’ May we, as Gods precious children, remain his, this year and every year.
I do wish you a happy new year and every blessing of faith, hope and love in 2024.
I’ll close with a blessing,
May God the Father keep you in all your days.
May God the Son shield you in all your ways.
May God the Spirit bring you healing and peace.
May God the Holy Trinity drive all darkness from you.
and pour upon you blessing and light.
Amen.
Please take care of yourself and others.
With blessings and best wishes,
The Very Revd Catherine Ogle
Dean of Winchester