Recently the Church Times published an A-Z of National Millennium Projects. The following is a selection of some ideas and thoughts at St George's in AD2000.
A is for Alpha the course we hope to begin soon on exploring the Christian Faith.
B is for our bell which will ring out on January 1st at 12.noon for a Millennium Service.
C is for Christmass 1999 - the Birth of Our Saviour and the beginning of the Third Millennium events starting at the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and the Confirmation on May 9th at St George's,
D is for Devotion and an increase of committed Christians at St George's at the daily Mass.
E is for Easter and the day when Christ rose from the dead and gave us new hope and Life.
F is for the Catholic Faith Preached and Proclaimed for 2000 years throughout the world.
G is for Gift Aid and the relief of Poverty and the elimination of debt in the poorest countries of the world.
H is for the Holy Spirit the Birthday of the Church and a day of special events and worship.
I is for the Incarnation when God in Jesus was born of Mary and made man like us.
J is for AD January 2000 and Jesus = Anno Domini.
K is for the kiss of Peace when we can show our love for God and Jesus in our attitude to others in the year 2000.
L is for Lent, study groups, extra devotion and prayer.
M is for the Millennium and the hope of a better century to come.
N is for a New Start, the theme of "Churches Together in England's Millennium" plans.
O is for Orthodoxy and a desire that the Church of England remains constant in the Faith.
P for a blessing on our Patronal Festival, May 7th as St George's Day falls on Easter Day.
Q is for "Q" a common source of material in the first three gospels, and that we may continue to spread the "good news" of Christ, our Lord.
R is for Repentance of Sin, coupled with a hope that more may use the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation at St George's.
S is for our Sunday School, the Schools of our Parish and our Youth at St George's that they grow in Christ.
T is for Tintinnabulation when on January 1st at noon all Church bells will ring out.
U is for the Unity of Christians that Christ's Prayer "They may all be one" may be fulfilled.
V is a prayer for the Vicar the Parish Priest, and an increase of more young men to the Sacred Priesthood of Christ's Church.
X is for an Exhibition of our historic treasures at St George's and the launch of John Symonds book "The Old St George's" 1831-1970.
Y is for the "Years Mind" when we recall with thanksgiving all who have gone before us "signed with the sign of Faith".
Z reminds us of the Brother Zachariah who saw in the re-building of the Temple of Jerusalem a symbol of national restoration. Our Prayer for AD2000 is that England will once again return to the Faith of Christ.
My prayers and blessing as always.
Your priest and friend
Fr Malcolm Ferrier
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page last updated 22 AUGUST 1999