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March 2018 March 2018
regarded as a ‘saint’. As Bishop of Chichester during the Second World War, he
was involved with helping displaced persons and refugees wanting to come to DATES FOR
England. Also, as a man of great Christian principle, he condemned blanket
bombing instead of targeted bombing of German cities. His voice was not always
a comfortable one for those in power but he was widely respected. One, or now YOUR DIARY
two, individuals have accused him of bad behaviour with them when they were

children. I cannot know the truth, though the evidence is apparently slim, but
what I do know is that his reputation has been seriously undermined and until he 2018
was proved guilty, we didn’t need to know his name.
This has happened to many other famous people and even when they are July
proved to be innocent, the slur somehow remains. Where is the fairness? Where is 10th Floral Group, Vivienne Thompson
the motto ‘Innocent until proved guilty’? No one is perfect of course and so only 11th Autumn Leaves, Frank Holden
‘the one without sin’ can cast the first stone of condemnation. See the story of
18th WI, Wareham Walkabout
Jesus and the woman taken in adultery in John’s Gospel Chapter 8, verses 2-11.

As the month of March moves to its conclusion, so we reach the climax of the August
story of Jesus. What sort of trial did he have? Was he treated as innocent until
proved guilty? Certainly not! The trial before the Chief Priests gives every evidence 8th Autumn Leaves, Home Grown Entertainment
of a trumped-up charge and although the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, 21st WI, Birthday Celebration Service
wanted to release him, fear of mob rule sent him to the cross as though he were a
common criminal. In this way Jesus totally associates himself not only with all September
suffering people but with those specifically, who have been falsely accused.
11th Floral Group, Anne Clark
It is so easy to think of how other people behave, or should have behaved, and 12th Autumn Leaves, 47th Birthday Tea, Vikki Mayo
far more challenging to ask ourselves do we sometimes fall into the trap of making 15th Bere Regis Alzheimer’s Memory Walk
judgements of people – well in my knowledge all people do. In itself it is not too
serious unless such judging means that we fail to see the other person as firstly 19th WI, Creature Teachers
innocent until proved guilty. How easy it is be critical without knowing the whole 28th Macmillan Coffee Morning, Lower Hall 10.00am-12.00noon
facts.

As this season of Lent continues, it is not too late to make a resolution to avoid October
making judgements, when we really do not understand the life and 9th Floral Group, Annette Parker workshop
circumstances of someone else. It is God who truly knows and when he is our 10th Autumn Leaves, Stewart Timbrell
Judge, we have someone who longs to see the good in us and is always ready to
forgive completely our faults and failings when we acknowledge them and say 13th An Evening with Rapport and Presentations
how sorry we are. 17th WI, Care in the Community

The great Festival of Easter awaits us as we move into April – the time when Jesus
shows how his love proves to be greater than the hatred of those who November
condemned him. We celebrate the power of God in raising him from the dead 13th Floral Group, Michael Bowyer, (Tarrant Keynston)
and remember that whatever goes on in this world brought about by human
beings, his love is supreme. 14th Autumn Leaves, Hilary Foggo
Fundraising Raffle for Children in Need
Your loving Priest and friend 21st WI, Christmas Sweets and Treats

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