The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want;
he leads me beside still waters,
he restores my soul.

These very familiar words from Psalm 23 are amongst the most well-known words of the Bible. They speak of a peace and tranquillity that many seek - and sometimes find.

Why can’t Christians work together? That used to be heard so often when I was a youngster. Members of one denomination would never be seen talking with someone from another – and church people would never go to Services in any church building other than their own.

How things have changed. Nowadays, Christians recognise that there’s more that unites them than divides them – and so we are so often  seen to be working together.

The Queen has been very busy. In late March she announced the appointment of Stephen Cottrell as the new Bishop of Chelmsford, and immediately after Easter dissolved Parliament so that the General Election can take place. So, the church locally and the people nationally are eagerly awaiting the first sights and sounds from our new Leaders.

Spring has sprung, the grass is ris; I wonder where Easter is?

All around are signs of new life. Spring is bursting out of the dark of winter. The anniversaries’ card industry is ready for the next peak, with their pictures or drawings of primroses, chicks, lambs, bluebells, daffodils, Easter bonnets and Easter eggs.

A mother has spent years worrying about her grown-up son who is terribly ill. The family call upon others to join them in praying for his recovery. Almost immediately his symptoms ease, and his quality of life improves. A coincidence, or an answer to prayer?

This edition of Outlook records many of life’s important events.

For some it is the start of a new phase of life - marriage, bereavement, or a new job. For others it is the marking of a significant milestone – 25 years of The Friends or 100 years of Guiding. Even these milestones are just the end of one chapter, and the start of a new one. There’s no thought of stopping.

Ten years ago the new Millenium began amidst fears and speculations that aircraft would lose their bearings; the banks’ computers would crash; and everyone’s PCs would become ineffective. Midnight on Millenium-eve saw spectacular firework displays all around the world – 'though for some of us it was marked by common-or-garden flu!

A clergy colleague of mine in the north of England was desperately scrabbling about in a pile of cardboard packing cases. Screwed-up wrapping paper, various pieces of bubble-wrap, and assorted lengths of old newspapers were flying in all directions. He was obviously searching for something, but no-one around him seemed to understand why he was so frantic about this activity.

Eventually, someone asked what he was up to. “The Nativity Set is incomplete,” he said. “There’s no babe for the manger”. With that he dashed off in the direction of his study to find his copies of the church suppliers’ catalogues so that he could urgently order a new piece which, with any luck, would be at church before Christmas. Sadly, styles had changed since he had purchased the set for church, and there was nothing suitable.

On 29th November 1959 Peter Street was ordained at Birmingham Cathedral – so, on 29th November 2009 he will celebrate 50 years as a Church of England minister.  What a brilliant achievement, and a wonderful landmark to achieve. Much of this has been made possible by the unstinting support of his wife, Barbara.

He gave us eyes to see them
and lips that we might tell
how great is God almighty
who has made all things well.

I’m sure you recognise these words. They are the last verse of the very popular hymn “All things bright and beautiful”.

The month of May ended with National Family Week, and now in June we celebrate Father’s Day. Issues of families, parenting and care for family members across the generations are often in the news – but not always for the best reasons. We would do well to redress the situation.

The Care for the Family organisation promotes positive action to support hard-stretched families. As with everything, they say, large changes involve a succession of small steps. One such example concerns the treasuring of memories.

The Political Parties, the local football club, St Clare’s Hospice, the  Scouts, the churches, the distribution of Outlook each month, plus the many and various Community Groups and lots of other parts of our local and national life - they would grind to a halt if it were not for the work of volunteers. This army of committed people who just keep things going are to be applauded.

In the good old days currant buns with a white cross upon them were only available in the week leading up to Good Friday; and Easter Eggs were in the shops just in time for Easter. They were both treats, to be eaten on special days – and both of them to remind us of the events of those two special days in Holy Week.

As I write this piece, yesterday’s local floods are fresh in my mind. The waters of the River Chelmer rose alarmingly, and some local residents suffered much anxiety and flood damage to homes, cars and personal property.