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.

Isn’t education a wonderful thing? We often say that flippantly when we’ve just learnt something new – but it is true in so many ways.

Talkative children and adults indicate how easy it is to speak and to make oneself understood. What a contrast to those with speech and language difficulties – either children who were born with such difficulties or adults whose skill has been damaged following (e.g.) a Stroke.

As everyone keeps telling us, we start 2009 with lots of cares and worries - everything from the financial situation to the continuing world-wide troubles, and more locally, difficult diagnoses to family turmoil.

Most of this stuff is beyond our control, and worrying about it does not make it any better. But the local things – the personal matters – the family relationships – these are things we can care a great deal about.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
’Tis the season to be jolly . . .

Thank God for seasons of celebration and partying. For good food and drink; for friends and family; for gifts and cards – in short, for all the things that make this coming month the “most wonderful time of the year”.

Remember, remember the fifth of November
gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot...

With this simple rhyme the treachery of Guy Fawkes is remembered, and the spectacle of exploding fireworks shows what might have happened to the Houses of Parliament if his work had succeeded.

The month of November is full of opportunities to Remember. The visually exciting fireworks displays very soon give way to the sombre sight of falling poppies and the heart-rending silence of the recollection of wartime sacrifices.