Richard Dawkins' New TV Series

Yesterday morning, I arrived in London.  One of the first things I saw on TV was an ad for a new TV show on Channel 4.  It is by the renowned atheist, Oxford professor of biology, Richard Dawkins.  The series is called “Sex, Death and the Meaning of Life.”  In the ad, Dawkins says: “More and more of us realize there is no God, and yet religion still has a hold over us. … I am going to be asking, what happens as we move on and leave religion behind?”  An hour later, I went to Holy Trinity in Brompton (“HTB” as they call it) where more and more people are realizing and experiencing the Living God!  At HTB, they have 10 services in 3 locations with an average of 5000 people each Sunday!  HTB describes itself: “We are a vibrant Anglican church in the heart of London, with a vision to play our part in the re-evangelisation of the nations and the transformation of society. Feel free to join us at one of our 10 Sunday services.  If you would like to explore the meaning of life in an informal environment, we would love to invite you to join the next Alpha course.” 

It is a welcoming place.  As soon as I walked through the doors for the 11:30 service, I was greeted by no fewer than 4 people.  The church was packed with all sorts of people, young and old, people from all nations and all walks of life.  The worship was Anglican, lively with a praise band leading the music for the Eucharist, and it was informal.  There are many opportunities to deepen one’s faith, a myriad of classes, including the Alpha course which originated at HTB some years ago, Bible studies, prayer groups, and ministries that put faith into action.  People are finding meaning in their lives and they are transforming where they live all based on their faith in Jesus who restores, redeems and forgives.  Check out their website:  http://www.htb.org.uk/

Perhaps Richard Dawkins’ new TV series needs a bit of revision. 

Let us pray:  O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

CALENDAR REMINDERS

The Ladies from the Diocese of Southern Malawi are being hosted by the Taylors and St. Augustine’s is hosting a pot luck dinner for them during their visit to the Island. If you haven’t signed up to bring a dish, please do this Sunday since the dinner will be next Thursday. They will discuss with us their work in the literacy field.

Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Steve Poirier, Rose Daniels, Patricia Florence and Gladys Simon.

Your servant in Christ,

Fr. Chester J. Makowski+

St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church

Galveston, Texas 77550