Church Matters.

Byline: By Francis Wood

The Government is keen (and rightly so) to improve the health of the nation. Already the Health Ministry has told us to eat five portions of fruit or vegetables each day. Now the advice is that we should exercise regularly. Not the jumping, leaping and prancing stuff but the simple things like walking, cycling to work or taking the stairs rather than the lift, even doing the housework. We know it all makes sense. Such reminders need issuing from time to time so that we don't slip back into our old ways again. But what about our spiritual health? Do our souls need a change of lifestyle?

Fifty years ago the Archbishops of Canterbury and York issued guidelines for the health of the nation's soul. They called upon the people to pray, to read the Bible, to worship, to repent and to give alms. All to brush up on the well-tried and tested ways for better living. Sadly just like diets and resolutions, campaigns are soon forgotten and the pressure needs to be applied again. As my old vicar used to say, every generation needs to be evangelised afresh. There have been two generations since the days of the Primates' Call and it's time the present Archbishops issued another.

Not that it's likely to make any difference unless people see the point. What possible effect will it make to the soul of the nation? The Ministry of Health says a change of lifestyle could cut down obesity, heart disease and strokes. No guarantee, of course. And no instruction as to how much exercise each day.

What benefits would come from improving the nation's spiritual health? We should treat each other more kindly, that's for sure. We might see

the good in those around us. Stop being so judgmental and start trusting more. In fact, we might well see a few more smiling faces around as people enjoy life without fear.

DEAL THE CARDS

IDENTITY cards? What have we to be afraid of? We have been brought up to believe in a God who knows all there is to know about us. He knows us by name, where we live, how old we are. He probably knows the PIN for our credit cards, though a fat lot of use that'll do. So an ID card showing bank account, medical and driving records is hardly likely to make headlines.

If it's a loss of freedom we're afraid of, we should have no problem either. As St Ignatius told us, service of God is perfect freedom and even if we reject him from time to time he'll still welcome us back into the fold.

So what have we to lose from ID cards? Some people suggest that it will mean the state taking over more control of our lives. Let's never forget, there are things we can never control, especially our security. We need the support and the control of both state and God if we are to lead fulfilled lives today. So we have nothing to fear from ID cards. Unless it's that pounds 35 we shall all have to pay for the privilege of having one.

DIARY DATES

SUNDAY: Christ Church, Bewick Road, Gateshead. Final Service. 10am

Durham Cathedral.

Devotion: Stations of the Resurrection. 3.30pm

MONDAY: St Nicholas' Cathedral.

Organ Recital with guest organists. 11am

NEXT SATURDAY: St Ann's, City Road, Newcastle

Antiques Valuation. 11am to 3pm

Allen Memorial Methodist, Wallsend.

Spring Fair and Plant Sale. 2pm

St Andrew's URC, Monkseaton.

Northumbrian Entertainment by Tight Alnwick Gadgies. 7.30pm

The Tearooms at Hexham Abbey are open over this holiday weekend.

Sunday 1.30-4.30pm and Monday 10.30am-4.30pm

NPlease send items for CHURCH MATTERS to Francis Wood, 52 Albemarle Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3NQ or telephone [phone].