POTTERGATE NEWS - Alnwick, St James

Our Minister's Letter
"Dear Friends,
I don't know whether it is because it is July or because Wade pricked my
conscience, but having been in the UK for almost 20 years I got to
thinking again about taking out British Citizenship. Apart from the ease
of travel, getting to go through the fast queue in airports no matter
which end of the journey you are on, what difference does it make?
Citizenship is an odd thing. It makes you feel a part of something, makes
you feel you have the right to get involved and speak out, makes you feel
that you have a home. Being a citizen of 2 countries is even odder!
I discovered that to become a citizen I will have to take a test on my
knowledge of "Life in the UK". Well, having been here all this time, I skipped
straight to the practice test online… and promptly failed. Most people
take their history and their freedoms for granted when they live in a
country like ours. That is true for us as Christians as well.
If you had to take a test to prove your Christian citizenship, how would
you fare? How much of our lives as Christians do we take for granted?
When we see people in other countries fighting for their religious rights,
their freedom, we should remember how much we have, imperfect as it
might be, and give thanks. If we are unhappy with the status quo and
want change, it is up to us to make that change happen, just as the
early Christians stood up for their faith and their way of life.
Life in the UK is pretty good, very good compared to many places on
earth. Celebrate that, but never take it for granted.
PS. I am available for "Life in the UK" quizzes, if anyone dares!