Welton

6
Love actually
Why do we celebrate St Valentine’s Day?
What does the name conjure up? Red
hearts, love, poetry?
The real St Valentine started life as a priest
during the reign of the emperor Claudius
the second, who persecuted the Church.
Polygamy was rife in Roman times but
soldiers were thought to be better fighters
if they were not married. However the
Church at that time encouraged marriage
as a sacred commitment between man
and wife. Valentine secretly married
many couples until he was caught and
imprisoned and tortured for performing
the ceremonies against the command of
Claudius. His Roman judge, Asterius,
had a daughter who was blind. Valentine
prayed for her to be healed by God; his
prayer was answered and as a result
Asterius became a Christian.
In AD 269, Valentine was sentenced to
death because of his stance on marriage.
We are led to believe he wrote a letter to
Asterius’ daughter and signed it, “From
your Valentine”. So Valentine is known
today as ‘the patron saint of love’.
What is God’s Love? There are several
Greek words used in the Bible to describe
different types of love; agape, God’s
unconditional love for man and woman,
our love for each of one’s brothers and
sisters ‘In Christ’; eros, a love for one
another or a sensual passionate love;
philia, an affectionate regard, a friendship,
brotherly love, a love for a community
Welton NEWS
or a desire for enjoyment and equality
between friends; storge, an affectionate
love especially for parents and children,
an empathy felt for children and family
relations.
There are other ways in which we use
the word, such as to describe a love for
one’s country, or a love of a sport. So we
may not get the card saying “I love you”
but if we turn to the Bible and look in
the New Testament ‘love’ can be found
116 times.
God loves us unconditionally.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Caroline, Church Steward
Film Club
We had a large turnout for our film in
January when we showed The Lady in
the Van starring Maggie Smith. This
was enjoyed by all and provoked lots of
conversation. The sandwiches and cakes
that followed were greatly appreciated.
Our next viewing will be held on 2nd
February starting at 2pm. Why not come
along to this very popular event? You
will be made most welcome? Tickets are
£3.50 and seats can be booked by ringing
860998.
Krafty Kids
By the time you read this we will have
had our first meeting of 2017 and will
have looked at some winter weather.
We provide craft activities, stories and
songs all around a theme and suitable
for our pre-school age group. The group
meets in the chapel the third Thursday
in the month from 2pm to 3.15pm. As
well as the organised activities there are
also toys for the children to play with
while the adults relax, so something for
everyone. Why not come along and join
in the fun?