St. Trinians

June 17, 2005

So we have a brothel on Fairford Leys. “St Trinians” advertises in the local press and offers “services” from their base only a few hundred metres from the village centre. If that wasn’t bad enough, a 15 year old boy was spotted taking drugs in the centre toilets and it appears we have two dealers on the estate! And to complete a fairly sad week, volunteers who gave freely of their time to collect envelopes for Christian Aid experienced on the doorsteps people who were abusive, rude and mean.  One of the worlds most respected charities seeking to help the world’s poor was greeted by some residents with derision.

A wake up call for us all, especially those of us who thought this new estate was devoid of such behaviours and attitudes. No wonder the Ernest Cook Trust looked to the church to encourage a community that promotes decent standards of attitude and behaviour. The church encourages proper understanding of human sexuality that sees it as a precious gift from God, to be enjoyed within a loving relationship, not something to be brought like a bag of chips from a proprietor. The church challenges abuse of body and mind through drug and alcohol misuse and declares that whilst charity may begin at home, it doesn’t end there!

So I see the church as a light shining in the darkness within this development. We want this to be a decent place for our children to live and grow. We will challenge all those things that seek to undermine this goal and invite you to join us as together we fight that which diminishes our lives and promote those things that enhance it.

Rev Fred Ireland