'Many believe - and I believe - that I have been designated for this work by God.  In spite of my old age, I do not want to give it up; I work out of love for God and I put all my hope in Him.'  Michelangelo

I was reading an article recently about a fairly aggressive swan called Tyson!  He has become so protective that a stretch of Britain's longest canal has been designated a prohibited area.  The bird with an eight foot wingspan has been targeting rowers, canoeists and walkers who pass along the river bank.  Kayaker Joe Davies, 20, was capsized after Tyson battered him with his wings.  Davies said: 'He went for me as I was falling in, which really made me panic.  I've been kayaking on this stretch of canal for five years.  I'd heard the rumours about Tyson but I've never seen him before.  I won't be going back.'  Tyson has claimed a two-mile section of the Grand Union Canal in Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire, while he rears his young.

'while he rears his young' - this is the bit that struck me.  Because the young often need a bit of protection - don't they?  Most parents know this.  There are all sorts of dangers out there and our young need protecting sometimes from things out there and sometimes from themselves!  Whilst children are children they are learning so much about the world they live in.  They soak up information and try out different things to see what happens ' but we know that with limited experience of the world, they are vulnerable to its dangers.  So we, like Tyson, feel a strong instinct to protect them.  This can be from physical dangers like crossing the road or not going too near a cliff edge or it can be teaching them about the dangers of poisonous substances, chemicals, drugs, alcohol, approaching strangers and so on.  But I don't think it ends there.  We as older, and hopefully wiser(!), members of society need to be protecting our children from spiritual danger too.  For those young in faith are vulnerable to things that would draw them away from God and his plans for their lives.  I think this is one reason why the churches in our communities and their children's and young people's groups have such an important role to play.  And we in the wider community need to support them with our time and gifts.  However let's not forget, our Father in heaven has not left us alone in this task.  He sent his Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the dangers of the world and to protect us.  And, 'God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father' (Philippians 2:9-11).  After Tyson, what better protection could we have!

With my love and best wishes.

Your friend and rector,