From the Vicar
‘If you want to know how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much they make of the thought of being God’s child and having God as their Father.’ J. I. Packer, Knowing God

June brings with it the long days of early summer, the promise of warmth, and the chance to celebrate Father’s Day. Unlike Mothering Sunday, which has deep roots in the Christian tradition, Father’s Day is a more recent cultural addition. Yet it still offers us a valuable moment to pause and reflect on something profoundly Christian: the Fatherhood of God.

For many people, the word father evokes a whole mixture of emotions. Some think of strength, kindness, and steady presence. Others feel the ache of absence, loss, or disappointment. Some have never known their father at all. And yet, into this complex human experience, Scripture speaks a remarkable truth: that God reveals Himself as Father, not in a distant, formal sense, but in the most intimate, loving, and attentive way.

One of the clearest moments where this is revealed is at the baptism of Jesus. Matthew tells us:
“Heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:16–17)
In this short scene we glimpse the heart of God. We see what the Father is like, how He relates to His Son, and amazingly, how He longs to relate to us.

The Father’s Presence
At Jesus’ baptism, the Father is not far off. He is present visibly, tangibly, through the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus begins His ministry, before He performs a miracle, before He teaches a single parable, the Father surrounds Him with presence.
Paul tells us that the same Spirit now lives in us, enabling us to cry out “Abba” a word that carries the tenderness of “Daddy” or “Papa” (Galatians 4:6). This is not a cold, formal relationship. It is the closeness of a child who knows they are safe.
In a world where many feel unseen or unheard, the Father’s presence is a gift beyond measure. And for earthly fathers, this becomes a model: to be present, attentive, and engaged, not perfect, but available. Children rarely remember the grand gestures, but they never forget presence.

The Father’s Love
The Father calls Jesus beloved. Before Jesus has done anything publicly, He is already loved completely. This is the opposite of how our world often works. We tend to love people because of what they achieve, how they behave, or how they make us feel. But God’s love is not earned; it is given.
This is the love that surrounds us too. We are God’s beloved children, not because we have performed well, but because He has chosen to love us with a love that does not waver.

For fathers, this is a powerful reminder. Children need to know they are loved without condition. Not only when they succeed, behave, or impress, but when they fail, fall short, or struggle. Unconditional love forms the soil in which confidence, resilience, and faith can grow.

The Father’s Pleasure
Perhaps the most surprising part of the baptism scene is the Father’s declaration: “With Him I am well pleased.” Jesus has not yet begun His ministry. He has not healed, preached, or called disciples. And still, the Father delights in Him.
Many of us long to hear those words. We carry quiet fears that we are disappointing God, or that He is frustrated with us. Yet the gospel tells us that, through Christ, the Father looks at us with pleasure, not because we are flawless, but because we are His.
And again, this speaks deeply to the role of fathers. Words of affirmation shape a child’s heart. A father’s encouragement can steady a child in moments of failure and lift them in moments of doubt. To say “I’m proud of you” or “I delight in you” is to echo the voice of God Himself.

A Day for Gratitude and Healing
Father’s Day can be joyful, painful, or complicated. But whatever our earthly experience, the Christian faith offers us a Father who is perfectly present, endlessly loving, and deeply pleased with His children.
For those who have had wonderful fathers, this day is a chance to give thanks. For those who have lost fathers, it is a moment to remember. For those who have been hurt or let down, it can be a step toward healing. And for fathers themselves, it is an invitation to reflect on the sacred calling entrusted to them.
Above all, Father’s Day reminds us of the One who calls each of us His beloved child. As Packer says, understanding this is at the very heart of understanding Christianity.

With every blessing
Rev Scott