Is her vicar having a subtle dig?
THE extravagance of Pippa Middleton’s wedding is already the subject of much debate.
And it seems it may have even raised eyebrows at St Mark’s Church in Englefield, Berkshire, where she is to be married on Saturday by the vicar, the Rev Nick Wynne-Jones.
On the parish website’s Thought For The Week page is an excerpt from John 10.1-10, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ – with what appears to be a rather pointed reference to the perils of materialism.
The article asks whether those who appear to ‘have it all’ turn out to be miserable.
It reads: ‘With these words, Jesus attacks the very heart of the lie that society (and not just modern soci- ety) puts forward about the Christian faith.
‘Jesus exposes this lie for what it is. He has come, not to constrain or limit our freedom, but to set us free from the shackles of sin.
‘The very things that the world thinks of as freedom turn out to be fetters, dominating us and preventing us from really enjoying life to the full.
‘How many of those who “have it all” turn out to be miserable?
‘In contrast, Jesus sets us free to be the people we were meant to be. It is the testimony of many down through the years that it is only by following him that we can have life to the full.’
Pippa and her fiance James Matthews have been undergoing Christian pre-marital counselling sessions in the run-up to their wedding with Mr Wynne-Jones and his wife, Harriet.
On the recommendation of Pippa’s mother, Carole, the vicar has had five meetings with the couple.
The Church of England offers what it calls voluntary marriage preparation – or marriage prep – for couples preparing to enter holy matrimony.
According to its official guidance, the sessions are to help brides and grooms to consider the vows they make together.
Topics covered include ‘in-laws and family issues’ – hopefully not a problem for Pippa, 33, and James, 41 – sex, communication, children, coping with conflict and money.