March 2007

The Parish of Sandal Magna
St. Helen’s, Sandal  •  St. Paul’s, Walton

 

 

 

Helen & Jesus enjoying the Valentines evening at the Spring

 

 

 

Terry & children on Pancake day at the Rainbow Café, Portobello

The Parish Office is now located in the Edward Room, in a beautifully designed and skilfully crafted space, with all the computer cables networked and several places for people to join Bob and Carol in their work space. I want to say thank you to Bob and Carol for their patience and good humour, as they occupy their fourth and final office space in the last year.  It hasn’t been easy working in temporary places, but they have persevered and continued to produce high quality work throughout.

As you may know, Carol actually began work in the Parish Office 27 years ago and has worked with Dermot, John, Gill, Clive and Bob with wonderful skill and loyalty.

Bob has only been here 3 years as Parish Administrator, but what a difference he has made in that short time.   We are now fully wired up, computer literate and well-organised, thanks to his vision and training skills.   His design skills have been put to good use, working with our architect, Liz Ashmore, on the redesigned office.

The Parish Office is the smallest project we have undertaken, but it could be the most significant.  It has cost us £13,000, with the new carpet, lighting and door heater at the west end, costing £7,000.  Our aim in completing First Impressions is to make the church more warm and welcoming, as well as even more efficient and effective in our serving and reaching out.  So let me take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to First Impressions when we launched it in October 2005.   The £16,000 we raised then made it all possible.  As you will have noted that still leaves us £4,000 short, so if you weren’t able to give to the appeal 17 months ago, or if you’ve joined the church since then, please do consider giving a one off donation, gift-aided if possible, so that we don’t have to eat into our budget to pay the bill, and you can have the privilege of taking part in one of our most important projects

The new office has boosted the morale of the staff team no end, and I’m sure when you see the quality of design and craftsmanship, everyone will be encouraged in our serving together.

The official opening and blessing of the Parish Office will take place at 10.30am, between the services on the 11th of March and before we share in Second Sunday Soup.  I have invited Doreen O’Connell, Ruth Goodall and Carol Fairclough to cut the ribbon, in gratitude for their support of Dermot and John who pioneered the work of the Parish Office.  In all this work we serve our Lord Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, giving all the glory to God. May His blessing rest upon the Parish Office and the church, as we seek to worship, serve, love and reach all those we live among and care for with the hands and heart of Jesus Christ.  Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

 

The battle against vested interests and the fear of insurrection which paralysed people after the French Revolution was long drawn out and only when slavery itself was abolished on 26 July 1833, could Wilberforce feel that his life’s work was complete.   He died three days later.

His legacy was not just one of freedom but one of social justice, and in the 19th century many reformers tackled issues such as child labour, prison reform and poverty, inspired by their Christian faith.

The battle still goes on.   In Wilberforce’s day there were 4m slaves.   Now there are 20m.   In his day it was a trade across the Atlantic;  today it is a trade involving sex slavery across European borders.

Part of the impact for Wilberforce’s campaign was created by petitions sent from throughout the UK;  one of the first petitions coming from his native Yorkshire.

Nowadays we have a similar power to put pressure on our legislators to act, by signing a petition or writing to our M.P.   Since writing to our M.P, Jon Tricket, last year about the issue of sex slavery raised by Ali Bullivent’s performance of Dignity, I have received three replies updating me on Government initiatives.

So this month, there are three things that we can do.

-    We can write to our M.P., sign a petition or support the work of CHASTE in the area of sex slavery.

 

This month we are focusing on one of the most challenging themes in the history of the world that deprive a number of people of their peace - slavery and freedom.  I  believe when one talks of slavery, our thoughts quickly go to the 17th and 18th centuries, when black men and women were given away and traded as economic and social commodities and were highly segregated.

However, let me take you yet to a different form of slavery - slavery to our enemy, Satan;  we know that we attained our freedom through Christ.

The most valid example for us is when the children of Israel were in captivity;   in slavery in Egypt.  At the end of Genesis, there were about 70 people who left and went to Egypt - the family of Jacob - (Exodus 1:5) and after 430 years there were about 3m people who had now become a people of God but enslaved by Egyptians.  Israel, the people of God, is the church of Christ.  Many claim it’s enslaved now, like in Egypt but from inside with the scandals of the corrupt priests with the 700 different denominations, and also with the apathy and hypocrisy of Christian living.

In the first two millennia, the church has been enslaved by external and internal forces.   It’s the prophecy of Genesis 3:15;  Satan and his descendants will strike the heel of the church and its descendants, but the church will crush the head of the serpent and its descendants.

Remember that God called Moses through the burning bush vision to start the journey to freedom of His people.  Just like the burning bush vision, you and I, everybody in the church will have our burning bush;  a call to accomplish something impossible for us!  Maybe it’s just a soul to save or to be saved, the greatest accomplishment on earth... one or one hundred... but  nobody can save a soul but God.

Do not argue with God, do whatever you have to do.  It may look a little trivial, like the servants at Cana when Jesus told them to fill six jars with water, when the urgency was the wine.  Everybody had more than enough to drink because they did what Jesus had told them to do and He made the miracles.

As Christians, we should submit and vow to follow God, giving him our best endeavours whatever it may cost us, having faith that He will see us through - anti-slavery, universal suffrage, temperance and child protection.

I am not sure what it means for you and me or for the community, but I am sure it’s a radical call - that the conventional programmes and old methods are not all God expects us to do with our freedom, although we need to do them as well.

My best endeavours have not, even with God’s help, brought me to the place where I love my fellow man so much that if treading water in the North Atlantic my thoughts would be on their salvation.  But I must ask myself what is stopping it.?  I do not believe it is God’s ability, so it must be my unwillingness.

The death of Christ freed us from bondage - then what is stopping you from following God’s will in working with children, in tithing, in personal devotion, in witnessing through a caring and loving lifestyle?  What has God made known to you that your best endeavours have not achieved and what are you going to do about it?  God has acted;  we have been saved, set free - will we, me and you with the psalmist, keep our vows to follow Christ?

In summary, know that Christ bought us from the snares of Satan by laying down His life that we are set free and all the chains of slavery were broken.   There is a radical call to accomplish our best endeavours, to save a soul to Christ.  Be blessed!    

        Emmanuel

 

Many thanks for all the cards, enquiries, thoughts and especially prayers over the past four weeks since my T.I. attack - ie. mini-stroke, which has left me quite unimpaired in speech and movement.  I am steadily getting over its effects and look forward to being back with you before too long.

Hello and thank you all for your patience over the last few months.  You will have noticed that prayer ministry is the one major area of church life that has not yet slotted into our new service patterns. This is partly due to the small numbers of people who feel called to minister in this way, and also to the small problem of where do we do it!  It has been too noisy and messy round the font area and impossible to use the Pilkington Chapel for people after the 9.15 service.

The latter problem has been eased by the passage of time. The revised plans to remove the Parish Office from the south-west corner of the church has freed up a sizeable area which will be carpeted and a screen provided for privacy.

If you attend the 9.15 service and would like to receive prayer on any other Sunday please consider attending the later service. It would also give you opportunity to see people that perhaps you have not seen for some while! Alternatively, please give me a ring.

All Christians are of course able to pray for others and pray ministry is a vital part of church life. If you would like to develop this aspect of your Christian service, please talk to me or Rupert.  

 

 

What a fun way to celebrate and raise money.   Thank you to Terry for providing a fun and romantic setting for a wonderful evening.  The food was delicious;  the young people serving were excellent, the romantic piano recital from Richard Caley was soothing, and the boy band Andy Owen, Phil Asquith, Mark Taylor and Bennie was brilliant!

Fun company, dancing, laughing and being together plus £400 raised towards George’s education.

 

 

Things are going really well with Portobello.  I say with, because it is team work.  The Portobello Community Forum directors meet weekly 9.30-10.30am on a Thursday.  Bi-monthly we have a forum partners meeting.   This is attended by all those working on the estate.  Primary Care Trust,  Wakefield District Housing, Groundwork, Police, Local Residents, Health Trainers and Sheffield Hallam University who are undertaking a 4 year research project.  The Tenants and Residents group is re-opening with 2 people from each street representing their area as Community Champions.   The first meeting for this group of residents is Wednesday 7 March at 7pm.

The Rainbow Cafe has been painted throughout by a local resident and finally we have sorted every room including the basement, which was a task! Each week Terry and Sarah provide a lunch club for the over 50s on Mondays.  A cooking club for two groups of twelve children on a Tuesday is run by Sarah, Terry, Natalie and Joyce.  The food co-op has become a self-funded project through ‘Awards for All’ and a local person will be employed for 10 hours a week to run the Co-op on Portobello, The Travellers Site and Eastmoor.   This will happen under the umbrella of P.C.F.   This runs on a Wednesday.  Thursday is the day I spend on the estate.  I am really loving the work and feel called to be there.  A Lent group is starting this Thursday at Jean Hill’s home on the estate with about 15 people.

February Half Term activities saw pancake making with the children and young people making and tossing their own.  Games in the garden.   Thursday saw a Treasure Hunt around the estate.   Prizes were won and a healthy tea eaten before going home.

Then have Soul Days every Tuesday and Thursday through August which will be anything from creative workshops to sport events to family outings by coach to the seaside.

Do talk to Pam Payling, David Parkin, Janet Gardiner or Sally Martin

Each year we publish a review that reflects the life of the church.  It is a very important document as it allows us to see as a whole the different ministries of the church, some of which are hidden and not seen by the majority.  It is also a chance to look ahead at future plans and say thank you to people for their hard work and dedication.

This year we will need to work on the review a little early.  So if you normally produce a report can you get it to the Parish Office as quickly as possible and certainly no later than the 19th March.  The review will be published in time for the church AGM on the 24th April.

Every six years we have a major revision of the Electoral Roll.  The Roll has to be created from scratch, so everyone who would like to be a church member must join or rejoin the roll.  The deadline for your forms to be returned to the Parish Office or Elizabeth Smith at Walton is March 27th.  No forms can be counted after that date - sorry!

We have pre-printed most of the current Electoral Roll to help you complete them quickly but if you have not picked one up from church, blanks are available for you to fill out or give to others you feel should be a church member.  Please remember to tick one of the boxes and sign them!

Joining the Electoral Roll is a real commitment of faith to God’s work here in this Parish and means you can Join the PCC (Parochial Church Council), represent the parish at Deanery Synod and raise issues and vote at the Annual General Meeting.  If you have any difficulty filling out the form please pop into the Parish Office and we will be happy to explain how to fill them out.    Bob

The Office will close at 11.30am on the following days: March 7th & 14th.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  This is to allow us to work on new publicity and website.

Dear Friends, with March already upon us, here is a news update on the village project Komenya (Kenya).

The first week of January saw the children excitedly gathering to collect their newly made uniform and Daniel (the little boy I wrote about at Christmas) was introduced to his new boarding school.  Peter (Project Co-ordinator) told me that he approached the school gates as if in a dream.  He couldn’t believe this was really happening to him – security – a chance of a warm bed with bed sheets and blankets and THREE MEALS A DAY!  I heard from Peter that only 6 weeks into his new school (he hasn’t had one of the best starts in life and is very small for his age), he is beginning to catch up with the others academically and has settled well with the other students.

This opportunity has been given to Daniel as a result of your generosity.  Thank you most sincerely from the community of Komenya for giving children like Daniel a real HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.

On the village front, January saw a real breakthrough.  For the first time Peter and Jackie (Homework Library Assistant) were accepted as Voluntary Teaching Assistants into one of the local schools.  With a ratio of 1 teacher to 101 pupils the need was great, but “Hey ho, this is Kenya and there are miles of red tape!”  Anyway, we are happy to announce that Peter now assists with R.E. two mornings a week and even more exciting, Jackie had been asked to assist in the same school beginning with two mornings a week, but after being there only one week she was invited to help them EVERY MORNING until Easter.  Even more amazingly the teachers (not the government offices) are giving her 500ksh a month from their own pockets.  Of course it is not a lot of money (£3.80) but it has increased her self-esteem immensely.  This young woman shows so much compassion and has a natural talent for teaching, yet she’s only educated up to secondary standard herself.  We are making discreet enquiries to try and find a suitable Teacher Training College for her to start in January 2008.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could help her to get a Teaching Certificate?  For now, she’s doing wonderful work both in the school and after school.  She’ll be there, every afternoon (with Peter) with the little group of children in the library lit by a kerosene lamp and assisting them with their homework.  Officially we assist up to 35 children with uniform but I’m told more than 60 children come to the village library.  Isn’t that just great!

I’m sorry, the goats programme is not yet in place but it will be!  It’s just taking a bit longer than we would have hoped.

The crèche facility also is high on the agenda for this next 6 months.  It is so important we get the crèche programme up and running.  The mothers need to tend the land – they need to provide food for the children.  In order to do this they rely on their daughters to look after the younger children which means that these girls only get to attend school 1 or 2 days a week (even though they may have school uniform).  Understandable?..... of course it is!

Please make a note in your diaries for Friday 18th March, RED NOSE DAY.  That’s the day AFRICAN CONNECTION WAS BORN 4 YEARS AGO.  It’s the day I found the courage to sit down and write to my neighbours and friends in this community about something  that was on my heart and you responded – not by ridicule but with real practical help.

Who was it that said ..KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU? ..  Well that’s what I did .. LOOK .. what HE’S DONE THROUGH YOU!

Thank you to all of you for your support in so many different ways.  Thank you for just caring enough to read this newsletter to the end …

 

Members of the church are invited to an exciting outreach opportunity which we are sure you will enjoy and find helpful.  A musical, written and performed by the talented Destiny Players called ‘BELIEVE’ is to be given on Friday 9, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 March.  The performances start at 7.30pm and will be held in The Theatre (Destiny Church), Tuke Grove, Parklands, Wakefield.   Admission is free (PG).

Bring your Mum for a special treat!   Lunch at The Spring 18 March £5 (£2.50 children).   Ring Terry on 242593 at The Spring, 299 Barnsley Road, Wakefield.

 

Every day during Lent soup with a sandwich £3.50 in aid of Careforce (the organisation that support our Careforce Workers such as Emmanuel).          

the story of the Bible through medieval art.   An Educative Interactive CD-ROM explained and demonstrated by Dr. Dee Dyas Lecturer in Christianity and Culture, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York and St. John’s College, Nottingham.   The event takes place on Thursday 8 March 2007 at 7.30pm in St. Peter & St. Paul’s Parish Centre, Standbridge Lane, Wakefield (opposite Asda).   All welcome.

The Choral Evensong on 1 April will be a Passion Service.   As this is also Palm Sunday, the morning service will reflect this so that the two services will provide a fitting preparation for Holy Week and Eastertide.

On Sunday 22 April at 4pm we will be holding our bi-annual Memorial Service at St. Helen’s Church.   This is a service where anyone who has recently lost a loved one is invited to light a candle in their memory, which is then placed on the altar.  The service is one of thanksgiving and many find it to be a comforting way in which to let go and hand over their loved one to our Heavenly Father.

Where the funeral has taken place recently at St. Helen’s the relatives will be contacted by a member of our Bereavement Visiting Team to see if they would like to be part of this special service.  You will also be very welcome to take part if you have someone whose funeral was conducted elsewhere.   Please contact the church office so that a candle can be prepared for them.

Members of the team are always available to talk to anyone about their bereavement, either over the ‘phone or by visiting.   Please contact the church office on 01924 259966 if you feel we can be of help to you.

 

The Annual Walk of Witness will take place on Good Friday 6 April 2007, departing from Wakefield Market in Brook Street at 9.45am, arriving at Wakefield Cathedral for a United Service at 10.30am.   The preacher will be Bishop John Flack.   Please join us.

Our own South Wakefield Walk following three crosses to Sandal Castle will begin at 5pm at Sandal Methodist Church, Rainbow Cafe, Portobello and St. Peter & St. Paul RC Church, with a service at Sandal Castle at 5.30pm.

Creating Women’s Circles

Walton Village Hall.WF2 6PA.  7.30 –9.30pm.

All women in Wakefield are invited to these two free events!

Each year globally thousands of groups & organisations run events & focus on different social issues particularly relevant to women & children with the overall aim of creating a more loving & just planet for us all to live on.

There will be supporting information available about Labyrinths & International Women’s Day.

Sing and sign (for 7-18 months) shows you how to  help your baby communicate BEFORE speech.   It’s easy!   Learn the fun way with traditional and original songs, nursery rhymes, puppets, props and instruments.   For details of classes in Castleford, Pontefract and Wakefield contact:  Ruth Knowles on  01977 516405.

If you are looking for something exciting for your child to do on a Monday evening between 6 and 7pm and they are aged between six and seven and a half, then why not come and join us at 23rd Walton Beaver Scouts.   Boys and girls are welcome.  They can have fun, meet new friends, make fun things and go on outings - plus lots more.  If you are interested please contact Kim on 01924 781875.   The meetings take place in St. Paul’s Church, The Balk,  Walton.  Your child is never too young to go on our waiting list!!

Incorporating SPRING FASHION SHOW at The Banqueting Suite
The Bluebell Inn, Elmhirst Lane, Dodworth, Barnsley - 7.30pm onwards

Tickets £8 (includes wine and canapés). £10 on the door.

Massage, manicures and other taster beauty treatments available!

Proceeds in aid of AFRICAN CONNECTION.

For Tickets call:

Yvonne 01924 253033 / 07931 631365

Terry at The Spring  01924 242593

Car Share encouraged.  Just give us a call.

If the broadcast is successful, the BBC might be prepared to run the show on more popular Terrestrial TV Channels - and might also consider showing Series Two and Series Three when they are completed in 2008 and 2009.

Ann Morisy, Director of Commission on Urban Life and Faith and Author of ‘Beyond the Good Samaritan’ and ‘Journeying Out’ will speak about Mission in Your Community at Heckmondwike URC, High Street, Heckmondwike, High Street, WF16 0DY on Saturday 17 March 9.30am-12.30pm.   Fee £4.   Ask Sally for more details.

At St. Oswald’s Pastoral Centre, Sleights, Whitby- 1st/2nd June

We have booked St. Oswald’s Pastoral Centre for a weekend, for anyone wishing to spend some quiet time with God.   The centre is in beautiful countryside.   It has 10 single rooms and 3 twin.   If you would like to spend a little time away from the busyness of everyday life, where you can enjoy having time to be with God and Jesus coming closer to Him and allowing Him to come close to you, why not think of coming on this weekend away.

We shall arrive at about 4.30pm on Friday 1st June and leave after lunch on Sunday 3rd June.   The cost is £78 per person for full board and part of the time we shall have some input from one of the nuns at the centre.   These sessions are entirely optional and if you just wish to be away in a quiet atmosphere that is fine.

Please don’t be put off if you haven’t experienced a led retreat before as this is tailored for those whose first time it is as well as for those who have already been away like this before.   I really want to encourage anyone to take this opportunity of having time to “spiritually sunbathe” - and receive what God has for you on a break away with Him.

Any questions please have a word with me - Tel. 274366.   I do need to let the centre have the numbers fairly soon so don’t delay too long if you think you would like to come.

... Busy in training for the London Marathon
Craig Orr is running the 26.2 miles on the 22nd of April to raise money for Oasis Academies. Oasis is in the process of developing ten new secondary schools around the UK – each one unique – but all sharing one clear vision; to raise aspiration, unlock potential and work to achieve excellence and inclusion.

Each Oasis academy will be working to turn around some of the most challenging schools in the most challenging areas, creating new opportunities for pupils and new hope for whole communities.

In 2005 Oasis Director Steve Chalke ran the London Marathon and raised just over £1.25 million.  In doing so he established a new Guinness World Record for the most money ever raised through a marathon. In 2006 Sir Steve Redgrave ran the London Marathon to break Steve Chalke’s record; raising a total of just over £1.75 million. This year Steve Chalke aims to reclaim the world record and make history by breaking the £2 million barrier all moneys raised by Craig will go towards that record breaking activity.

Craig said:  “Last year due to injury I hopped round the marathon in pain on one leg - this year my plan is to halve my time by using both legs!” 

Christian Aid are having an event on 17 March in Leeds at St. Columba’s United Reformed Church, Headingley.

 

An exhibition of photographs and text will be displayed in Wakefield Cathedral from 26 March - 1 April 2007.

To support the exhibition there will be lunchtime talks in Wakefield Cathedral on the theme of ‘Forgiveness and Reconciliation’ to be held during Lent, on Wednesdays at 12.30pm-1pm.

 

Ideas and activities to encourage and engage all the family

March 4	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Family Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Holy Communion	St. Paul’s
	6.00pm	Choral Evensong	St. Helen’s
	7.00pm	Youth Bible Study	St. Helen’s
5	9am	Staff Prayers & Meeting	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
	7.00pm	Inner Wheel	St. Helen’s
6	9.30am	Toddle-In (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
7	11.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
8	9.15am	Boogie-woogie (toddler group)	St. Paul’s
11	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.30am	Blessing & Dedication of the Parish Office	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Morning Praise	St. Helen’s
	11.45am	Fairtrade Stall	St. Helen’s
	11am	Morning Praise	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Evening Prayer	St. Paul’s
	7pm	Youth Church
12	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
	7.30pm	Women’s Fellowship	St. Helen’s
13	9.30am	Toddle-In (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
	7.30pm	PCC Meeting	St. Helen’s
14	11.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
15	9.15am	Boogie-woogie (toddler group)	St. Paul’s
16	9am	Interfaith school workshops with Ali Bullivent & Flying Ducks	St. Helen’s
18	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
Mothering Sunday	10.45am	Morning Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Holy Communion	St. Paul’s
	7.00pm	Youth Bible Study	St. Helen’s
19	Copy Deadline for The Annual Report - please email to the Parish Office: office@sandalmagna.fsnet.co.uk
	2.30pm	Sandal MU	St. Helen’s