July & August 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Dear Saints in the Parish of Sandal Magna, grace to you all and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.   At the time of writing this, I realise that it’s my last of such articles that I have been writing, at least for this year and now I am exactly one month away from completing my Careforce gap year here in Sandal Magna Parish.   This has been a home away from home for me, needing not to worry for anything.   It’s been an intense journey that I  can not just describe on a limited piece of paper.   The process of training in the various aspects that I have received here in this parish is one I can describe as there has been hope  that through prayer, study of word and life together, has made me grow to be more like our Saviour - something that is part and parcel of the Christian life for all of us.  I certainly feel now that I have been moulded sufficiently enough to be a different shape to when I started my year.

The daily rhythm of prayer and the word of God together has been a source of strength and inspiration as well as a challenge.  There are many things that I will take away with me on the 6 August, when I depart;  skills of being a better chef, thanks to the kitchen department at The Spring;  a better writer, ways of working in a cross-cultural environment etc.   Above all, there will be a gap left to fill because I will really miss so many.

I am so much filled with gratitude to God for the lovely and inspiring home that I found after having been so naive and hesitant to come.  I have always been filled with joy and much been blessed by you in the parish, who have always ensured that I get a comfortable stay here in this community.   Thank you so much for the great hospitality and the warm welcome I have always enjoyed in church in homes, especially to my hosts that have ensured I do not go to sleep unfed.

I want to express my deepest appreciation to Rupert, Sally and the family who have faithfully kept me all through and tolerated all my weakness and am much grateful for their commitment to me and to the ministry God has called them to do.   I am thankful that they will continue to provide support to Careforce over the coming years.  

This is a time of reflection in my life folks!

What am I feeling this month as I prepare to close one chapter of my life and prepare to open a anew one?  More than anything else this month, I feel a sense of deep gratitude for this parish.   I am so thankful for the calling God has been unfolding in my life for this one year, and I am grateful for God’s guidance, grace and strength that have sustained me along every step all the way as I have been working with the youth and children’s ministry, at Portobello, The Spring, in schools and any other area where I have been delegated.

So many of you have been asking me “What will you be doing next?”   Well, I think after a great year of serving God through the opportunity I have had, I hope by the grace of God to start my Master’s Degree in Manchester University this September when the funding comes through - though there is an opportunity for me to do a second year with Careforce - so long as God gives me breath and strength, I will continue to seek for His guidance and direction of my life.   I’m just looking with faith and anticipation to the future.   I believe the words of the Hebrew prophet that God is blessing us with ‘a future and a hope.’

I am also looking forward to joining my family from which I have been away for a long time!

In closing, I only wish I could speak to each of you in person.  If I could do so, I’d thank you, I’d express my love for you, I’d thank you for the love you have shown me through my period of being with you, I’d encourage you to continue your faithful service to this parish.   I’d challenge you to remain faithful to God and to the teachings of Jesus Christ, upon which our belief is founded.

I leave you with these words from 1 Peter 2:9, that remind you of who you are in God’s sight:  “You are a chosen generation, a holy nation, a royal priesthood.”

To God the Father be the glory forever and ever.   Amen.

 

 

Comic books are full of ordinary people who in an emergency are suddenly transformed into super-heros such as Spiderman or Superman.  Because of something within them they are able to draw on supernatural powers to rescue people or protect them from harm.

On a more modest scale, we often long for our lives to be transformed, not by magic or by superficial changes to our circumstances, however pleasant that might be in the short term.  There is a deeper longing in all of us for our lives to become more meaningful, more fruitful, more beautiful.   And we long to escape the mundane and the routine.  The Christian way of life involves transformation at this deeper level, through the work of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is a creative spirit.  In the beginning the spirit is described as brooding or hovering over the chaos, and bringing the life and order of creation into being.

The Holy Spirit also releases the creative, energising power of God’s love into our lives so that with His help we can make a positive difference to the world we live in and the people we come into contact with in our daily lives.

It’s a bit like a transformer which converts the huge energy of electricity flowing through our national grid, so that it is available for domestic use in our homes.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is described as being distributed to each disciple, so that they are energised to do the work of Jesus Christ.

The creative, life-giving, loving energy of God can transform our lives if we allow it to.   Because ultimately God gives us free will to accept or reject him.   We can decide to press the switch and allow His light to fill our hearts, or continue to live in darkness, with all that power available, but unused.

Or we can decide to explore further before making any commitment.  Many churches run courses such as Alpha or Emmaus, which give people the opportunity to ask questions, to test the truth, before making a decision.   The experience of many people who do explore further is that God has the power to transform their lives and their families.

God is interested in transforming our lives from within and not just scratching the surface.   As Paul wrote in his letter to the people living in Rome:

A big thank you to all those who hosted the Welcome Lunch for the thirty two new members of our church who attended.

Rupert, Sally, Bob and Terry gave a visual presentation of all the various ministries in the parish and beyond, and over 60 people of all ages were catered for.  We hope to hold a Welcome Lunch every nine months, as part of our developing Welcome to Newcomers.

This also includes a new Welcome area in the South Transept of St. Helen’s, new information leaflets, and a Welcome Card, stylishly designed by Bob Bailey, and in due course a redesigned web-site.

All these developments are really helpful in making people feel at home in St. Helen’s and St. Paul’s, but ultimately the effectiveness and warmth of our welcome depends on each one of us.

If we see someone new near us in church, let’s make it our duty and our joy to reach out and introduce ourselves and have a chat to that person or that family.   Or if we see someone on their own when we share refreshments after the service, let’s make sure that they’re not left on their own.

The warmth of our welcome depends on each of us taking the trouble to look  around, notice newcomers and attend to their needs, whether it be a smile, a word of welcome, a cup of coffee, or all three!

 

Just as we welcome new people into the life of the church, so sadly we have to say farewell to some who are moving away.

Bob and Rosemary have lived in Walton for many years and their home has been a beacon of hospitality, hosting parties and meals, looking after Careforce workers, holding Standing Committee meetings, and welcoming a house group.

Rosemary has served as a faithful member of the choir, sacristan and house group leader.   While Bob has served for many years as Church Warden, culminating in his invaluable work on our two biggest projects. With David Littlewood he acted as Project Director in creating the Barnabas Rooms and Renewing St. Helen’s.

We shall surely miss them and their family, and wish them every blessing in their new home, church and ministry.

Emmanuel has only been with us for a year, but has made a big impact on the life of the parish with his cheerful service in so many vital areas including The Spring and the Children and Youth work.   His articles for Grapevine have been well written and very thought-provoking.   It’s been lovely having Emmanuel stay with us as part of the family.   We have learnt so much from him and enjoyed his company and we pray that he will have the desires of his heart answered for the next phase in his life, wherever the Lord leads.

So in different ways we want to say thank you for the contributions of Emmanuel and the Courseys to the life of this parish and trust that God will provide people who will carry on their wonderful work.

 

Please note that there will be a Kid’s Corner in St. Helen’s from 8 July to the end of August, as our children’s group leaders need a well-deserved break.

9.15am at St. Helen’s and 11.00am at St. Paul’s will continue throughout August.

Let me take this opportunity of thanking all who are involved in preparing and leading worship and in providing such a rich variety of music and creativity to make our worship so special.   It is a real labour of love which is much appreciated.

 

 

Please do pick up a newly designed SHYP leaflet from the Welcome area with all the information regarding the Children and Youth Work in the Parish.

TODAY 1 JULY is our Celebration Service for SHYP and a thank you to the SHYP mates who prayerfully give to the specific work of Children and Youth in the Parish.  

The YOUTH end of year party is tonight (July 1st) 7-9pm;  all secondary school aged youth are welcome.   As the school year comes to an end we are setting up KIDS CORNER in St. Helen’s for July and August which allows leaders and helpers a well earned break.   Please do use the space and help the overseeing of it if your children are there.   Tidying up afterwards is much appreciated.

We will be having a little end of term party on Sunday 22 July during the Morning Service.   Children’s Church finishes this Tuesday with a party.

God’s Gang and school assemblies finish at the end of July.

Soul Portobello is back with Churches Together running the festival.   We have a full week of activities Monday 30 July - Sunday 5 August.  And Soul Days 6th, 8th, 10th/13th, 15th and 17th plus a trip out with families.

Please pray for all those involved and volunteering.  For good weather!  Good friendships and a time of really wonderful experiences and achievements.

Lots of stories that will be talked about and shared over the next weeks and months.

A BIG thank you to Emmanuel for all he has given to the Children and Youth Work.   We will miss you and pray for your future.

This year, I really believe that we’re going to have a great interest in our Alpha course.   That’s why we’re planning to run a daytime and an evening Alpha course.  For this to work, I really need all of us to think about who we could invite and to begin praying for those people throughout the summer.

Both courses will begin on 3 October with an evening dinner party in the Barnabas Rooms and then we will have courses on Wednesday mornings and evening.   There are brochures you can give to people, Alpha newspapers which you can read, and Alpha invitations to give out in September.

So do let’s make the most of this opportunity so that both courses are well attended.

 

Away Weekend at St. Oswald’s Pastoral Centre, Sleights, Whitby 1-3 June

A Weekend Retreat at a convent?   Well no, not really my thing.   I’m not holy enough or even quiet, and maybe it would involve a diet of bread and water and sleeping on hard wooden beds.

However, what a (re)treat it proved to be for the eight ladies who went.    The setting was idyllic, the welcome from the four nuns was warm and sincere.   My bedroom had lovely views across the countryside and even a posy of wild flowers to greet me.   The beautiful grounds held many surprises - topiary dogs, wind chimes and cosy summer houses.

We went as individuals, each with our own needs and expectations, and returned home spiritually refreshed with a deeper understanding of the needs of others.   We were able to bathe in the beauty of God’s creation and every sense was fed as we listened to the silences in the quiet periods of the day.   We had time to “stand and stare”;  we marvelled, reflected, laughed and cried and found ourselves.   Mealtimes, taken in silence, heightened our enjoyment of the good wholesome food served to us by the sisters.   We ate to the accompaniment of classical music and were entertained by the birds coming to the feeders on the dining room windows.

The rhythm of life at St. Oswald’s revolves around the four services a day which take place in the chapel.   This pattern of life continues every day, regardless of whether or not guests are there.   The culmination of our weekend was Eucharist at noon on the Sunday before we came home.   We were encouraged to bring something to this service which reflected our experience of the retreat.   It was amazing how the different offerings fitted together like pieces of a jigsaw to explain the beauty of God’s universe.

I am so grateful to everyone involved in making this such a special weekend.   I would particularly mention Shirley, the retreat leader from the centre, who gently but firmly coaxed us out of our comfort zones as we made our individual spiritual journeys.

 

 

Full/Part time Secondary School Workers

The CROSS Project, a well established and respected Christian Schools Work Team based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, is now recruiting full/part time Secondary Schools Workers.

 

We are looking for someone who will encapsulate the vision of the Project and reflect our company ethos.

We have started work on new church publicity, including information leaflets and a new website.  The publicity will help us improve our welcome to visitors and will be a way of sharing all the amazing richness of church life we are so blessed with here in Sandal, Walton and Portobello.  If you would like to publicise your group with a flyer, or add information to the website, please send it to the Parish Office.  We plan to launch the new website in the autumn.

The Mara Link Committee has recently received a request from Bishop Hilkiah for some mobile phones for use in his diocese, in particular for use by clergy.   Those of you who have been to Tanzania will know how it is often the poor infrastructure of communications that is the biggest challenge in any development or church project.   Mobile phones are literally a Godsend to the people of Mara.

 

(or the Bells of St. Mary’s)

All the days ringing dedicated to Joyce Exley, an enthusiastic ringer and joyful friend who passed away less than two weeks previously...

The annual Ringing Day for the bell ringers of St. Helen’s Church, Sandal Magna, Wakefield, their families and friends, was held on Saturday 9 June, organised as usual by the Tower Captain John Cutt and his wife Margot.

At 8.30am a gathering of nearly forty people of all ages climbed aboard the coach to set off for North Yorkshire and Teeside.  Ringers from the nearby towers of Emley, Shelley, Woolley and Darfield were included in the number, creating a wide spread of ability ably catered for by John, who saw to it that each of us were able to ring to our own level of ability, and stretching some of us more.   (Personally I find ‘new’ bells in ‘strange’ towers very daunting!).   However, the picturesque market towns we visited provided plenty of other interests apart from the historic fascination of old churches.  The first stop, St. Mary the Virgin, Masham, has a tower with a Norman base to which an octagonal belfry and spire were added in the fifteenth century.   Ten bells here quickly got everyone going with newer members soon learning the art of open leads.  

At St. Helen’s, a six bell tower, the cartwheel tradition is determinedly fostered.   As the local ringing team are few in number, the sound of all the bells in their glory was enjoyed by the townsfolk doing their Saturday shopping in the market square outside.

On to Richmond, with its imposing castle high over the river Swale, along some picturesquely winding by-ways, and another St. Mary’s gave us eight bells, and a chance to ring some methods beyond called changes!   Its historical interests included wonderfully carved misericords in choir stalls rescued from nearby Easby Abbey at the time of the Dissolution, and, scattered about, many small mice of much more recent origin found on the furniture of Yorkshireman, Richard Thompson.   A side-chapel for the Green Howards holds a special place nowadays.

Time for a meal at the Town Hall Hotel, where appetites were well satisfied and time was taken to remember absent friends, especially Joyce, never far from anyone’s thoughts I am sure, whose smiling face is sadly missed, and also her husband David, not a bellringer himself, but who for several years has provided superb video coverage of these outings.   Here too, was time for all to do a bit of exploring or shopping or just sitting in the sun, before re-boarding the coach.

And another St. Mary’s!  St. Mary the Virgin at Barnard Castle with its fascinating ruins and the fabulous Bowes Museum down the road.   Here it was a pleasure to hear teams ring some old favourites ie. Oxford, Kent and London Scholars.   This ringing room sports a newly furbished viewing balcony, which made accommodating everyone most comfortable and provided a bird’s-eye view of proceedings.

 

The Spring is open for most of August, with it closing for one week from August 27th, re-opening Tuesday September 4th.   We will also be celebrating ten years of The Spring (Discoveries Shop and Oasis Café), at a special joint service at 10.45am, St. Helen’s on September 9th, followed by lunch.  This will be an opportunity to reflect on the great achievements of staff and volunteers in serving our community over the last ten years.  It will also be an opportunity to look to the next ten years of The Spring’s life and mission.

Inspired by the recent Lent Course, our house group decided to hold a Beetle Drive & Family Quiz as our outreach project.  This will be at the Barnabas Rooms on Saturday 14th July at 7pm. Admission is £3 which includes light refreshments. Strawberries & Cream will also be on sale. Please support us in what is sure to be a fun evening suitable for all ages. All proceeds will be donated to the CROSS Project.

Andrea North – 251646, Jean Austin – 251584, Viv Buckley – 256966
Pam Taylor, Sue Davies or Susan Lee – 255071.

 

The family festival for Portobello is again running for it’s second year. A Churches Together initiative, working with local government agencies and voluntary organisations in the community   We have a full week of activities from Monday 30 July - Sunday 5 August.  See posters and leaflets for more details over the coming weeks.   Volunteers are most welcome.   Please contact Sally or the Parish Office.

 

 

July 1	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	SHYP Family Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Holy Communion	St. Paul’s
2	9am	Staff Meeting & Prayers	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
3	9.30am	Toddle-In (Toddler Group)	St. Helen’s
	3.45pm	Children’s Church	St. Paul’s
4	11.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
5	9.15am	Boogie Woogie Tots	St. Paul’s
8	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Morning Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Morning Praise	St. Paul’s
	12noon	2nd Sunday Soup	St. Helen’s
	6pm	Evening Prayer	St. Paul’s
9	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s