Dec. 2007

St. Helen’s, Sandal  •  St. Paul’s, Walton

 

 

When you’re hiking in the mountains, and the weather closes in, it’s very easy to get lost.  I remember walking in the lakes along a ridge, looking for a way down.   Ahead of me was the blackest sky I have ever seen, and I knew I had to get down.   Eventually I turned around and found the path off the mountain which I had missed, and made it to the youth hostel before the heavens opened with torrential rain.

The first step to finding your way, is to realise you are lost.   It’s so easy, blithely to follow the path that’s leading you astray.   A path, any path, seems like a safe route, but in the hills and mountains there are many paths that lead nowhere.

The second step is to turn around and retrace your steps to the point where you recognise you went wrong.

The third step is to consult your map and compass to find your bearings.

And the fourth step is to reinforce your trust that you are on the right track by recognising landmarks on the way.

The story above is a kind of parable, which has a literal meaning, hiking in the hills also has a metaphorical meaning, finding your way in life.

Jesus told a story of someone who was lost, the Prodigal Son.  The younger son claims his inheritance, goes away to enjoy life, makes a mess of it all, and is reduced to poverty.

He decides to return and work as a hired worker, but on his way back, he is met by his father who had been on the look out for him;  is embraced and restored to his full status as a son.  The story is completed by the anger of the elder son who is full of resentment, and despite his hard work, as lost in his spirit as the younger son.   He also is invited to join in the celebration, but we’re not sure whether he does.

The question we all have to ask at some stage in our life it this.   Are we lost?   Have we gone our own way and got lost?   Is our life full or empty of meaning?   Is there a poverty of spirit in a life that is so busy, so preoccupied that we have no time for God and no energy for the things that matter?  
Or are we simply allowing ourselves to drift, blown by the fickle winds of opinion?

Am I like the prodigal son nourishing, myself on a diet of doom and gloom, not realising that with God I could be celebrating the goodness of life?

The simple solution is to make a decision to turn around, to go looking for God and to realise that he has never been far away from you;  and is on the lookout for you.

Maybe this Christmas is a time when you rediscover God’s goodness and love for yourself, as embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.   Even if we can’t always avoid the storms of life, it’s better to let God guide us through them

Dear Friends,

Let me tell you about a young man called Erick.  I know him to be an unimposing cheery soul.   He travelled from Nairobi in Sept 2005 (like his brother George two years previous) to work as a ‘Careforce’ worker here in Sandal and Walton.  Whilst here he made many friends particularly at ‘The Spring’ (community shop and café) and was very eager to assist the ladies in the kitchen and became a very proficient cook.   He trusted in God for everything and was a great mentor to our young people.   He was invited by the church to return for another year, but was unable to obtain a visa.

It’s been a tough year for the Obiero family.   In May this year Erick’s mother was taken ill in the village (10 hours drive from Nairobi) and the family rallied their resources to transport her to be with them.   She was admitted to hospital and died a few days later.   Transporting her body to the village was very costly and fund raising was organised amongst the relatives and friends in Nairobi.  

In July a team of 10 young people agreed to travel to the village project that is supported by African Connection UK.  They remained there for 10 days traveling to 3 schools in the mornings (a bit like The Cross project) and assisting in the village library project in the afternoons.   The ‘Aflame’ team were there for such a  short while but brought so much hope and practical help to the children and families alike.   They took the time to come to such a remote village from the bustling city of Nairobi and on the last Saturday 400 young people gathered for a celebration day.

Days later Erick was involved in a tragic accident traveling to a school for an Aflame mission.  His 18 year old brother Kevin was killed instantly.  Erick was rushed to hospital and suffered a broken shoulder and whiplash – weeks passed and the healing process was slow.   A further x-ray revealed Erick needed another operation to insert a titanium plate in his shoulder.   All seemed to be going well until one day Erick experienced a sharp pain in his abdomen, his leg and right arm and couldn’t seem to regain his energy.   An MRI scan has revealed that Erick has a severe spinal injury – months on from the accident.  He has been advised that it is a very delicate surgery but that without it he will surely become paralysed from the neck down.

This family has gone through so much trial and tribulation this year.  He’s only 25 years old and his body is like a time bomb waiting to go off.   Yes, he’s scared!  There is no health service.  If he lived here in England I’m told he would never have been discharged from hospital from the day of the accident.  In Kenya if you have money to pay for an operation, medicines and after care (hospital bed) it goes ahead.  The cost of his operation and after care is approx £5,000.  If a person doesn’t have the money to pay for the operation they are sent away to cope or not.   Erick has no murmer of “Why me”?   He is a very gentle person who has always trusted in God for his daily bread.

Erick will have had his operation on Thursday (29th November) before you have read this.  Please pray that he’s in the right medical hands, that infection doesn’t set in and that he makes a total recovery.  He trusts God is at the centre of his life, and God will bring him through this tough time.

Do we have faith enough to step out and give now?  Can we help give this young man his life back?  Up to writing to you today £2,250 has been raised in a week - that’s amazing!  Please keep giving as we support Erick, alongside other organisations in America Erick and Wales.  Thank you to all who have responded so quickly and generously to his need.

Please make cheques payable to ‘Sally Martin & Julie Hay/Kenyan account’.  Cheques can be posted to ‘Rupert & Sally Martin,  The Vicarage,  333 Barnsley Road,  Sandal,  Wakefield  WF2 6EJ’.

The Christmas catalogue for Wakefield Hospice will be on the Welcome Desk in church and illustrates the various cards, gifts and merchandise they have available for the coming festive season.   The brochure has an easy to follow step by step guide on how to choose and order your items.   If you need further information please contact Wakefield Hospice on 01924 213900.

This has been a rather difficult year in the churchyard mainly because of the very wet spell in June and July. We started the annual strimmer/brushcutter mowing in mid July but the very moist conditions made cutting harder than normal. The grass was wet and very lush so this meant that we took longer to get through it. Also the moisture in the soil resulted in the grass growing behind us as we cut it so defeating the purpose of leaving the task till the end of what is normally the main growing season.

As a compensation the Spring was generally dry, fine and sunny. This produced another fine display of early flowers like the snowdrops, daffodils, primroses and bluebells.  The early butterflies showed also well with orange tips, peacocks, speckled woods and a few brimstones. The rooks returned to breed again with seven nests being built or restored. Great spotted woodpeckers may have bred. Certainly the male was heard drumming several times. Nuthatches are regularly to be seen and heard in the yard.

The dry Spring was balanced by a very good Autumn. This helped the team of five to finish the main hay cutting by the middle of September. The unexpected fall during July of quite a large branch from the big ash tree near the church is a reminder of the danger this species presents to the public.

The wet summer had the knock on effect of reducing the numbers of butterflies in the Autumn. We only saw one migrant painted lady this year though red admirals were a more common species. Dragonflies were present in their usual numbers with red common darter and migrant hawkers being the most numerous.  A few of the large brown aeshnas were seen in July.

Luckily the recent dry weather has helped us burn the hay even as late as November. This clears the ground for the Spring bulbs. We now need to cut the remaining areas of brambles and nettles that are found in the two areas of large monumental tombstones and tidy up other corners of  “God’s acre” or in this case five acres.  Then to misquote the Flanders and Swan song “ it will be glorious January again”.  At least this winter spell will allow  us to tackle some of the jobs which the Spring and Summer weekly routine of grass cutting prevents us from doing.

I am very grateful for the year round help that Alex Hull, Jeff Cunliffe, John Saville and, during the hay making season, Jim Crosbie give to maintaining the churchyard as both a cemetery and a small nature reserve.

              John Laws

Thank you to everyone who has completed the pink ‘regular giving forms’, after our month of focus on thanksgiving.  The information has really helped the PCC plan for the coming year.  We have had an inspiring response.  We really would appreciate it if every church member could complete and return their pink form.  It is not too late to complete a form.  If you would like further information please talk to myself or Rose Lee, we are happy to answer any questions.

One way to give to church is by joining the ‘envelope scheme’.  Each envelope has a number which allows us to claim gift aid, while keeping your identity anonymous.  Some people have requested envelopes after our recent ‘Thanksgiving’ month.  These envelopes are now in church, ready for you to pick up.  If you would like an envelope, please contact Rose Lee 250829.  If you are using envelopes numbered 47 or 50, please contact Rose, so she can complete her records.

        Rose Lee

 

The Mara Link will be 20 years old in 2008.   One way in which the diocese intends to mark this milestone is with the publication of a booklet setting out how the link has developed during that time.   And you can be part of it!

All parishes are now invited to write briefly (about 150 words will do!) about how the link has affected them and what has been its biggest impact on them.

The booklet will be published in July 2008 to coincide with a service at Wakefield Cathedral to mark the Link’s 20th anniversary.   It will be on sale in the Cathedral Bookshop for £3.50, but you are invited to order your copy in advance at the pre-publication price of £3 each.   Any profit made after deduction of costs will be paid into the Mara General Fund.  

St Helen’s prayer ministry team is there to pray with and for you.  Members of the team are to be found at the back of the church near the font. Currently, the team is able to cover all 10.45 services and the first Sunday of the month 9.15 Communion service.  

Throughout Old and New Testaments you will find references to the ministry of laying on of hands. It was an important part of Jesus’ ministry. In Luke we read that ‘… the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them’, Luke 4: 40. Again, in the book of James we read, ‘Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.’ James 5: 14-15.

From January 2008, the laying on of hands and anointing with oil will be available during the fourth Sunday 10.45 Holy Communion service. If you would like to receive this ministry please go to the back of the church after you have received communion.

There will be a meeting of the Prayer Ministry Team on the 21st of January, 2008 in The Barnabas Rooms at St. Paul’s, Walton between 7pm - 8pm.  

Wakefield Hospice invites you to participate in their annual Light Up A Life Appeal.   You can nominate this gift of a light in memory of a loved one who is no longer with you or as a gift for someone special.

The Light Up A Life Book of Blessings will record the names of your loved ones and a light will shine on the Christmas Tree in Wakefield Cathedral until twelfth night.   They will also send you a card, confirming that a light is shining for your loved one.

If you would like to support Wakefield Hospice in this way, then please complete the form (in the Parish Office) indicating which, if any, of the two services you would like to attend.   The services are to take place on Sunday 9 December 2pm and 5pm in Wakefield Cathedral.

Socatots is the world’s first Soccer play programme for pre-school children.   Socatots is a unique fun based concept aimed at giving children their very first start with the ball.

An Exhibition of Nativity Scenes from many countries is taking place on 13th/14th December 2007 10am-5pm in St. George’s Church, Broadway, Lupset, Wakefield.   Admission free.

This event takes place on Friday 14th December 2007 6.30pm-8pm in the Wakefield Branch Foyer, Ings Road/Denby Dale Road, Wakefield.   Please come and support - all proceeds to the Malawi & Georgia Orphanage Appeals.

Decrease Your Carbon Footprint:  Plant a Tree in Tanzania

Wakefield Diocese and Mara Diocese in Tanzania have a joint reforestation project.   The agreed tariff is as follows:  A Flight to Europe £5,  A Flight to Africa £14,  A Flight to USA £14,  A Flight to South AmEricka £17, A Flight to Australia £30, Annual Domestic - family of 4 £50, Annual Church usage £90, Car Use 50p per 100 miles, Train use 50p per 300 miles.

What a great year it’s been in the life of the church in this Parish.

Our Lent Course “Better Together” was attended by 150 people and led to 20 outreach projects in the community.  We completed our new Parish Office which has transformed our administration under the expert direction of Bob Bailey.

We have improved our welcome at all our services and held a Welcome Lunch for over 30 newcomers.  We have seen a 25% increase in church attendance, since we launched our new services last Autumn.

Our Children’s Church in Walton is flourishing with 45 children enjoying a creative time of worship on Tuesday afternoons.

Together with the Methodist and Baptist churches we held another Soul Portobello Family Festival, lasting three weeks.

In September we celebrated the 10th anniversary of The Spring and the 150th anniversary of Anglican Worship in Walton.   So every part of our parish has seen festivities.

A month of Thanksgiving Services has given a firmer foundation to our finances which have been very stretched this year.

And now we’re looking to employ a new Parish Development Officer based at The Spring to make the most of al the potential we have to serve our community, and inspired by God’s love.   And these events are only the highlights.   There is much faithful work going on throughout the year, through the various teams:

The Bereavement Visiting Team for instance, who visit and comfort, and organise our bi-annual Memorial Services.

We are grateful to God for his goodness and provision and pray that he will continue to help us be more effective as a church in meeting the needs of people in our community, and sharing our faith in creative, friendly and positive ways.

Let me give a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the life of the church in any way during this year.

At the heart of it all is the person of Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate this month.   Jesus in the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega, the author and completer of our faith.  The Revelation of John is the revealing of Christ, in all His glory.

The book of Job is an odd book. It’s a story of God making a bet with Satan that Job, a righteous and prosperous man, will stop worshipping God if Satan is allowed to make Job suffer. The book is the story of what Job says and does about it all and his arguments, complaining and discussions with his family, friends and God himself.  (I won’t tell you who wins the bet; you’ll have to read it for yourself.)    

Biblical justice is so much more than that merely keeping the law. In Hebrew, that is tsedaqah. It is translated as both ‘justice’ and ‘righteous’ in the above passage because in biblical language, a person who is just is also righteous and it is this that is at the heart of biblical justice.  

What does this mean for us today? We are called to justice, to righteousness. As it is for Job, this doesn’t mean that we simply keep the rules, but that we get out there and actually do good.  This is important. This is tsedaqha. This is biblical justice. Job is someone we should emulate. Not in his suffering, but in his justice.

* Maguire. D.C A moral creed for all Christians. (2005) Fortress Press. Minneapolis. P.48

I come to you, my father God,
Troubled, anxious, stressed,
And all my restlessness is stilled
I know the heart of rest.
I am not wise in matters great,
to analyze and test,
but I am calmed and quieted,
like a baby at the breast.

 

Dec 2	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Family Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Holy Communion	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Slow Space (meditative prayer)	St. Helen’s
3	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
4	9.30am	Toddle-In (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
	3.30pm	Children’s Church	St. Paul’s
5	11.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
6	9.15am	Boogie Woogie Tots	St. Paul’s
9	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	10.45am	Morning Praise	St. Helen’s
	11am	Morning Praise	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Slow Space (meditative prayer)	St. Helen’s
	6pm	Evening Prayer	St. Paul’s
10	9am	Staff Prayers	St. Paul’s
	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
	12.30pm	Sandal MU	St. Helen’s
	7.30pm	Women’s Fellowship	St. Helen’s
11	9.30am	Toddle-In - (toddler group)	St. Helen’s
	3.45pm	Children’s Church	St. Paul’s
12	11.30pm	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
13	9.15am	Boogie Woogie Tots	St. Paul’s
16	11am	Traditional Nine Lessons & Carols	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Contemporary Carols by Candlelight	St. Helen’s
17	6pm	Beaver Group	St. Paul’s
18	9.15am	Sandal Endowed School Carol Services. 9.15am year 4. 11am year 3	St. Helen’s
	9.30am	Sandal Endowed School Carol Services. 9.15am year 6. 11am year 5	St. Helen’s
	3.45pm	Children’s Church	St. Paul’s
	Parish Office Closes until January 8th
19	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	11.30am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	7pm	Bellringing Practice	St. Helen’s
20	9.15am	Boogie Woogie Tots	St. Paul’s
22	10am	Christingle Orange Making	St. Paul’s
	4pm	Christingle Orange Making	St. Helen’s
	The Spring Closes until January 8th
23	9.15am	Holy Communion	St. Helen’s
	11am	Carols & Holy Communion (Joint Service with St. Helen’s)	St. Paul’s
	4pm	Family Christingle	St. Helen’s
24 Christmas Eve	4pm	Family Christingle	St. Paul’s
	11.15pm	Midnight Communion	St. Helen’s
25 Christmas Day	10am