St Thomas, & St John s, West Ashton. Trowbridge. December 2012 & January Monthly. Happy Christmas. the New Year

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1 St Thomas, Trowbridge & St John s, West Ashton December 2012 & January Monthly Allan and the Staff Team wish you all a very Happy Christmas and every blessing in the New Year Including: Shaking of Earth and Heavens Storehouse Christmas Hampers Highlights from St Thomas PCC Christmas at St John s Christingle at St John s St John s Christmas Concert HOST Health Warning Prayer for St Laurence School Dates for your Diary

2 Shaking of earth and heavens It is not a new statement, but with every day that passes I become more convinced of the truth of it: we live in times of great shaking (see Hebrews 12:26). Shaking of nations, particularly in the Middle East and Israel. Shaking of institutions that seemed so solid and dependable in my youth, such as Parliament, the Police, the BBC and the Church. All of these have been rocked by scandals and revelations. In addition, I have never known a time of shaking in the church like the last couple of years, and other church leaders tell me the same thing. The Gospel for Advent Sunday is part of the so called Little Apocalypse in Luke where, as his death drew near, Jesus thoughts turned to the end times. He said, There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke NRSV) We see from this that it is not just earth that is being shaken, but also the powers of the heavens. This does not mean God is shaken, but what Paul refers to as the powers of this dark world; the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Indeed there is a direct relationship between earthly and heavenly (or spiritual) powers. When one is shaken, so will the other be. Conflict in and around the land of Israel is a good indicator of this, because it is a special piece of geography in God s purposes where the link between spiritual and earthly conflict is particularly close. This link between spiritual (demonic) and human powers is almost like the strings linking the puppet (visible) to the puppeteer (invisible), except that it does not abrogate human responsibility as that analogy might suggest. People in power chose the methods they use to maintain and exercise that power. If they choose lies and half-truths, intimidation and the politics of fear, manipulation and Machiavellian scheming (the devil s stock-in-trade), they are knowingly or unknowingly making an agreement with demonic forces. This need not be a conscious pact with the devil like Faust s, but is nonetheless very real and, if it suits their purposes, the demons will back up those choices. This is very obvious in the case of a Hitler or a Stalin. Conversely, leaders who choose heaven s methods of honesty and integrity, love for humanity, and service of the common good, will be backed up by heaven, even if they are not flawless characters or professing Christians. My hero, Winston Churchill is a good example. Of course, most leaders (like most human beings) are a mixture of good and bad motives and methods and so the linkage between the visible and invisible powers is less obvious. What are we to do in a time of shaking? More than ever we must run to the Rock, Jesus, the only safe and unshakeable place, and hide in him (Psalm 16:8 & 61:2 & 62:2; Isaiah 54:10). This is the best place to be at any time, but in a time of shaking it is absolutely essential. Secondly, as Jesus said, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. The shaking is good news in one sense because it means that only an unshakeable Kingdom will remain (Hebrews 12:26 The Message). It is a time to refocus on our vision of a great move of God in our nation that will bring many into God s kingdom before Jesus comes again. Allan Coutts

3 MENUNITED The Big Breakfast Saturday 12th January at The Food Factory. Speaker: Rev Dr Rob Thomas Scientist, Chartered engineer. Worked for the UK Atomic Energy Authority, prior to training for the Ministry in This is an outreach breakfast. Do pray for the men you are to invite. Leaflets and tickets are now available price 6 from Noel, Tony, Geoff, Peter. There are only 70 places so book as soon as you can. * * * * The next Prayer Evening is on Wednesday 12th December 7 9 pm. at Bethesda Baptist Church. Do try to join with us at some time in the evening. O Lord grant that we may not be like porridge, stiff, stodgy and hard to stir, But like cornflakes, crisp, fresh and ready to serve. Storehouse Christmas Hampers Last year the Storehouse Foodbank gave away 67 hampers to individuals, couples and families experiencing difficult times. For less than 35 a hamper could make a great difference. This year we have seen another increase in the number of organisations referring people to the foodbank and as such we anticipate that the need will be as great as ever. We would be delighted if you would join us in helping to make this Christmas a happy one for all within our local community. Register your hamper donation with us via or call the foodbank during our opening hours which are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday s 10am-12.30pm. Your hamper will then be allocated to a family in need. We would be grateful if you would register your hamper by Monday 3rd December at the latest. We will then ask that you deliver your donation packed in to a large bag for life to the storehouse food-bank on either Thursday 13th or Friday 14th December between 10am and 3pm. Some people prefer to offer a cash donation towards the cost of a hamper. If this is your preferred option you may send your donation to the address below (please make cheques payable to West Wilts Vineyard). The Storehouse/Yard, c/o The United Church Buildings, 24 Church Street, Trowbridge, BA14 8DY E: info@storehousefoodbank.co.uk T: Hamper Shopping List Suggestions Tins: Potatoes / Carrots / Peas / Sweetcorn / Ham / Tuna / Salmon / Soup / Fruit Packets: Stuffing / Bread Sauce / Gravy / Crisps / Snacks / Custard / Christmas Pudding / Christmas Cake / Sweet Biscuits / Cereals / Juice / UHT Milk / Sugar / Tea / Coffee / Savoury Biscuits / Mince Pies Jars: Cranberry Sauce / Pickled Onions / Beetroot / Pickles / Jam Seasonal: Christmas Crackers / Party Poppers / Serviettes / Box or Tin of Chocolates / After dinner mints / Other sweet treats

4 Highlights of St Thomas PCC Meeting on 23 rd October Vicar s report highlighted 3 events which took place over 2 weekends in October showing God at work in and through our churches. New logo shown to PCC members very positive response. Website progressing nicely, trial pages being worked on. Work on new child protection and vulnerable adults procedures is underway. Charges for letting rooms at both sites to be increased over a 3 year period Heating to come under stricter control once diary of planned usage becomes available. Alpha is doing well and very encouraging PCC/Staff Team Away Day regarding Listening exercise was a useful time. Finance report and documentation can be seen on church notice board. Fabric Report covered heating, lighting, cottage, hall and rooms rental, PAT testing, stained glass window, Fabric Committee new member. The church s annual giving (tithe) of 20,000 was allocated to various ministries and missions at home and overseas Angela reported on missionaries sent by St T s over the years. The Mission Group would love to see others go on short and long term mission. Date of next meeting 4 th December 2012.

5 at ST JOHN S CHURCH WEST ASHTON CHRISTINGLE SERVICE SUNDAY, 2 nd DECEMBER, pm The Symbolism of Christingle The Christingle itself is made up of a lighted candle (symbolising Jesus, the Light of the World), mounted on an orange (representing the world), and a red ribbon or tape around the orange (indicating the blood of Christ). Four cocktail sticks bearing dried fruit or sweets are also stuck into the orange to signify the four seasons and the fruits of the earth. The history of Christingle began with the Moravian Church in 1747, as a symbol of Christ s light and love. The Children s Society introduced it to the Church of England in 1968 and it has since become a popular family and community event. Most Christingle celebrations take the form of a church service, but they can also take place at schools or other community venues.

6 HEALTH WARNING London 2012 brought talented people to Britain. But did you know this happens every year? Thousands of bright young men and women come to study at our universities. Sadly, most have no contact with British people outside the campus. Some miss their families; many are curious about the real life of Britain. That s why HOST arranges for them to spend a day, weekend or 3 days at Christmas as guests in hospitable homes. This is a great opportunity to get to know someone from another country, and help them to feel welcome. As a volunteer host, you could enjoy introducing a student of your choice to your way of life and perhaps to their very first Christmas. Please call Frances on or see Avoid riding in cars because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. Do not stay at home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. Avoid walking on the streets or pavements because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. Avoid travelling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve some form of transportation. You will be pleased to learn that only.001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is in church! Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even less. FOR SAFETY'S SAKE ATTEND CHURCH! IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!"

7 Prayer for St Laurence School Date: Tuesday 22 nd January Time: 20:00-21:00 Place: The Centre, 16 St. Margaret s Street In the office of BOA Community Church which is just off the roundabout outside Station Place fish and chip shop at the bottom of St. Margaret s Hill which leads to the Scout Hut. There is plenty of road side parking in the area. Queries, questions or directions please contact: Chris Browne (chris.browne@boa-communitychurch.org.uk) Youth worker and member of BOA Community Church Su Robinson (susanna@harrisontraining.co.uk) Parent and member of Holy Trinity Combe Down Advance notice for Go 2013 Jackie Pullinger, missionary to the drug addicts of Hong Kong, will be one of the key speakers at the mission-focused festival Go2013, to be held at Bulstrode, Gerrrards Cross between 4-7 May Entitled Go2013: Healing for a Broken World, the programme focuses on the many ways that Christians can share God s love to a broken world. The exciting main-stage line up also includes Elliot Tepper, founder of Betel, an international network of rehabilitation centres and communities in more than 70 cities around the world and Andy Hawthorne, CEO of the Message Trust, which in 2012 celebrates 20 years of reaching young people in the toughest communities of Manchester and beyond. A range of seminars and the exhibition area will highlight many opportunities to become personally involved in bringing God s transformation to the world. To find out more, visit