Church Drive Nov/Dec 2014

Transcription

1 Church Drive Nov/Dec 2014 The Rector Writes Book Review: Rowan s Rule Monthly News from St. Giles, West Bridgford Seniors Adventure in Derbyshire Update from the PCC 50 Years On. Women s Day Away Rowena in Peru Update from the Boys Brigade In this edition St Giles Directory & Coming Up at St Giles

2 2 The Rector Writes...

3 Christmas at St Giles All Age Christingle 10.30am, Dec 7th We join together to make a seasonal decoration that reveals the meaning of Christmas. Carols by Candlelight - 7pm, Dec 21st A traditional service of 9 lessons and carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies. The Nativity - 4pm Christmas Eve Junior Church and friends tell the nativity story through drama and carols. Christmas Eve Communion pm Family Communion Service 10am Christmas Day 3

4 Book Review: Rowan's Rule by Rupert Shortt Having read a positive review of this book in the newspaper, I ordered it from West Bridgford library and then thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Described by the Sunday Times as a theologically heavyweight, psychologically perceptive and sometimes strikingly critical biography, Rowan Williams is portrayed as a complex and controversial figure, widely revered for his personal qualities, but also an intellectual giant who towers over almost all his predecessors as Archbishop of Canterbury. The book covers Rowan s roots in Wales and his brilliant academic career before his time as Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales. His evident spirituality and personal charisma did not protect him from the onslaught of the various factions in the well publicised disagreements within the church over women bishops and same sex relationships. His inclination to listen to both sides of the arguments, so that protagonists on both sides think he agrees with them, together with his unwillingness to produce catchy sound bites for the press, made him an easy target for a media with little understanding of the role of the church in a post- Christian, secular society. Indeed, some of the rows served as a proxy for deeper divisions about diversity, church governance and biblical authority. The role of Archbishop of Canterbury is revealed as an impossible job, having the dual function of head of the Church of England and 4

5 also the world-wide Anglican communion, with all it diverse contexts and challenges. This book reveals Rowan Williams as almost monk-like, with his devotion to a structured prayer life, a love of study and simplicity. He is clearly also a deep thinking philosopher and a well-regarded poet, publishing over twenty books including several volumes of poetry and a major study of the Russian author Dostoevsky. His main achievement has been described by some as making Christianity intellectually respectable for a sceptical twenty first century consumerist society. There are some wonderful quotes from his writings: faith is a perfectly normal activity for human beings Instead of being an eccentricity, practised by slightly weird British people and very, very strange foreigners, its just something that belongs to the fabric of life. Richard Dawkins has not grasped that science achieves its success by the modesty of its ambitions, only considering impersonal experience open to potentially endless repetition. I imagine the former Archbishop left office and returned to an academic life with a sigh of relief, but as well as being a relatively easy and fascinating read, a book such as this which portrays a man in high office should prompt us all to pray not only for the current Archbishop but for all who seek to represent the Christian faith in the public square. Do borrow it from the library. Claire Barker 5

6 Seniors' Derbyshire Adventure Not content with the odd day out or morning coffee, 23 seniors from St Giles ventured forth for a holiday at Willersley Castle hotel in the lovely village of Cromford, Derbyshire. Ably led by David Dunford, many of them boarded the hired minibus and set out for four days of outings, games, prayer and reflection. The weather could not have been kinder as the sun shone down as they travelled around visiting such places as Crich Tram museum, Eyam plague village, Carsington Water and other beautiful places in Derbyshire. Perhaps the highlight of the week was a barge trip on the tranquil Cromford Canal with an interesting commentary emphasising the fact that it was not once so peaceful, but a busy industrial aquatic motorway for the growing industries in the area. Each day ended in prayer, and one morning was set aside for a communion service beautifully led by Mary Gee. The spiritual aspect of the holiday complemented the adventures and evening quizzes perfectly. Many thanks to David for his excellent organisation and the perfect hotel with such helpful staff. 6

7 PCC Update from 17th September 1 Buildings Review Working Group A meeting had been arranged for 24 th Sept to look at general issues, eg church lighting, possibility of a fixed screen, environmental issues. If you are interested in this, talk to Brendan Sprakes. 2 Finance insurance update A preliminary list of potential issues for future insurance was available, based on a visit by Ecclesiastical Insurers. A full report was awaited. Talk to Richard Crawley if you want further information. 3 Lettings update A new agent had been appointed and both cottages now had tenants. 4 Mental Health Awareness We were made aware of this diocesan initiative. You will have seen in the pew slip, since the PCC meeting, a first action of the group involved; a talk in November on dementia. Talk to Daphne Carter, Johanna Langheld or Debbie Keown if you want to know more. 5 Permission to officiate Rachel White was joining us as a licensed Reader from Burton Joyce, focussing on Seniors, home communions and visiting nursing homes. It was agreed that, with the Bishop s permission, Andrew Barker, a retired Methodist minister, would be leading and preaching at St Giles from time to time. 6 Children and Families Coordinator The Working Group had met and formulated objectives and scope for this post. Funding would need to be in place before going ahead. 7 Resignation As you will have seen in the pew slip, we received with regret a resignation letter from Rev Allan Brown, whose sermons have been such an inspiration to us over the last four years. We all wish him and his wife Loris our good wishes for the future. Next PCC meeting: Wednesday 19 th November 2014 Dizzy Prentice PCC Secretary 7

8 50 Years On. In September, I went to a reunion to mark 50 years since I left school. There were ten from my year group and somehow we were all the same as we had been all those years ago the intense one was still scary, the eccentric one as mad as ever, and the super clever one had unsurprisingly had a high powered legal career in London. Marked by our wrinkles and grey hair, we must have been a source of great amusement to the prefects who showed us round (the school had moved out of London in the 1970s so it was all new to us), with all our do you remember comments and our recognition of treasures brought from the old place. We all agreed how fortunate we were to have had such a good grounding and how it had stood us in good stead all our lives. That year, 1964, was significant for me in other ways. In the September, I set off for university, the first in my family to go, and part of a fairly privileged minority at the time. On the first Saturday night, I found that the choice of occupation was between the dance (sounded fairly grim) and the Christian Union (I had no idea what that was). The girl in the next room (no mixed residences then) was going to the latter so along I went. My first impressions are still vivid I thought these students who talked about Jesus as if he were real were quite mad, and yet there was something appealing about their welcome. Having been through Sunday school, like most of my generation, the basics of Christianity were familiar to me, and yet they had never completely made sense. How could people be so good and yet so bad? Why was Jesus any different from other martyrs? Did miracles happen? Things have always had to make sense to me I drove my mother to distraction with my constant why? and gradually, as I listened to the talks at the Saturday night meetings, I found that this faith the students were following was true in the fullest sense of the word not just true for you if you like that sort of thing but real, true truth. By the November, exactly 50 years ago, I saw clearly that sitting on the 8

9 fence was not an option, and I committed my life to Christ, whatever that might mean for my future, and I sensed there was no going back. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8: 32 Much has, of course, happened since then teaching, marriage, family, bereavement, illness, moving house but through all of these years, my foundation is still that Christianity is true. Of course there are questions about why things happen the way they do, why people can be so lovely and so difficult, and God does not always feel near and comforting. God s word is a constant challenge and not a day of my Christian walk has been dull or boring, but along the way I have met many, many inspiring people and made more friends than I can keep up with. The swinging sixties is notorious for the Beatles, the Pill and its permissiveness. But in that university, not a week went past without another student being added to the Kingdom of God, and many from that Christian Union have spent their working lives in ministry of various sorts all over the world as well as in the UK. God is still at work in exciting ways in our universities so do pray for that to continue both among home and international students. Now, having arrived in what I assume is the last quarter of my earthly life, I find my confidence in the truth of the Gospel firmer than ever, and find the change in people whom God is touching truly exciting. The challenges change with time but so do the blessings of following Jesus and the encouragements of being part of God s family. 9

10 Women s Day Away On a sunny, bright October morning, 55 women of all ages from St Giles converged on Darley Dale in Derbyshire. It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time together, to get to know one another better, and to reflect on our relationship with God free from the distraction of daily life. Lynda Blakeley, from St Luke s, was an inspiring guest speaker she focused on the theme of Facing Fears and Finding Freedom, encouraging us to truly trust in the Lord and how we can do that amidst the reality of our lives. Before lunch, some of the group stayed in the hall for a meditation, whilst others worked up an appetite with an amble through the Derbyshire countryside. We stopped by St Helen s Church where Elizabeth Dunford balanced up on a wall to tell us all that she had visited this church about 25 years ago on a bellringing holiday, telling us that there was a yew tree in the churchyard that estimated to be 2000 years old, one of the oldest trees in the country! In the afternoon we took part in a number of moving and reflective prayer activities and enjoyed a fabulous cream tea - with homemade scones. We made our way back to West Bridgford, each in our own way, feeling strengthened by the experience we had shared, as these 10

11 words testify: A real antidote to the business of daily life - a safe, supportive environment to focus my mind on the important things that are so often pushed to the back of my mind by the ongoing daily firefighting of life. I am so glad I spent that day bringing my relationship with God to the forefront of my mind and getting the different aspects of life into perspective. Lovely location, good food (for body and soul) and great company. A lovely day - time to spend with God and other friends- an oasis in the busy-ness of everyday life. I had a real sense of God's presence on the day and came away feeling a closer connection with Him. A very relaxing, meditative but thought provoking day. An incredibly powerful opportunity to stop, to set aside time in our busy lives and focus on God without any other distractions. The lyrics from the song Oceans, which Linda shared with us, have stuck with me ever since the day and sum up what I took away from it Where feet may fail and fear surround me, You've never failed and you won t start now. 11

12 Rowena in Peru Rowena Jackson set off last month for South America and is currently volunteering in a refuge for street children. It is a Christian project called ELIM and has beds for about 25 children; they also feed many more on a daily basis. The ELIM project provides shelter, food, activities, and also teaches the children that with God s love they will never be alone. Here is an extract from Rowena s blog: I arrived in Cusco, Peru on Wednesday 22 nd October. I m staying in the girls home, I briefly met them on Wednesday and they gave me a very warm welcome greeting me as sister, the two mamitas who look after the girls gave me a warm welcome as well. I am one of three volunteers here at the moment, and I have one of the apartments to myself, didn t expect any luxury but I don t even have a fridge! I went down on Thursday morning and sat with the four girls who don t go to school for various reasons. Patricia has Downs Syndrome. Rosetta has schooling from a tutor - hers is a very sad story: when they found her she was living rough under a bridge, she d been very malnourished and is small for her age. Roxanna and another girl, both attend a night school as they are too far behind to attend normal classes yet. So in the mornings they sit and read their Bibles mostly, and also read other books and colour in. There are thirteen girls here in total at the moment, as they have recently had a few new ones in. The youngest of the girls is five. Not sure of all their stories yet! 12

13 On Sunday morning it was off to church, which was the Il Refugio Bauptismo Iglesia, within walking distance. It was only a small building; it s coming up to its third anniversary, and was full. The little ones went up for Sunday school, and I had fun trying to figure out what the sermon was about from what I could decipher from the verses in the Spanish Bible I was given, I think I got the gist of it! This a picture of all of the girls with one of their Mamitas. There are two Mamitas who look after the girls, they are ladies with an awful lot of patience, who keep the girls in order, and act like a surrogate mother really. So overall everything is ok. I m trying to enrol in some language lessons, which I will hopefully be able to sort out this week, as I m finding it a bit hard talking to anyone at the moment as I can t keep up with what they are saying. I have been finding it a bit isolating because of this, but on Sunday night I did find an English speaking group to go to, which was lovely even though I didn t speak I just listened! It s at The Meeting Place in Cuzco and they have a discussion every week on a different topic then you can stay for the worship songs and prayers. Read more from Rowena at 13

14 Boys Brigade Update In the Junior Section Francis Cahill has gained his Silver Achievement Badge whilst Patrick Loughran, Ray Baker and Raphael Galea have gained their Gold Badge. The Junior Section took part in an Indoor Games Competition and the boys had thirteen activities to do. These ranged from physical challenges to mental challenges. One team was entered from our Company and in total their were twenty four teams, the most we have had for a good number of years. The boys did well and enjoyed the evening and finished 13 th overall. Team: Francis Cahill, Andy Galea and Xenis Antcliffe We had 3 junior boys and 3 seniors enter the Company Section Battalion Draughts Competition. In the juniors Jasper Hanson reached the semi-final and Nicholas Kerry was runner-up. The senior competition was an all 8 th final with Stanley Hanson beating Oliver Kerry. In the Company Section Chess event we had three juniors and two seniors. In the Junior competition we managed to get Nichols Kerry to the final where he finished as runner-up. The Seniors of Nicholas Ford and Oliver Kerry both fell at the semi-final stage. There was a new event for the Company Section which was Badminton and it was played as a doubles competition. We had three pairs enter, two in the Junior Company and one in the Seniors. The two junior pairs played in the group matches but progressed no further. In the senior event Stanley Hanson and Oliver Kerry were to finish as runners-up. Competitors: Jasper Hanson, Ray Baker, Nicholas Kerry, Raphael Galea, Oliver Kerry and Stanley Hanson. Keith Whitaker, Captain 14

15 St Giles Directory Rector Lee Proudlove Tel: Church Caroline Harper Tel: Wardens Richard Crawley Tel: Administrator Claire Sheard Tel: Youth Worker Andy Wright Tel: Pastoral Care Daphne Carter Tel: Co-ordinators Debbie Keown Tel: House Groups Katie Conley Tel: Seniors Doreen Ottway Tel: PCC Secretary Dizzy Prentice Tel: PCC Treasurer Eddie Pearce Tel: Sacristan Maureen Swann Tel: Director of Music Andrew Rootham Tel: Junior Church Sarah & Iain Moppett Tel: Sunbeams Claire Sheard Tel: Tiddlers Caroline Crew Tel: Weddings Caroline Harper Tel: Church Cleaning Helen Jarvis Tel: and Flower Rota Something Else Graham & Kat Rooke Tel: or 15

16 Coming St Giles November/December Thursdays, pm (last week 4th Dec) Seniors Bible Study, church hall meeting room Sunday 9th November, 9.00am Remembrance Day Service, followed by coffee in church and then a short service at the West Bridgford War Memorial at 10.50am. Sunday 10th November, 3.45pm Shine a Light: winter fun for children and their parents/carers Monday 10th November & 8th December, 8.00pm First Priority Prayer Meeting in church Come and make prayer your first priority. Everyone is welcome for a time of worship and prayer. Tuesday 11th November & 9th December, 10.30am Seniors Coffee Morning at Bradmore Wednesday 13th November & 10th December, 8.00pm Ladies Evening at The Parlour Thursday 20th November & Thursday 18th December, 3.45pm Messy Church Monday 24th November, 8.00pm Men s Social at the Willow Tree Pub Friday 12th December, 12.30pm Seniors Christmas Lunch in the Church Hall Saturday 13th December, 9.00am Church decoration for Christmas Sunday 21st December, 7.00pm Carols by Candlelight 9 lessons and carols followed by mulled wine and mince pies Friday 26th December, 2.00pm Church walk at Wollaton Hall 16 If you have an idea for an article for Church Drive please contact Claire Sheard.