Outlook. Unsung Heroes

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Maximillian Lucas
5 years ago
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The people who quietly get on helping the church to run smoothly, enabling it to be a place of reverent and vibrant worship and effective proclamation of the gospel, showing the concern for others

1 Outlook Monthly Newsletter of St Barnabas Parish Church of Linthorpe and Ayresome August 2018 Unsung Heroes When Sam suggested that the sermon topics for August should be unsung heroes in the Bible my thought originally went to the unsung heroes and heroines that it has been a privilege to meet in our own church family. The people who quietly get on helping the church to run smoothly, enabling it to be a place of reverent and vibrant worship and effective proclamation of the gospel, showing the concern for others which is the hallmark of Christian love and compassion, and doing all this without seeking any reward but that of knowing that they are doing God s will. It s easy to forget that the flowers don t arrange themselves, the chairs and tables don t put themselves away, the tea towels don t wash themselves and the parish lunches don t cook themselves and the music doesn t just choose itself. It is easy to take for granted those who take their commitments seriously and turn out for committee meetings and working groups when they d rather be at home with a good box set,

2 or who use some of their annual leave from work to help in church summer activities. I m sometimes humbled when visiting the sick in hospital or at home to find how often others, sometimes without transport, have made their way to offer their support; and I notice many acts of quiet kindness, making people who struggle to fit in feel welcome and valued, taking time to listen to people without looking over their shoulders to find a way to get away from them. We need to take seriously Paul s description of the church as a body in which the least glamorous parts of the body all have an essential part to play in enabling the whole body to function efficiently (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). We also need to take seriously Jesus teaching in the parable of the sheep and the goats that how we react to those in need reflects the genuineness of our response to Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:31-46). It does no harm for those in positions of leadership to reflect on Jesus warning that those who (mistakenly) regard themselves as somehow special will be surprised one day at the ordinary people who go into the Kingdom of Heaven before them. This is in no way, of course, to question the need for wellstructured leadership, but a reminder that we follow One whose model of leadership was service. It is important that we honour and pray for our leaders, but equally important that no gulf is opened up between leaders and led. All must share a common vision to make (and to be) disciples for life, seeking God s grace to live out our discipleship in joyful humility, content in human terms to be unsung heroes, looking forward to hearing from our Lord the words Well done you good and faithful servant. Ray Morris

3 The Search for our New Vicar As most people will be aware by now, unfortunately the interviews on 19 th July did not lead to an appointment. Excellent though they were, none of the candidates demonstrated at this time, the ability to meet the criteria we had agreed in the parish profile were necessary to take St Barnabas into the future. Of course we are all disappointed, but the interview panel, chaired by Bishop Paul, were unanimous in its decision not to appoint. It is planned that we re-advertise in September and in the meantime senior clergy will also be networking in the hope that a further round of interviews will be held in October. At this important time in our life as the St Barnabas Church family we would like to encourage all of us to continue to: pray regularly and earnestly that the person of God s choice will be moved by the Holy Spirit to offer him or herself as a candidate fulfil the roles that each of us has in the practical and spiritual life of the church remain committed in our encouragement of one another by acknowledging that the different styles of worship across our services enable us all to continue to encounter the one true and living God and to glorify His name by our life and witness. It is essential that we continue to move forward together in unity, so the three of us ask for your prayers that we and all in positions of leadership, may fulfil our roles with humility, vision and trust in each other and in God. The epistle for the last Sunday in July could not be more appropriate as Paul writes (Eph3:20,21) Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. Amen Alistair, Graeme and Sam

Tearfund is now in its fiftieth year and I would like to tell you about the wonderful work we are supporting.

This involves a series of projects, which are community led. Many people in Uganda are living in destitute conditions, with limited access to clean water, health facilities or sanitation.

Tearfund is working with PAG in mobilising 4,500 churches to initiate community development projects they think they most need using their own skills and resources.

4 Tearfund is now in its fiftieth year and I would like to tell you about the wonderful work we are supporting. PAG (Pentecostal Assemblies of God) in Uganda are running a project, Church and Community Mobilisation (CCM), which we continue as connected church to support. This involves a series of projects, which are community led. Many people in Uganda are living in destitute conditions, with limited access to clean water, health facilities or sanitation. Many have an income that fails to guarantee the next meal. Tearfund is working with PAG in mobilising 4,500 churches to initiate community development projects they think they most need using their own skills and resources. To give an example, coffee trees provide a regular crop, but takes seven years to mature. Simon, a small farmer at Nyambushemsi and very poor, through CCM was able to start a plantation which now has 3,500 trees, which will provide a regular annual income of 25,000. Simon has now been able to buy livestock and plant other crops as well. The project is very scripture led. Churches choose a volunteer or disciple who is trained by PAG to lead Bible studies. Part of the aim of the Bible studies is to help people discover their infinite worth and they have gifts and can work together to lift themselves out of poverty. As an example, after looking at the parable of the Good

Samaritan, the church at Nyabushenyi began to think about people in need in their community and started a widows fund, which was able to give 100 to eleven families.

5 Samaritan, the church at Nyabushenyi began to think about people in need in their community and started a widows fund, which was able to give 100 to eleven families. A widow called Rita with nine children was able to pay for doctors visits and to use the land her husband left her to grown aubergines, maize, bananas and pineapples. Also though the Bible studies, she has come to know she is made in the image of God and to know Christ better. Please help the people of Uganda to come to know God through his Word and to lift each other out of poverty, showing his love in action. Please pray. I have forms for anyone who would like to give to Tearfund as a one of gift or regularly. If anyone would be willing to help with other money raising ventures, such as coffee mornings or walks, please get in touch. As we can see, Tearfund is fully committed to the principles that God s Word and social action go together like a hand in a glove. Jonathan Shippey PCC in July The PCC were given a report on the recent meeting of the Middlesbrough Deanery Synod. The treasurer, Phil Edwards, gave a financial update. There was an update on the work to be done on the north aisle roof and on the vacancy process.

Then the course will be running at the Start Studio, Park Road South on Monday evenings, starting on 24th September.

6 Alpha We will be starting a new Alpha Course in September. There will be an introductory meal on Monday 17th September, 7 pm in the Reid Room for those who came to the last Alpha and anyone considering Alpha to come and find out what to expect. Then the course will be running at the Start Studio, Park Road South on Monday evenings, starting on 24th September. If you are interested in coming along or bringing a friend, please speak to Nina Jeal or Barbara Edwards or the church office. Please pray for our Feast of Fun on Friday 10th, 17th and 24th August at Ayresome School and BiG FEAST at St Barnabas on Friday 31st August. There are booking forms on the website or contact the church office. Adrian Bull May I send our grateful thanks to all our friends at St. Barnabas for their kind letters, thoughts, cards and prayers for Mum and all the family since Dad died. Especially to all those who were able to come to the funeral, what a wonderful support that was. We feel tremendously uplifted, and thank God for you all. With love from Marianne and all the family

Joyce Gibson Brought up in the Newport area of town, Joyce Gibson was a regular worshipper at St Cuthbert s Church, where she was introduced to the Guide Movement, which played a significant part in

With the effective merger of St Cuthbert s with St Martin s, Joyce began worshipping at St Barnabas, which was to be her spiritual home for the rest of her life.

7 Joyce Gibson Brought up in the Newport area of town, Joyce Gibson was a regular worshipper at St Cuthbert s Church, where she was introduced to the Guide Movement, which played a significant part in her life. She had two periods as District Commissioner and was an active member of the Trefoil Guild. She married Bernard in 1957 and two years later the moved into Gorman Road. With the effective merger of St Cuthbert s with St Martin s, Joyce began worshipping at St Barnabas, which was to be her spiritual home for the rest of her life. She trained as a teacher, working for many years at Linthorpe Infants School. Her life centered around her family, Bernard, daughter Andrea and grandchildren Eleanor and Martin. The large attendance at her funeral was evidence of the respect and affection in which she was held. The St Barnabas Guides are establishing an annual award in memory of Joyce, with the winner holding a cup for a year and being given a permanent badge. Baptism 1st July 8th July From the Registers Jack Anthony Miller Daniel James Goodyear Funeral at the St Barnabas 17th July Joyce Gibson aged 85

8 Diary Monday 30th July Friday 3rd August Thursday 9th August Friday 10th August Friday 17th August Thursday 23rd August Friday 24th August Friday 31st August Welcome Break, 10 a.m. 12 noon in the narthex First Friday, 5.30 pm in church Men s fellowship meets, 2 pm in the narthex Feast of Fun, am 1 pm. at Ayresome School Feast of Fun, am 1 pm. at Ayresome School Men s fellowship meets, 2 pm in the narthex Feast of Fun, am 1 pm. at Ayresome School Feast of Fun, am 1 pm. at St Barnabas Week beginning 2nd September Life groups meet Monday 3rd September Welcome Break, 10 a.m. 12 noon in the narthex St Barnabas Church Office, 1A St Barnabas Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 6JR Phone: office@st-barnabas.net Website:

Outlook. Everyday Faith

Outlook. Everyday Faith Outlook Monthly Newsletter of St Barnabas Parish Church of Linthorpe and Ayresome Everyday Faith Is it possible for the Christian faith to survive and thrive in our world, a world that is often indifferent