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Parish Magazine
June/July 2016
St John the Evangelist Church
Dudley Wood and Cradley Heath
Vicar:
The Revd Alicia Baker
The Vicarage
29a Upper High Street
Cradley Heath
B64 5HX
Tel:
01384 591096
E-mail:
[email protected]
(Alicia will be on sabbatical until June 25th - please
contact one of the wardens for any urgent matters)
Licensed Lay Ministers
Churchwardens:
Mrs Pauline Muller
Mrs Val Cope
Mrs Lynda Pearson
01384 345240
Mr Roger Whitehouse 01384 561320
Useful contacts and telephone numbers for activities at St John’s
To know more contact.....
Adventure Club
Junior Church
(Tuesdays in term time)
(Sundays)
B Grundy
B Grundy
01384 258264
01384 258264
J Smith
C Grundy
J Hill
01384 562503
01384 236366
01384 625591
B Smith
01384 635746
Miles & Smiles
J Tromans
01384 567325
Church Allotments
TBC
Organist
Z Robbins
07894 030322
Fair Trade
L Pearson
01384 345240
Fundraising team
J Hill
01384 625591
Magazine
K Lee
01384 410385
Home Communion
O Chilton
01384 637922
Church Hall booking
C Jervis
01384 341113
Rainbows
Brownies
Guides
Mothers’ Union
(Alternate Tuesdays)
Community Link
01384 412511
If you have Alicia's mobile phone
number - or the mobile phone number
of any church member - please be careful
and ask their permission before giving it
to others. Some people do not wish their
mobile phone numbers to be made public.
Please feel free to give people Alicia's
office number:- 01384 591096.
Alicia is on sabbatical until 25th June.
Please contact Lyn or Roger (details on
front cover) for urgent matters.
Revd Mike Rutter is also available.
The editor reserves the right to edit any items submitted for inclusion in the magazine.
2
A Happy Welcome!
In a few weeks we shall be welcoming Chris Enwerem as curate at St
John’s. He will be ordained as deacon at the cathedral on Sunday June
26th at 2.30pm. A welcome party will take place in the church hall that
evening from about 6pm.
Chris and his family – Foluso, Comfort, Peace and Praise – will be
welcomed as new members of our church and community.
As some of you will remember from your previous curate Mike Rutter, a
curate’s time is committed mainly to training. He will be hoping to
experience parish life in a constructive manner and is certainly not going
to be ‘just another pair of hands’ (note to self). To begin with Chris’s
time will be spent in accordance with diocesan and Church of England
requirements under my supervision. He will be expected to have a study
day each week as well as a day off and will have a number of courses to
attend throughout the year. Chris will take part in services and
gradually be accustomed to take more of a leading role. He isn’t
ordained to preside at the Eucharist until he becomes a priest which
would normally be after a year of being a deacon.
We are also looking forward to welcoming Foluso and the children into
our community. They are hoping to move into the house (15 Morgan
Close) at the end of May and the children are hoping to attend
Netherton Church of England School. I imagine it will take a while for
the family to settle into their new surroundings and to get to know
people. It would be lovely if people invited them for meals or just for
coffee so they can feel settled at ‘at home’ as soon as is possible.
Alicia
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Community Link is open at 30 High Street on Mondays and Wednesdays between
10am and 3pm, and on Tuesdays between 12pm and 3pm. All are welcome to drop
in.
Black Country Foodbank is open at 30 High Street on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm
and 5pm to 7pm.
June
Fri 3rd
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
Sun 5th
2nd Sunday after Trinity
9am
Holy Communion
10.30am
All Age Communion
6.30pm
Evening Worship
Mon 6th
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
10am
10am
6pm
7.30pm
Toddler Church (TBC)
Holy Communion
Adventure Club
Standing Committee meets in church (time TBC)
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
Tues 7
th
Fri 10th
Sat 11th
th
Sun 12
Mon 13th
Tues 14
th
Thurs 16th
th
Fri 17
Flowers for the Queen at St Peter's
rd
3 Sunday after Trinity
Flowers for the Queen at St Peter's
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Holy Communion
5pm
Café church
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
10am
6pm
Toddler Church (TBC)
Adventure Club
July magazine deadline
100 Club payment due today
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
Sat 18th
th
Sun 19
Mon 20th
7pm
Queen's 90th birthday bash/quiz/fun night
th
4 Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Service of the Word
6.30pm
Holy Communion
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
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Tues 21st
10am
10am
6pm
Toddler Church (TBC)
Holy Communion
Adventure Club
Fri 24th
10am
Coffee Stop with 100 Club Draw (until 12.00)
th
Sun 26
Mon 27th
Tues 28
th
July
Fri 1st
Sun 3
rd
Mon 4th
Tues 5
th
Fri 8th
Sat 9
th
th
th
5 Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Holy Communion
2.30pm
Ordination of Deacons at Worcester Cathedral
6ish
Reception for our new curate Chris Enwerem
in the church hall
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
10am
2.30pm
6pm
7.45pm
Toddler Church (TBC)
Mothers Union - Salvation Army Singers
Adventure Club
PCC meets in vicarage
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
th
6 Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
All Age Communion - Confirmation
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
10am
10am
6pm
Toddler Church (TBC)
Holy Communion
Adventure Club
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
11am
Summer Fair
th
Sun 10
7 Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Holy Communion
12.30pm
Baptism
5pm
Café church
Mon 11th
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
Tues 12th
2.30pm 6pm
Mothers' Union
Adventure Club
Fri 15th
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
Sun 17th -
8th Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Service of the Word
6.30pm
Holy Communion
Mon 18th
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
5
Tues 19th
10am Holy Communion
Thurs 21st
August magazine deadline
Fri 22nd
100 Club payment due today
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
Sun 24th
9th Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Holy Communion
6.30pm
Prayer at the Vicarage
Mon 25th
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
Tues 26th
2.30pm
Mothers' Union Summer Lunch
Fri 29th
10am
Coffee Stop with 100 Club Draw (until 12.00)
Sun 31st
10th Sunday after Trinity
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Holy Communion
12.30pm
Baptism
August
Mon 1st
7pm
Emmaus group meets at Val’s house
Tues 2nd
10am
7.30pm
Holy Communion
Standing Committee meets (time to be confirmed)
Fri 5th
10am
Coffee Stop (until 12.00)
Sun 7th
11th Sunday after Trinity
9am
Holy Communion
10.30am
Junior Church
11am
Holy Communion
6.30pm
Evening Worship
Chris’s ordination takes place at Worcester Cathedral
at 2.30pm on 26th June, and all are invited
to attend the service to support him.
In the evening, from around 6pm, there will
be a party in the church hall. All are welcome.
Please remember Chris and the
family in your prayers at this time,
6
We are putting together a rota of people to be responsible for
organising refreshments following family services, as at the
moment this falls to the same few individuals each month.
The task includes setting up, serving and clearing away afterwards.
The more people who volunteer the
less frequently each name will come up!
Please sign up in church or speak to Lyn Pearson.
18th June - Queen's 90th birthday bash/quiz/fun night
11th/12th June - Flowers for the Queen at St Peter’s
26th June - Ordination at Worcester Cathedral
3rd July - Confirmation at St John’s
9th July - Summer Fair
9th - 11th December - Christmas Tree Festival
12th December - Christmas Market
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5th April
The Salvation Army Singers were booked to visit us today but
unfortunately due to several of the ladies being unwell they had to
cancel. However, we had our service and enjoyed our refreshments
and chat and actually stayed longer than we normally do, so it was a
very pleasant afternoon, although we were disappointed the Salvation
Army ladies were unable to put in an appearance. They will visit us in
June instead so we look forward to seeing them in the summer.
19th April
Brian Roberts was our Speaker today he told the story of Thomas, one
of Jesus’ disciples who had the nickname ‘Doubting Thomas’, but
maybe this was a bit unfair. He may have been a bit sceptical when
the other disciples told him they had seen Jesus as this was after Jesus
had been crucified and buried. He wanted to see what they had seen
before he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. So Jesus made
a special resurrection just for Thomas. He did not rebuke him or
humiliate him, he could perhaps see that deep down Thomas wanted to
believe. Jesus said to him “Reach your finger here and look at my
hands and reach your hand here and put it into my side, do not be
unbelieving but believe” (John 20:27) So you may also not believe,
like Thomas, but if you go to God with your doubts you may also
believe.
3rd May
Our Speaker, Gwen Hadley had unfortunately had a fall and has
broken her arm in two places and is unable to do anything to assist
herself. She was therefore unable to come and as it was short notice I
was unable to book another Speaker. However, Michael told us a
humorous story, we had a laugh and a chat and then refreshments
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provided by Ann on the occasion of her birthday, so it was an
enjoyable afternoon.
Barbara Smith – Branch Leader
Future Dates
28th June
12th July
26th July
Salvation Army Singers
Joint Meeting at St. Kenelm’s 2 p.m.
Summer Outing
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How to handle a new Curate. Ten tips.
With care!
Put yourself in his or her shoes. Only a few days ago Curates were
trying on their dog collars for the first time and probably feeling pretty
self-conscious. They will be both excited and daunted at the prospect
of putting ‘Rev’ in front of their names.
With respect.
The new curate has been trained and set apart by ordination as a
minister in the Church of God. The first year will be spent as a Deacon;
after that, most will be ordained priest.
With prayer.
This is the secret ingredient. And the most important. From now on,
give your curate a regular mention in your prayers. And tell them you’re
doing so - it will encourage them no end.
With humanity.
Clergy aren’t perfect. It’s an old joke but a good one, that if you don’t
like the clergy you’ve got, remember there’s only the laity to pick from.
By the way, clergy spouses and children aren’t ordained so don’t expect
them to be theologians.
With expectation.
As the Curate climbs the pulpit steps, pray that God will take over and
speak through him or her. This isn’t “Britain’s Got Talent”, so you are
neither a judge nor a member of an audience. You are a disciple, eager
to learn and, with God’s help, to change.
With generosity.
Find out if they can afford to make ends meet. As well as covering
family and household expenses, they should be buying theological books
from time to time. These can be really expensive.
With understanding.
Curates have to continue their studies and that will include participating
in diocesan training schemes. If married, they must also spend quality
time with their families. They shouldn’t be working seven days a week.
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With honesty.
If you want to criticise, make sure it’s constructive. Don’t try to wound
or settle scores - have something positive to say at the same time.
With hospitality.
Invite them to a meal and while you’re at it, invite a non-churchgoing
neighbour as well.
With humour.
Enough said!
Ven John Barton , Parish Pump
Toddler Church
Toddler Church is held on Tuesday
mornings during term-time,
starting at 10am in the hall with
refreshments and a chance for the
children to run around and play
games, followed by about
20 minutes in church.
Anyone from babies to school age
can come along with their carer.
If anyone is able to help - either in
church or with refreshments,
please let Alicia know.
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EMERGENCY ACCESS FROM THE CAR PARK
There are two areas of the car park which MUST be
kept clear at ALL times, to allow easy access
for disabled people and emergency vehicles.
Please do not park at the bottom of the
ramp from the church hall to the car park.
The area at the front of the church hall
must be kept clear at all times.
There are areas of the car park which are labelled as
reserved for disabled parking - please respect this,
whether using the church, the church hall or the allotments
Your co-operation is appreciated.
12
Saturday 9th July
11am - 1pm
ADMISSION FREE
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Concluding our series looking at the top ten Must Know Stories...
The top 10 Bible stories:
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
This month we come to the last of our 10 Must Know Story from the
Bible. The parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is one of Jesus’
most well-known stories. Yet it also beautifully presents the good news
of the Gospel, through the theme of lost and found.
The younger son is lost when he demands his inheritance early,
deliberately making himself independent and treating his father as dead!
This reflects our own lostness as human beings, when we cut ourselves
off from the loving presence and grace of a loving heavenly Father.
After squandering his wealth, he finally comes to his senses: ‘Father, I
have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be
called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ (18,19).
However, even before he arrives home, his father runs to greet him and
welcomes his son back home. The celebrations for the homecoming of
this son reflect the ‘rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents’ (7).
This story graphically demonstrates the amazing grace of God for each
one of us. The older son’s misunderstanding of the father’s actions is a
warning not to harden our hearts to the work of God’s grace in ourselves
and others. ‘There is nothing we can do to make God love us more.
There is nothing we can do to make God love us less.’ (Philip Yancey).
The story is told of a father and son who had become estranged and the
father searched for him to no avail. In desperation, he put an advert in
a local newspaper: ‘Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office
at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your Father.’ On
Saturday 800 Pacos showed up!!
Paul Hardingham, Parish Pump
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Flower Rota
If you are prepared to donate or arrange
flowers, please fill in your name (and a
contact telephone number) in a blank space
on the rota at the back of church.
For more information please see Joanne Hill.
We need YOU!!!
The fundraising team is looking for people to join in with
planning, occasional help with catering for some of
the events, or donations of raffle prizes. Any help
at all would be appreciated, and would help the team
to continue to organise events for everyone to enjoy.
PLEASE HELP!!
Please contact Joanne on 01384 625591,
or any other fundraising team member.
If you use a search engine (such as
Google) - simply swap your usual search
engine (e.g. Google) to easysearch:
http://www.stjohndudleywood.easysearch.org.uk
If you shop online, start at easyfundraising.org.uk, and
click from here to the site where you want to shop.
After you do your shopping, a donation will be made to St John’s from the
seller - and the price you pay will be exactly the same.
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Give it a go.....cooking corner
I am watching Masterchef. I am amazed and amused at
the same time. Amazed as I never knew you could do so
much with a carrot. Amused at the different names they
use for what is really a sauce. They have gravy, jou,
foams, emulsion and reductions. And the portion sizes
are brill. I think my next diet will be a Masterchef diet,
guaranteed to lose weight as there is only a mouthful on
the plate!
This is why I stick to cakes. Tasty, filling and just yummy. The below is a recipe for
Chocolate Brownies. It's the only brownie recipe that is a success for me. Eat them
warm with custard, ice cream or cream. (Or custard, ice cream and cream!)
1) Break up 250g dark chocolate (or a mix of dark and milk depending on how rich
you want them) put chocolate in a bowl with 200g butter. Put over a bowl of
simmering water and stir until melted together and smooth.
2) In a separate bowl whisk 3 eggs with 200g caster sugar until mixture is smooth
and creamy.
3) Add the chocolate mixture to the eggy mix and mix thoroughly with a wooden
spoon.
4) Sift 125g plain flour and 50g cocoa powder and mix thoroughly,
5) Line a 20 X 30 cm baking tin with kitchen foil (yes kitchen foil, it seems to work)
gently grease on top of foil with butter.
6) Put mixture in tin. Bake in oven for 20-25 mins, gas mark 3. When you put a
knife in the middle there should still be a bit of mixture on it. Don't over cook it, it's
meant to be a bit squidgy.
Give them a go, they really are yummy.
Jane Smith
Do you have a favourite recipe you’d like
to share in the Cooking Corner?
Please pass it on to Jane or Kate.
16
17
Dear readers, I present you with a conundrum, an
alliterate conundrum into the bargain. It is this. How
can a rover report on roves when there have been no roves for a rover to
report on? This is true, for I am struggling as I write to come up with
even a mini-minor rove other than the usual church or shopping roves.
One good idea might be to leave the page blank so that you may fill in
your own roves. Not so, for if you have none to write about you may just
give up and fail to read the following pages so carefully prepared by the
other contributors.
So I shall waffle till I reach the end of my allotted space (what’s
different about that I hear you cry!!). By the time you read this the
Scarborough rove will be but a week away, and the beloved will be pacing
up and down the bedroom trying to decide between shorts and t-shirts
or woolly jumpers and mackintoshes. Pity the weatherman if he gets the
forecast wrong! Me? I shall just pack shorts, t-shirts and a bikini as
usual.
If you recall, we visited Scarborough last year and had a thoroughly
enjoyable two weeks in the sunshine. We roved all over the Yorkshire
coast and the moors including Aidensfield of Heartbeat fame. We had
the most violent storm during one night that we had ever experienced in
many years of roving. At one stage we thought the caravan would end up
flying though the ether, a fate similar to that which befell Dorothy in
the Wizard of Oz. There was also the real life Air Ambulance rescue in
the harbour, and a regular bombardment by gulls who showed little
respect for hairstyles and the aforementioned t-shirts. Clearly, this
year’s luggage will include large umbrellas.
Still, we shall not be daunted and enjoy as always this interlude in a busy
life of retirement. I foresee only one problem. It will be necessary to
write the next episode driving home again. I shall not tell the beloved
until the very last moment in case she decides to pen the rove whilst I
steer!
Your Roving Reporter
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Black Country Foodbank has a branch running at Cradley Heath Community Link on
the High Street.
The Foodbank aims to provide three days of emergency food to those in most need,
via vouchers issued by frontline professionals.
The following items are always needed:
•
UHT milk
•
Fruit juice
•
Packets of rice
If you are able to commit to donating monthly, or to volunteer to man the
Foodbank, please speak to Alicia who can give you more information about what is
involved.
Please pray for the Foodbank. This can be done anywhere and at any time. Please
pray that we can meet the needs of people or at least find ways in which we can
point them in the right direction. Please pray for safety as well - for volunteers as
well as those attending. Please pray for the admin process that there will be
enough volunteers available every Thursday.
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A letter from the Bishop of Worcester
During June the British people will decide whether or not to remain in
the European Union. The decision is significant not only for this
country but for the rest of Europe and the world. I hope and pray
that people will reflect very carefully before casting their vote.
Much of the argument has centred on whether we would be better or
worse off economically if we were to leave. The consensus seems to
be that we would be worse.
Then there is the question of migration. Every alternative scenario
for our relationship to the other countries of Europe should we leave
– the Swiss model, the Norwegian model – would not change our
obligation to allow free movement of people from Europe. In any
event, this country has consistently benefited from immigration:
Economically, culturally and spiritually.
Yet there’s much more at stake than issues of economics or
migration. A vote to leave could well precipitate the beginning of the
breakup of the European Union. That would be very risky from a
geopolitical perspective: it would make the world a much more
dangerous place. That’s why Barack Obama and most world leaders
are so exercised about the prospect – and why Mr Putin would love it
to happen.
There is, of course, much about the European Union that is
unsatisfactory. It is in need of a great deal more reform. However,
even with its faults it has been described as the Twentieth Century’s
dullest miracle. Because of the EU, it is now unthinkable that the
countries of Europe, which fought each other so fiercely a couple of
generations ago, should now go to war with one another. It
continues to have a hugely important part to play on the world stage.
It will be much stronger with us in.
Some may feel it is wrong for me to comment on politics. To them I
would quote Archbishop Desmond Tutu: ‘When people say that
politics and religion don’t mix I wonder which Bible it is that they are
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reading.’ This question is far too important to be left to politicians.
As a Christian I want the world to be a safer, more peaceful place and
believe that our membership of the European Union contributes
hugely to that. You may not agree with me but I hope that I have
encouraged you to think, reflect and pray before casting your vote if
you have not already done so. Please don’t underestimate the
importance of voting or the implications of where you put your cross.
And may God bless you and our country at this crucial time of
decision.
+John
Queen's 90th birthday bash/quiz/fun night
This will be a night filled with fun and games for everyone!
Entry - £3 for adults (16+), £1 for children
Tea/coffee, crisps, cakes, etc., will be on sale.
(Bring your own alcoholic drinks.)
Bring a team, or come on your own – but be prepared for fun!
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Giving to grow our church
Giving either in practical or financial ways should be a joyful act of
offering in response to all God has given us, the greatest gift being that
of his son.
We are responding to his gifts by helping with our offerings, to help
fund resources to further God’s mission in the world and proclaim the
joy of the gift of Jesus, which is love, support and forgiveness in one
gift.
Our offerings help pay the Parish share which in turn funds our clergy
and mission. It enables the diocese to employ staff such as youth
workers, stewardship officers and others who assist in mission through
community work and assisting parishes to grow their churches in
many different ways. We have had help in this way in support of
Community Link which is our church’s presence on the High Street
and is showing God’s love in so many ways to so many different
people.
Our offerings are a joyful act of worship and a committed part of
Discipleship. There are over 2,300 verses in the bible that relate to
money, wealth and possessions, and a third of the parables taught by
Jesus also relate to these topics. God’s love, and essence of loving, is
giving. Generosity is at the heart of God’s character.
Money is part of following Jesus. The rich man who could not let go
of his wealth, that Zacchaeus responded to Jesus with joyful
generosity and Paul challenged the church in Corinth to give
generously.
A healthy relationship with money is part of discipleship and
grace-filled generosity is the sign and seal of financial discipleship.
I thank you all for your continuing support of St John’s in our church’s
mission and ministry. It has enabled us to pay parish share for the last
2 years and also in the upkeep of our church base and payment of the
regular bills. This church base is where we work from, showing God’s
love in so many ways including home communions, nursing home
services and support of our outreach work at community link with
22
food donations and with volunteers from our church family.
It is also a fact that running costs rise all the time and our church bank
accounts are much stretched at times, so I need to ask each one of us to
look at what we give in our offerings and see whether we can give any
more than we do. If it is only a £1 a week and 20 of us do it makes a
difference of £80 a month towards our bills. Also we need to try and
build a safety buffer of money should any sudden expenses arise, such
as boiler replacement or other large bill problems which we always
need to be aware of.
So once again I thank you all for all you do and ask that you look to
see whether anymore is possible in support of our church and as a
further offering to our Lord.
Carol
23
Thanksgiving for 150 years of Readers
It was on 5th May 1866, at a meeting of the bishops at Lambeth Palace, that the
ministry of Readers was launched within the Church of England. In this 150th
anniversary year it’s appropriate to reflect on the ministry that Readers exercise in
parishes across the Anglican Church. The bishops sought to release lay people in the
church to share the ministry of the Word and to take the church’s life and witness
beyond the walls of its building.
Today there are around 10,000 licensed Readers who lead worship, teach and preach,
to build up the Church and make Christ visible. Readers provide a pool of lay
people trained in theology and who can bring the gospel to people at work and in the
community. In this way, they make vital connections between the church and the
world in an attractive and authentic way, as only lay people can.
The biblical mandate for this ministry is well expressed by Paul, when writing to
Timothy to encourage him to share the gospel ministry with others:
‘You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you
have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who
will also be qualified to teach others.’ (2 Timothy 2:1,2).
We may be supporting Readers within our own church or be considering this calling
ourselves. In this special anniversary year, let’s make this our prayer:
‘Almighty Father, you have called your Church into being in your love and
strengthened us for your service. As we give you thanks for 150 years of Reader
ministry, guide us, inspire us and make us all a joyful Church, one in heart and
mind; for the sake of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’
Paul Hardingham, Parish Pump
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
It is 150 years since the Reader Movement began in the Church of England. It was
born out of a need to connect the proclamation of the Word with an increasingly
secular world, a world in which the Church had lost direct contact with millions.
The founding archbishops and bishops realised that people were becoming
biblically-illiterate and that there was a need to bring the Bible back into the home
and the workplace. They founded a ministry to bring the voice of God back into the
conversation.
What was so important in this episcopal initiative in 1866, as with the founding of
the Mothers’ Union nine years later and the Church Army 16 years later, is that they
were all lay initiatives in mission. All, of course, were encouraged and supported by
the ordained, but proud to be overwhelmingly lay. That emphasis on lay-ness was
not a form of anti-clericalism, but founded on a concept of teamwork in which lay
24
and ordained would work together to pray for and bring in God’s kingdom.
Present leaders of the Reader movement use the example of the past to point to the
future. The past matters and informs the future: we cannot do anything about the
past but we can help to be ‘prophets of a future not our own’, in the words of
Archbishop Oscar Romero’s famous prayer-poem:
We cannot do everything.
And there is a sense of liberation in realising
that this enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete but it’s a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference
between the master-builder and worker.
We are workers, not master-builders.
We are ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
I’ve made the point often that one aspect of Eucharistic liturgy in the last 45 years
has undermined a decent theology of the Church as the body of Christ. It seemed
like a good idea at the time to preface sharing the Peace at the Eucharist by saying,
‘We are the body of Christ ...’ (Saint Paul’s own words); but what it did to Anglicans
was to give us the idea, subliminally, that the body of Christ exists only when we are
together enjoying one another’s company in church.
Whereas, if the image of the body that the Apostle uses three times (Romans 12, 1
Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4) means anything, it must teach us that we remain the
body of Christ even when we are dispersed: one is shopping, another in the office,
one looking for a job, another is teaching, and so on.
That’s the essence of what we mean by lay-ness (and in a very true sense it includes
clergy): we are literally the laos, the people of God, dispersed and active as His
disciples in the world. To be a Reader is to emphasise the fact that your primary
ministry is not in holy buildings with coloured-glass windows and pointed arches,
but being a disciple, a member of the dispersed people of God, bringing Him into the
conversation.
To be concluded next time...
The Rt Rev Robert Paterson, Bishop of Sodor and Man
Chair of the Central Readers’ Council since April 2009
25
CROSSWORD
Across
1 Military tactic used by Joshua to attack and destroy the city of Ai (Joshua 8:2) (6)
4 Place of learning (6)
8 ‘When Moses’ hands grew — , they took a stone and put it under him and he sat
on it’ (Exodus 17:12) (5)
9 Unpleasant auguries of the end of the age, as forecast by Jesus (Matthew 24:7)
(7)
10 Stronghold to which girls in King Xerxes’ harem (including Esther) were taken
(Esther 2:8) (7)
11 Where Saul went to consult a medium before fighting the Philistines (1 Samuel
28:7) (5)
12 Propitiation (Hebrews 2:17) (9)
17 Turn away (Jeremiah 11:15) (5)
19 So clear (anag.) (7)
21 ‘I have just got — , so I can’t come’: one excuse to be absent from the great
banquet (Luke 14:20) (7)
22 Long weapon with a pointed head used by horsemen (Job 39:23) (5)
26
23 Musical beat (6)
24 What the Israelites were told to use to daub blood on their door-frames at the
first Passover (Exodus 12:22) (6)
Down
1 Fasten (Exodus 28:37) (6)
2 Art bite (anag.) (7)
3 ‘The people of the city were divided; some — with the Jews, others with the
apostles’ (Acts 14:4) (5)
5 Contend (Jeremiah 12:5) (7)
6 Possessed (Job 1:3) (5)
7 Sheen (Lamentations 4:1) (6)
9 ‘You love evil rather than good, — rather than speaking the truth’ (Psalm 52:3) (9)
13 Large flightless bird (Job 39:13) (7)
14 They were worth several hundred pounds each (Matthew 25:15) (7)
15 ‘A — went out to sow his seed’ (Matthew 13:3) (6)
16 How Jesus described Jairus’s daughter when he went into the room where she
lay (Mark 5:39) (6)
18 The part of the day when the women went to the tomb on the first Easter
morning (John 20:1) (5)
20 Narrow passageway between buildings (Luke 14:21) (5)
MEDIUM...
EASY...
27
THE WAY I SEE IT - Our SERVANT QUEEN
The whole country will this month be celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday.
She has splendidly fulfilled the promise made on the day when her father,
King George VI, died and she came to the throne at the age of 27. On that
day she dedicated ‘the rest of my life, whether it be long or short’ to the
service of the nation and the Commonwealth. She has certainly proved that
she meant what she said. Hers is already the longest reign of any British
monarch.
Those years have seen huge changes in the world: the end of apartheid in
South Africa, the transition of scores of countries to independence within
the Commonwealth, the advent of space exploration and men on the moon,
the arrival of the computer and the internet, social media, Twitter and so
on. Through it all she has remained a calm, reassuring figure, head of state
to 12 different prime ministers and leader of a resilient and growing
Commonwealth of Nations.
The Queen has quietly moved with the times. Her rather tortured ‘royal’
accent of the forties and fifties has broadened into a quietly spoken
Received English. Uneasy about it at first, she has made herself an effective
performer on television. And through it all she has openly acknowledged
that her own Christian faith is the bedrock of all that she is and has done. In
recent years she has been more willing to talk about that faith, notably in
her Christmas messages.
To mark her 90th birthday, the Bible Society has published an attractive
illustrated book The Servant Queen, setting out largely in her own words the
essential heart of that faith. The Queen herself has written a Foreword.
The aim of the publishers is that the book should be widely distributed, so
that people up and down her kingdom can share her evident enjoyment of a
committed Christian faith. Its subtitle is ‘And the King she serves ‘. As
advertisers say, ‘every home should have one’.
The Servant Queen is available from the Bible Society in packs of ten for
£10, or singly. Go to: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/landing/
servantqueen/
Canon David Winter, Parish Pump
28
100 Club 2015/2016
The 100 Club is open to everyone over the age of 16. The cost is £1 per
month, and there is a draw once each month. The more people who join
the 100 Club the larger the prize fund (at present the monthly prize is
£15) and the more money we can raise for church funds.
Members are welcome at any point during the year, either paying £1
membership monthly, or for the remainder of the year at the time of
joining (the current year runs from July 2015 to June 2016). The
monthly prize currently stands at £15.
Look out for the results of each draw which will be displayed in church
and included in the magazine. If you spot your name, please claim your
prize! Please note that winners (or people taking responsibility for
delivering to winners) will be asked to sign to confirm receipt of prizes.
If you wish to enter the 100 Club for 2016-2017, please complete a form
(available in church or from Kate) and pass it to Kate , together with
payment, as soon as possible.
In order to be entered into the June draw, payment must be
received by Kate no later than Friday 17th June. (Any payment
received after this date will be included in the July draw.)
In order to be entered into the July draw, payment must be
received by Kate no later than Friday 22nd July . (Any payment
received after this date will be included in the August draw.)
Would you be prepared to write an article or the opening letter
for a future edition of the magazine? Please let Kate or Alicia
know if this is something you might be prepared to do.
Items for the August magazine need
to be with Kate no later than 21st July.
Any services, meetings, events or activities to be included in
the diary pages of the magazine should be entered in the
church diary (usually to be found on the chest in the north aisle).
29
30
If anyone gives money to be paid
into the church account in the form
of a cheque, please ensure the
cheque is made payable to:
St John’s Church Dudley Wood.
EASY
Summer Fair
On 9th July we will
be holding our
annual Summer Fair.
If you are prepared to
help out in any way, such
as setting up or clearing
away gazeboes and tables,
running a stall or anything
else, please see one of
the fundraising team.
And if you have any
quality items (no bric
a brac or ‘white
elephants’, please) which
which could be sold or
used as prizes, please
bring them to church as
soon as possible.
31
MEDIUM
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
REMINDER!!
Details of any events,
meetings and services
which are to be included
in the August
magazine, must
be entered in the
CHURCH DIARY
no later than
Thursday 21st July.
Every Friday Morning
10am
to
12 noon
Coffee and tea,
hot buttered toast & soup!
Everyone welcome!
We are a Fairtrade parish
Fairly traded tea and coffee is served at all church
events at St John’s.
Fairtrade items are available for sale in church each
Sunday.
Lyn Pearson is the parish Fairtrade co-ordinator, and
keeps the fairtrade stall stocked. If you have any
suggestions for things which you would like to see on
the stall, please let Lyn know.
August
MAGAZINE DEADLINE
Thursday 21st July
Anything received after this date
will be included in the August magazine.
(Copy to Kate please, electronic preferred!
[email protected], 01384 410385)
32
Church Hall Bookings
Carol Jervis
01384 341113
Alicia will be
on sabbatical
until 25th June .