In Partnership, March 2010
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Contents.
- Lent.
- Partnership Lent Reflections.
- Partnership Annual Meeting.
- TGIF.
- Lunch Bunch.
- THE MIX COMMUNITY FESTIVAL.
- Churches launch guide to prepare for the 2010 General Election.
- Mothering Sunday.
- Don’t pick a fight with Mother – you won’t win.
- Palm Sunday.
- Church Services in the Partnership.
- Making the Connection, part 2.
- Swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff.
- Christian Aid Spring Event.
- The Harbour Project.
- What’s the Big Idea?
- He went into a desert place…
- Where does your time go?
- Prayer points.
- Contact information
Lent.
Dear friends
Once again we find ourselves in Lent. As our Wednesday evening groups explore various characters around the cross I am sure we will find that they have very different perspectives on the same story.
It is surprising that when we listen to others talking of people we know, we may find that they see characteristics in them that we have never noticed. Sometimes too, when friends describe me, I hear about positives that I wouldn’t think of using to describe myself.
The ‘Johari Window’ – (invented by Jo and Harry!) It looks like this:
They recognised that some aspects of ourselves, our ‘public selves’ are an open book, for anyone to see and discover. Then there are bits of me that others see, but I don’t know so well – my blind spots – and although some things in this window are negative, others are positive things that we do not acknowledge about ourselves.
All of us have stories and aspects of our lives that for some reason or another we choose to keep secret, even from our closest friends – our ‘hidden self’. Finally there is my ‘unconscious self’ – characteristics and skills that God has given me that have yet to be revealed and developed.
As our self awareness increases the boxes on the left increase in size too, compared to those on the right. We find that the depth of the relationship with others determines the relative sizes of the ‘hidden self’ and our ‘public self’. With some people we have the trust and confidence to tell almost our entire story. But it is usually only appropriate to do this with a small handful of those closest to us, as Jesus did with his disciples and particularly with Peter, James and John.
As we continue to develop our friendships, and to listen to what our others say about us, then more of who we are and what God has made us becomes apparent to us. A growing relationship with God and his word also awakens us to more of who God has made us what God wants to do in us and through us too. Sometimes what is revealed needs working on – our ‘growing edges’ as I like to call them. So that, for instance, we may discover that we have begun to grumble more than is helpful, and decide to actively do something to change that. Often though, we are surprised by the good things that others appreciate about us, that God has given for our blessing as well as theirs. Or we may be encouraged to see if we have the skills for something that we would not have dreamt of trying, but that others have seen the potential for. All these things help us to ‘grow in grace’ and hopefully too ‘in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ’ (2 Peter 3:18)
I pray that as you continue our journey of faith that you will dare, with God’s help, to discover with joy, more aspects of who he has made you and be able to see yourself, others, and Christ from a new perspective. May we also take the risk of surprising our friends and relations by complimenting them for what we appreciate about them as people, as well as commenting on the practical things that they do.
Anne Carter
Back to Contents -^
Partnership Lent Reflections.
This year during Lent our theme is “The Witnesses” in which we will reflect on some of the characters around the cross. It will be different to how we have done it in the recent past in that each church will host one week and prepare material around the theme which may involve Bible study, meditation, creative activities or a variety of approaches.
This is an opportunity of celebrating the styles, gifts and skills of the different churches across the Partnership and we hope that members of all churches will join us as we prepare together for Easter.
The programme is as follows:
| Time and Date | Theme | Leader and Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 7.30pm Wednesday 3rd March | Simon Peter | Westlea, at Toothill Church |
| 7.30pm Wednesday 10th March | John and the Marys | St Mary’s, LT |
| 7.30pm Wednesday 24th March | Jewish Leaders | All Saints, LM |
| 7.30pm Wednesday 24th March | Mark | Toothill |
Please come along and join in!
Woman takes her being from man; man takes his well-being from woman.
Thomas Adams.
The surest way to make it hard for your children is to make it soft for them.
Anon.
I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians of England.
John Wesley.
Back to Contents -^Partnership Annual Meeting.
Thursday 18th March 7:30pm, Toothill
Come along and find out what is happening in the Partnership and for 2010 and beyond.
TGIF.
IT’S NEW, IT’S FOR YOU
FRIDAY NIGHTS (alternate)
5th March
7 til 8.30 ish
Shaw Church
- Food, Music
- Meet Jesus
- Video, Dance
- Drama, Discussion
- Find out what God has for you in 2010
Led by Remix youth team and young people for all young people (secondary school age);
contact: Claire
Lunch Bunch.
Join us again for a good lunch, friendship and fellowship 12 noon at Toothill Church
Second TUESDAY of the month
- March 9th
- April 13th
Back to Contents -^
THE MIX COMMUNITY FESTIVAL.
SAT 15th May at Shaw Village Centre
Church members, Remix leaders and young people are starting to gear up for our second summer community festival at Shaw. We hope lots of you will want to get involved with helping us and coming along with family and friends on the day to make it even bigger and better than last year. If anyone can sort the weather out for us that would be fantastic!
We have a small planning team: Claire Camm, Ivyna Melo, Janet Clarke, and Nicki Badcock. We also have a growing list of volunteers from all 5 churches in the partnership, but we still need lots more.
Details so far:
- DATE – Sat 15th May
- TIME – 2-6pm inside Shaw Church and on field adjacent; then 6 – 9pm approx inside only for performances
- WORKSHOPS & ATTRACTIONS – Dance, singing, puppetry, art, craft, circus skills, basketball, football, drumming circle, ‘Spirit Zone’. Plus we hope to have different community stalls, Lower Shaw Farm and others, bouncy castle and food stalls.
- PERFORMANCES – evening performances from local bands and young people from local area, plus displays from professional performers.If you have any ideas for the programme or know community groups which would like a stall or anyone who can teach a skill or get involved in any way, please let us know.
- HOW YOU CAN HELP – can you volunteer to help on the day for at least 2 hours? Roles range from stewarding, café, stalls, workshop helper, setting up, publicity etc. There will soon be a sign-up sheet on your church notice board and reps from the planning team will be available to answer questions.
- WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? Good question! It’s a lot of work, but very worthwhile and from previous experience we have met these outcomes:
- To connect Church and community in real ways and serve our neighbours – this year All Saints have a mission the following weekend, so THE MIX will provide a springboard for that event
- To give young people an opportunity to perform in front of an audience and help them grow in confidence and skill
- To provide young people with opportunities for leadership and help them develop important life skills
- To develop our church partnership through working and being together, leading to closer fellowship
For any further info please contact Claire Camm: claire@ncounter.co.uk
Back to Contents -^Churches launch guide to prepare for the 2010 General Election.
Who will you vote for in the General Election? Now there are online resources designed to help Christians prepare for it.
Eleven Churches and Church agencies have worked together to create an electronic booklet and website at ctbi.org.uk. It includes information on how to arrange a hustings meeting at local churches as well as a downloadable guide offering information on the important questions of this election campaign.
The election materials do not support a particular Church view or political party line, but aim to help people engage with a range of important issues facing the country; however they may decide to vote.
Faith in Politics (PDF, 290kb) covers issues including the economy, environment, health, education, equality and diversity, Europe, migration and sanctuary, poverty and criminal justice. The resource also provides a series of questions to facilitate personal or group reflection on political issues, or which could be used to quiz election candidates.
Back to Contents -^
Mothering Sunday.
There is an old Jewish saying:
God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.
Mother Church, Mother Earth, Mother of the Gods - our human mothers - all of them have been part of the celebration of ‘Mothering Sunday’ - as the fourth Sunday in Lent is affectionately known.
In Roman times, great festivals were held every spring to honour Cybele, Mother of all the Gods. Other pagan festivals in honour of Mother Earth were also celebrated. With the arrival of Christianity, the festival became one honouring Mother Church.
During the Middle Ages, young people apprenticed to craftsmen or working as ‘live-in’ servants were allowed only one holiday a year on which to visit their families - which is how ‘Mothering Sunday’ got its name. This special day became a day of family rejoicing, and the Lenten fast was broken. In some places the day was called Simnel Day, because of the sweet cakes called simnel cakes traditionally eaten on that day.
Back to Contents -^
Don’t pick a fight with Mother – you won’t win.
Most families have three rows a day – and mothers start more of them than anybody else, a recent survey has found. Mothers also shout the loudest – and the longest.
So what gets a mother going? Undone household chores, children who treat the house ‘like a hotel’, and husbands and partners who take them for granted. Fights flare up and last for an average of five minutes. In all, most families will spend 91 hours a year arguing. Mothers have the best staying power when it comes to verbal invective, so watch out!
Research has also found that daughters are the most likely to slam doors during a row, while fathers take themselves out for a long drive in the car - to get away from all the noise.
Researchers conclude that family arguments are a part of life, and can have a vital role in letting off steam. However, they add “we do still think it is worthwhile counting slowly to 10 sometimes.”
One in ten families was not on speaking terms with each other at the time the survey of family rows was taken.
Back to Contents -^
Palm Sunday.
Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, when the Church remembers how Jesus arrived at the gates of Jerusalem just a few days before the Passover was due to be held. He was the Messiah come to his own people in their capital city, and yet he came in humility, riding on a young donkey, not in triumph, riding on a war-horse.
As Jesus entered the city, the crowds gave him a rapturous welcome, throwing palm fronds into his path. They knew his reputation as a healer, and welcomed him. But sadly the welcome was short-lived and shallow, for Jerusalem would soon reject her Messiah, and put him to death. On this day churches worldwide will distribute little crosses made from palm fronds in memory of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem.
Back to Contents -^
Church Services in the Partnership.
All Saints’, Lydiard Millicent.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Every weekday (except Tuesday) | 9:00 am | Morning prayers |
| 7th Mar | 8:00 am | Communion |
| 10:30 am | Communion | |
| 14th Mar | 8:00 am | Communion Prayer Book |
| 10:30 am | All age worship | |
| 17th Mar | 7:30 pm | ??? |
| 21st Mar | 8:00 am | Communion |
| 10:30 am | Morning Service | |
| 6:30 pm | Evening Communion | |
| 28th Mar | 8:00 am | Communion |
| 10:30 am | Morning Service |
St Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Mar | 10:00 am | Morning Service |
| 6:30 pm | Communion | |
| 14th Mar | 10:00 am | Family Service |
| 21st Mar | 10:00 am | Communion |
| 28th Mar | 10:00 am | Morning Service |
Back to Contents -^
Palm Sunday.
It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, eight-year-old James stayed home from church with a neighbour. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds. James asked them what they were for. “People held them over Jesus' head as he walked by,” his father told him.
“Wouldn't you know it,” Johnny fumed, “the one Sunday I don't go, and he shows up.”
Holy Trinity Shaw.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Mar | 10:30 am | Communion |
| 14th Mar | 10:30 am | Family service |
| 21st Mar | 10:30 am | Communion |
| 28th Mar | 10:30 am | Morning Worship |
Toothill.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Mar | 10:30 am | Morning Service |
| 14th Mar | 10:30 am | Family & Parade Service |
| 21st Mar | 10:30 am | Communion |
| 28th Mar | 10:30 am | Morning Worship |
Westlea.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 7th Mar | 10:00 am | Communion |
| 14th Mar | 10:00 am | Family Service |
| 21st Mar | 10:00 am | Morning Service |
| 28th Mar | 10:00 am | Swap Service |
Back to Contents -^
Flowers.
There are women whose thoughtful husbands buy them flowers for no reason. And then there’s me. One day I couldn't stand it any longer.
“Why don't you ever bring me flowers?” I asked.
“What's the point?” my husband said. “They die after about a week.”
“So could you,” I shot back, “but I still like having you around.”
Making the Connection, part 2.
Click the picture to download a PDF flyer to print
Back to Contents -^Lent Lunches.
Hosted by local congregations at St Aldhelm’s Centre, Edgeware Road, Swindon
Fridays during Lent from 12.15pm onwards.
- Butterworth Street 5th March 2010
- Friends and Moravians 12th March 2010
- Holy Rood 19th March 2010
- St Marks 26th March 2010
Swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff.
Fair trade fortnight 27 February to 7 March.
For this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight we’re asking the nation to join us in The Big Swap. For two whole weeks we’ll be asking you to swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. Whenever you pop to the shops, you can use your wallet to make a stand.
This then is the home of all things swap, a hub for all your swapping needs. It tells you how to get involved, what you can swap and most importantly, how to register them. Because we need lots of swaps made. One million and one in fact. Every swap will be proof that the people of the UK want producers in the developing world to get a fairer deal.
Back to Contents -^Christian Aid Spring Event.
The Water Mystery of Kyamwilu:
Christian Aid working through partners in Kenya
Come along to enjoy some Fairtrade drinks & snacks and listen to our guest speaker Ed McGregor and his first hand stories from Kenya.
Monday 8th March 7pm to 9.30pm
Emmanuel United Reformed Church, 81 High Street, Haydon Wick, Swindon, SN25 1HU
Everyone is welcome
Admission is free, but donations are welcome
Back to Contents -^
The Harbour Project.
~ Quiz Night ~
At St Joseph’s Catholic College, Ocotal Way, Swindon
Date: Saturday 6th March 2010
Time: 7 for 7.30pm
Price: £10 per head
Pay bar
Tickets available now from the Harbour Office email: harbouroffice1@aol.com
What’s the Big Idea?
An Introduction to the Books of the New Testament: Mark
In our series looking at the books of the New Testament we come to Mark, the second of the synoptic gospels (with Matthew and Luke).
Traditionally this gospel is ascribed to John Mark, a close associate of Peter (as we read in Acts). According to Papias (c AD 140), Peter was a major source of material for Mark and it is believed that the gospel became a source for the other synoptic writers. It was written for Gentile readers, probably in Rome. This may have been during Nero’s persecution of the church (c AD 64-7), recognising that suffering and persecution are important themes throughout the gospel.
Mark wastes no time in getting down to business: ‘the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God’ (1:1). Unlike Matthew and Luke he omits the birth narratives, but begins with the unveiling of Jesus’ public ministry. The gospel is a succinct and vivid account of Jesus’ ministry, emphasising more about what Jesus did than what he said. Mark moves quickly from one episode to another, often using the word ‘immediately’ which is characteristic of his gospel.
For Mark, understanding the true identity of Jesus is fundamental to his gospel. Halfway through his account Jesus asks the disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ (8:27). Mark is helping us to understand Peter’s answer, ‘You are the Christ’. This is evident in Jesus’ role as rabbi (teacher), his call for discipleship and the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which occupies a third of the gospel. The messianic secret, when Jesus warns people to keep silent about who he is or what he’s done, is unique to Mark. It contributes towards the tension in grasping Jesus’ true identity.
A key verse which helps us to understand the nature of Jesus’ mission and how we might live in the light of it is: ‘Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (10:44,45).
Mark is understandably in a hurry to tell us about Jesus; the one who reveals the truth of God to us, so that we can live in reality and not ignorance!
Back to Contents -^
He went into a desert place…
From the gospels one thing is clear: Jesus led a busy life. He preached, taught, healed the sick and restored the demented. Wherever he went, people were astonished at his evident authority. The people had never seen a rabbi like this before, and the report about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
But every so often, the gospels tell us, Jesus would turn his back on the clamour and the crowds. He would take himself off to a deserted place. He would give himself time to spend with his Father in heaven. His oneness with his heavenly Father was the secret of his power and effectiveness of his ministry.
Catherine Doherty in her amazing book ‘Poustinia’ elaborates on that Russian word, meaning ‘desert’, a place to meet Christ in silent prayer. Men and women who desire communion with God can discover how the desert place fulfils their yearning as they find him in silence and solitude.
‘Poustinia of the heart’ can be an interiorized poustinia which you can carry always and everywhere. You can find it in the marketplace, in the midst of countless conferences, traffic jams or a hospital ward. Many Russian mystics sought poustinia in a log cabin in a forest but you can find it in a favourite chair in your own house, outside on a wooden bench, in a garden or on a retreat. But find it! Just as Hosea was wooed into the wilderness by God, there to hear him speak tenderly, be led of the Spirit into the desert place where you, with your Master at your side, will find strength for what lies ahead.
As the gospels record: ‘Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee and news of him went out through all the surrounding region.’ We too, will find the spiritual power we need to lead the life to which God has called us.
Poustinia: Encountering God in Silence, Solitude and Prayer (Madonna House Classics)
Back to Contents -^
Where does your time go?
Prayer ideas.
Have you ever got to the end of the day and wondered where the time has gone? Days, weeks, months can fly past. Before we know where we are there is another birthday or anniversary. Maybe it’s time to pause and reflect on the day or year, notice what is around, discover God in the middle of it all Here are some ideas you may like to try.
- Listen Try simply listening. Listen to whatever sounds are around with complete attention for a few minutes. How many sounds can you hear? Is there anything you have not noticed before?
- Feel Hold a smooth pebble. Take some time to feel the smoothness of the stone. Look at its colour and texture. Feel its weight in your hand. Great forces have gone into the making of your stone. Now it is small and still. Hold it as you talk to God about what is in your mind.
- Look Let a candle, a cross, a picture or icon become a focus for your attentiveness. Or sit in the garden and let a tree, leaf etc. be that focus. Sit and look at it. Allow yourself to look at it rather than think about it. When you are ready, talk to God about what you see.
- Breathe Choose a short prayer or a few words from the Bible. Repeat it in time with your breathing. The Jesus Prayer can be used in this way “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, be merciful to me, a sinner”. Or simply, “Jesus”. Try to breath naturally, without over breathing.
- An empty chair Sometimes a chair becomes something to pile things on to—a bag of knitting, books, newspapers… Take a chair and put it near the place where you are sitting. In your imagination put onto it anything you are finding difficult or heavy at the moment. Share it with God. Put onto it anything that you are glad about. Appreciate it and enjoy God appreciating it with you…
- Or you may like to simply imagine Jesus sitting on the empty chair. Sit in his company. Talk with him if you want to. Tell him about your day. Listen to him as well.
Back to Contents -^
Sad teenagers need more sleep.
If you have a depressed teenager draped around the house, suggest he/she go to bed before 10pm. The more that adolescents sleep, the better it is for their mental health.
The study, in the journal Sleep, found that young people who get five or fewer hours sleep a night are 71 percent more likely to suffer depression - and even think of suicide - than those who get eight hours rest a night. Sleep-deprived young people are much less able to cope with stress and find it harder to engage with peers and adults. They become moody and withdrawn.
Mix-up.
What do you get when you cross an atheist with a Jehovah’s Witness? Someone who knocks at your door for no apparent reason.
Prayer points.
- Mothers
- The Lent course
- The future of Emerge
- The Partnership AGM
God never made a promise that was too good to be true.
D L Moody
Man’s way leads to a hopeless end - God’s way leads to an endless hope.
Anon
Back to Contents -^Contact information.
The Partnership office is open Monday through Friday mornings or afternoons, please call to confirm. The office number is 01793 874221.
The office e-mail is: partnershipoffice@btopenworld.com
The address for correspondence is:
The Partnership Office, Holy Trinity Church, Shaw Village Centre, SWINDON, SN5 5PY.
For items for the next edition of Partnership News please send them to the office or to Dick Gray no later than 27th January.
The Partnership web site is WSwinLyd.org.uk
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