In Partnership, May 2012
What’s gotten into you?
This question usually stems from unacceptable behaviour. In my household, often directed towards Callum who does not stop talking from the moment he gets up its jabber, jabber, so much to say and not enough years to say it in. But it is also an appropriate question for the feast of Pentecost that we celebrate at the end of this month.
The Day of Pentecost was a spectacular day! The Holy Spirit launched the church with an event that empowered a small ragtag band of followers of a teacher from Nazareth who had stirred up the crowds in Israel for three years. Civil and religious authorities of the day were confident that the struggling movement of the illegitimate teacher from Galilee had been crushed. Indeed, the followers of the Jesus were reported to have fled when he was arrested. One of his own had turned him in and another claimed not to know him at all.
Then came Pentecost. A day when Israel celebrated “the feast of harvest of the first fruits” [ Exodus 23:16]. But this day of Pentecost was different. Jewish people from all over the Middle East were gathered when the commotion started. The timid followers of Jesus were suddenly loudly proclaiming the news that God had acted decisively in Jesus of Nazareth to the crowds gathered for the Jewish feast of Pentecost. The weird thing was that many in the crowd were hearing this news in their own language - lots of languages!
Others, however, heard only strange noise. “They must be drinking,"” they speculated about these strange people. The very people who for days, even weeks, had hidden themselves in fear for their lives, were out and about and acting in astonishing ways. They no longer lived in secret. In fact, they were calling attention to themselves by their behaviour. What had gotten into them?
“They were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” It is such a simple statement, a statement that may no longer startle us! These previously terrified people were all filled with the dynamic power of God—the power that refreshes and re-creates; that comforts and heals; the power so eloquently acclaimed in the sequence. This Spirit burned within them like tongues of fire, and they went forth and proclaimed the message of God’s love manifested in the resurrection of Jesus. It was a spectacular day.
Three thousand people became a part of the infant church that day and our world has never been the same! It was a spectacular day.
But it was just the first day of what has become a journey lasting well over two thousand years. It was a birthday of sorts and everyone knows a birthday is not a life - it is the beginning of a life. The joy of the first day becomes the journey of a lifetime.
Since that spectacular first day, the church has gone through the most incredible times of struggle to times of great joy. But when wanting to sum up Pentecost I discovered three terrific quotations from theologians of a generation ago (Brooks, Fosdick and Spurgeon in order), and these three quotations for me get at the heart of Pentecost.
The first quotation is this: “Nothing but fire kindles fire.” The second: “If you want to set someone on fire, you have to burn a little bit yourself.” The third one: “A burning heart will soon find for itself a flaming tongue.” The Holy Spirit, the dynamic power of God, is bestowed on us in all fullness. And with the Spirit come the gifts that can transform the world. The first disciples had their day, and they seized it with a gusto that has been remembered down through the centuries. This is our day. We now have a chance to show others what’s gotten into us.
Clive Deverell
Gift?
I asked my mother if I was a gifted child … she said I must be, because they certainly wouldn't have paid for me
Regular activities.
Every Tuesday
1:30pm-3:00pm @Shaw, Coffee stop
Every Tuesday
7-9pm St Marys Bell Tower, Bell Ringing
Every Thursday
10-11:30am @ Toothill Toothill Tinies
1st Saturday of each month 5th May
8:00am @ Toothill Mens’ breakfast
2nd Sunday each month 13th May
4:00-5:30pm @ Shaw Messy Church
2nd & 4th Sunday
9:00am @ All Saints Lydiard Millicent Puppets Alive
4th Tuesday 22nd May
12:00 noon Toothill
Thinking Ahead about Harvest and Remembrance, days.
“Thinking Ahead about Harvest and Remembrance” days are coming up shortly – Saturday 12th May at Zion United Church, Frampton Cotterell, and Saturday 26th May at Cullompton Community Centre. There are still spaces available so please get in touch if you wish to attend and have not yet booked.
URC Synod Office via phone (01823 275470) or email doftrainingpa (at) urcsouthwest.org.uk
Ascension Day - 40 days with the Risen Christ.
40 days after Easter comes Ascension Day. It may seem crazy to call it Eastertide when Easter is clearly over! - but these are the 40 days during which the Risen Christ appeared again and again to his disciples, following his death and resurrection.
The Gospels give us little of Christ’s teachings and deeds during those forty days. Jesus was seen by numerous disciples: on the road to Emmaus, by the Sea of Galilee, in houses, etc. He strengthened and encouraged his disciples, and at last opened their eyes to all that the Scriptures had promised about the Messiah. Jesus also told them that as the Father had sent him, he was now going to send them - to all corners of the earth, as his witnesses.
Surely the most tender, moving ‘farewell’ in history took place on Ascension Day. Luke records the story with great poignancy: “When Jesus had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands - and blessed them.”
As Christmas began the story of Jesus’ life on earth, so Ascension Day completes it, with his return to his Father in heaven. Jesus’ last act on earth was to bless his disciples. He and they had a bond as close as could be: they had just lived through three tumultuous years of public ministry and miracles – persecution and death – and resurrection! Just as we part from our nearest and dearest by still looking at them with love and memories in our eyes, so exactly did Jesus: “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51) He was not forsaking them, but merely going on ahead to a kingdom which would also be theirs one day: “I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God …” (John 20:17)
The disciples were surely the most favoured folk in history. Imagine being one of the last few people on earth to be face to face with Jesus, and have him look on you with love. No wonder, then that Luke goes on: “they worshipped him - and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (Luke 24:52,53)
Flame grilled, a Question Time style debate will be held at Queens Drive Mthodist Church on Friday 11th May at 7:30 pm.
Featuring Robert Buckland M.P.; Rev Mark Burnett, Superintendant Methodist Minister; James Lockhart FRICS, Board member of Forward Swindon; Liz Carroll, policy and Research Director of a Cancer Charity and Councillor Mark Dempsey, Deputy LEader, Swindon Labour. Chaired by Lee Stone, MMC Radio Swindon Presenter. The debate will be broadcast on Flame FM.
Free - apply for tickets at admin (at) swindonchurches.org, or admin (at) flamefm.co.uk or Swindon 536815.
limited Parking at venue, Bus routes 13, 14 and 16.
Doors open 6:30 pm; Questions in by 7:00 pm; Event broadcast begins 7:30 pm; Event ends 8:30 pm. It would be appreciated if questions could concentrate on local issues.
Jubilee Flower Festival.
St Mary’s Church, Lydiard Park.
Open to the public Saturday 2nd – Tuesday 5th June, 10am-5pm.
In celebration of HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, St Mary’s Church will be hosting a flower festival. Beautiful floral displays will fill the historic setting of St Mary’s church, “the Church in Lydiard Park ”.
The displays have been created by members of the church, volunteers and students from Wiltshire College . The designs are inspired by the Queen’s life, family and interests.
Team Minister Reverend Clive Deverell says, “Come and celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Lydiard Park! This is a chance to see our beautiful church in a new light while support our bid to restore our church and its monuments.”
Lunch Bunch.
Join us for a good lunch, friendship and fellowship.
Fourth Tuesday of the month
At Toothill Church @ Noon
May 22nd
June 26th
July 24th
August 28th
September 25th
October 23rd
November 27th
Fear
The only thing to fear is fear itself … and spiders.
Perambulation - beating the bounds.
Changed dates:- 12 and 19 May
Lets go for a walk!
There is an ancient duty of parish councils to walk round their borders checking boundary fences, ditches and marker posts. I know it’s not been done here recently. Let’s use H.M Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee as a pretext for a walk.
It’s a long one – 27 miles or so. So we’ll do it over (at least) 2 days. Sat 12 May (long day) and Sat 19 May (shorter day).
We’ll see wildlife, hedgerows, ditches, streams, two railways, a golf course and a motorway. As we’ll be trying to stick closely to the boundary, we’ll follow or cross some of them. At least two pubs are directly en-route. There will be fences and walls and a couple of steep slopes to clamber. In a few places ladders will be needed for access. We’ll take gardening tools for clearing a way through undergrowth and I’ve found at least 20 boundary stones to clear. There are a lot of footpaths, and always an easier way round the tricky bits!. We’ll need a photographer.
I guarantee it’ll be a laugh, and you’ll get to places close to home, yet previously unknown to you. There will be historical interest. I have provisional permission for us to walk across Shaw tip (the closed bit) Swindon Lagoons and the Sewage Farm at Barnfield. I’m working on many of the other landowners too. If interested in the whole trip or just a short section let me know and I’ll keep you posted with confirmed dates, scheduled times, car parking and toilet and lunch stops.
Meet at the Moredon railway bridge on the old Purton Road (footpath) Saturday 12 May 2012 at 9:00 am. Bring a picnic lunch and solid walking shoes or boots. (Park and walk from Mouldon Hill Park, or Peatmore Village Centre). Day 1 will probably get as far as Sally Pussey’s Inn on the Wootton Bassett Road.
Keep checking the boundary web page which I will keep updated with approx times and car park info.
For more details call Chris Scarisbrick on 876770 or (mobile 07770) 753962.
13 – 19 May brings Christian Aid Week.
This year Christian Aid Week tells the story of change within a community in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is a place with vast natural resources of fertile land and mineral wealth, but in spite of this abundance, its turbulent past has left the country with deep challenges. These challenges have meant that many people’s lives are defined by hunger, and their prospects limited by the urgency of finding enough to eat. In a society where women and young people are widely marginalised, decision-making can be weighted against people who are naturally more vulnerable in society, and the cycle of hunger and poverty continues.
A group of three Christian Aid supporters – Mike, Peter and Llinos – travelled to Gbap (pronounced Bap) in rural Sierra Leone in summer 2011. There, they saw first-hand the work of Christian Aid’s partner, the Methodist Church of Sierra Leone (MCSL), who encouraged the people of Gbap to set up a village development committee. MCSL also gave local farmers some simple tools that hugely increased the amount they could grow. Now that the community is free to think beyond their immediate hunger, their lives have changed beyond measure. For more details, and to give, please visit the web site
What did I do with the car?
Several days ago as I left a meeting at our church, I suddenly realised I could not find my car keys. They were not in my pockets. They were not in the church. Then I thought – I’ve left them in the car! As I burst through the doors of the church, my heart sank: the church car park was empty.
With a heavy heart I called the police, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it had been stolen. Then I made the really difficult call: ““Darling,” I began (I always call her ‘darling’ at moments like this). “Darling, I have left my keys in the car, and it has been stolen.”
There was a little gasp. “You did not have the car. I dropped you off. Remember?”
My heart sang as relief flooded through me. “Of course! Thank God! Well, come get me quick – I am already running late... what is keeping you?”
That was not smart. My wife replied with ominous calm: “What’s keeping me? I’ll tell you what’s keeping me. The police are here. They think I’ve stolen your car … ”
Church Services in the Partnership.
All Saints’, Lydiard Millicent.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Every weekday (except Tuesday) | 9:00 am | Morning prayers |
| 6 May | 8:00 am | Communion |
| 10:30 am | Morning Service | |
| 13 May | 8:00 am | Communion |
| 10:30 am | Communion | |
| 17 May | 7:30 pm | Ascension Day Joint Communion with SMLT |
| 20 May | 8:00 am | Prayer Book |
| 10:30 am | Communion | |
| 6:30 pm | Evening worship | |
| 27 May | 8:00 am | Communion |
| 10:30 am | Communion |
St Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 6 May | 10:00 am | Family Service |
| 5:00 pm | Said Communion | |
| 13 May | 10:00 am | Family Service |
| 5:00 pm | Northumbria Evening worship | |
| 17 May | 7:30 pm | Ascension Day Joint Service with ASLM |
| 20 May | 10:00 am | Family service |
| 5:00 pm | Said Communion | |
| 27 May | 10:30 am | Communion followed by Baptism |
| 5:00 pm | Songs of Praise |
Holy Trinity Shaw.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 6 May | 10:30 am | Communion |
| 13 May | 10:30 am | Communion |
| 20 May | 10:30 am | Morning service |
| 27 May | 10:30 am | All age worship |
Toothill.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 6 May | 10:30 am | All age worship |
| 13 May | 10:30 am | Morning service |
| 20 May | 10:30 am | Communion |
| 27 May | 10:30 am | Morning service |
Westlea.
| Date | Time | Form |
|---|---|---|
| 6 May | 10:00 am | Communion |
| 13 May | 10:00 am | Family service |
| 20 May | 10:00 am | Morning service |
| 27 May | 10:00 am | Swap service |
Hot air.
My clergy friend put sanitary hot air hand dryers in the toilets at his church, and two weeks later removed them in a hurry. I asked him why, and he confessed that they worked fine, but when he went in there one day he’d seen a sign that read: “For a sample of next week's sermon, push the button.”
Saturday 12 May
featuring Martin John Nichols.
Come and be informed and inspired, encouraqged and equipped to put your faith into action to eradicate extreme poverty once and for all.
plus Local Capoeira Group Dance display during Brazilian style supper.
Queens Drive Methodist Church.
6:30 pm Supper, 7:30 pm Concert
£10 Once and for all, Supper and Capoeira; £7 Once and for all only.
Tickets from Barbara on 536815.
Pentecost/Whit Sunday - the birthday of the Church.
Pentecost took place on the well established Jewish festival of Firstfruits, which was observed at the beginning of the wheat harvest. It was exactly 50 days after the Passover, the time of Jesus’ crucifixion.
A feast day to celebrate the country’s wheat harvest does not sound exactly world-changing, but that year, it became one of the most important days in world history. For Pentecost was the day that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit - the day the Church was born.
Jesus had told his apostles that something big was going to happen, and that they were to wait for it in Jerusalem, instead of returning to Galilee. Jesus had plans for his apostles – but he knew they could not do the work themselves – they would need his help.
And so the apostles and disciples waited in Jerusalem, praying together for several days. And then on that fateful morning there was suddenly the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of flame flickered on their heads, and they began to praise God in many tongues – to the astonishment of those who heard them. The curse of Babel (Genesis 11: 1- 9) was dramatically reversed that morning.
That morning the Holy Spirit came to indwell the apostles and disciples of Jesus: and the Church was born. The Christians were suddenly full of life and power, utterly different from their former fearful selves. The change in them was permanent.
Peter gave the first ever sermon of the Christian church that morning: proclaiming Jesus was the Messiah. His boldness in the face of possible death was in marked contrast to the man who had denied Jesus 50 days before. And 3,000 people responded, were converted, and were baptised. How’s that for fast church growth!
Of course Pentecost was not the first time the Holy Spirit had acted in this world. All through the Old Testament there are accounts of how God’s Spirit guided people and strengthened them. But now, because of Christ’s death and resurrection, he could INDWELL them. From now on, every Christian could have the confidence that Jesus was with them constantly, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
An idea was brought to our Swindon Churches Together meeting last week and it was agreed this would be a good thing to do – might even lead to a big procession of witness event next year.
The idea is that everyone wears something red to Church on Pentecost Sunday. This could create quite a stir as people gather and leave the Churches. If enough folk to do it, this could be a very visible act of witness which is very easy to do.
So, please do encourage your congregations to wear something red to Church on Pentecost Sunday, 27th May and see if we can get the town talking!
King’s Daughters conference.
You Are More
Do you ever feel like there is more to life than this? Or perhaps there is more to you? Kings Daughters Conference 2012 will be exploring these questions, showing you how to find the ‘more’ in life. By the end of the day you will be inspired and ready to unleash your potential.
Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham
Saturday 8 Sep 2012, 11 am - 8 pm
meals, tea and coffee included
Free childrens programme
Ticket price £35, available from Cheltenham Town Hall Box Office or online
Major new report seeks to protect church schools.
Church schools are at the heart of the nation, and should robustly assert their Christian ethos and foundation, according to recommendations included in a groundbreaking report published by the Church of England.
The Church, which is responsible for more than 4,800 schools across the country, educates more than a million pupils and schools are increasingly in the front line of its work in communities.
The report, ‘The Church School of the Future’, has taken evidence from dioceses, school leaders, politicians and other stakeholders with an interest in education. Launched in late March, it says the challenge for all existing Church schools, and any new schools, is to maintain their distinctive Christian character in an increasingly fragmented education system and amid strong attacks from secularists.
And it warns against a ‘utilitarian’ approach to education where economic pressures risk forcing a narrow view of pupils’ ability to develop and learn both academically and spiritually. While giving firm backing to the current Government’s drive to raise attainment, the report describes the administration’s approach to religious education as ‘disappointing’ and calls for a new strategy to improve teaching and learning in RE.
Finding
The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in the dark.
Flame FM 87.7 MHz and streaming on the web.
1st to 27th May
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ‘Grace’ released for Commonwealth Day.
A specially-written grace has been released to use at Big Jubilee Lunches this summer. The Grace, made public on Commonwealth Day, gives thanks for the Queen’s life of service to the nation and Commonwealth, and invites God’s blessing on the food communities and on all those taking part in local Big Jubilee Lunches.
The Grace will be prayed by millions of people throughout the Commonwealth on Sunday, June 3rd, before they share a Big Jubilee Lunch in their communities. It can be used in part or in its entirety. By including words of blessing “on the people beside us”, it doesn’t assume that everyone will say the prayer, which is said in Jesus’ name.’
As one church leader said: “Millions of people in the 54 Commonwealth states will be celebrating the Diamond Jubilee and sharing food together to mark this special occasion. Together we thank God for the Queen and for the good things God gives us. Saying the Diamond Jubilee Grace together before we eat acknowledges that God is our loving provider.”
The grace reads:
O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, we give you thanks for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth; for her steadfast faith and for her royal service to this nation and all the peoples of the Commonwealth.
Bless the food before us and the people beside us; may the sharing of this meal strengthen our communities, and nurture the bonds between us of friendship, hope and trust.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who reigns as servant of all.
Amen
Note: The text of the grace is available on the Church of England website www.diamondjubilee.churchofengland.org.
Presentation versions of the grace may be downloaded and printed by all wishing to use it from the HOPE website .
Water - a vital commodity under pressure.
As I write, drought prevails over much of Britain and many areas are threatened with hosepipe bans. This reminds us of the importance of water and the fact that there is a growing shortage of it in many parts of the world.
A massive report on the problem just issued by the United Nations shows that many daunting challenges lie ahead. These include providing clean water and sanitation for the poor, feeding a world population set to rise to nine billion by 2050 and coping with the impact of global warming.
In the report, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon says: “Pressures on freshwater are rising, from the expanding needs of agriculture, food production and energy consumption to pollution and weak water management. Climate change is a real and growing threat.”
Population growth and a shift to more meat-intensive diet will drive up demand for food by some 70 per cent by 2050. Farming already accounts for around 70 per cent of water use, ranging from 44 per cent in rich countries to over 90 per cent in least-developed economies.
Abstraction of aquifers (underground layers of water-bearing rock or soil) supplies nearly half of all drinking water today. The UN report calls for a massive effort to curb waste. Better irrigation systems, less-thirsty crops and the use of “grey” (used) water are among the options.
There will be competition for water between cities, farmers and ecosystems, and between countries. So far, there seems no major risk of water wars, as countries have chosen to co-operate in water resources rather than fighting over them. A disturbing trend, however, is the buying up of farmland in Africa by western economies, Middle East states, China and India (to produce food or bio-fuels).
Such practices could lead to simply transferring a wasteful water “footprint” to countries where water is already scarce. For Europe, says the UN report, the big problem is water stress induced by climate change for the central and southern part of the continent.
at Queens Dive methodist Church
Sunday 27th May at 7:30 pm
Celebrating Pentecost and 27 days broadcasting on Flame FM
Concert followed by end o0f broadcast party 9pm - 10pm
Contact Barbara on 536815
National Smile Month 20 May – to 20 June.
Whoever came up with the idea of a ‘National Smile Month’? The mind boggles at the idea of everyone smiling at each other for weeks on end, especially on the trains and buses, never mind in the House of Commons.
In reality, National Smile Month is not about goodwill breaking out across the country, but about dentists urging us to take better care of our teeth; and hence, our smiles. It is an oral health campaign with three key messages: brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste; cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks; and visit your dentist regularly, as often as they recommend. At least your dentist will then smile at you!
ASDAN Awards
for y 10 and 11 continue until half term in drama and dance.
Remiz awards
(for non-ASDANN youth) begin this term! Young people can gain our prestigious “Remix Award" by gaining merits in different skills and other areas. Prize-giving end summer term.
Jubilee Street Party
Fri 25 May 3:30 - 5:30 pm at side of church (opp Tesco) - All invited, bring some food to share
Summer BBQ, Proze-giving and Performances
Tues 17 July 7:30 - 9:00 pm - Parents invited!
Socials
Slam Dunk Poetry at Arts Centre: Sat 12 May 11:00 am
Mystery Outing: fri 29 June 6:30 - 9:30 pm
The Emerge youth project is managed by Claire Camm and a team of local volunteers from the Partnership Churches of West |Swindon and the Lydiards. Based at Shaw Church, Shaw Village Centre, Ramleaze Drive, Swindon.
For more info ring Claire on 874221, or email clairecamm1 (at) gmail.com
remixswindon.weebly.com, catch up on Facebook.
All our leaders are experienced youth workers and have CRB checks.
Contact information.
The Partnership office is open Monday through Friday mornings or afternoons, please call to find out when it is open. 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 23rd May.
The editor’s email address is dick643 (at) yahoo.co.uk
The Partnership web site is WSwinLyd.org.uk
Looking up
Deliver us, we beseech Thee, from worldly cares and foolish desires, from vain hopes and causeless fears, and so dispose our hearts that death itself may not be dreadful to us. May our hearts be so firmly established in grace that nothing may affright us or shake our constancy. Amen.
By John Wesley (1703 – 1791)
God commands us to be filled with the Spirit, and if we are not filled it is because we are living beneath our privileges.
D L Moody
The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for his people.
A W Tozer
This page last modified 04:11:31 BST on Thu 3 May, 2012
