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In Partnership, July/August 2010

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Resting

The word holiday comes from Holy – day. Christmas and Easter are still holidays enjoyed by all, whatever their faith background. But what about regular opportunity for rest and refreshment? Turn to Genesis and the almost the first thing that humankind was given to do after taming the earth was to rest on the seventh day.

It’s generally accepted that regular rest helps us work better. When the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe tried to introduce a 10 day week it backfired. Reformation Europe by contrast took Sunday seriously and prospered. We were recently in Derbyshire on holiday and on a Sunday we went into the centre of Buxton, and were very happy to find a fantastic restaurant providing good Derbyshire hospitality. We also found that many of the shops were open and no doubt many find this very useful. But it got me thinking about Sundays.

The people serving in the restaurant were very happy and helpful, but I did not find this in the shops. Many of them were people who I suspect would much rather have been with family or friends. Today some retail outlets insist you work on a Sunday (although they promised this would never be so) I don’t think we were ever meant as human beings to be so dominated by work and profit, although I realise that people need “to pay the mortgage”, many need to work every day they can get to make ends meet in the current economic climate.

However, it’s interesting that of all the 10 commandments the longest one describes the Sabbath; it goes into more detail than any of the others (Deuteronomy 5:12). Not only was the Jewish believer instructed to rest but so too were all his animals, any foreigners residing in the towns and all servants; in other words everyone. Could it be that the doing away of Sunday restrictions is one of the reasons why stress and depression are increasing? God designed us to stop one day in seven, and when we don’t our bodies and minds tell us! The land too was to rest with the laws as Leviticus 25 1- 7 giving details on a Sabbath rest for the land.

Jesus was clear about the “Sabbath” he didn’t like those who were legalistic about it, but maybe just maybe, we have gone the other way. There are people now who say they cannot be in Church because they are working or that they have to shop on that day and we need to listen to where people are. But, I was surprised to learn that in Germany many Sunday restrictions are still in place and their economy is doing better than anyone else’s in Europe. They even ban mowing before 3.30pm which some of us might like! But for Christians the point about rest is deeper. To rest is to trust that God will provide, and that by stopping we can better hear his voice as well as be refreshed. Likewise we are called to give money to God, not because it’s “logical” but because God invites us to be generous in response to his grace.

Jesus said that he had come that we should know “life in all its fullness” and he was one who rejoiced in parties and weddings and meals, indeed he was no legalistic kill joy, and he healed on the Sabbath (and got in trouble for it). But even Jesus took time out to be alone, to go up into the hills and to spend time with friends. Jesus could have done many things but chose to stop and spend time with his father. Whatever you are planning this July and August and especially if you like many are busy, I trust you get the space and time for a Holy day, time set aside to be refreshed in body mind and spirit. Psalm 23 is a good place to think about how we might plan out that rest, that Holy-day.

Tudor Roberts

Volcano

A recent letter that appeared in The Independent newspaper: “Following the recent interruption to air travel, I find myself out of pocket, due to what I am informed is an ‘act of God’. To avoid future financial embarrassment, please could you recommend an atheist insurance company?”

Regular activities.

Every Thursday

10-11:30am @ Toothill Toothill Tinies

(see below)

1st Saturday of each month, 3rd July

8:00am @ Toothill Mens’ breakfast

Every Monday

9:30am-1:30pm @Toothill, Community Cafe

2nd Sunday each month, 11th July (not August

4:00-5:30pm @ Shaw Messy Church

2nd Tuesday of each month, 13th July

Noon @ Toothill The lunch bunch

Friendship, fellowship and a good lunch

4th Sunday, 25th July

3:00pm @ Toothill AS People’s Puppets

A Question.

Does anyone actually read this newsletter?

If you do and would like it to continue, please let me know. If I do not get at least 20 replies then I will assume that this is no longer required and this will be the last issue.

You can let me know in any way that suits you.

Partnership Prayer Day.

Saturday 3rd July

• 9.00-11.00 All Saints, in the Church
• 11.00-13.00 Saint Mary’s, in the Church
• 13.00-15-00 Shaw, in the Church
• 15.00-17.00 Toothill, in the Church
• 17.00-19.00 Westlea, at Mavis Attewell’s house 14 Rycote Close, Grange Park

God loves it when we pray and actively wants to hear our concerns. Many of us have personally experienced the power of prayer and have had our prayers answered. I believe God honours his people when they come together in prayer. It is therefore important that we give up some time to pray for the calling of a new Minister for the Partnership.

If you cannot go to your own church you will be welcomed by any of the others. You do not have to give up the whole two hours but please give what time you can.

I am aware that many people are away that weekend but please try and find a few minutes during the day to pray for this important occasion in the life of the partnership.

Here are a few ideas to start you off:

• The process
• The service and get together on the 18th July in the evening
• Arrangements on the day of the interviews, the 19th July
• Safe travel

The interview panels

• Wisdom & discernment
• A willingness to put God’s will before their own

The candidates

• Wisdom
• That they are able to give their best

Please also pray that the whole event will not be too stressful for anybody and that all concerned will find it an enjoyable and enriching experience.

A prayer

Dear Lord,

We thank you that you hear our prayers. Guide us as we seek to appoint a new Minister to do your work in our Partnership.

Give us wisdom and discernment during the interview process.

Guide both candidates and panel members as they seek to know your will.

Be present in all the practical arrangements, that they may go smoothly.

We pray that the process may be a time of enrichment and enjoyment for all involved and above all we pray that your will not ours may be done.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

All Saints Day.

A question raised recently was whether there would be a call to offer “Glow Sticks” to anyone who calls to our house on Halloween. The message is that we can offer light rather than darkness and is a positive way to respond to those who come to “trick or treat”. Please let your church leaders know whether you would be interested.

Sky at night.

The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.

A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain anonymous.

Growing up in Christ.

Discovering more of who we were made to be.

Wednesdays – 2-4 pm at Toothill Church

Commencing 21st July–for 8 weeks

Subjects will include:

• Growing up in Christ
• The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth?
• All Mapped Out? God’s Choice or Mine?
• The World, the Flesh and the Devil: the Nature of Evil
• Emotions: Shouting Louder than Words
• Forgiveness: a Word, a Sentence or a Journey?
• Relationally Speaking: When Things go Wrong
• Working it Out … Together

An Evening with St Marys Music Group.

7pm on Saturday 17th July

St Marys Music Group would like to invite you all to an informal evening of music at St Mary’s. This ‘Evening with St Marys Music Group’, incorporating the ‘Time is Tight’ trio and the ‘Ukulele Ladies’, will be just an informal evening of music. We won’t be charging for admission, but donations to the Building Fund will be welcome. The music will range from gospel songs, to pop, to classical. We’re looking forward to this as an opportunity for us to share with our church family some of the music which you don't usually hear us play, and we very much hope that as many of you as possible will come along.

Here are two things I have learned:

• There is a God.
• And I’m not Him.

Church Services in the Partnership.

All Saints’, Lydiard Millicent.

St Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze.

Holy Trinity Shaw.

Toothill.

Westlea.

Roundabout Concert.

3rd July 2010, from 7.00pm at the Pilgrim Centre

Please see (PDF) poster.  Tickets are £5.00 each (includes refreshments), obtainable from the office weekdays 9am to 4.30pm, telephone 537642 or email info@pilgrimcentre.co.uk.  Money raised will go to the work of the Roundabout (including the Befrienders).

We have 5 local choirs coming along - Mothers Jam, Swindon Gospel Choir, Swindon Scratch Choir, Swindon Swahili Singers and Treble Makers, to entertain us for the evening.  All we need now is an audience!

Retail Chaplaincy.

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying,

“Whom shall I send and who will go for us?”

Then I said, “Here I am, send me.”

(Isaiah 6v8)

Are you interested in hearing more about Retail Chaplaincy and maybe getting involved?

Then come along to a meeting at

St Barnabas’ Church, Ferndale Road, Gorse Hill

On Wednesday 14th July 7:30pm

For further details please contact

The ISR Office

Telephone: 491454

Email: isrswindon@ccisr.org.uk

From Eden To Eternity,

in just an hour?

Welcome to the story of everything – The Bible – in an hour – brought to life on stage by Saltmine Theatre Company. Journey with us through tragedy and tears, music and mirth, serpents and salvation!

This exciting show, entitled From Eden to Eternity, will tour 27 venues across England and Wales during May and June, including Freshbrook Evangelical Church on Fri 25th June at 7.30 pm –tickets £7 from 01384 454808 or website below

From Eden to Eternity is being presented in partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators, who on the evening will share an inspiring glimpse into how the Bible is being brought to life today in Nigeria.

For more information and ticket bookings, www.eden2eternity.org

This is a joint venture of Wycliffe Bible Translators and Saltmine Theatre Company and promises to be superb.

Talk to Anne if you need a lift.

How to boost your memory power.

If you learn something and want to remember it - take a break. Immediately.

It has long been known that sleeping helps to consolidate memory by allowing the mind to sift through recently gained knowledge and ‘file’ it. But now it seems that even a short rest, while conscious, can help the brain sort and retain the information just gained.

So – taking a coffee break after a class, for example, could actually help you to retain the information you have just learned. Or so say scientists at New York University.

Proverbs 18:15 observes: ‘The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out…’ and once you’ve got the knowledge, have a short rest – and you’ll be more likely to remember it!

Beyond Fundraising - Bristol.

Generating income to become more sustainable

Date:  Thursday 1st July 2010

Time: 9:45am-4pm (we start promptly at 10am)

Venue: Elim City Church Bristol, Jamaica Street, Stokes Croft, Bristol BS2 8JP

Cost: £10 (including lunch) – paid on the day

This is one day interactive seminar to enable churches and faith-based community groups to get greater understanding on how to become self-sustaining.

This day seminar provides an opportunity to consider:

• Legal Structures – looking at the pros and cons of different legal structures and issues around social enterprise and trading;
• Working with statutory organisations – looking at opportunities around commissioning and contracting and what to look out for before signing on the dotted line
• Making Assets Work for You – the pros and cons of managing buildings and trying to earn an income from them and how to legitimately minimise the tax bill and maximise benefit.

The seminar will incorporate interactive sessions to which delegates can bring their questions, case studies of those who have been there, done it, and have lived to tell the tale and written materials.

The day will be run by Anthony Collins Solicitors in collaboration with accountants Mazars.  Both firms regularly advise churches working in their local communities.  This is a partnership with ISR (Churches Council for Industry and Social Responsibility) and Church Urban Fund.

For more information or any problems, please contact Jon Doble, ISR on 0117 955 7430 or jon@ccisr.org.uk.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you respond to it.

Church Banners for the Partnership?

Toothill Church and Holy Trinity, Shaw are wanting to make some new banners to brighten up the walls of their churches and wonder whether there is scope for a group to make several banners over the coming months, that could be passed around all the churches in the Partnership. That way we can all have a change of view from time to time and maximise the effort of those who make them.

If you would like to be involved in the early stages of planning and design please come to a meeting at Toothill Church from 10am on Tuesday 3rd August. We’ll plan to spend a couple of hours in prayer and reflection on the possibilities. After this, once we have some specific design ideas, we will make another invitation to those who would like to join us for the craft stage of the project . If you have ideas or resources you would like to contribute but cannot come to the meeting please pass them on to someone who is coming… or get in touch with Anne.

For more info contact Anne Carter – 692620, or annec@rter.biz.

Advanced Notice.

Toothill are holding a

Festival of Crafts & Hobbies

16 & 17th October from 10am to 4pm

If you would like to contribute please contact Anne.

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week. anon

When I Say I Am A Christian.

  When I say, "I am a Christian,"   I'm not shouting, "I am saved!"
  I'm whispering, "I get lost; that is why I chose this way."

  When I say, "I am a Christian,"   I don't speak of this with pride.
  I'm confessing that I stumble and need Someone to be my Guide.

  When I say, "I am a Christian,"   I'm not bragging I am strong.
  I'm professing that I'm weak, and pray for strength to carry on.

  When I say, "I am a Christian,"   I'm not bragging of success.
  I'm admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.

  When I say, "I am a Christian,"   I'm not claiming to be perfect.
  My flaws are all too visible, but God believes I'm worth it.

  When I say, "I am a Christian,"   I still feel the sting of pain.
  I have my share of heartaches, which is why I cry his name.

  When I say, "I am a Christian,"   I do not wish to judge.
  I have no authority;    I only know I'm loved.

Good news for chocolate lovers.

If you fancy some holiday chocolate, go right ahead - it is good for you. A recent study has found that a chocolate bar a day can cut the risk of heart disease and stroke by nearly 40 per cent. Cocoa beans contain flavonols, which are thought to increase nitric oxide in the blood and improve the function of blood vessels. Dark chocolate is the one to go for – it has higher levels of antioxidants and cocoa. The research was carried out at the German Institute of Human Nutrition.

Honking encouragement.

Why are some churches vibrant and growing while others seem to be struggling and discouraged? It may be a difference in attitude. If the people build up and encourage one another, the whole atmosphere is optimistic. But a critical, negative spirit breeds discouragement and failure. Bruce Larson illustrated the power of encouragement in his book Wind and Fire.

Writing about sandhill cranes, he said:- “These large birds, who fly great distances across continents, have three remarkable qualities:-

1. They rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time.
2. They choose leaders who can handle turbulence.
3. All during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking their affirmation.”

Larson commented, “That’s not a bad model for the church. Certainly we need leaders who can handle turbulence and who are aware that leadership ought to be shared. But most of all, we need a church where we are all honking encouragement.”

This Epistle (Romans) is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes. (Martin Luther)

Prayer points.

• Our vacancy interviews
• For good holidays for many of us
• For those who are lonely during holiday periods
• Our continuing youth work

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 25th August.

The Partnership web site is WSwinLyd.org.uk

The Shell

Upon the sandy shore an empty shell,

Beyond the shell infinity of sea;

O Saviour, I am like that empty shell,

Thou are the Sea to me.

A sweeping wave rides up the shore, and lo,

Each dim recess the coiled shell within

Is searched, is filled, is filled to overflow

By water crystalline.

From a poem by Amy Carmichael 1867 – 1951.

This page last modified 16:17:11 BST on Mon 28 Jun, 2010