It is time to look forward to 2008 and all that it may bring. We may be looking forward to the birth of a child, celebrating a ‘milestone’ birthday, a significant anniversary, a wedding or a christening. At this cold and dismal time of the year we are perhaps looking forward to a holiday either in this country or abroad or the opportunities that retirement brings.
At St. Martin’s there are many things to look forward to, both the growth of ‘green shoots’ and new initiatives. After the successful Christmas party at The Net we look forward to these families returning and bringing their friends with them. The Coffee Shop provides a warm and welcoming environment where local people can meet and share fellowship and friendship and we pray that this will reach out to more people. We look forward to the development of the home groups which provide a supportive, caring environment in which people’s faith can be nurtured.
The Marriage Course, which is designed to help married couples strengthen their relationship, starts at the end of January and we look forward to this initiative for couples both within and outside the church.
We look forward to the impact that the first Daytime Alpha course will have on people’s lives. At the beginning of the year the D.C.C. looks forward to telling Bishop Clive about the different initiatives that we have undertaken in our desire to grow the church.
As we look forward to 2008 let us all remember that ‘the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1.9).
God bless
Lilian
Saturday 29 December 2007
Friday 21 December 2007
The Bishop of Lichfield’s Christmas Message – The Bethlehem Nativity Play
The Christmas card from the Archbishop of Canterbury this year is a photo of a little boy and a little girl, dressed as Mary and Joseph for a nativity play and holding hands. That normally makes for a cheerful card, but these two are Palestinian children from a primary school in Bethlehem and their solemn expression is difficult to read. Is it foreboding or sullenness, shyness or fear?
The Israeli travel industry is doing its best to attract tourists/pilgrims back to the ‘Holy Land’ but there is not much mention of Bethlehem these days. When I visited the biblical sites, the trip to Bethlehem was cancelled at short notice because of the violence. Today the great dividing fence and the numerous checkpoints would not be conducive to a good holiday, though the locals have to put up with it permanently. Even a nativity play can’t have its usual cheering effect. My abiding memory of the country is of almost palpable hate between the communities – and no wonder: each has suffered so much violence and each mourns for so many innocent victims.
But that is just the point. When we ask, “Where is God in all this suffering?” the answer lies in the nativity play. When God decided to intervene in our/his world, he didn’t go first to the United Nations/Caesar or even to the local faction leaders. He came to Bethlehem, where oppressed people like Joseph were forced to do what foreign soldiers decreed and where pregnant women were hassled. No doubt the hate and bitterness were fully expressed over drinks in the inn all those years ago. But round the back, in the stables, unnoticed by all the principle players, God was doing a miracle that would do more to defeat hate through love than anything else in the whole of human history.
Looking at the unsettling faces of those two Palestinian children on the Christmas card I couldn’t help wondering what it is that turns a child into a terrorist. It must surely be a sense of outrage at terrible injustices done repeatedly to one’s family and friends, together with a blindness to the terrible wrongs done by one’s own community. Only love can lance that poisonous kind of hate. To change enemies into friends when generations have been feuding seems impossible to us; and yet the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the end of Apartheid and the growing peace in Northern Ireland encourage us to believe that love can still defeat hate.
The key to world peace lies again in Bethlehem and the Middle East. The problems there are just as intractable as they were in South Africa or Northern Ireland. And we have our own individual and family quarrels. Christmas often points up our private tragedies, the intense loneliness of consumer society, and the petty hatreds we find difficult to get rid of. The barriers and checkpoints are there in our own lives too when we come to think about it. Whatever our situation, we can still pray for the Prince of Peace to be born again in our hearts and in our world; and we can pray that one day the children of Bethlehem may smile again at the prospect of taking part in a nativity play. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Jonathan Gledhill
Bishop of Lichfield
December 2007
The Israeli travel industry is doing its best to attract tourists/pilgrims back to the ‘Holy Land’ but there is not much mention of Bethlehem these days. When I visited the biblical sites, the trip to Bethlehem was cancelled at short notice because of the violence. Today the great dividing fence and the numerous checkpoints would not be conducive to a good holiday, though the locals have to put up with it permanently. Even a nativity play can’t have its usual cheering effect. My abiding memory of the country is of almost palpable hate between the communities – and no wonder: each has suffered so much violence and each mourns for so many innocent victims.
But that is just the point. When we ask, “Where is God in all this suffering?” the answer lies in the nativity play. When God decided to intervene in our/his world, he didn’t go first to the United Nations/Caesar or even to the local faction leaders. He came to Bethlehem, where oppressed people like Joseph were forced to do what foreign soldiers decreed and where pregnant women were hassled. No doubt the hate and bitterness were fully expressed over drinks in the inn all those years ago. But round the back, in the stables, unnoticed by all the principle players, God was doing a miracle that would do more to defeat hate through love than anything else in the whole of human history.
Looking at the unsettling faces of those two Palestinian children on the Christmas card I couldn’t help wondering what it is that turns a child into a terrorist. It must surely be a sense of outrage at terrible injustices done repeatedly to one’s family and friends, together with a blindness to the terrible wrongs done by one’s own community. Only love can lance that poisonous kind of hate. To change enemies into friends when generations have been feuding seems impossible to us; and yet the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the end of Apartheid and the growing peace in Northern Ireland encourage us to believe that love can still defeat hate.
The key to world peace lies again in Bethlehem and the Middle East. The problems there are just as intractable as they were in South Africa or Northern Ireland. And we have our own individual and family quarrels. Christmas often points up our private tragedies, the intense loneliness of consumer society, and the petty hatreds we find difficult to get rid of. The barriers and checkpoints are there in our own lives too when we come to think about it. Whatever our situation, we can still pray for the Prince of Peace to be born again in our hearts and in our world; and we can pray that one day the children of Bethlehem may smile again at the prospect of taking part in a nativity play. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
Jonathan Gledhill
Bishop of Lichfield
December 2007
Monday 17 December 2007
Jesus – the best gift but is that all? Newsletter 16th December 2007
At Christmas we celebrate the greatest gift to mankind from our Heavenly Father, the gift of Jesus, God in human form in all its frailness and vulnerability. We can only imagine the smell and dirt as our Saviour was brought into this world in total humility. For me, Jesus is the best gift but I believe that God wants to give so much more.
Recently, the Alpha course had their away day to look at the Holy Spirit and I was asked to go along. I have been to others away days in the past, but this was the first that St. Martin’s arranged without another church. I have to admit that I had my doubts as to whether we would see the Holy Spirit move in the way that I have seen before.
Simon talked, we watched the Alpha video, we had the discussions and lunch had been eaten. Now the time for us to pray we those who wanted it, would anybody want to receive the Holy Spirit and would my influence help or hinder them? I am glad to say that there were many prayers said and in one instance, a particularly intense presence of the Spirit. I do not know what this experience meant for the person we were praying for, but I am believe that when the Holy Spirit gives such an experience there is a reason for it and for me it is exciting to see how a person develops and grows their faith.
Jesus left us the Holy Spirit as a gift and to be filled continually is something I believe the church should seek. More and more people in our church have been given an experience of the Holy Spirit and been left with a gift that has been used to build up the church. You may be aware of the words, dreams, etc people are getting relating to our church and I believe we are being prepared.
I hope and pray that we, as a church, can get to know the Holy Spirit and that we are open to His moving and the gifts He wants to bring to St. Martin’s. Jesus is the greatest gift, but why settle for this when there is so much more God wants for us?
May God’s love and peace be with you all, and with the ones you love.
Martin
Recently, the Alpha course had their away day to look at the Holy Spirit and I was asked to go along. I have been to others away days in the past, but this was the first that St. Martin’s arranged without another church. I have to admit that I had my doubts as to whether we would see the Holy Spirit move in the way that I have seen before.
Simon talked, we watched the Alpha video, we had the discussions and lunch had been eaten. Now the time for us to pray we those who wanted it, would anybody want to receive the Holy Spirit and would my influence help or hinder them? I am glad to say that there were many prayers said and in one instance, a particularly intense presence of the Spirit. I do not know what this experience meant for the person we were praying for, but I am believe that when the Holy Spirit gives such an experience there is a reason for it and for me it is exciting to see how a person develops and grows their faith.
Jesus left us the Holy Spirit as a gift and to be filled continually is something I believe the church should seek. More and more people in our church have been given an experience of the Holy Spirit and been left with a gift that has been used to build up the church. You may be aware of the words, dreams, etc people are getting relating to our church and I believe we are being prepared.
I hope and pray that we, as a church, can get to know the Holy Spirit and that we are open to His moving and the gifts He wants to bring to St. Martin’s. Jesus is the greatest gift, but why settle for this when there is so much more God wants for us?
May God’s love and peace be with you all, and with the ones you love.
Martin
Monday 10 December 2007
Count Down To Christmas: Newsletter 9th December
This year I have found it difficult to buy Advent Calendars that meet my specifications(yes, I know my two might be considered too old for such things but traditions need to be maintained!). I need calendars with no chocolate, one with large clear numbers, one small enough to post and both with a nativity theme. For the first time I could only find suitable ones in Christian bookshops.Even those with Christmassy things like stars, bells, and parcels behind the doors were in short supply.
The German Lutherans in the early nineteenth century used to count down the days to Christmas in ways such as drawing a chalk line each day on the door or lighting a candle.In 1908 Gerhard Lang, a printer in Munich,made a calendar consisting of 24 pictures telling the story Jesus’ birth on cardboard.Doors were added in later versions, often with Bible verses printed on them.During the second World War production ceased in order to save paper but the idea was resurrected after,
The first Christmas cards ( mid nineteenth century) also usually depicted either a nativity scene or robins ( postmen were referred to as robins because of their red uniforms) or a snow scene ( it was colder then!)
Calendars and cards are such a good way to help children learn what Christmas is all about. The birth of Jesus Christ should not be buried in chocolate and Father Christmas.
Liz Dunthorne
Saturday 1 December 2007
Thought for Advent: Newsletter 2nd December
So it’s the start of advent, what does that mean in the
21st Century?
The hectic countdown to Christmas?
Stressful days shopping?, buying presents?, focussing on loved ones? preparing for Family events?, writing
Christmas cards? writing letters to Santa? lighting the advent candle? opening the advent calendar?
Yes all of that, but I suggest more importantly its time to find time for God in advent.
To prepare our hearts for the coming of God.
It is the start of the life of Jesus, and as we all continue along our journeys of life, like Christ, I urge you all to find time for God, as we prepare to celebrate literally; the birth of our salvation, in advent time.
May Gods love and blessing remain with us all,
Phill
21st Century?
The hectic countdown to Christmas?
Stressful days shopping?, buying presents?, focussing on loved ones? preparing for Family events?, writing
Christmas cards? writing letters to Santa? lighting the advent candle? opening the advent calendar?
Yes all of that, but I suggest more importantly its time to find time for God in advent.
To prepare our hearts for the coming of God.
It is the start of the life of Jesus, and as we all continue along our journeys of life, like Christ, I urge you all to find time for God, as we prepare to celebrate literally; the birth of our salvation, in advent time.
May Gods love and blessing remain with us all,
Phill
A Fair Christmas? Newsletter 25th November
In case you haven’t already realised there are only four shopping weeks left before Christmas. If like me you haven’t yet completed your Christmas shopping, why not consider buying gifts which you family and friends will not only enjoy but will also make a difference to others around the world.
It is becoming much easy to purchase Fair Trade, ethical or alternative gifts which benefit people in the developing world – particularly if you have access to the internet. For example Christian Aid (www.presentaid.og) and Oxfam (www.oxfamunwrapped.com) provide a range of alternative gift ideas. For example you can buy a loved one a goat, or a new toilet, and the money from that gift goes to people in the developing world, and helps them build a better life. In turn the person for whom the gift is intended receives a card telling them how the money is being used.
Alternatively you may like to buy a fairly traded gift. Tearcraft (www.tearcraft.org) provide a range of beautifully handcrafted home, gift and jewellery items from around the world. These items are made by skilled craftspeople from some of the world’s poorest communities. Not only do you receive beautiful gifts, but you have the knowledge that your purchase provides employment, fair wages and the hope of a brighter future for some of the world’s poorest.
When we think of fair trade we tend to think about food items, but it is now possible to buy a whole range of fairly traded items, including clothes, toys, kitchenware, items for the home, etc. If you have access to the internet, you may like to visit http://www.getethical.com/ which finds the best ethical, Fair Trade and environmentally friendly products and services and brings them together in one easy-to-access online shop. Do not worry if you don’t have access to the internet, increasingly high street stores are starting to realise the great market for fair trade and ethical goods, and if you search careful it is possible to find these some of these items on the high street (and if you high street store doesn’t supply fairly traded ethical goods, demand to know why not!). We also have a number of catalogues from a variety of Christian organisations with a range of gift ideas in church.
When we purchase fairly traded and ethical gifts it is good to know that not only does it bring pleasure to those for whom the gift is intended, but it also brings benefits to others by building a more just and fair world.
God bless
Simon
It is becoming much easy to purchase Fair Trade, ethical or alternative gifts which benefit people in the developing world – particularly if you have access to the internet. For example Christian Aid (www.presentaid.og) and Oxfam (www.oxfamunwrapped.com) provide a range of alternative gift ideas. For example you can buy a loved one a goat, or a new toilet, and the money from that gift goes to people in the developing world, and helps them build a better life. In turn the person for whom the gift is intended receives a card telling them how the money is being used.
Alternatively you may like to buy a fairly traded gift. Tearcraft (www.tearcraft.org) provide a range of beautifully handcrafted home, gift and jewellery items from around the world. These items are made by skilled craftspeople from some of the world’s poorest communities. Not only do you receive beautiful gifts, but you have the knowledge that your purchase provides employment, fair wages and the hope of a brighter future for some of the world’s poorest.
When we think of fair trade we tend to think about food items, but it is now possible to buy a whole range of fairly traded items, including clothes, toys, kitchenware, items for the home, etc. If you have access to the internet, you may like to visit http://www.getethical.com/ which finds the best ethical, Fair Trade and environmentally friendly products and services and brings them together in one easy-to-access online shop. Do not worry if you don’t have access to the internet, increasingly high street stores are starting to realise the great market for fair trade and ethical goods, and if you search careful it is possible to find these some of these items on the high street (and if you high street store doesn’t supply fairly traded ethical goods, demand to know why not!). We also have a number of catalogues from a variety of Christian organisations with a range of gift ideas in church.
When we purchase fairly traded and ethical gifts it is good to know that not only does it bring pleasure to those for whom the gift is intended, but it also brings benefits to others by building a more just and fair world.
God bless
Simon
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