| PERSONAL COMMITMENT |
| As St Luke's approaches Easter and our Annual Meetings, those entrusted with its leadership have been prayerfully seeking wisdom and guidance on how we move forward as a church family. Leadership, management, organisational structures and constitutions rarely get people excited, but they are important - particularly in our present circumstances. Our Priest-in-Charge, Revd Robert Pestell, is "in charge" of two quite different churches: it is not reasonable to expect both churches to be moulded into one, reflecting a single vision and style. St Luke's must retain an identifiable character. In the partnership between priest and people, strong lay leadership within St Luke's is essential. |
| Robert and the PCC have developed a structure for governance based on "nurture," "resource" and "growth", together with a special "innovation" team which will work with Robert and the PCC more generally to think through and advise on new ideas and direction. We now need to implement this - and the "we" is all of us. Although we cannot get away from the formal legal requirement to have an APCM and a PCC, the general feeling is that our other arrangements should be as informal, unstructured and inclusive as possible. This challenges us! We really do need to work together as "one family in Christ", sharing out the tasks and the responsibilities, and working in partnership with our priest-in-charge. |
| This edition of The Link contains much that is positive and hopeful: new faces, projects coming to fruition, and so forth. There will be more in the reports for the APCM. We have an opportunity to build on this, but it will need a high level of personal commitment so that we each share responsibility for our shared mission. |
| Simon Barton |
| EASTER HOPE |
| The months of March and April are likely to be both very busy but also very exciting as we journey through the last weeks of Lent, experience the events of Holy Week, celebrate the wonderful festival of Easter and prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. |
| The overwhelming message of Easter is that of HOPE, hope in Jesus, hope for us, hope for our loved ones, and hope for the world. |
| In a world where we hear of so many stories of conflict, pain and suffering the good news of new life in Jesus is, or should be, a source of hope and joy that everyone can experience. Hope, in many lands is in short supply, but in Jesus we have a source of hope that can be trusted and will never let us down. The Jesus who died on the cross is the same Jesus who rose to new life on Easter Day and the same Jesus who now intercedes for us to our Creator God in Heaven. |
| HOPE '08 is a nationwide initiative to promote the work of the Church in local communities - Christians demonstrating their commitment to God through acts of service to others. We have a number of opportunities to demonstrate our commitment to HOPE'08 in the forthcoming months with The Noise Project on the 3rd and 5th May at St. Michael's, the Health and Well-being Day on the 21st May at Highbury and the production of a booklet that will identify the different activities taking place locally that benefit others. There is also a service of 'Pentecost Praise' planned for St. Michael's, an informal Songs of Praise during Christian Aid Week to which both members of the local community and other churches will be invited on the 11th May at 5 p.m. |
| Let us rejoice in the HOPE that we celebrate this Easter, and joyfully share the new life of Jesus with others. May you all have a rewarding Holy Week and a very Happy Easter, |
| with every blessing, |
| Robert. |
| Notes from the February PCC meeting |
| Notes from the PCC Meeting on 12th February 2008. Pete Burke started with Sunday's reading from Genesis, and emphasised the need for the PCC to tend and protect the church whilst always remembering to put God at the centre. |
| There is positive news on the Toilet project, with an application submitted to the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust, which, if successful, will provide the remaining funds to allow us to start work. This could be as soon as April. |
| The process of finding a personal assistant to support Robert in his two parishes has now moved into the interview phase, with a final decision to be made by Easter. This should help greatly in the organisation and planning of church activities. |
| The PCC has received letters expressing concern about the cancellation of services at St Luke's over the Christmas festival, and the lack of communication. The subject matter of the letters was discussed at length, and the PCC and clergy will work to improve communication. Furthermore, the intention to have a service every Sunday was confirmed, and Robert agreed to talk in person to all those who had written. |
| The PCC made good progress in determining the future structure of the church organisation. The plans are now to be finalised, and will be made available to the congregation in March to allow time for review prior to the APCM on 7th April. There is a prayer day on 8th March for everyone to share their thoughts and concerns with God, and ask for His guidance. The PCC would like everyone to consider prayerfully how they might contribute to the life of the church and come to the APCM ready to support this new phase in the life of St Luke's. |
| The church accounts for 2007 are ready for review by the independent examiner ahead of the APCM. The PCC has agreed to "buy" two sheep in support of the Diocesan project for the Dornakal Diocese in South India (see February Link). Part of the tower roof is to be re-felted to protect the church clock. Lastly, we will be sharing in a health and wellbeing event with Highbury and St Michael's on 21st May as part of Hope 08. |
| St John's Church of England Primary School |
| Where children flourish |
| The last few weeks have been exceptionally busy at St John's. At the end of January we had our OFSTED Inspection. We are extremely proud of our School and were delighted to hear that the Inspector shared our enthusiasm grading us as a very good School with many outstanding features. |
| We are very pleased to welcome 2 new members of staff. Mrs Catherine Church has started as a Teaching Assistant in the Reception Class and Mrs Zofia Zajac-Witek has begun work as a cleaner. |
| Year 1 has been to visit the Art Gallery and Museum to take part in a workshop all about the Chinese New Year. They had a great time dressing up in costumes and making dragons. They even performed an assembly to us explaining why the names of the various years occurred. Year 4/5 visited St Luke's Church in connection with their RE topic and Year 5 visited the Playhouse to watch Bugsy Malone. Next Week the Year 6 will be watching the Ladies College perform Annie. |
| We are in the process of arranging for a new pond area to be installed in the front garden. It will be used by the children for Science studies and will be dedicated to the memory of Alan Pearce. The old pond will be filled in with soil and used as a vegetable garden to promote Science and Healthy Living topics. This will have seating around and will provide an area outside the Reception classroom, dedicated to Anne King. |
| We now have a recycling committee and intend to begin to recycle the school's paper and milk bottles. Batteries will also be recycled. |
| A very exciting time and we are looking forward to taking part in Sports Relief, World Book Day and the Art Gallery Exhibition. |
| Fiona Hadden, Reception Class Teacher |
| Yvonne Brae |
| Yvonne Brae will be coming to serve her curacy as a Non Stipendiary Minister in the parishes of St. Luke and St John and St Michael. Yvonne is at present a Reader with the West Cheltenham Team Ministry worshipping at St Aidan and St Silas. Yvonne was one of the first people to come to St Luke's as a visiting preacher during our interregnum. |
| For the past 3 years Yvonne has been on the West of England Ministerial Training Course and she will join us after being ordained Deacon on the 29th June in Gloucester Cathedral. Yvonne owns her own home close to Christ College. She is at present working full-time but is planning to go to part-time after being ordained so that she can give more time to her ministry in the parishes. |
| We very much look forward to welcoming Yvonne. Robert |
| Sharon Wallington |
| I am pleased to announce that Sharon Wallington has been appointed my Personal Assistant. She took up this post on 11 March and will be working term time only. Sharon is based at St. Luke's and her working hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.30 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. We are in the process of improving the arrangements in St Luke's Church Office to provide her with an appropriate environment for her work. |
| Sharon in a member of Highbury Congregational Church and helps run the Beaver Colony of the 1st Cheltenham (Highbury) Scout Group. A mother of three young children, she already knows a bit about St Luke's from the Friday morning Toddlers |
| I am sure that you will join me in warmly welcoming Sharon to her new post. Robert |
| Lent Fast 2008 |
| There are envelopes at the back of church where money saved from your Lent Fast can be given, via the Advisory Council for Social Responsibility, to Christian Aid's work around the world, including helping those affected by last year's floods in Bangladesh. |
| St Luke's and The Echo |
| Debbie Abbott has offered to be our point of contact with the Echo for the In Good Faith section, which appears on Thursday. We've had some guidelines about the sort of items that they like to feature. Items need to be fairly short, newsworthy and preferably forward-looking. It is not somewhere to advertise regular services and activities, but more for highlighting forthcoming events or special services. If you have any ideas for possible features, please make use of our new Communications Board (see next item). |
| Communications Board |
| Part of our vision at St Luke's is about Looking Outwards. We already have various ways available to communicate with our parish and town, such as Roundabout, the posters outside church and features in the Echo. These are all possible shop windows for our church and the Gospel. Communication Working Group is asking for your help and ideas to make the best use of them. If you have thoughts about what you would like to see in any of them or in any other media we could use to spread the Good News, then please make use of our new Communications Blackboard at the back of church and jot down your ideas. Alternatively you can telephone any of the working group members - Marion Burke tel. 574773, Guy Woodcock tel. 211180 Sue Robbins tel.233439. |
| Children's Society Collection |
| 29 March - 12 April |
| Please consider if you could help this year, taking a box into work or delivering envelopes. Last year we helped the Children's Society raise hundreds of thousands of pounds through these collections - enough to provide the 15,000 children under 16 who have been thrown out of home, with basic provisions including warm clothing, toiletries and a blanket. By collecting for the Children's Society, you will enable it to support children in our area who are cold, hungry, alone and at risk on the streets. Heather 515890 |
| Good Friday |
| The Walk of Witness will begin in Imperial Gardens at 10am and finish at the Salvation Army, 39 Bath Road for the meeting at 11am. |
| Easter Sunday |
| There will be an open air service at 8am in Imperial Gardens and then breakfast at St Andrew's URC Church afterwards. If you would like to know more about this day please contact the Revd Maz Allen at St Andrew's. |
| Come and Join the Celebration! |
| Sunday 30 March |
| The Bring-and-share lunch on Sunday 30 March in 8t Luke's Church Hall will include your helping us to celebrate our Golden Wedding. You are all invited and drinks will be provided. June and Geoffrey. (Contact Marjory 233907) |
| Trip to the British Museum |
| Saturday 17 May |
| A trip is being organised to the British Museum from Highbury on Saturday 17 May led by Richard Cleaves. We shall depart from Highbury by coach at 8am, arriving at 11am. Richard will then lead the group through the world of the Old Testament before lunch, which will be 1-2pm. In the afternoon we visit the galleries that are about the world of the New Testament. 3.30 - 6pm is free time to enjoy the museum or walk into the city. The coach will leave for Highbury to arrive home at 9pm. The cost is £20.00 in total. Anyone wanting to join us please contact Marguerite Brown on 01242 242545 or email mbrown.dt6@blueyonder.co.uk. |
| Health and Well-Being Day |
| Wednesday 21 May |
| This joint event is being planned as part of HOPE'08 and will take place at Highbury Congregational Church. |
| Hospital Chaplaincy |
| Can you help? |
| We are looking for new volunteers |
| Who can help with our |
| Sunday Ministry on the wards |
| "Can you Give one Sunday morning per onth?" |
| Would you be willing to pray with people and administer the sacrament of holy communion? |
| Help is needed at Gloucestershire royal and Cheltenham general hostal |
| The authorisation of your church priest/minister is required. |
| For further details and a discussion please contact the chaplains on |
| Telephone 08454 22 6200/4286. |
| Full Training and support will be given. |
| Visit to Lee Abbey, Devon |
| In December a small group of people from St Luke's went to Lee Abbey for Advent weekend. Unfortunately we choose the wettest, wildest weekend in December! |
| For those who don't know Lee Abbey, it is a Christian conference centre situated in a lovely valley leading down to the sea on the north coast of Devon, just above Lynton and Lynmouth. It is a large Edwardian house and estate and has a permanent community of about 75 adults living there, some with families too. It also has its own chaplaincy team. |
| As I say, we chose an awful weekend, weather wise, to go there. Some people had terrible journeys, including the main speakers! But all arrived safely. The area around the main house is beautiful, with hills, woods and steep cliffs. The views out to sea are wonderful. I have been to Lee Abbey several times and always find it peaceful and inspiring. |
| The Advent talks were led by John and Nellie Gereighty and were gentle and meditative. There was plenty of time to explore the surroundings and walk down to see the wild sea crashing in on the beach. Other activities were organised for the Saturday afternoon, including a walk and craft sessions. It was a very restful and relaxing weekend. |
| There are different talks and themes throughout the year and you can go either for a weekend or a midweek break. It is up to you what you want to do there. Nothing is compulsory (perhaps apart from the wonderful food); you can join in the talks and activities or you can take time out and just enjoy the wonderful scenery and the peace. I would encourage you to go and see for yourself. |
| Linda Ralphs |
| Help for Kenya |
| Kisumu Relief Project |
| Let Peace Begin with ME |
| The county of Gloucestershire, through its 'Friends of Kisumu' section operated by the Rendezvous Society charity, has had links of friendship with Kisumu for over 20 years. The charity is transferring funds to Kisumu's Rotary International Club for the relief project being undertaken in the slum areas of Kisumu and the neighbouring district of Vihiga in Western Province. |
| Funds are being transferred on a weekly basis by bank transfer and without any deduction whatever. The funds meet 3 needs |
| "weekly food supplies to familie" |
| medical help for the injured; |
| "a peacemaking initiative by local conciliators bearing T-shirts with the words LET PEACE BEGIN WITH ME""" |
| Any funds donated to the Rendezvous Society, either by cash or cheque, will help to ease at least some of the agonies being felt by the townsfolk of Kisumu. Cheques should be made out to: |
| 'Rendezvous Society Kisumu Relief Fund' |
| Alternatively, you may direct your funds to the charity's community account at:- |
| Barclays plc, 128, High Street, Cheltenham, Glos |
| Sort Code 20-20-15; a/c 20755737, again quoting the payee as: |
| 'Rendezvous Society Kisumu Relief Fund' |
| Holocaust Memorial Day 2008 |
| The 27th January 1945 was the day when American Military liberated the surviving prisoners of Auschwitz & Birkenau. A short time later Belsen was to be liberated by the British Military as well. A family relative who recently passed away in late January was one of the first liberating forces to go into Belsen. Descriptions of what he saw when entering Belsen are beyond all belief. It is unimaginable that human beings can be so cruel to each other. |
| This year Liverpool was nationally the host City for this event that included addresses by the Archbishop of Canterbury. |
| Locally, the Service of Remembrance was kindly hosted by the Gloucestershire Hebrew Community at Cheltenham s Synagogue. |
| Each year there is a theme for Holocaust Day. |
| Going back to school and the three "Rs" would have rung many bells with generations past. This was the focus of this years service of remembrance: Remember the past, Reflect on the present and React to create a better future. |
| Father Brian Torode of St. Stephens Church Cheltenham delivered an eloquent sermon on this theme. |
| The act of remembrance was very well attended and included Civic Officials such as Borough Councillors including the Mayor John Rawson and the towns Member of Parliament Martin Horwood. |
| The service was concluded by the lighting of two candles, one by Margaret Richards, a Roman Catholic member of the Christian Community and another by a member of the Jewish Community Robert Langberger. |
| Although we cannot change history, we can learn from the past, we can reflect on the present, but more importantly we can work and pray for a better future. |
| God Bless. |
| Howard Marshall. |
| (See Gloucestershire Echo, Tuesday, January 29th, 2008). |
| Divorce Recovery Workshop |
| Reg Charity 1041178 |
| Suffering shock? Disbelief? Rejection? Guilt? Anger? Bitterness? |
| Alone with these issues? Receiving misguided advice? Share the support of others who KNOW what you are feeling. |
| DIVORCED SOME TIME? |
| Feel you've got it together? - What about bitterness? Resentment? |
| New relationships? Are familiar problems recurring? |
| WHATEVER THE STAGE ... |
| This workshop helps people better understand what they are going through, provides the support from others in the same situation and assists in their re-adjustment to the changes in their lives. |
| It also provides a new circle of close friends after the workshop is over |
| The course runs for 6 consecutive Weeks on THURSDAY evenings at St Matthew's Church |
| For more information contact either: |
| Judy on 01242 222727 or Andy on 01242 517812 |
| Or visit the national DRW website at www.drw.org.uk |