1 Jul 2005 - News from <i>The Link</i>
FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS
The Revd Geoffrey Cox spoke to the congregation on the Sunday following Mike and Linda's departure. He told us we might be experiencing feelings of bereavement. For those of us who were able to travel to Mike's Institution and Induction in Rayleigh on 14 June, the occasion may have helped bring about a real acceptance that Mike had now started on a new and challenging mission elsewhere, and that we needed to plough our own furrow back in Cheltenham.
Paul Bennett, Director of Cheltenham Youth for Christ (CYFC), spoke to us on 12 June, when he challenged us to be active in evangelism and in working alongside Wes Bell, the youthworker whom we share with CYFC. We should no more expect evangelism to be done by someone else on our behalf than we would employ someone to pray for us or study the bible for us. He told us that an Interregnum is often a time of growth, when we might discover new gifts among our church family and a greater willingness to share in the work and mission. The following evening, the Revd Paul Harris, Rural Dean, had a similar message for the PCC: we must not turn in on ourselves, we should continue to face outward towards the community, as we had under Mike's leadership. In fact we should be active in taking this mission further.
We have been encouraged by the first two months of our new life together. Clergy in neighbouring parishes and further afield have shown a real willingness to help as much as possible. The Revd David Lawrence and Revd Margaret Thame from St Michael's have taken on many commitments, often leading our worship on Sundays at 8am, and with Margaret sharing the Wednesday 10am service with the Revd Victor Searle-Barnes. The Revd Rod Paterson of Holy Apostles has already officiated at two marriages at St Luke's. And we continue to be blessed by the ministry of the Revd Geoffrey Cox.
With this help from ordained ministers, and drawing on the considerable gifts of lay members, the day-to-day life of the church seems to have been going well. We have been inspired by the Prayer Action Group and the strong participation in the monthly Connect prayer meetings. The Flower Bunch has decorated the church beautifully for our services - and for several weddings. More than 70 visitors came to view Sylvia Lauder's Open Studio art exhibition. Meanwhile, the Pastoral Care Working Group has arranged a Welcome Supper, while the Education Working Group has made plans for another shared Holiday Club at Highbury Church and an Away Day at Harnhill.
So St Luke's is doing much more than just "keeping things going", but of course there is always more to be done. We depend more than ever on members of the church being active in pastoral care for one another and keeping us informed.
Simon Barton and Peter Ralphs
CHURCH MISSION SOCIETY DAY
In May, all the churches who support the CMS in Cheltenham had the opportunity to experience one of the many ways that the Society undertakes to support people all over the world.
We enjoyed and listed to the very charming young Egyptian, Faraj Hanna, and his wife as they told us about their wonderful work with the deaf in Jordan (there is an excellent free booklet about the Holy Land School and Centre for the deaf at the back of church).
This was the CMS Annual Day and was held this year in own own church starting at 10.30 with coffee followed by a short act of worship before we listened to the talk. We had planned for about 40 minutes but there were so many interested questions that we carried on until it was time for the picnic lunch we had brought.
We were lucky to have Jacky, a Reader from St.Peter's Leckhampton, who brought a magic box of occupations for the children which they enjoyed while the rest of us heard the talk and later learned how to write texts in Arabic to make bookmarks. This was followed by a very short AGM and prayers.
We hope that next year anyone interested or caring for the world-wide church will take the opportunity to come and take part in what has always proved a very interesting and worthwhile occasion
Pauline Bewsher St.Luke's CMS Rep
NEWS FROM ST JOHN'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL
The last few weeks of the Summer term is always extremely busy in Schools but a very fun time of year. Of course this glorious weather always helps. We came back to school from the half term holidays with the exciting news that Mrs Seabrook who is the Year 6 teacher had a bouncing boy called Max, a brother for Frances. The children are looking forward to seeing them and send their good wishes.
The Country Dance club recently took part in the annual Cheltenham Schools' Country Dance Festival. Unfortunately, the weather was very cold and damp but the children kept on dancing well into the evening!
The Summer Fayre was a great success and hopefully raised a lot of money. Many of the children took part in the Fayre with Gymnastics displays, Country dancing, a Karate club demonstration, the choir performed songs from the festival and even the Reception class danced a 'magic scarf' song. Thank you to the PTA for all of their hard work organising the event. The 'extras' they raise money for are always appreciated.
The whole school have been lucky enough to take a part in the All Saints' Church Big Sky Music Festival. Activities have included Gospel singing, street dancing, music and movement and art activities, a session on African steel drums and Harry Potter characterisation. What with that and all of the proposed Summer trips an extremely busy but enjoyable time!
RECOMMENDED
I've just read a good book called TRUST YOUR BIBLE by Tony Staite (whose family hail from Gloucestershire). It contains a chronological synopsis of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation, a detailed account of Jesus' last 11 hours, with fascinating new insights into what really happened leading up to the crucifixion and a list of some important finds in the British Museum which confirm the historical reliability of the Bible text.
But mainly the book is a guide to the essential and underrated activity of reading Holy Scripture, of which the overriding principle is that it requires the Holy Spirit: "when the Spirit comes He will guide you into all truth" John 16.13. Tony Staite says we must never add and never subtract from the text and should only interpret scripture with scripture (only diamond can cut diamonds). Scripture never contradicts itself; the immediate context is paramount and no doctrine should be based on one verse -"scripture always backs up scripture".
We need reminding that the early church was devoted to teaching; the author wonders whether today's church concentrates too much on worship and has the balance wrong?. "Christians today don't want to be taught, they want to share". He also reminds us that the point of the Reformation was to get back to the Word rather than emphasising sacraments - "sola scriptura". We must hear the Word, receive the Word, obey the Word. One interesting thing he claims is that prophesy ended with the New Testament because all the Old Testament points to and looks forward to the NT; after Christ "prophesy" is redundant and in fact what the apostles in their letters and Christians today mean by prophesy is in fact teaching.
The Bible is an open book because ours is a revealed faith. It's not guesswork but we need open minds and open hearts. "In this matter of understanding scripture unbelief is fatal. Indeed it is unbelief that ultimately will exclude a person from the Kingdom of Heaven and deny him eternal life. I used to think it was Sin until I woke up to the fact that Christ dealt with Sin once for all at Calvary". So our faith is revealed, but God did not reveal Himself in English! A Concordance and Dictionary of Bible Words will help your understanding.
Martin Luther wrote:
"I have made a covenant with God that He sends me neither visions, dreams, nor even angels. I am well satisfied with the gift of the Holy Scriptures, which give me abundant instruction and all that I need to know both for this life and for that which is to come."
Heather Barton
The Revd Geoffrey Cox spoke to the congregation on the Sunday following Mike and Linda's departure. He told us we might be experiencing feelings of bereavement. For those of us who were able to travel to Mike's Institution and Induction in Rayleigh on 14 June, the occasion may have helped bring about a real acceptance that Mike had now started on a new and challenging mission elsewhere, and that we needed to plough our own furrow back in Cheltenham.
Paul Bennett, Director of Cheltenham Youth for Christ (CYFC), spoke to us on 12 June, when he challenged us to be active in evangelism and in working alongside Wes Bell, the youthworker whom we share with CYFC. We should no more expect evangelism to be done by someone else on our behalf than we would employ someone to pray for us or study the bible for us. He told us that an Interregnum is often a time of growth, when we might discover new gifts among our church family and a greater willingness to share in the work and mission. The following evening, the Revd Paul Harris, Rural Dean, had a similar message for the PCC: we must not turn in on ourselves, we should continue to face outward towards the community, as we had under Mike's leadership. In fact we should be active in taking this mission further.
We have been encouraged by the first two months of our new life together. Clergy in neighbouring parishes and further afield have shown a real willingness to help as much as possible. The Revd David Lawrence and Revd Margaret Thame from St Michael's have taken on many commitments, often leading our worship on Sundays at 8am, and with Margaret sharing the Wednesday 10am service with the Revd Victor Searle-Barnes. The Revd Rod Paterson of Holy Apostles has already officiated at two marriages at St Luke's. And we continue to be blessed by the ministry of the Revd Geoffrey Cox.
With this help from ordained ministers, and drawing on the considerable gifts of lay members, the day-to-day life of the church seems to have been going well. We have been inspired by the Prayer Action Group and the strong participation in the monthly Connect prayer meetings. The Flower Bunch has decorated the church beautifully for our services - and for several weddings. More than 70 visitors came to view Sylvia Lauder's Open Studio art exhibition. Meanwhile, the Pastoral Care Working Group has arranged a Welcome Supper, while the Education Working Group has made plans for another shared Holiday Club at Highbury Church and an Away Day at Harnhill.
So St Luke's is doing much more than just "keeping things going", but of course there is always more to be done. We depend more than ever on members of the church being active in pastoral care for one another and keeping us informed.
Simon Barton and Peter Ralphs
CHURCH MISSION SOCIETY DAY
In May, all the churches who support the CMS in Cheltenham had the opportunity to experience one of the many ways that the Society undertakes to support people all over the world.
We enjoyed and listed to the very charming young Egyptian, Faraj Hanna, and his wife as they told us about their wonderful work with the deaf in Jordan (there is an excellent free booklet about the Holy Land School and Centre for the deaf at the back of church).
This was the CMS Annual Day and was held this year in own own church starting at 10.30 with coffee followed by a short act of worship before we listened to the talk. We had planned for about 40 minutes but there were so many interested questions that we carried on until it was time for the picnic lunch we had brought.
We were lucky to have Jacky, a Reader from St.Peter's Leckhampton, who brought a magic box of occupations for the children which they enjoyed while the rest of us heard the talk and later learned how to write texts in Arabic to make bookmarks. This was followed by a very short AGM and prayers.
We hope that next year anyone interested or caring for the world-wide church will take the opportunity to come and take part in what has always proved a very interesting and worthwhile occasion
Pauline Bewsher St.Luke's CMS Rep
NEWS FROM ST JOHN'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL
The last few weeks of the Summer term is always extremely busy in Schools but a very fun time of year. Of course this glorious weather always helps. We came back to school from the half term holidays with the exciting news that Mrs Seabrook who is the Year 6 teacher had a bouncing boy called Max, a brother for Frances. The children are looking forward to seeing them and send their good wishes.
The Country Dance club recently took part in the annual Cheltenham Schools' Country Dance Festival. Unfortunately, the weather was very cold and damp but the children kept on dancing well into the evening!
The Summer Fayre was a great success and hopefully raised a lot of money. Many of the children took part in the Fayre with Gymnastics displays, Country dancing, a Karate club demonstration, the choir performed songs from the festival and even the Reception class danced a 'magic scarf' song. Thank you to the PTA for all of their hard work organising the event. The 'extras' they raise money for are always appreciated.
The whole school have been lucky enough to take a part in the All Saints' Church Big Sky Music Festival. Activities have included Gospel singing, street dancing, music and movement and art activities, a session on African steel drums and Harry Potter characterisation. What with that and all of the proposed Summer trips an extremely busy but enjoyable time!
RECOMMENDED
I've just read a good book called TRUST YOUR BIBLE by Tony Staite (whose family hail from Gloucestershire). It contains a chronological synopsis of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation, a detailed account of Jesus' last 11 hours, with fascinating new insights into what really happened leading up to the crucifixion and a list of some important finds in the British Museum which confirm the historical reliability of the Bible text.
But mainly the book is a guide to the essential and underrated activity of reading Holy Scripture, of which the overriding principle is that it requires the Holy Spirit: "when the Spirit comes He will guide you into all truth" John 16.13. Tony Staite says we must never add and never subtract from the text and should only interpret scripture with scripture (only diamond can cut diamonds). Scripture never contradicts itself; the immediate context is paramount and no doctrine should be based on one verse -"scripture always backs up scripture".
We need reminding that the early church was devoted to teaching; the author wonders whether today's church concentrates too much on worship and has the balance wrong?. "Christians today don't want to be taught, they want to share". He also reminds us that the point of the Reformation was to get back to the Word rather than emphasising sacraments - "sola scriptura". We must hear the Word, receive the Word, obey the Word. One interesting thing he claims is that prophesy ended with the New Testament because all the Old Testament points to and looks forward to the NT; after Christ "prophesy" is redundant and in fact what the apostles in their letters and Christians today mean by prophesy is in fact teaching.
The Bible is an open book because ours is a revealed faith. It's not guesswork but we need open minds and open hearts. "In this matter of understanding scripture unbelief is fatal. Indeed it is unbelief that ultimately will exclude a person from the Kingdom of Heaven and deny him eternal life. I used to think it was Sin until I woke up to the fact that Christ dealt with Sin once for all at Calvary". So our faith is revealed, but God did not reveal Himself in English! A Concordance and Dictionary of Bible Words will help your understanding.
Martin Luther wrote:
"I have made a covenant with God that He sends me neither visions, dreams, nor even angels. I am well satisfied with the gift of the Holy Scriptures, which give me abundant instruction and all that I need to know both for this life and for that which is to come."
Heather Barton