| MOVING FORWARD |
| Enough looking back! The Annual Meetings on 3 April present a watershed. Yes, we can look back and review the struggles and successes of the past year. But we are now ready to look forward. |
| We may feel tired, but we are coming to a time of intense activity. The wardens will be talking to Revd Andrew Dow, Rector of Cheltenham and Area Dean, as the new Vicar of St Matthew's prepares to move into St Luke's Vicarage; we will be talking to Revd Michael Garland, Assistant Area Dean about the East Cheltenham Mission Area; and, with the PCC, we will be talking to the the Ven Hedley Ringrose, Archdeacon of Cheltenham, as we develop our Parish Profile and appoint our Parish Representatives as the first stage of the process to appoint a new Priest in Charge to care for our parish with St Michael's. As this process moves on we will doubtless be getting to know our friends at St Michael's even better. |
| There are other things going on, and we are following up a very positive proposal from Bishop Michael that might allow us some additional clergy support over a transitional period. We look to the future with confidence. Simon Barton |
| MIND YOUR LANGUAGE |
| There has been a recent emphasis on the need to make our worship inclusive. If we are serious about this, is it time to start considering how the language we use can contribute to making everyone feel either included or excluded? While we focus on ensuring appropriate worship for all ages and backgrounds, what about gender? |
| If the songs contain lines such as "I am a son of God" but the next chorus does not use "a daughter of God", then are more than half our congregation left out? Generally it is easy to change to using a word such as "child" without upsetting the rhythm or sense. We have the advantage of printing out all our worship material so we are not bound to using hymn books or service sheets which give less flexibility. |
| Never mind our Ps and Qs, is it time to watch our "his and hers"? |
| Coralie Slade & Heather Barton |
| NEWS FROM THE WINDSORS IN BOLIVIA |
| It has been extremely wet here and there have been some floods and houses washed away in various rural areas. The new Government hasn't been too active so far so we are still unclear as to how they are going to help the country get on its feet. Keep praying!! |
| We have been very busy organising the International Assembly of Latin Link at the beginning of Feb. We had over 120 folk from all over S. America and Europe. It was an excellent time and all of the Bolivia team worked hard to make it a success. This was followed by our own team conference where Charles stepped down as Bolivia team leader. He has done the job for 3 years. He would now like to spend more time working with the nurseries in order to move them forward again. |
| We have been trying to catch up with our lives and work since finishing the conference but being dogged by tummy problems and feeling poorly has made it hard work. We have got quite behind with many jobs so hope to catch up bit by bit. Please pray that health and energy return quickly. |
| Blessings, Suzanne, Charles, Katy and Zoë |
| PCC MEETING HELD ON 13TH MARCH 2006 |
| The main topics at this meeting were preparation for the Annual church meeting on April 3rd and the Deanery reorganisation. |
| It was noted that Berkeley Court have stopped using the church on a Thursday morning. It was agreed that a charge of £15 would be made for completion of wedding registers. |
| Peter Burke reported back from the Deanery Synod meeting of February 14th. The Bishop's plan was accepted by a majority vote. The only dissentions were 2 from St Luke's and 1 from Christ Church. Andrew Dow commissioned as the new Area Dean and it was proposed that Michael Garland would be the Assistant Area Dean. |
| Bishop Michael met the Churchwardens and representatives of the PCC on March 9th to discuss how St Luke's moves forward. He proposed that an additional part time clergy post could be offered to us for a limited period to equip us to survive long term as we move forward in our partnership with St Michael's. |
| The PCC are preparing a Parish Profile and will need to appoint Parish Representatives to interview and select the incumbent to be shared with St Michael's. |
| It was noted that we have received a letter from the Hospital Chaplaincy team asking if any of the churches in the Deanery can assist the Chaplaincy Team at the Hospital. Pete Burke has responded. |
| The annual financial accounts were approved by the PCC and arrangements for the annual meeting were discussed. PCC members were to encourage as many people as possible to attend the APCM on April 3rd. |
| GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES |
| (Matthew 28 and Mark 16) |
| Two thousand years ago eleven men obeyed Jesus' "Great Commission" and began to convert the Roman Empire and then the whole world. Now, even in our "Christian" islands Christianity is marginalised and ignored. What has happened to the power of the Holy Spirit which meant when Jesus said "Follow me", the twelve did, and when they in turn preached and healed thousands believed and were baptised? |
| There are now billions of people in the world (and communications of an order unimagined in first century Palestine). How can they believe if they have not heard? Have we lost our nerve? The church exists to bring men and women into a right relationship with God, any other function is secondary. We are living on our past, our congregations ageing, our buildings converted into restaurants. Are we content to let Christianity fade and die, to remain dumb while humanism, Buddhism and Islam grow? |
| In the third world Christianity is expanding, in many cases bypassing the established church, e.g. in South America and Africa. So does the problem lie with our church organisation? Is it stifling the work of the Holy Spirit? At his enthronement, Archbishop John Sentamu of York, from a Ugandan perspective, described the Church of England collectively as having become "church members, pew fillers, hymn singers, sermon tasters, Bible readers, even born-again Spirit-filled charismatics" - but not true disciples of Christ?. To do good social service, offer marriage counselling, run youth activities is fine but Jesus said ?Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations?. |
| After you! |
| (Submitted by Heather Barton, with acknowledgements to God the Disturber by Alan Walker) |
| ART EXHIBITIONS AT ST LUKE'S |
| See the events diary for news of more art exhibitions at St Luke's, with work by St John's School on the Easter theme in the days leading up to Easter, and, after Easter, displaying more work by Sylvia and the St Luke's Art Group. Check out details of times in the Newsheet and on the noticeboards. |
| ST JOHN'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL |
| The Easter Holidays are already upon us and everyone is looking forward to some better, more seasonal weather! |
| Before we broke up we were lucky enough to have a visit from the Easter Bunny who kindly filled baskets made by the children with mini eggs. |
| The Reception Class had a thoroughly enjoyable trip to the Art Gallery and Museum for an Indian workshop. The children listened to stories from India, dressed up in traditional costumes and made Rangoli patterns. |
| Book week was celebrated in School with a visiting Author. He told many exciting stories and worked with each class during the day. The Reception Class performed a play about Goldilocks and the 3 Bears to parents and Grandparents. They used masks and used musical accompaniment of tambourines, claves, woodblocks and hand chimes. |
| The Year 2 class made pizzas for their lunch as part of their work on writing instructions. The smell around the school made everyone's mouths water! The Reception class also made Easter nests out of chocolate and Shredded Wheat. |
| The Art Gallery is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and their Exhibition of work from local Schools is slightly different this time. They wanted work on the theme of 50 so please look out for the Reception and Year 1's work on 50 Golden Daffodils. The Exhibition runs from 15th April - 13th May and will be well worth a visit. |
| Have a good Easter. |
| Fiona Hadden (Reception Class Teacher.) |