Welcome to St. Luke's Church, Cheltenham - a living expression of the love of God in Christ.

1 Oct 2007 - News from The Link

REFIT FOR PURPOSE

The Revd Robert Pestell writes:

As the 1st Anniversary of my appointment approaches I would like to thank you all for your support and encouragement to Sue, the family and myself. Moving to Cheltenham has brought about many changes in family life and it has been a considerable challenge coming to terms with a new situation and adjusting to the new demands of ministry created by the link with St. Michael's. Naturally, it has taken time to fully appreciate and understand the task that I have been given, and so, in many ways, I still feel that I am finding my way and that I have not clarified the direction in which the church is to progress and develop.

The good thing about St. Luke's is that I am not working alone and that there is a team of faithful and talented people who share together in the leadership of the church, contributing to the vision and then engaging in the tasks to make this come about.

To put this in pictorial form it is rather like a big ship that has been circling round and round trying to find its way.

Enter the members of the PCC (the crew) on their recent away day along with the ship's officers (Robert and Rob). Now was the opportunity to take a close look at the ship along with its crew and passengers. Having been drifting in stormy waters for many months there was a need to begin to identify where the ship was heading and to begin to plot the course.

The Officers could have dictated the destination but they wanted it to be a happy ship and so the wishes of all the crew along with the passengers were sought after and an informed decision was made to return to port for a refit.

After Robert had shared something of his vision for St. Luke's, the PCC reflected upon the core values of the church and what needed to be in place as a foundation before setting out on the new journey. We noted what St. Luke's was good at and also where there were gaps and failings and where a new start was required. We concluded with the visions of the PCC members along with the contributions made by the congregation during the prayer afternoon prior to the meeting. Rob presented the results in building block form identifying the foundations that need to be present and firm in order to build upon. Finally we tried to identify those areas of ministry that are so vital to the forward progress and development of St. Luke's at this time.

The notes from the day are still being reflected upon and there is too much to record here, but the key areas identified were Leadership, Pastoral Care, Children and Young People, Spiritual Growth (Home Groups) and Communication. There will be more about how these areas will be developed in the future. In the meantime, I feel that it is right to reflect upon the potential and the opportunities that exist at St. Luke's, but to do so during a period when the basics and core values can be worked upon, building us up as a church family in preparation to make a fresh start in the new year.

Instead of drifting at sea, we should regard St. Luke's as being in port, with the officers, crew and passengers looking forward to a new voyage, whilst at the same time recharging the batteries, becoming open minded as to the next destination and determined to faithfully serve God as we prepare to travel together.

Enjoy the Autumn, and batten down the hatches for Winter, so that we are ready to set sail in the Spring,

With every blessing,

Robert

St Luke's PCC Meeting held on 10 September 2007

The PCC met on Monday the 10th September 2007. In addition to our normal PCC membership, the meeting was attended by a representative from St Michael's, Whaddon, our partner Church.

Much of the meeting was given over to discussing the suggested employment of a part time administrative assistant for Robert Pestell (Priest in Charge). Following extensive discussion it was agreed unanimously that such a post was required and steps be taken to advertise the post (7.5 hours per week). It is intended that this will free up Robert's time to focus on his work at both St Luke's and St Michael's with funding for the post provided by both churches.

Wes Bell (St Luke's Youth worker) reported that this year's summer holiday club went very well with 61 children attending over the three days. The theme was Junior Heroes and, as usual, was put on jointly with Highbury Congregational Church.

Robert reported on moves to improve the links between St Luke's Church and St John's School. Our involvement currently includes: Wes running a Monday lunchtime club for Years 5 and 6, and taking turns with Richard Cleaves (Highbury) and Robert to run assemblies on a Wednesday. In addition to this, on Thursdays the St Luke's "Open The Book" team is involved in the assembly. Robert has also run a series of training courses for members of staff.

The project to put in a disabled toilet and more permanent tea station area are moving on with funding being sought. At present we are approximately £7,000 short of being able to complete the project. Ken Brightwell has agreed to head up funding applications for the project.

The meeting concluded with a time of prayer and the grace.

Paul Burfitt

St John's Church of England Primary School

Where children flourish

The Summer holidays flew by and we all arrived back at School ready and invigorated for the start of the Autumn term.

The Hickory Dickory Summer Play scheme, which ran in school for the summer holidays, was a great success and not only provided much needed child care for St John's children but also those from other schools too. Hopefully there will be more such schemes planned for future holidays.

We were pleased to welcome many new families to St John's Primary School, including some from overseas. The new Reception children have quickly adapted to their new routines and are experiencing all of the excitement that school has to offer.

We have already had some trips out. The Year 1 class had an exciting trip to see how the building site in Hewlett Road had developed over the Summer. The Year 6 class have visited the Synagogue on a fact finding trip and all of the classes, except Reception, have celebrated National Film Week by visiting Cineworld to watch a film for free!

The continuing glorious weather has meant that all of the classes have been benefiting from plenty of outside PE and playtimes before the onset of Winter. We celebrated Harvest time in Church with a variety of songs, poems and role play on the theme of 'Our Hands'. All of the classes played a part in the Service and the generous contributions have been distributed by 'The Open Door Project' in Grosvenor Street. We are also raising money for the 'Jeans for Genes' charity which researches genetic disorders.

We are holding an Open Day for both prospective and current parents to see the School in action. This is on October 16th between 10-2 pm.

All in all, a busy but very enjoyable time.

Please don't forget to send us your Tesco tokens.

Many Thanks,

Fiona Hadden (Reception class teacher)

LONDON CITY MISSION in CHELTENHAM

October 20th is our LCM Special at St Mark's Church Hall.

Coffee will be available from 10.30am and the meeting at 11.0am will be followed by lunch, bookable from 01242 516895 or 571550 before 15th October.

We hope to have presentations from Alan Black, who is Director for Training and Mentoring, and Roxie Stockdale who works as Chaplain to West End Theatres. This should give a unique insight into the lives and problems of those working in the West End theatres, and how the Missionaries provide help and support.

All welcome. Any questions to June Cox on 251604.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT SALE AND COFFEE MORNING

Saturday 17th November from 10-1pm in church

As in past years we will be having a Christmas craft sale and coffee morning in November. As the nights draw in beat the boredom by painting, knitting, sculpting or fabricating items to sell and raise money for the drinks station and toilet project. Don't forget too those holiday gifts Robert encouraged you to bring back to sell. Any unwanted but still in good condition gifts accepted. There will be a small number of table spaces available for people to sell their own craft. Also a mega Traidcraft sale. Contact Linda Ralphs for further details. A selection of items from the TearCraft catalogue (available in church) will also be available. If you would like to order in advance (and save the cost of postage) please contact Sue Garcia (251194).

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A PUPPET WORKSHOP?

Saturday 24th November 10 a.m. - 4 p.m

at St. Mark's Methodist Church, Cheltenham

An opportunity to develop and practice your skills as a puppeteer - beginners welcome! Great fun for all ages and a wonderful way of sharing the gospel message. Cost £12.50 per person. Puppets, scripts, props and other items can be bought or ordered on the day. See the website www.onewayuk.com. See Robert for further details or Laura Spence at the Cornerstone Centre on 01242 269325.

SHOE BOX SUNDAY - 18 November

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD BOXES

Yes, it's time to start thinking about filling a shoe box again for a needy child for Christmas. That small package can have a great impact. Last year they carried your love and concern across thousand of miles, across oceans and mountain ranges. They transported the joy of Christmas from your home into the arms of a needy child somewhere from Belarus to Romania, from Kyrgyzstan to Mozambique. Without those shoe boxes last year, 1.15 million children would only have dreamed of having a Christmas present.

Here is one story of a child (Marian, who lives in Cluj, Romania) who received a shoebox last year: When his mother died, Marian's father began locking him in the barn without food or light for days at a time. Finally the neighbours heard his cries and rescued the 3 year-old boy. Now he lives in a home for children. He was given a shoebox and opened it eagerly. The little cars brought a flush of joy to his cheeks and he clutched at the colouring books. "Oh my dear, oh my dear", he whispered breathlessly. What joy your boxes bring to children - keep packing! For many, it's the only present they've ever had.

In a world where life for many children is harsh and cruel, what do you think a child will do where he or she receives a shoe box filled with toys and sweets and other things - a small present by our standards but unbelievably generous by their own? Often, a child will unwrap the shoe box, take out just one sweet, or one small gift and hand the box back. When they are told "No, the whole thing is yours", their little eyes peer back into the box in disbelief - some cry, others giggle, but most just hug the box close to their grateful hearts. This is the joy your gift brings!!

So PLEASE get your boxes and collect things to go in them. The leaflets with all the details are available in church. Please pray for the child who will receive your box - and keep packing. There are lots of great bargains in the shops at the moment - see me for ideas!

Pam Dines

Cheltenham-Inter-Faith

Jewish New-Year - Rosh Hashanna

September 19th - is the beginning of the Jewish Year, when God is believed to weigh each persons good and bad deeds. A Rams Horn is blown in the Synagogue to call people to awareness and repentance. It begins a ten-day period of self-examination that continues until Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement on the 22nd September. This, the holiest day of the Jewish Year, is a time to remember the past years sins and to seek forgiveness. Jews fast from nightfall on the eve of Yom Kippur until nightfall on the following day. (Cheltenham-Inter-Faith)

The Christian Communities of Cheltenham have a very good rapport with both the Cheltenham Inter-Faith as well as Cheltenham's Hebrew & Jewish Community.

Inter-Faith meets every three months at the Friends Meeting House. They also organise visits to places of Spiritual Interest such as Mosques & Synagogues. The next visit is to Canterbury Cathedral.

Cheltenham has its own Synagogue in Synagogue Lane, Cheltenham. They are a very welcoming and loving community.

Howard Marshall

LOVE RUSSIA

appeal this year for knickers!

Caring for over 3,000 orphans means lots of new underwear needed, from tiny to teenage. You have kindly given toothbrushes in the past, then 100 pairs of socks (+£100). This year LOVE RUSSIA is asking for vests and pants of all sizes (must be NEW). Please add £1 for each item/pack. See back of church. Many thanks in advance.

Heather Barton

STRICTLY COME WORSHIPPING

Many ancient religious myths speak of the creation of the world as the dance of God. Stone Age cave paintings show dancing shamans in animal dress. Human beings danced for joy, for love, for grief; they danced at sunrise or to celebrate a birth or mark a death. There are still tribal dances, fertility dances, dances for rain or a good harvest. It is part of the human desire to be connected with- and control - the life force (even morris dancing!) And dance has always been a community activity. The sacred dance was a normal part of the Jewish worshipping life, and in the Old Testament the people dance round the sacred calf; after crossing the Red Sea Miriam takes a timbrel and dances and the women dance with her; David dances before the Ark of God; and celebrative dances occurred at times of festival.

There is an early Gnostic gospel called the Acts of John. In it, on the night of his arrest, Jesus calls his disciples to him and they form a circle holding hands, and start to dance. Jesus then begins to sing a hymn:

"Glory be to the Father",

and we going round in a cirle answered him "Amen"

"Grace danceth. I would pipe; dance ye all"

"Amen"

"Thou that danceth, perceive what I do, for there is this passion of the manhood, which I am about to suffer".

Thus, having danced with us the Lord went forth.

Gustav Holst used part of this text for his HYMN OF JESUS and on the grave of his daughter Imogen are carved the words: "The heavenly spheres all make music for us. All things join in the dance"

Certainly ritual dancing seems to have been part of the liturgical expression of the early church. The 4th century Bishop Eusebius writes of "dancing in procession, at times set dances, and then circle-dances right and left" and there was particular emphasis on dancing at Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost. In the early Middle Ages the priests danced with the people on certain holy days. The Dance of Death was widely practised in Europe, the figure of Death (a dancing corpse or skeleton) leading folk in a dance around the churchyard. William Tyndale, who first translated the Bible into English wrote in his Prologue to the New Testament:

"That we cal gospel is a greke work, and signifyth good, mery, glad and joyfull tydings, that maketh manne hert glad, and makyth hym synge, daunce, and leepe for joy"

At the Reformation, dancing largely ceased. Now liturgical dance is creeping back as a way of using the whole of one's body in worship. In that form ofliturgical dance which is based on the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes or the Magnificat, once the repetitive steps are learned and you start to be carried away by the music, you quickly lose any self-consciousness. It can be profoundly meditative and restorative; it affirms both your own identity and your profound unity with everybody else. What Forster called "talkative little Christianity" is so head-centred, so wordy, but dance affects the whole person. It can express more than can be said in words and touch the heart.

(From Learning to Dance by Michael Mayne)