Twin Spires News Web Edition August 2021

NURSLING & ROWNHAMS Twin Spires News Web Edition August 2021

St John’s Church (SO16 8AH) is in Horns Drove, Rownhams. St Boniface Church (SO16 0YB) is in Church Lane, Nursling.

The Parish Office is usually staffed Monday to Friday 9am to 11am (excluding public holidays) and, during the Covid-19 situation, it is being staffed remotely, so please do not call at the office in person. However, the answer machine and email are checked regularly. Telephone: 023 8073 8293. email: [email protected] Our website is www.twinspires.org.uk

In ‘normal’ times, if you would like to have your own copy of Twin Spires News, it is available from either church, price 60p per copy or £6 for 1 year (Jan to Dec). Copies may be delivered free within the area, by arrangement. It has been decided that we won’t ask regular subscribers to send another subscription for 2021, so many thanks to all who have already sent a voluntary subscription for this year. There are a number of ways you can donate to church funds (outlined on page 14). Bank Transfer is the preferred method and there is also a …DONATE… button on the church website, which offers a very simple option for any one-off on-line gifts.

Registered Charity Number 1130927 2 Welcome to the August Edition of Twin Spires News Many thanks again to the very talented Sandi O’Donnell who created our appealing cover image this month, with a very apt ‘Staycation’ theme. Happy UK Holidays, all! We hope you enjoy reading the articles, colouring in, perhaps doing some of the puzzles we have included and praying the prayers. We pray that all who are reading this are well and that ‘normal’ service will continue now that Covid- related restrictions continue to ease. Please send us your photos and articles for the next edition by 6pm on Sunday 8th August. Do share with us any of your holiday highlights. And please let us know if you have any suggestions for improvements: [email protected]. A huge thank you to everyone who kindly printed magazines for their friends without online access while Twin Spires News was ‘online only’. From now on, we hope to continue to publish hard copies, delivering as before to those of you who paid your annual subscription in 2020 but only received 3 or 4 hard copies that year.  There will be no charge to subscribers for hard copies for the remainder of 2021. Many thanks to all who have already sent a voluntary subscription for this year. There are a number of ways you can donate to church funds (outlined on page 17). Bank Transfer is the preferred method and there is also a …DONATE… button on the church website, which offers a very simple option for any one-off online gifts.  We will still publish online for the remainder of the year so, if you no longer require a hard copy, do please let the office know: [email protected]  We hope to be able to tell you more soon about our plans for publishing in 2022. Freds: Mary, Marion, Dorothy & Caroline

Our Vision: As a Church Community We Seek to

3 Verse of the Month Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

See I am doi ng a new thing! Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18,19

Dear Friends, It’s been quite something watching the football this year. The Euros have inspired many of us. Time and again during England’s journey we have been told about the togetherness and sense of purpose the England team has, in a squad that has no egos, where each member works together for the common aim, despite the ups and downs they worked hard on the task ahead. People working together to achieve something is quite incredible to behold. I was watching a programme about the Andes recently. The Apurimac River which in translation roughly means ‘Divine Talker’, can be found in the Andes of Peru. The river and gorge split many communities in half. The locals are direct descendants of the Incas. So, when the Incas needed to travel across the Andes, they did so on handwoven rope bridges, stretched over gorges and rivers. Now just one of the Inca rope bridges remains, the Keshwa Chaca. It spans 90ft over the Apurimac River, some 100ft below. Local villagers rebuild the Keshwa Chaca each year in June/July. After the bridge has been built, it is left to disintegrate before being constructed again the next year. The raw material is 'ichu', a type of grass common on the sparse mountainsides of the Andes, which is braided into rope for the bridge. Each household in the four nearby villages is responsible for bringing 90 feet of braided grass rope. The bridge consists of five parallel 'ichu' ropes, which are braided to be about four inches thick, fastened at stone platforms on each side of the gorge. Although the Keshwa Chaca may look brittle, it has been proven to support the weight of 56 people standing across the walkway. Everyone in the community knows how to make the ropes, from children to octogenarians. It’s a real community effort. All of this work has one purpose. To renew the bridge every year so that communities can safely encounter and meet each other. The new bridge will make all the difference. But first the old bridge must be cut free to allow the new bridge to be built. After 3 days of hard work of to and fro’, of weaving and building, and of connecting one community to another, the bridge is complete. 4 I wonder how you reflect on this bridge building. Imagine if these communities just focused on themselves and gave up on building the bridge every year, by deciding that reaching out to their neighbour was no longer important. Imagine if our church simply looked in on itself, where we decided to ignore our neighbours and concentrate solely on ourselves. Is that a model of church that Christ would expect from us? Churches cannot simply focus on looking inwards, they must reach beyond their walls. Churches are called to build bridges into communities. Churches can seem obsessed with their conventional way of doing things, unconcerned how it connects with those living in the neighbourhood. At that point, we become more about church preservation than community transformation. However, pursuing cultural relevance alone is not the answer either. Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, coined the phrase ‘mixed economy of church’ where traditional and ‘fresh expressions’ of church, that is things like Messy church, can live well together. As a church we have grappled with, and adapted to, being church during the restrictions of Covid. Such changes will likely shape how we continue to build bridges into our community. We have been looking at Acts recently in our virtual Bible study group. In Acts 17, Paul visits Athens. The story clearly shows that Paul fully understands the culture in which he is working. He knows how to speak and engage with both a ‘gentile’ and ‘Jewish’ audience, in other words he knows how to speak into church and out into the community. He nuances his message and then intentionally builds a bridge to the Gospel. In order to reach our community neighbours, we need to follow Paul's example and build bridges so that we can more effectively share the love of Jesus with our community. It’s interesting that the model of bridge building I have shared, involves the whole community. This is not a spectator sport. Each person young and old has a role to play. If each person does not get involved, then the bridge will not get built. That is a real challenge to our church today. We each have a compulsory part to play whether we like it or not. The bridge to the community depends on it. Finally, the bridge is rebuilt each year, which means the old bridge is cut away. This asks us an important question. In order to build new and effective bridges, particularly as we emerge from the pandemic, some of our old bridges will need to be cut loose. I wonder what those things might be. It takes 3 days to build a new bridge over the ‘Divine Talker’ River. Jesus Himself said He will raise and build the temple in 3 days. It means a church building is no longer the anchor that we look to, instead Christ is the One on whom we can depend, as He unites us as His body. 5 The new bridge is anchored on each side. Christ anchors us in Him when we reach out as a church. He gives us all we need to bring God’s Kingdom to our friends and neighbours. Maybe it’s time to listen to our ‘Divine Talker,’ the Holy Spirit, about how we can build bridges that enable us to encounter our community, that enable us to share the love of God on the other side of the divide. Rev Graeme

Are you interested in, or able to help, with any of the following?

Situations Vacant

Parish Administrator (part-time, paid role) To register your interest and to be sent further information as it becomes available, please contact: Lynn Black: [email protected]

Electoral Roll Officer (voluntary, a few hours a year) To find out more, please contact: Marion Swinerd: [email protected] or Randell McKay: [email protected]

Graveyard Maintenance Team (voluntary, two hours a month at St John’s) To be part of this team please contact Randell McKay: ([email protected]),

Youth Minister (part-time, paid role) Working with the church leadership team to promote the spiritual development of young people, aged 11-19 To find out more, please contact: Andy Ball: [email protected] or [email protected]

6 On Holiday with Jesus August is the month when schools are off and many of us go on holiday. This year will be very different, with many opting for a ‘staycation’! The good news is that Jesus offers us a true rest: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’ (Matthew 11: 28-29). Are you feeling tired or burdened and in need of a holiday? Jesus invites you to spend it with Him! The Invitation: Our holiday destination is Jesus Himself: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened.’ We can come just as we are, with all the burdens and sadness we carry from the last 18 months. Jesus doesn’t offer a ‘quick fix’ to deal with our issues; He simply offers Himself! The Promise: Jesus promises us the gift of refreshing, sustaining and everlasting rest. When we go on holiday, we usually look forward to doing very little and yet this is not the kind of rest Jesus offers. His rest involves taking up His yoke and learning from Him! A yoke was the wooden collar that ran across the shoulders of a pair of oxen to enable them to work the fields. Jesus says: ‘My yokes fit well. They do not rub your neck and shoulders. Come to Me and get yoked to Me. Make an act of loyal obedience and trust in Me. And you will find a deep peace and satisfaction that you could never find anywhere else. I have come for you!’ What’s so amazing about this holiday is that you can get rest by simply staying at home! Parish Pump

Jim Carter Our prayers and thoughts are with Mary and the family following Jim’s death on 13th July. Many of us remember Jim fondly: his friendship and sense of fun, as well as all that he contributed to the life of our churches. There will be a thanksgiving service at St John’s Church on Thursday 29th July at 12.30pm. A heart-felt thank you from Mary for the love and support of the many kind people who have sent comforting words, messages, cards, flowers, and even chocolates, to her and the family.

Peace, Perfect Peace Dear Jesus, When we pray for Your help and blessing, we remember the words, ‘be still in the presence of the Lord’. Fill us with the peace of mind and serenity which only You can give, and restore us once again. May we remain safe and content, knowing Your peace will continue to dwell in us. Amen Terence Trimmer 7 Many thanks to Rev Jim Stanley-Smith for sending us this wonderful piece ‘A Dream’, which is so appropriate for this time of the pandemic. It’s taken from a book on ‘Prayer, in the Time of a Pandemic’ by Langham Preaching Resources. This was set up by John Stott, and this year is the 100th centenary of his birth. A Dream In my dream, He asked, me: ‘What do you want your people to know about me?’ ‘I have no idea what to tell them!’ I replied. ‘You seem so silent in this pandemic and my people are not very open to hearing you!’

Then I heard Him say: ‘Go and tell them this on my behalf: I am Jesus, God’s voice that no temporal circumstance can mute. I am Jesus, Creator of this vivacious universe you’ve abused And warped. I am Jesus, Heir of all earth’s pre-existing beauty. I am Jesus, Luminous Glory of God who cannot be darkened. I am Jesus, Irreducible substance erupting into humanity’s tiny history. I am Jesus, Sustained Power in the face of crumbling global gods. I am Jesus, Forgiveness that frees and reconciles creature with Creator. I am Jesus, Governing Majesty above all pseudo-powers. I am Jesus, Superior to the most glorious angels imaginable. Go and say to them, from me: I am Jesus, Alive in this pandemic, Centre of History, Salvation for the whole of creation.’

And then I woke up…writing and I believed Him. Wilfredo Weigandt Poems © 2021 Wilfredo Weigandt, Published by Langham Preaching Resources 8 Why Should Christians Care About Climate Change? Colossians 1:15-20 tells us that creation was made by Jesus, through Jesus and for Jesus. This is a world of awe-inspiring beauty, a world that God has created teeming with life – full of diversity, abundance and colour. The climate crisis is wreaking havoc in our world, putting millions of lives at risk. It’s intensifying global threats such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise and melting glaciers. The overwhelming scientific consensus is that this is a human-made problem, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, releasing heat-trapping gases such as carbon dioxide. We are seeing the outworking of a global system built on greed and overconsumption – one that is fundamentally at odds with God’s original intention for the world. We’re reaping what we’ve sown. In Colossians we also read that Jesus is reconciling ALL things on earth and in Heaven to Himself. It was only relatively recently I realised that His rescue mission wasn’t just for people but to bring healing and wholeness to the whole of creation. So just as we are doing His will when we seek to bring others to faith in Jesus, so we are also doing His will when we do our bit to combat global warming and pollution. As a Tearfund supporter I have been reading for decades now about the impact of climate breakdown on people in poverty as it affects their health, access to food and their security. As global temperatures rise, rains are becoming less reliable and droughts, floods and storms are becoming more frequent and more extreme. For those who are already vulnerable, this is a life-threatening emergency that is pushing them further into poverty. The climate crisis is therefore a justice issue too and that is what first got me interested. This is even more evident when we reflect on what it means that we’re made ‘in the image of God’ (Genesis 1:26–28). This speaks of the absolute equality between people. Acting justly means not only responding to the needs of our immediate communities, but also looking to our global neighbours living in countries that do not have the financial protection or healthcare that we do. Being made in the image of God also defines our relationship with the whole of creation. We are God’s representatives, created to serve and look after the rest of what He has made. 9 As Christians and churches, we have a crucial role in calling for, and working towards, a world that allows everyone to flourish – one that enables us to live in harmony with the rest of creation. To turn this into reality, and to prevent further harm to our global neighbours, we must urgently tackle the climate crisis together. As followers of Jesus, through whom all things were made, we need to be at the forefront of protecting and restoring His creation. The climate crisis is a huge and urgent challenge that requires all of us to play our part. Claire Thompson

Litter Pickers Return As planned, on Saturday 3rd July, a varied group of people met up and checked the area around Horns Drove. As expected, we turned up a sadly familiar amount of discarded food and drink packaging etc. One of our new community pickers and his young son tackled an area of St Boniface Park and later emailed us:

‘J and I found a clearing within the wooded bit in St Boniface Park and we lost track of time as there was soooooo much rubbish dumped there. Came back about 11.45 with 2 bags full of all sorts (including a muddy

blanket, underwear, a trainer, newspaper, magazines etc etc) and a tyre’.

Litter picking is a very basic form of Creation Care: these items were made for a positive use, but have been turned into a problem. We were able to return two carrier bags of glass bottles to the ‘virtuous cycle’ by taking them to the bottle bank and left separate bags of recyclable materials and refuse for TVBC. Please consider whether you could come along sometimes: as well as meeting people in the area who share our concerns, we also have a strangely good time. If you are able to join us next month, we will be meeting in Lakeside Avenue on Saturday 7th August at 10.30am to check out the area round Fernyhurst Lake. Don't forget stout footwear, maybe wellies, and gloves: children need to bring an adult, but are very welcome. Mary Carter & Marion Swinerd 10 Caring for Creation If any of you would like to learn more about caring for this wonderful world and all its inhabitants, many and various, that God has given us to look after, then please do consider joining the Creation Care programme starting again in September. It's run by the Diocese of Winchester under the Bishop's Commission for Mission (BCM) scheme. A number of our congregation have done the programmes for Leading Worship, Youth & Children, Pastoral Care and so on. The other BCM programmes are outlined on page 12. Do let Graeme or the office know if you may be interested. I found the Creation Care programme to be just what I needed. It was hugely informative, very accessible and excellently presented. I learnt such a lot and feel more equipped to enter into discussions about our commission from God to care for all his creatures and nature, the theology behind it, Climate Change...and much else besides. The format is 6 sessions, on Zoom, with a beginning and ending session with everyone in the Diocese who is undertaking one of the BCM programmes. There is a little bit of preparatory work for each session and any number of resources which you can tap into when you have time and inclination. I personally found it very easy to attend, not having to travel or go out in an evening and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the natural world, the environment and how we can take action and encourage others in this critical time. Please do contact me if you'd like to: [email protected]. For info, dates and to register your interest please email: [email protected] God bless you as you pray about this. Angela Jones

Fewer Wasps Noticed how peaceful your garden is this summer? Noticed that you have been able to hold summer barbecues and picnics in relative peace? That is because the very cold and wet Spring was disastrous for our wasp population. But while we may enjoy their absence, scientists at University College London have pointed out that wasps play an important role as nature’s pest controllers, and that our countryside will be the poorer without them this year. 11 12 The Church in Nursling & Rownhams – Open to All As Covid-19 restrictions evolve, we are trying very hard to make all our events open to as many people as possible, both online and in person. There are links to services etc on the home page of our website www.twinspires.org.uk The events are arranged by day, expand the + sign to reveal the links to join in. In this way we hope that people will be able to find what they want easily. You do not have to be members of the church Facebook group, or to have an account with YouTube, or to receive emails from the office via the ‘big list’. You will, of course, need internet access. Please spread the word, use the links and, if you spot a typo or find something isn’t working for you, then please do let us know via the office email address: [email protected]

As well as meeting virtually, we hope to hold some services outside during the summer months, and in our Church buildings where possible. Thanks to technology, during times of Covid restrictions, many of our church congregation have joined livestreamed services, prayer and worship together via our YouTube channel and via Zoom, as well as via the Church Facebook Page (Twinspires - St Boniface and St John’s). We continue to pray, to love, to care for the vulnerable, and build our communities - exploring new ways to stay in touch and to worship together. Services and events currently planned are outlined on pages 14 and 15, but please do check for the latest information using the channels below. If you’re not able to join in with our virtual services at the time, videos via our YouTube channel are also on our website, together with service sheets for you to follow. We’ll post updates on our website: https://www.twinspires.org.uk  Connect to TwinSpires@Home livestream services via our YouTube channel. You do not need a YouTube account to join our streamed services.  Participate in Morning Prayer (MP) via Zoom, the online meeting platform. Mondays & Tuesdays, MP is at 9.30am, Wednesdays & Fridays it is at 9am. To join in, download Zoom and click the links provided for each activity. Morning Prayer on Thursdays is on our Facebook page instead, at 10am: https://www.facebook.com/NurslingAndRownhams/live/.  Please let us know if you would like to be included on emails sent to our church community. And if you know of anyone not on the church ‘big email’ list, please encourage them to contact the office to be added, so we can keep in touch: [email protected] 13 What’s on in the Week At the time of publishing, our planned services and events for the month are below. However, please check our website: www.twinspires.org.uk and weekly news sheet for the latest information, as we continue to observe any Covid-related restrictions.  Saturday 7th August Virtual Vestry Vigil at 9.30am Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the Vestry Vigil Link

(same as Morning Prayer Zoom link) Meeting ID: 112 879 792 Password: 107871

Saturday 7th August Litter Pick at 10.30am Meet in Lakeside Avenue (see page 10)

 (No Messy Church this month)

 Weekday Morning Prayer Prayer for our Parish takes place each weekday morning for all to join: Via Zoom at 9.30am on Mondays and Tuesdays Via Zoom at 9am on Wednesdays (open prayer) and Fridays Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the Morning Prayer Zoom Link Meeting ID: 112 879 792 Password: 107871

Via Facebook at 10am on Thursdays: https://www.facebook.com/NurslingAndRownhams/live/

 MORE - Mondays 7-8.15pm (currently on Zoom) A fun and lively youth group for ages 11-16. Contact [email protected] to join MORE

 Virtual Bible Study Homegroup Wednesdays at 7.30pm Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the Homegroup Zoom Link Meeting ID: 215 349 094 Password: 302380

 CONNECT! Thursdays 8-9pm on Zoom A virtual get-together for young adults Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the CONNECT Zoom Room link Meeting ID: 856 7336 4283 Password: 606207

 Fridays at 9.30am - Recreational Walks meet in St John’s Church car park. See page 17

Sunday Services in At the time of publishing, our planned Sunday services for the month are below. Please check our website and weekly news sheet for the latest information. Every Sunday at 10am, TwinSpires@10 (except 1st August) Livestreamed Morning Service via our YouTube channel. Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the link. In addition to the online TwinSpires@10am service, please join us at the services below in person. Social distancing and any coronavirus-related restrictions apply to services held in our church buildings, however, pre-booking is not currently required:

 Sunday 1st August – Trinity 9 10am All Age Worship at St John’s School Field (no livestream this week) 11am Twinspires@11 at St Boniface Church 6.30pm [email protected] with Holy Communion at St John’s Church

 Sunday 8th August – Trinity 10 10am Twinspires@10 with Holy Communion at St John’s Church (also livestreamed via YouTube). Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the link. 11am Twinspires@11 at St Boniface Church 6.30pm [email protected] at St John’s Church

 Sunday 15th August – Trinity 11 10am Twinspires@10 at St John’s Church (also livestreamed via YouTube). Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the link. 11am Twinspires@11 with Holy Communion at St Boniface Church 6.30pm [email protected] at St John’s Church

 Sunday 22nd August – Trinity 12 10am Twinspires@10 at St John’s Church (also livestreamed via YouTube) Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the link. 11am Twinspires@11 at St Boniface Church 5.30pm our local version of ‘Songs of Praise’ on the Glebe, in the grounds of St John’s Church with Cream Tea at the vicarage garden at 3.30pm

 Sunday 29th August – Trinity 13 10am Twinspires@10 at St John’s Church (also livestreamed via YouTube) Visit www.twinspires.org.uk for the link. 11am Twinspires@11 at St Boniface Church 6.30pm [email protected] at St John’s Church 15 Dates for Your Diary

 Contributions for Next Month’s Twin Spires Magazine by 6 pm, Sunday 8th August 2021 Preferably by email to [email protected] or, alternatively, to: Mary Carter, 12 Horsebridge Way (paper copy). Please check you receive an acknowledgement of your email.  Litter Picking - Saturday 7th August at 10.30am (see page 10)  Cream Tea at the Vicarage - Sunday 22nd August from 3.30pm (offers of cakes welcome!)

Followed by:  Our version of ‘Songs of Praise’ - Sunday 22nd August at 5.30pm on the Glebe, in the grounds of St John’s Church Please let the office know which songs you would like to be sung and why they are special to you.

‘Feel-good’ Shopping Online to Help the Parish If you’re shopping online, the www.smile.amazon.co.uk site provides all the same products, service and cost, but Amazon donates .0.5% of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases to a charitable organisation of your choice. We are registered as: The Ecclesiastical Parish of Nursling with Rownhams. The PCC is also registered with EasyFundRaising, where the retailer will make a donation to a registered charity at no additional cost to the person doing the buying. Please consider nominating our churches when you shop online. Lots of different retailers are registered and will donate up to 2.5% of the value of your online shopping.

We are registered as Nursling and Rownhams PCC. A total of £106.09 has been raised (as at 13th July). Thank you to everyone who has helped.

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/nurslingandrownhamspcc/payments/63/

16 Freecycling! - Once our church buildings are fully open again, don’t forget we have a board (next to the sound desk in St John’s Church) where you can offer items you no longer need, and also look for items you may want. No money is involved: this is purely an enviro/social service. In the meantime, if you have an item you would like to offer to our church family, you are welcome to send the details to us to include in the magazine: [email protected]. However, please do not bring any items for recycling to church at the moment, as we are unable to process them.

Recreational Walks take place every Friday, (weather permitting). Meet in St John’s Church car park, 9.30am sharp. 5 miles, bring a packed lunch and mid-morning snack/coffee. Back by 2.30 pm.

We are happy to receive foreign currency (notes and coins) and ‘out of circulation’ UK notes and coins, which we are able to convert into funds for our churches. They don’t have to be legal tender now. Periodically we send off ‘our stash’ for conversion. Our most recent batch raised £111.74! So it’s well worth doing – thank you! Look out for the ‘Funny Money’ Box at church when our buildings are open.

Regular giving through one of the available schemes is encouraged as this helps the PCC fund its mission and ministry. Please consider using the Parish Giving Scheme www.parishgiving.org.uk This is a direct debit system that reduces the administrative burden locally but still ensures that all of your donation, together with any gift aid recoverable, reaches this parish. The dedicated telephone number is 0333 002 1271. Donors will need their parish’s PGS Code which is: PGS Parish Code 416012141 The Parish of Nursling with Rownhams in the Diocese of Winchester. More information on how to give is available from the Office and the church website. There is also a link for one-off donations, look for the donate button on our website.

PCC Legacy Policy Nursling and Rownhams PCC welcomes gifts in wills, however large or small. We will use such gifts to make a difference to the work of the church (eg by funding development projects in the parish, whether buildings, equipment or staff). We will consult with the executors to identify the sorts of projects the donor would have liked. 17 The Transfiguration of Jesus It’s an unusual story. One day, Jesus is with three disciples on a high mountain in Galilee, when His appearance dramatically changes. Also, Moses and Elijah suddenly appear, and from a cloud comes the voice of God. What is this all about? This event was witnessed by James, Peter, and John. They were close friends of Jesus. In the future, they were to become prominent leaders in the Early Church. They needed to see something special that would help them remember Jesus in the difficult years ahead. They had a glimpse of Christ in His divine glory. His face shone like the sun and His clothes turned white as light. While this was an extraordinary sight for the disciples, it served to encourage Jesus who once had glory and majesty in Heaven. One day He would have it again. But firstly, He had to fulfil His mission: to suffer on the cross and die. Why were Moses and Elijah standing with Jesus? Moses was the giver of the Law and Elijah represented all the prophets. They had pointed people to the promised Messiah. Jesus was about to complete God’s plan of salvation. God’s voice was heard to remind Peter there was no need to build shelters. They were not going to stay on the mountain. God spoke to get the disciples to fix their attention of Jesus. The wonder of the Transfiguration was a short interlude before Jesus had to return to His work and subsequent death on the cross. This story is a reminder that our times of spiritual blessing have to be followed by down-to-earth commitments and responsibilities. In the same way that Jesus gave His friends a glimpse of His awesome glory, to help them face challenging and traumatic times ahead, our special times in His presence are provided to encourage us and equip us for the trials we may have to face. Our journey through life may sometimes rise to the peaks but we can’t stay on a ‘high’ all the time – no matter how much we want it! We have to descend to face everyday challenges if we are to fulfil our calling in Christ. From our mountain-top experiences we all need to find a balance between times alone with God and serving Him in the company of others. Lester Amann, Parish Pump 18 Physicist and Priest: John Polkinghorne (1930-2021) At the age of 48 the Cambridge Professor John Polkinghorne decided he’d done his bit for physics and that it was time for a different sort of adventure. Resigning his academic position, he trained for ordination in the Church of England. In an interview 40 years later he said, ‘It’s one thing to go to church on Sundays but to give up a professorship and train for something else – that was a bit more than a gesture…I think a lot of people realised I was a religious person but they didn’t expect me to take it quite that seriously…People were saying to me, “Oh John what are you up to?” They mostly weren’t thinking so much about my becoming a clergyman but just the fact that I was a Christian.’ (From Test of Faith, Paternoster, 2009) John saw his work in science as a Christian vocation, and felt a responsibility to use his talents in that area. Once ordained he found himself thoroughly engaged in the conversation about science and religion. One of his main messages was that ‘I’m not a vegetarian butcher. There is a cousinly relationship between thinking about theology and thinking about science.’ When asked for a Bible passage to appear at the end of his 2009 interview John chose Colossians 1:15–20: ‘He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born over all creation. For by Him all things were created: things in Heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the first-born from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.’ John’s explanation for his choice speaks volumes to anyone interested in the science-faith dialogue. ‘I value this passage because it speaks of the cosmic significance of Christ, the One in whom all things hold together and who redeems all things (notice, not just all people) by the blood of His cross. Here meet my deepest religious beliefs and my strongest scientific concerns.’ Dr Ruth M Bancewicz To see more of John Polkinghorne, and another you may recognise, speaking on the Science and Faith debate, visit God: new evidence - how recent scientific discoveries point to the reality of the creator - what's in the series? (focus.org.uk) 19

Across 1 Of Moses (6) 4 ‘You have been weighed on the — and found wanting’ (Daniel 5:27) (6) 7 Where Jesus performed the first of his miraculous signs (John 2:11) (4) 8 Roman emperor who ordered all the Jews to leave Rome (Acts 18:2) (8) 9 Member of a conservative Jewish party in the Sanhedrin which believed there was no resurrection (Acts 23:8) (8) 13 South London Mission (1,1,1) 16 Sure of one’s own ability (2 Corinthians 11:17) (4-9) 17 ‘At this the man’s face fell. He went away — , because he had great wealth’ (Mark 10:22) (3) 19 Airs used (anag.) (8) 24 ‘The Lord is my — , I shall not be in want’ (Psalm 23:1) (8) 25 ‘He has sent me to — up the broken-hearted’ (Isaiah 61:1) (4) 26 At or towards the rear of a ship (6) 27 Cross-carrying evangelist and world traveller, — Blessitt (6)

Down 1 Ridicule (Luke 18:32) (4) 2 Encased in strapped-on light shoes (Song of Songs 7:1) (9) 3 Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (1,1,1,1,1) 4 ‘Father, give me my — of your estate’ (Luke 15:12) (5) 5 Assistant (4) 6 On a par (John 5:18) (5) 10 Credo (anag.) (5) 11 Beaten with a rod (5) 12 The fourth of Job’s ‘comforters’, who deferred making his contribution because of his junior status (Job 32:6) (5) 13 Chosen as a temple attendant, he was described by Ezra as ‘a capable man’ (Ezra 8:18) (9) 14 ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where — and rust destroy’ (Matthew 6:19) (4) 15 Employs (4) 18 Associated with penitence for sins, along with sackcloth (Matthew 11:21) (5) 20 Association of South-East Asian Nations (1,1,1,1,1) 21 Sub-continent to which Baptist missionary pioneer William Carey devoted his life (5) 22 Recess at east end of a church (4) 23 One of the nine sons of Beriah (1 Chronicles 8:15) (4)

21 22 Suggestions for your Prayers Pray that God will show us how to help each of those who have completed one of our recent Alpha courses to continue growing in faith and in understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be at work in their hearts and that they will become disciples of Jesus. Thank God that the coronavirus situation in the UK is so much more hopeful now than it was last year. Give thanks for all those who have given sacrificially to make this happen: NHS staff, scientists and others. Pray for wisdom for those in Government and their advisers making ongoing decisions about how to manage the virus, particularly as numbers rise. Pray for the distribution of vaccines all over the world to go well. Pray for ongoing guidance for Graeme, Standing Committee and PCC as they make decisions about the way forward as things relax. Ask that God would guide about what to take up again, what to leave and what new things to start. Pray for the work of Street Pastors, particularly in Southampton. Give thanks that they have been able to patrol during the current pandemic, and have been able to help homeless people in particular with food deliveries to their temporary accommodation or their street home. We pray that ways will be found to reduce homelessness in our community. Give thanks for all those who work at our local schools who have given so much this year. Pray that they will have the chance to have a really good break this summer so that they can go back in September properly refreshed and with renewed enthusiasm. Pray too for the children and young people who have suffered anxiety over the pandemic; that they will recover fully. As we look forward to the climate talks at COP26 in November, give thanks for the progress we have seen already and pray that this year we will see the impossible happening with countries uniting with real urgency. Pray that this year will be a critical turning point in the fight against climate change. We have a vacancy for a Youth worker and will soon have one for a Parish Administrator. Pray for the right people to come forward to fill those posts. We are also desperately short of volunteers in several fields including operating the laptop and sound desk.

23 Prayer of the Month Prayer for the New Day Dear Father, In this strangest of summers, with its traffic-light travel restrictions and ongoing concerns about Covid 19, help us to remember that You never change. Your light is constant. Your love continues. Your presence is assured, whether we stay at home, or travel within the UK, or further afield. There are no restrictions on Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of each new day, wherever we may be. Thank You that by Your grace, we share all our days with You, secure in all circumstances, when we put our trust in Your precious son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray. Amen. Daphne Kitching

Children's Kitchen Terms BOIL: The point a parent reaches upon hearing ‘Yuck’ before a food is even tasted. CASSEROLE: Combination of favourite foods that go uneaten because they are mixed together. DESSERT: The reason for eating a meal. EVAPORATE: Magic trick performed by children when it comes time to clear the table. FRUIT: Something that is never to be confused with dessert. REFRIGERATOR: A very expensive and inefficient room air conditioner when not being used as an art gallery. TABLE LEG: Percussion instrument.

A woman went into the kitchen to find her husband swatting flies. ‘I killed three female and two male ones,’ he said triumphantly. She asked him how on earth he knew that. ‘Easy. Two were on my beer can, and three were on the phone.’

Answers for Crossword on Pages 20 & 21 ACROSS: 1 Mosaic; 4 Scales; 7 Cana; 8 Claudius; 9 Sadducee; 13 SLM; 16 Self-confident; 17 Sad; 19 Radiuses; 24 Shepherd; 25 Bind; 26 Astern; 27 Arthur

DOWN: 1 Mock; 2 Sandalled; 3 CICCU; 4 Share; 5 Aide; 6 Equal; 10 Décor;11 Caned; 12 Elihu; 13 Sherebiah; 14 Moth; 15 Uses; 18 Ashes; 20 ASEAN; 21 India; 22 Apse; 23 Eder 24 Poem of the Month The Slide As I watch She climbs the steps steadily, Holding the handrail, Her two-year-old feet following each other Rhythmically, unhesitatingly To the platform at the top Where she sits down And freezes. Holding tight to the sides, Knees up, feet flat She judders down a little way Then looks up. Her eyes meet my smile, my outstretched arms – And she takes her hands off the edge of the slide, Shooting forward with a squeal of delight, Trusting the love she knows.

Lord, I have climbed so steadily, I have come so far, in my own strength, Holding on, holding back, Sometimes freezing. But I am Your child, Today I will lift my eyes And meet Your smile, Your outstretched arms, I will lift my juddering feet - And take my hands off the edge of the slide Released to ride, by Your Spirit, Into the freedom of Your will, Trusting the Love I know.

Daphne Kitching

25 From the Registers

Confirmations 20 June Kathryn Lowe, Charmaine Martin, Anna Nelson, Thomas Tennett (Sherfield English) St John’s

Weddings “Marriage should be honoured by all” (Hebrews 13:4) 10 July Lee Oswald and Carly Baker St John’s

Funerals “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20) 7 July Marie Ceridwen Turner, 84 Interred at St John’s

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