St. Saviour's Parish Church, Great Moor. Our Servant Queen Canon David Winter writes: The whole country will this month be celebrating the Queen’s 90 th birthday. She has splendidly fulfilled the promise made on the day when her father, King George VI, died and she came to the throne at the age of 27. On that day she dedicated ‘the rest of my life, whether it be long or short to the service of the nation and the Commonwealth'. She has certainly proved that she meant what she said. Hers is already the longest reign of any British monarch. Those years have seen huge changes in the world: the end of apartheid in South Africa, the transition of scores of countries to independence within the Commonwealth, the advent of space exploration and men on the moon, the arrival of the computer and the Internet, social media, Twitter and so on. Through it all she has remained a calm, reassuring figure, head of state to 12 different prime ministers and leader of a resilient and growing Commonwealth of Nations. The Queen has quietly moved with the times. Her rather tortured ‘royal’ accent of the forties and fifties has broadened into a quietly spoken Received English. Uneasy about it at first, she has made herself an effective performer on television. And through it all she has openly acknowledged that her own Christian faith is the bedrock of all that she is and has done. In recent years she has been more willing to talk about that faith, notably in her Christmas messages. To mark her 90th birthday, the Bible Society has published an attractive illustrated book The Servant Queen , setting out largely in her own words the essential heart of that faith. The Queen herself has written a Foreword. The aim of the publishers is that the book should St. Saviour's will be celebrating be widely distributed, so that people up and down her kingdom can share her evident enjoyment of a committed Christian faith. Its subtitle her Majesty's 90th Birthday on Sunday is ‘And the King she serves ‘. As advertisers say, ‘every home should 12th June at 10.45 a.m. & lunch 12.30 p.m. have one’. You will all be given this book on Sunday 12th June when we will be celebrating Her Majesty The Queen's 90th Birthday followed by a Church Magazine - June 2016 party in the church hall. On Sunday 12th June from 12.15 p.m. The Parish Nurse talks about diabetes A few people I know have recently been diagnosed with diabetes so I St. Saviour's will be celebrating thought it a good time to write about it. Her Majesty the Queen's 90th Birthday! Every three minutes someone learns they have Type 2 diabetes and there are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 The British “community spirit” will be reflected all over the UK where diabetes. villages, towns and cities hold their own parties. And that is just what we will be doing here at St. Saviour's. Diabetes develops when glucose can’t enter the body’s cells to be used as fuel. This happens when either: We are having a There is no insulin to unlock the cells (Type 1) “Royal Tea Party" There is not enough insulin or the insulin is there but not working to celebrate. properly (Type 2). Our church hall will be decked out for this special occasion and we will spend the afternoon enjoying a buffet of lovely party food, playing a Quiz, and singing along to national songs popular in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. There will also be great Raffle Prizes. Invitation tickets are now on sale at a cost of just £2. You will receive a free glass of fizz for a Royal Toast. Please don't forget to bring your invitation ticket as it is numbered, and will be entered into a Prize Draw to be selected as Queen and Consort for the afternoon. We do so hope that you can join this grand afternoon of nostalgia, great friendship and fun. Prayer for the Queen Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrate and is also produced by Heavenly Father, we thank you for our Queen, for her ninety years of the liver. life – and still counting! Thank you for her example of commitment and service; for her perseverance through sunshine and storm. Most of all If you have diabetes, your body cannot make proper use of this thank you for the wisdom she has in knowing that her security and glucose so it builds up in the blood and can’t be used as fuel. significance come from you alone. You are her Lord and King and Knowing the facts about diabetes is important when it comes to Saviour – and you are ours. May we all, Sovereign or Subject, put our managing the condition. There is so much information out there, but it trust in you and walk more closely with you day by day, in is not all true. It is often difficult to know what is right and what is not. thankfulness for Jesus Christ, who makes that relationship possible. Let us have a look at some myths surrounding diabetes: Amen. Type 2 diabetes is a mild form of diabetes. False. There is no such thing as mild diabetes. All diabetes is serious and, if not properly controlled, can lead to serious complications. People with diabetes cannot have sugar. False. You are also more at risk if: Having diabetes does not mean you have to have a sugar-free diet. You have ever had a heart attack or a stroke. People with diabetes should follow a healthy balanced diet – that is You have schizophrenia, bipolar illness or depression. low in fat, salt and sugar. You should still be able to enjoy a wide You are receiving treatment with antipsychotic medication, variety of foods, including some with sugar. You are a woman who’s had polycystic ovaries, gestational diabetes, People with diabetes can't eat grapes, mangoes or bananas. False. or a baby weighing over 10 pounds. People sometimes think that if they have diabetes they can't eat Have you got any of the signs of Type 2 Diabetes? grapes and bananas as they taste sweet. But if you eat a diet that It’s important to know the risk factors and find out your risk, includes these fruits, you can still achieve good blood glucose control. but remember to look out for these signs: In fact, grapes and bananas, like all fruit, make a very healthy choice. Fruit is high in fibre, low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals. It • Need to wee a lot. helps to protect against heart disease, cancer and certain stomach • Thirsty. problems. • Lost weight without trying. People with diabetes should eat 'diabetic' foods. False. • Feel tired. 'Diabetic' labelling tends to be used on sweets, biscuits and similar • Blurred eyesight. foods that are generally high in fat, especially saturated fat and calories. Diabetes UK does not recommend eating 'diabetic' foods, • Cuts which don't heal including diabetic chocolate, because they still affect your blood Remember, there are simple things you can do to lower your risk. glucose levels, they are expensive and they can give you diarrhoea. Control your blood pressure, glucose and blood fat levels. So, if you are going to treat yourself, you should go for the real thing. Keep active. Do you know if you are at risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes? Maintain your ideal body weight. 11.5 million people in the UK are at high risk of developing Type 2 Do not smoke. diabetes. Anyone can get it. It’s very important that you know your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, because then you can do something about it. Finding out your risk doesn’t take long. It could be the most important thing you do today. • Your risk increases with age. • You are more at risk if you’re white and over 40, or over 25 if you’re African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or Asian. • You are two to six times more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother, sister or child with diabetes. • You are more at risk of Type 2 diabetes if you’re overweight, especially if you’re large around the middle. • You’re more at risk if you’ve ever had high blood pressure. Information taken from www.diabetes.org.uk 24/3/2106 The Archbishop of Canterbury Lester Amann offers encouragement to anyone facing big problems. finally finds out who his real father was… You are my God… So many TV dramas, films and books these days depict family In April the Archbishop of Canterbury discovered that his father was problems. They have all manner of emotions and attitudes - anger, not Gavin Welby, as he had always believed. Instead, DNA testing bitterness, mistrust, bullying, lying and deceit – to name a few! Even confirmed that his real father was the late Sir Anthony Montague when the ‘fighting’ has stopped it is just an interlude before another Browne, a personal aide of Winston Churchill. ‘bombshell’ is dropped! It is rare to see families happily united. In a personal statement Justin Welby spoke of his complete surprise The Bible records numerous family discords but one family upset does at the news (confirmed by a DNA test following a Telegraph end happily – the story of Joseph. In Genesis chapter 37 we read of investigation) and said his mother has been a wonderful part of his life Joseph’s brothers turning against him. They plot to kill him but instead and continues to be so, praising her determination for overcoming sell Joseph to merchants who take him to Egypt. It is likely that alcohol addiction. modern day novelists or film script-writers would use this opening scenario to give Joseph justification for revenge. Perhaps there would “My own experience is typical of many people. To find that one's be a dramatic escape from Egypt followed by Joseph unleashing his father is other than imagined is not unusual. To be the child of families vengeance on all his brothers! with great difficulties in relationships, with substance abuse or other But the Bible story is very different. Joseph is not a young man filled matters, is far too normal.” with hatred. Instead he grows up as a slave in Egypt with a deep trust But, the Archbishop went on: “I know that I find who I am in Jesus in God and love in his heart. When Joseph is eventually reunited with Christ, not in genetics, and my identity in Him never changes. Even his brothers he shows no malice. He is so overwhelmed with love for more importantly my role as Archbishop makes me constantly aware his family that he cries openly in front of them. He hugs and kisses all of the real and genuine pain and suffering of many around the world, of them. A family feud that concludes with forgiveness is not the which should be the main focus of our prayers. expected climax for a blockbuster movie! Real life is often full of surprises! Joseph said to his brothers “Now do Although there are elements of sadness, and even tragedy in my not be upset or blame yourselves because you sold me here. It was father's (Gavin Welby’s) case, this is a story of redemption and hope really God who sent me ahead of you to save people’s lives.” Isn’t this from a place of tumultuous difficulty and near despair in several lives. an amazing statement? Despite all the physical and emotional pain It is a testimony to the grace and power of Christ to liberate and Joseph experienced, he knew that God was with him. Joseph believed redeem us, grace and power which is offered to every human being. that nothing had happened to him by accident and refused to be At the very outset of my inauguration service three years ago, crushed by his adverse circumstances. Joseph was convinced that Evangeline Kanagasooriam, a young member of the Canterbury God was in control of his life and was in Egypt for a specific purpose. Cathedral congregation, said: ‘We greet you in the name of Christ. This story is an encouragement to us because it shows that God is Who are you, and why do you request entry?’ close to those who love Him. Even when we are bewildered by troubles, illness, family upsets, hardships and when life deals us cruel To which I responded: ‘I am Justin, a servant of Jesus Christ, and I blows, God is with us. Whatever our personal need, the life of Joseph come as one seeking the grace of God to travel with you in His service gives us hope. God will never abandon those who belong to Him. together.’ What has changed? Nothing!" Carolyn Basham shares her thoughts on the Parish Weekend During the free afternoon there was opportunity to explore the many acres of Where do you begin when you want to tell a story? And this is a good story grounds, forest and hills which are gloriously beautiful. It also provided worth telling about our parish weekend at Foxhill. It`s a tall order to be restfulness which was treasured by tired, busy people or who had been concise when the story is so big. Well, I`m reliably told that every story has a feeling unwell. Our Vicar had been quite poorly the week prior to going, and beginning, a middle and an end, so I’ll do just that – start at the beginning. came away restored and feeling much better. Reverend Christine led the entire weekend drawing upon paintings, poetry, Being in the chapel is very special as it is a circular glass construction which stories and music in order to find God in our every day lives. Her first means that whilst you are worshipping, you are surrounded by countryside. It workshop was entitled, `Being in our right mind. It took an unexpected form. was a joy to hear Canon Diane playing the piano. The combination of music She asked, “What do these people have in common? Charlie Chaplin, Judy amidst nature became a spiritual experience. During worship you could Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Einstein?” clearly see groups of Squirrels playfully chasing each other around the trees. Rabbits scampered about whilst a Buzzard soared on high over the forest No-one guessed and her simple answer was that they were all left handed. above the little birds that chirruped and sang. It was quite heavenly actually. Christine, herself, is also left handed. She went on to explain a little rudimentary neurology about the fact that the brain is separated into two At the end of the weekend Christine was asked who her favourite artist was. halves and the nerves supplying the body cross over at a junction called She cited Henri Matisse because of his vibrancy and the fact that his `The Corpus Collosum`. This means that the left side of the brain rules the creativity simply could not be quelled even in old age when he was ill, right side of the body and vice versa – so sadly demonstrated when bed-bound and no longer able to hold a brush. He turned to spontaneously someone is the victim of a stroke – right sided paralysis arises from left cutting paper with scissors in a free way to continue producing art. She sided brain damage. Christine informed us that the left side of the brain pointed out that when Matisse had been asked if he believed in God, he influences our logic and reasoning whereas the right side influences said, “I do when I`m working”. creativity which explains why a lot of left handed people are particularly Christine disclosed that when she is painting it feels like a form of prayer. creative – not just as artists with paint, but THINKING creatively. She then put the same question to us as a group. Cathy Finney shared that Over the course of the weekend Christine's workshops very skilfully cajoled hers had been Stanley Spencers` “Considering the lilies”. This picture us out of left sided thinking into right sided thinking by looking at a huge showed Jesus having retreated to the wilderness to escape the pressures of array of paintings by artists ancient and modern, discussing in little groups His life – as The Bible informs us that He did. Strikingly, unlike its title, Jesus what we could glean from them. Her story telling was nothing short of a gift is not looking at lilies at all; He is on all fours gazing at daisies – the point and the music at the end of workshops provided contemplation. In our own being that we can`t all be lilies – most of us are daisies and loved by God in ways we experienced what she was guiding us towards – that “Heaven and all our simplicity. Cathy felt that, like Jesus, she had had the rare opportunity Earth cannot be separated”. God can be found everywhere – in music, art, to retreat from her busy life and simply be still and gaze at daisies. I would nature, in fact whenever you feel most content and fulfilled – not just in assert that she spoke on behalf of us all. church. It was identified that too many struggle to find God in churches due to a variety of reasons. The middle part of this story contained too much to be told in its fullness, but it was very bonding as a family. One of the highlights was the entertainment When making a sponge cake, in order for it to rise it's important to blend the night which brought about so much hilarity. layers SLOWLY when you introduce the flour. Similarly Christine blended and folded pictures, poems and music with fluidity, bringing together the The end of the story resulted in us parting company after a hearty Roast ingredients so that we could RISE above the restraint of left minded thinking. Dinner and with a heavy heart we returned to normality. Christine succeeded in maturing us spiritually. One of the poems she read was called, `The I can only say I would urge everyone to consider coming to Foxhill next time. Squashed Grape`. If I was to write the poem down this article would be too It is the perfect setting for getting to know each other far more than is lengthy, but its point was that when we experience being trodden on in life, possible just after church on Sundays, and in a church family that is very left feeling squashed, God has the desire to turn us into wine. The end of the important. There was a lot of laughter over the weekend, but equally people poem says: You are the best wine when you are mine. were able to have intimate conversations.