Bishop Ian Writes

Archdeacon of Northampton writes

February

o you want to know some trivia about February? I’m Dsure you do.  When Caesar introduced leap years, the last day of February was the 28th. The extra day was achieved by counting 24th February twice.  ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is the only Shakespeare play that mentions February.  The Anglo-Saxons called February ‘Solmonath’ meaning ‘month of mud’.

I know what those Anglo-Saxons meant. Christmas is over; Auntie Flo has been dispatched back home; the Christmas tree is lying brown and brittle in the back garden; the house looks a tad drab and cheerless; the excitement of New Year (with all those well intentioned and frequently ignored resolutions) is now in the rear view mirror; speaking of which, the car needs defrosting every morning; and to make matters worse, although there are Easter Eggs in the shops, we have to churn through Lent first. ‘Solmonath’ indeed.

My father used to say “if you didn’t get out of bed in the morning you wouldn’t have the pleasure of getting back into bed in the evening.” He had a point (although I never admitted that he had a point when I was a teenager). If we didn’t go through the prayerful preparation and wonderful anticipation of Advent we wouldn’t fully grasp the glories and mysteries of Christmas. If we didn’t draw close to God through the season of Lent how could we prepare for the emotional rollercoaster of Holy Week? And if we didn’t walk with Jesus and feel the betrayal of Maundy Thursday and the pain of Good Friday how could we understand the new life of Easter Day?

As the Psalmist reminds us, the same path that leads through green pastures and alongside still waters also takes us through the darkest valleys. But the same Good Shepherd, Jesus himself, walks that path with us.

So may I wish you a very happy ‘Solmonath’ … and may your Lenten ‘month of mud’ be a time of preparation for the history changing and life changing events of Easter.

Richard Ormston

Diocese of Peterborough - Magazine Resource – February 2016 Produced by the Diocesan Office, The Palace, Peterborough PE1 1YB Tel: 01733 887000 Email: [email protected] www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk The Bishop’s Home Group Course by Peter Stiling

hen I mentioned that I was going on a Home group leaders course a couple of people said to me, “Why do you need a course on how to run Wa group ?” and “You have devised and run, work and church groups so why this?”

My answer; From time to time I feel I need to improve my skills by learning something new or refreshing something I’m doing.

The course was excellent. The content, delivery, and the quality of facilitators was very good. Meeting new fellow Christians and sharing ideas is always good. The first year with the Home Group leaders and Children’s courses being together worked well. When we went our separate ways there we focused on our own needs. What came through was the need for personal leader preparation as well as ways of looking afresh at the Bible.

The first year had a focus on areas we all had learnt before, which is good to be reminded of good learning and have past learning refreshed with new ways of reading and presenting material. The second year around Ethics was different and quite exciting. It was presented in a quite dynamic and innovative way. Our two presenters worked well off each other. I felt it carried everyone along at a good pace - well it did me and I know others who felt the same.

One of the valuable ideas I came away with was the need to have a good learning atmosphere for the Home group to ‘grow in’, this reflected the course atmosphere.

This is important so the Home group can benefit from the purpose of moving people’s understanding the Bible and of their faith, forward. For me an important part of leading a Home group will be creating a good environment. There needs to be a calm, safe and relaxed environment. A choice of venue will be an important part of the whole Home group experience.

What came through was the need for personal leader preparation as well as ways of looking afresh at the Bible.

Home Group Leaders Course #Washday16—a loving act of service

n Maundy Thursday every year somewhere in the country you can find Omembers of our churches shining shoes for strangers on our high streets. The free shoe shine offers a way of talking to people about Jesus’s washing of the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper – and then telling them the Easter story.

It’s always good to remind people what are great Christian festivals are all about. This year the Church of England is trying something different – and we’re hoping that as many of our churches and schools will get involved. Our new campaign is #washday16, and yes, it’s all about washing. We want people to get out into the community and wash – whether that’s cars, windows, curtains, road signs or pets.

Anything that can be offered as a free gift of love and that makes a difference in the community will do. It’s about showing that Christians not afraid of getting their hands dirty in the service of others. #washday16 was inspired by two things. First, there’s a church in Los Angeles that runs a project called Laundry Love. Laundry Love is all about members of the congregation getting together with homeless people to help wash their clothes, and then sharing pizza together. The simple fact of having clean clothes to wear can help people down on their luck to find their way back into employment and housing.

And then there was the ice-bucket challenge that was so popular last summer. You may remember that people competed to find entertaining ways of getting soaked in the name of charity. Friends nominated each other, and the momentum built. People had a lot of fun doing something silly, and raised money for the much-needed fight against Motor Neurone Disease in the process. The fact that it was simple and easy to do was part of its success.

#washday16 is just as simple. What could be easier than brightening up someone’s day by offering to do their washing up? People of all ages can take part. You may want to link it to fundraising for a charity such as WaterAid.

If you’re in search of ideas, have a look at www.washday.org which has tells you everything you need to know. Think what might work in your community. And then pick up your sponges and wash – and please take pictures and tweet, using the hashtag #washday16 to inspire others.

Photo: Gill Lovell #washday15

Happy Birthday to Mothers’ Union!

his year will see Mothers’ Union mark 140 years of faithful Christian outreach to families of all faiths and none. Since 1876, when Mary Sumner Tfirst brought together parents in her own parish to build their confidence in bringing up their children, they have grown to an organisation of over four million women – and men – in over 80 countries of the world.

Why celebrate 140th, rather than wait for 150th? In the Old Testament of the Bible, in the first book of Samuel, there is the story of Samuel marking an unlooked for victory against the mighty Philistines by erecting a stone between Mizpah and Shen, naming it “Ebenezer” meaning “stone of help” as a permanent reminder of the leading and guidance of God “Thus far has the Lord helped us”.

There has never been a more challenging, or more exciting time to be part of Mothers’ Union. They hope to train more members to help more families; to encourage greater outreach across countries and communities where family life is under greatest threat. To do this we need your help.

To find out how you can help Mothers’ Union contact the Mothers Union Supporter Care line on

020 7227 0620 or email [email protected]

February 2016 events Wed 3 Feb, Celtic Mass Service at St Mary, Finedon NN9 5NR, 7pm. The Celtic Mass service is based on how the mass was celebrated in the times of Celtic Christianity in the early middle ages. The services last around 40 minutes. Alternately on the first Wednesday of every month. www.stmarysfinedon.co.uk

Sat 13 Feb, Seeing the World: How to Use your Camera at Holy Cross Church Hall Daventry, NN11 4BL, 10am to 3pm. Whatever your level of ability Chrys will help you to: - See what to photograph, Master the settings on your camera, Take better nature and people shots. Suitable for any type of camera or experience!. This event, which is free of charge, is part of our Diocesan Discipleship Menu, it is led by Revd. Chrys Tremththanmor. To book a place bookings@peterborough- diocese.org.uk or for more info 01604 887049

Tues 23 Feb, Growth and Stewardship Roadshow at venue TBC, An event for everyone who wants to see their local church grow. Providing lots of practical tips for enhancing our stewardship & growing numerically. For more info [email protected] or 01604 887043

More details at: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/events