The Hub The Magazine of St. Augustine’s Halifax & Christ Church Pellon

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June – July 2014 Regular events For Children Sundays Children are always welcome! Christ Church 10.45am - S.O.U.L. Patrol or all age service (4th Sundays). St. Augustine’s - a special children’s area with different activities.

Uniformed Groups (all at Christ Church) Monday 6.00 – 7.00pm Rainbows(age 5-7) Jane Webster 885878 Monday 6.30 – 8.00pm Brownies(age 7-10) Tracey Jagger 248365 Monday 7.30 – 9.00pm Guides(age 10-15) Louise Cater 0775 9267671

Tuesday 6.00 – 7.00pm Beavers(age 6-8) Sam 07847 359969 Tuesday 7.00 – 8.00pm Cubs(age 8-11) Jo 07900 508700 Tuesday 7.00 – 8.00pm Scouts(age 11-14) Sam 07847 359969

SharX at Christ Church Alternate Wednesdays, 7.00—9.00pm. For ages 10+. Fun, friendship and chat., Karaoke, air hockey, table football, Wii games and lots more. Contact Norman McDonnell for more details 07851142694.

Fellowship House Groups Various days. Get together for fellowship, faith and prayer. For details contact Brian 250321.

Community Café Wednesdays 10.00 am—11.30am at Christ Church. Informal chat to meet other people, chat over coffee and cakes.

Wednesday Lunch Last Wednesday of every month, 12.15pm at Christ Church. A lovely lunch followed by fantastic puddings, cheese and biscuits and a cup of tea, all for just £3.

International Evening Fridays 6.30pm—9.30pm at Christ Church. A relaxed evening of games, food, and a chance to chill out, especially for those from other countries.

Friday Group Friday evenings, bi-monthly. Ladies get-togethers and social events. See ’What’s Happening’ for more details, or contact Ann Gardner 341962.

Men’s Breakfast Last Saturday of each month 8-10am. At The Fountainhead Inn, Pellon. Men only, worship, discussion, prayer and breakfast! Contact David Ramanauskas for more details 330770.

Worship As well as Sundays, we have other regular worship: Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s Tuesday 12 noon Informal Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch Wednesday 11.30am Communion Service at Christ Church

Interpreted Services. The first Sunday 10.45am service and the Second Sunday 6.30pm Celebration services at Christ Church will be BSL signed services. From the Vicar

Dear Readers, As I write, the rain is pouring down and looks set in for the day. I don’t suppose I can complain since we’ve had some amazing weather over recent weeks – especially when our Italian and Tanzanian visitors were here, and it was wonderfully warm and sunny for Sarah’s wedding blessing earlier this month. But I do still moan – after all, I’ve got to go out and look for a grave in Christ Church graveyard now, and it’s not very appealing weather to be doing that in at the moment! The rain quickly soaks through, and the grass is quickly growing and very wet to be tramping through, soaking your shoes and socks far too quickly. I seem to be getting more enquiries about burials in the graveyard, and requests to help find the graves – tracing your ancestry is getting more and more popular. And maybe it’s not surprising. In a fast changing world with family who often live a long distance away, and families which are often more complicated nowadays because of separation and remarriage, we find a sense of belonging when we find out “where we’ve come from”. That history can be fascinating, surprising even. It is like our very own mystery tour, with clues we have to search sometimes long and hard for in order to dig deeper into the past. It also gives us some sense of not being alone – look at all those ancestors who are part of my story! That sense of belonging is important for everyone. How often do we hear about the loneliness and isolation of people in our modern society? Despite all our communication devices, and people seemingly permanently glued to their smartphones, we seem to be becoming increasingly insular – trapped in our own little (electronic) world. But it is not only belonging that is vital. It’s also important that we don’t forget our history – both national and personal. As Edmund Burke said in the eighteenth century, “Those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it”.

3 We see that at a national level as nations repeat the same mistakes. The recent rise in popularity of parties promoting separation from Europe (and it’s not only in this country!) and standing alone is a very worrying trend as that path leads only to fear and hatred of others, and ultimately more conflict. We see it at family levels as children so often get dragged into the same cycle of addictions or habits of their parents, for good or ill. And we see it at a personal level as people repeatedly get drawn to the same kind of partner who turns out to be abusive or controlling. And if we’re not careful, we also see it in church life. As Rita Mae Brown wrote, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” (Note – most people attribute this to Albert Einstein, but there is no evidence he actually said it). Things that ‘worked’ in church life in the past and have been repeated unthinkingly have lead the church in the West to the place we are today, with largely shrinking congregations. Eighteenth century music and sixteenth century language will not speak to today’s generation. So is the answer in our spiritual life to abandon the past? Of course not! The Bible says, “Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn” (Isaiah 51.1). In other words, look at what God has done in the past, and discover that you do belong – and that the one you belong to is dependable and faithful. No matter how alone you may feel, the truth is that God is with you, and longs for you to know his presence and his peace. And no matter what you are going through, God is there and will see you through it – either in this life or into the next. And nothing can change that – unless you decide to opt out of his love. So our security is not found in rituals, in words, in buildings, in particular ways of doing things, but in a particular person – Jesus, the God who became one of us. If we put our trust in him, then we find our situations transformed – and the life of our church transformed. So let’s find out history in the God who loved us so much that he gave his one and only Son for us! John Hellewell

4 WHAT’S HAPPENING This is a BSL interpreted service

JUNE

1 Sunday: Seventh Sunday of Easter 10.45 am Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Morning Worship at St. Augustine’s 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church 2 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 3 Tuesday 10.30 am Communion at Asquith Court – all welcome! 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 4 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 5 Thursday 3.00 pm Communion at Clement Court – all welcome! 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 6 Friday 9.30 am CC Chatterbox at Christ Church 7.30 pm Ladies Friday Group at Jane Webster’s 7 Saturday 3.00 pm Wedding at Christ Church 7.30 pm Prayer for Pentecost at Christ Church

8 Sunday: Pentecost Sunday 9.00 am Said Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Morning Worship at Christ Church 10.45 am Communion at St. Augustine’s 1.30 pm International Bible Study at Christ Church 6.30 pm Celebration Service at Christ Church 9 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 10 Tuesday 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 11 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 7.00 pm SharX at Christ Church 12 Thursday 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 13 Friday 9.30 am CC Chatterbox at Christ Church 6.30 pm International Evening at Christ Church 14 Saturday 7.30 pm Worship evening at Nolstar

15 Sunday: Trinity Sunday 10.45 am Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Morning Worship at St. Augustine’s 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church 5 16 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 7.30 pm Preacher’s meeting at the Vicarage 17 Tuesday 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 18 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 10.00 am Prayer for our communities at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 12.15 pm Community Lunch at Christ Church 19 Thursday 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 20 Friday 9.30 am CC Chatterbox at Christ Church 7.30 pm Worship Group practice at Christ Church

22 Sunday: First Sunday after Trinity 9.00 am Said Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Parade Service at Christ Church 10.45 am Communion service at St. Augustine’s 12.45 pm Baptisms at Christ Church 1.30 pm International Bible Study at Christ Church 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church 23 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 24 Tuesday 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 25 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 7.00 pm SharX at Christ Church 26 Thursday 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 27 Friday 9.30 am CC Chatterbox at Christ Church 6.30 pm International Evening at Christ Church 28 Saturday 8.00 am Men’s Breakfast at the Fountainhead Inn 12 noon Wedding at Christ Church

29 Sunday: Second Sunday after Trinity 10.45 am Joint Communion at Christ Church 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church 30 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s

JULY

1 Tuesday 10.30 am Communion at Asquith Court – all welcome! 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 2.30 pm Communion at Pellon Manor 2 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 3 Thursday 3.00 pm Communion at Clement Court – all welcome! 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 6 4 Friday 9.30 am CC Chatterbox at Christ Church 5 Saturday 1.00 pm Wedding at Christ Church

6 Sunday: Third Sunday after Trinity 10.45 am Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Morning Worship at St. Augustine’s 1.30 pm International Bible Study at Christ Church 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church 7 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 8 Tuesday 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 1.30 pm West Halifax Churches Together at St. Hilda’s 7.30 pm St. Augustine’s PCC at The Centre 9 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 7.00 pm SharX at Christ Church 10 Thursday 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 11 Friday 9.30 am CC Chatterbox at Christ Church 6.30 pm International Evening at Christ Church 12 Saturday 6.00 pm X:Site at Christ Church

13 Sunday: Fourth Sunday after Trinity 9.00 am Said Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Morning Worship at Christ Church 10.45 am Communion at St. Augustine’s 6.30 pm Celebration Service at Christ Church 14 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 15 Tuesday 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 7.30 pm Christ Church PCC at Christ Church 16 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 10.00 am Prayer for our communities at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 17 Thursday 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 18 Friday 9.30 am CC Chatterbox at Christ Church 7.30 pm Worship Group Practice at Christ Church

20 Sunday: Fifth Sunday after Trinity 10.45 am Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Morning Worship at St. Augustine’s 1.30 pm International Bible Study at Christ Church 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church 21 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 7 22 Tuesday 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 23 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 7.00 pm SharX at Christ Church 24 Thursday 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church 7.30 pm Baptism Preparation at Christ Church 25 Friday 1.00 pm Wedding at at Christ Church 6.30 pm International Evening at Christ Church 26 Saturday 8.00 am Men’s Breakfast at the Fountainhead Inn

27 Sunday: Sixth Sunday after Trinity 9.00 am Said Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Parade Service at Christ Church 10.45 am Communion at St. Augustine’s 12.45 pm Baptisms at Christ Church 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church 28 Monday 9.15 am Morning Prayer at St. Augustine’s 29 Tuesday 12 noon Worship at St. Augustine’s, followed by lunch 30 Wednesday 10.00 am Community Café at Christ Church 11.30 am Communion at Christ Church 12.15 pm Community Lunch at Christ Church 31 Thursday 6.00 pm Christian Meditation at Christ Church

JUNE

3 Sunday: Seventh Sunday after Trinity 10.45 am Communion at Christ Church 10.45 am Morning Worship at St. Augustine’s 6.30 pm Communion at Christ Church

MAGAZINE DEADLINE The Parish Magazine is distributed on the last Sunday of every other month. The copy deadline for the October / November magazine is Sunday, 13 th July 2014

Contact Kath Sharman on 330812 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

8 Lunchbox dates for 2014 25th June 27th August 30th July 24th September 29th October

Wednesday’s 12.30pm cost £3.00

Lunch box Christmas Lunch Wednesday 26th November 2014 12.30pm

UNWANTED MOBILE PHONES AND USED PRINTER INK CARTRIDGES

 All original manufacturers' printer cartridges except EPSON, i.e. not compatibles e.g. Asda etc. . These should be returned to vendor.  Any mobile 'phone: I don't need the SIM card; use again or cut up & bin.  Unwanted spectacles, These are recycled for distribution in Africa. Thanks very much. Phone & cartridge money goes mainly to Christian Aid, but value of each item is greatly variable.

Please note: It's best to return empty toner cartridges to manufacturer. Use label provided or speak to supplier.

Please bring your items to church, or contact Kit directly on 01274 876141

Man and wife

With Bible in hand, I read to my high school religion class, “‘For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife.’ Okay," I said, "from this Scripture, what do we learn is important in marriage?" A voice at the back blurted: "Cleavage!"

9

May 25th 2014 Hi all, It seems a long time since I last wrote. It’s been a very busy time for SharX and SharX leaders with lots going on both in and out of church. SharXplus, the extra group created for SharX aged 16 – 21 but with our 18 year olds primarily in mind was growing quite well but unfortunately concerns were raised about 16 and 17 year olds potentially forming relationships with our older members. Our 2, 18 year olds then found work on Friday evenings so the need for the extra group is no longer urgent. If the need arises we will look again at SharXplus in the future but for the 18 – 25 year olds. Any of our current members approaching 18 can become young leaders of SharX only if they show a genuine commitment to Jesus and are able to share this with our younger members. So what have SharX been up to since the start of the year? In January we got off to a great start with an average of 25 attending the Wednesday sessions and a good turnout at Electric Bowl by those who performed in the Christmas production. I think it was around this time we were blessed with the addition on a more regular basis of Rosemary Wright to our leadership team. What a blessing it has been as Rosemary fits like a glove and is doing a fantastic job particularly on the music front with our younger members. Thank you Rosemary and thank you God you never let us down. February numbers were well maintained on Wednesdays and SharXplus was growing on Fridays. We had our first Christian event of the year when 16 of us attended the Matt Redmond Big Night In event, in Bradford – another fantastic concert enthusiastically received by our young people.

10 At a SharXplus evenng we also had a visit from Phoenix radio and Bob Arnold from Youth for Christ Calderdale (YFC) who expressed interest in getting our members to produce a community based radio program around Pellon. We will be following this up in the near future. Watch this space. March saw 30 SharX and leaders return to the ever popular Laser Zone in Huddersfield where once again the behavior of all our members was outstanding and a credit to Christ Church. Numbers attending on Wednesdays dropped to an average of 22 as the older members were attending SharXplus and enjoying 3 course meals and more mature Christian based discussions. During April we had a very busy Easter period featuring our second trip of the year to Electric Bowl. Brett, Monica, Rosie and Charles achieved the highest scores but what the scores would have been without the bumpers up we will never know! It was good to have the company of 3 SharX members at Spring Harvest. Lucy, Monica and Joe all had a fantastic 5 days and I am sure the Christian content and presence of thousands of Christians has helped bring them, as well as all from Christ Church a lot closer to our wonderful God. We will be seriously considering taking more SharX next year if we can bring down the cost with our fundraising efforts. May is even busier with 2 Bank Holidays and the half term holiday. SharX took advantage of the sunshine on Bank Holiday Monday by planting over 400 wild fruit trees at Warley Park and Sandbeds Park. Sharon obtained the plants from the Woodland Trust free of charge and with the enthusiastic support of Lucy, Oliver, Beth Krystal, Lewis, Reece, Monica (and her mum & dad Rosey and Andrew) plus the help of me, Sharon and Michael we were able to be SHARX (share in Christ) in the local community and leave (particularly Sandbeds) the parks in a far tidier state than we found them. Well done team! The Biggest SharX events of the year so far have also taken place this month within a few days of each other. On May 10th with the help of the former Wakefield Diocese, YFC and SharX funds we managed to almost fill a 55 seat coach for our annual Big Night Out trip to Lightwater Valley for rides and Christian concerts with over 2500 other young Christians from the North East of England . Despite the often torrential downpours a great time was shared by all. 11 Our party consisted of 19 SharX, 16 from Holy Nativity Mixenden, 13 from Illingworth Moor Methodist church and 5 from St Michael’s Mytholmroyd. Everybody got on well together and the behavior of all throughout the day was fantastic especially considering the weather. This was quickly followed by my highlight of the year so far, the Rock Baptism of SharX member Monica Smith. Monica gave her life to Christ at Spree last summer and on 14th May 2014 at the SharX Wednesday meeting Christ Church witnessed its first Rock Baptism. Many thanks to the Rev Robb Sutherland (vicar of Holy Nativity), his wife Ruth and their band Metanoia for bringing an abridged version of the Rock Mass to SharX for the baptism by full immersion of Monica. Thanks also to Rev John H and all who attended. It was definitely a night never to be forgotten. As well as all the events listed above SharX members have also been attending Connect events at Ebenezer Church arranged by YFC where SharX mix with members of other local Christian Youth Groups who put on their own service of worship. Some members also attend the monthly Rock Mass service at Holy Nativity which is growing in popularity particularly amongst the young people. So that brings us bang up to date, sorry if I have forgotten anything important. Does that mean we have a quiet summer to look forward to? No way, we are already busy planning for the Halifax Gala on June 14th (watch out for the SharX Heroes of Faith Float courtesy of Chambers Timber Merchants and our Wall of words stall at Manor Heath) and our summer camping trip to Spree North West at the beginning of July. Six of our older members have volunteered to go as Service Crew to look after about 300 younger Christian youth group members including several of our younger members. The list goes on and on but our main aim is always to Share in Christ, thus ensuring the next generation will continue to grow nearer to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. On behalf of all SharX members and Leaders I wish you a God blessed summer Norman Norman McDonnell – Youth leader 12 CHRIST CHURCH

Community Café Wednesdays – 10.00 to 11.30 am Please refer to diary for up to date info Meet new friends, or bring your own along for a coffee and a chat, or just somewhere to chill out. If you need a lift contact John Hellewell on 365027 or Kathleen Griffiths on 323676

Growing concern over hunger in the UK Christian unease is growing over the issue of hunger in the UK. Now the Evangelical Alliance, which represents two million Christians across 79 denominations, has called on senior politicians to put the issue of hunger in the UK firmly on the political agenda. It is also urging the cross parliamentary inquiry into foodbanks and food poverty in Britain, led by the Bishop of Truro, to include in its Terms of Reference an investigation on wage level stagnation, food price rises, and benefit changes and failures - as they relate to the rise of hunger. “Hunger in the UK is a real issue which must be of concern to us all, including the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Labour Party,” said Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance. He went on: “Last year more than 5,500 people were admitted to UK hospitals suffering with malnutrition. …Many of our member churches are playing their part hosting and stocking food banks and we need the political parties to play their part as well.” The Department for Work and Pensions has also published research showing that a third of families affected by the Benefit Cap have already had to cut spending on essential items such as food, while more than one in ten of these families have needed to borrow money to make ends meet – often from payday lenders.

13 Bible Society’s Bible Bedtime app is now available for iPad - for free! Help your children connect with Bible stories this summer – download the Bible Society’s unique new app, giving imaginative and humorous slants on classic Bible stories, with beautiful illustrations and the option to illustrate the stories yourself. Written by children’s author, Martin Coleman, the app gives his unique take on five Bible stories with many cheeky asides which will surprise traditionalists: Jonah is credited with inventing sushi because he eats raw fish in the whale’s belly; the prodigal son is described as smelling of ‘pig poo’; and God gets ‘ribbed’ about the creation of Eve. As part of its ‘Pass it On’ campaign, the Society is challenging parents to help keep the Bible alive for future generations by telling these stories each night. The importance of the challenge is highlighted in research conducted by YouGov for Bible Society that shows children are bewildered by even the major Bible stories; confusing Easter with Aesop’s fables and even fairy tales. “The Bible Bedtime app is part of our challenge to parents to help children connect with Bible stories,” says Bible society. “It's perfect for children and adults alike, to read together or on your own.” So - visit the app store on your iPad and download Bible Bedtime today. Just how much do children know about the Bible? Children aged eight to 15 were asked a series of questions to test their knowledge. The results include: • One in four (28%) think God may tell the tale of the hare and the tortoise • One in four (26%) think a couple may kill a goose that lays golden eggs • Almost a third (29%) don’t know that God raises Jesus from the dead • One in eight (13%) think Jesus tells his followers the Ten Commandments • One in five (20%) don’t know that Judas was the friend that betrayed Jesus • Almost half (48%) don’t know that Jesus shows love by washing the feet of his followers Bible Society’s earlier ‘Pass it On’ report found that 43% of eight to 15 year- olds admitted they had never read about the Crucifixion of Jesus. Similarly, 71% of parents with children aged three to 15 said they didn’t think their child had ever read, seen or heard the story. 14 The Price of Preaching The elderly pastor was searching his closet for his collar before church one Sunday morning. In the back of the closet, he found a small box containing 3 eggs and 100 $1 bills. He called his wife into the closet to ask her about the box and its contents. Embarrassed, she admitted having hidden the box for their entire 25 years of marriage. Disappointed and hurt, the pastor asked her, "WHY?" The wife replied that she hadn't wanted to hurt his feelings. He asked her how the box could have hurt his feelings. She said that every time during their marriage that he delivered a poor sermon, she had placed an egg in the box. The pastor felt that 3 poor sermons in 25 years was certainly nothing to feel bad about, so he asked her what the $100 was for. She replied, "Each time I got a dozen eggs, I sold them to the neighbours for $1.

NICE TRY Here are some signs and notices written in English -- more or less -- that were discovered throughout the world.  In a Tokyo Hotel: Is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not a person to do such a thing is please not to read notis.  In a Bucharest hotel lobby: The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.  In a Paris hotel elevator: Please leave your values at the front desk.  In a hotel in Athens: Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. daily.  In a Yugoslavian hotel: The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.  In a Japanese hotel: You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid.

15 3rd June – The Martyrs of Uganda The Ugandan Church had dozens of martyrs within just ten years of Christianity arriving there. At first, it had gone so well: the first Anglican missionaries arriving in Uganda in 1877 were welcomed by the Kabaka (king) of Buganda, Mutesa. Mutesa also welcomed the Roman Catholics and Muslim Arabs, and, being a natural diplomat, retained his power by cleverly playing off the three groups against each other. His son, Mwanga ll, who became king about 1883, was very different. Mwanga II wanted to retain absolute power, and deeply resented the missionaries and new converts, whom he felt were giving their allegiance to Christianity, instead. And so it was that on 31 January 1885 he ordered the execution of Yusufu (Joseph) Rugarama, Makko (Mark) Kakumba, and Nuwa (Noah) Serwanga. That October, even the Anglican Bishop, James Hannington, was murdered. When Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe, a senior advisor to the king and a Catholic convert, condemned Mwanga for ordering Hannington's death, Mwanga had him arrested. Mukasa became the first Catholic martyr on 15th November 1885, when he was beheaded at Nakivubo. Between December of 1885 and May of 1886 many more converts were murdered. The crisis came in May, when Mwanga ordered all the converts to choose between Christianity and complete obedience to his orders. (Mwanga had been furious and humiliated when the Christian pages in his own court refused his homosexual advances; it was unheard of to deny the king anything.) Courageously, the young Christians chose their faith. And so it was that 26 pages were wrapped in straw and burned to death at Namugongo on 3rd June, 1886. In the following months, many other Christians throughout the country died by spear or fire for their faith. They included two Christians who were in the king’s court, Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe and Charles Lwanga. Both had rescued royal pages from Mwanga’s sexual advances. The last Christian to die in this persecution was Jean-Marie Muzeeyi, beheaded at Mengo on 27th January 1887. The final list of 45 known Protestant and Catholic martyrs includes only those who could be formally accounted for.

16 The end result of the Namugongo martyrdoms was directly opposite to Mwanga's intentions. The sight of these young Ugandan Christians, who could die singing hymns and praying for their enemies, inspired many bystanders. They wanted to know about such a faith as this. Within a few years Christianity had taken firm root in Uganda.

The good ecumenist I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. I immediately ran over and said "Stop! Don't do it!" "Why shouldn't I?" he said. "Well ... are you religious or atheist?" "Religious." "Me too! Are you Christian or Jewish?" "Christian." "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?" "Protestant." "Me too! Are you Church of England, Methodist or Baptist?" "Baptist." "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?" "Baptist Church of God." "Me too! Are you Original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?" "Reformed Baptist Church of God." "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?" "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!" To which I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.

17 Why Pentecost makes Christ accessible Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house. (Acts 2:2) Christianity is more than a fading memory scrapbook. The day of Pentecost came, to make our Lord accessible, even to the newest follower! Imagine the late Nelson Mandela arriving at Heathrow Airport. On stepping onto the tarmac a group of admirers and friends wave to him excitedly from the airport roof. But instead of lingering with them, he only waves briefly, and is immediately whisked away. Yet any disappointment among his friends is tempered later, when they see Mandela in a major TV programme addressing himself not only to them but to an entire nation. His removal from them had been essential if he was to have been made available to many millions more. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, no more than a limited number of people could be near enough to hear him, let alone speak to him or touch him. His Ascension – followed by Pentecost - was to change everything to a global dimension. Earlier he had reassured his disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you….It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go I will send him to you….(John 14:18; 16:7). To have the Holy Spirit is to have the very presence of Jesus in your life. The mystery of Pentecost. The coming of Christ’s Spirit – ‘the Counsellor’ - reminded people of a wind (unseen, yet powerful in its effects) - and of prophecies such as Ezekiel 37:9. Christians have always loved these vivid descriptions of the Holy Spirit - wind, fire, oil, water, a dove. The sovereignty of Pentecost. ‘The wind blows where it wills’ said Jesus to Nicodemus (John 3:8). So was the Spirit’s working in Acts 2 - suddenly there were new believers swept into the Church of Jesus Christ - from lands all around the Mediterranean basin. Don’t say the Gospel can’t work in certain places and people. It has! It does. The energy of Pentecost. At the start of Acts 2, there were about 120 believers in the church. By the end of the day they had ballooned by over 2,000 percent. And today? Why, to take the statistics of Africa alone, for every little African baby being born today, there will be two Africans becoming followers of Jesus. Pentecost is a phenomenon worldwide!

18 God’s provision comes from surprising places… ‘Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to [Elijah]: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have instructed a widow there to supply you with food…”’ 1 Kings 17:7-10 God’s provision for us can come in the most unlikely of places, and through the most unlikely of people. Having announced to Ahab that there will be a drought in the land, Elijah is led by God to a brook where ravens supply him with food. When the brook dries up, God displays his power to provide in a different way. Just as God ‘directed’ the ravens (17:4), so now he ‘directs’ a widow to feed Elijah. Not the most obvious choice, perhaps. Apart from anything else, she lives in enemy territory. In addition, being a widow, the woman has already suffered loss; she is poor and in need, eking out an existence. When Elijah encounters her, she is preparing what will be a final meal for her and her son – a last supper. So it is with remarkable faith that she responds to Elijah’s promise that her meagre resources – a jar of flour and a jug of oil – will not run out. Against all her instincts as a mother, she feeds Elijah first, and discovers that God is able to meet their needs. He continues to do so in the daily provision of flour and oil. And, like other widows in Scripture, she takes her place in the circle of those drawn into God’s plan, such that Jesus himself refers to her in Luke 4:24-26, reminding us that grace extends to – and comes from – unexpected places. We, too, may be the means by which God shares his abundance with neighbours, with colleagues, with strangers. And we minister grace and love to others not because we are special, but because we have been on the receiving end of it ourselves. God uses us to bless and benefit others, and may allow us to see him work through us in ways we could not even begin to imagine. Yes, God’s provision can come in the most unlikely of places and through the most unlikely of people, even through us.

19 Mara Link Visitors Jackson from Gesayra Village (Christ Church’s Link) and Lineth from Kiabakari Village (St Augustine’s Link) Phillipians 1 .3-6

Picture shows Jackson and Lineth with the welcome poster designed by two of Christ Church’s Soul Patrol members. Jackson and Lineth arrived here on 8th May after three days of travel with another 5 members of the group, to very cold and wet Yorkshire. It took a while for them to acclimatise to our cooler weather but eventually Lineth took her coat and woolly hat off!! Jackson is a farmer and has 8 acres of land where he grows vegetables and fruit and has cows, sheep and goats. He has a kiosk by his farm where he sells his produce together with a small supply of goods which he brings back to the village when he takes his produce to the local market to sell. Jackson is married and has three children aged 11, 7 and 5. He is the Secretary for his church which has a congregation of approximately 100. Lineth is a teacher and works at the School in Kiabakari. She teaches Swahili, English and History and the classes have been 90 and 100 pupils in each. Lineth is very involved in her church which has a congregation of approximately 80 and she hopes within the next few years to train as a lay reader.

20 We had a very full programme arranged for them and as we say they hit the ground running … trips round the countryside, visit to Shibden Park, the Media Museum, Food and Support Drop In and Saturday Gathering, Halifax Town Hall and Minster, talks and question time with the rainbows, brownies and Guides and Beavers and Cubs, Rock Mass Services, Christ Church and St Augustine’s Junior Schools, York, Scarborough, Deaf Church as well as attending events organised by the Diocese for the whole group of visitors. All in all a very busy 19 days. The final event was a farewell evening held at St. Augustine’s Centre, where some of the food was typical Tanzanian food and included a presentation given by Jackson and Lineth with pictures from home showing their home, church and life in Tanzania. Both Shelagh Hirst (St Augustine’s) and myself would like to thank all who offered accommodation for Jackson and Lineth and also took them on their various excursions and took them into their homes to feed them. It was much appreciated and Jackson and Lineth received so much out of meeting so many different people. Kath Sharman Christ Church Missions Group

Sudoku

21 Did you know …? The Human Body is a treasure trove of mysteries -- one that still confounds doctors and scientists about the details of its working. It's not an overstatement to say that every part of your body is a miracle. Here are 10 facts about your body, some of which may leave you stunned (more next month). 1. It's possible for your body to survive without a surprisingly large fraction of its internal organs. Even if you lose your stomach, your spleen, 75% of your liver, 80% of your intestines, one kidney, one lung, and virtually every organ from your pelvic and groin area, you wouldn't be very healthy, but you would live. 2. During your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. Actually, Saliva is more important than you realize. If your saliva cannot dissolve something, you cannot taste it. 3. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm. The egg is actually the only cell in the body that is visible by the naked eye. 4. The strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue and the hardest bone is the jawbone. 5. Human feet have 52 bones, accounting for one quarter of all the human body's bones. 6. Feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day. 7. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades. The reason it doesn't eat away at your stomach is that the cells of your stomach wall renew themselves so frequently that you get a new stomach lining every three to four days. 8. Sneezes regularly exceed 100 mph, while coughs clock in at about 60 mph. 9. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil. 10. Your body has enough iron in it to make a nail 3 inches long.

22 23

Crossword

Clues

Across 20 Agreement (Hebrews 9:15) (8) 21 Native of, say, Bangkok (4) 1 See 23 Across 22 Deaf fort (anag.) (5-3) 3 Where the thief on the cross was told he 23 and 1 Across ‘The Lord God took the man would be, with Jesus (Luke 23:43) (8) and put him in the Garden of — to work it 8 Invalid (4) and take — of it’ (Genesis 2:15) (4,4) 9 Blasphemed (Ezekiel 36:20) (8) 11 Adhering to the letter of the law rather than Down its spirit (Philippians 3:6) (10) 14 Shut (Ecclesiastes 12:4) (6) 1 Struggle between opposing forces 15 ‘This is how it will be with anyone who — up (Habakkuk 1:3) (8) things for himself but is not rich towards 2 James defined this as ‘looking after orphans God’ (Luke 12:21) (6) and widows in their distress and keeping 17 Mary on Isis (anag.) (10)

24 oneself from being polluted by the world’ 12 ‘God was pleased through the foolishness of (James 1:27) (8) what was — , to save those who believe’ (1 4 ‘The one I kiss is the man; — him’ (Matthew Corinthians 1:21) (8) 26:48) (6) 13 Camp where the angel of the Lord slew 5 ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in — , faithful in 185,000 men one night (2 Kings 19:35) (8) prayer’ (Romans 12:12) (10) 16 ‘There is still — — — Jonathan; he is 6 St Columba’s burial place (4) crippled in both feet’(2 Samuel 9:3) (1,3,2) 7 Swirling current of water (4) 18 David Livingstone was one (4) 10 Loyalty (Isaiah 19:18) (10) 19 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (1,1,1,1)

Maze

25 Wordsearch

Pentecost The story of Pentecost is found in Acts 2. After the Ascension of Jesus, the disciples had obeyed his command to stay in Jerusalem and to ‘wait for the promise from the Father’. Jesus said this would be the ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit’, but the disciples had no idea what that meant. They soon found out! Acts tells us that at about 9 o’clock one morning, a sound like a rushing wind from heaven suddenly filled the house, and divided tongues as if of fire rested on each one of them. The Holy Spirit had come down and filled them with his divine power! Praise, preaching and witnessing followed that morning – and the Church was born.

Pentecost High Nine Son Trinity Fires Morning Holy Jerusalem Flames Glory Spirit Disciples Languages Waiting Eternal Praying Praise Place Tongues Drunk Wind Power Wine Father

26 Doctor, Doctor The following quotes were allegedly taken from actual medical records as dictated by physicians:  By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped and he was feeling better.  On the second day, the knee was better and on the third day it had completely disappeared.  The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 1983.  Patient was released to outpatient department without dressing.  Discharge status: Alive but without permission.  The patient refused an autopsy.  The patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.  She slipped on the ice and apparently her legs went in separate directions in early December.  The patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.  She is numb from the toes down.  The skin was moist and dry.  When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.

Marriage Secrets

Grandpa Jones was celebrating his 100th birthday and everybody complimented him on how athletic and well-preserved he appeared. "Gentlemen, I will tell you the secret of my success," he cackled. "I have been in the open air day after day for some 75 years now." The celebrants were impressed and asked how he managed to keep up his rigorous fitness regime. "Well, you see my wife and I were married 75 years ago. On our wedding night, we made a solemn pledge. Whenever we had a fight, the one who was proved wrong would go outside and take a walk.”

Solutions

28

Together, the Vicar and worship leader chose the songs for the month

29 From the Registers...

FUNERALS

27th March Kenneth Duckworth 1st April Gladys Ainsworth 4th April Sheila Appleyard 9th April Heather Sears 10th April George Stocks 28th April Marian Duncan 2nd May Ruth Smith 9th May Michael Smith 20th May Rosemary Sirmond

our love, sympathy & prayers to their family and friends

27th April Harrison James Tansley 14th May Monica Chloe Smith 25th May Chloe Emma Angel Ward Dexter Jake Taylor

our warmest congratulations to them, their families and friends

WEDDINGS

26th April Ben Orchard & Sally Jane Shaw

Our warmest congratulations and best wishes for the future.

30 CHURCH FLOWERS

17th May Sarah & Davide’s wedding blessing. Many congratulations from us all.

10th June An arrangement of flowers to celebrate “The Anniversary of the Church of England Flower Arrangers Association”.

15th June A celebration of our Diamond Wedding Anniversary, John & Beryl Broadhead. Many congratulations from all your friends at Christ Church.

My thanks to everyone who puts money in the Flower Box and the donations received for Easter flowers, and the contributions towards altar flowers in memory of loved ones. The church would be bleak indeed if flower were not there, especially showing their beauty when the sun shines through the East Window. June Lockwood

“Whilst I appreciate the thought, would whoever it is please stop tweeting, ‘So far, so good...’?”

31 “Well, no, I’m not dressing like this to create common ground with today’s youth culture – I’ve always worn a hoody.”

The Delvers at Wainstalls

Telephone 01422 244863

Kitchen Opening Times

Monday – Saturday 12 – 2 & 5 – 8 Sunday 12 – 6

Meal deal available 7 days a week Mains £7.00, 2 courses £10.00, 3 courses £12.50

Bookings Advisable to avoid disappointment All our food is traditional and homemade, why not come along and see for yourself?

32

HALIFAX

CHAPEL OF REPOSE 25 Clare Road, Halifax HX1 2JP

Telephone: 01422 353970

SIMPSONS

FUNERAL SERVICE Parkfield Chapel of Rest, South Lane, Elland HX5 0HQ Telephone: 01422 373531

CHARLES WOOD FUNERAL SERVICE Bramston Street, Brighouse, West Yorkshire HD6 3AA Telephone: 01484 720811

Private Chapels of Rest 24 hour personal service Professional qualified staff Pre-paid funerals available

33 Is Your ANDREW LUMB Garden in a Mess? ANTIQUES Do you need help with . . . Andrew & Kathryn Lumb

House Clearances Single items to full house Furniture/Antiques/Collectables

Cutting back, Digging Over, Weeding, Clearing Dead Growth, Tidying, Planting Out and Preparing

Your Garden for the Spring. Home Phone: 01422 832847 £15.00 per Hour Mobile: Call Hannah, 07879 471103 (Andrew) 07717456150 0777 5943057 (Kathryn)

BRUCE PELLON RUSHWORTH LUNCHEON CLUB

Thursdays at Pellon Baptist Church Hall BATHROOMS And TILING

48 Broadley Grove Food served at Moorend Road ● Halifax 12.30 pm Two course lunch - £2.50

Tel: For more information 01422 362155 contact Norma on 839861

34 ALPHA School of Motoring

 first lesson free

 discounts for block bookings, students & unemployed

 refresher courses

 help with theory test

 Pass Plus

 easy to drive Nissan Micra

 patient & friendly instruction

Jim Trafford DSA ADI 01422 348636 0778 6280 650 www.alphasomhalifax.co.uk

hair fashions gigi State registered Hairdresser

Specialists in Hard Landscaping, colouring and perming or call in for a free consultation Lawns and Maintenance for your special wedding day at affordable prices hairstyle

*************** Senior Citizen day Call John on Tuesday and Wednesday 07979 801995

*************** 6 Sutcliffe Street, Pellon, Halifax

Telephone: No job too small (or big) 362812

35 Who’s Who at Church

Vicar: Rev. John Hellewell 365027 New Vicarage, Church Lane, Mount Pellon [email protected]

Assistant Priest: Rev. Sue Heptinstall 341436 [email protected]

Reader: Karen Hellewell 365027

Pastoral Worker: Denise Keenan 259421

Magazine Editor: Sharon Tyler [email protected] 07871910300

Christ Church St. Augustine’s Wardens Michael Cockerill 363892 Jon Hirst 368613 Michael Crouch (01535) 646494 Jimmy Keenan 259421 Secretary Kath Sharman 330812 Jon Hirst 368613 Treasurer Margaret Sanders 380557 Bob Berridge 347978 Pastoral Care Rosemary Power O’Mahony 330770 Denise Keenan 259421 Child Protection Sharon Tyler 07871 910300 Ann Mansfield 364620 Vulnerable Persons Liz Gledhill 07821 520119 Ann Mansfield 364620

Electoral Roll Jean Sparkes 380557 John Fleming 352669

Church Flowers June Lockwood 356740 Jenny Lynn Baptism enquiries Sue Heptinstall 341436 John Hellewell 365027 Wedding enquiries June Lockwood 356740 John Hellewell 365027

Christ Church (Pellon) C of E (VC) Primary School

Head Emma Midgley 350792

St. Augustine’s C of E (VA) Junior & Infant School

Head Leona Binner 360615

Christ Church, Church Lane, Mount Pellon, Halifax, HX2 0EF St. Augustine’s, Hanson Lane, Halifax, HX1 5PG 36