A people who relate to God, together and to the world

The Messenger

June 2012 2 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 3 Who’s Who Pastor Rev’d Marcus Dickinson 01483 422105 Pastoral Assistant Sally Pollard 01483 428646 Ministerial Training Student Jonathan Keyworth 01483 414424 Administrator Fiona Gwynn (01483 422105) Away Team Linda & Jonathan Chamberlain (WEC) Jeanne Jarvis (Mexico) Daphne & Eddie Smith (WEC Australia) Link Missionaries Anjanette & Scott Williamson (BMS Peru) Secretary Janet Fry 01483 527390 Treasurer Graham Seddon 01483 415425 Elders Jim Brunt 01483 424272 Eric Jarman 07504 309134 Alan Toombs 01483 416859 Deacons John Dunning 01483 417112 Richard Fortescue 01252 702533 Richard Jarman 01483 420513 Jenny Leforte 01483 420898 Sally Pollard 01483 428646 Marion Toombs 01483 416859 Matthew Toombs 01428 684421 Paul Wakeman 01252 781263 Cell Group Facilitators Janet & Matthew Fry 01483 527390 Jeannette Jones 01483 860666 Jenny Leforte 01483 420898 Sally Pollard 01483 428646 Margaret Stickler 01483 415338 Sharon & Paul Wakeman 01252 781263 Ruth Weedon & Anne Dew 01428 685503 Child Advocates Matthew Fry 01483 527390 Sharon & Paul Wakeman 01252 781263 Vulnerable Adults Advocates Ruth Weedon 01428 685503 Roger Barnett 01483 423467 Zone Youth Groups Sharon & Paul Wakeman 01252 781263 Reception Co-ordinator Gloria Hacillo 01483 416675 Audio-Visual Co-ordinator pro tem Anthony Weedon 01428 685503 Social Action Mike Hacillo 01483 416675 Friendship Club Sheila Skinner 01483 417747 Wednesday Fellowship The Committee 01483 426776 Bible-a-Month Club John Dunning 01483 417112 Short Mat Bowls Club Sheila Skinner 01483 417747 Pre School Jo Smith 01483 200453 The Ark Penny McMahon 01483 425120 Web-site Administrator Matthew Toombs 01428 684421 Catering Co-ordinator Audrey Young 01483 810795 Flowers Co-ordinator June Rothwell 01483 417405 Caretaker John Donaldson 01483 811901 2 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 3

The View from the Manse

Confident?

recall many years ago someone speaking about how to overcome some of the difficult obstacles I that life throws at us, the advice was something along the lines of ‘one obstacle at a time’. …don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today (Matthew 6:34) At the time of hearing it I was much younger and in trouble with debts that had mounted from having credit cards and a badly managed bank account. At the time the obstacles facing me seemed insurmountable. I learnt the importance of prioritizing the obstacles I was facing, visualizing them as hurdles to jump over, one at a time. This illustration is one that still comes to mind during times of difficulties; the added bonus to this illustration is that now I also have the confidence of knowing that there are NO insurmountable obstacles when God is involved. There may be big, difficult, painful obstacles but they can and shall be overcome as we put our trust in God to help us. The Bible is full of people who despite the odds stacked against them have overcome. David when faced with opposition from Saul overcame the murderous intentions of his predecessor. Goliath had the jump on David in every way, height, strength, armour, weapons, skill and experience and yet David felled the giant. Elijah takes part in a showdown against hundreds of false prophets, he is seriously outnumbered as he faces this prophetic confrontation. Add to that his insistence to pour water over an offering that is to be burnt and it looks highly unlikely that he will overcome – yet the offering is ignited through divine fire. Daniel and his friends look set for certain doom as they confront the immoral and ungodly ways of a Babylonian Empire and King, they are brought through the fiery furnace. Daniel faces a den of hungry lions and walks away unscathed. Whatever we are facing at this time we can face with confidence that with God’s help we can overcome. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) Marcus Thursday Evening Study Group 21st June – 19th July oin us for Season 1 of our “Back 2 Basics” study sessions. Back 2 Basics will be split into two 5-week sessions; the firstJ before, and the second after the summer holidays. These studies will take place at church from 8 to 9.30 p.m. Please, come prepared with your Bibles and, if possible, having already started to think, pray and read around some of the topic titles. We will aim to start at 8 p.m. prompt – so, for those of you who need their caffeine boost, please come a little earlier and make yourself a drink before we start. Season 1 During our time together we will look at how scripture 21st June : Worship speaks into the different aspects of church life and practice. It 28th June : Prayer is hoped that these studies will help us re-discover the basics 5th July : Studying Scripture of our faith and practice, both individually and corporately, as 12th July : Church Authority we seek to engage with God’s call on our lives. 19th July : Communion 4 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 5 The Earthly Implications Of A Cosmic Reality Acts 1 : 1 – 11; Ephesians 1 : 15 – 23 he ascended to be seated at the right hand of ome of you with good memories may the Father in glory and power, above all rule Sremember a much-hyped film back in 1979 and authority, power and dominion and every called Alien, directed by Ridley Scott. Even if title that can be given, not only in the present you have never seen it I’m sure you will have age but also in the age to come. God placed heard of it – humans exploring space land on all things under His feet and appointed Him an alien planet and find a dreaded creature to be head over everything for the church, that wreaks havoc upon them and their space which is His body the fullness of Him who fills ship. I mention this because the director Ridley everything in every way. Scott has another much anticipated Sci-Fi film coming out at the start of next month, this film So the Cosmic reality of the Ascension is is called Prometheus. Prometheus in Greek that Jesus returns to that place from which mythology was a titan, a powerful deity, who as He came in order to rule over all things. One mythology would have us believe stole fire from of the reasons we had Psalm 47 as our call Zeus and gave it to mortals. His punishment to worship is because it is an enthronement was to be bound to a rock and have a great psalm and is fitting as we recall the ascension eagle come and eat his liver each day as his and enthronement of Christ in the heavenly liver grew back overnight! Great stuff! realms. Christ is able to rule over all things because He has accomplished what no other In Ridley Scott’s new film a spaceship could, a perfect life lived, a perfect sacrifice named Prometheus is travelling through offered, the results of which are that sin and galaxies in search of our origins, presumably death have been defeated. Therefore Christ is in order to bring back some knowledge of our exalted on high. origins, some celestial fire, to help us progress in the future. The films tag line is “They went This cosmic reality has various earthly searching for our beginning. What they found implications – not least of which is that we call could be our end.” Christ Lord and Saviour. But this morning I don’t want to focus on the doctrinal implications What has this to do with Ascension Sunday of Christ’s status and titles, neither do I want you may ask – indeed. Well Ascension Sunday to focus on the missional implications found in is the day when we recall Jesus returning to the reading from Acts; to be witnesses to the the place of His origin but unlike Prometheus ends of the earth, the time after the ascension He does not steal fire but has instead promised and prior to the restoration of the Kingdom, to send a Holy Fire for our empowerment. which the disciples were so concerned with, More of that next week, I’m sure, as we enter is a gracious interim for witness. This morning Pentecost. I would like us to consider another earthly implication that results from Christ’s Ascension, But the Ascension of our Lord is a pivotal one that is not initially an outward act such as moment – post ascension whenever Christians proclamation of Divine titles or the embodiment speak of God they must also speak of Christ, of a missional lifestyle – but one that is an for Christ now reigns with God. The ascension internal acceptance of something implicit within of Christ has huge cosmic implications, indeed the Ascension of Christ. it is not far off the mark to say that in the search for our beginnings we too discover Think about the situation – Jesus has risen our end – only our end is not necessarily a from death to show Himself very much alive – doomed event whereby we are in fear for our not alive as we know life to be at this present future. Instead we discover that He who was in time but alive post death with new abilities, not the beginning is our end, our power, our glory, that Jesus was lacking any amazing abilities our hope, our destiny. When Christ ascended prior to His crucifixion! 4 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 5 So Jesus has this new post-death life and it!!! He doesn’t say that though, instead He could, if He chose, continue His ministry, He steps back, or in ascension terms was taken could have continued to go round teaching up from before their eyes. The poor disciples people and challenging the authorities of the haven’t even got enough time to question in day – after all what would be the worst they what way do you want us to be witnesses, how could do to Him now?? They already killed Him do we develop the vision and how long should and that didn’t seem to stop Him!!! And imagine we spend on strategic planning? the uproar if he carried on going from place to place teaching, preaching and healing. I think sometimes we need to learn from Jesus’s example of letting go so that others can Put yourself in Jesus’s place for a minute take hold. I’m sure Jesus could and would have – imagine you had been crucified and now evangelised the whole world many years ago if you are back alive in a new wonderful way indeed He had taken it upon Himself to do so. – wouldn’t you be tempted to go round to all those people who doubted you and just The truth is that He has entrusted us to do stand here with that “I told you so look on your it and we make mistakes – I’m certain that the faces”? Wouldn’t you be tempted to say to the early church had its fair share of mistakes, disciples; “C’mon guys and girls lets go finish blunders and bloopers – I wonder how many this job”? times Paul lost his temper with Barnabas before it all blew up and they went their separate But what does Jesus do? He says to ways, or how many times Peter’s forehead was His disciples, look you are going to do the slapped by his own hands as he realised … work from now on – you are going to be My doh! Not again! When will I ever learn!! witnesses, you are going to teach, preach, heal, pray, deliver and transform. You lot, go But that is the beauty of the God and Christ and wait until My power comes to you. we serve – He is big enough to allow us to make our mistakes and His coming Kingdom is What trust Jesus is investing in His not threatened by them, we must learn likewise disciples, in us, in all who follow Him and in our dealings with others. His teaching. Implicit in His ascension is His trust in our ability to do that which He has Allowing others to make mistakes that you commanded us to do. I don’t know about you would not make….and not judging them for but I don’t trust myself with a bar of chocolate it is a sign of the Kingdom of God in our own for more than five minutes!!!! hearts. Jesus ascends and watches from on high as those He has entrusted make their own But here is the Lord of the universe mistakes and all the while Christ loves them. entrusting the fulfilment of God’s Kingdom into the hands of mere mortals. The same bunch of What does it mean to trust someone people who ran, disowned and even doubted despite knowing their limitations? We have all their beloved Jesus find themselves being probably at some point watched a child try to entrusted to continue with the work He began do something which for us adults is easy to do and to share in the work He has completed. and we have struggled not to step in and help – we stop ourselves from stepping in because We are not talking about a little bit of trust here we know the child has to learn, even through but an immense investment of trust – firstly to be making mistakes. vessels fit for the power of God and secondly to be witnesses to the ends of the world!!! What does it take to trust someone who has previously disappointed us? Once bitten twice Jesus’ trust in His disciples teaches us shy – is that what we see in Jesus’s approach important lessons about what it means to work with those to whom he has entrusted the Church? together – whilst Jesus could easily have said this work is SO important that ONLY I can do What does it mean to trust someone with 6 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 7 something so precious to you – this week Mark Jesus ascends and returns to the Father Zucherberg the founder of the online social in order that we will receive gifts from on network called Facebook floated the company high – but it is all to do with love – we are left on the stock market. He founded Facebook in holding a precious cargo, we are left with huge 2004 but has only just floated it on the market responsibilities, we are left to do the work that – he has made sure that it has gone the way Jesus could do perfectly, we are left to do the he wanted it to go over the past eight years; he work of witnessing because we are trusted by has made sure that it was successful enough God and that trust is rooted in our origin and and worth enough before allowing others to secured in our end through Divine love. have some say in its direction. Jesus, if you like, is the founding director of the Church and The most fundamental thing for any of us to whilst He secured Her future upon the cross comprehend is just how much we are loved by He very quickly allowed each share holder to God. The love of God in Christ Jesus is both play a not insignificant part in the direction that our origin and our end. the Church takes – sometimes in Her history Marcus Dickinson she has gone wayward (crusades, inquisitions) A sermon preached on Sunday morning but nevertheless Jesus trusts us to be the safe 20th May hands of His creation. Zucherberg has allowed others to play a part in Facebook because of the financial implications, Jesus has invited After being shown photographs of his others to be a part of His Church simply because He loves us and trusts us. parents’ wedding a small boy said to his father, “Is that when you got Why does Jesus show so much trust – because He loves us, and He believes in us. We Mummy to come and work for us?” trust those whom we love…even when they let us down… we still seek to see the best in them. That’s why love is the greatest power in the universe – without love, trust is impossible; A young boy (the same one?)asked real trust that will overcome disappointments is his friend, “Why can’t you come to fuelled by true love. Jesus’s unconditional love for us is the foundation of the immense trust He my church? places in us to carry on the work that He could “Because,” said his friend, “I so easily complete without our help – but He belong to another abomination.” wants us to be involved because He loves us.

these two months. I am sure holiday to get over it all. Link-Up that the local events to mark In the Epistle to the Hebrews, Churches Together the Diamond Jubilee of our the writer speaks, in chapter in and District beloved Queen will be well 12:1, about “running with ‘Keeping in Touch’ supported, we shall certainly perseverance the race marked From the Chair be around for them. out for us”. As we begin these This edition of “Link-Up” will Thereafter, we have a surfeit memorable months in all our cover two months, as both Pat and I of sport to watch, which will not lives, let us remember that God will be on holiday for most of June. please everyone, but the writer already knows the path of our ith the recent turn in the is certainly preparing for Euro lives and we need to commit weather we have so 2012 football and the start of each day to Him, seeking to muchW to look forward to, both the Olympic Games in late July. “run” for His glory. locally and as a country, during PHEW! I shall need another John Dunning 6 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 7 Peter On Prayer n Matthew 18:19 Jesus says: ‘If two of you a good example of the mistake we make so on earth agree about anything you ask for, it often: building up a collection of beliefs by willI be done for you by my Father in heaven.’ picking out suitable verses. Dangerous! For The trouble is that it doesn’t seem to work. example: the Bible says: ‘The living know that Even when the whole of RBC agrees about they will die, but the dead know nothing, they something we want done it doesn’t always have no further reward’ (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Or happen, does it? try Ecclesiastes 3:19: ‘Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both. Actually that verse from Matthew 18 is not As one dies so dies the other.’ Add in Psalm an invitation for us to force God to do what 137:8, ‘O daughter of Babylon, doomed to we want. It’s part of the advice Jesus gave destruction: happy is he who repays you for on how to deal with disagreements between. what you have done to us - he who seizes your Christians. Someone in church offends me. infants and dashes them against the rocks’, Says something unkind, maybe even untrue, and you have a theology of vengeance and about me. So what do I do? Jesus says: “go violence in life, and despair in death. And that and tell him about it.” That might be enough is the very opposite of all that Jesus taught. to get him to apologise. End of problem. But what if he doesn’t apologise? Sends you away One more thought on Matthew 18:19. with (another!) flea in your ear? In that case, The Greek word used for ‘agree together’ is says Jesus, go again, but take one or two symphoneo and you can see our English word others along with you, so that they can maybe ‘symphony’ in there. In a symphony concert it’s persuade him. And if he won’t listen to them? noticeable that one member of the orchestra You could tell the church and maybe that will never plays a note: the conductor. But he has bring him to his senses. the score in front of him. If there’s going to be a symphony then every member of the orchestra But there’s a further bit of guidance given by must play from the same score. For some their Jesus. It’s a promise about that second visit. part is easy. For some it is difficult. Some don’t There’s you, and there’s him, and one or two have much to do at all. But for a symphony others. Three of you, or maybe four. And, says they must all follow the conductor. So must Jesus, if two of you (any two) agree together we. And then in our lives! in our homes! in our about how to settle this argument then God church! we’ll be playing a symphony. will honour that, and He will settle the problem accordingly. Peter Cotterell Submitted – some will doubtless remember This particular verse (Matthew 18:19) is that Peter led one of our Church weekends.

Churches Together in Rev’d. Lesley Mason (formerly of the town events. Later in Godalming and District of Church) the the afternoon starting at 5.30 o commemorate the current Chaplain. p.m, the park and bandstand Diamond Jubilee of Queen area will resound to hymns ElizabethT II in 2012 a gift of Ss Peter and Paul, Godalming and anthems performed by £600 has been sent to St. Church the Godalming Band with the Barnabas Chapel, HMP Send. he Jubilee celebrations help of Minor Accord children’s This money will be used for come at the beginning choir and the Godalming resources such as DVDs, ofT this glorious month and Community Gospel Choir. This Books and Music. we will be hosting a Jubilee annual Songs of Praise event Service for all ages, especially will be on a Jubilee theme. A very nice ‘thank you’ letter appropriate for children at 10 Another extremely important has been received from the a.m. on Sunday 3rd, as part occasion for us will be The 8 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 9 “Beyond 400” he title given to this year’s Baptist Assembly the recognition of new ministers and new BMS honoured the fact that it was four hundred missionaries – always very moving occasion. yearsT ago that the very first Baptist church on As he was home at the time – our friend Scott British soil was founded at Spitalfields in London Williamson spoke about the work in Peru to in 1612. The four hundredth anniversary was the capacity crowd of over 2,000 people. It marked on the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday concluded with an address “Beyond the basics” in May at the Central Hall, Westminster. This by the ever-popular Tony Campolo who was on venue enabled many from churches near London good form. At the same time, a big youth event to experience Assembly for the first time. “Putting Faith in Focus” was going on with The 2012-13 President of the Baptist Union, over 800 young people from Baptist churches the Rev’d Chris Duffett, was inducted and was one present, of whom 49 gave their lives to Christ! of the keynote speakers. He is a lively evangelist Sunday started with the Annual Business with a real fervour for telling others about the love Meetings of the BUGB and the BMS and of God – hence the theme of his year is “The was followed by the Communion Service at Big Hearted God”. He is touring the country to which the speaker was the Rev’d Jane Day, a enthusiastically bring the message that evangelism Regional Minister from Yorkshire on the theme can be fun. He will be the guest of SEBA in the “Living in the beyond”. The musical side was south east from 12th – 16th April 2013. very different being led by Aradhna, a band that fuses traditional Indian devotional music with The whole of the Saturday daytime Christ-centered themes. Following an afternoon was given over to a choice from thirteen of debate about “Baptist Futures”, a fitting conferences – this marked a change from closing celebration had as the theme ‘Beyond previous assemblies which have offered the present’ with speaker Agu Irukwu, Senior several shorter seminars to each person. I Pastor of Jesus House for all the Nations. attended one which covered historical aspects of the Baptist churches in Europe right through Next year, from 3rd – 6th May, Assembly to finding out about novel ways of doing church returns to one of its favourite haunts – good in Southend and how London churches are old Blackpool! May Bank Holiday weekend involved with politics by participating in the with sea, sand and maybe even sun –would “London Citizens” organisation. Lesley spent you like to consider joining a party if we can her day with a group who explored how power get one together? Provisional plans need to be is depicted in the art and sculpture within made early so please let me have expressions walking distance of the Central Hall. of interest as soon as possible with no obligation to finally decide until later in the year. The Saturday evening celebration included Roger Barnett Ordination of Kate Wyles our steady work with young people work? With such a range of curate as a priest on Saturday in the schools and clubs. The clubs, groups and programmes 30th June. Her first service at website can be found at: there might be opportunities for SsP&P will involve her baptising www.trinitytrustteam.co.uk you to contribute some of your a member of our congregation in time and talents to further our the following on from TTT could not carry out ministry in the area. a special service in which all our its full breadth of ministry to On Friday 22nd June, a baptism families are invited to young people in Godalming fund-raising concert for the share in a party. and the surrounding areas Trinity Trust Team youth project without the full support of a will take place in St. John’s Trinity Trust Team dedicated volunteer pool. Have Church Room, . he team, led by Andy you ever considered how your It features two acts who are TPoulson continues its giftings may be of value to our still both in their teens but 8 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 9 Slow Dance Have you ever watched kids Ever told your child, On a merry-go-round? We’ll do it tomorrow? Or listened to the rain And in your haste, Slapping on the ground? Not see his sorrow? Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight? Ever lost touch, Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Let a good friendship die You better slow down. Cause you never had time Don’t dance so fast. To call and say,’Hi.’ Time is short. You’d better slow down. The music won’t last. Don’t dance so fast. Time is short. Do you run through each day The music won’t last.. On the fly? When you ask How are you? When you run so fast to get somewhere Do you hear the reply? You miss half the fun of getting there. When the day is done When you worry and hurry through your day, Do you lie in your bed It is like an unopened gift.... With the next hundred chores Thrown away. Running through your head? Life is not a race. You’d better slow down Do take it slower Don’t dance so fast. Hear the music Time is short. Before the song is over. The music won’t last.

Gleaned, at sometime, from the World Wide Web:

This young girl has six months left to live, and as her dying wish, she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to live their life to the fullest, since she never will.

She’ll never make it to prom, graduate from high school, or get married and have a family of her own.

We have youngsters preparing for their prom this summer and some of us will not ‘prom’ again! represent some of the best performing regularly on the local TTT to date. Doors open at 7 young talent currently around. music scene at many venues and p.m. and the concert starts at Both headliner Luke Jackson - festivals including Guilfest. 7.45 p.m. Tickets for this concert www.lukepauljackson.com - and This is a very special evening are £6 in advance (£8 on the special guest Aimée have wowed as it also marks five years to door) and are available from audiences and other performers the night when the first FMC Record Corner in Pound Lane on their previous appearances concert took place and is one or call Julian Lewry on 01483 at FMC. Luke is a young of a number of events during 421520. roots singer songwriter from June to celebrate FMC’s 5th Canterbury who performs with anniversary. TTT has been St John The Evangelist passion and writes with a maturity the chosen good cause for Church, Farncombe that belies his years. Hailing FMC since the outset with over n the last day of April from Liphook, Aimée has been £1,000 having been raised for Othe long-awaited 10 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 11 Golf Day ormer players, supporters and friends Milford where the golfers were joined by Alan Fold and new of Queen Street Rangers and Marion Toombs, Sarah Lucas, Jamie Football Team gathered at Hurtmore Golf Club, Wallace and Jon Keyworth where everyone Hurtmore, on Saturday afternoon 12th remembered the history and past games May 2012 to remember the history of the Club. played by Queen Street Rangers F.C and Nine people took on the challenge of where, more importantly, scorecards were the local golf course in beautiful sunny checked and prizes were awarded. conditions with three groups of golfers being The Golfers who took on the Hurtmore formed from the participants and with all the Challenge consisted of the Rev’d. Martin groups of golfers being cheered on by Alan Toombs. There were nearest the pin prizes on the 5th and 16th holes (short par 3 holes – respectively 115 yards and 116 yards in length) and longest drive prizes on holes 12 and 15 to be played for. Individual prizes for the competitors were also up for grabs with each person declaring their golf handicap prior to starting their round of golf. Each person took part in a Stableford Golf Competition around the course where golfers are awarded points depending on the number of strokes they took to complete a hole against par (i.e. 1 over par = 1 point, par = 2 points, 1 under par = 3 points, etc.). Each person’s actual score for every hole was reduced accordingly depending upon their handicap, with low handicap golfers naturally deducting fewer strokes than high handicap golfers. The person who obtained the most points for 18 holes would naturally be the winner!!!! After all the golfers had completed their respective rounds of golf they all gathered John Donaldson for a meal and chat at the Refectory at refurbishment of the church floor laid down, providing a constricting for us and for the began and through May the surface for the electricians RC parish of St Edmund! early stages have progressed. to bring in scaffolding towers The first job was to clear the and begin mounting the new The Spring Fair in May was church of its old pews, which lighting tracks on the walls. It’s well supported given the damp have gone to a mixture of all been very exciting seeing conditions and the fact that it homes, and also to Skillway the beautiful space of St was touch-and-go whether it and Church Antiques in John’s emerge and we can’t would happen at all even a day Walton for reuse in various wait to begin using the building beforehand. We made a profit, creative ways. The floor was once again. thankfully, and by the end of then levelled with battens the day there were even hints throughout the nave and aisles Worshipping in the Church of blue sky! The next big event and the first level of the new Room is going well but is a bit (apart from whatever we do to 10 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 11 Poole, the Rev’d. Philip Dunning, Mathew Holiday At Home Poole, John Donaldson, Jonathan Poole, Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd August 2012 Jonah Lucas, Andrew Lucas, Dale Butcher, Alister Johnson. The Holiday At Home Team The individual winner of the golf competition are busily preparing for this year’s event was the golf maestro himself Mr John for those of more senior years to enjoy. Donaldson who everyone agreed was a very worthy winner who scored 45 points and The theme for our Holiday At Home this year is walked way with 24 brand new orange long ‘Diamond And Gold’ distance golf balls and some golf tees !!! focusing on Runner up was Jonah Lucas (35 pts) who also the Queen’s Jubilee played very well on the day and he also walked and the Olympics. away with some orange golf balls as a prize and he was closely followed by Martin Poole Once again we have a great programme (33 pts) and Mathew Poole (32 pts). of events to look forward to. There will be entertainment, a quiz, bingo, craft and some Prizes were also awarded as follows: brilliant speakers too! Nearest the pin – 5th hole Jonathan Poole We will be enjoying delicious home cooked Nearest the pin – 16th hole lunches and home made cakes. (shared) Matthew Poole & Philip Dunning Longest Drive – 12th hole The cost will be £7 per day, making a total of Andrew Lucas £14 for the two day event. Longest Drive – 15th hole Jonah Lucas This is an outreach event Everyone who took part in the golf showing our faith in action and love for our competition or who came to the evening meal whole community to enjoy. enjoyed a nice day in beautiful weather with Please, take a booking form from Reception nice friends and in good company reminiscing or the back of church for yourself, friends, about what might have been on the golf course relatives and neighbours. and what good and bad shots they had played Transport can be arranged if there are difficulties. but importantly all remembered the wonderful times and history of Queen Street Rangers Do book early as places are limited! For more Football Club. details contact Ruth Weedon: 01428-685503 or Sally Pollard: 01483-428646 Alister Johnson celebrate the refurbishment) is the support of John Belcher for coffee and discuss issues the Village Show in August. and the choir from the Parish of relevance to all of us from Church. With its focus currently a Christian perspective. Our St Mark’s Community Church on mission and outreach, St Pentecost Service on the 27th and Centre Mark’s introduced Café Church May will include music from he Rogation service with on the 20th May at 10.30 a.m. Tongues of Fire! the Beating of the Bounds This initiative is supported by wasT blessed with beautiful the Trinity Trust Team and will The 24 weeks of Trinity, sunshine and attended by be held on the 3rd Sunday which starts with Trinity Sunday the Mayor, Town Clerk, Town of each month. The next on the 3rd June, offers us much Councillors and some of our Café’ Church service will be time for reflection on spiritual very own congregation. We on the 17th June and all are and numerical growth. We will were also very pleased to have welcomed to come, join us use June and July as a time to 12 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 13 Book-at-a-Time South Eastern Baptist Bible Reading Plan Women’s Ministry June 2 Samuel Psalm reviously this work was thriving in 1  8–10  72 the Kent Baptist Area and now it has 2  11–13  73 extendedP to the whole of the South East 3  14–17  74 Baptist Association, Surrey, Sussex and Kent. 4  18–20  75 We are women whose aim is to encourage 5  21–24  76 people in their Christian living and growth and 6  Colossians  77 to offer fellowship to those who are unable to 7 ------Reflection------find it at home or even in their own church. 1 Kings We hold regular Fellowship Days where 8  1–3  78 : 1–39 anyone is welcome, men and women from 9  4–6  78 : 40–72 any denomination or none. For women only, 10  7–9  79   we also have a weekend every year, usually 11 10–12 80 in Sussex. Some ladies who are carers are   12 13–15 81 unable even to get to church regularly, but   13 16–19 82 can find someone to take their place for this 14 ------Reflection------one weekend each year. 15  20–22  83 16  Jonah  84 A small group of us will travel to any 17  Philemon  85 church to take a sample Fellowship Day - 2 Kings currently “A Garden of Prayer” or “A Walk 18  1–4  86 Through Colossians” on request. All we 19  5–7  87 ask is that the host church provides light 20  8–11  88 refreshments [drinks and biscuits] and 21 ------Reflection------publicises the event, inviting as many as 22  12–14  89 : 1 – 18 possible from local churches. Those attending 23  15–18  89 : 19–52 are asked to bring a packed lunch. 24  19–21  90 Just to say that I have joined this team 25  22–25  91 ministry, acting as Treasurer, and would Luke welcome your prayers and interest in the 26  1–3  92 coming days.   27 4–6 93 Pat Dunning [Tel. 01483 417112] 28  7–9  94 explore ways of nurturing such held at Busbridge. This service wider local Methodist Circuit growth and fostering effective and the hospitality afterwards will also say goodbye to witness and engagement with was much appreciated by all. Rev’d. Alan Thorpe (Guildford) the local community. (Ed.) on 22nd July, and to Rev’d. Marie Greenwood () and on 29th July. GUC’s new unday 27th May marks Minister, Rev’d. Paul Hulme, e have welcomed the farewell to our Minister of will be installed on Sunday 9th Rev’d Catherine McBride overS seven years – Paul Dean September. toW the team and are looking and his wife Rowena. We will forward to the arrival of the miss their many talents and On Sunday 24th June Rev’d James Gibson. The wish them well in their new we celebrate our Church Ascension Day service was calling at Ashford, Kent. Our Anniversary, which will be led 12 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 13 Jon’s Blog t has been quite an unusual month for me, 7th – 14th June. There will be a church social culminating on 27th May with the morning evening on 9th June, which will be the first serviceI being assessed by Rob Ellis, the major chance to meet these young missionaries principal of Regent’s Park College. The month who have been out working in Uganda. I am has been pretty much dominated by the key- still finalising a couple of days for their stay, hole surgery on my knee on 4th May. It is prayer would be appreciated, both for the perhaps a bit too soon to know if the operation team as they tour the country and for us as we was a complete success, but there were no organise their stay with us. Hopefully, it will be a complications, and I am well on the way to challenging and inspiring time for us all. recovery. The ‘physio-terrorists’ have given On the 8th-9th June Helen and I will be me plenty of exercises to be getting on with, moving house. We are not moving far, just a including hopping. I have also joined a gym for few hundred metres in fact! Our new rented the first time ever. It is a scary place! Hopefully property is on Croft Road. Thanks in advance I will be back playing sport soon, if Helen to all those who have offered help with moving, lets me. Thanks to all those who prayed and the use of vans and extra hands is much supported us throughout this month, and praise appreciated. God for the medical expertise available to us. Finally, in June/July I will be spending two Travelling to college has been interrupted a weeks on placement at Millmead, Guildford. little bit this month as I spent a week or so at This is so that I can visit a totally different type home with my leg in the air – it was extremely of Baptist Church and see how they do things, difficult to work! Nonetheless, I have made it to broaden my experience of Baptist life and up to Oxford for classes on subjects varying churches. from the theology of film, preaching and Baptist history. We had a very interesting class this As you can see the month ahead will be week taken by David Kerrigan, the General packed! No doubt, I’ll see you soon, Director of BMS World Mission, who gave God bless, us a history of Baptist missionary work. BMS Jon are currently seeking people to go out and The Action Team is: work in Bangladesh, and Albania especially, Jem Atwell, James where much of their work seeks to empower Hughes, Alice Page and suppressed women. Ian Williams. Here is Ian Looking forward to June, there are some with Kagwa, one of his big events on the horizon. It is exciting that good friends from Kinoni we will be joined by a BMS Action Team from Technical Institute. by the Rt. Rev’d. Titus Pratt, the be attending her husband’s training as a midwife. She has Methodist Bishop of Accra. It is ordination – preparatory to the also trained in dance, and always good to hear a Christian young couple’s departure for a will use this skill as one of the perspective from another posting to a theological college NHS contingent in the Opening continent, and all are welcome in Cameroon. Ceremony of the Games. to join us. Our links with his family go back many years to On the afternoon of 20th St Peter’s Church, his time as Ghanaian Mission July the Olympic Flame will e will celebrate 25 years Partner in the Gambia, where pass GUC on its run through of the annual Open our church has strong charitable Godalming. Our special link AirW Pond Service on Sunday links. His daughter Grace with the Olympics is through 8th July at 6 p.m. Godalming was educated at Godalming Olivia nee Garriock, who grew Band will provide the music as College, and Titus will also up in our church and is now they have done since the first 14 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 15 Book Review Our Confirmation Heaven is for Real n Tuesday 1st May in the evening, we by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent were confirmed in the Church of have never doubted the reality of heaven and inO along with five other people from eternal life. But the scriptural descriptions Godalming and four more from Witley. For haveI always left me with a rather confused several weeks before this, we had to go to picture in my mind. It has never bothered me classes with Mervyn, the of Godalming, however, as I know that in Christ’s presence all where we learnt about The Creed, Communion will be made clear. But this true story has given and what Confirmation is all about. me a new confidence, and opened my mind to the reality. After some photos outside in the sun, we

went into the church where we had special Colton, just ten weeks before his 4th birthday, reserved seats. We were pleased to see that was very seriously ill following an undiagnosed also there were quite a lot of our friends from burst appendix. During the second operation to Godalming Baptist Church; Ss Peter & Paul clear the infection from his body, he experienced Church; Open Hands and Turner Court. After the most amazing things which only slowly some hymns and responses and the sermon emerged in conversations with his parents over by the Bishop of Dorking we went to the the following weeks and months. back for prayers around the font and signed This book, co-written by his father, a pastor, ourselves with the sign of the cross with water. traces these amazing revelations. It is quite an emotional read – tears flowed several times. For the actual confirmation, we went to the If your belief in the after-life is shaky, front and knelt in front of the Bishop who put hazy or non-existent, prepare to have your oil on our foreheads. The choir sang and then mind cleared or even changed. Or if you everyone took part in Communion. All those have ever lost an unborn child you will be who had been confirmed were given a lighted incredibly comforted and encouraged. I warmly candle to keep and we processed into the back recommend you get hold of a copy of this New room for a special message from the Bishop. York Times Bestseller, or borrow the one in our Church Library. Then there was a final hymn and we were presented with a Bible from the Rector. After “A beautifully written glimpse into heaven the service there was a good spread of food that will encourage those who doubt and thrill and drink. those who believe.” Margaret Stickler Chris Lane and John Vyner service. If wet it will be held first for a Godalming church, 4 Churches 4U in the Church. Please, bring both being brought humbly to his year is the 10th year a picnic and stay for supper their knees? The Holiday at that Pastoral Assistants afterwards in the lovely setting Home for Seniors this year is fromT four churches in by the Village Pond, opposite themed “Diamond and Gold” Godalming (Ss Peter and the Church. for obvious reasons. Paul, St Mark’s, St John’s Farncombe and Godalming Godalming Baptist Church This two day “holiday” is United Church), have worked oth our Minister, Marcus open to all over 60s. Booking together to arrange a seaside Dickinson and our forms are available from outing for residents of MinisterB in Training, Jonathan Church Reception on Sundays Godalming and Farncombe Keyworth, are recovering and weekday mornings. who are over 60 years old. from knee surgery. Is this a The PAs have found Worthing 14 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 15 The Broad Reach – 9 e decided to sail out of South Walsham unable to help as each yacht has a different Broad and head towards Black Horse sized and shaped sail. I therefore had to go BroadW via Horning. We had decided not to into their office and phone my boat-yard (no moor on the bank but always by mud weight mobiles in those days!). When the phone was in the middle of a Broad. This gave greater answered, I said, “Peggy here!” security but also meant that we could sail Tony Bennewith our dinghies. I also had trouble mooring a 30-ft yacht against the bank unless the wind Godalming Jubilee Weekend happened to be in the right direction. Now I encountered another problem for Saturday 2nd June which nothing in life had prepared me. We now Godalming Town Show and Carnival. had trees growing on the sides of the bank! Procession leaves at 1 p.m. This meant that one did not just hit the reeds to arrive at the Burys Field at 2 p.m. Sunday 3rd June but there was always the danger of getting Midday to 5 p.m. Picnic-In-The-Park entangled in a stationary tree. Needless to say, in the Phillips Memorial Park. this is exactly what happened. The boats were 5.30 p.m. equipped with un-tearable sails but on one tack The Diamond Jubilee “Songs Of Praise” when I went too near the bank, I managed to get arranged by The “Go Godalming” Association entangled in the branches of an overhanging at the Bandstand in the Phillips Memorial Park. tree (an alder). In freeing myself, which the Monday 4th June, wind did for me, I succeeded in tearing a gash 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sports for All @ Burys Field in our mainsail. All very embarrassing because 2.10 p.m. Fun Jubilee Run from The Pepperpot other yachts were passing at the time and our 2.30 p.m. 10km Road Run & 5 km Road Run. cruisers were at hand applauding my efforts. It 5.30 p.m. Jubilee Concert was still possible to sail the boat but just not as at Phillips Memorial Park. fast as before. We only succeeded in getting 8.30 p.m. Jubilee Torch Lit Procession to the boat-yard at Horning from where the two from Borough Hall into High Street, past The cruisers had been collected. Pepperpot into Church Street turning at the Parish Church into Phillips Memorial Park. It is now time to introduce our 30-ft yacht. 9.30 p.m. The Great British Celebration, She was called “Peggy” (I was beginning to Jubilee Beacon & Spectacular Firework Display. find out why boats are always ‘she’). Having Tuesday 5th June arrived at Horning, I was hoping to pick up a 2.30 to 5.30 p.m. Classical Concert replacement sail, but the boat-yard there was at Godalming Bandstand

to be the best destination and DID YOU KNOW? resident in Godalming and this year’s trip will take place lthough the Salvation Army actively involved in the work on Wednesday 25th July. Five have closed their hall in of Churches Together in the coaches will leave various GodalmingA we have close links 1980s. Take time to remember points of Godalming and with them. A former Captain John and Elizabeth in your Farncombe at 9.30 a.m. and of the Godalming Corps, John prayers. return from Worthing at 4 p.m. Matear, is now Leader of the Salvation Army in UK and For more information look at Tickets, at £3 each, can be Ireland. the website: booked at The Denningberg www.salvationarmy.org.uk Centre, Farncombe Commissioner John Matear Day Centre or St.Mark’s and his wife, Commissioner [The Annual Report is in the Community Centre. Elizabeth Matear were “About us” pages] 16 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 17 Sing Unto The Lord A New Song Advance Date ur very bold and confident Gospel Choir manager, Emma-Sue Prince, entered onnect Ladies’ Reflective Day at Ladywell O Convent; Saturday 28th July; 10 – 4. the choir in the Godalming Music Festival in C late March. We were in the “Mixed Voices” This year we are delighted to have the section and knew that there had never been a SEBA Women’s Ministry Team leading our day Gospel Choir enter before and that we would entitled ‘A Day Reflecting on Psalm 23’ . be singing against some very experienced and polished competition. We entered the Refreshments throughout the day and a maximum number of allowed performers delicious home cooked lunch to enjoy. (45) and perfected our rather exuberant movements to our up-beat song. Once Cost £25.50. again, not everything went smoothly in the run-up to the date. Hermione, our director, was now on maternity leave and we had two different directors (with differing styles Treasures In The and expectations) in the three weeks prior Darkness to the evening – and local radio announced Led by Helena Wilkinson Charterhouse Road was closed early on Saturday 8th September the evening as we were due to convene at Charterhouse Chapel. However, we all made reasures in the Darkness is a captivating it on time and were delighted at how well the and challenging day, focusing on how judge received us – there being only two marks weT can grow through the harder times in between us and the winners of the class with our lives. Isaiah 45:3 speaks of ‘hidden lots of very positive comments. treasures in secret places’ and this day explores what the treasures are for us today While waiting for Hermione’s return we now and how we find them. have her esteemed brother Edwin Fawcett, a gospel-song composer and director, leading us Using the analogy of how diamonds are and honing our technique. Dear Femi still has formed and cut, the day looks at the dark no affirmed resolution to his visa issues. The times, pressures, cutting and polishing in High Court ruled the refusal to renew his visa our own lives in order that we may become last year was on illegal grounds – but he has like diamonds. It is a day of discovery and still not had renewal confirmed. healing, appropriate to everyone. Meanwhile we look forward to bringing our music to an ever-widening audience. Do Do join us for this encouraging and we sing “a new song”? I think we sing in a uplifting day. Helena is an author and new way, but the message of the song is the international speaker and speaks from the familiar, “old” Christian message of love, hope, heart about her own life experiences. faith, healing and reconciliation. Maybe the new way of delivery will bring this message Cost £10 to those who have never received it in other To book a place contact ways of packaging it. We pray that it will – and Sally Pollard [email protected] perhaps you would pray for us too. or Janet Fry- janetfry1virginmedia.com or our church administrator- Anne Dew Fiona Gwynn [email protected]

By 29th July 16 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 17 The Continuity Of Christian Faith he title of this article may not be a headline however, that you woke up on Tuesday grabber, but by the time you have finished feeling rather differently about the matter, by readingT it I hope you agree that it addresses Wednesday you were thinking the whole thing issues which are as crucial to our existence as more trouble than it was worth, and by the any can be. end of the week you had decided your former life was definitely the one you preferred after Now, if you study your bible you will likely all, and you were going back to it. Would you find (and if you don’t study it I am tempted to expect to still be clothed in the righteousness say you don’t deserve to find!) that in Adam of Christ (i.e. justified)? we are born with a sinful nature, and are under the death sentence imposed by a holy and There is a large contingent, even in the most just God (Gen.3:3, Rom.5:12>). Thankfully, evangelical of circles, which would answer he is also a loving God, and has provided a unequivocally yes. It views conversion as a remedy through the sacrifice of his son for one-off event, which can never be annulled. our sin on the cross, so that we can be reborn Regardless of the convert’s future state of mind in Christ (regeneration). Clothed in our own toward God, or how he lives the rest of his righteousness we can never be acceptable life, God is seen as committed to the issue of to God, but clothed in the righteousness of a heavenly ticket which cannot be withdrawn. his son (what Scripture calls being in Christ) Of course, this view is grist to the mill of the he can look upon us favourably. This is really ‘pie in the sky when you die’ sceptics, but can all there is to the principle of justification, one’s salvation really be so lightly secured by something anyone could understand, and man at such a great cost to God? Can God, which is the basis of salvation. So, if you are indeed, be so easily mocked? (Gal.6:7). It is clothed with Christ’s righteousness, you are easy to see the allure of this view, but what justified, and thus you are saved. And how is more important is its truth, or lack of it. If to obtain Christ’s righteousness? Scripture untrue, which I believe Scripture demonstrates, abounds with the answer, which again is then it sends a very dangerous and misleading very understandable: it can be crystallised as message to (especially weaker) Christians. believe who Jesus said he is, believe what Now, I could drive the coach and horses he said he came to do and did, and adopt of Hebrews 6 through this view (I must resist a repentant attitude towards God regarding calling it a heresy!), but, as you are by now your sins (some would add be baptised and wondering where I got my title from, I prefer receive the Holy Spirit, but I’m not going into to take the broader approach of looking that minefield). From God’s point of view, he is more closely at the nature of Christian faith acting in grace to give you faith to exercise, so which, you will recall, is the key element in salvation/justification can also be said to be by justification, and hence salvation. Of course, grace through faith (Eph.2:8). this has only been true of the early church, and At this stage many readers may be thinking since the Reformation. The corrupt Roman along the lines of ‘been there, done that, got Church of the Middle Ages saw justification by my ticket to heaven’ - why is this fellow telling faith as too easy an option, very likely because grandmothers how to suck eggs? Well, the of this view, and sought to include a works rest of this article is particularly designed for dimension to ‘beef it up’. Both approaches, I those who think like that! submit, misunderstand the nature of saving faith. Is it something one has at a moment Suppose you were converted along the of conversion which makes the event ‘done above lines one Sunday, and went happily to and dusted’, or is it an ongoing quality always sleep covered in Christ’s righteousness. Now essential for salvation? suppose you died in your sleep; no argument, your heavenly destiny is assured. Suppose, Michael Paine (to be continued) 18 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 19 Youth Work Forum UGANDA BMS – June am aware that we still have a long 1. The UCLF regional offices in the west and north of way to go in improving our levels Uganda, as they are involved in legal education and ofI communication so that our work land rights issues with many recently displaced people with children and young people is struggling to return to their land. 2. The children and youth of the BUU churches as they coordinated properly. contribute to BUU church life. The other points for action from BANGLADESH our meeting last year were: More 3. Thank God for the amazing success of the DIA outreach regular all-age services; a monthly to business people in Dhaka and for further growth. youth worship time during the main 4. Guidance and development for our business as mission service; the creation of a drama work and workers in Bangladesh. and singing group so that our 5. LAMB hospital in northern Bangladesh to find a new executive director and build good relationships with government. young people are more involved in 6. James and Andrene Hayton coming to the end of our worship; and re-starting holiday service at LAMB and for Heather O’Neil serving as a clubs. volunteer there. We have made clear progress in 7. Ashim Baroy and the work of the Bangladesh Baptist all of these areas, there have been Church Sangha (BBCS) throughout the country. more regular all-age. We need to 8. Mahananda Bairagee and the work of the SHED Board, the development wing of the BBCS. thank Richard Jarman and Edline 9. Jyoti Ratna, who returned from study at IMC in Chiota for starting and coordinating a Birmingham in January to join the faculty of the Christian drama group that has been enriching College of Theology of Bangladesh. our Sunday morning services over REGIONAL TEAM LEADERS the last few months. This should be BMS works across the world in about 35 countries. We divide encouraged and continued. the world into a number of regions, each with a Regional Team Leader (RTL). The responsibilities are threefold: to care for We have had ‘young peoples’ and manage BMS personnel, to initiate and build relationships worship twice, that was well liked with partners, and to lead with strategy. Some of the RTLs are by our young people, and it was based at Didcot and others are based in the regions. good that they could then report 10. Mark Greenwood, who is our RTL for Latin America back into the service. We would like alongside his role in heading up the social action to ensure that we manage to get department of the Brazilian Baptist Convention. 11. Andrew North (RTL for Africa) as he helps many new these to be monthly events. personnel leaving IMC commence service across The Ark on Sunday is still in Africa. Especially pray for the building of new teams in its infancy, and it has had an Mozambique and Zimbabwe. encouraging start. It is working well 12. Margaret Gibbs, who is responsible for BMS work in and needs to be given a chance East Asia. Pray for Margaret as she supports new to grow and develop. The church personnel in China and others who have been longer in Nepal and Thailand. leadership is currently exploring the 13. Steve Sanderson who combines a role covering possibility of running Messy Church, Chad, Congo and Haiti with a broader role managing that allows for children older than development work and finances within the Department toddlers to also take part. If this is for World Mission. viable then it could be a key way in 14. Benjamin Francis, our Associate RTL for India. Pray which we can reach out to non- for Benjamin as he combines his BMS role with that of church families in mission. heading up a church planting ministry in south Asia. 15. Philip Halliday – RTL for Europe for many years, who Matthew Clarke is already recently took on additional responsibility for the Middle organising a trip to Soul Survivor in the East and North Africa. summer that is being well supported. 16. The region of South Asia. We are seeking a new RTL for If you would like to go then let him or this region at the time of going to press. 18 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 19 Prayer Guide JUSTICE Catherine Lawton know. 17. BMS mission worker Annet Ttendo who is working with It is vital that we find ways in the Mozambican Christian advocates group as it seeks to establish access to justice for the poor of Biera and which we can get our young people central Mozambique. to be inspired and excited about 18. The work of Uganda Christian Lawyers’ Fraternity worship and Christ, and we need (UCLF) in Kampala and Kasese as it seeks to provide to make use of events going on legal education to communities and to provide advocacy around us that will enable that to for those awaiting trial. happen. It is hoped that they may 19. BMS supported partner worker Amos Ogwang as he then bring new ideas back to us! works with the Gulu Baptist Association in Uganda in trying to secure land rights for churches established by We all expressed concern at the internally displaced persons. gap between our young people in 20. The work of Family Impact in Zimbabwe as it seeks to church and the older generations. educate communities on sexual violence as part of the This is a gap that needs to be reproductive health programme. closed, and in part this will happen 21 Other Christian access to justice movements that BMS if we make sure that the young has had contact with, such as Pas y Esparanza in Peru, are fully involved in our church life. Advocates Pour Esperance in Rwanda and the CLEAR Belonging and relationship building project in Kenya. goes a long way in impacting on 22. The We Will Speak Out forum as BMS joins others in anyone’s life, but especially with seeking to co-ordinate an ambitious advocacy campaign young people. We need to ensure to encourage the world Church to be proactive in that our young people are welcome combatting sexual violence. 23. BMS partner, NightLight in Thailand, as it provides at relevant Men’s Group socials, opportunities to escape the injustice of the sex tourism and Connect events. Both young industry in Bangkok. and old need to be encouraged ITALY to speak to one another after our The majority of Italians remain culturally Catholic but morning services, and there is still increasingly cynical about the Church. Theirs is a country that progress to be made in making was virtually untouched by the Protestant Reformation and sure children are fully involved in that has never seen widespread biblical revival. The impact of Italian Evangelicals is being helped, however, by a growing our services. co-operation resulting from an increasing acceptance of I have also asked that we think appropriate theological differences. about ways in which we can get 24. The Baptist Union of Italy which has only around 30 our young people involved at ordained ministers for 120 churches throughout the country. Pray that God would raise up new lay and Farncombe Community Centre. I ordained leaders. would love for us to find ways in 25. The executive of the Baptist Union of Italy and its which our young people can serve president, Raffaele Volpe. the community practically, living 26. BMS personnel Alex and Huw Anderson, serving in the out Christian faith. difficult south of Italy (in the Basilicata region). So, on the whole I think we have 27. BMS personnel Ann and David MacFarlane, leading a bi-lingual congregation of Italians and Filipinos in Reggio made some progress since the Calabria (opposite Sicily). October meeting, but as always 28. BMS pastor Amanda Redwood, completing her first year there is more to be done! I would of ministry in Florence. like to close by thanking all of you 29. The constant flow of illegal immigrants trying to reach who give up your time for children’s Italy by boat from Africa, seeking a better life or fleeing and youth work in church. It is persecution but often finding only danger and hostility. much appreciated, by us all, and 30. The Roman which wields huge influence especially by our young people. worldwide from its centre in Rome. Pray also for the movements within it that promote a return to the Bible. Jonathan Keyworth 20 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 21

monthly 26th Apr – 23rd May THE BAPTIST TIMES news round up

A Big-Hearted God Baptist churches has been launched. The Baptist churches and everyone within them Missing Generation website is the initiative has a ‘royal decree’ to reach the un-reached of the Younger Leaders Forum (YLF) of the with Jesus - and they need to think of new Baptist Union of Great Britain. ways of doing it. That was the message from The YLF says the website will create incoming president the Rev’d Chris Duffett in awareness of the lack of 18-30 year olds in an address that was in part humorous, in part Baptist churches. From the awareness it wants creative, but at its heart, deeply challenging. to create discussion and networking across the Chris, a street evangelist, will spend his UK ‘to bring a greater voice and understanding presidential year visiting each Association of the situation, to then feedback into the to join them in creative ways of sharing the Baptist Union Council and consequently to gospel. It’s called the Big Hearted Tour and is result in action in our local church.’ backed by a new website. YLF is a group of diverse young leaders ‘God loves people more than we could ever from Baptist churches nationwide between the believe,’ Chris said. ‘And He longs to show ages of 18 – 30 which meets bi-annually. Its this love through you and me.’ Taking Hebrews overall goal is to ‘engage with this generation 1: 1-4 and 8-12 as his text, Chris said the in and out of our churches so that we may passage shows that this is a God ‘who speaks’. better inform the Baptist Union on how to Could his election as president of the Baptist encourage and grow them in our churches, to Union of Great Britain – as just one of the 20 then develop a closer network amongst the Baptist evangelists in the UK rather than one of churches with the goal to see stronger and the 1601 pastors – be a humorous way of God empowered church and more coming to know speaking? ‘Could God be saying that despite Christ.’ Visit www.missinggeneration.com our slimming down as a Union, the need has Book Review: There Are No Strong People never been greater to creatively reach out to by Jeff Lucas (CWR) those who don’t have what you and I have?’ ‘If you are a little squeamish, skip the next He said that his year would involve ‘doing few paragraphs’ – so writes Jeff Lucas towards evangelism, not just talking about it’, with as the end of his latest book about Samson. many Baptist Christians as possible throughout Some might suggest he place this ‘health the Associations. And while he conceded that warning’ at the beginning of the book – ‘If you evangelism was difficult, he compared the situation are a bit squeamish, skip the book!’ the Union finds itself in today with the early church Undoubtedly Jeff’s treatment of Samson is in Acts. In Acts 1:8 Jesus gave his disciples power controversial as he seeks to dump all of today’s to go to everyone, everywhere. However, they sex obsessed culture on to this Old Testament stayed ‘safe and snug’ in Jerusalem. By Acts 8:1 figure. He repeatedly locates sexual innuendos a great persecution against the church meant they which have probably bypassed most students were scattered – and the church inadvertently of scripture, including this reviewer, in the past fulfilled her original commission. – the reader must decide on the accuracy. ‘Do our current financial hard times as a There is much of worth to think through as Union carry a message for us to remember Jeff uses Samson to shine a light on some of why we do what we do?’ the strong treacherous currents that swirl around Reaching The Lost the individual Christian and church communities A new website which seeks to play a part today: How to be distinctive and not merge with in addressing the lack of 18-30 year olds in culture; the issue of internet pornography; the 20 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 21 danger of ‘success’ in Christian leadership; the Wednesday throughout May at Memorial Christian leader who falls. Community Church in Plaistow, East London. The most powerful chapter for me was It has been serving food grown in the Nosh ‘Jesus works at the rubbish dump’ where garden, and is all part of a wider community food Jeff looks at Samson being ‘led by his eyes project. The idea is that people who volunteer and his loins’ and observes how God is in the garden or café get to eat for free, but the able to transform the scraps and junk of our food is so good that people who live or work in foolishness into treasure. On balance strong the area come along too, providing income to stuff, written with humour, but needing to be buy the ingredients for the next week. read with care. Baptisms The Rev’d Martin Poole Amersham: Susan Dailey & Penelope Grainger 2 A retired Baptist minister (Penarth, Godalming, Arundel: Mary Wood 1 Eastleigh) and is currently Lymington Centre Battle: Denise Read 1 manager for Christians Against Poverty Belvedere: Elizabeth Richards & Ben Grant 2 Festival Surprise Bexley (Baldwyns Park): John Davies 1 A Church was buoyed when it held a festival Blackburn (Leamington Road): Sarah Wicks, Liz Hoole & Ann Croxford 3 for the first time and more than 200 people Bognor: Liz Lambert, Robert Little, Donna Cusack & Sammy Humphreys 4 flocked through its doors. Stoneygate Baptist Bristol (Downend): Andrew Cambridge & Louise Nicholson 2 Church organised a range of activities to both Budleigh Salterton: Linda Sturgess 1 bring the community together and build its Burton upon Trent (New Baptist Church): Sharon Rumin 1 own links with locals. This involved organising Chesham (Broadway): Iain McGonigal, David stands and displays in the church itself, Skepper, John Munns & Ray Jackson 4 live music throughout the day, a raffle, craft Colchester: Alison Bridge 1 sessions for children, talks on the local area, Croydon (Selsdon): Matt Winter 1 pamper sessions to make people feel special, Derby (Haven Christian Centre): Matthew Yates 1 refreshments and lunches and more. Gillingham: Wayne Mohrhardt & Michele Clayton 2 Handsworth (Cannon Street Memorial): The free event was planned by a team of Sanjay Brown, Joseph Edwards, Linda Cunningham, five people from the church, with help from Samantha Williams & Marcia Kerr 5 many others, and was publicised in the area Hereford: Sarah Rogers 1 and among church contacts with publicity Luton (Ramridge): Ibukun Adeyemi, Michelle posters, cards and a banner. ‘As far as we Baldock & Ian Scrivener 3 know nothing like this has been done in the Margate: Alex Elswood 1 Stoneygate area of Leicester before,’ said Moulton (Carey): John Rouse 1 minister, the Rev’d Peter Shepherd. Northampton (Church on the Heath): Dean Vilette & Carl Parcell 2 ‘The idea was to provide an opportunity for Nottingham (Basford Road): Reg Rowe 1 the local community to come together and to Oldbury (Warley): Esme Williams, Sabrina Griffiths, build links with the church. ‘We had a great Shaquira Lue, Jade Griffiths, Matt Jansen & Silas Williams 6 time – it exceeded our expectations. We must Plymouth (Mutley): Joel Seldon 1 have had over 200 through the doors. ‘The Plymouth (Salisbury Rd): Hannah Humphries & Emma Legg 2 objective was not to raise money, but first Resolven, S Wales (Sardis): Rachel Thomas, indications are that we made around £1,000.’ Laura Saunders & Jonathan Saunders 3 Risca, Newport (Moriah): Sonny Butler 1 Church opens community café Sevenoaks (Vine): Nicky Calvert & Barrie Worsell 2 A church has piloted a community café that Surbiton: Ben Bignell 1 combines growing fresh produce, preparing Teddington: Charlotte Blyth 1 great food and learning how to eat well on a Torquay (Upton Vale): Josh Doran & Amie-Marie Windeatt 2 budget. Nosh is a pop-up café that has been Torquay: Abi Matcham & Joelene Sedgewick 2 opening between noon and 2 p.m. each Tytherington: Abigail Hughes 1 22 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 23 Don Lamberth 16th February 1922 – 16th October 2010 Dorothy Lamberth 11th November 1927 – 13th April 2012 “To lose one parent, Mr Mum was the third of six Worthing, may be regarded as a children, and until she was misfortune. To lose both looks like 16 years old lived in a two- carelessness.” – Lady Bracknell, up-and-two-down cottage ‘The Importance Of Being Earnest’. with an outside loo, no Perhaps Jim was thinking I’d been a little careless of late, electricity or bathroom, but when he asked me for some her family life was generally thoughts on my late parents? happy. War broke out just as Mum was due to go to on and Dorothy take up her scholarship DLamberth were both place at secondary school; born and raised in Thornton after a very brief spell as an Heath, Croydon, but Dad evacuee in Brighton, she being nearly six years older returned home and air-raid than Mum, their paths didn’t cross until 1943. sirens and Andersen shelters complete with Dad’s childhood was reasonably exercise and textbooks were a constant feature comfortable. His first home had chickens at the throughout her schooling. Mum very much bottom of the garden and the milkman would enjoyed being a Brownie, Guide and then a deliver milk from a large churn, on a trundling Sea Ranger. She found the activities fun and push/pull milk-cart, straight into their own jugs. enjoyed learning to take responsibility. When he moved just a street away, aged eight, Dad volunteered for the Navy and after there was a large workshop at the bottom of the training made 38 trips in convoy escorts across garden, where he was able to make all kinds of the Atlantic, putting his skills in morse code to gadgets from pieces of spare wood and other excellent use. When Mum was 16, Dad wrote to materials. The most relevant for his future life her expressing his condolences on the death of was a communication system of wires installed her 20 year old brother on an RAF flying mission. in their bedrooms, over which he and his elder At first, Mum was not particularly interested brother sent morse code messages to each in him but she was very impressed with his other. Dad went on Croydon’s first primary- naval uniform! In 1944 Dad sailed to the Far school trip to Gibraltar and this stood him in East with the Pacific Fleet. He wrote constantly good stead when he returned in his naval and by 1946 Mum was very excited about his days. He thoroughly enjoyed Cubs, Scouts and homecoming. My grandfather gave his blessing Rover Scouts and all the associated activities to their relationship, so they were married at and it is here that he was friends with my Thornton Heath Evangelical Church, where they mother’s brother, who was in his scout patrol. had attended since childhood, in 1948. In 1936 he joined a City banking firm but this came to an abrupt end in early 1938 because My brother and I arrived on the scene in the of a monetary crisis on the Stock Exchange early 1950s and in 1957 we started attending due to trouble in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). West Croydon Baptist Church where my parents There is indeed nothing new under the sun! became very involved: Dad with Cub Scouts He subsequently joined the Royal Horticultural (how many Cubs can you fit into a Wolsey Society’s administrative team where, apart from 1500? Always one more…) and Stewarding, the war years, he spent the rest of his working Mum teaching in the Primary Sunday School, life in a variety of roles. Missionary secretary for four years, and church 22 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 23 visiting. We cycled everywhere until they bought Zealand. Initially they spent a week with dear their first car in 1965. They had developed a friends living on Vancouver Island and then on love of camping in their Scouting days, and they to Sydney for ten days, where Mum was able were now able to take it up again – for their own to see many of the places so important to Dad pleasure and helping out at summer camps run during his time there with the Pacific Fleet. New by Croydon Area Crusader Class leaders, at Zealand was next, to spend six weeks with my Croyde, N Devon with the main aim of introducing brother and his family who had emigrated the teenagers to Jesus – Graham being among them! previous year. It was a great help for Mum and Dad to see them in their new surroundings so Some of my memories of being brought up in soon after they had left the UK. My brother and a loving Christian family include their acceptance his wife came over the following year to join in of being invaded by our teenage and young their Golden Wedding celebrations. adult friends, often when we turned up with them unannounced. There was always something to As Mum progressed through her 70s, her eat with a welcome drink and a friendly smile; if health deteriorated. The effects of polymyalgia, there were also gritted teeth, we never noticed her stroke in 2002 and subsequent TIAs meant them! When their house became quieter after that she couldn’t enjoy doing much of what we had left home, Mum and Dad continued to she really loved. Dad took over running the meet regularly with their peer group, including home, something Mum found difficult to come night walks which they organised. to terms with, and his painting for pleasure ceased. They still had days out when her Mum had always wanted to live in a health was OK and they boosted her drug bungalow for her retirement – she had seen her regime to give extra energy on short holidays. own mother struggle going up and down stairs They bought a battery-powered scooter for which in her later years she only managed once her to ride on for such outings, and Graham a day – so in 1985, with Dad’s retirement on the remembers one such trip with us to Winkworth horizon, their move was discussed. I put them Arboretum when the scooter’s battery ran out, off going to their much loved Dorset, so after a requiring him to push the scooter, with Mum lifetime in Thornton Heath and 38 years in their perched on board, back some distance to the own home there, they moved to a bungalow in car park. It was incredibly hard work, and only . A couple of years later we hosted later did we discover that she hadn’t put the their Ruby Wedding anniversary party for family scooter into neutral gear! Eventually, Mum and Croydon friends in our home. Gradually became something of a liability on her scooter they made new friends locally and Mum became – her steering wasn’t always all that could be involved as a visitor to the residents of a nearby wished for, whether in forward or reverse gear. Christian care home, Shottermill House, as By this time Dad, although equipped with a soon as it opened. Several of the residents replacement hip, needed a stick to walk any could get out and about, and were invited to distance and Mum could easily outpace him on their home for tea or coffee; some even had a her scooter, sometimes getting into difficulties trip out in their car. During this time, when my some distance away and having to wait for parents visited us on a Sunday, they sometimes him to come to her aid. We learned not to take attended Queen Street and became known to her into a shop on her scooter – I found her a number of you. Dad took up painting as a wheelchair to be a much safer option. hobby, alongside his beloved gardening. 2008 has to be remembered for my parents’ For the next ten happy years Mum and Dad Diamond Wedding Anniversary and being joined were enjoying everything and in 1997 they had by ten family members from New Zealand two important holidays. In March they went to for ten days. Once their flights were booked, Belgium, where they were able to visit Mum’s Dad said it must go ahead as a celebration, brother’s memorial, and then in the autumn a ‘whatever the circumstances’. Thankfully it was two month trip to Canada, Australia and New a wonderful occasion with a lunch followed by a 24 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 25 lovely Service of Thanksgiving to God who had was the arrival of the waterfall he built for the been so fundamental to the whole of their lives. pond. Grandpa had the job of explaining to We watched my father’s health gradually me how the waterfall was controlled by the begin to fail as he didn’t admit to being tired from switch in the outhouse, even though water and all the responsibilities and caring he so wanted electricity couldn’t mix. to do. In October 2010, just after he had visited Then there were the many trips to Bognor. Mark and Naomi in their new home in Chichester No sand, just pebbles with a light covering of he became seriously ill. To us it seemed that he tar, but the putting green was our St Andrew’s died fairly suddenly – he knew more than he let on the south coast! And I clearly remember not on. His choice of funeral hymns was amongst being able to keep up with him the first time we his paperwork, on the dining room table. set off down Eliot Drive after he’d recovered As the ambulance was taking Dad to A&E, from his hip replacement. Mum moved round the corner from her home to Fast forward to 2005 and Grandpa, along Shottermill House because she needed 24 hour with other willing volunteers, turned his hand care. She found the adjustment difficult – she to our own first garden. He tested the soil really didn’t think it was fair that Dad passed (it passed), advised on plant selection and away first! Mum’s health continued to decline, worked on the garden until it got dark. Grandpa eventually to the point that she was unable to continued his work in our garden, either over be taken out by car, whether to meals out with the phone or by growing plants from cuttings us, or to their Church at Milland. Her lifeline to and passing them on. So we can continue to the outside world remained her weekly visits to enjoy his legacy in our garden every day. Haslemere Stroke Club, to which she could be t’s funny what comes to mind when looking transported in her wheelchair. She missed Dad back on time spent with someone – looking terribly and despite all the care and kindness backI on time spent with Grandma is no was really ready to ‘go home’ to heaven. For exception. The first extremely clear memory is us, Mum’s last words: ‘Jesus, please take me,’ from their home in Thornton Heath. Grandma, have been a great comfort, as was finding a unable to stand my sniffing with a cold any note in an envelope marked ‘funeral service’. longer, sat me on the stool in the kitchen and She requested their wedding hymn, ‘Praise there I stayed until I had learnt to blow my my soul the King of heaven’, to bring a joyful nose! When I was nearly seven, they made the atmosphere, and many happy memories and move to Haslemere and more frequent visits tributes were brought to the service at Milland. were possible. We enjoyed little expeditions I am grateful for the help and encouragement to feed the ducks or post a letter, playing that both of my parents have been to me, and Bagatelle (always in the hall, for some reason) hopefully I have been able to bring the best of and the excitement of electric blankets when their qualities to the raising of my own family. staying in the winter. Grandma gave up her They will not be forgotten. time to ferry me around to piano lessons and Anne Sheldrake enjoyed watching swimming lessons after Time with Grandpa was always time well school. We were allowed to make a brilliant spent. He would usually try and teach me den at the bottom of the front garden, and something new. Like the time he taught me continually aerated the lawn through games how to use the petrol lawnmower. I accidentally of croquet and clock golf. It would be fair to knocked it up to full speed and Grandpa had to say that, whilst the lawn benefited from those catch it before it destroyed the roses. games, the flowers certainly didn’t! He was always keen to show me what was Moving on a bit to when my increase in new in the garden; anything from how the height became of some use, there was the runner beans were doing that year to whatever school holiday day trip to clean Grandma’s was just coming into flower. And then there floor-to-ceiling kitchen cupboard. The ritual 24 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 25 was the same every time; the morning was I remember playing endless games of spent removing everything and washing down Muddles and, when we could persuade enough the shelves; we broke for lunch; then in the people, Pit. I remember the way Grandma afternoon everything was wiped and put back would sing, ‘Amen,’ after grace. I remember where it should go. Sadly, I have yet to adopt a writing absolute nonsense on her old typewriter similar level of enthusiasm to my own kitchen and being told it was a very good letter. I cupboards (or weeding the patio for that matter, remember my dodgy GCSE artwork being which I also remember doing perfectly happily) framed and hung on the wall. I remember trips – perhaps it will return in time. to the beach, putting on the green and picnics with ancient Tupperware. I remember Grandma When visiting Grandma as an adult the saying: ‘It’s 30, dear’ when Grandpa went 31 common theme was cake. Whether we turned miles an hour. up straight after breakfast or were minutes away from an evening meal back at Mum’s and Dad’s Most of all, I remember unconditional love – – we would always be required to eat cake! though at the time I didn’t know that’s what you Karen Beavin call it. I miss my Grandma – she was a good person. But she loves Jesus – and I’m glad she y most treasured memories with Grandpa now gets to see Him face to face. have been in the garden. Every time we Mark Sheldrake workedM together on an outdoor project he had going, I learned something new. He imparted many green-fingered tricks of the trade, as there were enough of those to fill a book. He seemed Central Hall, Westminster to understand plants on a personal level, knowing what each would like or dislike. He also few lesser known facts about the venue for seemed to enjoy all the plants in the garden the 2012 Baptist Assembly – Central Hall! equally, whether they were exciting flowers or A evergreen shrubs. With me too, he embodied Over one million Methodists each gave fairness, understanding and unconditional love. one guinea (£1.05) to a fund to commemorate Through all his gardening advice – which has the one hundredth anniversary of the death been invaluable – his greatest lesson to me has of John Wesley. Regardless of wealth, each been his life’s witness; a man who lived out Micah 6 donor was only allowed to donate one guinea : 8 “The Lord has showed you, O man, what is good. (a guinea was then a week’s wages for an And what does he require of you? To act justly and average worker). Visitors can still inspect the to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” 50 volumes containing the name of every person contributed their guinea! y favourite memories of Grandma often Mhad connections to things I broke! A quarter of this fund was used to build the For instance: one weekend I knocked a hall which opened in 1912. It is one hundred houseplant – a streptocarpus – onto the floor years old and still the largest conference and, to me, it looked so destroyed I thought centre in central London. it needed to go in the bin. Grandma however had me re-potting it and taught me what It hosted the very first meeting of the United would nurse the plant back to health. When Nations in 1946 later I returned the then flowering plant I had learnt more than just a need to be careful It was built on the site of the former Royal when moving around the bungalow. We would Aquarium – an interesting watery fact for always check on the plant’s progress every visiting ! visit – a symbol of redemption. Grandma knew how to bring out good even from mistakes. Roger Barnett 26 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 27 A Compilation: For Your Prayers Jenny Allford – an often delayed operation Open Meeting – for discussion regarding the did take place and following a brief time in ICU financial position of the church at 8 p.m. on she is now back on Ward at RSCH Thursday 31st May. making progress on her seemingly long road to Dementia Awareness Week – there will be recovery. a street collection for the Alzheimer’s Society Julia Allford – received a Volunteers Award and various special broadcasts on TV and from the Town Mayor. radio. Possibly, an opportune time to pray for Melody & Tony Bartlett – following their the Sing For Fun group that meets here weekly marriage on 4th May. on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Antonia Bennewith – now living in her own Transport help – we are still seeking people home. who are able to transport others in to church on Matthew Clarke – who had an appropriate job Sunday mornings; we hope that enough people interview in Scotland. will volunteer so that once-a-month would be The Pastor – as he recovers fully from his the maximum commitment necessary. knee operation; his initial reaction to the Holiday@Home – application forms now anaesthetic was not good. available for August; book early to avoid Rev’d Philip Dunning – just starting his first disappointment! sabbatical. The Baptist Assembly – which took place in Sammy Dunning – celebrated his 5th Birthday London over the Bank Holiday weekend. on 12th May. Cambodia – Financial help is asked for a child Ray & Sarah Faulkner – unfortunately had to and family that has been receiving sponsorship return from Far East holiday for treatment for a (From the Bright Futures programme) who painful mouth ulcer. have lost their home and all their possessions Pat & Chris Hookey – Pat will move to in a devastating house fire. Donate (say £10) Broadwater Lodge when there is a vacancy online at www.cambodiaaction.org (marked: but is currently still in Whitebourne Residential house fire) Home, Frimley.. Jonathan Keyworth – recovering from his knee operation. Christine Knottley – celebrated her 60th Birthday on 7th May. Chris Lane – following his Confirmation at All Saints Church, Witley, on 1st May. Dennis Monk – celebrated his 75th Birthday on 8th May. Maureen Page’s father – who has broken his leg; his health, in general, is causing the family great concern. John Rothwell – spent time in the coronary care unit at RSCH during the week; has returned for checks and has further Directory Alterations appointment ‘well into the summer’. Mark Sheldrake – who has commenced a Antonia Bennewith course of chemo-therapy and will settle into a 7 Springside Court, Josephs Road three-weekly Mondays routine. Guildford. GU1 1BT John Vyner – following his Confirmation at All Charlotte & Joao Bolzan Saints Church, Witley, on 1st May. 8 Woodley House, Long Gore, Farncombe GU7 3TL 26 The Messenger – June 2012 June 2012 – The Messenger 27 The It-Girl t the age of three, Charlie is still mastering and Charlie had to content himself with planting the finer points of the English language a big pebble “to make lots of little stones” after andA at the moment is getting to grips with the Head Gardener decided that a bee, an ant, pronouns. Everyone, regardless of gender, my phone and his socks were Not Suitable for is ‘he’ and all possessive pronouns are ‘his’, Planting. The most enterprising experiment which can lead to some hasty explanations nearly escaped my attention until Molly shrieked, when Charlie points to a lady and loudly asks, “Charlie’s trying to plant half a chocolate finger!” “Where is he going?” There is one exception which seems perfectly sensible to me – I will to the ‘he’ and ‘his’ rule, which he has invented obviously be giving that pot extra helpings of specially for his sister. Molly has morphed into Miracle-Gro, along with my chocolate-brownie a five-years old teenager and has taken to plant and chocolate-raisin vine. loudly stropping out of the room and stamping upstairs in a huff - at which point she stops We spent the May Bank Holiday weekend being a “he” and Charlie will query, “Why is it at a Haven holiday camp, where the children making that noise?” followed a few minutes made the most of the free ‘mini’ versions of the later by an alarmed, “It’s coming down the sporting activities to wear off all the chocolate stairs!” and “It’s still angry!” This just fans the fingers. “Charlie with a crossbow” may sound flames of Molly’s fury and she’ll retort, “I’m not more like a label at a crime-scene than a an IT, I’m a SHE!” which led to Charlie hiding caption in a holiday album, but both he and in the kitchen last week Molly relished the opportunity crying plaintively, “I’m to slay ‘dragons’ in the junior scared of it!” Frankly, archery class and gang up on we’re all slightly scared an unsuspecting instructor in of “it” and are mightily the junior fencing class. Molly relieved when it turns got her shin-kicking fix in the back into a “he” again. football class and swam on her own for the first time (woohoo!). For weeks, the children She also revealed herself to be have been asking to plant an adrenaline-junkie when she their sunflower seeds and demanded to go on the ‘bungee grumpy mummy has been trampoline’, which involved saying, “No, it’s too cold being strapped into what looks and wet to go outside,” so like a huge pair of braces, they were very excited to hoisted up above a trampoline, finally see the sunshine and pinged up into the air. and be allowed to go out She was a little pale when she and get digging. After got off and did need a Little having done a sterling job Sit-Down but quickly recovered of ‘planting’ the sunflower enough to climb inside a giant seeds (planting for the bubble and crawl inside it while purposes of this article it bobbed around on the water, being re-defined as like a sea-going hamster. All dropping/throwing/eating/ the activity meant Charlie didn’t crushing and drowning) have to fear “it” all weekend, so they were keen to try out their green fingers on maybe when “it” emerges in future our weapon some more exotic plants. Molly planted a fir-cone of choice should be a foam sword, a plastic and thoughtfully covered the pot with a layer crossbow or a long length of elastic... of grass, “So it’s like a duvet to keep it warm,” Jackie Farrow 28 The Messenger – June 2012 CHURCH DIARY

June 2012

Friday 1 14.00 Games Afternoon Prayer Hour – please, 09.15 10.30 Morning Service come whatever the time! Service Sunday 17 Morning Service 16.00 10.30 @ Jubilee House with Communion Sunday 3 Go-Go Songs of Praise 18.30 Evening Service 17.30 @ Bandstand Leadership Tuesday 19 20.00 in Phillips Memorial Park Prayer Meeting Holiday @ Home 14.30 Wednesday Fellowship 10.00 sub-committee meeting Wednesday 20 18.30 Fusion! Wednesday 6 @ Calderwood 20.00 Youth Group 14.30 Wednesday Fellowship 09.30 The Ark Toddler Groups 20.00 Youth Group Thursday 21 Back 2 Basics Study Group 20.00 Church Social Evening 1:1 “Worship” Saturday 9 19.00 Welcome Uganda Team CTiGD Prayer Breakfast Saturday 23 08.30 10.30 Morning Service @ Busbridge Church 10.30 The Ark on Sunday 10.30 Morning Service World Mission Quarterly Sunday 10 16.30 Sunday 24 12.00 Prayer Meeting Church Meeting Evening 18.30 Evening Service 18.30 Communion Service Tuesday 26 11.00 Friendship Lunch 11.00 Friendship Lunch Connect for ladies: Visit 10.00 Tuesday 12 Leadership Sculpture Park at 20.00 Wednesday 27 Business Meeting 18.30 Fusion! 18.30 Fusion! 20.00 Youth Group Wednesday 13 20.00 Youth Group 09.30 The Ark Toddler Groups 09.30 The Ark Toddler Groups Thursday 28 Back 2 Basics Study Group 20.00 Carers’ Communion 1:2 “Prayer” Thursday 14 13.30 and Support Men’s Group: Barbecue 15.30 Service @ Eastlake @ venue tbc Saturday 30 18.00 Connect for ladies: Walk Please note that ladies Saturday 16 10.00 @ Great Pond are invited to this!

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