June 2020 SPECIAL EDITION

CONTENTS A Letter From Alyson (Click below for your article) There is an old joke which goes, ‘if you want to make God laugh, tell A Letter from Alyson him your plans’. Although this is ‘a funny’, there is a serious point. From the Registers Our lives are ultimately not in our control, but in the hands of God Parish Officers and so all our plans, have to come with the caveat, ‘if God so wills’. Chestnuts Thank you Gill Back at the beginning of January, when we welcomed in a new Gravesham Foodbank decade, we all had, I am sure, plans for the coming year and all Meopham Community Swap Shop of these have since been massively disrupted by events that we Gurdwara Feeding the NHS could not then have foreseen. As I write this letter we are heading ■ ADVERTISING INDEX into a further time of uncertainty. We do not know how long social distancing will continue or what things will look like when ■ News from St John’s restrictions are finally lifted. Thursday Fellowship - featuring Saint Augustine Deputy Editor/Proof-Reader for However, although this means that any plans we make have to be Meopham Review needed flexible, we do have to make plans for the future, otherwise nothing Tanzania Update will happen. CMS Link Letter from Bolivia View from the North During the middle of WW2 this country could not be sure how long ■ MEOPHAM NEWS the war would last or what this country or the world would look South Street Baptist Church Fellowship like when it was over. Nevertheless, the government realised that 1st South Street Boys Brigade and Girls policies needed to be made and what resulted after VE Day was Association Company eventually the NHS, the Welfare State and our Education system as Meopham Parish Council we know them today. Letter to the Editor

■ TALES FROM THE BIBLE A large part of the inspiration for all of this development was the vision of Christian thinkers such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, ■ AROUND THE VILLAGES William Temple, who wanted post war Britain to be a country in Meopham & District Allotment Association which Christian values were more fully expressed, and where Meopham Libary Writing Group people would be able to flourish in the way God intended. Swanley and North Downs Lions Active Retirement Association Today, a debate is beginning to be had about what the new Meopham and District My Garden ‘normal’ should look like once the Covid-19 pandemic is over. Christoph Bull Forthcoming Events cont’d. overleaf cont’d. overleaf. CONTENTS cont’d. A Letter from Alyson cont’d.

■ A QUESTION OF FAITH During the war Christians such as Temple wanted to avoid a return What Does It Mean to Endure Hardship? to the poverty and lack of opportunity of the 1930s. They wanted

■ F ROM THE ASSOCIATION a new ‘normal’ that avoided the mistakes of the past. Christian OF CHURCH EDITORS leaders today should be involved in the current debate about our Discovering the Great country’s future and one of the key points they should make is Barrier Reef – The Hard Way! Blame the Chair, Not Me! that as a nation we need to avoid the materialism and turning The Empty Vessel away from God that has marked the post war period. When the war ended there were numerous church and cathedral services in ■  PARISH PUMP which people gave thanks for victory and pledged to serve God by Keep an Eye Out for the Elderly building a better world. Run, Run, Run! June 1940 – A Month to Remember Where Are Our Fathers? In many ways the world is better; medically, educationally, Charles Dickens – Prolific Writer technologically and socially (with much of the bigotry of the past with a Social Conscience diminished). In one key respect however, things are much worse. Beware Soft Drinks! As a society (and that also includes much of the national church) We Can Claim The Gift of Sleep we have collectively ceased to put God and obedience to God at the ■ ADVERTISING RATES centre of our national life. To put it bluntly, God gave us the peace and we took it as an opportunity to forget him. ■ REVIE W TEAM

Return to top Î Now there is another opportunity to make a fresh start. One of the features of the lockdown has been a growth of people taking part in online worship and praying. For Christians, a major part of thinking about the future has to be thinking about building upon this development. A good society is one that has God at the centre. So, how might the churches of this community further enable those who have reached out to engage with God during the pandemic, to continue to meet with God and experience his life changing power at work in their lives?

At the end of the Old Testament book of Joshua, the people of Israel are given the opportunity to make a new start in a new land. Their leader, Joshua, gives them this challenge which is as relevant to our day as it was to theirs. ‘Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.’ Joshua chapter 24 verse 15. Alyson Davie

FROM THE REGISTERS

Burials (St. John’s) 27 April Edith Russell (95)

CREMATIONS (St. John’s) Ian Taylor 14 April

Return to contents pageÎ PARISH OFFICERS

PARISH OFFICERS FOR ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH, MEOPHAM AND ST MILDRED’S PARISH CHURCH, NURSTEAD

Rector: The Revd Canon Alyson Davie, The Rectory, Shipley Hills Road, Meopham, (812068) Email: [email protected] Lay Ministers (Readers): Clive Adams: (812566); Robert Bareham (812877) Pastoral Assistant: Jennifer Giles: (812706) Evangelist: Veronica Rees: (812952 Email: [email protected]) Parish Administrator: Allison Merry: St. John’s Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 0AA. (01474) 813106 Email: [email protected] Open: Monday & Thursday: 10am-1pm, plus Saturday morning: 9am-11.30am

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH, MEOPHAM www.stjohnsmeopham.co.uk

Church Warden:

Parochial Church Council: Secretary: Peter Kettle Treasurer: Jackie Hunter Members: Elaine Bush, Roger Wisdom, Ailsa Rees, Jeff Richards, Sarah Richards, Linda Sims, Muriel Thorogood, Jenny Wood. Deanery Synod Jill Kettle and Veronica Rees Representatives: Stewardship Secretary: Anne Nicholson: (812321) Safeguarding Officer: Pat Shelbrooke: (01732 823335) Building Blocks: Ann Mellor: (813960) Bell Ringers Captain: John Gander Church Flowers: Judith Bagshaw: (814410) Thursday Fellowship: Jennifer Giles: (812706)

ST MILDRED’ S PARISH CHURCH, NURSTEAD

Church Wardens:

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL

Secretary: Mary Boxall, “Archirondelle”, Wrotham Road, Meopham (813170) Treasurer: Hales Vaughan, Woodside, Wrotham Road, Meopham (816602) Members: Brenda Beetham, Ann Ellson, Mark Ellson, Sylvia Moore, Geoff Simmons Deanery Synod Hales Vaughan Representative: Organists: Mick Norman. BA (Hons) Dip. Mus. (Open) (813787) Margaret Day. (813554), John Rowland Church Flowers: Su Rowe (814560)

Return to contents pageÎ Chestnuts hardest part of this journey has been helping my staff. In the early days, their fear and I am writing this article as the Registered stress levels were palpable. The conflict they Manager of The Chestnuts Care Home in felt between working and wanting to stay Meopham. The care home has been in my at home with their family was difficult to family for over 35 years and throughout that watch and yet so understandable. My initial time we have had our ups and downs, good fear was that so many would stay home, we days and bad. would be unable to cope. How wrong could

Nothing however, could prepare me or my staff for what has been happening to us over the past few months. Life within The Chestnuts has changed in a way that goes against everything we represent. That is, providing a home from home for our residents that involves them having the freedom to come and go as they please and have family and friends visit whenever they wish.

I made the incredibly hard decision to I have been. From day one they have come lockdown the home at a very early stage of to work and continued to do so throughout. the pandemic, as our priority is always the They have taken on board all the changes to safety of everyone living and working here. their working practices and embraced them. On that particular day, I remember going Trust me, wearing PPE for long periods is downstairs to the dining room and explaining not a comfortable thing and the continual to all the residents what lockdown would washing and sanitising of hands is endless. mean and why it was necessary. They have stayed cheerful and dedicated Probably to everyone that lives here, their single aim because of their being to keep them safe. Many members generation, they of staff have gone the extra mile to try and took the news make this difficult time for our residents incredibly well bearable. Just one example, is the production and were very of a video for the residents with the help of supportive. The staff and the local people in Meopham. All overwhelming for free I must add!! comment was “we are lucky It involved family, staff and friends uploading to be here, as we have each other and the messages of love and support to the staff and we will never be on our own” They residents and watching their faces when were all very aware of the loneliness that so they watched it was priceless. many elderly people about to be isolated in their homes would be feeling. Perhaps the cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ Chestnuts cont’d. Gravesham Foodbank I must also say a huge thank you to the In the May Review the project team at the support we have had from the families of Riverside Centre reported on how busy it has the residents as well as the local people of become recently, as the numbers of local Meopham. It is this support that has really people suffering hardship have increased. helped the staff know that everything The latest available monthly data quantifies they are doing is worthwhile and that their the increase in demand, but also shows hard work is truly appreciated. We have a huge increase in donations of food and had so many donations from chocolates, toiletries. The data is for all the Foodbank money, wine and cakes that it has been sites in Gravesend, which until recently overwhelming. included the Methodist and United Reformed Churches as well as the Riverside Centre. Sadly, no one knows how long this new way of life will be going on for and as time is As the operation has moved from six day going on, it is getting harder for the resident opening over three sites to four days at the to be physically apart from their loved ones. single site, there has been extra pressure on the staff, although the load has been spread I do know however that the fantastic staff at as a result of new volunteers getting involved. The Chestnuts will continue to come to work and offer their love, care and dedication to Gravesham Foodbank Latest Statistics those living here and for this I am so proud. April April % 2019 2020 Change Lesley Plumb, Manager Vouchers 156 208 33% Thank you Gill processed This will be the last issue of the Meopham People 373 464 24% Review in which Gill Carpenter will be part fed of the editorial team. Gill volunteered to Donations 1,895 5,858 209% help as a deputy editor/proof reader in 2015 (kg) and has been a committed and valuable member of the team Comparing April this year with the same assembling the magazine month last year, the numbers of vouchers for the last five years. processed as a part of the system has increased by a third, while the number of She is also involved in lots of people fed has grown by about a quarter. other local activities, notably as The difference between the two measures secretary of Meopham Garden Association, probably reflects the fact that there has been and is standing down from the Review now a bigger increase in the number of single to make space for new things. rather than family clients.

Apart from proof-reading and acting The most astonishing statistic is that the as a distributor of the Review, Gill has volume of donations has more than trebled, contributed lots of ideas for improving the with nearly six tonnes of supplies coming magazine and we will miss her. into the stockroom in the month. This has mainly reflected a jump in supplies from local Thank you Gill from the rest of the team! supermarkets, notably Tesco and Morrisons.

Return to contents pageÎ Meopham Community rooms when lockdown eases and the libraries reopen. The stock will then be sold in support Swap Shop of St Mildred’s Church and the RNLI at a The Swap Shop has been set up to help ease suitable time as soon as possible. the boredom and frustration of lockdown and to support those who don’t have direct access to We are following stringent safety guidelines the internet. It will be open at Meopham Village and quarantining all donations. Our thanks go Hall from 2pm - 4pm every Tuesday and Friday. to all those volunteers who have helped and to the Village Hall for allowing us to store the We have had substantial donations from the donations safety. community and have agreed with St John’s Church to store everything in the church Cllr Sue Gofton and Gill Carpenter

Gurdwara Feeding the NHS packing, delivering, cleaning and answering the phones. By the end of the day, at least This shortened version of an article by 850 meals have been delivered to staff Harriet Sherwood published in The Guardian at five nearby hospitals, care homes and newspaper on 8 May describes the huge scale vulnerable individuals. Some days, the of the generous service being provided by the number hits 1,000. Sikh community in Gravesend. For the Sikh community that – in normal They start at 4am, chopping vegetables, times – worships at the Guru Nanak Darbar mixing spices, soaking legumes, kneading gurdwara in Gravesend, Kent, this is simply chapati dough. Scores of volunteers are split into five teams working in shifts: cooking, Cont’d. Overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ an adaptation of langar, the communal preparing and packaging food. In one kitchen, kitchen that provides free food to the needy eight women rolled balls of chapati dough day in and day out. All through the day, into more than 400 discs before flipping volunteers deliver donations of ingredients them on a hot stove and rubbing them with from local companies, supermarkets and butter. Others stirred vats of soya curry to individuals to the padlocked gates of the hasten the cooling process and chopped imposing temple. peppers for the next day’s dish. In a second kitchen, volunteers portioned rice and kala chana into recyclable plastic containers, and rolled chapatis in tin foil. All the food is refrigerated before delivery.

Seven miles away, at Darent Valley Hospital, Leslieann Osborn, the director of strategy and planning, was ready for the late morning delivery of food from the gurdwara. “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the generosity of the community and the temple,” she said. “Every single day they’ve brought lunch and dinner for staff. At the peak of this crisis, staff in critical care and respiratory wards simply Its three huge halls for worship and didn’t have time to get food. This has kept weddings are currently empty, but the them nourished. And it’s delicious. I could live kitchens house efficient production lines for off these lunches forever.”

Return to contents pageÎ ADVERTISING INDEX (Click to view advert)

Please support the local businesses that support the Review! Let them know where you found their advertisement.

Bathrooms...... Nightingale Bathrooms – Walk-in Showers Builders, Carpenters etc...... F.P. Building Contractors Catering Services...... Just Sara Chartered Accountants ...... Metsons Cottage Accommodation...... Nurstead Court Decorators...... John Green Decor Ltd Dentistry...... Meopham Dental Care Electrical Services...... All Wiring Matters Elderly, care for...... Chestnuts ...... Vitality Home Care Foot Health Practitioners ...... Helen Wood – Mobile Funeral Services...... Lewis Solomon ...... Stephen P Gay ...... Welham Jones Garden Services...... Green Thumb Halls for Hire...... Culverstone Community Centre ...... Meopham Village Hall ...... St. John’s Centre Household Repairs, Painting ...... I.G. Everett Kitchens...... Beautiful Kitchens Picture Framing etc...... Craft Frames Plumbing, Heating...... Gas-Safety.com ...... John Beard Printing, Stationery...... Singlewell Stationery & Print ...... The Copy Shoppe Secretarial Services...... Ann Archer Tuition...... Kathy North - Maths Tutor Watch & Clockmakers & Repairs...... M.J. Leach

Return to contents pageÎ St John’s Centre Rooms of various sizes available for hire Fully carpeted rooms Excellent kitchen facilities Suitable for meetings, courses and children’s parties

Call the Parish Office to book on 01474 813106, or Email: [email protected]

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Our one-stop-shop includes all aspects of: • 3D CAD design & planning • Building works • Plumbing • Electrics • Tiling • Wood/granite/laminate worktops • All major brands of appliances and sanitary ware FREE Design Consultation 01474 556202

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Return to contents pageÎ IT’S TIME TO ADVERTISE! Why advertise? If you would like to advertise in the Meopham Review, please go to the back page for details about our advertising rates.

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ NEWS FROM ST JOHN’S

Thursday Fellowship This month I have decided to begin a four-part story given to me by a member of the Fellowship which she hopes will be of interest to our readers, with VE 75 Years in mind.

My Account of the Blitz – World War 2, by Ada Taylor I was aged 16 when I was sent home from a sanitarium after having TB. With the possibility of war, beds were needed for the wounded. This was on the 2nd of September 1939; the next day War was declared at 11am. Children were being evacuated from London and Anderson Shelters were distributed to be erected by the householders. Things were fairly quiet for about 9 months when the raids started and the London Docks were the first to be bombed.

The fires were seen far away, the skies were a deep red, and this was the start of the Blitz. The raids were every night and day and the shelters in the gardens were used and slept in. Lord Haw-Haw greeted us every morning on the radio “come out all you rats and rabbits from your shelters.” He also used to give us the news - propaganda, which did not bother us; in fact, the cockney sense of humour soon took over.

Most of the people living in the dock areas went down every night in the underground stations where they slept and were entertained with singing and comedians. The docks were devastated and people were without homes, wounded and many killed. At one time the water in the Thames became very low and the Fire Service was short of water so its job was very dangerous. The Police were on hand to rescue people from buildings that had been demolished, where only rubble was left. People were buried underneath, some died but some were lucky to be found alive.

I finally went back to the job I had before contracting TB, at the Army and Navy Stores Victoria. This was a big building several stories high and the Accounts Office where I worked was at the top. So, when the air raid sounded, we had a long way down several flights of stairs to reach the basement. There we sat doing knitting, some girls started smoking until the all clear. All firms were losing a lot of time so the Government had people on lookout to give the alert signal when the planes were overhead, then we had to run down to the basement.

cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ Thursday Fellowship cont’d. Tanzania Update Everybody went to work in any way they We have received several messages in the could get to their destination and return last few weeks about our link parish of Itolwa, home. Raids were on day and night so that in the Diocese of Kondoa. As reported in the buses, trams and trains were disrupted. June Review, there have been few reported When they stopped running, I used to try cases of Covid-19 in Tanzania: about 300 to get home from the Victoria Terminal but across the whole country in early May, mainly 9 times out of 10 we were stranded until in the big urban centres of Dar es Salaam ordinary lorries came along and called out to and Zanzibar, but the rapid lock-down of the us the route they were taking and to offer whole country instituted from mid-March is lifts. Loads of people scrambled on these causing great hardship. In a time of general lorries and if they had tailboards, they could worry there is however some positive news. take a lot of people. Men used to help the The rainwater harvesting system for Itolwa women up first. Sometimes they went to parish is now fully funded and should be in Lewisham where I lived, but sometimes they place soon and the Diocese has established a only went halfway. Sometimes the buses and small team to tour villages with supplies and trams had to turn around from their usual information about how to avoid infection. routes. One time a cement lorry took me all the way home. You can imagine the height I had to scramble up to get into the cab.

Well, after about 9 months there was a lull and we were much relieved. Thanks to the Airmen they brought down hundreds of German planes and won the Blitz. They were going up very tired and with no rest. I was told by my cousin who was in Bomber Command, that most of the boys got killed.

Deputy Editor / Proof- About half of the funding for the £2,500 Reader for Meopham water project has been provided by St John’s Review Needed Outward Giving programme and the proceeds We need someone to join the Review editorial of a soup lunch held at the end of February, team to fulfil this role, which can be flexible, with the balance coming from outside depending on the skills and interests of the donations. Most of the cost has been for the new person taking it on. The basics of the job purchase and transport of two 5,000 litre are to proof-read and edit text contributed storage tanks, one of which is shown in the by village organisations and other sources photo with Jacob Letema, the Kondoa Diocese and also check proof copies of the whole finance officer. Installation in Itolwa has been magazine before it is printed. No great IT skills held up by recent flood damage to roads and are required, but use of e-mail and experience a bridge on the way to the village, but bridge using Word and Adobe Acrobat is necessary. repair work should be completed soon. It is If you are interested please contact me to find not clear whether the coronavirus lockdown out more. Email: [email protected], will also delay completion of the project. Tel: 01474 813632. Peter Kettle cont’d. overleaf. Return to contents pageÎ Tanzania Update cont’d. aspect of this was to support two small local businesses. Latest news from the couple and Meanwhile, the lockdown means that their three daughters gives an update on how schools, markets and other places where these small family enterprises have been coping people gather together remain closed and in the Covid-19 lockdown: travel is restricted, resulting in job losses and rising prices. Food costs in Kondoa have increased dramatically. By way of an example, a sack of maize should sell in Kondoa for Tshs 30,000 (approx. £10) but is now costing Tshs 70,000. There is also reported to be widespread uncertainty, bordering on panic, in villages about the threat of infection, which has occasionally resulted in violence. Last week, Bishop Given met with the eight area deans to discuss the Diocesan response. They agreed to establish a Social Services Committee, which will include a doctor and nurse (both worship at the Cathedral) and a pastor.

This group will be provided with protective A local family receiving bread with smiles equipment (mask and gloves) and will visit the villages to provide education about the Just before the quarantine, we celebrated virus and how to prevent transmission, and with a ribbon cutting/grand opening of to distribute food and sanitiser or soap. They Richard and Jenny’s public toilet rental near will also provide practical advice such as how a bustling park in the centre of Santa Cruz. to build a ‘tippy tap’ (basically a container of We have been checking in with them over water – which can be collected and recycled the lockdown and they continue to be well. - and bar of soap suspended from sticks), Although at this time they won’t see many to help with handwashing when water is people coming to use the “facilities”, Richard scarce. The Bishop is currently seeking has offset this obstacle by selling essentials permission from the District Commissioner – garrafas of gas, water, rice and flour. This for the Social Services Committee to carry is keeping food on his table while providing out its work. for the needs of his community.

CMS Link Letter Single mum of three Marina had nearly completed her bakery renovation/expansion from Bolivia – with only the commercial bread oven In the May review we included a report and industrial mixer to purchase – as the about the work of Christian Mission Society quarantine was announced. Like us, Marina partners Andrew and Lisa Peart in Santa Cruz, is only able to go out once per week to buy Bolivia. Part of their vision for their work is her supplies. In addition, her production has “to be Christ’s light in the neighbourhood, do been halved as the smaller local markets more than tell people about him; being visible and living out the gospel in their midst”. One cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ CMS Link Letter from Bolivia I was spending a short holiday at our cottage in Rosedale Abbey when the lock down was which sell her cakes and breads have been introduced and on advice I have stayed here. closed by the government in an effort to The advantage has been that I have fresh control the curve of the pandemic. She is a clean air and am able to take a daily walk very resilient and independent mother who amidst the beauty of the North York Moors. has overcome many obstacles in her life.

As family, we have been baking bread during the week to give to local families in our barrio, teaming up with local barrio president Patricia who has lived locally for 30 years. In our community where most live day-today, the needs are many; bread being a staple that Bolivians absolutely love, we are fortunate for this opportunity to love our neighbours. Please pray for our neighbourhood, that we as a family would continue to generously serve here in grace and truth. Blessings in Christ, Andrew, Lisa, Liliana, Anayah and Daniela

View from the North

We are very pleased to publish this latest A bonus has been experiencing the progress instalment of an irregular column written of spring. Seeing fruit trees move from bare by former Review editor David Wells, now branches to leaves and on to blossom. At recuperating from illness in a cottage in the the moment I am wondering if I will still be Yorkshire Moors. here to pick the fruit! The daffodils have transformed into bluebells; the sheep have North Yorkshire in the middle of May is had their lambs; the cattle have joined them no different to North Kent when it comes in the fields, out from their winter quarters to the coronavirus. Lock down has meant and the birds have been busy building their that this is the first Christian Aid week for nests and telling the world about it as the 45 years that I have not been collecting cuckoos arrive. My eyes have been opened envelopes. We have asked our supporters to to nature’s wonders in a way that I have not consider making donations via the internet, experienced before. phone or dropping off an envelope at the Cathedral office. Church this morning meant I am well aware of the fortunate position a virtual eucharist at Ripon Cathedral with I am in and the hardships and challenges an emphasis in the sermon on the valuable so many others have and are still facing. work of Christian Aid. Through technology, I am, despite being remote from my home still able to play a I had a serious bout of pneumonia in December which left me with a scarred lung. cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ View from the North cont’d.

pastoral role in contacting the lonely, the staff of my dementia charity, the daily activities at our alms houses and my continuing involvement of my Rotary Club.

It is ten years since I left Meopham for God’s own county (although I will always be a man of Kent from birth). I am beginning to learn the language and I will share with you a few words: clarty (sticky as in mud), nithering (very cold), fettle (mend), croggy (catch a ride on the crossbar!) and one which is often referred to me – idle wasak (get up and embrace the day).

It has been heartening to see the Review reinvented by Garry and the team into a modern online colourful publication, just in time to counter the distribution restrictions being dictated to us today. David Wells

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ MEOPHAM CHURCHES

South Street Baptist Church Fellowship The church building is closed, during the Covid-19 Pandemic lock down, but people in the Church Fellowship are keeping in contact with each other by telephone, email and Sunday services on Zoom. Communion will be celebrated on Sunday 7th June and Sunday 21st June. The South Street Baptist Church website and Facebook pages have details of previously recorded sermons at South Street and on-line live-streamed services at other Baptist Churches. For more information please visit the Church website at: www.southstreetbaptist.org.uk. The Baptist Union of Great Britain website has more details about virtual Church services and prayer meetings. Please visit: www.baptist.org.uk

Song Time is unable to meet during lock down, but families are keeping in touch with each other through the closed group Facebook page, where ideas about art and craft activities are shared. Song Time will hopefully start again in the Autumn Term for families with babies and children under five. Please visit the Church website page for more information and contact details.

The 1st South Street Boys Brigade and Girls Association Company has suspended meetings during the Covid-19 Pandemic, but boys and girls can still enjoy Boys Brigade activities at home, even if they are not members. Weekly activities for the three age groups: 4-8 years, 8-11 years and 11-16 years can be freely downloaded from the Boys Brigade website and everything needed for the activities, should be readily available at home. The website address is: https://boys-brigade.org.uk/bbathome.

1st South Street Boys Brigade & Girls Association Company Although the 1st South Street Boys Brigade and Girls Association Company meetings have now been suspended during the Coronavirus Pandemic, children and young people, aged between four and sixteen years old, are invited to come and join in the fun at home, by visiting the Boys Brigade at Home website: www.boys- brigade.org.uk/bbathome/

Cont’d. overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ 1st South Street Boys Brigade & Girls Association Company cont’d.

These activities are freely available for parents to download every week, even if their children are not members of Boys Brigade. They are suitable for both boys and girls and are available in three different age groups: 4-8 years, 8-11 years and 11-16 years. Everything needed for the activities is likely to be easily found at home. There is also an art competition, based on the Boys Brigade vision that; ”Children and young people experience life to the full.”

To find out more about the Boys Brigade, please visit the Boys Brigade national website at: www.BOYS-BRIGADE.ORG.UK

For more information about the Company, which normally meets every Friday evening at 6pm during term times, visit South Street Baptist Church website at: www.southstreetbaptist.org.uk

MEOPHAM PARISH COUNCIL SUPPORTING MEOPHAM, Superneighbours – Help Available in Meopham For anyone needing support in the parish with shopping, collecting prescriptions or urgent supplies, please contact SUPPORTING MEOPHAM, Superneighbours. We have now extended the prescription collection service to anyone who is over 60 years old, a key worker, carers and single parents.

Would You Like a Friendly Chat During Lockdown? We know that many residents in the parish who are living on their own may be feeling extremely lonely and isolated during lockdown. SUPPORTING MEOPHAM, Superneighbours have volunteers available who can call you on a regular basis to provide a friendly chat. If you feel that this is something that you would like, then please call, text or email us for further details.

CONTACT DETAILS: Tel - 07908 155669, or email [email protected]

Community Litter Picks – Cancelled In view of the government advice, we have had to postpone our community litter picks in Meopham for now. Individuals can of course do litter-picks when they go out for a walk – wearing gloves as always – but we cannot advocate group events. If you wish to continue individual litter-picking activity over the next few months

Cont’d. Overleaf.

Return to contents pageÎ Meopham Parish Council cont’d. then please do so but ensure you follow the latest Government advice on Covid-19 to ensure you are protected for your own safety.

Speeding on the A227 Unfortunately, despite the decline in traffic out and about on the roads, the Parish Council has received a number of reports that people are speeding in 30-mile areas along the A227. The Traffic Police will be making regular checks with their speed cameras and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will be starting up Speedwatch. We are still looking for a few more Speedwatch volunteers so please contact the clerk for more details if you are interested in becoming a Speedwatch volunteer.

VE Day Celebrations Although the VE day programme of events planned for Meopham had to be cancelled due to coronavirus, it was lovely to see that this didn’t stop lots of residents in the parish decorating their homes and gardens and holding social distancing parties with their neighbours in their front gardens.

Parish Office Due to the coronavirus, the Parish Office remains closed until further notice. Staff are working from home and can be contacted by email. Alternatively, you can leave a message on the office answerphone as this is checked remotely on a daily basis during office hours.

Please continue to check the Parish Council website and our social media pages on facebook and twitter for relevant local information. Please view our coronavirus emergency page on our website for useful information: www.meopham.org/content/coronavirus- emergency We have included lists of local services available from local trades people, support services as well as food delivery services that are operating during lockdown.

To contact Meopham Parish Council

You can contact us in the following ways: • Telephone - 01474 813779 (Parish office answerphone checked Mon to Thurs between 9am-12 noon) • E-mail at [email protected] • Through the Parish Website www.meopham.org • Twitter - @meophamPC and facebook - “Meopham Parish Council”

Return to contents pageÎ

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I have just received the May edition online via MPC.

I need to contact you and ALL those involved with this edition - it is absolutely fantastic and leaves no stone unturned. So much content and information to support the community as well as excellent presentation and art work - please congratulate and thank all those involved.

I am not particularly religious but am aware how important the Easter period is and how frustrating it must have been not to be able to attend any place of worship over the Easter weekend (and any time actually). It’s a torrid time and I hope that we can continue to support each other in the same manner as we have done for the last 5 weeks. Stay safe and thank you Cllr Sue Gofton

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ IT’S TIME TO ADVERTISE! If you would like to advertise in the Meopham Review, please go to the back page for details about our advertising rates.

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Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Meopham & District Allotment Association Since writing the May article we are now in the middle of lockdown with a review by the Government due on the 7th May (this article had to be written by the end of April) and I don’t know what the next steps will be. It seems to me that although the infection and death rates will hopefully and thankfully be reducing, there may not be any let up in social distancing now and for some time to come – but we shall see and I hope I am wrong.

On the advice of the National Allotment Society and in consultation with Meopham Parish Council, we have had to close the allotment site to walkers and others who use the area to get some daily exercise in order to protect plot holders. Please be assured, the site will be open as soon as we have been advised that it is safe to do so. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused but our plot holders safety is paramount.

Unfortunately, some people have been ignoring the signs on the front gate and still think they can walk there just because they have been doing so for the last 40 years. We are sorry but until we have confirmation that it is safe to open the site to everyone, it will be closed to everyone except plot holders and their households as stated by Government restrictions.

Growing vegetables in June is wonderful – the early sowings of crops will produce your first salad, peas, broad beans or even asparagus. The days are getting lighter for longer and, as the weather is (or should I say hopefully be) much warmer, seeds will germinate more quickly. Beetroot, parsnip and carrot seeds will all need thinning and watering and keeping the weeds down is a daily occurrence. Many of the more tender plants that have been growing in the greenhouse should have been hardened off and can be planted now such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, leeks and outdoor tomatoes.

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Return to contents pageÎ Meopham & District Library on the first Thursday of each month Allotment Association cont’d. at 10am. Meetings are free, with a short break for refreshments at about 11am. Each There are many pests around, slugs and month there is a different writing theme, snails being the bane of many a plot holder which can be interpreted as a poem, an or gardener. A lot of people do not use slug article or a short story of up to 1000 words. pellets anymore although there are some that are organic and effective but the latest Recent writing themes have included, “VE thinking is either to simply get rid of them by Day” and “All the Seasons of the Year”. hand or use nature to help get rid of them. To There is also a writing challenge, when up do this you have to encourage their natural to a dozen words, chosen by writing group enemies such as, frogs, toads, hedgehogs, members, are used to make several short, centipedes, ground beetles, slow worms sensible sentences. Last month, writing group and fireflies. We have to make sure not to members undertook an extra challenge, use any chemical sprays which could harm which was to write a complete story in less them. Providing suitable habitat and food than 100 words. For more information about will encourage these beneficial creatures the writing group, please ring 01474 813379. to live in your garden or on the plots. Many now have ponds to encourage a diversity of Swanley and North wildlife to balance the good with the bad. Another well used tool are nets. Downs Lions Lions Clubs supporting communities We have many different types of birds on during COVID-19 crisis the site and although we want them to eat Swanley and North Downs Lions Club the bad bugs, just not our crops!! We also responded to the ellenor Emergency Fighting net our crops to stop the ubiquitous cabbage Fund appeal with a donation of £1200, made white butterfly from laying its eggs on our up of a grant from the Lions UK Emergency brassicas. Unfortunately, at the time of Fund and the profit from the Club’s recent writing, we are unable to let plots. Please be Easter Egg raffles. It will be used to help with assured that we will advertise on the local the additional costs ellenor is experiencing in Facebook groups when we can. Stay safe!! supporting victims of the virus.

Meopham Library Club President Malcolm Munro said “The Writing Group coronavirus pandemic is hurting lots of local people in lots of different ways - just because Meopham Library Writing Group members we are all social distancing doesn’t stop us from have been keeping in touch with each other, doing what we can.” by email and telephone, during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Some have emailed their writing When a humanitarian crisis strikes, the for everyone to read, while others will wait British Lions Clubs Foundation works with until the lock down is lifted and the group can and is guided by its own Lions members meet again. Writing can be very therapeutic, who are ordinary people actively working especially in these difficult times. for their local communities. Swanley & North Downs Lions support a range of good Anyone who enjoys writing, either as a causes and local projects and if you wish beginner or a more experienced writer, will to get involved visit our web site at www. be welcome to join the group at Meopham swanleyandnorthdownslions.org.uk

Return to contents pageÎ Active Retirement markings. We watch from the house as they appear, often before dark at the moment, Association Meopham to break their fast. We also have a wildlife and District (ARAMAD) camera to film activity during the night. Members of the committee of ARAMAD If I sit on the grass (full of daisies, dandelions would like to send good health wishes to all and violets) on a warm day, I am surrounded our members. We hope you are all keeping by the sound of bees and pollinators going well during this difficult and unusual time. about their business. Honey bees, carder and Hopefully, you will have been in telephone white-tailed bumble bees, amongst others, contact with other members, friends or all buzz about. The solitary bee houses are committee members, at some point so you already filling up and the pond is home to will be aware that our monthly meetings frogs, newts, water boatmen and damsel fly cannot go ahead in the present circumstances. larvae. The water irises and lilies are sending up their leaves and the frogbit is coming back Unfortunately, we will not be arranging any too. I sit by the pond and watch. It’s so calming further trips or outings this year. In the next and fascinates me to see all that’s going on. few weeks, you will be receiving a refund for any trips you may have booked prior to the Gardening for wildlife lockdown. We can reassure members that we is worth any effort. I will do our best to rearrange all the planned have planted to make outings for next year (2021) and many more sure there is available besides, pending Government advice. Looking nectar for bees and to the future, once we receive the go ahead, pollinators at all times we will arrange our first get together in of the year. I allow a few Meopham Village Hall and we look forward to ‘wild’ flowers in too (let’s that day. Stay safe everyone. hear it for dandelions and buttercups) as they My Garden are beautiful and an Carder Bee This year, I have been able to spend so much important food source. I time in my garden and it has delighted me use organic methods (such as wool pellets) beyond measure. In recent years, I have been to protect vulnerable plants from hungry gardening with wildlife in mind and the joy of snails and slugs. Interesting fact: did you seeing so much going on there has brought know that the leopard slug does NOT eat more rewards than I can say. fresh leaves but rotting vegetation AND the slugs that will chomp on your delphiniums? Being where it is and not having broadleaved In my view, they’re definitely slugs worth trees in the vicinity, the garden does not keeping. In my 10 x 15 metre plot, I have have a wide range of unusual birds but tried to get a balance, allowing predators to sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, dunnocks, do their jobs and developing a ‘des-res’ for robins, great and blue tits, magpies, collared God’s creatures. And I’m SO glad I have. doves and woodpigeons are all regular visitors. There is also a strong population of If you are interested in this type of gardening, hedgehogs and at least four call most nights there are lots of resources to be found online. to eat the mealworms and seeds left out for The Kent Wildlife Trust has advisors who can them. They are wonderful little mammals help too. and can be told apart from size and facial Gill Carpenter

Return to contents pageÎ Christoph Bull – Forthcoming Events As the COVID19 restrictions continue, so I am forced to postpone, until happier times, any events where social distancing is impossible to organise.

Please note, therefore, that the following events will take place in the future (dates unknown at present) and the following need to have a notice of postponement:

1 June 2020 – GHS guided walk across Swanscombe Marshes 13 June 2020 – Ifield talk at Ifield Church 15 June 2020 – Gravesend talk at Reliance Restaurant.

It is highly likely that further events in July will be cancelled.

Return to contents pageÎ Return to contents pageÎ Question: What Does It Mean to Endure Hardship? (2 Timothy 4:5) Answer: Second Timothy contains the poignant testimony of the apostle Paul, who says his life is “being poured out like a drink offering” and the time of his death had come (2 Timothy 4:6). In verse 5 he says, “But you [Timothy], keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” There was no better man than Paul to give advice about endurance under suffering for the Lord Jesus. Paul had been imprisoned, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry, cold, and destitute (2 Corinthians 11:23–28). In spite of all this and more, Paul managed to endure the suffering, finish the race, and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Hardships come in a variety of ways. Temptations, illnesses, lost jobs, broken relationships, and persecution for one’s faith are all forms of hardship. Christians should not be taken by surprise when hardships come: Jesus warned us, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). The good news is that Jesus followed up His warning with this word of encouragement: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

We can endure by His grace. To endure is more than just continuing to exist; it is continuing to exist in the same manner as before the suffering began. If Paul had lived through his sufferings but at some point had thrown up his hands in defeat, stopped being obedient to God, or no longer worked for the cause of Christ, he would not have ‘endured’. If he had responded to his sufferings with an attitude of bitterness, anger, or retaliation, then Paul could not have said that he ‘endured’.

Paul’s response to suffering was not to buckle under the weight of circumstance but to realise Christ has called His church to endure hardship (John 16:33; Luke 14:27). Paul said that he rejoiced because in his flesh he was filling up what was lacking in Christ’s afflictions (Colossians 1:24). Every time Paul was beaten, chained, or hungry, he identified more with Christ in his flesh. Paul could rejoice because suffering in his flesh for the sake of the church is a privilege of sharing in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10).

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Return to contents pageÎ A Question of Faith cont’d.

As Christians, we should turn to God with our suffering, and He will be faithful to help us undergo every trial and overcome every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). We can learn to have the same joy as Paul had during trials, knowing that suffering produces virtues such as endurance, godly character, and lively hope (Romans 5:3–5).

To ‘endure’ does not mean simply to grin and bear it. Christians will feel sad, betrayed, or even angry at times. These emotions in and of themselves are not bad; they only become sin when we allow them to take root in our lives and produce bitterness, evil thoughts of revenge, or unforgiveness. Believers must remember that everything that comes into our lives is under the control of a sovereign God who has promised He is working all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Jesus is the ultimate example of someone who endured hardship (Hebrews 12:2). The author of Hebrews reminds believers of Christ’s perseverance at the hands of sinners. Jesus, in spite of great suffering, never turned back, even from the cross (Hebrews 12:2–4). Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him”. Although Christ knew the suffering the cross would provide, His anticipated joy enabled Him to keep going; He knew what the rewards would be — the redemption of mankind and a seat at the right hand of God. In the same way, Christians can find hope to endure when we consider the rewards God has promised us. “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay’ and, ‘But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back’. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:35–39).

Recommended Resource: Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints by Piper & Taylor

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Discovering the Great Barrier Reef - The Hard Way! It was 250 years ago, on 11th June 1770, that English explorer Captain James Cook discovered the Great Barrier Reef off Australia, when his ship ran aground on it. While the Aborigines and the Chinese may have found the Reef – the largest structure in the world made of living organisms – before him, Cook made more of an impact. His ship, the Endeavour, unloaded ballast and was re- floated at high tide, but extensive repairs were necessary, as well as skill at navigating a way out through the labyrinthine coral.

Cook made extensive journeys to unexplored waters, particularly in the Pacific. At an earlier stage, when he was charting Newfoundland, he said he intended to go “not only further than any man has been before me, but as far as I think it is possible for a man to go.”

Born in Yorkshire, he worked for a Quaker ship-owning family at Whitby and started his sea life as a merchant seaman before joining the Royal Navy. Later he attended St Paul’s Church, Shadwell, in East London. Although he had six children, he has no direct descendants. He was killed aged 50 in 1779, during a scuffle with some natives in Hawaii, but left a huge legacy of scientific and geographical knowledge.

Blame The Chair, Not Me! (A timely message from Jenny Edwards MBE of the Disabled Christian Fellowship)

I am a long-term wheelchair user and my electric wheelchair is an amazing tool in many ways, but as with so many wonderful things it can also go wrong. And that is a wonderful illustration of how we feel at times - and how God can intervene at the not-so-good times. Do you sometimes have days when you feel things are just not running smoothly? I often do, and on those days, I frequently find my chair simply does what it wants to do and not what I want it to do! For instance, doors and walls get in the way and I crash into them knocking off the paint and causing even more frustration than before. Admittedly, this is mainly due to my not concentrating whilst driving, but at the time I see it as a wheelchair fault!

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Return to contents pageÎ Blame the Chair, Not Me! cont’d. The Empty Vessel Another situation is when the chair takes on Martin Luther was a miner’s son from Saxony a mind of its own. The joystick on the chair is and he became a monk in fulfilment of a vow extremely sensitive and the slightest knock he had made during a thunderstorm. Having can send me in a direction I do not want studied philosophy, he became a lecturer to go, and at a speed that is frightening! and he was soon a Doctor of Theology and This often happens when someone rests professor of Scripture. Tormented by doubts their arm on the chair, hitting the joystick. about his standing before God, in about 1512 Again, I blame the chair, but really, if I had he experienced an overwhelming conviction turned it off that would not happen. Once that it was by faith in Christ alone he could be I actually had to be rescued from a bush in saved. From then on, he fought everything in a ditch because I failed to turn the chair off the church that contradicted this. whilst to talking to someone! Another chair incident can be caused by failing to turn This is one of his prayers: the battery charger on at night - no battery charge, chair no go! Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in the faith; You will have no doubt realised that every strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and one of these incidents could have been make me fervent, that my love may go out to avoided if I had been more careful. It is so my neighbour. I do not have a strong and firm easy to blame things or people when the faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you day does not go to plan. I blame my chair, altogether. Oh Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith but that does not make me feel any better. and trust in you. In you I have sealed the treasure However, just stopping still for a while, and of all I have. I am poor; you are rich and came using that time to connect with God, can and to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are does change the day. A day that does not upright. Wash me, there is an abundance of sin; start with a conversation with God is never a in you is the fullness of righteousness. Therefore, good day for me, but the wonderful thing is, I I will remain with you, from whom I can receive, can stop and connect with Him. but to whom I may not give.

Return to contents pageÎ FROM THE PARISH PUMP

Keep an Eye Out for the Elderly When did you last see your elderly neighbour? Seriously: are they okay? During this time of social distancing, it is all too easy to assume that the elderly person you never see is simply safe indoors. But are they? Isolation can be dangerous: it is too easy for them to have had an accident and be unable to call for help.

Why not arrange a system with them whereby you agree that you will give them a quick ring once a day, or even stand outside their house and wave? It only takes a few seconds to make sure they are still on their feet, and that all is well.

If you have several elderly neighbours, why not ask a few of your local friends to help you keep in brief touch with them each day?

Run, Run, Run! Do you think of yourself as a runner? If not, now may be the time to consider taking it up. According to the NHS, running burns more calories than any other mainstream sport, which is perfect if you want to shed a few pounds.

Running is a cardio exercise, which means it gets your heart rate up and your blood pumping. That not only improves your general fitness, but it is also great for protecting you from heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Running also improves your sense of well-being because it releases natural endorphins, which are your mood-boosting hormones. And if you want maximum benefit, try running in green spaces – being out in nature has a measurable positive impact on your psychological health.

Don’t be afraid to start slow. Remember that ANY fitness activity which raises your heart rate and gets you a bit out of breath is good for you. One excellent way to begin is to try alternating a few steps of running with a few steps of walking. That will help build your fitness levels in record time!

Go to https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/running-tips-for- beginners/ for the best way to get started.

Return to contents pageÎ June 1940 – A Month Fathers 4 Justice (F4J) has also found that one in five fathers who do not live with their to Remember children fear losing, or have lost, contact June 1940 – 80 years ago – was a with their children. Many of these ‘separated’ dramatic month in the Second World fathers experience mental health issues War, and one which saw two of the most after being denied access to their children. memorable speeches in English. At a time when depression and male suicide is on the increase, is there anything that we As the evacuation of Allied Forces from as a church can do to help local families who Dunkirk was completed, recently appointed are struggling with these issues? Prime Minister Winston Churchill told the House of Commons on 4th June: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the Charles Dickens – Prolific landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields Writer with a Social and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; Conscience we shall never surrender.” Popular Victorian novelist Charles Dickens died 150 years ago, on 9th June 1870. His Surprisingly he did not broadcast it to the books include The Pickwick Papers, A Tale of nation: it was not recorded until 1949, “for Two Cities and David Copperfield. posterity.” When he spoke, the French had not surrendered, and the idea that “in God’s good He died of a stroke in Gad’s Hill Place, time” the USA might conceivably have to ride his country home in Kent, when halfway to the aid of a ‘subjugated’ England actually through writing The Mystery of Edwin depressed as many people as it invigorated. Drood. The last novel he completed – most of them were written in regularly released Two weeks later, on the 18th June, with the parts – was Our Mutual Friend, in 1865. He battle in France lost, Churchill did address had been born in Portsmouth in 1812, the the country directly with a rallying call in second of eight children. His family were what must indeed have seemed a very dark relatively poor, and his mother wanted him hour. “The Battle of Britain,” he said, “is out at work, so he never received a formal about to begin. Upon this battle depends education. Nevertheless, he edited a weekly the survival of Christian civilisation.” He journal for 20 years and wrote 15 novels, concluded by saying that if Britain were to as well as many other stories, articles last a thousand years, people would still say, and letters. He was also a staunch social “This was their finest hour.” campaigner, particularly for children’s rights and education. Where Are Our Fathers? 21st June is Father’s Day, and last year four As could be deduced from one of his most in ten fathers failed to see their children on loved works, A Christmas Carol, he was a Father’s Day. firm believer in Christian elements such as compassion and redemption, and he loved Now there may be perfectly good reasons for the New Testament, while having little time this – Father’s Day is not as ‘big’ as Mother’s for the Old or for organised religion. His Day, and fathers may well be seeing their parents were nominal Anglicans. He is said children just fine on other days. But a survey to have wanted his stories to be seen as commissioned by the campaign group ‘parables’ emphasising the teaching of Jesus.

Return to contents pageÎ Beware Soft Drinks to find a solution presenting itself. The old advice to ‘sleep on it’ is true: we see things Having just one soft drink a day in middle- more clearly after sleep. age could increase your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. The Bible considers our sleep as a blessing from God. As Christians, we can calmly Recent research has found that the sugar- commit ourselves to His loving care, secure laden drinks raise cholesterol levels, that He who watches over us “will neither increasing the risk of clots that cut off blood slumber nor sleep” (Ps 121:4). Knowing that supply to the heart or brain. It was found God is with us, we can let ourselves go. that daily consumers of soft drinks were 53 per cent more likely to have large amounts If you are having trouble sleeping, why not of a fat called triglycerides, that collects memorise one of the verses below, and in vessels and arteries, compared with repeat it to yourself as you lie in bed tonight? people who rarely touch sugary soft drinks. The study was done at Tufts University in ‘I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Boston, Massachusetts. Lord sustains me.’ (Ps 3:5)

Cardiovascular disease is the UK’s number ‘In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, one killer, claiming 170,000 lives a year. It is Lord, make me dwell in safety.’ (Ps 4:8) responsible for one in four premature deaths. ‘In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling We Can Claim The for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those Gift of Sleep He loves.’ (Ps 127:2) Many of us have had our sleep patterns ‘When you lie down, you will not be afraid; disturbed in recent weeks. After all, a when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.’ pandemic, lockdown and growing financial (Prov. 3:24) crisis are hardly conducive to relaxation. ‘I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.’ But the fact is that, whatever is happening (Jer. 31:25) out there, we desperately need our sleep. It is vital for the proper functioning of our As the writer George MacDonald so aptly brain and heart. Anyone who has ever been put it: “Sleep is God’s contrivance for giving deprived of sleep for a period will remember man the help He cannot get into him when their ever-diminishing ability to perform he is awake.” complicated tasks.

Sleep can also help us solve problems. We go to bed struggling with a decision to make or a relationship to resolve, and we wake up

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Editor: Garry Durant; Proof-Reader: Gill Carpenter, c/o St. John’s Centre, Wrotham Road, Meopham DA13 0AA Email: [email protected]

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