Church News and Views for the Parishes of Badingham Bruisyard Cransford Dennington Rendham & Sweffling Services for April 2021 COVID 19 REQUIREMENTS We would like to go with Shortened Morning Prayer for three months until the beginning of July and then return to a rota where each church gets two services a month ( 1 Eucharist and 1 Mattins/Get Together/Morning worship) These plans could change as Covid 19 rules vary! Good Friday 2nd 10.00am Procession of Witness Cransford Easter Day 4th 9.30am Elder lead MP Dennington 9.30am ‘Lockdown’ HC Sweffling 11.00am Shortened MP Badingham Low Sunday 11th 9.30am Shortened MP Cransford Easter 2 11.00am Shortened MP Dennington Sunday 18th 9.30am Shortened MP Bruisyard Easter 3 11.00am Shortened MP Rendham Sunday 25th 10.00am Shortened MP Cransford Easter 4 2 From The Reverend Martin Percival It's not the fact that Jesus was dead following the crucifixion that makes Christ unique. He certainly wasn't the first or the last to die the horrible death inflicted by the Roman government to those considered to be its worst criminals. Jesus' death doesn't set Him apart in any way other than maybe its drama and its gore. It's not that Jesus died that is significant. It's the Resurrection that sets Jesus apart. He died ...so will each of us ... but Jesus didn't stay dead! This can mean everything! First, it means that we can trust Jesus Christ. The resurrection means that Jesus Christ is what He claimed to be. It means that He was deity...God in the flesh. Easter means that Jesus was telling the truth when He said, "I and my Father are one." (John 10:30) And if we can trust Him for that, it is a lot easier to trust Him when He said that He came to save us from our sin. We can trust Him when He says that if we believe in Him we'll be saved. Jesus meant what He said ... and He said that there is no other way to salvation except through Him. Second, the resurrection means that God has provided everything we ever need to have fellowship with Him. Romans 4:25 says that Jesus was given to die for our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God. When Jesus died, he paid the price for our sins - suffering spiritually and physically the whole way. When He was raised from the dead, He demonstrated God's power to conquer death and his desire to share that victory with all who will trust in Him. The resurrection is living proof that anyone can be saved by trusting in the cleansing power of Jesus' blood. Third, the resurrection means that Christ is the living companion of every person who puts his trust in Him. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 "...I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” A grandfather was walking with his grandson and after a while he paused, looked down at the boy and asked, "How far are we from home?" "Grandpa, I don't know," said the boy. "Well, do you know where you are?" asked the Granddad. "No, grandpa, I don't know," came the little boy's reply. 3 Then the grandfather said good-naturedly, "sounds to me like you're lost." The youngster looked up at his grandpa and said confidently, "Nope, I can't be lost . I'm with you!" And that's how it is for us. Because of the resurrection, we can know that no matter how far out in the forest our lives go, we are never lost because the living Lord Jesus Christ - God in the flesh, raised from the dead by God as a means of providing for our salvation - our Saviour is always with us That's what Easter means. And that's something worth giving our lives for! Last year 'The Running Water Project' in The Gambia Clean running water is such a basic and important commodity for all of us; we are really pleased to be able to report that at last the Subaa Nursery School in Fula Kunda, Brikama in The Gambia, has running water not just for the school but for the village too. Since last writing, when the bore hole had successfully been sunk; the community has placed a large storage tank behind the school with the water being pumped up to it. Then pipes have been placed underground feeding two taps: one for school use near the tank; a second goes to the school boundary and is for the use of villagers who would otherwise have to get their water from a well. Dr.Yahya Bojang and the Headmistress of the Nursery School would like to thank everyone in the Benefice who helped to raise funds for the borehole. They say they are very proud of us all and it really has changed their lives. Jill and Geoffrey Abbott 4 Sweffling, St. Mary’s Like everyone else in the Benefice we have missed being able to worship together Sunday by Sunday, but we are grateful to Martin for his weekly messages, videos of Sunday Services and Lenten reflections. It will be very good to have a service in Sweffling on Easter Sunday at 9.30 a.m., even we can’t sing in church. We will still have to wear face coverings and self-distance so, if you and/or family intend to come to Sweffling on Easter Sunday morning, could you please let John Tesh know numbers (01728 663518 or [email protected]) in order that we can work out a Covid-safe seating plan. If you are in a family bubble please include that information, as you can be seated together. Numbers will have to be limited because of the size of the church, so please let John know early to avoid being disappointed. We are planning to have a staggered church-cleaning rota during Holy week, and will be decorating the church with spring flowers on Easter Saturday. If you would like to help, please contact Jill Abbott (01728 663402). We are really looking forward to meeting with the Benefice again after Easter. Badingham Church News How lovely it is to see the days getting longer, hear the birds singing and watch the spring flowers gradually coming out. It has been a long and difficult year but, with vaccinations progressing well and the virus numbers going down there is now light at the end of the tunnel. We do, however, remember all those who have suffered in any way over these past months. There seems to be quite a bit of news and catching up to do and how great to have the chance. Remembrance Sunday As we were unable to hold services in church on 8th November, it was 5 decided to hold an outdoor service for our six parishes at Badingham, where the War Memorial stands in an open space. Wreaths were laid by each parish, which were afterwards taken back to be placed on their own War Memorials. Names of the fallen for each parish were read by representatives. The Last Post and Reveille were played by Jess McInnes The Christmas Market held at the beginning of December was a brilliant evening. Everything done within the Covid rules in place at the time it was a great atmosphere and enjoyed by everyone, a real tonic. The total raised for the church roof fund was £1137.29. in addition £242.00 were raised by the draw for church expenses. The original idea came from Beth Keys-Holloway who took on the organising. A huge thank you goes to her, her band of dedicated workers and the many people who helped in various ways to make the event such a success. The Christmas Food Bank in the church was also a big success with more gifts this year than last and lots of Christmas treats. Patricia Grant organised and took care of the donations, making sure they were all delivered to the food bank in time to be distributed for Christmas . Thank you Patricia for managing this and everyone who so generously contributed. Sadly the decision was taken that, because of the rapid increase in the spread of the new variant of the virus as Christmas drew near, the church should be locked and Christmas services and all other services should be cancelled. With the improvement in the number of cases and more people having been vaccinated, as a first cautious step back to some sort of normality, we have again opened the church chancel from 9 am - 6 pm each day since the beginning of February and will continue to do so. We also hope that services will start again in The Upper Alde Benefice (Badingham, Bruisyard, Cransford, Dennington, Sweffling and Rendham) on Sunday 4th April 2021 when we look forward to welcoming you along to celebrate Easter Day. What services, where and when has yet to be decided but please keep an eye on the church notice boards for details or phone Victor - 638357 or Bob - 638252 for information. And Finally - The important question of the Church Roof. The Architect (Ruth Blackman) and the Engineer (Stuart Armitage) 6 have now finished their survey and the architect is currently copying up all their findings and recommendations. When that is done she will apply for quotes for the work to be done and we will then have a better idea of the total we will need to try to raise.