Odell Church News - March 2015
Vacancy Update
Whilst the church is in vacancy, following Christine’s retirement last November, it is very much ‘Business as usual’. Our rota of services continues as before; the communion services are being led at present by retired clergy and some of the morning prayers are being led by ourselves. However, the Revd John Weaver, who is a retired Baptist Minister, and who recently moved into the village with his wife Sheila, has been given permission by the Bishop to officiate at our communion services. We are most grateful to John for giving us so much help and support at a very difficult time. Also, after March Christine will be available again, so we shall be well served from then onwards.
However, Deanery matters have become even more complicated. With the retirement of The Revd Robert Evens from Sharnbrook, Felmersham and Souldrop, and also the Revd Peter Mackenzie from Turvey and Stagsden, Jane Fox remains the only priest in the Western group of some 12 parishes! This gives a rare opportunity for the Diocese to consider the deployment of ministry in this part of the Sharnbrook Deanery (including Harrold and Carlton) and the Diocesan Pastoral Committee and the Deanery Pastoral Committee have been considering the way forward. Clearly, this is a difficult situation to resolve and much thought has been put into determining a long-term plan that will provide stability for the future rather than a short-term fix; it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to start with a clean sheet. There will be a meeting of Churchwardens from all the parishes in the affected area on 23rd March to hear the proposals for the Deanery from the Bishop of Bedford. Hopefully we shall be able to provide an up-date in the April magazine. Meanwhile, we ask that you will please pray for all those involved in the plan for the future of the Churches in the Sharnbrook Deanery. Martin Eshelby, Jill Cheadle.
Click here to download John Weaver's talk from March 15th (Mothering Sunday)
Click here to download John Weaver's talk from February 1st (Meditation)
Click here to download John Weaver's talk from January 18th (Simeon)
Notice to Hymn choosers - click here to see available Hymns
March 2015
This month our opening letter was sent to us by Rural Dean Rev’d Robert Evens, currently Rector of the Sharnbrook Benefice. Rev’d Evens will be leaving this Deanery in the middle of March, to take up a new appointment as Rector of Ashwell, Hinxworth and Newnham.
Dear Friends,
Midway through Lent, we have refreshment Sunday, it’s also called Laetare Sunday, which means “O be joyful Sunday.” Another name is Rose Sunday, because if we had them, on this day the priest would wear pink vestments. But most people know it as Mothering Sunday. But whatever we call it, it is a time of enjoyment and a relaxing of the Lenten rules of austerity.
There is an old Jewish saying:
God could not be everywhere, and therefore He made mothers.
Mother Church, Mother Earth, Mother of the Gods - our human mothers - all of them have been part of the celebration of ‘Mothering Sunday’ - as the fourth Sunday in Lent is affectionately known. It has been celebrated in the UK since at least the 16th century.
During the Middle Ages, young people apprenticed to craftsmen or working as ‘live-in’ servants were allowed only one holiday a year on which to visit their families and their Mother Church- which is how ‘Mothering Sunday’ got its name. This special day became a day of family rejoicing, and the Lenten fast was broken. In some places the day was called Simnel Day, because of the sweet cakes called simnel cakes traditionally eaten on that day.
For me this Mothering Sunday will be a particularly poignant day as it will be on that day that I will take the last services in the benefice before taking on my new role as Rector in the benefice of Ashwell, Hinxworth and Newnham in north Hertfordshire.
The last ten years have been a huge privilege and although there have been tough times, there has been much, to return to the Laetare theme, to be joyful about. I would like to thank you all for the opportunity to serve in this parish and deanery and for the journey we have shared together.
With every blessing, Robert
Many happy Returns to Madeline Jeeves, who celebrated her 70th birthday recently. Madeline is pictured here with gifts and best
wishes from all her friends at All Saints’ Church.
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY of PRAYER
Friday 6th March at Harrold URC
10.30am
Women’s World Day of Prayer is an International, inter-church, organisation which enables us to hear the voices of women, from a different part of the world each year, expressing their hopes and concerns and bringing them before the rest of the world in prayer.
This year’s order of service has been written by Christian women in The Bahamas and translated into over 1000 different languages and dialects.
The theme of the service is taken from St John’s Gospel:
Jesus said to them:“ Do you know what I have done to you?”
Everyone is welcome to attend the service, men, women – people of all ages. For further information, please see the WWDP website: www.wwdp.org.uk
Churches Together in Harrold and Carlton
Lent Course 2015 – Praise him
This year’s course is called “Praise him – songs of praise in the New Testament.” It explores five hymns and poems: what they tell us about God and Jesus, but also reflecting on what they tell us about ourselves and our faith. There is a well written study booklet by Dr Paula Gooder and the CD includes contributions by Archbishop Justin Welby, David Suchet and Sister Wendy Beckett. Discussion in small groups will focus on questions raised in the booklet.
Groups will meet weekly from Monday 23rd February to Thursday 26th March over the five weeks of Lent in four homes in the villages as follows:
Mondays 7.30pm at 3, The Moor, Carlton.
Tuesdays at 7.30pm at Pointers Lodge, Church Walk, Harrold.
Wednesdays 1.30pm at 32 Rectory Close, Carlton.
Thursdays 10.30am at The Stables, Church Walk, Harrold.
Each session will last 1-1 ½ hours including time for refreshments.
There will be a charge of £5 per person covering the cost of the individual course booklets and the shared CD. If you would like to join a Lent group, please contact the Churches Together Office on 01234 368564 or churchestogether@btinternet.com.
If you would like further details please call Rev’d Jane Fox on 720262.
Copies of the course are available at Church House to look at.
Churches Together in Harrold and Carlton with Odell
United Services
Fri Mar 6th 10.30am Women’s World Day of Prayer Service at the United Reformed Church, Harrold
Sun Mar 8th 10.45 Anniversary Service at the United Reformed Church, Harrold. Speaker: Revd Peter Meek, Moderator of East Midlands Synod
Mon Mar 30th 8.00pm Taize Service and meditation at St Peter’s Church, Harrold
Tue Mar 31st 8.00pm Taize Service and meditation at St Mary’s Church, Carlton
Wed Apr 1st 8.00pm Taize Service and meditation, at All Saints’ Church, Odell
Thur Apr 2nd 6.30 Agape at the United Reformed Church, Harrold
Fri Apr 3rd(Good Friday) 11.00am Short service and erection of the cross on Harrold Village Green
2.00pm Hour at the Cross at St Peter’s Church, Harrold
Churchyard Tidy-up 28th March
10.00am - 12 noon
Can you help for an hour or two to tidy-up the churchyard after the ravages of the past few months?
We’d love to see you – please bring garden tools,
we’ll provide the coffee and cookies.
Meeting Point
March
4th 10.30am at Eileen Nottage’s, Heydown, 87 High St., Odell
18th 10.30am at Madeline’s, 15 Horsefair Lane, Odell
25th 10.30am at Jane Eshelby’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Newton Bromswold, Rushden
The Children's Society
March is the month when Children's Society boxes should be emptied. I would therefore be very grateful if box holders could let me have their boxes as soon as possible. Many thanks. Catherine Corkery, 720348
Prayer Group
What is the Prayer Group? It is made up of members of All Saints’ Church who undertake to pray regularly, on an individual basis, for people who ask us for prayer support.
Who do we pray for? Anyone whom we are asked to remember; these might be people from our church, from our local community or others known to us.
What do we pray about? Anything which you would like brought before God; maybe anxiety due to illness, stress or loneliness. You can also tell us of a special day you wish to be remembered – perhaps for an interview or an exam. Any information will be treated in strictest confidence.
How can you let us know if you would like us to pray for you? You can telephone Madeline Jeeves (720803) or email mgjeeves@yahoo.com.
All Saints’ Church Charitable Giving for the month of March is to FEBA, (Far Eastern Broadcasting Associates) - a radio station which began in 1959 and makes and broadcasts Christian programmes in dozens of different languages, reaching Christians who would otherwise have little contact with the outside world. Today FEBA broadcasts on FM and medium wave radio, the internet, text messaging and social media – each has its own use and own target audience.
The message FEBA delivers is that “The love of Christ addresses all areas of people’s lives: emotional, spiritual and physical…There are programmes on health education and disease-prevention; young believers gain strength through online discipleship courses; locals speak out against corruption…Everywhere people turn to God. Lives are changed; communities transformed. Love in action.”
For more information about the work of FEBA see the notice board in All Saints’ Church.
Odell Fete and Dog Show, Saturday 13th June
Getting Involved
Last July a meeting was held in the Village Hall to discuss the future io the Fete. This was well attended and generally everyone felt the Fete should continue and hoped to have support from the younger members of our community, not only on the day of the Fete but also by perhaps getting some more involved in the planning. So the PLANNING has already started – the PA system and the loos have been booked!! We do need as much HELP as possible. If you can help NOW please contact Mandy Hinds, 7 Horsefair Lane, Odell, 01234 720414 alodell@plus.com or Christine Clark 01234 918985 cmclark99@uwclub.net
The first date to put in your diary is Fete Preparation Morning at 10.00am on Bank Holiday Monday, 4th MAY, hosted by Jim and Doreen at Linden House when we clean and repaint the signs for the stalls and side shows and prepare the roadside boards. We then enjoy a BBQ lunch. Please bring your own meat and nearer the time we shall be asking for contributions of pudding and drinks.
The Big Preparation will be in the afternoon and early evening of Friday, 12th June, when we need muscles, good senses of humour, wheels, trailers and people willing to collect tents, tables, chairs and stall signs, and set these all up in the Scout Field down Horsefair Lane ready for the big day. Tea and cake supplied to keep you going! The morning of the Fete also requires many hands to help complete the preparation and get the goods to the stalls ready for the Grand Opening at 2.00pm. Don’t forget that we also have to clear the field at the end of the afternoon. All helpers are invited to a BBQ on Sunday morning at the field to round off the busy weekend.
Jane Eshelby
Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip Lunch
Wednesday 11th March
12.30 for 1 o’clock
Village Hall
Let Jill (720261) know by 2nd March
Due to lack of funds there will be a charge of £4 for the fish and chip meal.
If you know of anyone eligible to come to the lunch please tell Jill.
Church Electoral Roll
At this time of year and before we hold our annual meeting on 15th April we have to update the Church Electoral Roll for All Saints' Church, Odell. If you are on the Electoral Roll of your local church you are a voting member of the Church of England and can nominate and vote for Parochial Church Council members. If you are currently on the roll and wish to stay on it, you do not have to do anything. If however you would like your name added to the roll, you can qualify if:-
· you live in the parish of Odell, and
·regularly attend worship, and
·are 16 years of age or over, and
·have been baptised.
You can also qualify if:-
·you live elsewhere, but have regularly worshipped at All Saints' Church for at least six months.
If you would like to be on the Electoral Roll please contact me for an application form. Catherine Corkery Tel: 720348
All Saints’ Flower Rota, March
1st Jill Cheadle
8th URC Anniversary Service
15th Mothering Sunday, Jane Eshelby
22nd Eileen Shakespeare, Jane Eshelby
Diary
March
2nd 7.30pm Lent Course, 3 The Moor, Carlton
3rd 7.30pm “ “ Pointers Lodge, Church Walk, Harrold
4th 10.30am Meeting Point at Eileen Nottage’s, Heydown, 87 High St., Odell
4th 1.30pm Lent Course, 32 Rectory Close, Carlton
5th 10.30am “ “ The Stables, Church Walk, Harrold
6th 10.30am Women’s World Day of Prayer, Harrold URC
10th 7.30pm W.I., Village Hall
11th 12.30pm Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip Lunch, Village Hall
12th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP
16th 7.30pm Parish Council and Annual Parish Meeting, Village Hall
18th 10.30am Meeting Point at Madeline’s, 15 Horsefair Lane, Odell
20th 6.00pm Opening of The Bell
25th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jane Eshelby’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Newton Bromswold, Rushden
26th 10.30am Health Walk HOCP
28th 10.00am Churchyard tidy-up, All Saints’ Church
30th 10.00am Conservation tasks day, HOCP
30th 8.00pm Taize Service and meditation, St. Peter’s, Harrold
31st 8.00pm Taize Service and meditation, St Mary’s Church, Carlton
April
1st 8.00pm Taize Service and meditation, All Saints’ Church, Odell
2nd 6.30pm Agape at the United Reformed Church, Harrold
3rd 10.00am Easter Egg Hunt HOCP
11.00am Short service and erection of the cross on Harrold Village Green
1.00pm Easter Egg Hunt HOCP
2.00pm Hour at the Cross, St Peter’s Church, Harrold
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the April 2015 magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by March 12th at the latest. May we remind you that the editorial team exercises the right to edit, shorten or alter any items that are submitted. Also, the opinions expressed in the articles are those of the contributors and are not the responsibility of the editorial team.