CHURCH NEWS - March 2011
Lent Course 2011: Rich Inheritance - Jesus' Legacy of Love
The 2011 Lent course will start the week commencing 14th March and run for 5 weeks until Holy Week.
The course will be held at 5 locations around Harrold and Carlton at the following times and places. It is expected, as in previous years, that the subject will encourage lively discussion and provoke deep thought as we approach Easter
Monday 7.30 -9.00pm, 3 Copperbeeches, Emmaus Village
Tuesday 8.15 for 8.30 - 10.00pm, 46 Harewelle Way, Harrold
Wednesday 1.30 - 3.00pm, 32 Rectory Close, Carlton
Wednesday 7.30 - 9.00pm, 30 Orchard Lane, Harrold
Thursday 10.30am - 12.00noon, 40 High St, Harrold
Sheets will be available at each Church until Sunday 6th March for all who are interested to put their name against which group they wish to attend.
The cost per person will be £4.50 which covers a course booklet and presentation materials, payable at the first meeting.
Sunday 13th March, 10.30am
United Anniversary Service at the URC
with guest speaker Revd Roger Whitehead.
Everyone warmly welcome.
Please note:
There will be no service at All Saints’ Church Odell on 13th March as we and the other churches in Harrold and Carlton will be supporting the United Reform Church as they celebrate with this special service.
Dear Friends,
By the time this magazine drops through your door, Fairtrade Fortnight will have just begun. What difference will it make – to you, and to the people who produce our food for us? Potentially it can make a huge difference, but whether it will or not largely depends on our response, not just during the next fortnight, but over the coming year and beyond.
Sainsbury’s, the Co-op, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose/John Lewis and most other supermarkets all stock a range of Fairtrade goods which is growing all the time. Look out for the Fairtrade Mark popping up in some new places such as the fresh vegetables section or on the tinned food shelves – and for the special offers which will be available between 28th February and 13th March. Many Fairtrade products such as clothes, cosmetics and jewellery can be bought on-line. Check out www.fairtrade.org for more details.
Whenever you buy products carrying the Fairtrade mark you can be sure that your purchase will be helping small producers get a fair return, so they can support their families and their local communities. Schools, health centres, community projects and subsidies to families coping with accidents and disasters have all been made possible because of the choices we make when we shop – so it’s a win-win situation.
What’s in it for us? – shopping ethically not only gives us good quality products, but also the satisfaction of knowing that just by making a simple choice about which product to buy, we can actively do something to help others who are less well off than ourselves. For Christians it is also a practical way of expressing our thanks to God for his ongoing love and care for us, and to know that we can be part of the answer to someone else’s prayer.
Here’s a challenge – a delicious box of Fairtrade chocolates awaits the person or family that can bring me the most Fairtrade labels from products they purchased between now and 13th March.
Christine.
The 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 either telephone Christine (720234), or drop a note through the Rectory door, or complete a card (anonymously if you wish) and place it in a box kept near the church door. Prayer requests will be collected from the box each Sunday morning after the 10.00am service.
Christine
All Saints’ Amblers
All Saints’ Amblers meet outside The Bell, 9.45am on Saturday 19th March for a walk in the country followed by a pub lunch. Children and dogs on leads welcome to join us.
Meeting Point
March
Wed. 9th 10.30am at Catherine’s, Manor Cottage, Harrold.
Wed. 23rd 10.30am at Jane’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Newton Bromswold, Rushden
The Children's Society
Children's Society boxes are due to be opened again in March, so I would be grateful if anyone who holds a box could let me have it as soon as possible. If there is anyone who does not currently have a Children's Society box but would like one, please let me know.
Catherine Corkery, 720348
'Jerusalem Joy', a musical by Roger Jones, will be performed by the Ampthill Churches Together Choir at All Saints’ Church Odell, on Saturday 9th April at 6.00pm. The musical - suitable for all the family - tells the story of the first Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and recounting the events through to Easter Day and the Resurrection.
Light refreshments will be served after the performance. Entrance by ticket available from Jill Cheadle (tel: 720261) or Catherine Corkery (tel:720348) There is no charge for tickets, but there will be a retiring collection for a charity to be nominated by the Ampthill Churches Together Choir.
Time to spruce up your Spring wardrobe? – then come along to a FAIRTRADE FASHION SHOW at St. Andrew’s Church Centre, Kimbolton Road, Bedford on Saturday 26th March at 7.30pm, organised by Brenda and Lionel who delight us each Autumn here in Odell with their huge range of FT goods.
Tickets £1.50 (including refreshments) are available from Christine (Tel: 720234), from Brenda (Tel: 268574) or from St. Andrew’s Church office (Tel: 216881).
By paying people a fair price for the things they produce we can help them to work their way out of poverty. Buying just one fairly traded item makes a difference – so please come along for a good evening out, and together we can work towards making a more equitable world. Even better, bring a friend!
Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip Lunch
The annual Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip lunch will take place on:
Wednesday 2nd March
at 12.30 for 1.00pm
in the Village Hall.
Coffee Morning at Rectory Farm
Saturday 21st May
From 10.30am
In aid of Places for People (Women’s Refuge)
Sale of bedding, tomato and geranium plants
Raffle and Bring and Buy
Entrance Fee £1.
Orders taken for the plants. Jill Cheadle 720261
Derek Spencer
We were saddened to hear of the death of Derek Spencer on 7th February at the age of 87 years. Derek was a local man and was much loved and respected. His knowledge of the North Bedfordshire area was seemingly inexhaustible, in particular in the craft of Bedfordshire lace-making, a skill which he himself acquired from his mother. Derek was very active in community life in Odell and in Bozeat where he lived for many years. A full obituary will appear in the April edition of the magazine.
Back in Carlton after 10 years! The Women's World Day of Prayer service will be attended by representatives from ten other local churches. We will be linked with over 170 countries and islands throughout the world, all participating in this service. Women, men, young and old, all are welcome, so please come and support this. If you would like any more information please call Lori Simpson on 720438.
Women’s World Day of prayer
(Interdenominational)
Friday, 4th March, 10.00am, Saint Mary’s Church, Carlton
This service has been prepared by the Christian Women of Chile
Speaker - Rev’d Di Harpen
Over 3 million men, women and young people worldwide will be praying and worshipping together on Friday, March 4th. They will be using an order of service prepared by Christian women from Chile. The Day of Prayer begins as dawn breaks over the islands of Tonga in the Pacific and continues across each continent until the last Services of this special day are held back in the Pacific on the islands of Samoa, circling the world in prayer for about 36 hours.
The Republic of Chile stretches from Peru to Antarctica and occupies a long narrow strip of land 2.640 miles long and 110 miles wide. Chile also possesses Easter Island 2.200 miles from the mainland. Chile is inhabited by mixed race Spanish and indigenous people, 86% of whom are Christian. Following Spanish rule, which arrived in the 16th century, Chile suffered dark times between 1973 and 1990 with a violent coup d’état when General Pinochet took over the country repressing and killing people. Some people simply ‘disappeared’. Chilean women represent just over a third of poorly paid jobs, suffer domestic violence and some women who are violently attacked die as a result of their injuries. The Church offers practical and spiritual support for ill treated women. HOW MANY LOAVES HAVE YOU? is an appropriate theme, for bread is eaten at every meal and the women of Chile offer what it means to them, as they share in this service with us.
The Power of God in the Psalms
In the coming days, as we look at the Psalms, the aim is to see the power of God in our lives. His power will not diminish or change. It is the power of God within us that helps us to see all the wonderful detail in His creation and just how much He delights in us as a unique part of that creation. His power is seen at work in our lives when we simply trust Him.
He really is all-powerful, but does not abuse that power; alongside His power is mercy and grace: he has power enough to help the weakest and grace enough to help the unworthiest. In humans we see destructive power – a power that exists in all of us and which we use to excel in the world. Yet when we give the Lord access to our lives He will direct and guide us; that destructive power will disappear as we trust Him more and the many facets of God’s unique power will be revealed to us.
Sarah Bennett
Computers free to good homes!
The following two computers are looking for new homes.
If you are interested in either please ring Robert Eshelby on 07885 589795. The computers are free but a small donation to All Saints’ Church, Odell, would be appreciated.
Computer 1.
Pentium 4 Processor 1.7GHZ
512MB Memory
80GB Hard Disc
15” CRT screen with built in speakers
Ethernet connection (broadband compatible)
USB connections and memory card reader
Keyboard and mouse
Windows XP Home
Microsoft Office 2000
Computer 2.
AMD Athlon Processor 1.8GHZ
512MB Memory
80GB Hard Disc
15” CRT Screen
Powered speakers
Ethernet connection (broadband compatible)
USB Connections
Keboard and mouse
Windows XP Home
Microsoft Office 2000
People willing to supply lifts to and from surgeries.
Below is a list of the people currently willing to give lifts, to and from surgeries, to people who can’t otherwise get there:
Kim Beardow 721246
Jill Cheadle 720261
Steve Robinson 720113
Marion Senn 721176
Linda Tringham 720120
Madeline Jeeves 720803If anyone else is willing to be a volunteer please contact Jill on 720261.
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Liane Fulford on the 4th March, and to everyone else with a birthday in March.
All Saints’ Church Flower Rota
6th Sarah Bennett, Jane Smith
20th Eileen Shakespeare, Jane Eshelby
Diary, March
2nd 12.30pm Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip Lunch, Village Hall.
3rd 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP.
4th 10.00am Women’s World Day of Prayer, St Mary’s Carlton.
8th 7.30pm Odell W.I., Village Hall.
9th 10.30am Meeting Point at Catherine’s, Manor Cottage, Harrold.
12th 2.00pm Table Top Sale, Odell Village Hall.
13th 10.00am United Anniversary Service at URC, Harrold.
14th 7.30pm Lent Course, 3 Copper Beeches, Emmaus Village.
15th 8.15pm Lent Course, 46 Harewell Way, Harrold.
16th 1.30pm Lent Course, 32 Rectory Close, Carlton.
16th 7.30pm Lent Course, 30 Orchard Lane, Harrold.
17th 10.30am Lent Course, 40 High Street, Harrold.
17th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP.
19th 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers meet at The Bell.
21st 7.30pm Lent Course, 3 Copper Beeches, Emmaus Village.
21st 7.30pm Annual Parish Meeting, Village Hall.
22nd 8.15pm Lent Course, 46 Harewell Way, Harrold.
23rd 10.30am Meeting Point at Jane’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd.,
Newton Bromswold, Rushden.
23rd 1.30pm Lent Course, 32 Rectory Close, Carlton.
23rd 7.30pm Lent Course, 30 Orchard Lane, Harrold.
24th 10.30am Lent Course, 40 High Street, Harrold.
26th 7.30pm Fairtrade Fashion Show, St. Andrew’s Church, Bedford.
28th 10.00am HOCP Conservation tasks day.
28th 7.30pm Lent Course, 3 Copper Beeches, Emmaus Village.
29th 8.15pm Lent Course, 46 Harewell Way, Harrold.
30th 1.30pm Lent Course, 32 Rectory Close, Carlton.
30th 7.30pm Lent Course, 30 Orchard Lane, Harrold.
31st 10.30am Lent Course, 40 High Street, Harrold.
31st 10.30am Health Walk HOCP.
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the April 2011 magazine to Tricia Hudson (mag1@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.