ALL SAINTS' ODELL CHURCH NEWS - October 2013
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Dear Friends,
In this season of ‘mists and mellow fruitfulness …’ when there has been much harvesting of fruit and vegetables from gardens and allotments, I was intrigued to come across an article in the Church Times headed “Eating well is a Christian discipline”. Now I am very fond of my food, especially when it’s shared with friends, so I read on with interest.
In our supermarkets today we have access to an amazing variety of foods from every corner of the globe. But apparently, over the last 10 years, we are losing our love of eating because of increasing anxiety about food. We worry about where it’s come from, how many air-miles it has clocked up; what is in it and will it affect our bodies for good or ill? There are issues of trust, particularly since the horsemeat scare, and many concerns about how our food is produced - is it organic or GM or fairly traded? We worry about the excessive use of pesticides, the impact on climate change and the environment, not least on our bee colonies which are essential for the pollination of most fruit and vegetables. (Come to the Harvest Supper on 5th October to hear more about bees, and how bee-keeping is helping small producers in Ethiopia.)
So as Christians, how can we ‘eat well’? With ‘justice and generosity’ the writer suggested. With justice - because although we all want cheap food, the tight margins forced on vulnerable suppliers by supermarkets can mean that the poor and weak end up subsidising the rest of us. So let’s continue to buy Fairtrade wherever we can, to ensure producers in the developing world get a fair return. (Don’t forget the Fairtrade Café in the Village Hall on Saturday 26th October with an amazing array of goodies on sale.)
And next time we’re tempted to complain about the price of meat, let’s remember the hill farmers in the UK, struggling to survive on incomes below the poverty line.
Let’s eat with generosity – ready to share what we, by God’s good grace, are able to enjoy. Two local churches have recently started a scheme to bring spare home-grown produce along on Sundays to share with others. We need to remember that not everyone in the UK today can afford to pay the true cost of food. And yes, it’s great to hear of so many churches organising food banks and lunches, but what a matter of national shame that increasing numbers of people are having to rely on food banks because they cannot earn a living wage.
Lastly, isn’t it fascinating to recall how Jesus chose to be remembered by his followers - in a simple act of eating and drinking. May all who share in his bread and drink from his cup give life to others …
“Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us,
so we and all your children shall be free,
and the whole earth live to praise your name.”
Christine
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 Christine (720234), drop a note through the Rectory door or send an e-mail to cmclark9@btconnect.com."
'PILGRIMS' is a mixed group of people meeting fortnightly to explore and discuss aspects of the Christian faith in an informal setting - with hot apple toddy and a real fire! Starting again on Monday 30th September - come along to the Rectory at 8.00pm to find out more.
Meeting Point
October
9th 10.30am at Jane Smith’s, Horsefair Lane.
23rd 10.30am at Jane Eshelby’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Newton Bromswold, Rushden.
November
6th 10.30am at Christine’s, The Rectory, Odell.
All Saints’ Church Charitable Giving for the months of September and October is to Mercy Ships,
an American Christian charity providing free operations, sending teams of dentists to local hospitals, talks for local villages about aids, teaching projects and projects to help women help themselves, building new schools/orphanages, and follow-up nursing for ex-patients. All who work on the ships contribute financially.
See the notice board in the church for more information on the amazing work done by this charity. Or take a look on http://www.mercyships.org.uk/
CHURCHES TOGETHER HARROLD & CARLTON WITH ODELL
Supporting DROP INN MINISTRIES (ISLE OF MAN)
Registered Manx Charity Number 886
Belarus and Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Christmas Shoe Box Appeal 2013
Once again, following eleven successful years of this campaign, here in our villages and beyond, we are asking for your support for the Shoe Box and Humanitarian Aid appeal. It is a fact that the people of Belarus and Ukraine live in areas still highly contaminated since 70% of the radioactive fall-out from the Chernobyl explosion fell on their land. Many have no access to clean food or water, and their industry and farming communities were decimated, hence there is also extreme poverty.
Each year we send our filled shoe boxes to these areas in Drop Inn Ministries’ huge lories, and with volunteers mainly from the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the boxes are handed out to children living in Children’s Homes and orphanages, where the conditions are mostly extremely bad, and also into the very poorest communities, where there is simply not enough money to feed and cloth the families. Also the charity goes to hospitals giving care and medical assistance to children affected by the living conditions and poverty.
There is no light at the end of the tunnel for these children, as when they leave school their job prospects are negligible and many turn to drugs. Rather than lethargy and apathy the people we meet are full of life despite being surrounded by sickness, poverty and death. These are real people whom your donations and actions will be helping. You can help in this appeal and make a difference to the lives of the children, as they then realise that they are not forgotten rubbish, but precious souls. Each year the customs’ restrictions become tighter and tighter, and if you can support this appeal, please read carefully the instructions, and fill your box accordingly.
Collections: Boxes, donations and gifts can be left with Revd. Christine Clark at Odell Rectory, during September, or with Mrs Sue Brown at 32 Rectory Close, Carlton, MK43 7JT. (Tel. 01234 720442) All boxes must be received before the end of October, 2013 for our box checking/customs lists etc.
WHAT DO I DO?
· Get an average size shoebox and wrap it with Christmas paper, Please wrap the box and lid separately.
· Choose who you’d like to receive your gift – a boy or a girl, in one of three age groups: 4-7, 8-11, 12-15
· Fill your box with appropriate gifts.
· If possible stick £2 inside the lid, to help with transport costs.
· Close the box with an elastic band, but please don’t seal it with tape as we (and customs) need to check it.
Take your box to All Saints’ Church, Odell or The Rectory for collection by 10th October
WHAT CAN I PUT IN MY BOX?
Please put in a selection of small gifts from the options below (but out of respect for the children we ask that all items be new, or good as new)
· TO WRITE – Items for school – like a pen, pencil, copy book, paper, colouring book, felt pens, sharpener, eraser, solar calculator.
· TO WASH – Some hygiene items – toothbrush and toothpaste, soap (wrapped please) facecloth, hairbrush, comb.
· TO WEAR – Small items of clothing – a hat, scarf, gloves (No other items even socks and underwear)
WOW – A treat – sunglasses, game, sweets (must be in date until at least March 2014), make up, a small musical instrument, toys like a doll, a car, cuddly toy, skipping rope, yo-yo, finger puppet etc.
VERY IMPORTANT -PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:-
Food (apart from sweets), any chocolate items, medicines of any kind, war related items, clothing items, anything breakable, any liquids that could spill or freeze, sharp items, scary things (like Halloween stuff) books with any words, as they only read “Cyrillic” script in Russian.
And finally, make a label as to whether it is appropriate for a girl or boy, and the age group, between 4-7, 8-11, or 12-15, and secure the label under the elastic bands around the box.
Very many thanks for your support.
Happy birthday to Lottie Robinson on the 18th and to anyone else with a birthday in October!
All Saints’ Flower Rota
October
5th Decorate for Harvest
12th All help to clear
20th Kathy Dunn
November
3rd Odell - Patronal Festival -Jane Eshelby
All Saints’ Amblers
All Saints’ Amblers meet outside The Bell, 9.45am on Saturday 26th October for a walk in the country followed by a pub lunch. Children and dogs on leads welcome to join us.
Thank you!
I would like to thank everyone who came to my birthday party at The Bell on 12th September. Thank you all for your gifts and cards, and especial thanks to my neighbours. There are so many people to thank that I cannot write to you all, but wish to let you know that everyone’s kindness was very much appreciated! Sarah Bennett
Diary
September
30th 8pm ‘Pilgrims’ at the Rectory
October
4th 10am Church decorating for Harvest, All Saints’
5th 7pm Harvest Supper, Village Hall
5th 7pm Film night at The Mill Theatre
6th 10.30am Harvest Thanksgiving Service, All Saints’ Church
8th 7.30pm W.I. Village Hall
9th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jane Smith’s, Horsefair Lane
10th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP
12th 7 for 8pm The Fossil Lady of Lyme, Village Hall
23rd 10.30am Meeting Point at Jane Eshelby’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Rushden
24th 10.30am Health Walk, HOCP
26th 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers
26th 10am Fairtrade Café, Village Hall
28th 10am Conservation Tasks, HOCP
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the November 2013 magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by October 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.