Odell Church News - April 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 April 19th (Being a Christian)
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
Churches Together in Harrold and Carlton
Holy Week and Easter Services
Taize Services with reading, and meditations:
Monday 30th March 8.00pm St Peter’s Church, Harrold
Tuesday 31st March 8.00pm St Mary’s Church, Carlton
Wednesday 1st April 8.00pm All Saints’, Odell
Taize is a small village in Burgundy in France, where there is a community founded by Brother Roger in 1940 as a place of reconciliation. Thousands of people, many of them young people, visit Taize each year and gather with the Brothers to pray. People come from all over the world and speak many different languages.
Taize songs consist of simple tunes with only a few words, sometimes in Latin, that are repeated.
Thursday 2nd April Maundy Thursday. An Agape at 6.30pm at the United Reformed Church. An Agape is a fellowship meal, rather like the early Christians held. It will be a simple meal, during which we shall sing well known hymns, say prayers, listen to a meditation and share bread and wine. Everyone can take full part, including
children. In order to cater, we need to know numbers coming (Tel 01234 720262 or 368564). The cost will be £5 per head, and £12 for a family.
Friday 3rd April Good Friday. There will be a short service on the Green at Harrold at 11.00am for all ages, with hymns. We shall be erecting the cross and distributing hot cross buns.
At 2.00pm there will be an Hour at the Cross: a meditative service with music, at St Peter’s, Harrold.
Sunday 5th April Easter Day
There will be a Dawn Service at 6.00am at St Mary’s, Carlton.
Come and join us to celebrate the resurrection at this special service when we light the Easter candle from a fire. The service will be followed by refreshments.
All Saints’ Church: join us for the 10.30am service of Holy Communion. Families welcome.
Decorating the Church for Easter
Come along to All Saints’ Church on Saturday 4th April and join in with the merry band of volunteers decorating the church with flowers and foliage and all things seasonal. Offers of flowers are always very welcome, but do feel free just to turn up and help with the decorating. 10am onwards, coffee supplied!
ALL SAINTS' ODELL SERVICES
Gardens play a large part in the Easter story, I reflected as I walked around the gardens at Castle Ashby on a gloriously sunny morning at the end of February. It was the first time I’d seen gardeners in action there, and evidence of their work was to be seen in the immaculate borders, covered with compost and the newly laid and raked gravel on the paths. The snowdrops and aconites were a picture, the crocuses and other bulbs beginning to show. The box hedge was looking better for a severe cut back to overcome the blight. Gardens are places of transformation. Life comes from seemingly dead bulbs; from breaking up the soil; from stripping out the dead wood to give new growth room to breathe.
There is the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus went with his disciples after the Last Supper, where Jesus prayed in anguish to his Father and where the disciples failed to keep watch but drifted into sleep. Where Judas led the soldiers to Jesus and betrayed him.
There is the hillside on which the crucifixion of Jesus took place between two thieves: from where his body was taken by Joseph of Arimathea to be placed in a tomb in a nearby garden, with a stone to seal the entrance.
There is the garden of resurrection, where angels guarded the tomb, where Mary came early in the morning and mistook Jesus for the gardener – the risen Lord.
During Holy Week, the church gives us opportunities to engage with all these events. Many churches keep watch on the evening of Maundy Thursday; stand at the foot of the cross on Good Friday to think of the death Jesus suffered for our sake; rise early on Easter Day to think of the women going at dawn to the tomb and their tremendous discovery. Life springs from death.
‘God of the garden by the tomb,
where Mary sobbed that Sunday morn,
and as she stood, bereaved and numb,
mistook the gardener at dawn.
Creator, Father, give us faith
to recognize our living King
to whom, the source of love and truth,
our lives, a sacrifice, we bring.’
With my prayers and best wishes for Easter. Jane Fox
Summer Holiday Club
Advance notice that Summer Holiday Club for 5 – 11 year olds will be held from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th August 2015, each morning at the United reformed Church, Harrold. Details and application forms will be available nearer the time, but do put the dates in your diary so that you are free for this very popular event!
If you would be willing to help as an adult or teenage helper and have not done so before, please contact Church House Office 368564 – we shall be delighted to hear from you.
Frugal Lunch in aid of Christian Aid
From Midday, Sunday 26th April
At the United Reformed Church, Harrold
Everyone is welcome. Tickets £5
Please add your name to the list at the back of churches
or phone 368564 so that we know numbers for catering.
Holiday at Home
This will be held during August, probably from Monday 17th to Friday 21st and will be a variety of events for people of 50 and over. We shall be grateful to hear from people who would like to help with planning this event – please phone Jane Fox (720262) or Sally Bailey (368564)
Messy Church
Recent Messy Church photos taken by Josie Bailey
The highlight of the January meeting was making a spaceship which had flashing lights and flames coming out! We thought about God as the creator and made kaleidoscopes, colourful flowers and star patterns and heard the story of creation.
In February our theme was ‘Pancakes’.
‘I liked making pancakes and the pancake races.’ Lola.
‘I liked making the masks and the story of the Emperor’s oblong pancake.’ Josie.
‘I enjoyed doing the pancake shredding.’ Elizabeth.
‘I liked making the spoon puppets.’ Lorna.
Freya really enjoyed eating the pancakes!
You are very welcome to join us. The next sessions are
Monday 20 April and Monday 18 May.
Families are welcome to come along to Harrold United Reformed Church from 3.30 to 6.00pm to enjoy the fun and share a hot meal, but please contact Carol Ormond on 720409 to ensure we have catered for you!
Are you a Carer?
The Churches Together Pastoral Group have held several tea parties for carers living in the villages. These have been appreciated by those who came. The next one will be on Monday 11th May. If you are a carer and would like to come, but have not received an invitation, please let us know by contacting Jean Saul (01234 720407) or Sally Bailey (368564).
The Parish Church of All Saints’, Odell
Annual Vestry Meeting – Wednesday 15th April 2015
in the Parish Church at 7.30pm
Agenda:
Apologies for absence
Minutes of the previous annual vestry meeting
Matters arising
Election of Churchwardens
Annual Parochial Church Meeting – Wednesday 15th April 2015 in the Parish Church at 7.45pm
Agenda:
Apologies for absence
Minutes of the previous APCM
Matters arising
Reports: Treasurer; Church Wardens
Election of Lay Representative to Deanery Synod (for 3 years), Election of PCC members, Election of sidesmen
Appointment of auditor
Any Other Business
Close
Inaugural Meeting of the PCC – Wednesday 15th April 2015 in the Parish Church following the APCM
Agenda:
Election of lay vice-chair
Election of treasurer
Date of next meeting
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) and email mgjeeves@yahoo.com.
In Sympathy
We were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Jenny, Sarah and Bill Bennett’s daughter, in January. We send Sarah and Bill our heartfelt sympathy and love at this sad time.
Thank you
Sarah and Bill Bennett wish to thank all those friends and people in the church who sent cards of condolence on the passing of their daughter Jenny. It is very much appreciated.
Meeting Point
April
Wed 8th 10.30am at Jane Smith’s
Wed 22nd 10.30am at Jill’s
May
Wed 6th 10.30am at Catherine’s
The Stables, Church Walk, Harrold
The Children's Society
A big thank you to everyone who has a Children's Society box and to those who kindly gave me a donation for The Children's Society. The annual collection is now complete and I have been able to bank £309.27 for the Society, which is a record amount. So thank you all. If there is anyone else who would like to have a collecting box, please do let me know.
Catherine Corkery 720348
Odell Fete and Dog Show
Saturday 13th June
Getting Involved
Last July a meeting was held in the Village Hall to discuss the future of the Fete. This was well attended and generally everyone felt the Fete should continue and it was 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 or or Jane on 01933 410959 jane@eshelby.co.uk
The first date to put in your diary is Fete Preparation Morning at 10.00 am 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.
We have yet to receive the latest info on what the exact agenda and what the classes are for the Dog show but this is what it was last year...
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
2.00 pm Grand Opening
2.00-4.00pm Dog Show
4.00 pm Raffle Draw and Prize Giving
ATTRACTIONS
Bedford Brass Band, Boys’ Brigade, Bouncy Castle, Teas, Pimm’s, Children’s Sports, Tombola, Ice Creams, Cakes, Books, Refreshments, Bottle Stall, Coconut Shy, Children’s Sports, White Elephant, Produce, Gifts, Raffle
FAMILY DOG SHOW
(entry fee - £1 50 per dog per class)
Classes:
1. Children’s Handling (14 years and under)
2. Puppies under 1 year
3. Country Sporting Dog
4. Country Sporting Bitch
5. Best Condition Dog or Bitch
6. Best Rescue Re-home Dog
7. Best Rescue Re-home Bitch
8. Best Cross Breed Dog
9. Best Cross Breed Bitch
10. Dog or Bitch with Most Appealing Eyes
11. Most Handsome Dog
12. Most Handsome Bitch
13. Championship (winners of each class)
Car park attendants are on duty at the field opposite The Bell public house. Disabled parking next to Scout Field.
All Saints’ Church Flower Rota, April
4th Decorate for Easter
11th Clear the Church
19th Margaret Jones
All Saints’ Church Charitable Giving for the month of April 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 or go to http://www.feba.org.uk/
Diary
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
1.00pm “ “ “
3rd 11.00am Short service and erection of the cross on Harrold Village Green
2.00pm Hour at the Cross, St Peter’s Church, Harrold
4th 10.00am Church Decorating, All Saints’ Odell
5th 6.00am Dawn Service, St. Mary’s, Carlton
5th 10.30am Easter Day Service of Communion, All Saints’, Odell
6th 2.30pm Café in the Tower and open tower, All Saints’ Church
8th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jane Smith’s, Horsefair Lane
9th 10.30am Health walk, HOCP
14th 7.30pm W.I. Village Hall
15th 7.30pm Annual Vestry Meeting, All Saints’ Church
7.45pm Annual Parochial Church Meeting, All Saints’ Church, followed by Inaugural Meeting of PCC
18th 7.30pm Quiz, Village Hall
20th 3.30pm Messy Church, Harrold URC
20th 7.30pm Village Hall Committee AGM
22nd 10.30am Meeting Point at Jill’s, Rectory Farm
23rd 10.30am Health walk, HOCP
25th Harrold Pit Run
26th Midday Frugal Lunch, Harrold URC
27th 10.00am Conservation Tasks Day HOCP
May
4th 10.00am Fete preparation day, Linden House, Odell
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the May 2015 magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by April 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.