Odell Church News - October 2015
Click here to download John Weaver's talk from July 19th (Building and breaking down walls part1)
(Building and breaking down walls part2)
Click here to download John Weaver's talk from June 21st (Freedom from Fear)
Click here to download John Weaver's talk from May 17th (Witness of the Gospel)
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
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Dear Friends,
In churches at this time of year there is the smell and sight of fruit, flowers and vegetables as we celebrate the harvest of the land both around us and from countries far away. God gives all these things to the world and the Bible tells us about creation and where we fit in.
Living where we do we have a great deal for which to give thanks to God at harvest time. But sadly we don’t take care of the world God has given to us.
In June Pope Francis wrote his encyclical to all the churches of the Roman Catholic communion, Laudato si’, mi’ Signore – ‘Praise be to you, my Lord’, in which he affirms that the whole of the living world gives glory to God, who cares for each one. The Pope recognises the seriousness of the global environmental crisis and draws out its implications for the world’s poor and disadvantaged. I believe that this clear, factually based, and hard-hitting paper from the Pope is a most welcome contribution to the climate debate in the run-up to the Paris Climate Change Conference, COP 21, in November-December this year.
He outlines the scientific consensus of climate change with the resulting drought, flood, loss of rainforests, polar ice caps, coral reefs and glaciers. He challenges the western world to see the impacts on the poor in the form of water scarcity and crop failure. These reveal global inequality and injustice, and threaten the breakdown of society. He observes that world leaders, in their lack of action, fail to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.
The Pope calls for a Christ-like attitude, which treats all people as made in the image of God. He observes that all things are created, redeemed and reconciled through Christ (Colossians 1:15-20). In Christ we see that God cares for the whole earth; it is a shared inheritance, which is for all, especially the poor and the voiceless.
The Pope pulls no punches in laying the blame for the current state of the environment on the actions of human beings, mostly in the western world. He recognises that our technological advances have brought vast benefits to the world, but warns against the view of progress that controls and exploits creation in order to make a profit.
As we celebrate harvest this year, we might consider what kind of world we want to leave for those who come after us, and ask what is the meaning of our own lives - who are we, and what are we here for?
A sustainable lifestyle of reduced consumption of goods and energy, and where we re-use and recycle would be a good place to start.
Let us celebrate harvest and help others around the world to share it too. John Weaver
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.
MEETING POINT
October
14th 10.30am at Jen Cuddeford’s, 17 Russell Court, Bushmead Avenue, Bedford, MK40 3RW.
28th 10.30am at Jane Eshelby’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Rushden
November
11th 10.30am at Catherine’s, The Stables, Church walk, Harrold
25th 10.30am at Jane Smith’s, Horsefair Lane
The Bishop of St. Albans’ Harvest Appeal, 2015
‘Building Hope – Opportunity for All’
With our help, this year’s Bishop’s Harvest Appeal, in conjunction with Mission Direct, is wanting to support children with disabilities in Uganda to access school – and so give them new opportunities and a brighter hope for the future.
Most children with disabilities in Uganda do not attend school. Being born with a disability in Uganda means life as a second class citizen. Children are often shunned by their families and don’t get a proper education. However, an organisation, called the Chilli Children Project, is trying to change this. The Chilli Children Project organisation currently supports 25 children in education but know of another 5,000 who need support.
The Church in the Rukungiri region has a clear message: “every child is a blessing from God.” So, under the initiative of the Anglican Diocese of Rukungiri, and supported by the Chilli Children Project, the appeal partner, Mission Direct, is undertaking the building of a special classroom and dormitory facilities for disabled children. These are to be attached to a mainstream school in Rukungiri. So far, two classrooms and two dormitories have been built, and this year the plan is to double the accommodation. The classrooms are specially adapted so that children can access rooms in their wheelchairs, and are able to play alongside their able-bodied friends.
Moses’ story. Moses is seven years old and is now happily attending a new primary school in rural Uganda. When he was born his father evicted his mother from the house, blaming her for Moses’ disability. Continuing to feel stigmatised by his disabled son, his father then moved out and left Moses in the care of his elderly grandmother. Moses has ongoing challenges; a trip to the capital city for a health check takes 4 days and costs a lot, and he frequently picks up germs and is ill. But Moses is always positive; he loves his new school, new friends and studying, saying he wants to be an engineer when he grows up.
Our help will enable the building of these much needed facilities, and thus enable more of Rukungiri’s vulnerable children, like Moses, to attend school.
All Saints’ Church Charitable Giving for the month of 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.
Remembering Meg Clark: Thank you from Julie and all of Meg’s family
I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all who attended Mum’s funeral on 10th June. As a family we were overwhelmed to see so many people there. We know Mum was special but to realise that so many others thought so too was wonderful. Mum planned her own funeral when she realised she wasn’t going to get better so all we had to do was carry out her instructions but I don’t think even she would have guessed at how well it would go.
I would also like to say a special thank you to the people that made the day what it was, Jacqui at 4x4 Funerals for guiding me through right from the time Mum died, Carolyn for the beautiful flowers, Reverend Christine for coming back to do the service, Denise and Elizabeth for the lovely food (which everyone enjoyed especially as Mum had made sure there was enough for people to take some home) and the countless others who I’ve forgotten to mention.
A special thank you must also go to the neighbours in Harrold who kept an eye on Mum which gave me piece of mind especially Catherine, Jacqui, Jane and Mary.
Mum spent her life helping others and it was nice that when she was the one needing help people were there for her too. Because of all the help from friends we were able to keep Mum at home only getting carers in for the last two days, which is what she wanted.
One last thank you must go to Harrold Surgery who couldn’t have done more to look after Mum or the family.
Donations in memory of Mum came to just under £260 and was divided equally between All Saints’ Church, Odell and Harrold Medical Practice.
A Meg Clark shaped void has been left in all of our lives. Julie and all of Meg’s family
FUTURE OF THE MAGAZINE
As you will remember, Jon and Tricia Hudson announced that they will be retiring from the task of editing this Parish Magazine as from February 2016 after some 18 years. We would like to offer them our thanks for their dedicated work in producing our excellent magazine 10 times a year. We would like to continue with our own Parish magazine, but we need someone to carry on the production. If you would like to consider taking on the task please contact ed at odellbeds.net )
ART EXHIBITION AND SALE
Thank you to everyone who helped over the Bank Holiday weekend at the Art Exhibition and Sale, particularly Catherine Corkery who made contact with artists and catalogued the 208 paintings to make an excellent Exhibition. Also thank you to Martin Eshelby who organised the setting up and dismantling of all the display boards and stands, and to his team of helpers. Thank you also to the ladies who made cakes and served refreshments to those who came to the exhibition, despite the poor bank holiday weather. One last thank you to Helen Chapman who made sure all the artists who sold paintings were quickly paid. The exhibition raised about £1,144, which is an excellent achievement.
Churchyard Clear-up
Saturday 7th November
10am—12.30pm onwards
Come and join in with the fun!
All Saints’ Church Flower Rota
October
3rd Decorate for Harvest
10th All help to clear
25th Kathy Dunn
November
1st Odell patronal festival
Jane Eshelby
Happy Birthday to
Lottie Robinson whose birthday is on the 18th
and to anyone else with a birthday in October.
Diary
October
3rd 10.00am Decorating Church for harvest
4th 10.30am Harvest festival, All Saints’ Church
12.30pm Harvest Lunch in All Saints’ Church
8th 10.30am Health walk, HOCP
13th 2.30pm W.I. Village Hall
14th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jen Cuddeford’s, 17 Russell Court, Bushmead Avenue, Bedford, MK40 3RW.
17th 7.30pm Molière’s ‘Tartuffe’, Village Hall
22nd 10.30am HOCP Health Walk
24th 2.00pm W.I. Jumble Sale, Village Hall
26th 10.00am Friends’ Tasks Day, HOCP
28th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jane Eshelby’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Rushden
November
7th 10.00am Churchyard Clear-up
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the November 2015 magazine to Tricia Hudson (ed at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by October12th 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.
