From the Rectory

February 2003

Dear Friends,

Once again we are facing the probability of a war in the Middle East in which thousands of soldiers and civilians will be involved. For those who can remember the previous wars since 1939 it is not a pleasant prospect. An American General once said that War is Hell. That is true but it does not have to be fought by devils. From a Christian perspective war has brought a number of responses, ranging from total pacifism through the ‘Just’ war to the allout crusade against perceived evil.

It is certainly true that the Lord Jesus in his teaching warned against the use of violence. In the Sermon on the Mount, he corrected the misinterpretation of the Old Testament saying, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour (Leviticus 19, 18) to which had been incorrectly added, "Thou shalt hate thy enemy." The Lord corrected this by stating, "But love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." The reason given for this is that Christians must reflect the nature of God who is merciful, longsuffering and of great kindness. That is certainly true in our personal dealings.

The teaching would appear to create a great difficulty for Christians in the event of war. How can Christians be involved? In the first place, it has to be recognised that much of war and the atrocities that follow are totally wrong and must be denounced whichever side is guilty. It is right that war criminals should be tried and if found guilty punished.

The point is that a just war is fought, not on the grounds of hate or greed but on the basis of justice. Love and Justice are two sides of the same coin. War in the Falklands was fought to remove an aggressor nation that had invaded without warning. The Gulf War was fought to remove an aggressor nation that had invaded Kuwait. Christians can take part on the basis that a serious wrong has been committed and therefore Justice must operate.

Herein lies the present problem, which is in some way bound up with the threat of terrorism. Terrorism is war by deception and stealth on those members of the public who are least able to defend themselves - soft targets. Terrorism is despicable whatever particular label it hides behind and whatever language it uses. Terrorism is the instrument of hate. It is the love of justice that must operate to remove such a threat.

The first question is whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction or not? Certainly, it has used these weapons in war against Iran and on its own people. The presumption must be that if those weapons are there they will be used again. This is the importance of the inspections in Iraq.

The second question is therefore is this a just war? That is a difficult question to answer because of the somewhat unique circumstances of the situation. The fact is that Saddam Hussein poses a very serious threat to world peace. On balance, I personally believe the answer to be yes but I quite understand those who would differ on this.

On that basis Christians may both take part and support an action which is not one of vindictive revenge. It is aimed at the Iraqi people only insofar as they support the regime. It is not aimed at Muslims personally or even at Islam generally but at those who operate to bring terrorism and weapons of mass destruction to bear on innocent people in the world. Those are the guilty where Justice must be done.

Let us pray for peace. Let us support those who go the battlefields to make the world a safer place. For those who disagree, let us agree to disagree charitably and if a war is fought let us make sure that it is a ‘Just’ war.

Sincerely, David Streater

I am always ready to discuss any point arising from my letters.

The Prayer Chain is there if you need prayer for yourself, for others or for members of your family. Please don’t ask for prayer outside your own family without people’s permission. To have a number of people pray just telephone David (720234) or Dennis (822992).

Many of you will know that because of the problems of vandalism and theft from Churches generally, the Parish Church is kept locked. Unless there is a specific reason for opening it earlier, it will be opened for Sunday and occasional services half an hour before the Service is due to start.

If there is anyone considering confirmation please would they contact David.

The Bishop - a member of the House of Lords - stresses that he is making "no excuse for Saddam," nor is he belittling "the appalling atrocities committed by him against his own people" or supporting appeasement of the Iraqi regime. However, instead of unilateral action being pursued, he calls for constant pressure from the United Nations to make Saddam Hussein comply with its wishes. He admits "that pressure may eventually have to have a military component." The full text of the Bishop's letter is published in February's SeeRound, and at http://www.stalbans.anglican.org

Wednesday 12^th 10.30am at Jill’s, Rectory Farm, Odell.

Tuesday 25^th 10.30am at Eileen’s, Corner House, 38 Wymington Park, Rushden.

Wednesday 12^th 10.30am at Catherine’s, Manor Cottage, High St., Harrold.

Tuesday 25^th 10.30am at Jen’s, 36 Grange Gardens, Sharnbrook.

St. Albans Abbey, Sat 1st Feb, 2003, at 10.30am.

Speaker: Peter Horrobin of Ellel Ministries. Music by Face 2 Face.

Personal ministry for physical, emotional or spiritual problems will be offered.

Several members from our church are already planning to go so if you want help with transport, please contact Liz Dodwell or Jen Cuddeford.

We are trying to fix an evening of Fellowship, Comfort and Encouragement at Wellspings near Leighton Buzzard. Ann Bowes cooks wonderful suppers and offers her home for Christian meetings. Please contact Liz Dodwell (720640) if you are interested in coming. All welcome - not just those interested in the Healing Ministry. Possible dates March 24th, 25th, 27th, 31st or April 1st, for a joke!

Tim and Liz Dodwell invite you to their

at Watermead, 41 Odell Road, Harrold

from 7.30pm on Saturday February 8th

Tickets minimum price £15 (includes all drinks)

Hurry and book now! (01234 720640)

Musical entertainment provided by Iulia Mocioc on the piano with the delightful voice of Becky Martin.

Donations and offers of help with preparations, drink, starters & desserts would be appreciated so that expenses can be kept to a minimum. Honey and our patchwork cushions and kettleholders, made in Romania, will be on sale.

Also for Sale: Two jumpers suitable for youngsters or small lady, size 10/12 knitted by student in Romania who is funding her own studies through University following sponsorship, which has now finished because she's 22+ and has got married. One is a beautifully knitted Arran. Any offers?

Contrary to popular belief leprosy is not a disease of the past but is a serious health threat right now in many developing countries. However, leprosy can be cured through multi-drug therapy. We can do our bit to help by giving generously in the special plate at the back of the church.

The restoration work being carried out on Moggerhanger House is now well under way. To help reach the £70,000 needed to fund the restoration and provide furnishing and staff, a Start-up Fund has been launched. There will be a Grand Auction of Promises on Wednesday 18^th June – look out for details in future editions of the magazine.

Snowdrop Weekend, Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th February, 11am – 4pm. Enjoy a stroll through the woods, exhibition and refreshments available. Admission £3 (under 16s free).

Interdenominational Service

Harrold Chapel, 10am, Friday March 7^th

Speaker: Doreen Vick

Men also welcome. Refreshments afterwards

This is a very special annual service, which members of our Church like to support. It is friendly and informal, whilst following the format used round the world. This year the Christian women of the Lebanon have prepared the service. This seems particularly appropriate as we are all praying for difficult situations in the Middle East. If you would like to help contribute to the service in some way, please contact Liz Dodwell (720640)

Alastair Lewis has announced his engagement to Kerry. They plan to marry in the Spring of 2004.

Read Genesis: 16:1-13

"She called the name of the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees.’ " Genesis 16:13

Hagar, Sarah's handmaid, was being treated unkindly by Sarah, so she fled into the wilderness. As Hagar stood beside a spring in that desolate and lonely place, the Angel of the Lord visited her. He assured her that God Himself was aware of her situation. Hagar responded, "You-Are-The-God-Who-Sees" (Gen. 16:13). She found great comfort in knowing that the Lord God saw her and knew about her distress.

You and I can have that same confidence in God's watchcare. We can be sure that the Lord God is with us wherever we go, and He knows everything that happens to us. As the all-powerful One, He is able to solve every problem, no matter how overwhelming or perplexing it may be. We are never alone, never forgotten, and never beyond hope.

Whatever your troubling circumstances are, whether you're afflicted by illness or injury, broken-hearted over the loss of a loved one, or disillusioned because your dearest friend has betrayed or rejected you, God knows and cares. You may be deeply depressed, or perhaps you're plagued by loneliness and discouragement. But you can be confident that you are under God's watchful eye. Yes, like Hagar you can know that God sees you. Richard De Haan

Beneath His watchful eye

His saints securely dwell;

That hand which bears all nature up

Shall guard His children well. Doddridge

We need not fear the perils around us

Because the eye of the Lord is always upon us.

Taken from 'Our Daily Bread' with kind permission from Radio Bible Class Ministries PO Box 1 Carnforth Lancs LA5 9ES

Marion Smith, now a resident at Avenue Nursing Home, in Avenue Road, Rushden, was 99 years old on 12th January. Jenny and Anne went to share this special birthday with Marion. It was so cheering to see Marion looking so well, and her smile radiant at seeing us. She talked about Odell, (she so loved All Saints’, where she worshipped for over 80 years) and how she used to teach the children in Sunday School; what a wonderful lady. God certainly has his hand on her!

Thank you so very much to those who contributed to this appeal in remembrance of Kenny. A cheque for £230 has been sent to the Primrose Appeal at Bedford Hospital.

I am so impressed at the achievement of this appeal. It is such a needy cause. This is an extract from the letter I received:

'When the Primrose Centre at Bedford Hospital was opened by Professor Bleehen it was understood that, because it was housed in a temporary building of limited size, it would in due course have to be replaced. The time has come when the replacement facility is essential.

£1,600,000 has already been raised towards our target of £2,000,000 for a new permanent Cancer Centre at Bedford Hospital and building work has begun. Your donation will go toward making this vision become reality'.

Thank You. Anne

The Reverend Aubrey D Lewis, father of Philip Lewis, died in the early hours of Boxing Day. He was one of the first to leave England for the mission field after the 2nd World War. His destination was Tiger Kloof, South Africa. (The school we support each August with our special collection). A fine school, he was forced to close rather than submit to the apartheid system that sought to control all black education. Forced to leave South Africa as a result, he spent the rest of his working life combining a fulltime job in education with the responsibilities of running a church - in Ghana, Yorkshire and South London.

We send our sympathy to Phil, Liz, Alastair, Anna and Tim and to all the family.

We were sorry to hear of the death of Donald Hunt who worshipped at All Saints’ for many years. Donald lived at Wymington Road, Rushden and died on 6th January aged 92 years. David Payne took the service at Kettering Crematorium and members of All Saints’ were in attendance there. During the days of David Payne's time here, Donald of the family-run printing business "Stanley Hunt Printers of Rushden," kindly assisted with the printing of the Odell Church Magazine. Due to ill health he hadn't been able to worship with us for some time, and has been missed for his chats and friendliness. We send our love and prayers to his wife and family. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to All Saints’ Restoration Fund and Spurgeon's Child Care c/o A Abbott & Sons, Bedford Road, Rushden,

We send our love and prayers to Pam, Glynis and Martin Wildman upon the sudden death of Dennis who died on New Year’s Eve aged 73 years. The funeral took place at All Saints’ on 10^th January and many attended to show their respect and give thanks for this much-loved friend and villager. He will be missed by so many, for he spoke to one and all.

We would like to thank all the friends, neighbours and the Harrrold Medical Practice for all the kindness shown to us at the untimely death of our dearly loved husband, father, grandfather and friend Dennis Wildman. We have been so overwhelmed at the cards and messages received, and also at the wonderful support we felt at the Service of Thanksgiving at All Saints’ on 10^th January when about 130 people attended to pay their respects to Dennis. We send a special thank you to The Rev. David Streater for leading the service so lovingly.

Thank you all so very, very much for your love and care.

Pam, Glynis, Martin and families.

My tribute to 'Den' Wildman.

I must have been about 9 years old when Pam and Den moved into 9 Horsefair Lane in 1948, the first modern houses to be built in Odell, Den having lived previously at Hobbs Green Farm which he so dearly loved. My Grandma kept The Bell and Den was one of the players for 'Odell Football Club' who played up in Milking Close (opposite the Castle). The club-room at The Bell was the team's changing room. The years went by, and in the 1930s I was living at the pub. It was Den who was always waiting on a Sunday lunchtime for the 'sweet-room' to open, and Den who was a regular on a Saturday evening to purchase 'Hot Dogs". Den loved music and on a Saturday evening when I used to play the piano for a good sing-song, he would be there with Pam in his element singing along. He just loved to sing and as the years went by he was so often heard in the lane, long before he approached you, by his whistling. And of course he was never short of a funny tale. These were his trade-marks. He was always a pleasure to speak to and he always had a 'listening ear' and held a special gift of confidentiality. His cheeriness, which uplifted so many, will be long remembered. My love and prayers go to Pam and the family. Anne Turner

Father bless all those who mourn with your love; comfort them in times of sadness and may they never feel alone. We pray that in their dark times they will know and feel you near with your angels watching over them.

Living so close to the river has its disadvantages when the Ouse begins to flood. On Friday 3rd January the waters came up so very fast and threatening my property. By the evening water was creeping too near for comfort. My daughter Debra and her partner Ian had arrived earlier to move heavy gardening machinery out of the sheds, but it was the local villagers that appeared so quickly, to give assistance in what is always a scary situation. Furniture, washing machine, fridge, etc., all needed to be lifted to a higher place - and then when the waters subside to be lifted down again.

I am so indebted to those kind people that turned up so unselfishly walking through the water to help in the moving of equipment and carpets, placing the sand-bags against the doors, and also for the much appreciated meal provided in the process.

Thank you all so very much. Odell is a great village to be part of!

(As we print this the river is again in flood and rising very quickly!).

Valentines Day 14th February! Don't forget this special day! Why not tell someone you love them, or show them how important they are with a bouquet of flowers, or dine them with wine! People were made to love. Love is everything!!

The ‘thermometer’ in the December/January magazine showed a target of £50,000, which is the grand total we are looking for, but the total shown for the amount so far raised did not include the grants which have been promised from outside sources.

This month’s thermometer does, and includes a promise of a grant of a further £2,500 which has just been given by the Radcliffe Trust, the oldest of the major grant-giving foundations in the country, set up in 1714, but still many years younger than our church! This brings the total so far raised or promised to £21,980, so

that we are not far short of halfway towards our target.

The brochure you all received in the autumn talked of an appeal for £25,000 – over and above grants already given or promised and

existing resources. So far money and promises received towards that figure come to £4,880, so there is still a considerable way to go.

Various fund-raising activities are being planned – details to follow. Please give them all the support you can.

1^st 10.30am Celebration of Christian healing in the context of the Eucharist, St. Albans Abbey.

1^st 7.30pm Burns Night, Village Hall.

8^th 7.30pm Posh Supper, Watermead, Odell Rd.

11^th 7.30pm W.I., Village Hall.

12^th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jill’s, Rectory Farm.

13^th 8pm North Beds Healing Group meeting, Watermead, Odell Rd., Harrold.

15^th/16th Snowdrop Weekend, Moggerhanger Park.

25^th 10.30am Meeting Point at Eileen’s, Corner House, 38 Wymington Park, Rushden.

5^th 12.30 Fish and Chip Lunch for Senior Citizens, Village Hall.

7^th 10.00am Women’s World Day of Prayer, Harrold Chapel.

22^nd Coffee Morning in Village Hall in aid of Church Appeal Fund.

Please send all entries for the March 2003 magazine to Tricia Hudson (patriciahudson@kbnet.co.uk), Anne Turner or Catherine Corkery by February 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.