July 2006

Dear Friends,

As I write this letter we have just come to the end of another successful fete weekend. In spite of the counter-attractions of the World Cup, there was a good turnout, and the weather was glorious – not only for the fete itself, but also for our All-Age Service in the marquee on

Sunday and the delicious BBQ lunch afterwards for all the helpers.

Many people have remarked that Odell fete is special, and visitors come from quite a distance to support it. It is a wonderful achievement for a small village to be able to put an event like this on, but is only made possible by the enthusiasm and commitment of the committee and many willing volunteers to set up and take down, and to man the stalls on the day. What struck me as a newcomer is how much everyone

involved works together so well, with obvious enjoyment. More help is always welcome, either on the day or preparing beforehand, and every contribution, however small, really helps to share the load. So do speak to Jill Cheadle or Jane Eshelby if you would like to be part of the team that makes it all happen next year!

After a busy stretch it’s good to take time out to relax and recharge our batteries – and if we want to maintain a good life balance, we need to find spiritual refreshment as well as opportunities to restore tired minds and bodies.

Jesus himself often retreated to a quiet place to be alone with his heavenly Father – to take time out to rest and to be refreshed and renewed by the Holy Spirit – a pattern we do well to follow. Some Christians regularly go away for a quiet day, or an annual retreat, but for some of us even finding a short time and space we can be alone with Jesus is not easy.

So during the first week of August, I will be opening the church to offer you an opportunity to enjoy peace and stillness, and to take some time out with Jesus. Around the church will be a number of "prayer stations", each with a particular theme, inviting you to spend a little while in quietness and reflection. How you use this time is down to you – no-one will approach you – but someone will be on hand should you wish to talk or ask for prayer, for yourself or someone else.

The church will be open at the following times:

Sun 6^th August - 6pm-8pm

Mon 7^th August – 3pm-5pm

Wed 9^thAugust – 3pm-5pm

Thu 10^th August – 7pm-9pm

Don’t worry if you can’t make any of these times – I’m happy to open up the church anytime – just ring me on 720234 to arrange.

Wishing you all a relaxing and peaceful summer,

with love and prayers, Christine.

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 Christine (720234).

Above: Pentecost in the Park

Churches from Harrold and Carlton, along with All Saints’ Church, Odell, met together in Harrold-Odell Country Park on a sizzling hot Sunday 4th June to celebrate Pentecost. The main speaker was Keith Parr from Coventry Cathedral; music was provided by Wellingborough Music Group. Representatives of the Chellington Youth Group also gave a short talk on their activities.

‘My Utmost for the Highest’ is the world’s best selling devotional book. Yet, without Gertrude Chambers, the unrecognised force behind Oswald Chambers’ writings, we wouldn’t have this book at all.

Oswald died as a result of complications following surgery in Egypt where he had been ministering to the British troops. Thousands mourned his death at 43. So well loved was he among those to whom he ministered that, in spite of the fact he wasn’t part of the military, he was still given a full military burial in the old British Cemetery in Cairo.

Oswald and Biddy were married for just seven years; at age 34 Biddy became a widow and the single mother of a little girl.

The real story of Oswald Chambers began at his death. Biddy (Gertrude) was a stenographer before she met Oswald. She could take shorthand faster than many of us could talk. She began taking his messages down in shorthand, hundreds of them , never thinking that one day they’d be transcribed into books of which she became the publisher.

The world owes a debt of gratitude to this humble and generally unknown woman whose efforts are still a blessing to many. May we have the courage to be more like her, who believed that great things could be accomplished when you do not seek the credit.

At Carlton Village Hall

On

Saturday 8^th July

10am to 5pm

Sunday 9^th July

1pm to 5pm

Refreshments and light lunches served

Admission free

In aid of St. Mary’s Church, Carlton, new toilet and kitchenette fund

For further details contact Sue Brown, 32 Rectory Close, Carlton 720442

(browns@carltonbeds.fsnet.co.uk)

The world is not going to devote itself to making you happy! Once you accept that, you will begin to move forward. Life does not always work the way you want it to. Paul wrote, ‘Whenever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you’.(Romans 15:24). But he never got there; instead he landed in prison. But from there, he wrote the epistles.

Look out! Your disappointment may turn out to be God’s appointment. The Bible says, ‘In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord

determines his steps.’ Aren’t you glad God’s in control of your life. Let the philosophers argue over why life works as it does; just focus on how to live it! If you live to be a hundred, what good is it if resentment and regret keep you from enjoying a day of it? And what good is more time, if you are just wasting the time you have?

Remember how an oyster makes a pearl? When a grain of sand gets into its shell, instead of resisting it the oyster wraps it in layer after layer of beauty till a pearl is formed. The poet said, ‘This tale has a moral for isn’t it grand, what an oyster can do with a morsel of sand; and what could we do if we would only begin, with some things that get under our skin.’

God is working in everything you are going through today, for your good and his glory. So let it make you better, not bitter.

Taken from "Word for Today" with kind permission of United Christian Broadcasters. (Tel:01782:642000)

Ask anyone what is the first thing they think of when they hear the words 'proclaiming the gospel', and they will probably imagine a person standing on a street corner preaching loudly with a Bible in hand.

Depending on your point of view, it is either a compelling or an amusing image. But the truth is that proclaiming the gospel involves a lot more. 'Gospel' language in Paul's letters covers a whole range of activities.

People need to hear the gospel to become Christians at first, but they also need to hold on firmly to the gospel to grow in their faith and be part of congregations which are ready for the return of Christ.

CMS is committed to proclaiming the gospel through a wide range of ministries. Its fundamental motivation for proclaiming the gospel

is to bring glory to God. It is the divine intention that on the final day 'at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father'.

Founded in 1799, CMS has attracted upwards of nine thousand men and women to serve as mission partners during its 200-year history.

Today there are about 150 mission partners in 26 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. A budget of £5.75 million a year is needed to maintain and expand this work.

The Tiger Kloof School provides a Christian education and plays an important role in the much needed process of social integration in South Africa.

Wednesday 5th 10.30am at Jill’s, Rectory Farm, Odell.

Wednesday 19th 10.30am at Christine’s, The Rectory.

There will be a break until September.

2^nd Nikki Freeman

9^th Jill Cheadle

16^th Sue Robinson

23^rd Margaret Jones

30^th Sarah Bennett

6^th Faith Hartwell

13^th WEDDING

20^th Georgina Harrison

27^th Eileen Shakespeare

Miles Tringham on 24^th August and to everyone else with a birthday in July or August.

Wed 5^{th 10.30am Meeting Point at Jill’s, Rectory Farm.}

Fri 7^th 2—4pm Hearing Clinic Harrold Medical Practice.

Sat 8^th 10am – 5pm Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale, Carlton

Village Hall.

Sun 9^th 1– 5pm " " " " " " " "

Tues 11^th 7.30pm W.I. Odell Village Hall.

Wed 12^th 3.00pm Senior Citizens’ Strawberry Tea at Linden

House.

Wed 19^th 10.30am Meeting Point at Christine’s, The Rectory, Odell.

Sat 22^nd 8.30pm Moth trapping, HOCP.

Sun 6^th 6 – 8 pm All Saints’ Church open for prayer and

reflection.

Mon 7^th 3 – 5pm " " " " " " "

Tues 8^th 2 – 4pm Hearing Clinic, Harrold Medical Practice.

Tues 8^th 7pm W.I. Barbecue, Rectory Farm.

Wed 9^th 3 – 5pm All Saints’ Church open for prayer and

reflection.

Thurs 10^th 7 - 9pm " " " " " " "

Fri 18^th 6.30pm Wodehill Jazz Band at The Bell, weather

permitting.

Mon 21^st 10.00am Conservation task day, HOCP.

Please send all entries for the September magazine to Tricia Hudson (mag1@odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by August 12^th 2006 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.