CHURCH NEWS - April 2008
May 2008
Dear Friends,
Relaxing at the end of the day with a cup of tea after all the “hectivity” of our Open Weekend, I was brought up sharp by an item on BBC news.
A stark announcement from World Bank and the International Monetary Fund warned that hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of starvation because of rising food prices. These have doubled in the last three years and could push 100 million people in poor countries deeper into poverty. Film footage followed, of food riots in Haiti, the Philippines and Egypt. In Haiti last month the protests turned violent, leading to the deaths of five people and the fall of the government.
Not only has the cost of food risen sharply in recent months, but increased demand from a growing world population - expected to top nine billion by the middle of this century – puts increasing pressure on a range of resources, including land, water and oil, as well as food supply. The growing production of bio-fuels means less grain is now grown for food production. Richer countries are cutting back on grain exports and importers such as Bangladesh, the Philippines and Afghanistan lose out as a result.
The leader of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick is calling for a ‘New Deal for Global Food Policy’ to boost agricultural policy in poor countries in the longer term, along with more food aid and help for smaller farmers such as money for seeds for planting in the new season.
Why should any of this concern us? Many of us are already feeling the effects of the ‘credit crunch’ and finding that the pound in our pocket disappears far more quickly than it used to. Paying the mortgage,
financing the children’s education, saving for our annual holidays, and seeing our own grocery bills rise every week seem to be enough to cope with.
In his book ‘Jesus and the Earth’ Bishop James Jones likens the global population to a ship full of people. Those on the top decks enjoy the comfortable cabins with sea views, good food in the restaurant, entertainment laid on. They may not have any idea (or care very much) where the ship is heading – life is good and they are enjoying it. But down on the lower decks, in the great part of the ship are other people – many of them sick and dying - living in very restricted accommodation with few if any amenities and nowhere near enough food and water to share between them. We are all in the same boat, heading towards the same destination, but in very different circumstances.
I know I have written about these sorts of issues before, and I make no apology for that – this world is in crisis in more ways than one, and we need to be aware of the consequences. On the basis of a shared humanity surely we should be prepared to take action where we can to relieve the suffering of others, rather than just sitting back ‘enjoying the cruise’. And if we profess any kind of Christianity at all, then we cannot ignore the calling of our Lord Jesus Christ to love our neighbour.
Enclosed with this magazine is an envelope, inviting you to make a donation towards the work of Christian Aid. This organisation, along with others, not only works tirelessly to relieve poverty with food aid and practical help, but also to bring influence to bear on government and other national and international decision-makers. By joining with others to support their work through a donation, and/or by signing one of their petitions we can make a difference – a difference that will save lives and bring a little light and hope to our fellow human-beings.
With love and prayers, Christine.
Recycle your old inkjet and laser toner cartridges
Your used printer cartridges could help provide education for children in the Dominican Republic, through Christian Aid’s inkjet cartridge recycling project.
And that’s not all….
Cartridge recycling helps to reduce carbon emissions, a major cause of global warming, conserves resources and reduces waste.
Recycling bags and a cartridge collection point are available in Church or from The Rectory, 3 Church Lane (Tel: 720234).
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 will you 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 I let you know if I would like you to pray for me? You can either telephone Christine (720234), or drop a note through the Rectory door, or complete a card (anonymously if you wish) and place it in a box kept near the church door. Prayer requests will be collected from the box each Sunday morning after the 10.00am service.
Pilgrims – is a new group meeting fortnightly at The Rectory for informal discussions about the Christian faith—a place to share your views, ask questions and find out what others think. You are welcome to come along and find out more at 8.00pm on Mondays 12th & 26th May. Phone Christine on 720234 if you would like to know more.
ZIMBABWE – A big thank you to all who contributed to our Lent appeal to raise funds for a water tank in Zimbabwe. Special thanks go to the children who raised just over £75 by selling cakes and home-made lemonade in the Country Park on Easter Monday, and by doing chores for family and friends. The final amount we were able to send off to Tearfund to arrange installation was £548.00. Christine
Open Weekend – another big thank you to all who participated in the All Saints’ Open Weekend to raise money for our proposed new Tea-Point & Toilet. We had around 300 visitors in all, from near & far, and after expenses have been accounted for the total of donations received is likely to be just over £1,000. Who can tell me how many steps there are in the tower – and how long it takes to clean them all? Christine
Avenues of Life and Love
In our daily routine of life we travel down many avenues. A wide sphere of interests and duties make up a varied lifestyle; I imagine that sphere to be a big roundabout with signs leading to different places. Decisions have to be made on which sign to follow; trying to make the right decision is as important as to where we want to go. So too is our journey of faith to get the best out of life. The avenues of steadfast love are rich in grace, peace and tranquillity – these are priceless treasures that shine as lights in our lives.
“Think of the lilies...they toil not, neither do they spin”. This does not mean to say that we should switch off and do nothing as we would like to think. Moments of beauty from the lilies equate nicely to the moments spent in our quiet time which linger with us, giving peace and serenity to share with others in this troubled restless world. Moments of wholeness and completeness can be achieved. I think of the words of the song:
You raise me up so I can stand on
mountains;
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up to more than I can be.
Sarah Bennett
Odell Village Fete And Dog Show
Saturday 14th June
2 PM
(In the Scout field, Horsefair Lane, Odell)
ENTRY Adults £1.50, Children Free
2.00 pm Grand Opening
2.00-4.00pm Dog Show
4.00pm Judging of Children’s Competition
4.30pm Raffle Draw and Prize Giving
Boys Brigade
Teas Children’s Tombola Ice Creams
Tombola Cakes Beat the Goalie
Books Refreshments Bottle Stall
Coconut Shy Children’s Sports White Elephant
Produce Gifts Many Side Shows
Raffle Dog Show
FAMILY DOG SHOW
(entry fee - £1 per dog per class)
Classes:
1. Children’s Handling (14 years and under)
2. Puppies under 1 year
3. Country Sporting Dog or Bitch
4. Best Rescue or Re-homed Dog or Bitch
5. Best Conditions Dog or Bitch
6. Dog or Bitch with Most Appealing Eyes
7. Best Cross-bred Dog or Bitch
8. Most Handsome Dog
9. Prettiest Bitch
Children’s Competition – Design an Olympic Flag!
The competition is to design a bright and cheerful flag based on the Olympic theme. Paper flags and sticks will be provided at the fete.
Help will be needed to set up the fete stalls on the afternoon of Friday 13th June, and then to dismantle everything after the fete has ended on Saturday 14th. Please come and join in!
11.00 am in the Main Tent at the Fete Field
EVERYBODY WELCOME
Fete Committee – Help Needed!
The Odell Village Fete has been part of village life for many years.
People from far around make a point of attending the fete every year and many have said how special the event is. Behind the fete though is a body of people making it happen, and master minding it all is of course the Committee. In recent years numbers on the Committee have dropped so low that now the Fete is in jeopardy. Can you give some of your time to keep this tradition (and source of much needed income for the village) alive? If you are willing to join the Committee and do your bit for the village call Steve on 720113.
Fete Committee Painting Day
Painting of signs etc. for the fete will take place at Jim and Doreen Wheeler’s, Linden House, High Street, Odell, on Monday 5th May from 10.00am.
There will be a lunch time bar-b-q for helpers - please let Doreen know (720358) if you wish to stay for this. Bring your own meat, salad provided.
Our Giving in May is to The Church Army.
The Church Army is an International Evangelical Movement, based on Biblical teaching, with a mission to meet human needs, without discrimination, in the name of Christ. Their far-reaching work includes preaching the Gospel, working in hospitals, prisons, eventide homes, hostels and counselling, to name but a few examples. Wherever there is poverty or need, the Church Army is there. Please give generously to this movement which is very generous with its time and love.
Meeting Point
Wed 14th 10.30am at Catherine’s, Manor Cottage, High St., Harrold.
Christian Aid Week, 11th – 17th May
Time for action on climate change
As sea levels rise in coastal Bangladesh, saltwater is contaminating the water supply of riverbank and coastal communities. These communities also face losing homes to rapidly increasing river erosion. The changing climate is poised to reverse decades of development. Forget making poverty history; poverty is set to become permanent unless we address climate change as a matter of urgency.
Your donations this Christian Aid Week will help communities in the developing world to cope with the effects of climate change. But money in itself is not enough. We also need to act. We can all use our influence on politicians and business leaders in the rich world – who are the ones making many of the key decisions affecting poor countries.
Global warming is not just a distant forecast. It’s already happening now, and poor people are the ones who are being hit the hardest.
During the past 35 years, hurricane-force storms have almost doubled. 11 million people are threatened by hunger because of years of unprecedented drought in east Africa. 90% of the victims of weather-related natural disasters during the 1990s were from poor countries, and an estimated 150,000 people are dying annually from diseases exacerbated by the changing climate. For example, scientists predict that malaria-carrying mosquitoes, which cannot survive at low temperatures, are now spreading the disease further as regions warm up, putting hundreds of thousands of people at risk.
And the outlook is bleak. Even if we are able to stabilise CO2 emissions, global average temperatures are still likely to rise by at least 2°C by 2050. If this is the case, 1-3 billion people will face acute water shortages. Thirty million more people will go hungry as crops fail across the globe.
Climate change is an issue of injustice. The world’s poorest people who have contributed least to the problem are suffering the worst effects. The devastating impact of our CO2 emissions means that poor countries cannot now develop in the same way.
Christian Aid is pressing for an international agreement to ensure that rich countries dramatically cut their CO2 emissions so that poor countries can develop in a way that won’t further increase climate change and condemn them to perpetual poverty. This agreement will call for rich countries to cut CO2 emissions by at least 80% by 2050; compensate poor countries for damage already caused by climate change so they have the resources to adapt; and assist them to develop in ways that will limit CO2 emissions.
80% by 2050 means cuts of 5% every year. This is the absolute minimum action required if global warming is to be kept below the tipping point of 2°C. 5% every year is a big challenge. But it’s one that we must meet. Millions of lives depend on it.
As citizens of a rich country, we are all in a powerful position to make a difference. And this is where we need your help. Please sign the prayer and action card this Christian Aid Week (available from your local church), and send a message to the government that urgent action is needed on climate change now. Campaigning works. Previous campaigns have delivered real change on issues such as debt and fair trade. We need to take action on climate change now, before it is too late.
Find out more about Christian Aid’s Climate Change campaign, and sign up to take further action, by visiting www.christianaid.org.uk/climate or www.christianaid.ie/climate
© Christian Aid December 2007
UK registered charity number 1105851
Company number 5171525
Republic of Ireland charity number CHY6998
The Children’s Society Collection
A big thank you to everyone who holds a Children’s Society box. The total collected this year amounted to £262.02. If there is anyone else in the village willing to hold a box do please let me know. Many thanks to you all.
Catherine Corkery 720348
Odell Church Flower Rota for may
Must have found it quite a mystery
When the great Archbishop Laud
Made their Rector go abroad.
Did they find one Sunday morn
Vestments in a box unworn?
He’d said he never would appear
Preaching, wearing Popish gear.
Born in Odell where the rector
Was his father and director
Sending him to Saint John’s College
Studying non-conformist knowledge.
Such a godly man, upright
Going almost overnight
Must have caused much speculation
Amongst the rural population.
With their rector’s family gone
Who could they rely upon
Who would help in times of need
P’raps th’Archbishop? No indeed!
Ploughmen talking in the sun
Wondered what on earth he’d done
Blacksmith nailing on a shoe
Wondered whether it was true.
Woodmen standing by their fire
Thought archbishops might require
Things that even rectors say
Should be done a different way
On the way to fetch their water
Labourer’s wife and stockman’s daughter
Thought archbishop’s ways were odd
Throwing out a man of God
Later on the village heard
On the grapevine, word for word
That their expelled former man
Had gone to become an American.
How the Hand of God had sent
Odell’s man with strong intent
There to found and name Concord
There to preach and teach His Word.
Now in modern Odell, where
We welcome friends from ‘Over There’,
The church where village and river wind
Is that which Bulkeley left behind.
Roger Jackson
5th 10am Painting fete signs, Linden Ho., High St.
10th 7.30 for 8.00pm Quiz, Odell Village Hall.
12th 10am-12noon Digital Photography at HOCP.
12th 8pm Meeting of ‘Pilgrims’ at Rectory.
13th 7.30pm W.I. AGM, Odell Village Hall.
14th 10.30am Meeting Point at Catherine’s, Manor Cottage, Harrold.
17th 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers meet at The Bell.
17th 11.00am Coffee Morning in aid of Fragile X, 23 Horsefair Lane.
19th 10am – 3pm HOCP Conservation Tasks.
25th 11am – 5pm Bromham Mill Medieval May.
26th “ “ “ “ “ “
26th 8pm Meeting of ‘Pilgrims’ at Rectory
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the June 2008 magazine to Tricia Hudson (mag1@odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by May 12th 2008 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.