CHURCH NEWS - February 2009
Click here to hear a sample from their almost 3 hour long peal
February 2009
Dear Friends,
As I write this, snow and ice lay on the ground outside my window, the Christmas decorations have been taken down, and the New Year is now into its second week. The parties are over, and we’re now back into our everyday routines. But by the time you read this letter, we’ll be looking for those early bulbs popping up in the garden, and reminding each other how the days are lengthening. Spring will soon be here, bringing new hopes and dreams, and signs of new life beginning to emerge all around us after the long dormancy of winter. For life is ever moving forward, moving on, ebbing and flowing with the seasons, always changing.
That is not only true in nature, but in our own lives also, in the lives of our families and friends, and in our church and community life. 2009 promises to be an eventful year in the life of All Saints’ Church, as we press ahead with plans to install a disabled toilet and tea-point in the existing ‘kitchen’ space. In itself, that may not sound too life-changing, but we are excited about it, because with proper facilities available, our building could be used for various events and activities as well as for regular Sunday worship.
The Church council will be having an ‘away-day’ on February 14th to consider new possibilities and how these might fit with our longer term aims for the church’s ministry. If you have any ideas or comments on appropriate alternative use, we would be pleased to hear from you!
Meanwhile, we are busy applying to various organisations and trusts for grant funding, because although our plans are quite modest, connecting to mains water and main drains is going to be disproportionately expensive.
The church in Odell has been serving the local community since at least the 12th century, and very likely before that. Throughout those years the ministry has taken many forms and been expressed in a variety of ways. Now, in the 21st century, we seek to continue that ministry in ways that are in keeping with the needs and requirements of modern society. I will be writing to each of you over the coming weeks, asking if you would be willing to support us with a donation, however small.
I do hope that you will feel able to help us turn our dream into a reality.
With love and prayers, Christine.
Do you have a favourite recipe? ... to help raise funds for our Tea-Point and Toilet, I would like to bring together a collection of favourite recipes from residents and friends of Odell. If you would like to help, please let me (or any church member) have a copy of your recipe, along with any interesting note or story you connect with it. My e-mail address is cmclark9@btconnect.com. Thank you!
Suttons Seeds are you ordering seeds or plants this year? If so, you might like to choose from Suttons Fundraiser catalogue (copies available from Christine or church members). The seeds/plants come direct to you, but the church benefits from 20% of the cost of your order.
Ring me on 01234 720234 for a copy of the catalogue. Christine
The 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 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.
Lent Groups
Subject: These Three: Faith, Hope and Love
Starting: week commencing 2nd March 2009, for 5 weeks
Monday evening – 3 Copper Beeches, Emmaus
7.30 – 9.00pm
Host: Helen Jago
Leader: Garry Allan
Wednesday evening – 15 Beeby Way, Carlton
7.45 – 9.30pm
Hosts: Dean and Helen Marston
Leader: John Tusting
Thursday morning – 23 Pavenham Rd. Carlton
10.30 – noon
Host: Ann Molesworth
Leaders: Marge Bingham and Marjorie Coleman
Thursday afternoon – Honey House, 19 High St, Harrold
1.15 for 1.30 start – 3.00pm
Host: Laura Murdoch
Leader: Ruth Templeman
(Children welcome)
For further details contact Stuart Owen 01234 708
Carol singing around the village in aid of The Children’s Society, raised £91.07. A big ‘thank you’ to all who contributed - and all those who sang and provided the music!
Meeting Point
February
Wed 4th 10.30am at Doris’s, Goodly Heritage, The Bury, Pavenham
Wed 18th 10.30am at Jane’s, Newton House, Avenue Rd., Newton Bromswold.
March
Wed 11Th 10.30am at Sarah’s, 9 Horsefair Lane
Step into Spring and join us for a walk in the country followed by a pub lunch. Meet outside The Bell on Saturday February 21st at 9.45am – transport provided to start of walk if needed. Everyone welcome, including children and dogs on leads!
‘Send a Cow’ for Christmas (instead of Christmas cards)
We were delighted to be able to send over £245 to this excellent charity. This was enough money, not only to provide a cow for a family in Africa, but also to provide a milking goat for a second family. The extra amount raised through gift aiding will buy seeds, plants and tools for yet another family – well done everyone, and thank you!
Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip Lunch
The annual Senior Citizens’ Fish and Chip lunch will take place on:
Wednesday 4th March
at 12.30 for 1.00pm
in the Village Hall.
Please let Jill Cheadle know by Sunday 22nd February if you wish to join us. (01234 720261). Please note that no invitations will be sent out.
The Implanted Word
The implanted word can be given to us for the taking: it is so easy to go picking the Bible for feel-good scriptures. It takes guts, ambition and a desire to want to know the truth and grace that derives from the instilled word. If you want to succeed in business and make a profit you must know your business thoroughly - otherwise you will soon be out of business!
The same applies to the instilled word. The way to succeed is to make sure you know your Bible and not to decide one scripture is for you and another is not. All scripture is good and profitable.
Consider the male sperm and the female egg. Neither one is capable of reproduction on its own but when they embrace together something happens and reproduction occurs. When the instilled word and a receptive heart get together so, too, something happens. This combination works every time.
If you depend on someone else telling you, then you won’t be able to hear what the Word is saying to you. Imagine dealing with your husband or wife on that basis: your marriage wouldn’t last long.
There is no substitute for first-hand, daily exposure to His Word. It is self-sustaining, doesn’t require the approval of men or support of others to confirm it. What God speaks to you through the Word is for you only.
Sarah Bennett
People willing to supply lifts to and from surgeries.
Below is a list of the people currently willing to give lifts, to and from surgeries, to people who can’t otherwise get there:
Kim Beardow 721246
Jill Cheadle 720261
Jonathan Harrison 721115
Steve Robinson 720113
Marion Senn 721176
Linda Tringham 720120
If anyone else is willing to be a volunteer please contact Jill on 720261.
Birthdays
Happy birthday to:
Jack Holden Postles whose birthday is on the 10th and to
Victoria Beardow who will be 13 on the 22nd
Winter Awareness
Listen to the sounds of winter,
Listen for the sounds of Spring,
Listen when you’re in the woodland,
Listen and you’ll want to sing!
In the depth of frosted landscape
Spend a moment looking up,
Stand in wonder at those branches
Sparkling silver, offering up.
Stand and stare at ridge and furrow,
Mingle with those ochre hues,
See the forest fruits in colour,
Crabs and sloes, yellows and blues.
When the wind is howling, singing
Button up your winter coat.
Feel the glory of the winter
See that white, fast moving stoat!
Smell the wood-smoke in the treetops
In those darkened country lanes,
See the glowing lamp-lit windows
Through their curtain-coloured panes.
Winter weather can bring problems,
Sometimes they can be severe,
But there’s majesty in winter
Bringing promised springtime near.
Roger Jackson
4th 10.30am Meeting point at Doris’s, Goodly Heritage, The
Bury, Pavenham
4th 7.30pm Wode Hill Jazz Band at The Bell.
5th 10.30am Health walk, HOCP.
8th 9.30am Pavenham and Felmersham Cricket Club Brunch,
Village Hall, Pavenham.
10th 7.30pm W.I. Village Hall.
14th 9am-5pm Basket making, Felmersham Village Hall.
14th 2-4pm Willow weaving, HOCP.
18th 10.30am Meeting point at Jane’s, Newton house, Avenue
Rd., Newton Bromswold..
19th 10.30am Health walk, HOCP.
21st 9.45am All Saints’ Amblers meet at The Bell.
21st 10.00am Fruit Tree Pruning, Yelnow Farm.
22nd 11am-4pm Mill Theatre Open Day.
22nd 7.30pm Quiz Night at The Bell.
23rd 10am-3pm Conservation tasks, HOCP.
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the March 2009 magazine to Tricia Hudson (mag1 at odellbeds.net) or Catherine Corkery by February 12th 2009 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.