CHURCH NEWS - JULY/AUGUST 2000
ODELL PARISH MAGAZINE - July/August 2000
- CHURCH NEWS
From the Rectory
July 2000
Dear Friends,
The next question that we are dealing with is, "Do you believe Adam and Eve literally existed?" We note that the word literally has returned. In one sense this question ties in with the first question that we wrote about concerning creation. If there is no creator God it stands to reason that the theory of evolution by random chance is a key to the life of all animals, insects and plants on earth. On that basis man is neither more nor less than a highly developed animal and animals are more highly developed than the plants. We reject that theory because it runs contrary not only to Biblical witness but also to experience.
As C S Lewis rightly pointed out, "If however our sense of right and wrong, good and evil is justified and true, where does it come from?" How do we account for the existence of conscience and of the rightness of a moral law? We can see today what harm is done when society becomes morally indifferent to human conduct. The victims of crime are largely ignored and the criminal is dealt with on the basis that he needs help and not punishment. Society then begins to become chaotic.
The fact is that mankind is created in the image of God. Man originated last in the created order and is distinguished from the animal kingdom itself by an exceptional ability to use reason, to communicate verbally (later by writing) and to pass on through instruction those things learned by experience to a succeeding generation. Whatever the precise DNA relation to the primates there is an immense gap that indicates strongly a difference of kind, not just of degree. Once those simple facts are accepted then the question remains not only why but also how? That is where the Scripture record explains that mankind is a special creation of God, made in his image.
Does this mean that we believe literally in Adam and Eve? We do believe that God created the first pair of human beings. Man, for that is what Adam means, was created first and although sharing many things belonging to the animal kingdom he is clearly separated from it. The description in those early chapters of Genesis shows the unique relationship of man to God. Adam is given responsibility before God to steward the created order of the earth and he is completely dependent upon God. It is in that area of responsibility and dependence that woman (Eve) is created and given to Adam as a helper suitable for him. There is a strong implication of equality and difference in the man / woman relationship.
It is in the context of this man / woman relationship that rebellion occurs and the high point of creation is cast down and cast out. Although man is fallen he does not turn back into an animal. The consequence of that rebellion falls on the whole human race of which Adam is the physical head. It is at this point that the New Testament shows the theological implications of the special creation of man. Paul argues that that Adam was a historical person who brought sin into the world and which is reconfirmed daily in the lives of all human beings. Paul contrasts Christ’s obedience with Adam’s disobedience. Adam brought judgment but Christ brought righteousness. Adam brought death but Christ brought eternal life.
There are two beginnings of the human race. The first is Adam who represents all mankind. The second is Christ who represents all those who put their trust in him. There is a literal creation and there is literally a first pair of the human race whom we know as Adam and Eve.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
David Streater
The Prayer Chain
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).
Meeting Point
July
Tuesday 4th 10.30am at Mary’s, 2 Hall Close, Sharnbrook.
Tuesday 11th 2.30pm Join with the ladies of Tea and Talk for their afternoon meeting and tea at Doris Bannard-Smith's, Goodly Heritage, The Bury, Pavenham
Meeting Point will take a break during August. Meetings will resume in September.
July Giving is to the Church Missionary Society
Proclaiming the gospel involves more than you think!
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. Their 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'.
Our Giving in August is to the Tiger Kloof School.
The Tiger Kloof School provides a Christian education and plays an important role in the much needed process of social integration in South Africa.
Looking to Jesus
with Anne Turner:"Take control of what I say, O Lord and keep my lips sealed." (Psalm 141:3 NLT)
Gossip - remember me?
Listen carefully to these words. "I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and I gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless; they cannot protect themselves against me, because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more illusive I become. I am nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it's never the same. I topple governments. I wreck marriages. I make innocent people cry. Who am I? My name is Gossip!"
Jesus said, "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matt 12:36-37).
Do you really believe that? If you do, you won't break someone's heart by spreading their secrets, betraying their confidence, ruining their good name, or undermining their self-esteem with ridicule and innuendo. You just won't do it!
David prayed "Take control of what I say, O lord, and keep my lips sealed" (Ps141:3 NLT)
That would be a good prayer for all of us today too!
Printed with permission of United Christian Broadcasters "Word for Today"
Tel: 01782 642100
Amongst ourselves:
We still continue to pray for the sick, housebound, elderly and those who are in nursing homes. The sun has been shining a lot for us and we all feel so much better for it, in particular on the day of the fete - the day when the rain usually appears. Not this year, and we are excited at the sum of over £2000 profit made for the Church Fabric Fund. The Lord really blessed the day as I am sure He will bless all those who helped and attended! I am sure all people thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as we did in our humble effort to play some jazz music outside The Bell.
It was a joy to see Lin Samuels, Ernie Surridge and Hilda Wright amongst those enjoying the day. People seemed to come from miles around, some from Suffolk, London, Cambridge and Peterborough. As I said last month, Odell really holds a special place in the hearts of the London Boys Brigade - I understand a bugle found its way into the opening. Maybe next year we could have a BB band!
We welcome into Horsefair Lane Betty and John Dodkin who are moving here from Elstow where they attend Elstow Abbey for services. We trust that they will enjoy living in Odell and that The Lord will bless them both as they meet new friends here.
A story of Love
Whilst I was employed at Totectors I made friends with a lady called Margaret Shipway, who with her husband John moved on to Maidenhead being nearer his place of work at Heathrow Airport. In 1996 they decided to move to Norwich, looking forward to the garden which contained their beloved hobby of roses. Sadly on the second day of moving in, Margaret was taken poorly and from then on for the next 2 years spent most of the time in Addenbrooks suffering from a brain haemorrhage. The expertise of the consultants and nursing staff enabled Margaret to go home, although this gave John a cause for concern as she was to need 24 hr care! Again with the love of carers, and an occasional respite care - which Margaret disliked immensely - they managed to get through this last 2 years. Each time that I telephoned John would tell me that "She is maybe just a fraction better" which would point to various aspects of her health and the traumas it brought daily. Imagine my surprise when my daughter telephoned me in the 'fete week' telling me to watch television’s 'Look East' as she thought the name Shipway was that of my friends. I sat glued to the lunchtime news as I saw John and Margaret, in their garden along with other people being interviewed, in particular Margaret's consultant Mr Laing. John had been at work in the garden, cultivating and producing a 'new rose' dedicated to the consultant who had worked so hard with Margaret. The consultant said that he was not good-looking enough to have a rose named after him, but could it be named after his wife "Anne Marie Laing" - and so a new rose was born!!
Beales nurseries are producing the rose bush and £2 of each purchase will go towards Addenbrookes Hospital which is really an excellent hospital and well worthy of this.
Apparently the actual launch is at Hampton Court International Flower Show in July, again to be covered by ‘Look East’. Details will appear in the magazine later should anyone wish to purchase a rose.
This story touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I hope it touches you too!
Faith, Hope and Love. The greatest is love!
Anne Turner
Graham and Daphne Cansdale
, a personal appreciation.Graham and Daphne joined ‘All Saints’ at about the same time as we did, we from Christ Church in Bedford, they from the Parish Church in Clapham. We were all drawn to the lively, spiritual, supportive community and despite the changes over the years, we have continued to view the church in the same way.
Graham and Daphne had struggled with his depression, but coming to All Saints and gaining a post as an assistant chaplain at Bedford School helped in some way to see them through the difficult times. Daphne poured herself into study and the preparation of courses for various places offering further education.
At school Graham quickly became a character accepted and expected everywhere. He had the ability to ‘happen’ to talk to a member of staff with a problem, or a boy who was struggling. He constantly had time for people, yet certainly taught me to stand up for what is right even when being quiet was the easier option. His assemblies were memorable – few will forget him ‘talking to the stars’, or dressing up as Moses, or the ear wax!
After retiring from Bedford School Graham quickly found himself in a position where he was reaching out to boys who were very much less privileged - boys who had been excluded from school and needed home tuition. He had both the patience and concern as well as the expertise to seek the best in them and for them.
In the Church, Graham from the pulpit and Daphne in Meeting Point and both of them in the regular fellowship meetings constantly and gently shared their wealth of knowledge and, more importantly, themselves –their hopes and fears, their delights and disasters. Again, when anybody was in need of support they would naturally pray, with faith and fervour. So it was only to be expected that they were central to the Healing Group in the Parish and the wider Deanery. For those of us who walked some of the way with Graham it was especially thrilling to see the way God touched – and went on touching him- to free him from the cloud of depression.
Whether with mitts and a torch to see by as we sang carols accompanied by his squeeze box down the lane, or on the electric guitar in the Worship Group, or his violin in the ‘orchestra’, Graham’s contribution to the music and worship was central. Daphne may not have joined in the playing, but she led by example as she continued her work with BCMS and with BASCST (Bedford Area Schools Christian Support Trust).
Because of their wide experience in ministry, in Africa and in this country, they were able to open our eyes so that rather than being taken up with our own problems, we might be aware of the fuller picture. Through them we met the Ochanas from Kenya. Graham also went to Romania on one of the early trips – as well as to India and latterly back to South and East Africa. Each time his boyish enthusiasm transported his experiences back for us to share.
Theirs is a home that is open to friends and questioners; to those who have any need. Their home reflects their hearts that have been hurt, healed and graciously enabled to walk daily with their God so that each who might come in contact with them may experience something of God’s Grace through them.
Graham and Daphne, thank you for sharing this section of your lives with us. Have the kettle on, we’re on our way!
Phil Lewis
Acorn Christian Library
A Suggestion for Holiday Listening
Most of the regular congregation at Odell will know that the sermons are usually tape recorded, so that those who miss a service, perhaps through illness or holiday, can still listen to them. But just as a good book is worth reading more than once, so a good sermon is worth hearing more than once. The tapes are available from the Library.
This note is being written on the evening of Trinity Sunday, when David gave what to this listener was a wonderful address on the Holy Trinity. The subject, of course, is profound and mysterious, but while admitting this, David showed that there is much about it that we can and should understand. I have probably not heard many sermons on the Trinity, but this must surely be the best. It was clear, instructive, encouraging and inspiring, and more so since I have listened to it again twice on tape.
We all recognise that one of David's special gifts is in expounding the
Scriptures. Perhaps at times his sermons may seem a little difficult to
follow, but truly speaking, they are precious pearls we should do our utmost to value and understand. This will help us to avoid becoming like the wayside in the parable of the sower, where the birds took away the seed as soon as it had fallen!
Choices
One weary path to tread,
Short time living, long time dead.
Two paths at every turn,
Reasoned judgements, lessons learned.
Each with a choice to make;
Well planned outcomes, quirks of fate.
One man’s rise, another’s demise,
Choices made with open eyes.
Fictions, factors, lies instead,
Grasping, twisting, hanging threads,
Running, scurrying, lost and found;
Missing people walking round.
A sigh, a cry, a passer – by,
An alibi to justify,
History changed at speedy rate,
One man’s choice, another’s fate.
Hearts beat in time with time,
God gave this life of mine -
One life to call my own
To share with others, be alone,
One weary path to tread;
Short time living, long time dead.
Joey Joe McGuire,
Harrold ’95.
Printed with the kind permission of the author, Joey Joe McGuire.
Pentecost Sunday. June 11th
Services and BBQ Lunch with Churches together.
Perhaps more people that ever before in England celebrated Pentecost outdoors in June 2000 when millions joined in special events in many different venues. Though not matching the 40,000 for the two day event at the Buckinghamshire Show Ground or the 15,000 in Abington Park, Northampton, the 150 who gathered in the Harrold and Odell Country Park on 11th June felt part of the national festivities marking the ‘birthday of the church’ in the millennium year of Jesus Christ.
The occasion was blessed with perfect weather, and the setting beside the lake reflected the beauty of God’s creation. Sitting outside a large marquee, emblazoned by cardboard flames rotating in the breeze, worship was led by a music group from the four participating congregations – the parish churches of Carlton, Harrold and Odell, and the URC Chapel, Harrold – with a blend of modern and traditional songs. Liz Dodwell and Alan Harpham spoke of their different journeys in faith, and Roger Fawcett, Christian Youth Worker based in Riseley, reflected powerfully on Who the Holy Spirit is, and what the Holy Spirit does.
After the service a picnic lunch and barbecue was served to everyone, and several families enjoying the delights of the Country Park joined in the games and good fun which followed. The meal was free; £175 was raised for CaFOD, Christian Aid and Tearfund.
We hope it will not be another thousand years before the churches do it again.
Revd Roger & Mrs Marie Whitehead
Birthdays
Birthday Greetings to:
Jonathan Sykes who will be 10 on 15th August and
Henry Allen who will be 12 on 30th August
And to everyone else who has a birthday in July or August!
Odell Fete – The Success Story
June 10th dawned, as I promised it would in last month’s magazine, with brilliant summer sunshine. The weather could not have been better, a lovely sunny day with a cooling breeze – ideal Fete weather. A couple of weeks beforehand the field had been underwater as our nearly resident groundsman Richard Fowler found out one evening when he went down there to mow it. The river also caused problems for our boat ride crew as the levels changed so much over the previous weeks it was impossible to know at what height to build the landing stage. However the field dried out beautifully and looked wonderful ,a perfect setting. Very many thanks to Mandy for letting us use it and for all her hard work to bring it up to Fete standard.
Odell attracted the crowds ! Numbers attending were well up as the results from the side shows and raffles testify - over £1,300. My Fete
profit records go back to 1989 and this year tops the previous best result in that section by £500. The draft profit for the whole Fete looks to be in the region of £2,300 which compared to 1999 (£2,025) may seem a little disappointing but last year the cold grey skies and rain attracted the sympathy vote and donations in 1999 amounted to an amazing £373 plus a £75 grant.However, as we all know money is not everything and I think we all derived a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction from working together as a community as well as raising funds to help preserve Odell’s finest landmark.
If anyone is interested in joining the Fete Committee and has May and June free next year (only joking) we are always pleased to welcome new members. Please contact the Rector (720234). Pictures on http://www.kbnet.co.uk/odell/fete2.htm
Helen Chapman, Treasurer
July Diary
1st 7.30pm Brain Tumour Society Charity Supper, Watermead, Harrold.
4th 10.30am Meeting Point, Mary Rogers’, 2 Hall Close, Sharnbrook.
7th 7.30pm Bedford Brass, Hill House Barn, Carlton.
11th 2.30pm Tea & Talk at Doris Bannard-Smith’s, Goodly Heritage, The Bury, Pavenham.
11th 7.00pm W.I. Barbecue at Kathy Dunn’s.
14th & 7.30pm Beds. County Youth Chamber Orchestra, Hill
15th House Barn Carlton.
16th T.B.A. Family Barbecue and Treasure Hunt, end of Horsefair Lane or Village Hall.
21st 7.30pm Skampa Quartet, Hill House Barn, Carlton.
26th 7.30pm Morris Men perform on the Village Green.
28th 7.30pm Hanover Band, Hill House Barn, Carlton.
August Diary
5th T.B.A. Village celebrates Queen Mother’s 100th Birthday. Details to be posted in village.
September Diary
1st 7.00pm John Zaradin at the Mill Restaurant and Theatre,
Sharnbrook
3rd 11.00am Exemption Dog Show, Grounds of Sharnbrook Mill Theatre.
Magazine Deadline
Please send all entries for the September magazine to Tricia Hudson (triciahudson@kbnet.co.uk), Anne Turner or Catherine Corkery by August 12th at the latest. If you have any ideas for articles or items of church or village interest, we’d be happy to hear from you.
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.
Gift Aid – New Rules Can Benefit Our Church
Many people will know that the Church and other charities have in the past been able to benefit by getting tax repayments on money paid under Deeds of Covenant and on single payments of a minimum of £250 under Gift Aid. This year's Budget has made great changes and now a tax repayment can be claimed on any payment, however small, provided the person who made it can be identified, has paid at least the relevant amount of tax, and has said they want the payment treated under Gift Aid.
If you do not already take part in the existing envelope scheme, please help us to get as much tax repaid as possible by putting any money you give to the Church, in collections at services or in any other way, in an envelope with your name on it. This also applies to one-off donations, and our Treasurer, Helen Chapman, is arranging to put suitable envelopes in the Church with the necessary details printed on them.
If you have any queries about this, please contact Helen Chapman on 01234 720131. Please help if you can. Payments made under the new scheme can be worth 28% more with the tax repayment!
Electronic mail address