Church Magazine "IN TOUCH"
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E-In-Touch
January/February 2012
The Methodist Church Witney
Hard copies of the magazine will be available soon New Beginnings: This year will be another tough one according to our Prime Minister and local MP. Thousands of people face possible redundancy, as the Government cuts really begin to kick in. The huge uncertainty looms large. The loss of income, place, and belonging leaves people uncertain and shaken. An entrepreneur who lost his business and home said that the most difficult aspect was not knowing where ‘rock bottom’ would be – how much more was there still to lose? Change is never easy, particularly when it is not due to our own choice, but something that is decided for us. We would love all that is good to last…and last…and last. And yet, we know that to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. It includes a time to pluck up what is planted and a time to lose (Ecclesiastes 3). The author of this book does not only sketch a seasonal perspective, but also paints the bigger picture that overarches every season. God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men. Yet, they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. And that’s it. We don’t always understand. We cannot always see the end. At times we can’t even see the new beginning. But like winter is followed by spring, a new season will come. The rhythm of life will continue. In the bleaker winter of life, we remember that the seeds are already lying dormant, waiting to sprout in spring. In the moment of crisis, directions may become unclear and may even be contradictory. It is quite an art to live wisely and recognise new beginnings. For what is new won’t usually be announced by the appearance of angels and bright stars in the sky. Life is more subtle than that. There are journeys we have begun that have brought us greater riches and refinement; but we had to travel through dark valleys of difficulty and suffering, writes John O‘Donohue in Benedictus. Beginnings are new horizons that want to be seen; they are not regressions or repetitions. This year, 2012, will include thresholds of change we had not anticipated, opportune times within life’s chronology. It requires minds that are open to new frontiers and courage to shape new landscapes. It needs the perceptive to recognise the new things that God is doing. And it presumes time to watch, listen and learn (Isaiah 43:19, 50:4). ‘In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.’ (Eric Hoffer). May we be sensitive in the year ahead to the earth’s new shoots and heaven’s whispers. As Martin Luther King said, ‘We may not know what the future holds, but we do know who holds the future. May our God who has made everything beautiful in its time and who set eternity in our hearts, give us courage and an inquisitive mind for the new year.’ Peace and love, Richard Personal News and Prayer Concerns
Newland We are continuing in prayer for our elderly Christians and those poorly among us, including Myrtle, Peggy, Gwyneth and Joyce. Dave prayed for the people of Thailand with the flooding, a Buddhist country, but many Christians there, overshadowed by the economic crisis. Pip, from the Congregational Church, was telling us regarding Christian Aid. Someone who knows the language, together with a skilled worker, takes the money out to the country for something specific that should be done – the work is never ending. Witney collected £10,000 last year. A speaker from Oasis Church brought us his message about Jesus turning out the money changers from the Temple, who were selling animals for sacrifice. Jesus would be thinking that he himself would be taking over the final sacrifice for God. A new era coming in for the world. Jane and Geraldine, back from Calcutta’s street children, say there are pavement homes with bags of a few clothes, although plenty of wealth around. Could we pray for the Indian Government to make a tax that would distribute finance. We have just sent a cheque. A young family man from Sheffield, Jeff Hill, now at St Mary’s Church, heads up Street Pastors. There are 14 going out in turns once a month. They could really do with 16. Hats and coats are marked ‘Street Pastor’ on the front and back. They carry no money. God Bless everybody – favour from God – throughout Christmas and 2012. Joyce Latimer Davenport Road As we reflect back on the past couple of months, filled with activity and great Christmas worship services it’s rewarding to see and hear how family and friends feel blessed by our friendship and fellowship at Davenport Road. To see the joyous candlelit nativity service on 18 December and raise our voices to some wonderful carols as we unpacked the Christmas story was a rare treat. And then to share in a family Communion on Christmas Eve with Peter Goodhall was so special. As our leaflet this year said – ‘It’s still wise to follow Jesus.’ We do thank the many people who helped prepare, took part and contributed in so many ways to our Davenport Road Christmas. With the new year, we anticipate carrying out the next stage of our refurbishment project, namely entirely new lighting in our worship area. Work starts on this in early January so watch out for improved and stylish lights on your future visits. Judith Bucknall
We congratulate Tom Reeves on his 80th birthday which he celebrated on Christmas Day. Tom has made steady progress after his stroke and has been well enough to come to evening worship. We pray for his continued recovery. Sadly as the last In-Touch went to print two of our members passed on. Geoff Hamilton died on 26 October and Ron Wilson died on 30 October. We continue to pray for Audrey and family and Ron’s family, we pray that they will know Gods’ love and peace with them. We also remember Bev, Carenza and Lois Glithero in our prayers. Several of our members have had operations through November and December, so we pray that they will all have a steady recovery back to good health, they are: Mary Witt, Ken Pratley, Tony Clark, Norman Britton and Robert Ayers. Elma Heynes and Janet Wyatt both had falls on the ice the week before Christmas. We continue to remember Gill Clack and Rosemary Clark as they have on going treatment. We think of Sarah Bailey, Jill and Alan. We remember those with ongoing health problems and family concerns: Alan Clack, June Pratley, Frances Witt, Wendy and Laurence Dixey, Linda Souch, Graham Carvey, Eileen and Peter Walker, Ray Brooks, Aubrey Cummings, Marie-France Bishop, John Williams, Barbara and Ted Barrett, Yvonne Godfrey. We think of Phyllis Smiths’ sister Joyce as she has moved into Chervil Cottage, we pray that she will settle there. We also remember Phyllis. Not forgetting those who unable to get to church now: Ruth Ealey in Freeland Nursing Home; Connie Shearwood in Cedar Court and Joan Beale in her own home. We pray for all of these that they will know the peace and presence of God and his loving arms holding them close. Dorothy Brooks
High Street Christmas festivities began with the Methodist and Anglican Bazaar on 3 December which raised over £2,300 for Base 33, USPG (United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel) and Methodist World Mission. It is a wonderful opportunity for members of both congregations to work together and enjoy each other’s company. The next day was our annual Gift Service for PACT. The Christingle tea party took place on the same afternoon as the tea for our elderly friends and they all joined together for the delightful Christingle service led by Brenda Woods which was well-attended. The Junior Church did very well and imaginatively with their nativity service on 18 December which was followed in the evening by the carol service; traditional lessons and carols augmented by a larger than usual orchestra and singing group. The Crib Service on Christmas Eve was again organised by Brenda Woods with an almost full church and no shortage of willing participants in the nativity story especially from very tiny people who obviously enjoyed taking part. Christmas morning the church was full again and it was lovely to see visiting family members as well as friends who do not attend regularly through the year.
Congratulations to Ian Harley and Sharon Hester on their recent engagement. It was a joy to see John and Audrey Curnow in church on Sunday 11 December. Audrey is recovering from major surgery but was looking remarkably well despite this.
Joyce Gilyead reports that Janet Faulkner has been awarded the Post Graduate Certificate in Speech Learning Difficulties and is now a member of the British Dyslexic Association so congratulations are due for this achievement.
We pray for Gertie Baston recovering from knee surgery, Pam Samuels now home with carers assisting several times a day, Tony Perry awaiting hip replacement surgery, also Carmen Sherwood, Nancy Crewe, Joan Croxford, Margaret Dewar, Alun Evans, Ruth Hems, Les Holly, Bill Hickman, Joy Taylor and Steve Williams, all of whom are coping with various health difficulties. We pray for them all that they will make good progress and soon enjoy better health.
We were shocked and saddened by the unexpected death at home of Ron Glithero (aged 85) on 30 October as he was preparing to go out to lead worship at Bampton. Ron was a prominent and well respected member of High Street Church and the Witney and Faringdon Circuit for many years. He was a Local Preacher, held many Circuit and High Street offices including Lay Minister in the Hanborough Section for five years. For a number of years he was Local Preachers’ tutor and was much involved at High Street including being church treasurer. Ron was born in Canada, then came to England and attended Kettering Grammar School and Westminster College. In 1964 he came to Oxford and was Head of the Religious Studies Department at Westminster College of Education after it relocated to Oxford. We continue to pray for Muriel, Bev, Alison, Philip and their families in their bereavement.
On 17 December we were very sad to learn of the death of Maisie Slade (aged 87) a member at High Street for most of her life although she was born and brought up in Enstone and started her working life in Chipping Norton before coming to Witney and marrying her late husband, George. She worked for over 20 years as a secretary at Henry Box School. Maisie was very involved in the life of our church and a regular member of Women’s Fellowship. We pray for Rosemary, her only child, and grandchildren Thomas and Claire in their bereavement.
We also remember in our prayers Myrtle Peachey whose husband, Ralph, died suddenly in November and their only daughter Cheryl. We also remember Sandra Robinson whose mother died in October. We trust that they are all aware of the warmth and love in our prayers.
We continue to remember our housebound friends in our prayers: Amy Mills in Madley Park House, Beryl Kennedy in Newland House, Mollie Morrow in Rose Bank, Bampton, Peter Wilson in Middletown Grange, Christine Bourke and Pino Wickson in Mill House Nursing Home, Sharon Cockwell and Dennis Samuels in Merryfield House, Muriel Graham in Cedar Court, Peggy Carter in Freeland House, also Elsie Cobb, Gwyneth Delahaye, Tony Sherwood, Myrtle Peachey, Anne Payne and Audrey Harris in their own homes. We trust that they are aware of the love and concern in our prayers and the comfort and peace of God with them day by day. Anne Crawford
We were saddened to learn that Bert Edmunds died just before Christmas. Our thoughts and prayers are with all his family, but particularly Robin, who is known to many of us. May they all be aware of God’s love for them at this time and able to rejoice in the certainty that Bert is now with God in a way more real than we can comprehend in this life. There will be more about Bert’s life and service in the next issue of In-Touch. However, in the meantime, I have included two articles elsewhere in this issue that Bert wrote for In-Touch – to give a flavour of the man we knew. RL
The way we were Margaret Brown passed on to me a High Street church notice sheet for November 1994 before the church development took place. Here are some extracts from it:
Sunday 13 November 10am Remembrance service led by Rev John Curnow and 6pm evening worship by Mr Ron Glithero and 8pm Young Persons’ Fellowship. Sunday 20 November 10.30am worship led by Rev John Curnow and 6pm by Rev Stainer-Smith The church stewards were Brenda Roberts and Gill Sarbutts. The organists were Keith Crawford am and Joyce Yendole pm Crèche supervisors were: Sue Harrison, Debbie Lock and Jenny Shrimpton Notice sheet editor was Joan Coulter. The Church Bookstall was about to close as St Andrew’s Bookshop had just opened and by January there would be limited space for it as building work was due to start. Development Fund birdhouses were on sale, made by Derrick King. IBRA Bible reading notes could be ordered from Maisie Slade. High Street bone china mugs, thimbles, plates, etc could be purchased from Anne and Keith Crawford or Caroline Bloomfield. Anne Crawford
Meeting for Prayer at High Street
Every Thursday 9.30-10.15am
Come to this quiet oasis of calm to reflect on the needs of others, our church fellowship and concerns worldwide.
Ron Glithero
Ron’s sudden death on Sunday 30 October was a profound shock to all his many friends in the church and circuit. He was preparing to go out to his preaching appointment at Bampton when he collapsed, and a short time afterwards, died. Since 1964 he has been a central personality at High Street, in the Circuit and, indeed, in the Northampton District. The most common word that has been used about Ron is ‘irreplaceable’. He came to Oxfordshire to take up the appointment of Tutor in Divinity, at Westminster College, Oxford but that wasn’t my first meeting with Ron. We first met in 1948 when he was doing a post graduate certificate in education. I was a lowly ‘fresher’ at the college whilst he was an important Secretary of The Student’s Union. I never dreamt then that he would become a life-long friend and someone who would be such a great influence in my church life. In 1951 he married Muriel and took a second degree, a BD, becoming a Specialist Teacher in Religious Education. After an illustrious college career he ‘retired’ from academic life in 1982. With more time to devote to his church life he served for several years as Lay Minister in the Long Hanborough Section and was also the training tutor for Local Preachers in Training. He also led a housegroup for High Street. With such powerful service in our church, it seemed fitting to ask a member of his housegroup to write an appreciation from that area and Alex Groat has done that below .Similarly, I approached one of our Local Preachers whom he tutored to write of his special experience and gifts in that important role. Stella Bristow, who is not only a much loved preacher in the circuit but went on to be Vice President of the Methodist Conference, and is now our Senior Circuit Steward, has written that tribute below. Everybody recognises Ron’s extraordinary knowledge of the Bible and his teaching skills but few people are aware of his evangelistic activities as a young man; speaking at outdoor meetings and involved in evangelistic campaigns with such national figures as Donald Soper. Not so many years ago Ron was on the organising committee of ‘Christ and the Cosmos’, a yearly conference held in Oxford which gathered together internationally renowned scientists and theologians to explore our understanding of God in a modern scientific and technological world. Ron and Muriel came from a generation of Methodists who were firmly circuit minded. They were both to be seen at any circuit event and, inevitably, he served as circuit steward, ably supported by Muriel. Clearly he was a remarkable man with a great depth of Christian experience. We must count it a privilege to have had him in our community. Ken Mumford
In 1984 when Graham Faulkner and I began our Local Preachers’ training Ron Glithero was appointed as the Circuit Tutor, and I remember the first thing I said to him was, ‘I think I should tell you that I have never passed an exam, so I don’t expect to pass the Local Preachers ones’. To which Ron replied, with a smile, ‘Oh you won’t have any problem, we will work together.’ His assurance gave me the confidence I needed. Failure was never an option in his mind. Ron had an amazing wealth of biblical knowledge, which was generously and humbly shared. He gave us a thirst for knowledge and a passion for our task. No meeting was ever boring with Ron. Always encouraging, and kind, he was never patronising, and he never got cross, always finding a gentle way of saying that the essay or test had not been up to scratch. Nothing was too much trouble to explain, or give practical help with. He had infinite patience, and a great sense of humour. I can remember that there was a lot of laughter during our studies. He was a brilliant teacher, and I doubt that without Ron, and other Local Preachers (who shall be nameless here) giving me support and encouragement I would have gone on to do some of the roles that the Church has given me. Ron’s name was known throughout the Connexion, and he was always spoken of with great affection. I doubt many will know of the many tasks he undertook on behalf of Methodism in the wider context. He was much admired for his scholarship and wisdom. If you said you came from the Witney and Faringdon Circuit, people would ask, ‘And how is Ron Glithero?’ So many people have cause to be grateful to Ron, not only for all he did as a teacher, but for his and Muriel’s friendship. We will miss him so much, but with great joy give thanks that we knew him. Stella Bristow
My first acquaintance with Ron was relatively recent since I only came to live in Witney in 2003 and joined High Street Methodist church towards the end of that year, having previously been a member of a United Reformed Church. Ron and Muriel were kind enough to invite us to their housegroup and their then home in Davenport Road. The group was quite large – about a dozen or so – but there were always enough chairs and a warm welcome for all. We soon realised that Ron was an excellent housegroup leader with wide theological knowledge, but he wore that knowledge with modesty and welcomed contributions from group members. We often digressed from the set topic but Ron guided us back with gentle good humour. As non-Methodists we learnt much about the practice and history of Methodism and Ron was always interested in making comparisons with the tradition we came from, sometimes making humorous reference to our Presbyterian roots. Each evening ended with social chit-chat over refreshments generously provided by Muriel – her shortbread biscuits are legendary. Through this we made good friends and learnt a lot about the history of Witney and of High Street – not least who was related to whom – very useful for an incomer. Ron was always willing to experiment and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of hymns. He introduced evening café services - a service preceded by a delicious tea laid on by Muriel in the crush hall. He also led a ‘Songs of Praise’, service encouraging housegroup members to explain why certain hymns meant so much to them. I recall taking part in a service based on the Jewish Passover for which he and Muriel provided the script and the props. When it came to the Bible lands, Ron and Muriel had travelled widely and were able to give us firsthand information about places we only knew by name. There were housegroup outings too – Christmas lunches, barbecues at the home of two members – ill-fated weatherwise, but we had a great time in their capacious garage. Venturing further afield into Gloucestershire, several of us went on a number of occasions to Hatherop School to watch open air Shakespeare performances. Ron obtained the tickets and got us organised. We also had a lunch out to mark Ron’s amazing 60 years of local preaching – he had, of course, also trained many local preachers. He did not retire after those 60 years and was to preach at Bampton on the day he died. Over the years Ron and Muriel both suffered periods of quite serious ill health, but the housegroup continued if at all possible. Only rarely did they request it to be held at another venue and even when they moved, they were soon up and running again. Their courage was a wonderful example to all and their warm hospitality much appreciated. It so happened that for the year 2003-4 Ron was President of the Langel Probus I had joined and I well remember getting a phone call from him on the eve of the AGM asking if I would agree to be Entertainments Officer elect, brushing aside my protests that, being so new to Witney, I would find it difficult to do a good job. Ron had been such a kind and good friend, how could I refuse? It was, in fact, to prove another very enjoyable way of learning about the community of which I was now part. Ron’s passing leaves very many memories for many people, but for me I shall remember a very learned, but above all a very kind and generous man, supported, of course, and sustained in all his wide Christian service by Muriel. The snowdrops which now come up each year in our front garden are a living reminder of our early friendship when Muriel kindly gave us some of her plants from the Davenport Road garden and all the housegroup were treated to fruit in the summer. Alex Groat
Third Thursday Holy Communion High Street 10.30 to 11am Do join in this short act of worship with Holy Communion. Take time out mid-week to join in hymns, prayers and a short ‘Thought for the day’ from Richard. Also an opportunity to worship if you have to miss on Sunday.
The theme for HMD 2012 asks us all to Speak Up, Speak Out to create a safer, better future. It asks us to think about the rights, responsibility and duty we all have to speak up when we see or hear something which we believe to be wrong. It challenges us to learn about what happens when we don’t speak out and what can happen when we do use our voice.
Everyone should have a fundamental Human Right to freedom of speech. Each of us has a voice and has the choice to use it. The choices we make in the words and language we use every day contribute to creating a safe and fair society. The right to speak up may seem an uncomplicated concept, but the untold stories of the past have shown us that voices have been taken away, and are ignored or still silenced today. Under the Nazi regime of hatred (1933 – 1945), the voices of so many were taken away. During the Holocaust Jewish men, women and children were stripped of their right to speak up, to have their own home, to work, to own a radio, attend school and keep their own name, among other restrictions placed on them. Many other groups and individuals were persecuted by the Nazis. Trade Unions were disbanded removing the voice of workers, Gypsies were rounded up and sent to concentration camps, and those who spoke out against the regime were often imprisoned or murdered. During the genocide in Cambodia, ownership of a radio was made illegal. Time and again, in genocides in Rwanda, Armenia, Bosnia and in Darfur, people have had their voices taken away, others have not spoken up and lives have been changed beyond recognition. Whilst these atrocities have taken place, many have stood idly by and did not speak out against persecution and discrimination. None of us know what we would do if we were faced with a life threatening decision, but we can hope that we will do what is right. Today, we can choose not to be a bystander. We can use the inspiration of those who have spoken up to help others in the past as our motivation to speak out today. We can all learn to use our voices to protect the Human Rights of all. Today, we have a remarkable opportunity to Speak Up, Speak Out in many different ways. As well as telling others our opinion, we can start social media campaigns; we can record our views on film and audio and upload these to websites and blogs. We can write to those in power, expressing our opinion and we can organise or join demonstrations and protests to support what we believe in. We can choose to speak up through the language we use – we can make the choice to use our voices for prevention, not persecution. In playgrounds, many are using the words ‘gay’ and ‘Jew’ as a derogatory term of offence – we can all choose to challenge those who do this within our hearing. We can urge those who have been attacked or abused on our streets to report what has happened to them. Deciding to speak up is not always an easy decision. In a minority of cases, those who have spoken up have suffered retribution. David Kato, a gay rights activist in Uganda chose to speak out and successfully sued a Ugandan newspaper in 2010 after they printed a photograph of him and other gay men under the headline ‘Hang them’. A few weeks after this ruling, David was murdered. However, we live in a society where we are able to celebrate the diversity within our communities and encourage change, free from the dangers of state-sponsored hatred. Here in the UK, we see people choosing to speak out and make a difference in our schools and neighbourhoods. There are voices from the past and present which can inspire our choices: the Rosenstraβe protests of 1943 when the German wives of 1,600 Jewish men who had been held in Rose Street in Berlin spoke up and secured their release. The story of Dr Ludwig Guttmann, the founder of the Paralympics, was a Jewish doctor who fled Germany in 1939 to seek refuge in England. His work with disabled people led him to establish the Paralympics. He spoke up for the rights of disabled people to be given the same opportunities in the sporting arena as other athletes. British Diplomat, Mukesh Kapila who was head of the UN in Sudan witnessed the start of the genocide in Darfur in April 2004 and alerted the international media even though it cost him his career. Holocaust survivor, Iby Knill was imprisoned as a political prisoner in Hungary and was later deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. She made a promise to a dying girl to tell her story. Today, she speaks to hundreds of people each year so that the crimes of the past are never again repeated. It is not only individuals who choose and work to Speak Up, Speak Out. The works of many charitable organisations give voices to the voiceless. Survivors Fund works to ensure that the memory of the 1994 genocide is not forgotten and to create a safer future for Rwandans. Aegis Trust campaigns against genocide, and has used its knowledge to bring a change to laws in the UK which enables those who have committed genocide and live here now, to be brought to justice. The Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association, based in the North East of England is working to encourage young people to listen to the voices of Holocaust survivors. Most Mira work in the Prijedor region of Bosnia to bring together young people who are still affected by the Bosnian war of 1992-1995. Mencap run a Get My Vote campaign which seeks to have the voices and needs of those with learning disabilities heard and met in politics and elections. The British Youth Council works with young people in the UK ensuring that their voices and hopes are heard and acted upon. Discrimination and exclusion are still rife in our communities, we hear of stories of atrocity across the world, yet some remain bystanders. We can learn the lessons of the past to create a safer, better future. On HMD2012 we must come together to Speak Up, Speak Out. www.hmd.org.uk
First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist. This poem is Then they came for the trade unionists the inspiration And I did not speak out for HMD2012 Because I was not a trade unionist. Speak Up, Then they came for the Jews Speak Out And I did not speak out Campaign. Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me And there was no one left To speak out for me. Pastor Martin Niemoller 1946
Leading worship and preaching: Training in 2012 There are two training courses approved by the Methodist Church for lay people interested in finding out more about preaching and leading worship, and potentially taking on either of these two forms of servant ministry: 1) Faith and Worship – the course for those interested in becoming Methodist Local Preachers (those who are planned around this circuit to lead worship and preach) 2) Worship Leaders’ Training Course – the course for those interested in becoming Methodist Worship Leaders (those who help to lead worship in their own fellowship in consultation with the planned preacher)
I am planning to support two of our circuit members through Faith and Worship starting in January/February 2012 and I extend an offer to anyone who may be interested to come and join us. Those wishing to become Local Preachers do need to be approved by the Worship Leaders’ and Local Preachers’ meeting, but it would be helpful to the group discussions to have interested observers, even if you have no initial intention to go on to become a Local Preacher. I would also like to facilitate a Worship Leaders’ Training Course in early 2012 and have one interested member from the circuit so far but would love to have more people involved. Attendance is free. The course material for Faith and Worship is available from Methodist Publishing House and is provided free of charge for those approved by the Worship Leaders’ and Local Preachers’ meeting. I hope the training will be fun as well as challenging and I offer you and anyone you think could be interested, this opportunity to jump on board. Please contact me if you would like any further information. Andrew Maisey Letters from Newland - Revisited
The late Harold Wilson used to tell the story that when he was a little lad about ten years old, his parents took him from his home town of Huddersfield on his first trip to London to see the sights. After visits to Madame Tussaud’s, the Houses of Parliament and all the other traditional sights of the capital, he was then taken for a stroll down Downing Street, to have a look at the Prime Minister’s residence at Number 10. Neither Harold Wilson nor his closest relatives could have foreseen that he himself would one day become resident there in the years to come. When Mary, the mother of Jesus, came to Bethlehem, for Caesar’s census, and there gave birth to her son in the stable of an inn, very few could have forecast that this tiny mite would grow up to be recognised as God’s only Son, the Light of the World. If the young Harold Wilson had said to his Dad that one day he would become Prime Minister and therefore live in Number 10, his father would probably have laughed indulgently at the young lad’s fanciful notion. No doubt, if Joseph had crossed the farmyard and went into the inn and said to those whooping it up or drowning their sorrows that his newborn son would be their Saviour, they would have laughed and proclaimed him quite mad. Only Mary, a few poor shepherds and some wise men from the East and, later, Simeon in the temple, were given an inkling as to what the young babe was to become. How privileged we are to know Jesus in all his glory, to look back through history and witness the tiny spark of two thousand years ago blaze into the glorious light that has transformed our world. Bert Edmunds, Jan/Feb 1999
I wonder as we look back over our lifetime, if we really believe that our formative years were the happiest days of our life. If I were truthful I would have to admit that school days were not the brightest stars in my recollection. Canings, impositions such as lines, being kept in during games periods, seemed to be my lot in those early years. Despite all this I managed to claw my way into the top form, but how I managed it, I’ll never know. My six years in the army didn’t endear me to His Majesty’s forces either, like leaving school, I was also glad when the war ended and I was demobbed. Like some of the lads used to say, ‘When I get out of this lot, I won’t even join the Salvation Army.’ Which was rather a pity, as I’m sure the Salvation Army would have done us a great deal more good that HMF did! I suppose the beginning of a year tends to make one look back with a bit of nostalgia and, though I cannot say with my hand on my heart that I really honoured God as much as I should have done, I do see now how God took care of me at the cross-roads that we all come to in life, and pointed me in the right direction. In other words, God’s grace was given to me, even when I did not deserve it. Happy New Year! Bert Edmunds, Jan/Feb 1998 The Other Wise Man Artaban was a Median from Persia, a member of the ancient priesthood of the Magi, an astrologer and a physician. He, too, saw a new star rising and set out to follow it. He arranged to meet up with Melchior, Balthasar and Caspar in Babylon and travel with them. He also wanted to take a gift and chose three jewels, a sapphire, a ruby and a pearl, as eminently suitable. Thus equipped he set off for Babylon. However, outside the city he passed a sick man lying beneath a palm tree. Despite his appointment, Artaban would not leave until he was sure that the man would be all right. The man, a Jew, learnt of his doctor’s quest, and, knowing about the prophets advised Artaban to travel to Bethlehem, not Jerusalem. So, Artaban was late getting to Babylon and found that the camel train serving the other Magi had left. He needed a fresh mount and provisions for which he had to sell his sapphire. The desert journey was long, lonely and bitter, but at last he arrived in Bethlehem. He found the streets deserted and the atmosphere tense. He spoke to a young woman singing to her baby. She told him that the other Magi had been, proffered their gifts and had left. The small family had also gone. She didn’t know why, but there were rumours of terrible impending events. Artaban stayed for food but was interrupted by soldiers with drawn swords shouting at the door for all baby boys to be brought out. Tall and broad, Artaban blocked the doorway. He told the captain that he was alone and held out the ruby. The captain took the Artaban’s word…and his ruby. Artaban sought forgiveness for his lie, but the woman, hugging her baby, blessed him. Two gifts for the king gone, would one do? Would he ever find the king anyway? Artaban travelled to Egypt searching for the child. He found none to worship but many to help. He fed the hungry, clothed the naked, nursed the sick, comforted the captive. More than thirty years went by. Worn, weary, disappointed, ready to die, but still seeking the king, Artaban finally came to Jerusalem. It was Passover but the crowds were agitated. The air hung heavily and everyone seemed to be going to a public execution. Just beyond the Damascus Gate Artaban came upon soldiers dragging a young girl. She begged Artaban to save her. She was to be sold as a slave to pay her father’s debts. Artaban hesitated. To rescue this girl he would have to use the last of his gifts…he yielded up the precious pearl. At that moment, the sky became dark and the earth shook. The soldiers fled, the Magi and the girl fell to the ground. Artaban realised he was dying. He heard words of comfort and affirmation. Serenity spread through him. He was content. He had done his best. As she tended the dying man, the girl also heard the voice: ‘I tell you this, inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.’ Artaban then knew that he had at last found the King for whom he had been searching for so long and that his gifts had been given and accepted. From a tale by Henry van Dyke
Because he came into our world and story, because he heard our silence and our sorrow, because he filled the whole world with his glory, and came to light the darkness of our morrow, because his birth was in a darkened corner, because he lived proclaiming life and love, because he quickened hearts that had been dormant and lifted those whose lives had been downtrodden.
Because he drove the merchants from the temple, denouncing evil and hypocrisy, because he raised the little ones and women, and put down all the mighty from their seats, because he bore the cross for our wrongdoings, and understood our failings and our weakness, because he suffered from our condemnation, and then he died for every living creature.
Because of victory one morning early, when he defeated death and fear and sorrow, so nothing can hold back his mighty story nor his eternal kingdom tomorrow.
So we today have hope and expectation, so we today can struggle with conviction, so we today can trust we have a future, so we have hope in this our world of tears, so we today have hope and expectation, so we today can struggle with conviction, so we today can trust we have a future, so we have hope.
Federico J Pagura; Argentina and Homero Perera; Uruguay. By permission of Federico J Pagura and Len Lythgoe (English translation) Meditation for the New Year
Lord of the years, as we look back at year that has passed, we lift before you joyful recollections and tearful memories, daring to believe that you stood at our side through all of them. The past year has left some of us with scars and bruises. Heal us. The past year has granted some of us success and abundant blessings. Make us truly thankful.
For some of us the year has been long and difficult, the road a struggle, requiring an immense effort to keep trudging along on it. For others of us the year has been full of delight and adventure and has passed by in a whirl of busyness, the road has been easy and our feet have danced upon it.
Whatever our experience, you have been involved in our sadness and our contentment and for that we give thanks.
Lord of the New Year, you are moving us on…
But perhaps we don’t want to move on – we don’t want to leave those we love who have died even further behind in our human time; we are scared of growing older; we dread the pain and loss we know the year will bring.
Perhaps we can’t wait to move on – we know that we’re on a roll, we know that life is good and we feel that there is nothing to fear – but nevertheless we falter, because we are stepping into the unknown.
And so we respond, perhaps a little tentatively, a little fearfully, but with hope. Before us are a cradle and a cross and we remember that the journey from one to the other was travelled by you, that we might have life. Jesus, we do not want to travel this new year alone. Walk with us. Hold our hands. Carry us, if need be. For with you as our companion, we can tread even the rugged pathway rejoicing, because beyond the cross is life in all its fullness. Help us to step out with joy, hope and a sense of adventure.
Bless us with courage where the way is fraught with dreaded danger; Bless us with graceful meetings where the way is lonely; Bless us with good companions where the way demands a common cause; Bless us with night vision when we travel in the dark, Bless us with keen hearing to hear the reassuring sounds of fellow travellers. Bless us with humour - we cannot travel lightly weighed down with gravity; Bless us with humility to learn from those around us; Bless us with decisiveness where we must move with speed; Bless us with lazy moments to stretch, rest and savour; Bless us with love, given and received; Bless us with the knowledge of your presence, even when we cannot feel it.
Whatever our road is like this year, and none of us know whether it will be a broad swathe of lush grass where we walk with arms swinging and a light heart, or a winding, narrow, rocky track, where we stumble and fall; with you as our guide, we can be confident that ultimately we are all on the road to glory, peace and everlasting life. Adapted by RL ‘Promise of Spring’ with Voice Box High Street, Saturday 25 February, 7.30pm
Voice Box is Witney’s own choir, founded 10 years ago by its present conductor, Lesley Morris. It performs a number of concerts each year throughout Oxfordshire and beyond, mainly at the request of local charities to help them raise money. Some of its past concerts have had High Street Methodist Church as their venue, but the choir has not yet performed at the request of the church. This omission will be put right on Saturday 25 February at 7.30pm, when it is appearing here at the invitation of the Events Committee and in aid of the Old School Building Appeal. And what better theme for a concert at this time of year than the one chosen by the choir - ‘Promise of Spring’? As ever the choir will be accompanied by Keith Harris, who will also join Lesley in solo items such as the duo ‘Anything Goes’. Also starring as soloists will be twin sisters Rosemary and Margaret Munro, performing on Paraguayan harps, one of four different types of harp that have evolved in South America from the original Spanish harp of the 15th century. This is clearly an event not to be missed. Voice Box usually plays to a full house at its concerts at High Street so it would be advisable to secure your tickets in advance. They will be available (price £8, under-19 £4) from 30 January from the church coffee bar, St Andrew’s Bookshop, or by phoning 01993 702296. Do put this date in your diary now, and be sure to come – you will not be disappointed! Tom Jones
Friday 2 March
Friday 27 January 10-11.30am Witney Congregational Church Preparation study meeting to familiarise ourselves with the service prepared for us by the women of Malaysia on the theme of ‘Let Justice Prevail’. It will be led by Rev Judy Holloway. This is a very worthwhile meeting to get onto the wavelength of the service.
Friday 2 March 10.30am St Mary’s Parish Church on Church Green Speaker: Rev Sally Wright 7pm Witney Congregational Church This service will have the CD Rom
Make a note of these dates now. We look forward to seeing women, men and young people at all of these gatherings. Any queries ring 866546 or 705445. Thank you. Nancy Crewe
Fairtrade continues to grow which is good news in these times when costs are going up and incomes are coming down. Thank you for continuing to support Fairtrade. Every little helps and this year we are being encouraged to take new steps in our support for fairtrade. This can be from changing our usual tea to one of the excellent Fairtrade teas available to encouraging others to value and support Fairtrade at home, work or play. It is word of mouth encouragement that really makes people change habits of a lifetime. All this is good news to small banana, cotton, cocoa and coffee growers and many others, even individual gold miners panning for gold in some remote region. Fairtrade is not about making people rich but enabling people to have enough food and a home for their children with clothes, education and healthcare for them. It is about people having dignity and respect in life. Fairtrade will never solve the problems of our world but it will help many communities out of desperate poverty. Hopefully it will give traders, manufactures and retailers a conscience about what lowest prices can do to primary producers. Fairtrade Fortnight this year is from 27 February until 11 March. Our local big event is the Fairtrade Market in the Langdale Hall on the 10 March starting at 10.30am. Do put this date in your diary and come. Last year was a great success so let us make this year even better. We may have the presence of a Windward Islands banana farmer with us at that time as well. WAFTAG, the local Fairtrade group, had a stall at the switching-on of the town’s lights this year and we had our usual Fairtrade Stall at the Christmas Bazaar at High Street. It was well supported and we sold £260 of goods. We are grateful to our local Oxfam shop and manager for their support and we would recommend you to visit them when you are looking for Fairtrade or Fairly Traded goods not available in supermarkets. If you want to know more about Fairtrade begin by looking up the Fairtrade Foundation on the internet if you can, where you will learn all you need to know. Best wishes, Elgin Crewe
Alternative gifts for special occasions.
If you'd like to give an alternative present to celebrate a birthday or anniversary whilst providing desperately needed food to street children in India then please see Jane Heath or Geraldine Walker who have various donation cards which can be purchased from them. Thank you.
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up with an Amish carriage. Attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign. ‘Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.’ Gaining Access to Fag Ash Lill’s
Lillian had been born and raised in England but her parents had fled from Hungary after the uprising in 1956. Having the surname ‘Fakasz’ gave her problems at school with the teachers trying to spell her name in the classroom and the other children laughingly mispronouncing it in the playground. Later on, she was one of the first to be caught experimenting with cigarettes behind the bike shed. So it was no surprise that she acquired the nickname Fag Ash Lill. Leaving school, she had begun as a waitress and worked her way to become manager of a café. The sign above the door read ‘The T-Break’ but all the regular patrons simply called it ‘Fag Ash Lill’s’. It was not a high class establishment. Lillian kept it as clean as she could but it was a constant battle against the grime which seemed to creep in the door from the busy pavement outside. The tone of the place was set by a sign she had fixed above the till which read ‘Please do not ask for credit as a punch in the throat may cause offence’. Wise people didn’t argue with Lillian. Her boyfriend was not one of the wise. He liked everything about her except that she was rarely to be seen without a lit cigarette while he was a non-smoker. He tried to get her to stop, but to no avail. One day, a young man tried to patronise this august establishment for the first time. He had Duchesne muscular dystrophy and could only walk for very short distances with the aid of elbow crutches. He knew that soon he would be totally dependent on his wheelchair. From the pavement, he could see that there was just enough room between the tables to allow him to bring his wheelchair inside. Unfortunately for him, and anyone like him, below the door of the premises was a large step which effectively excluded not only the rainwater and rubbish from the street but also any wheelchair users. He parked his wheelchair outside and, using crutches, negotiated his way in. Lillian took no particular interest in him as he came to the counter and ordered a coffee. When he paid her for it, he took out of his pocket an envelope which he gave to her. Customers came and went so the young man had left before she opened the envelope. Inside was a letter addressed to ‘The Manager’ which read: ‘Dear Sir or Madam, Today I tried to gain proper access to your premises but, as a wheelchair user, was prevented from doing so. This is contrary to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act that all public buildings and services shall be accessible to disabled people. If it is your policy to continue to exclude people like me, I suggest you display the enclosed notice prominently in your entrance.’ The notice had the usual wheelchair symbol for disability overlaid with a red circle and diagonal bar and next to it the words ‘No Cripples! Stuff the DDA!’ The shock and embarrassment of seeing it had more effect on Lillian than her boyfriend’s nagging about her smoking. She was on the phone to the builder that very day. So where is the disability? In us or in our environment? Thanks to Roy Littlecot – District Property Secretary Shrovetide and Lent The few days before Lent are known as Shrovetide and were traditionally days of feasting and revelry, recalled in the celebration of Carnival, the ‘farewell to meat’, which concludes on ‘Fat Tuesday’ or Mardi Gras. The Monday before Ash Wednesday is variously known as Shrove Monday, Rose Monday, Merry Monday or Hall Monday, although Collop Monday is the most common name. Collop Monday is named after the traditional dish of the day, consisting of fried slices of leftover meat, or collops, of bacon or other meat, along with eggs. In addition to providing a little meat, the collops were also the source of the fat for the following day's pancakes. Shrove Tuesday was the last time luxury foods could be used before the Lenten fast. All over Britain different Shrove Tuesday meals were made - sometimes it was broth (Scotland), or doughnuts (Hertfordshire), frying pan pudding (Lincolnshire) or pea soup (Cornwall) - but the most usual meal, and the meal we still make today, is pancakes. Shrove Tuesday refers to the practice of being shriven, confessing and receiving absolution, in order to begin and keep a holy Lent. The Friday after Ash Wednesday is Kissing Friday. On this Friday of Shrove Week, English schoolboys were once entitled to kiss girls without fear of punishment or rejection, a custom that lasted until at least the 1940s. In Leicestershire, it was known as Nippy Hug Day. There men could demand a kiss from the woman of their choice, but if their petition was denied, they had the right to louse, or pinch, the woman's posterior - perhaps mimicking the pinching of lice. The word ‘Lent’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for spring, lencten, the time of year when the days really begin to lengthen. Lent always lasts 40 days but its starting date is tied to the movable feast of Easter and can be as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. This year Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 22 February. Lent is one of the most important seasons of the church year. It is a time of penitence, an introspective period during which we take stock of our lives and our relationships to discover and change what we must to prepare for Easter. It is a time to experience the spiritual renewal that comes when we engage in this type of ‘making right’ activity. So, during Lent we each follow the example of Jesus by sacrificing our own will to the purpose of God.
Lent has two major focuses:
From various sources – RL
Sunday 29 January
6pm
High Street Methodist Church
Friday 2 March
10.30am at St Mary’s Parish Church
7pm at Witney Congregational Church
Fairtrade Market
Saturday 10 March
Langdale Hall, Witney
Look out for details of all these events! Shay’s Story
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that will never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff he offered a question: ‘When not interfered with or by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?' The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued, ‘I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled, comes into the world, an opportunity to realise true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.' Then he told the following story. ‘Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, ‘Do you think they’ll let me play?’ I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father, I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his disabilities. I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, ‘We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.’ Shay struggled over to the team’s bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognising that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in gently so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman’s head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, ‘Shay, run to first! Run to first!’ Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, ‘Run to second, run to second!’ Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, base. By the time Shay rounded towards second, the second base keeper had seen what was happening. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher’s intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, ‘Run to third! Shay, run to third!’ As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, ‘Shay, run home! Run home!’ Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam, and won the game for his team. That day, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, coming home and seeing his mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!’
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realise the 'natural order of things’. So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process? A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate amongst them. Thanks to Derrick King
High Street Money Matters Firstly, if anyone has any suggestions for a share of the Coffee Bar Profits for 2011/12 they should send their nominations to me, Ian Cotton, at hstreasurer@btinternet.com Secondly, the Christmas Bazaar. Total income was £2554.17. Expenditure was £209.06 leaving a net profit £2345.11 for distribution to Methodist World Mission, Base 33 and USPG (United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel). This compares with a net £2415.58 last year, but of course this year we had the additional expense of £60 for some banners. Ian Cotton 2011: Celebration of the King James I of England Revised Version of the Bible.
Over the past year most of us have been reading the above (or another translation) in conjunction with the E100 programme. But what is strange is that 80%-90% of it was written and printed 85 years earlier by William Tyndale who said ‘If God spare my life I will cause a plough boy to know more of the scriptures than priests’. If the King James Bible had been written in today’s society, would this be called plagiarism? Tyndale’s dying words were ‘Open the king’s eyes’. We can all thank God that he did.
Did you know that …Melvyn Bragg said on the radio that ‘There is no doubt in my mind that the King James Bible, not Shakespeare, set the English language to become universal’. Did you know that…Winston Churchill said ‘The scholars who wrote this masterpiece are mostly unknown, but have forged an enduring link between the English-speaking people around the world’. Did you know that…Richard Dawkins, the atheist who wrote ‘The God Delusion’ said, ‘Not to know the King James Bible is to be in some small way barbarian’. And did you know that…Prince William and Kate Middleton chose on their own accord to have the King James Bible at their wedding at Westminster Abbey, and they were both born in 1982.
We owe much to the King James Bible which is quoted by many unknowingly, even by atheists.
Here is a little quiz for you. How often do you quote the King James Bible without knowing it? (1) Can a leopard change his spots? (2) Escaped by the skin of my teeth. (3) Suffered from a broken heart. (4) A man after my own heart. (5) A thorn in the flesh. (6) See eye to eye. (7) In the twinkling of an eye. (8) The apple of his eye. (9) A law unto themselves. (10) Sour grapes. (11) Pearls before swine. (12) A labour of love. (13) At their wits’ end. (14) Set your house in order. (15) The powers that be. (16) Breath of life (17) Sign of the time. (18) Flesh and blood. (19) Eat the fat of the land. (20) The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. If you are really clever you do have (21) the wisdom of Solomon.
All found in the King James Bible. But where? Answers below. Derrick King
How did you get on? (1) Jeremiah 13:23 (2) Job 19:20 (3) Psalm 34:(4) Acts 13:22 (5) 2 Corinthians 12:7 (6) Isaiah 52:8 (7) 1 Corinthians 15:52 (8) Zechariah 2: 8 (9) Romans 2: (10) Ezekiel 18:2 (11) Matthew 7:6 (12) Hebrews 6:10 (13) Psalm 107:27 (14) 2 Kings 20:1 (15) Romans 13:1.(16) Genesis 2:7 (17) Matthew 16:3 (18) Matthew 16:17 (19) Genesis 45:18 (20) Matthew 26:41 And lastly (21) Luke 11:31. Is a computer masculine or feminine? A Spanish teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English, nouns are designated either as masculine or feminine. ‘House’ for example is feminine: ‘la casa’. ‘Pencil’ however is masculine: ‘el lapis’. A student asked, ‘What gender is computer?’ Instead of giving the answer the teacher spilt the class into two groups, male and female and asked them to decide for themselves whether ‘computer’ should be a masculine noun or a feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation. The men’s group decided that computer should definitely be the feminine gender, ‘la computadora’, because:
The women’s group, however, concluded that computers should be masculine, ‘el computador’, because:
The women won! It is actually ‘el ordenador’. Thanks to Audrey Curnow
Some Prayer Topics For enough funds for Phase One of the Radford Block at High Street to begin in 2012. For the planning and arrangements for the Churches Together in Witney Olympics in July 2012. For Witney Street Pastors as they patrol streets in the town centre late at night and in the early hours and for the new pastors undergoing training. For drought hit East African countries, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia; for rains to break the drought and for greater international action to provide urgent aid. For our government; for careful deliberations and wise decisions to enable this country to work its way out of recession. For David Cameron our MP and Prime Minister; for sound judgment and wise leadership. John 14:6 – a reprise A different slant for discussion on the article in November/December article in In-Touch on John 14:6: I am the way, the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.
My belief is that there is only one true God. Christians recognise Him as the triune God ie Father Son and Holy Spirit, one God. He is the God of love, justice, peace and equality. He loves every person in creation. We believe in Jesus and we believe He was with God and in God from the beginning of time. Other true religions worship the God in whom we also believe (triune). Therefore, without acknowledging (because they are without that knowledge for whatever reason, ignorance, culture etc.) their God is the one God (triune - including Jesus). This is my answer to the text above. Wherever there is the character we associate with Godliness ie love, justice, peace and equality either in the Muslim who calls Him Allah, or the pious peace loving Buddhist monks who recently gave their lives for peace and justice for all in Burma, there is God (triune). Where there is good there is God. We Christians have the advantage of assured salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but this privilege brings added responsibility. I cannot accept God will not admit into his kingdom the Old Testament prophets whose faith in God changed Jewish history, all those who have never been told about Him, those whose minds are not aware of him either through illness or damaged by life’s circumstances. None of these people acknowledge Jesus. The God I believe in will judge every person of every religion sympathetically, lovingly with forgiveness. I must believe this or what chance do I have? These decisions about every human heart are His and His alone. Problems start when we humans take upon ourselves decisions which are not ours to make. Andrea Drowley
A Gift of Time?
After the celebrations of Christmas, with its giving and receiving of presents, and the New Year, reflecting on times past and looking forward to things to come, could you possibly give up just a little of your time for those with very little time left? Marie Curie Nursing Care are asking people in Witney to give up an hour or two of their time to join a team of collectors at Sainsbury’s on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 February 2012. It is hoped to raise £5 million in this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal to fund the much needed nursing care for cancer patients who are thereby enabled to stay in their own home. To find out more, or to offer your gift of time, please contact me either by phone: 01993 702785 or by email: rogfner@aol.com Thank you. Rev Roger Faulkner, Marie Curie Collection Organiser
Newland Church
Speakers for January and February 2012
Thursdays weekly Sundays monthly
Thursday, 7.30pm Reverend Nicola Blois 12 January
Thursday, 7.30pm Reverend Richard Donoghue 19 January including members’ meeting
Saturday from 10am Join us for coffee, tea, cake and chat 21 January
Sunday 3pm Ian Prince 22 January Sunday Worship
Thursday, 7.30pm Members’ Evening 26 January
Thursday, 7.30pm West Witney Community Church 2 February
Thursday, 7.30pm Jeannie Taylor 9 February
Thursday, 7.30pm Dave Tee 16 February
Saturday from 10am Join us for coffee, tea, cake and chat 18 February
Thursday, 7.30pm Reverend Richard Donoghue 23 February
Sunday, 3pm Sunday Worship 26 February
Anyone is welcome to join us any Thursday at our small chapel, at the east end of Witney on the road out to Oxford opposite Newland War Memorial. We are under the auspices of High Street and are a group of about 30 from different churches in the area.
Dates for your Diary January Saturday 21 from 10am at Newland. Join us for coffee, tea, cake and chat Sunday 22 3pm at Newland. Worship with Ian Prince Friday 27 10-11.30am at Witney Congregational Church. Preparation study meeting for Women’s World Day of Prayer. Sunday 29 6pm at High Street. Circuit Service with Faith Tea Tuesday 31 7.30pm Meeting at High Street for Housegroups to launch new Bible Studies
February Sunday 5 8.30am at High Street. Holy Communion 9.30am at Davenport Road. Family and Parade Service Sunday 12 10.30am at High Street. Church Anniversary with Rev Peter Hancock, Chair of the District followed by cooked lunch Saturday 18 from 10am at Newland. Join us for coffee, tea, cake and chat Saturday 25 7.30pm at High Street. ‘Promise of Spring’ with Voice Box
Monday 27 February to Sunday 11 March – Fairtrade Fortnight. Look out for details of special events
Sunday 26 3pm at Newland. Sunday Worship We’day 29 7.30pm at High Street. Church Council
March Friday 2 10.30am at St Mary’s Parish Church. Women’s World Day of Prayer. Speaker Rev Sally Wright 7pm at Witney Congregational Church. Women’s Day of Prayer. Sunday 4 8.30am at High Street. Holy Communion Tuesday 6 7.30pm at Faringdon United Church. Circuit Meeting Saturday 10 10.30am at Langdale Hall. Fairtrade Market
Copy date for March/April issue Sunday 26 February ruthlapworth@hotmail.com
Thoughts on Love – an alternative to chocolates, flowers and huge pink padded cards for Valentine’s Day…
Love is a whisper, not a tornado. Love is a drift of petals, not a mighty oak tree. Love is the song of a flute, not the blast of a trumpet. Love is the beckoning finger, not a pair of handcuffs. This is its strength. It invites, it does not force. It is like a camp fire. We gather round and we are warmed. Anon |
Women’s World Day of Prayer 2012
Taking Steps Towards A Fairer World
Faith Tea and Circuit Service
Women’s World Day of Prayer
From 10.30am
