The Church of England in Thatcham

Issue 105 March 2019

Above all clothe yourselves with love - Colossians 3 v14

It was in a conversation with a colleague about Bishop Steven’s challenge to read deeply into the letter from Paul to the Colossians that I first noticed this phrase. It comes just after

another command “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience”, and I realised that this language about putting on new clothes

was also part of the baptism service where the words are “here we are clothed with Christ”. What we wear, of course, is also the image we portray to the world, though the virtues mentioned by Paul run more than skin deep – they are not an illusion, but reflect a deep reality.

It was the connection with Baptism which struck me most vividly, as I remembered the dramatic stories of reclothing I had read from the early church, and also even in stories of King Alfred and the Danes which I read when I was young. And I realised that though this language of putting on new clothes was there in the Baptism service, it simply passed me by and these days I have been making nothing of it. Other symbols like the sign of the cross, the lighting of a candle, the use of oil and the dramatic use of water are all there, and I do my best to draw out their meaning. But being clothed with Christ? Somehow that has gone missing.

Then I read the new “Pathways” magazine produced by the diocese, which contains two particular passages from the Colossians letter which Bishop Steven has made a focus. The version in Pathways is adapted for children and uses very direct language. In some ways it helps the letter to hit home, but the dramatic and graphic image of being clothed has gone missing. Instead we have “so always do these things: show mercy to others…” and “Do all these things; but most important, love each other.” Of course doing the right things is important, and so is doing them in

https://blogs.oxford.anglican.org/clothe-yourselves-with-love/

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the right way, but the idea of clothing is more intimate – it makes a connection between who we are and what we do. And the Baptism service makes it explicit “here we are clothed with Christ” in one way means “here, by God’s grace, we become more visibly Christ-like.”

Well that is also what Bishop Steven is challenging us to explore – becoming more Christ-like for the sake of God’s world – more contemplative, more compassionate and more courageous. It is making that connection between who we are and what we do, and allowing God to change us.

So I was left wondering whether this idea of being clothed could be brought alive, in baptism services, certainly, in working with children, but also as part of an adult faith. With children I often talk about the clothes I wear; at baptisms the idea fades a bit into the background and most of the rest of the time it’s gone missing. But if there is life in it – and there may be – David Winter at least will remember a memorable incident with clothes at one of the Men’s Breakfasts when I was explaining the effect of my sabbatical – I will be glad to hear your ideas.

I have not forgotten that we are approaching the beginning of Lent – and groups in the church will be using Bishop Steven’s study material on Colossians – there will be a fair amount there to think about. If you’ve not been part of a group before do give it a try.

Lent is a traditional season too of preparation for Baptism at Easter, and a time when we can take the opportunity to reflect on ourselves and our lives. Perhaps the idea of being clothed with Christ, or being clothed with love is one you could use to anchor your thoughts and reflections during Lent this year.

Mark

(Continued from page 1) Fairtrade fortnight 2019

We’ve all become much more aware in recent years of just how much trade matters to our daily lives. We’ve become very aware of how many jobs, government policies, the goods we buy and services we enjoy are linked to trade – both here in the UK, and in countries right around the world.

We can think about trade in (at least) two ways.

First, trade is a way for everyone to have better lives. Without trade, we could not eat bananas, or drink coffee, for example. Without trade, many jobs would simply not exist. Trade is cooperation, and partnership that helps us all.

The second point about trade is that it is a tough business. Negotiations are hard fought. No-one wants to come out with a bad deal. To “arm wrestle” successfully in trade negotiations, you need big economic and political muscles.

So, when trading with poorer communities around the world, it is right to ask two questions.

• First, who’s got the power? Or, if you like, who’s got the biggest muscles?

Members of CAYAT women’s society,

Biasso group

Les Piazons nursery school, Yakassé-Attobrou, built with Fairtrade Premium

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Next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast

Saturday 6 April 2019 8.00am

Thatcham Baptist Church

Speaker: TBC

Please contact Greg Smith to order breakfast,

tel 07415 678392 Email:

gregorysmith98@btinternet.com

FOOD & FUN

a Mix and Match Fundraising Concert in aid of St Mary’s

ENHARMONIC CHOIR—musical director Daniel

Nicholls

Sunday 17th March : 7 pm at St Mary’s

For all who like music and food

For all who like fun For all ages

Share and Prayer (S.A.P.)

An informal group meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month (10.30 am to 12.30

pm) to discuss various topics and views, with home made refreshments and concluding

with prayers.

For details contact Linda Beaumont on 864223

Tuesday 12th March

If I wasn’t me, who would I be?

• Second, are those we trade with opponents and competitors – or friends and partners?

This year the Fairtrade Foundation puts the spotlight on the Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), the world’s biggest cocoa producer. Four million people across Cote d’Ivoire grow cocoa, much of which comes to the UK. And yet, shockingly, 60 percent of all cocoa farmers live below the United Nations poverty line of just £1.47 per day.

Who’s got the power in this trading relationship? It isn’t the farmers.

https://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

More links and information

• Cocoa farmers - Chocolate is one of the world’s favourite foods but growing cocoa is a hard task. Fairtrade is helping to make it more sustainable. www.fairtrade.org.uk/Farmers-and-Workers/Cocoa

• Fairtrade Recipe Book - It's time to get your mixing bowls at the ready, set the scales and prepare to bake a difference! www.fairtrade.org.uk/Resources-Library/Fairtrade Fortnight 2019/Fortnight 2019 Assets

Salted Caramel Shortbread with Rosemary & cashew nuts (From the Fairtrade Recipe Book)

Ingredients

Shortbread: 110g plain flour 50g Fairtrade caster sugar 50g unsalted butter (cold from the fridge)

Caramel: 1 can 379g condensed milk 50g Fairtrade caster sugar 90g Liberation salted oven-baked

cashews and peanuts 2 sprigs of rosemary

Topping: 300g dark Fairtrade chocolate (get the best you can) Sprinkling of rock salt 1 sprig of rosemary

Method

Start with the shortbread. 1. Line a small roasting tray or

ovenproof dish with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 170ºC

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Shoe and Bag Repairs Engraving (trophies/pet tags etc.) Key Cutting * Watch Straps Batteries * Zippo Lighters * Leather Goods and accessories * Locks * Signs and lots

We’re the ‘last’ word In shoe repairs at…

SHOE CARE

of THATCHAM

Unit 5, The Old Mews 32 High Street,

Thatcham, Berkshire

07796 148047

VISIT US FOR A TRADITIONAL SERVICE

Open 9.30 a.m. — 4.30 p.m. Mon.-Sat.

This months prayer

Loving Heavenly Father,

Hear us, your humble servants, wherever we are, may these prayers be heard and answered in accordance with your will.

Lord, we pray for the work of the church as it seeks to spread and share the message of your love for all mankind, fulfilled through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Bless all those in full-time ministry, all in training, all waiting to hear your call.

We uphold each member of the Thatcham Team Ministry; and particularly our curate Leonard, who will be priested in June. We continue to pray and wait in eager anticipation for the person you have chosen to be Team Vicar. Lord, you already who that person is. May they hear your voice and respond. Remove any fear from their minds and help them to take that leap of faith that will send them our way, with your blessing and guidance accompanying them every step of their way.

We pray for all who are challenged for their faith, all who are persecuted and cannot meet openly for fear of imprisonment – or worse. May they be encouraged when reminded that you are indeed with each one; protect and embrace all who feel like giving up, all who doubt your provision, all at rock-bottom.

Renew and revive all your children who serve you and give them hope that lasts.

or Gas Mark 3.

2. Mix the flour and sugars together.

3. Cut the butter into squares and rub into the flour mixture with your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs.

4. Press the mixture into your baking tray. With a fork, make a few holes in the shortbread and bake in the oven for 20 minutes until it’s just started to brown a little.

Meanwhile, get on with the caramel. 5. On the hob, heat up the condensed milk and

sugar, and stir until the sugar has dissolved. During this process it’s important you stir continually – if you leave it, it will burn! Throw in the rosemary sprigs and then simmer for 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened and darkened slightly. Set aside to cool.

6. Take the shortbread out of the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Pour on the caramel and remove the rosemary sprigs. Throw on your Liberation cashews and peanuts evenly and then put the whole thing somewhere to cool.

7. Once the caramel has hardened, melt the chocolate and pour it over the caramel. When cooled, place in the fridge to set.

8. Once the chocolate has hardened cut the shortbread into squares, sit back and enjoy the

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C A M E O (come and meet each other)

CAMEO is for anyone, lonely, bereaved, lives on

their own, or would like to chat...

...every Monday 2pm to 4pm in

St Mary’s Church

Meeting Room for a chat over a

cup of tea and cake.

We pray for your world. With so much confusion, fighting and violence going on around, it sometimes feels hard to know who and where to begin praying for first. Ideally Lord, we’d love to see a world full of peace but with so much intolerance and self-serving, lack of compromise and understanding, it doesn’t seem as if it’s going to come any time soon.

However, we do not lose hope, because we fully trust and believe that you have in all in hand and that you are working out your plan for good. We do pray for those caught up in war; the refugees who cannot return to their homeland but, mercifully are being looked after by other nations. We give thanks for the many charities and agencies helping to alleviate some of the pain and trauma inflicted by others. We pray and give tremendous thanks for Christian Aid, working in partnership with local organisations and are right at the heart of things. Continue to bless their efforts we ask.

We pray for our government and the on-going dialogue taking place as the UK leave the EU this month. May your wisdom and guidance be with Theresa May and her advisors.

We pray for all suffer in body, mind or spirit, all who agonize in silence. We name before you all we know who need your healing touch, who long for your inner peace, who need that reassurance that you are keeping your promise of never forsaking any of your children.

We give thanks for the lives of those who have recently died. May they rest in eternal glory.

Help us to love one another in our everyday dealings and to honour your name as long as we have breath in our bodies. Thank you every blessing we have ever received.

Amen.

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Dates for you diary

Wed 6 Mar Ash Wednesday - 9.45am Holy Communion and 8.00pm Evening Service

Sat 9 Mar Concert: Beenham Wind Orchestra 7.30pm

Sun 17 Mar Mix and Match Fundraising Concert 7.00pm

Tue 19 Mar Quiet Evening with Bishop Andrew - St John’s

Wed 20 Mar Confirmation Service with the Bishop of Reading

Sat 23 Mar Gardening at St Mary’s - 9.00-12 noon

Wed 3 Apr Concert: Vivace Voices

Tue 9 Apr Annual Church Meetings

Sat 27 Apr Concert: Cold Ash Brass

Thu 30 May Ascension Day Service 7.00am + Breakfast

Sat 22 Jun Priesting of Revd Leonard Onugha - Reading Minster

Sun 30 Jun Cream Teas - St Mary’s

Thatcham Town Council’s Community & Civic Events 2019

Mon 11 Mar Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth -

9.45am, Council Offices, Brownsfield Road

Mon 11 Mar Annual Town Meeting - 6.30pm, Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brownsfield Road

Sun 12 May Mayor Making - 3pm, Frank Hutchings Community Hall

Mon 13 May Mayor Making (2nd part) - Council Offices, Brownsfield Road

Sun 30 Jun Thatcham Family Fun Day - 11am- 4pm, Henwick Worthy Sports Ground

Sun 14 Jul United Service of Remembrance - 3pm, London Road Cemetery

Thu 29 Aug Fun on The Broadway - 10am-3pm, The Broadway Green

Sat 7 Sep French Market - 9am, The Broadway

Sat 12 - Thatcham Festival - Various venues Sun 20 Oct across Thatcham

Sun 10 Nov Remembrance Parade - from 10.30am, Parade through the town centre with services at the War Memorial and St Mary’s Church

Mon 11 Nov Armistice Day - from 10.45am, The War Memorial, Bath Road

Fri 6 Dec Christmas Lights Switch On - from

Exciting opportunity to get to know an overseas visitor

Host and teach

English!

(One or two week stays,

payment made)

If you can help, email

gilltaylor957@gmail.com

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Who ’s Who in the Thatcham Team Ministry

Team Rector

Mark Bennet 867342

Team Vicar - St. Barnabas

Vacant

Associate Clergy:

Marion Fontaine 861742 Brenda Harland 865064 Leonard Onugha

Parish Administrator

Ann Watts 862277

The Parish office is open Monday and Friday mornings, 9.30am to 1.00pm, answer phone at other times.

Email: admin.stmarysthatcham @ntlbusiness.com

Churchwardens

Viv Druce 820718 Chris Watts 864567 Glenn Peters 869409

Services at St. Barnabas Church (meeting in Thatcham Park School)

Services at St. Mary’s Church

Future copies

Connect is published ten times a year and is available

from St. Mary’s and St. Barnabas Churches,

Thatcham, or by post from the Parish Office, tel.

862277.

Article Deadline

Please give articles for the April edition to Steve Rice

(860431) or any of the clergy or churchwardens or email julie@dunwell.org by 15th

March.

Sunday Services

Morning Services

8.00 am Holy Communion

10.00 am Parish Communion

Children’s groups on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays at 10 am, workshop on 3rd Sundays. The Parish Communion services on the 1st Sunday of the month

is for people of all ages, especially the young, (includes Baptism Welcome).

6.30 pm Evening Services

1st Sunday Sung Evensong

2nd Sunday No service

3rd Sunday Healing Service

Weekday Services

Wednesdays

9.45 am Holy Communion 10.30 am ‘ABC’ (Adults, Babies, Children)

Every Weekday

9.00 am Morning Prayer (In the chapel)

10.00 am Sunday Services

1st Sunday Worship Service 2nd Sunday Communion 3rd Sunday Worship Service 4th Sunday Communion 5th Sunday Worship Service

More details from Revd. Brenda Harland 01635 865064

www.stbarnabasthatcham.weebly.com Serving to Build Community

www.stmarysthatcham.org.uk Inspired by the love of Christ to build God’s kingdom

St Mary’s is fitted with an Induction Loop. If you wear a hearing aid, switch to the ‘T’ position to benefit from the system

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Reading the Bible with the Dead: What I learn from the original languages that I couldn ’t learn from English translations

When my friend Martin and I recently met for coffee at his office, he spent a good deal of our time telling me about his exciting new project. Martin had picked up a beat-up old British classic car and was in the process of refurbishing and restoring it. Martin and I like cars, however whereas I am far more interested in the latest toys and gadgetry in a car, Martin would rather lift the bonnet of each one to study how it has been put together and what is really going on under there. As Martin enthusiastically updated me on the latest element of improvement and restoration job that he had done on the car over the weekend, I smiled as his enthusiasm reminded me of myself. He reminded me of how I often feel when I’m ‘lifting the bonnet’ to unlock the root of a particular phrase, noun, or verb in Hebrew or Koiné (Old and New Testament) Greek.

As Martin spoke I could identify the same joys, toil, satisfaction, ‘fiddliness’, and even the sense of community he shares with his fellow enthusiasts with whom he communicates frequently, all of which I experience myself and share with other fellow biblical language enthusiasts. For instance, when I was a ‘jobless’ student back at theological college for each hour we spent in class on either Greek or Hebrew, there would be over three hours of work on preparation and assignments to do. It all effectively amounted to the equivalent of a part time job each week to keep up with the routine aspect of learning the biblical languages. Then you’re hit now and again with an “impossible” construction, usually in Hebrew, that occurs only once in the Bible (a hapax legomenon), so you couldn’t look elsewhere in the text for usage. Sometimes the hapax defy every known grammatical rule (imagine “travel” reduced to its middle consonants “rv”), and keeps me awake for days until I finally succumb to the help of technology (advanced Bible software). It is not unusual to then discover that alas there is no rational explanation to the hapax, just another usage to be memorised.

Given all that pain and effort to unlock the meaning of a passage that has already been rendered in a multiple of English translation, you might be forgiven for asking why it is still necessary to read the Bible in the original languages. Indeed I would be the first to admit that I could unlock the meaning of some of the same passages by reading a number of english translations in less than half the time! So, why do I continue to read and study in Greek and Hebrew?

Well, for one, I was (not) informed that to be a good clergy person one must have a quirky hobby, an interest, like super-advanced mathematics, writing fascinating articles for the Church Times, or even knitting. I like the technical aspects of languages (linguistics); grammatical analysis, the syntax, morphology and so on. I even defy dyslexia with an appreciation for clause structures and sentence hierarchy. Basically, I may have left [pecuniary] engineering behind but I appear not to have stopped being an engineer.

I am intrigued by the way sentences are engineered in Greek and Hebrew such that the words are not necessarily linear like mathematics. The constituent word groups are critical to meaning rather than just the words themselves. For example, in English, “the cat hit the dog” has the same words

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Urgently needed items: Stock cubes (Chicken, Beef,

Vegetable), Dried onions, Mixed herbs, Garlic puree (tube), Tomato

puree (tube)

Low on stock: Self-raising flour 500g, Sunflower

oil 500ml

We've got plenty of: Beans, Breakfast Cereals, Pasta,

Tea

We always welcome donations and promise to use them to provide help to people in crisis. Thank you www.westberks.foodbank.org.uk

Donate to St. Marys by Text

Text SMTH44 £5 to 70070

Other amounts work as well: £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10.

All the money you donate goes to us, and your network provider won’t charge you for the Text you send to make the donation.

The service is provided by JustTextGiving. If you have any questions about JustTextGiving, visit www.justtextgiving.co.uk

as “the dog hit the cat” but clearly here 2+3 in not equal to 3+2 so to speak. Furthermore, in an original language text the words may be put together like this “hit the dog the cat,” in a context that leaves two or three possible interpretation options open. That leads to another aspect of reading and translating called discourse analysis and sentence diagramming, all of which I thoroughly enjoy. All of these make reading Greek and Hebrew very exciting for me.

From a cultural perspective, the saying goes that ‘one can never really know a person until they can converse with them in their native tongue.’ In Zulu there are up to thirty (30) words for differentiating the shades of blue and green because that’s what’s all around them (grass and velds). Many other languages only have one word for this. The Malagasy never put “me” (the first person) at the start of a sentence because the emphasis is on community rather than the individual. The people behind the text of scripture are certainly better understood when studied in their own language or the language of the original authorship. Consequently, a deeper understanding of scripture can come from learning the languages and interpreting the texts, first, in light of the culture. It can be like the difference between watching TV in black and white versus in colour.

Some of the texts of Scripture, particularly the Hebrew texts, are virtually untranslatable into English, they paint pictures in the mind of the reader and are difficult to express in a different language. Psalm 1:3 in the Hebrew expresses a deeper sense of a reservoir for the tree planted “on” the streams of water, rather than “by” it, as English translations smooth out. In the book of Job, the word translated “cursed” in the English (Job 1:5,11 and 2:5,9) actually appear as “bless” in both the Hebrew and the Greek OT. The original writers perhaps deem “Ha Shem” (the name of the LORD) too holy to put the word “curse” next to. Similarly, the play on words of Jeroboam’s rather rude response to the elders of Israel (1 Kings 12:10-11) is nicely toned down for us in the English translations. The context in this case helps with the meaning, but in the process of translation we lose a little detail of the culture behind the writing. It is for reasons such as these that Italians say, “tradutore triditorre” the translator is the traitor, because translators often make decisions for us on complicated and difficult aspects of the text which influence our understanding.

The Bible is also full of examples of beauty in the compositions of words, and great artistry in writing. The beauty of the poetry of the Bible is often best, and at times solely, appreciated in the original texts. There are examples of the use of poetic parallels, gapping and ellipses, syntactic asymmetry, consonance. Similarly, I continue to learn of and marvel at the use of acrostics in the Bible text. For example, Psalm 119 is an acrostic text where in each of its twenty-two sections, the

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For theRecord...

Baptism

10 Feb Hannah Jo Currie

24 Feb Georgia Lily Fleet

Weddings

none

Funerals

4 Feb Frank Barnes 98

8 Feb Ann Robinson 92

26 Feb Noreen Barrow 84

first letter of each sentence in the constituent eight verses begin with the same letter of the alphabet. The net effect is that one section of the Psalm is ‘dedicated’ to one of all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and in their correct order. The paean to the woman of virtue or strength (Proverbs 31:10-31) is another beautiful piece of acrostic writing perhaps written, in tribute rather than fact, to the queen mother in the previous section. Here too each of the twenty-two verses of the tribute begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet in their correct order. We also find the use of partial acrostics in the verses of Nahum 1:2-8, with each successive lines more or less beginning with the first eleven letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Some whole sections of Biblical books are constructed using acrostic structures. For instance the first four chapters of the book of Lamentations, where the author employs this poetic device to communicate variously, the all-embracing nature of grief, the intense internal struggle and scream of raw emotions restrained by limitations of language, and the waning of emotional intensity. In chapters 1 and 2 of Lamentations, twenty-two stanzas of three couplets, each beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet occur. Each of the three lines of the stanzas in chapter 3 begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and the first line of each stanzas of chapter 4 also follow the pattern.

Coming back down to earth. I am very much looking forward to going for a ride in Martin’s restored classic car when He’s finally satisfied enough with his work to allow it out of the garage. I wondered, looking at the sheer joy on his face as he spoke, whether he would derive as much pleasure driving the car as he got from restoring it. I suppose though, like my friend Martin, when I study a piece of original Biblical text, particularly the Hebrew, something in me comes alive, and I feel God’s pleasure. I also feel as if I have been entrusted with an inestimable treasure, ’the truth.’ I must however confess that reading the Bible with the dead and ‘looking under the bonnet’ provided ideal escapism from the seemingly endless essays to be written whilst at theological college which taxed my engineering brain!

Leonard

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6 March

Instant Mash

01

Tinned Tomatoes

02

Tinned Vegetables

03

Tinned Meat

04

Sugar

05

Tinned Fruit

06

Rice Pudding

07

Custard

08

Sponge Pudding

09

Long Life Fruit Juice

10

Coffee

11

Toilet Roll (2 pack)

12

Chilli-con-Carne packet mix

13

Kitchen Roll (2 pack)

14

Sunflower Oil 500ml

15

Dried Onions (packet)

16

Mixed Herbs

17

Tinned Tomatoes

18

Tinned Vegetables

19

Tinned Meat

20

Tinned Fruit

21

Rice Pudding

22

Custard

23

Sponge Pudding

24

Long Life Fruit Juice

25

Coffee

26

Toilet Roll (2 pack)

27

Chilli-con-Carne packet mix

28

Sunflower Oil 500ml

29

Dried Onions (packet)

30

Mixed Herbs

31

Tinned Tomatoes

32

Tinned Vegetables

33

Tinned Meat

34

Tinned Meat

35

Rice Pudding

36

Custard

37

Sponge Pudding

38

Long Life Fruit Juice

39

18 April

Hot Cross Buns

36

During Lent please try to put one item each day into a collection box. Thank you!

WE CAN COLLECT AS PART OF YOUR NORMAL CYCLE OF COLLECTIONS WHEN YOUR BOX IS FULL OR WHEN REQUIRED

Please contact: collections@westberks.foodbank.org.uk

Page 12

Our generous God A Quiet Evening of guided reflection and prayer with Bishop Andrew Proud

Tuesday 19 March 2019 St John’s Church, Newbury 7.30 – 9.00

All welcome

All legal now… Update from London Colney

My induction went extremely well and I am very happy to be here. A few leaving Thatcham pangs, but that is not surprising. First Sunday service and sermon under my belt and taken my first funeral.

Pat