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grapevine 50p the magazine of st mary’s church rushden & st peter’s newton bromswold april 2017

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grapevine 50p the magazine of st mary’s church rushden

& st peter’s newton bromswold

april 2017

2

Rector: Rev Stephen Prior The Rectory, Rectory Road, Rushden, NN10 0HA

01933 312554

Associate Minister: Rev Matthew Taylor 36 Meadow Sweet Drive, Rushden NN10 0GA

01933 311164

Curate: Natasha Brady 49 Clover Drive, Rushden, NN10 0UE email: [email protected]

01933 311029

Readers: Mick Bantin, Ruth Compton, John Dixon, Don Merrifield, Tony Smith

Hall Bookings: Pam & Paul Bailey 7 Kenilworth Close, Rushden, NN10 0QH

01933 313195

St Mary’s Churchwardens:

Lynne Prior, 330 Newton Rd, Rushden, NN10 0SY

Martin Cromwell, 8 Cheltenham Close, Rushden, NN10 0YN.

01933 353655

01933 358355

St Mary’s Church Office Tues-Thurs: 10.00-12noon: Pam Bailey, Marion Bates, Sue Prior Webmasters: Matthew Taylor and Sue Prior

01933 412235

email: [email protected] website: www.stmaryschurchrushden.org

Newton Bromswold Churchwardens Bob Lines, 25 Church Lane, Newton Bromswold, NN10 0SR: Rosemary Gepp, 166 Avenue Rd, Rushden, NN10 0SW

01933 315864 01933 355703

Newton Bromswold Website: www.newtonchurch.co.uk

grapevine subscriptions One year’s subscription (10 issues) £5

Postal subscription: £10 Large Print Editions are available in

church or may be pre-ordered.

Any changes to order or details of delivery to: The Church Office e-mail: [email protected] Phone: 01933 412235

All monies to Peter & Barbara Coxon

11 Oakpits Way Rushden NN10 0PP

e-mail: [email protected]

Who’s who

3

Monthly event for dads, stepdads,

granddads or male carers and

their younger children [0-6 yrs]

with the added bonus of good

coffee and a breakfast bap!

Saturdays 15 April 20 May

9.30—12noon

St Mary’s Church Hall Adults £3: children free

Just turn up!

contents Who’s Who 2

Natasha writes . . . 4

Editorial 6

In This Edition NEW 7

St Mary’s News 8

From the Registers 8

Briefings 9/18/23/24

Feedback NEW 10

News from Newton 11

The Next Level 12

Friend’s of St Marys 14

St George 15

Meet the Congregation 16

Bishop John writes . . . 19

Around the Diocese 20

Cookery Column NEW 23

Mouse Makes [colouring] 25

Looking Back to Old Grapevines 26

Prayer Corner 28

Crossword 335 29

Belfry Gossip 32

Diary 33

Mission Matters /Post Truth 34

Services for April 2017 35

Items for the

May magazine should be sent by

Sunday 16 April direct to Jude Curtis

by email: [email protected]

or by hand to the parish office letterbox

Please include your name and

phone number with any submission in case we need to

contact you.

grapevine april 2017

4

Natasha writes ...

From new life comes new hope My fondest memory of Easter must be as a child, running along the wall that separated the common from steelworks near where I lived in Yorkshire, and then hopping over that wall to a beautiful willow tree that was full of fuzzy buds: catkins. Every year my mum would send me out to gather a few of the ‘pussy willow’ that festooned the old tree to plump out her display of daffodils, which formed the annual centrepiece for our Easter celebrations. I never understood back then, why it was so important to celebrate so earnestly with symbols of new life … Easter.

But now, as we speed towards Easter, I am reminded once again of how excited I used to feel going out and seeking those few twigs. Each time I did it I was thrilled by the adventure of it, as I scrambled around amongst the weeds and the long grass, pulling down a branch or two and carefully twisted off some choice samples. After six weeks of no flowers in the house it was nice to have some colour and floral scents back again. All these years later I can now begin to understand why I went to get those catkins. It was not just because they were beautiful and soft and fluffy. It was because they represented the promise of new life. The same promise of new life that was fulfilled by Jesus, when he walked through the emptiness of death and burst forth into new life on that first Easter morning.

Unlike me, I cannot imagine the Marys shared my sense of adventure as they set out to the edges of town on that first Easter morning. Of course, they didn’t know it was going to be Easter morning, so why would they be filled with the same wonder and excitement as I had been?

Instead, I suspect, they were filled with a strange mixture of things … grief, confusion, fear, anxiety. Wasn’t Jesus the Messiah? Wasn’t he supposed to be bringing in the Kingdom of God, freeing them from all tyranny and death? So, as they looked upon their world, which was just about starting to wake up to another ordinary day, they saw nothing had changed. The world was still a mess and now, their light, their hope had

5

gone. They were not celebrating - not yet anyway!

I was sent, each Easter, to bring a little bit of the Creator’s new life back into the home, to inspire hope as we looked in earnest for the new life Jesus offered us after a period of reflecting and remembering who and what we are: followers of Christ. By contrast these women were sallying forth to bring their gifts of oils and spices to remember and reflect on the person they thought they had lost. They had lost all hope. They did not have the privilege that we have of knowing

that through those dark hours between Good Friday and Easter Day death had been defeated.

So, you can imagine the immense joy they must have felt when, after seeing their Saviour tortured and killed, they find him again, risen. Alive. Instead of being women who mourned they became messengers filled with gladness who ran with joy and tears to the others -- the disciples - to share the Good News. Jesus was alive. We are redeemed. Hope had returned.

Natasha

6

“We are defined by what we’ve seen” Don’t get me wrong. I really admire Trevor McDonald. He filled a place at ITN in the very early nineties that was not always easy for a black newsreader, with intelligence, unfailing dignity and grace.

But . . . There is a ubiquitous advert running for Vision Express in which he sonorously pronounces that, “We are defined by what we’ve seen”, and it is doing nasty things to my blood pressure. As we see the Berlin Wall torn down and race riots in South Africa in grainy, black and white clips, the message is reinforced. But how true is it? How far are we ‘defined by what we’ve seen’?

Not everyone can choose where they go or what they see. Does a cruise stop-off in Bali or Venice, the view above the clouds on a long-haul flight to Australia, a ‘life-changing’ gap year in India count more than those mornings Natasha remembers from childhood in her piece on page 4: climbing the wall into the special place where she could collect pussy willow for Easter? Does seeing the far flung, the exotic and newsworthy make us better people? I doubt it.

A moment’s thought ought to help us realise that it’s not the physical ‘seeing’ that matters but what happens after? How do we process what we see? How do we react? And, most importantly, how does it affect our lives and the person we become?

The few who actually witnessed the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 might have more vivid memories than those who watched it on TV or read about it later in a newspaper or text book. They had an emotional and sensory experience, an immediacy that trumps a media report. We all [in one sense] saw it, but we are all individuals, and what we feel or experience or learn from every sight we see is intensely personal. Every picture fits with other pictures we’ve already seen – that’s how we deal on a day to day basis with the novel, unknown or just plain frightening in order to make

Editorial

7

sense of it. We don’t all have the same memories of the same events. We may not always have had control over what we’re exposed to – we wouldn’t, surely, choose to be ill, just for the sake of ‘experience’. A modern-day refugee child can’t filter out the sights they’ve seen: although perhaps we go on hoping they might not understand it all. But we do have some control over how we process the knowledge we’ve acquired: about what it teaches us and how we can become more resourceful. This was part of the strong message emerging from Steve’s sermon on March 12 in the Paraclesis series: 4: Choose Life. In a nutshell:

Stuff happens!

How we respond is our choice.

We are responsible for our choices.

Choices have consequences!

We can choose to live God’s kind of life.

Trevor’s words are a snappy and effective strap line for a company promoting eye tests – and having benefitted from double cataract surgery I’m all for proper eye vigilance - but really it’s not how far we’ve travelled, how much exotic or politically important stuff we’ve witnessed that defines us but what we make of it and how we use it. We can choose to live God’s kind of life. Jude Curtis

grapevine welcomes spring with some new features as well as all the old favourites. On page 23 is the first Cookery Column with tried and tested recipes featuring healthy options, special diets, cooking for one, unusual [but not hard-to-find] ingredients and staples for the many occasions when both St Mary’s and Newton are asking for ‘cakes’.

There is also a new Feedback page, featuring some of the kind things that have been said about grapevine in the last few months—always a pleasant surprise! Please send your feedback direct to me via email or scribble it down and hand it to me at church.

Elsewhere in the edition I’ve chosen the usual salmagundi of nature, current affairs and local news. Anyone who would like to borrow the DVD of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ discussed by Bishop John on page 19 can email me on

[email protected]

In this

edition

8

Lent Collection 2017 This year’s collection is for Tearfund. Boxes and jars are available at the back of church now. Please fill and return at Easter.

Ladies’ Group The Rev Steve Prior was a welcome guest at our Ladies’ Group AGM last month. Jean Tombling opened the business part of our meeting with prayer and then Cynthia led us, swiftly and smoothly, through the agenda. Reports were give, accounts passed and Thanks expressed.

We then sang a hymn, followed by Jose reading from Ecclesiastes 3. Steve spoke about the use of time: that it was a gift for us to use. We are responsible for that gift, in the way that we use it. It is a precious and limited resource and we should make the most of it. Lent is an opportunity to step aside and consider the portion of our time given to God.

Our next meeting is on April 12 when Julie Knowles will speak about ‘Evangelism in the Twenty-First Century”. Contact Cynthia Brown, 359590, for further details. WM

March Rummage Sale Thank you to all who helped in any way with the Rummage Sale. Great team effort and £335 raised for the Organ Fund Edna Wadsworth

St Mary’s News St Mary’s News

St Mary’s Flower Rota April

Behind the Communion Table 2 Lent - no flowers 9 Palm Sunday Lent - no flowers 16 Easter Sunday (see below) 23 Easter flowers 30 Mrs Ruby Willmer, arranged by Mrs Ann Firm April 15 - Easter Saturday. The church will be decorated for Easter from 9.30 am. Flowers and help would be much appreciated. Contact Jean Tombling 418072

Memorial Chapel 16 Easter lilies 23 Mrs Alma Witts 30 Mrs Julie West

If anyone wishes to give flowers in memory of loved ones please contact me, Brenda Dixon, 358982

Baptisms

Sunday 26 February Duane Stephen Wilkins

Sunday March 12 Sophia Charlotte Leigh Hooper

Funerals

Tuesday February 14 Valerie Ann Waltham [62]

Friday February 24 William [Bill] David Charles Cummins

[63]

From the Registers

9

St Mary’s News

The Children's Society News The last Saturday in February saw 65 contestants in the Church Hall for the annual Quiz and Ploughman's Supper. The Dixons were the winners, closely followed by Mr Tivey's team, and third place was taken by the Bates’ Team. £388 was raised with donations and has been forwarded to The Children's Society to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people. The committee would like to thank everyone who supported this event.

The next event is a Coffee Morning on Saturday May 6 in St Mary's Church Hall, 10-12 noon with stalls. Admission 50p. Everyone welcome.

For Your Diary : Wednesday May 24: Afternoon Tea with Entertainment by ‘Just Good Friends'. More details in the May Grapevine.

New Tax Allowance From 5 April 2017 the Income Tax threshold increases to £11,500. This could have implications on whether you will continue to pay sufficient tax to cover your Gift Aid payments. If you have any questions please contact me on 01933 358005. Bob Bates

Need to advertise? Do you have an event you would like advertised in the ‘In Your Vicinity' magazine? If it is for a charity there is no charge Contact Paul: [email protected]

briefing

Summary of 7 March PCC meeting

The successful Self- Harm support course held at the Rushden Academy led by Jenny Lilly has now finished.

The work to clean and restore the church organ has been completed and the music quality has significantly improved.

The Working Party for “The Next Level” has given in a summary of their findings (please see article in full on page 12)

The work on the chancel roof is expected to start after Easter.

APCM will be taking place on 4 April 2017.

10

Re: Friends of St Mary's Jazz Plus

On Saturday 11 March over 70 members and guests of Friends of St Mary's met for an evening of light musical entertainment provided by members of the Paul Needle Trio (only two on the night so ‘Duo’!) and Sandy and Brian Hartwell, well known members of FOSM.

For many, the highlight of the evening was when Pudding Master extraordinaire, John Allen, was rendered speechless, which doesn't happen very often. Sandy had written and performed for the first time in public her tribute to John, acclaiming the virtues of the many activities, but especially the well-known Pudding Club.1

Thanks John, Carol and everyone else involved, we look forward to Summer Cream Teas, Choir Concerts and restarting Pudding Club in the autumn.” [D&S M by email]

Re: February and March Editorials “Super editorial in Feb Grapevine, well done. Hope you are enjoying your sabbatical.” [RB by text] “Another brilliant article in the March Grapevine, well done.” [RB by email]2

“…in response to your enquiry about visiting other churches whilst travelling, my husband and I recently worshipped at the Anglican church in Corralejo, Fuerteventura. We had a wonderful experience. We do tend to try and worship at other churches whilst on hols, but these days it comes with the complication of feeling as if we are 'mystery worshippers' and I can't help myself scoring my experience! This one was a positive one and there was even Sangria served after the service! (Didn't stay as we wanted to get back for dinner). [RH by email]

Re: Friends DVD - A Bird's-Eye View of Rushden “Good afternoon. I am writing from Brisbane, Australia to thank you for creating such a wonderful video called "A Bird's-Eye View of Rushden". My mother was from Rushden (Mary Helen Edwards) and my father from Oundle (John Thomas William Brinsley). My parents immigrated to Australia in 1949. This video gave me a wonderful insight of what Rushden was and is today. Both my Mum and Dad worked in the shoe industry and it was lovely to see the village as they would have seen it as well. Thank you so, so much.” [via Facebook]

1full words available as a Word doc from [email protected]] 2OK, this is family but no bribes were paid or begging undertaken. JC

11

I don’t mean to brag, but I finished my fourteen day diet in three hours and

twenty minutes!

Easter The Church will be open on Saturday 15 April for decorating for Easter and there will be an Easter Egg Hunt after Church on Easter Sunday.

Barn Dance Friends of Newton Church will be holding a Barn Dance on 8 July 2017 at 7pm. Tickets – Adults £10 and Children £5.

Village Fete – 1 July 2017 We are now planning the Village Fete in July and if you are able to help in anyway, please speak to Jenny Burt, our Fete Organiser.

Cowslip and Fritillary Day will be

held on Easter Monday 17 April, from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. There will be plants for sale and afternoon tea will be served. Proceeds to Friends of Newton Church.

Easter Bunny Drive There will be an Easter Bunny Drive on Saturday 22 April at 6.00pm in the Village Hall, Newton Bromswold. Tickets cost: Adults-£5 Children-£2.50: available from Rosemary Gepp - 01933 355703 or June - 01933 31646. Proceeds to Friends of Newton Church

Church Flowers—April 16 Mrs Anna Giles 23 Mrs Burt 30 Mrs Turner

News from Newton

Rushden & Newton Bromswold WI

Thursday 13 April Home Instead—Staying Safe

Competition, a key ring. American raffle.

Thursday 11 May WI resolutions

with fish & chip supper Competition, a stone

All meetings 7.30pm at Rushden Town Bowls Club, Northampton Road,

Rushden NN10 6AN Visitors welcome £3.50 includes refreshments

Contact: 01933 317846—Julia Allen

12

“The Next Level”

Summary of feedback from the booklets and the Working Party

Following a time of prayer and fasting early in 2016, members of all our

congregations were invited to submit what they thought the Holy Spirit was

saying to them about our church. This material was put together into booklets which were then reviewed again by everyone from the congregation who wished to do so. Much of what was said was very encouraging and appreciative of what God is doing at St Mary’s. Suggestions were also made concerning where the Lord might be leading us in the future. A task force was formed: the existing members of the Signs of New Life Group and an additional fifteen individuals were invited to form a Working Party - a group representative of all our congregations and across all adult age groups.

This Working Party met on 27 October and 29 November 2016, and 21 February 2017. Together, we discussed the issues raised by the congregations and how to move forward. It was agreed that as a church we need to be both inwardly and outwardly focussed. We need to help those who already know Jesus to grow in their knowledge and experience of God as well as encourage a culture of pastoral care and fellowship (inward). We must both help people to get to know Jesus (evangelism) while being the Good News through loving service and mission (outward).

The following areas to be addressed came up in the congregations’ words in the booklets and were confirmed by the Working Party. These areas intersect and overlap. We will not be able to work on all areas simultaneously or immediately: projects will need to be prioritized. The following areas and bulleted suggestions (some of which we have already begun to implement) are submitted to you for your thoughtful consideration prayer and comment. This is a work in progress!

A WORSHIP There were repeated comments that as a church we need opportunities for praise and worship free of time constraints, opportunities for both intercessory prayer and prayer ministry, and opportunities for quiet, meditative worship and prayer.

Creating more opportunities for and varieties in our prayer ministry at the 9.30 service. (This has been begun.)

Moving 5th Sunday to the 4th Sunday at the 9.30 service so that this opportunity for informal, creative worship is extended (This has been implemented.)

A monthly weeknight praise service, incorporating opportunity for intercessory prayer and prayer ministry

A Sunday evening service with a led meditation instead of a sermon.

B FELLOWSHIP A desire for more opportunities for fellowship get-togethers socially was often expressed. We are well-served by events led by FOSM and WLTGO. Events with food are well attended but it remains difficult to get the entire congregation together. Twinning home groups for social events Members of the congregation inviting newcomers for lunch/dinner or simply

around for coffee Extending the monthly coffee time after Thursday’s Communion service

C PASTORAL CARE This was agreed to be an important area to both maintain and develop. Anne Riley and the Pastoral Subcommittee do a good job of looking after older members of our church family but middle-aged and younger member have different needs. Paraclesis Course has been launched to build on the good work already being

done A booklet giving information about where people’s needs can be met or to

whom they could be referred. (presently being put together by Tony)

D MISSION

This encompasses spreading the Good News of Jesus by both word (evangelism) and deed (service) in a variety of areas.

A monthly drop-in coffee morning offering pastoral care and fellowship for families with children with Additional Needs.

A bi-monthly family event on a Saturday afternoon for mums and dads with children aged six and over.

Continuing to encourage volunteer help at Recovery House (currently nine from St Mary’s work or volunteer there) and occasional fundraising support.

Supporting Refugees with money and practical help (Tony has taken this on and will keep the church informed through contact with ENFG)

Inviting a speaker to address us on the Refugee crisis. Exploring the challenges brought to us by Rushden East (3,500 new homes,

almost entirely within our parish) of further children’s work and/or a “satellite” for worship based in the school.

Growing Leaders Course and continuing leader mentoring and support meetings with individuals.

An Away Day on lay ministry and leadership. This has been booked in Grendon Hall for Saturday 4 November 2017 led by Bishop Donald.

13

“The Next Level”

Summary of feedback from the booklets and the Working Party

Following a time of prayer and fasting early in 2016, members of all our

congregations were invited to submit what they thought the Holy Spirit was

saying to them about our church. This material was put together into booklets which were then reviewed again by everyone from the congregation who wished to do so. Much of what was said was very encouraging and appreciative of what God is doing at St Mary’s. Suggestions were also made concerning where the Lord might be leading us in the future. A task force was formed: the existing members of the Signs of New Life Group and an additional fifteen individuals were invited to form a Working Party - a group representative of all our congregations and across all adult age groups.

This Working Party met on 27 October and 29 November 2016, and 21 February 2017. Together, we discussed the issues raised by the congregations and how to move forward. It was agreed that as a church we need to be both inwardly and outwardly focussed. We need to help those who already know Jesus to grow in their knowledge and experience of God as well as encourage a culture of pastoral care and fellowship (inward). We must both help people to get to know Jesus (evangelism) while being the Good News through loving service and mission (outward).

The following areas to be addressed came up in the congregations’ words in the booklets and were confirmed by the Working Party. These areas intersect and overlap. We will not be able to work on all areas simultaneously or immediately: projects will need to be prioritized. The following areas and bulleted suggestions (some of which we have already begun to implement) are submitted to you for your thoughtful consideration prayer and comment. This is a work in progress!

A WORSHIP There were repeated comments that as a church we need opportunities for praise and worship free of time constraints, opportunities for both intercessory prayer and prayer ministry, and opportunities for quiet, meditative worship and prayer.

Creating more opportunities for and varieties in our prayer ministry at the 9.30 service. (This has been begun.)

Moving 5th Sunday to the 4th Sunday at the 9.30 service so that this opportunity for informal, creative worship is extended (This has been implemented.)

A monthly weeknight praise service, incorporating opportunity for intercessory prayer and prayer ministry

A Sunday evening service with a led meditation instead of a sermon.

B FELLOWSHIP A desire for more opportunities for fellowship get-togethers socially was often expressed. We are well-served by events led by FOSM and WLTGO. Events with food are well attended but it remains difficult to get the entire congregation together. Twinning home groups for social events Members of the congregation inviting newcomers for lunch/dinner or simply

around for coffee Extending the monthly coffee time after Thursday’s Communion service

C PASTORAL CARE This was agreed to be an important area to both maintain and develop. Anne Riley and the Pastoral Subcommittee do a good job of looking after older members of our church family but middle-aged and younger member have different needs. Paraclesis Course has been launched to build on the good work already being

done A booklet giving information about where people’s needs can be met or to

whom they could be referred. (presently being put together by Tony)

D MISSION

This encompasses spreading the Good News of Jesus by both word (evangelism) and deed (service) in a variety of areas.

A monthly drop-in coffee morning offering pastoral care and fellowship for families with children with Additional Needs.

A bi-monthly family event on a Saturday afternoon for mums and dads with children aged six and over.

Continuing to encourage volunteer help at Recovery House (currently nine from St Mary’s work or volunteer there) and occasional fundraising support.

Supporting Refugees with money and practical help (Tony has taken this on and will keep the church informed through contact with ENFG)

Inviting a speaker to address us on the Refugee crisis. Exploring the challenges brought to us by Rushden East (3,500 new homes,

almost entirely within our parish) of further children’s work and/or a “satellite” for worship based in the school.

Growing Leaders Course and continuing leader mentoring and support meetings with individuals.

An Away Day on lay ministry and leadership. This has been booked in Grendon Hall for Saturday 4 November 2017 led by Bishop Donald.

14

Friends of St Mary’s

What’s in a name? When I was asked to become a Trustee of Friends of St Mary’s, I was puzzled about what was involved as I had been brought up as a ‘Friend’ (ie a Quaker, or member of the Society of Friends.) Quakerism is a section of the Christian church that appears to be a mystery to many, so here are a few words offering a glimpse into its early years.

Quakerism was founded by George Fox [pictured] in the Seventeenth Century following a visionary experience in 1652 on Pendle Hill in the Pennines. He had been preaching publicly since the 1640s along with a small group of followers known as ‘Friends of the Truth’ or just ‘Friends’, but was regarded by many as a dissenter. He held that God was everywhere and in all the faithful, therefore anybody could preach without the qualifications required of the established church. This view remains a core belief today, so anyone at a Quaker ‘service’ (known as a ‘meeting’) may stand and speak their mind.

Inevitably this led to multiple clashes with church authorities and Fox was frequently imprisoned, on one occasion for blasphemy when he clashed with the judge whom he exhorted to “tremble at the word of the Lord”, leading the judge to refer to Fox and his followers as ‘Quakers.

Two centuries later, Quakers were creating and leading major companies such as Lloyds and Barclays banks, Friends Provident and Rowntrees, and the most famous of all – Cadbury, whose founders built Bournville, a new village with houses, health and leisure facilities for their workers, as an enactment of their beliefs.

Geoff Pedlar, Trustee, Friends of St. Mary’s

15

St George and Hiccup and the dragon Have you seen the film How to Train your Dragon? It’s set in a Viking village under attack from dragons, who steal livestock and burn down houses. Hiccup, the village Chief’s son, invents a machine to capture dragons. However, when he catches one of the most dangerous dragons, he cannot kill it, when he sees that the dragon is just as frightened as he is. Through this friendship, the people and dragons eventually live in harmony.

This month we celebrate St George, the patron saint of England. He is famous for slaying a dragon, a tradition which became popular in the Middle Ages. Whether he killed an actual dragon is open to question! However, we do know that the original George was a Roman soldier at the time of Emperor Diocletian. He refused to renounce his faith, as commanded by the Emperor, resulting in his death on 23 April 303 AD.

The contrast is clear: St George slayed the evil dragon, while Hiccup refused to kill one. However, they also have something important in common. Both acted according to their conscience, defying the popular understanding of those around them and not worrying about the personal cost to themselves. St George was martyred for standing up for his faith in Jesus before a pagan emperor, while Hiccup risked rejection by his father and village because of his compassion.

Today, we are still called to stand for Christ against wrongs and injustice in a daily life, whatever the personal cost. However, we also need to be ready to look our enemies in the eye and meet their hostility with love and compassion. This is why we also remember this month that Jesus died and rose again, so that we might have God’s power to do this in our lives.

St George’s Day is usually celebrated on April 23 but, confusingly, this year is marked in some diaries for Monday April 24 [as traditional in Canada]. St George, probably a Roman solider from Syria Palestina, is also the Patron Saint of Beirut, Lebanon, Georgia, Malta & Gozo, Portugal, Palestine, Ethiopia, many cities in Greece and Italy and highly regarded in Syria itself. JC

16

Sue is the first child of Jean and Roy Daniels, born during March 1952. They lived in a bungalow on Birchall Road. Father worked for BUSH where he serviced machines in local shoe factories and mother worked at Frank Wright’s Bakery on the High Street.

When Sue was three years old she had to go and live with her grandparents when both her parents contracted polio. Her Nana was kind and loving but Sue was away from home for a year and missed her Mum. She vividly remembers waving to her through a window!

At five Sue was joined by a baby sister, Trish. It was lovely having a sister but unfortunately she broke her toys and scribbled with crayons in her favourite books!

She started school at Tennyson Road, then moved on to Alfred Street, where, aged ten, she was in David Clarke’s class. From there she went to Wellingborough Technical School. Among her favourite subjects were English, History, Art & Crafts, especially Pottery, but she hated Maths, leaving school with four O Levels and later gaining another four. At fourteen she had a Saturday job with Thomas Hairdressers in the High Street and he eventually gave her a full time job when she left school.

Sue’s best friend persuaded her to go to St Peter’s Youth Club run by Rod Walker and where Mike Steel taught Badminton each Saturday night. On Sunday nights they went to the Curate’s [Rev Jessop] for tea and cake! A boy called Richard was there as well, though she wasn’t impressed at first - but things changed. Staff changes at St Peter’s meant a different attitude towards young people, so they moved to St Mary’s, where they were made very welcome.

Richard, who worked in accounts at Marriott’s the Builders, and Sue gradually became closer and eventually they were married at St Mary’s in October 1970 by Michael Wilson and Rev Peter Skolding. They managed only two days in London for their honeymoon. Sue didn’t mind as she couldn’t wait to get back to their new home in York Close in Higham Ferrers. She continued to work until her first baby, Andrew, was born in 1971, followed by Claire in 1974. They moved to a larger house in Shelley Drive in 1975 and before long The Merrifields moved in at ‘the bottom of the garden’.

When the children were old enough Sue became a playgroup supervisor in Wellingborough so she could have hours and holidays to fit in with the

Meet the Congregation - Sue Stringer

17

children, but when Claire started at Ferrers School she was able to begin working as a Community Nursing Auxiliary. By the time she retired at 55 she was doing Diabetic Care, Phlebotomy and wound care, which she loved and says, “you name it - I’ve dressed it!” Next she took a part-time job at the Master Bakery in Higham. Now fully retired, she is so busy and wonders how she ever found time to work.

Just a few years ago Sue fell off a stepladder and badly injured her foot. She was told she might never walk again, but with great patience and perseverance she now walks at least five miles a day and on the day of this interview she had already done eight miles and still had to walk home!

Many special family occasions have happened at St Mary’s. Her great great grandfather was christened there in 1830; her mum and dad worshipped there from 1949; Sue was christened and confirmed there in 1968; she and Richard married there and the children were baptised at St Mary’s.

They all used to go to the Family Service, although they lived in Higham Ferrers. Due to her NHS work she was not always there every Sunday but now retired she’s a regular!

At St Mary’s Sue helps with Bumps & Babes on a Monday, belongs to FOSM and is on the church cleaning rota. She enjoys being part of a friendly and vibrant church that caters for all ages.

Roving Reporter

Who’s been the biggest influences on your life? My Nana and Mum

Hobbies? Walking, reading, gardening and I’m an Archers addict.

We both belong to the Rushden & District History

Society

Guest to dinner? Sir Cliff Richard

What would you serve? Butternut squash and

spinach curry, dhal and rice

Special Treat? A slice of coffee and walnut cake [but not during Lent]

Your favourite places? North Cornwall, North

Norfolk and Bournemouth [I’m not very adventurous!]

Proudest Moment? Having a home birth with Claire and a much-wanted

sister for Andrew

Favourite Saying? Always try your best!

Those questions

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You might like to know about. . . An ENFG Open Evening will be taking place from 7.00 to 9.00pm on Monday 3 April at the Hope Methodist Church temporary building in Queensway, Higham Ferrers. This will be open to anyone, and an opportunity to learn more about the Faith Group, including the services that it runs and their impact. It will also include its Annual General Meeting.

The next East Northants refugee support meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 6 April at the Bridge community office, Whitefriars Junior School. More details from: [email protected]

Thursday 27 April, Funders’ Fair at ENC offices at Thrapston: 10.ooam to 12noon: presentations from funders; and 1.00 to 3.00pm: a chance to talk to funders. No booking needed. Details are available from Su Davies at [email protected] or on 01832 742191.

Muslims send children to church schools Muslim parents are choosing Church of England school for their children because they believe they prepare them for ‘life in modern Britain’. According to the C of E’s chief education officer, Rev Nigel Genders, ‘Amid a rise in hate crimes and radial and cultural tensions, the Church is offering an education where “no passports are required”’. i newspaper 21 February 2017

Cheep and cheerful: how birds lift your spirits Watching birds can help to stave off depression, anxiety and stress, according to a recent study. No particular species is singled out as particularly effective: instead the actual number of birds people could see from their windows, in the garden, or in their neighbourhood is significant. Study leader, Dr Daniel Cox said, ‘This ... starts to unpick the role that some key components of nature play for our mental wellbeing.’ i newspaper 25 February 2017

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Diocese of Peterborough - Magazine Resource - April 2017 Produced by the Diocesan Office, The Palace, Peterborough PE1 1YB

01733 887000 www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk

nerve; “I for one never forget that Jesus died for my sins, which was nice of him seeing that I didn’t ask and he went ahead and did it any-way. Let’s face it, that’s a mate, you’d have to buy him a pint”. The issue is engagement. The passion of Jesus demands a response, we cannot remain mere observers. Bishop Stephen Cottrell writes of “the profligate love of God”. The real problem with the passion is that we cannot ignore someone who loves us so much that we have to take notice, we have to respond to God’s call. At Easter we shall be offered the opportunity to renew our commit-ment to follow Jesus. Let’s do so with new passion.

A s we approach Holy Week I’ve been reflecting upon film ver-sions of Jesus’ death. (These

notes were written just after this year’s Oscars’ ceremony). In particu-lar, my thoughts have been drawn to Mel Gibson’s controversial film “The Passion”. It caused a huge fuss amongst the “chattering classes”, but was a huge commercial success. Why did it cre-ate such a stir? “The Times” ran a special feature posing the question; “We say we are atheists – so why does a new film about Jesus cause us so much heart searching?” One reviewer said; “This film is beautifully made and very powerful. The opening verse is from Isaiah 53 – ‘he was bruised for our iniquities’ - and the overall theme which is brought out very sensitively, is to re-mind us of just how it was God's love for us that led Jesus to the Cross. At the end of the viewing the audience just sat quite stunned. It is the most powerful presentation of the passion I have ever seen - basically I just sat with tears in my eyes for most of the film. There is also a very moving and clever scene at the death of Jesus where from a ’heavens’ eye view something falls to earth and you real-ise it is a tear from the Father's eye”. In the past it was often the court jester who was able to speak the truth no one else dared utter. It was the comedian Al Murray who came nearest to explaining why the pas-sion of Jesus touches such a raw

Passionate about Christ

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Sponsored five day walk to end Motor Neuron Disease

Canon Roger Knight is walking through five parishes to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease to commemorate the anniversary of his wife’s death. He will be walking between his current parish and through the five parishes he has served in. He feels strongly about Motor Neuron Disease (MND). “There is no cure or treatment and in most cases people die within two years. Stephen Hawking, the most well-known person with the disease, is the exception.” MND is a fatal rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work. It kills a third of people within a year. It affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time and kills six people every day. Roger said: “It will include some prayer walking, 28 miles over five days, coinciding with the day the Archbishop’s ‘Thy Kingdom Comes’ starts - Ascension Day 25 May. At the end of the walk he will end up in Naseby to plant a tree. “Ann asked for a tree to be planted in her memory in the diocese. Naseby was our first parish where I was the vicar. The Old Vicarage Tearoom will lay on afternoon tea for the event.” Roger said he visited the tearoom just before Christmas. “That was our old Georgian vicarage when we were at the church, in a beautiful setting and with a large garden.” He went on: “Naseby has always been close to my heart. Our children grew up there. We were persuaded against our will to move

after seven years. We really didn’t want to go.” Ann was a member of the DAC and was advisor on burial places for cremated remains. In 1977 the cremated area was set up in Naseby churchyard during their time there. The church is now extending that area. A tree will be planted close by. Roger said there is a future plan as well: “My ashes are going to go there close to Ann’s tree.” Denise Davies, Head of Community Fundraising at the MND Association said: “Without the amazing support of people like Roger Knight, the MND Association simply would not be able to provide its vital support services, fund research to find a cure and campaign and raise awareness of MND. Together we are making a real difference for people affected by this devastating disease. Roger has a just giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Roger-Knight6 For more information and to join the walk: 01536 628480 or email [email protected]

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On Tuesday, 28 February The House of Lords debated North Korea and its disregard for international law. They spoke of the threat to international security by their use of VX, the toxic nerve agent used to assassinate Kim Jong-nam, and the recent missile tests in violation of UN Security Council. Of equal concern is the incarceration and execution of hundreds of thousands of North Korean Citizens who had fled the DPRK. Bishop Donald spoke for those refugees: “My Lords, I have a particular interest in those who escaped from North Korea, both through my membership of the all-party group and the link that we have in the diocese of Peterborough with the diocese of Seoul in South Korea, which does a lot to support escapees “Can the Minister please tell us whether our Government are talking to the Government of China about their apparent policy of sending refugees straight back to North Korea, where they face execution or incarceration in camps, and whether we will ask China to allow people freedom of

passage to those countries which welcome them?”. Baroness Anelay said that he had raised an important issue. The Chinese government believe that those who flee the DPRK “to save their own lives” are in fact “economic migrants” and are subject to return. “I can assure the right reverend Prelate that we did indeed raise the issue of forced repatriation of refugees on numerous occasions with China.” She went on to say it is “important that we keep up pressure in this matter”. More about the Peterborough Diocese link with Seoul is at http://crosskeysmag.org.uk/?p=1736

Bishop Donald speaks out for North Korea Refugees P

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Y ou are invited to STARBURST 2017 on Saturday 13 May 10am-4pm at All Saints’

Primary School, Northampton NN2 7AJ. Tickets cost just £10 each and you can find all the details, including booking, at: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/news-and-events/ events/details/1848 We are also offering a strand for junior leaders aged 10-13. We only have 12 places available for them, all free, so please book places with [email protected] as soon as possible. Junior leaders share the opening worship and have the option to attend some of the workshops. They will also enjoy time in their own base group and lead everyone in the closing act of worship. We have a great range of, work-shops this year, including: faith In the family, prayer ideas, crafts, urban children, toddler groups, boys into men, and the reluctant leader. We

will welcome Margaret Pritchard Houston, my network colleague in St Albans Diocese, to lead two workshops. She is the author of the excellent resource There is a Season: so her session on All-Age Worship will be practical and inspiring. She will lead a second workshop on Bible Storytelling. To increase our enjoyment still further, she will be bringing a range of toys and resources from Mustard Seeds Kids to show and sell in the marketplace.

April 2017 events

Mon 3 Apr, Launde Abbey Quiet Day. 10am-4pm at Launde Abbey, Launde Road, East Norton, LE7 9XB Belonging and Becoming: An exploration of Christian Identity Led by Guli Francis-Dehqani. £26 per person, to include coffee, lunch and tea. More info: 01572 717254 or www.laundeabbey.org.uk/ Mon 17 Apr, Cowslips and Fritillary Day. 2-4pm at Newton Bromswold, St Peter NN10 0SR. Plants and cream teas for sale. More info from Helen Lines 01933 315864 Sat 22 Apr, Concert of Readings and Music. 7.30pm at Geddington, St Mary Magdalene NN14 1AH. £10

including a glass of wine. For more info email Chris Hills at [email protected] Sat 29 Apr, Bishop’s Roadshow 9.30am-12.30pm at Greetham Valley Golf Course, Wood Lane, Greetham, Oakham, LE15 7SN. Following on from the very popular series of Roadshows in 2014, Bishop Donald would like to invite you the 2017 Roadshows. Please contact [email protected] to give numbers of those attending.

More details at: www.peterborough-diocese.org.uk/events

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Are you a TripAdvisor? If you are, you’ll know what I mean! St Mary’s Church is currently listed as a Rushden “attraction” on the site but with, last time I checked, not a single review. Time to make a difference! Get writing . . . JC

Bishop resigns after attacks The new Bishop of Sheffield has stood down from the post after attacks from members of his new diocese over his view that women should not become priests. He would have been the first recent appointee to a senior role who did not agree with women’s ordination. i newspaper 10 March 2017

CHOCOLATE FUDGE BROWNIES Makes 9 [or 18 nibbles]

Ingredients

3 oz soft brown sugar 3 oz ready to eat pitted dates 8 oz tinned red kidney beans, drained 2 oz butter or margarine (not spreadable type) cut into small pieces 2 eggs 1 tsp instant coffee granules 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp cocoa powder 1 tbsp cornflour 1 tsp baking powder 4 oz raisins 9 walnut halves (optional) Icing sugar, to dust

Method Heat oven to Gas 4/180C/360F

Line a 7” square tin with baking paper

Grind the dates and sugar until fudgy

Blitz the beans, mix in the dates and the butter/marg.

Mix in the rest of ingredients (except walnuts and icing sugar)

Spoon into prepared tin, level top then bake approx 30 mins.

Mark into 9 squares and press a walnut half (if using) in centre of each square.

When cool, cut into 9 squares and sift with icing sugar.

Gluten free ∙ whipped egg white may be

used instead of whole egg

briefing

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General Synod hails reconciliation as Christians mark 500th anniversary of the Reformation The Church of England’s General Synod has welcomed signs of “convergence” between churches on key doctrinal differences which divided Christians for centuries in the wake of the Reformation.

Members of the Synod, recently meeting in London, backed a motion supporting further reconciliation between Roman Catholic and reformed churches as Christians around the world commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation and celebrating the “rich spiritual blessings” the Reformation brought to the Church of England.

Although the origins of the Reformation are complex, Martin Luther’s protest against indulgences and other church practices, in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517, is regarded as the trigger for the period of upheaval across Europe from which protestant churches, and ultimately Anglicanism, emerged. More recent

dialogue between churches led to a joint declaration by the Roman Catholic Church and World Lutheran Federation in 1999, setting out broad agreement on the doctrine of justification – or the forgiveness of sins. The declaration, which was affirmed by the Anglican Communion last year, asserts that people are saved “by grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part”.

Churches' Mutual Credit Union extends Common Bond to Catholic Church A Credit Union first launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other church leaders is to expand to include eligible members of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and in Scotland.

Approval has been given by the regulators for the Catholic Church in England and Wales and in Scotland to become the latest Christian denomination to be included in the Common Bond of the Churches’ Mutual Credit Union (CMCU).

The CMCU was launched in February 2015.

You might like to know . . .

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Looking Back at St Mary’s Magazines

50 Years Ago - April 1967

Belfry Gossip. We apologise to anyone who requested the bells on Easter Saturday and who were refused. Some churches observe Lent and Holy Week more than others, but as our Bishop requested no ringing during Holy Week, that’s it. Of course this is as it should be, but unfortunately we, as ringers, have to suffer. Here is a remedy. Brides-to-be: avoid Easter Saturday and have your bells some other time, then we shall all be satisfied.

Congratulations to our tower captain on his election as a Churchwarden. We trust, of course, we shall not lose sight of him while carrying out his many tasks.

25 Years Ago - April 1992

Tony Smith, well known in all three churches as a Reader, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. This is a prestigious honour, awarded to people who have made significant contributions to Technological and Scientific Advances in Aviation. Nominations have to be supported by five current Fellows of the RAS and we congratulate Tony on this achievement.

27

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Avenue Salon

Abby Stannard

Ladies’ Hairdresser with over 14 years’ experience

Reductions for seniors Mondays & Tuesdays

166 Avenue Road, Rushden, NN10 0SW 01933 317632 07784 258795

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Brian Howard Mobile: 07789 717176

Phone: 01933 412497

Email: [email protected]

www.clearandcleanwindowcleaning.co.uk

Carpet Cleaning

Window Cleaning

Gutter Cleaning

Conservatory Cleaning

Solar Panel Cleaning

Fascia Cleaning

64 Roman Way

Higham Ferrers

NN10 8NS

Langham Partnership Daily Thought 579 from John Stott

Love and service If love and truth go together, and love and gifts go together, so do love and

service, since true love always expresses itself in service. To love is to serve. We

are left, then, with these four aspects of Christian life forming a ring or a circle which cannot be broken -- love, truth,

gifts and service. For love issues in service, service uses the gifts, the

highest gift is the teaching of the truth, but truth must be spoken in love. Each involves the others, and wherever you

begin all four are brought into operation. Yet 'the greatest of these is

love' (1 Cor. 13:13).

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Crossword No 335

Solution to Crossword No 334

ACROSS

1 ‘___ __ ___ and I will extol Him’ (modern hymn) (5,2,4)

7 A Levite in 1 Chronicles 6:24 (6)

8 Dreading (2,4) 9 Pub (3) 10 Soak up (6) 12 Large bird (6) 13 ‘___ ___ ___

abideth’ (hymn) (4,3,4)

18 Hindu hermitage (6) 20 ‘A ___- place

sufficed’ (carol) (6) 22 Eggs (3) 23 Outlaw (6) 24 Noisy toy (6) 25 All-age religious

gathering (5,6)

DOWN

1 Wife of Ahab (7) 2 County in NW Ireland (5) 3 European in India (5) 4 Virtuous (7) 5 Hell (7) 6 Prayer before a meal (5) 11 Aaron’s ___ (3) 14 Red rose (anag.) (7) 15 Disciple and companion of Paul (7) 16 Watery (3) 17 Samson and ___ (7) 19 Throng (5) 20 Wife of Abraham (5) 21 Holy table (5)

30

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your loved ones have you made? Can they manage your affairs if you are rendered incapable of doing so?

For confidential advice on Powers of Attorney Contact us today to arrange a FREE initial consultation.

Stephen Wilkins - 01933 426266

31

Hollis Brothers High class butchers

44 Duck St. Rushden

357763 Friendly, personal service

PETER TOMAS Comprehensive Glazing Service

Boarding Up & Property Secured

Property Maintenance

Garage Doors Installed

Tel: 359688

PETER DRAPER Photographic

* PASSPORT PHOTOS * BINOCULARS * TELESCOPES

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P. W. HOUSE 54, High Street, Rushden

Rushden’s Family Jeweller For over 60 years

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Shoe Repairs Engraving

Gifts Locksmiths

Watch Straps & Batteries

Barnes Tree Services All types of tree work undertaken

01933 356205

A . ABBOTT & SONS PERSONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS

BEDFORD ROAD, RUSHDEN

‘Owned and operated by the Abbott family for four generations’

Tel: Rushden 312142 24 HOUR SERVICE TO ALL AREAS

Private Chapel of rest, Service Chapel, Catering suite,

Memorial display, Floral tributes Pre-paid plans available Est. 1885

www.abbottfunerals.co.uk

RUSHDEN SCHOOL OF MOTORING Tel: 312874 4 Hall Avenue, Rushden, NN10 9ET

Practical and theory tuition in manual and automatic cars

Probably Rushden’s oldest established driving school: 1957-2017

32

Belfry Gossip During the last month we have maintained our morning service ringing with help, from time to time, of friends from Irchester, but the evening has often been just ringing the bells down ready for the clock to strike on during the week. We haven't rung any quarter peals for an evening service during this time because unfortunately the attempt we made was lost about a third of the way into it.

Vlad, a friend of John's from Irthlingborough, is coming on apace, and has now started to ring call changes on practice nights and is also joining us on Sunday mornings. A great help to us. May he progress rapidly because he is very keen.

You may have heard the bells ringing on a Saturday morning recently because we welcomed the RAF Guild of Ringers when they held their AGM at Thrapston. On the morning of the AGM they usually ring at several towers around their chosen location to make a good day out.

The Wellingborough Branch has been ringing at Ecton (6 bells) where about 14 ringers from around the branch all had plenty of opportunities to ring methods they might not normally get in their own tower and also at Wilby (6). It was a training afternoon at Wilby: this is when we help other ringers to progress. Cakes made by the local ringers and tea or coffee during the breaks kept us refreshed throughout the ringing.

Next month we will be welcoming the Branch to come and ring on our bells.

Tintinnabulum

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April 3 Monday: 7.00-9.00pm—East Northants Faith Group Open Evening &

AGM at Hope Methodist temporary church building, Linnett’s Lane, Higham Ferrers.

4 Tuesday: 7.30pm —Annual Parochial Church Meeting, St Mary’s Hall 5 Wednesday: 12noon—Lent Lunch Church Hall; 1.00pm Meditation in

Church 6 Thursday: 7.30pm—East Northants Refugee Support Meeting at the

Bridge Community Office, Whitefriars Junior School, Rushden 10-12 Monday—Wednesday: 9.30-12noon—St Mary’s Easter Holiday Club.

Contact Lynne on 353655 or [email protected] 12 Wednesday: 12noon—Lent Lunch Church Hall; 1.00pm Meditation in

Church 12 Wednesday: 2.15pm—Ladies’ Group in St Mary’s Church Hall: Mrs Julie

Knowles “Evangelism in the 21st Century” 13 Thursday: 7.00pm—Agape meal in St Mary’s church hall. Tickets £4. 17 Easter Monday: 1.00pm to 4.00pm —Cowslip and Fritillary Day, St

Peter’s Church, Newton Bromswold. Plants for sale and Afternoon Teas. Proceeds to Friends of Newton Church

27 Thursday: 10.00-12noon- & 1.00-3.00pm — Funding Fair at East Northants Council. Thrapston. Details from Su Davies at [email protected] or on 01832 742191.

May 6 Saturday: 10.00-12noon—The Children’s Society Coffee Morning, St Mary’s

Church Hall, stalls, admission 50p 10 Wednesday: 2.15pm—Ladies’ Group in St Mary’s Church Hall: Peter &

Gloria Wright “Willybrook Hundred” 21 Sunday: FOSM Cream Teas & Organ Recital: teas: 2.30-4.30pm; Recitals

2.30 & 4.30pm [tbc]. 24 Wednesday: pm—The Children’s Society: Afternoon tea with

entertainment by ‘Just Good Friends'. Final details in the May Grapevine.

27 Saturday: Seniors’ Lunch in St Mary’s Church Hall.

June 10 Saturday: 2.00pm onwards—St Mary’s Church Fete: in church, hall and

gardens.

Diary

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Mission is a prominent part of life at St Mary’s. We link up with those who have felt God’s calling to go to other countries, but we also support through prayer and giving, those who work for God’s kingdom here in the UK.

Derek and Jane Waller await God’s timing for them to serve him through CMS, knowing that the door to South Sudan and Uganda is closed to them. Brian Hodgkin has undergone surgery and awaits the results of lab tests. With God’s help he hopes to be able to carry on with some parts of his work load as Wycliffe Bible Translation overseer.

We are called, each one, to ‘Mission’ in different ways, using the opportunities God’s Holy Spirit opens up for us to speak of him. Supporting the other mission organisations such as The Church Army and Langham Partnership, as they seek to further God’s kingdom is also part of our responsibility on The Mission Committee.

Rushden is a ‘harvest’ ready to be brought in. We are God’s hands and feet to be used to bring in the lost and seeking. May God use us greatly and may we be ready and willing. Jose Smith for The Mission Committee

Mission Matters

Post-Truth Oxford Dictionaries declared "post-truth" as its 2016 international word of the year, defining it as an adjective relating to circumstances in which objective facts are less

influential in shaping public opinion than emotional appeals.

Quite a lot of what passes for ‘news’ is in fact either fiction or highly decorated fact. Look at the newspaper headlines, and then read the story that follows carefully. Frequently the eye-catching headline (‘Fish and chips postpone dementia’) is only true in the sense that someone has said it. The full story, in a responsible paper, will finally set it in context. (‘It’s based on a small piece of research by a group of students in California and professional medical sources have ridiculed the suggestion.’)

Post-truth takes us even further, implying that ‘truth’ is less important than the impression conveyed. Apparently this comes from the dominating influence of ‘social media’ – Facebook, Twitter and so on. A great deal of what people write - read by huge numbers of people - is simply fabrication. It is passed on not because people think it is true, but because it is amusing, interesting or shocking.

So, post-truth devalues debate, distorts our decision-making and in the end turns us all into sceptics. Whatever happened to the ‘honest truth’?

Canon David Winter : Parish Pump

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2 April - Fifth Sunday of Lent

9.30am 11.15am 6.00pm

All Age Communion Service Morning Prayer Evening Worship

10.00am Family Service

9 April - Palm Sunday 9.30am 11.15am 6.00pm

All Age Parade Service Holy Communion Evening Prayer

10.00am

3.00pm Pete’s Pack Evening Prayer

13 April - Maundy Thursday

10.30am 7.00pm

Holy Communion Agape

14 April - Good Friday

9.30am 2.00pm

All Age Good Friday Service Good Friday Meditation

6.00pm Prayer and Meditation

16 April - Easter Sunday

7.30am 8.00am 10.30am 6.00pm

Son-Rise Service Holy Communion Joint Holy Communion Easter Praise

10.00am

Easter Family Communion

23 April - Second Sunday of Easter

9.30am 11.15am 6.00pm

All Age Service Morning Prayer Evening Prayer

10.00am

3.00pm Pete’s Pack Holy Communion

30 April - Third Sunday of Easter

9.30am 11.15am 6.00pm

All Age Service Morning Prayer Evening Prayer

3.00pm

Evening Prayer

Also Weekdays @ St Mary’s Mondays 10.00am Bumps & Babes @ Church – every week in term time Wednesday 3.30–6.00pm Fun, Faith and Food – first Wed of the month:

Thursdays 10.30am – Holy Communion [BCP] – every week

St Peter’s Newton Bromswold

Services for April 2017

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