The Magazine, April 2007 (Section 1)
Magazine Production Team
Deadline for May magazine: 15th April
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News from Holy Trinity
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their
warm and generous welcome to me as the new Priest in Charge of the Parish.
Although I’ve been around nearly 10 years in Bracknell, taking on this
leadership role is a new stage in my ministry, and marks a new stage in the life
of the Parish.
Easter
is a good time to celebrate warmth and generosity, and the possibilities that a
new start brings; to be overwhelmed by the generosity of God’s gift of new life
in the risen Lord and to bask in the warmth of Christ’s love for us. It is this
warmth and generosity to us that spurs us on to new life, expressed through
mission and evangelism in our Parish, through ministry to its people, and
through giving the resources of people, time and money that we need to be a
Church where God’s love and generosity through Christ is felt and channelled.
If we are daunted by the challenge of the future (and I certainly am), we should
note that the warmth and generosity of the resurrection was achieved through the
coldness of death and the meanness of sacrifice and betrayal.
The new start was made possible by a seemingly final ending, and in particular
that the road to that ending was marked by chaos and confusion (beautifully
symbolised in the ending of the Maundy Thursday service, where we simply walk
away from the service in silence, without order or ceremony).
This Easter, may we celebrate our generous and loving God, and commit ourselves
to new life in the future. I look forward to working with my clergy and lay
colleagues in leadership, and with all of you, in growing God’s Kingdom
together.
Nick Parish.
News from St Andrew's
Those preparing for Confirmation
We pray for all throughout the Bracknell Team who are preparing for
confirmation. These include a considerable number of adults and young people.
Housekeeping
Church cleaning is one of those essential tasks which is often done
by a very few people and we give thanks for all who faithfully (yes faithfully)
do this at St. Andrew’s on a regular basis. Jean Butcher in particular has
helped to clean the church for many years. We are glad to say that some more
people are putting themselves forward to do some of this work. In the well-known
hymn “Teach me my God and King”, which has words written by the poet and priest
George Herbert, two of the lines are: ”Who sweeps a room as for thy laws, makes
that and the action fine”. And this “makes drudgery divine”. If that is true
about sweeping an ordinary room, how much more so it is when applied to the
cleaning of a church.
The microphone has given up the ghost and we will probably need to get a new
one. Also, the notice– board outside the church needs to be replaced.
Hope
At our Sunday service a few weeks ago Andrew preached on the theme of
Hope. He said that hope tends to be more neglected than faith and love.
Christian hope is not misguided or misplaced optimism. Rather, it is the
assurance that our faith in Christ gives us, a resurrection hope. We pray for
Nick as he starts to lead the Bracknell Team. Bishop Stephen’s words at Nick’s
Licensing Service were very hopeful and positive, and we look forward to working
with Nick for the coming of Christ’s Kingdom in Bracknell.
Easter
This will be Andrew’s first Easter with us at St. Andrew’s and we
pray for him and all the clergy team in the context of Holy Week and Easter. May
our church services and private devotions enable us to see more clearly, all
that Christ has done for us
Simon Sellick
News from St Paul's
Half Term
St Paul's was once again filled to the rafters with music over half
term as adults and youngsters set aside their half term to put on a production
of Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo. This was a tremendous effort with both
adults and children working hard to put together a whole production, including
the music, the scenery and all the publicity, in just 5 days.
The actual performances went off really well with excellent contributions from
children of all ages, and an adult choir from both congregations. Well done to
all who took part, especially to Noah, Chris Ball, who was getting over the Flu;
and a big thank you to all who helped organise and lead the event.
Prayer Group
St Paul's Prayer Group, which meets on the first Saturday in a month,
met in March to pray for the ‘Big Brew’ fair-trade initiative. The group, with
both Anglican and URC people, met at 8.30 in the morning and after praying they
had a fair-trade breakfast, followed by Coffee and Cakes.
If you would like to join this prayer group you are very welcome – don’t forget
8.30am, first Saturday in the month.
Fare
Trade
The charity branch of Traidcraft, 'Traidcraft exchange' have been
sent £30, £11 of this from the Fare Trade breakfast. Thank you to all those who
purchase Traidcraft goods on 3rd Sunday of the month.
If you would like a catalogue please see Jenny Colby.
Parade Service
Jenny Colby and the Uniformed Organisations did their parade service
this month. The theme was ‘Families come in all shapes and sizes’. As well as
contributions from the Brownies and Guides and N’compass, everyone took part in
the prayer activity of writing names on Pink Heart shaped Post-it notes. This
was followed by a very moving short time of silence.
The next parade service is on 13 May.
Small Time
On 15th March there was a record attendance at Small Time – 26 adults
and 33 children under 5.
We praise God for love and joy in this group and thank him for its growth.
URC Minister
The vacancy committee meet again this month for the next stage in
finding a new minister for the Bracknell Church. Please continue to pray for our
sister congregation as they seek the person to lead them in the next stage in
their ministry in Bracknell
Family News
It is always difficult when members of the church family struggle and
our thoughts and prayers are with Tom and Audrey Ainscough at the moment as they
cope with various health issues. Tom and Audrey have been great friends to St
Paul's and have been constant and faithful worshippers for many years. Please
pray for them and for an improvement in their situation.
Social Events
These have included a ‘Joseph’ sing along and the Good Friday Lunch.
Two events, just a fortnight apart, but St Paul's do love to meet…and eat!
For more information on St Paul's Social Events
click here!
Catherine
Parish Register
Please remember them all in your prayers
Baptisms
We welcome into the God's family
Ryan Collins
Funerals
We commit to God's care
Ron Nicholls
Roy Quintin
Fred Cooper
Jane Doig
April Diary
This can be found in For your Diary...
April Prayer Diary
This can be found in Prayer Diary
Taizé Meditation
These meditations are meant as a way of seeking God in silence and prayer
in the midst of our daily life. During the course of a day, take a moment to read the Bible
Passage with this short commentary and reflect on the questions which follow.
Matthew 4:1-11: Jesus Put to the Test
Set between the baptism of Jesus and the beginning of his public life, the
account of the temptations occupies a key place in the gospels. Jesus is brought
by the Spirit of God into the desert and, after he fasts for forty days (a
number that recalls the trials in the past life of God’s people), the tempter
comes and confronts him. There are almost no descriptive features of this
malevolent figure to stimulate our imagination, but instead several names to
express the significance of the act: “Tempter” (cause to fall), “Satan”
(accuse), “devil” (divide). It is the struggle that Jesus experiences, and not
evil in itself, that is the subject of the story.
The tempter puts Jesus to the test in three areas, and attempts each time to
deform his relationship with God the Father and with human beings. First of all,
he invites Jesus to cope with his hunger all by himself, by turning stones into
bread (v. 3). Then he asks him to manipulate God by throwing himself from the
pinnacle of the temple so that God can save him (v. 6). Finally, he invites him
to enter into the game of domination by offering him power over earthly kingdoms
in exchange for his homage (v. 8-9). The reader feels the suspense: if Jesus
gives in, he will no longer be the Jesus that we know. But each time the tempter
puts him to the test, Jesus responds directly and clearly, simply quoting
Scripture passages with which all believers in Israel were familiar.
We could forget that during his life on earth, Jesus had to affirm over and over
again the basic orientations of his existence, and to do so through a commitment
that asked for everything from him. His ministry was based not on an obligation
but on a choice, in other words on love. By his temptations Jesus is thus even
closer to us, when we are tested in the basic choices of our life.
What situations, what choices in my own life do the tempter’s questions
evoke for me?
What changes for us when we realize that Christ has already replied to the
temptation, and that he remains faithful in his love for God and for humankind?
Take time at the end to pray, thanking God for his presence, asking for
what you need for yourself, and for those things close to your heart.
Further information on Taizé can be obtained from the Community's website.