Odds and Ends
THE BISHOP OF CHELMSFORD'S LENT APPEAL
Growing - Learning - Living
Our Lent Appeal for 2010 on the theme of ‘Growing - Learning - Living' is for the benefit of three significant overseas projects:
· Friends of the Poor in South India.
· Community development in the Anglican Diocese of the Amazon.
· Technology for the Library at St Andrew's College, Kabare, Kenya.
Full details of the appeal and a letter from Bishop Laurie are in the current edition of "The Month." The charity has had several years of direct contact with these communities in South India, and are confident that money raised will make a real difference to families lives. All the money goes directly to relieve poverty, advance education and relieve sickness.
At All Saints’ we will be giving out Smartie tubes during Lent for people to place their contributions: these to be returned after Easter. For those giving cheques, they should be payable to CDBF, and may be given in church. Please mark envelopes "Lent Appeal"
INTERCESSIONS
Are you interested in joining a small but dedicated group of people who lead the intercessions at the Parish Eucharist?
If you are, there will be an informal meeting in the Vicarage on Tuesday 2 February 2010 at 7.30pm
At The meeting you will have the opportunity to talk informally to those who already lead the Intercessions. Just by attending will not commit you!
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to talk to either Stephen Carter, Avril Askew, or me
Alan Marjoram
LENT BEGINS
The season of Lent is approaching, commencing on Ash Wednesday and taking us up to Holy Week and Easter.
We can now look forward to Ash Wednesday which is on 17th February and there will be opportunities to mark this starting point in All Saints at 10.30am and 8pm. It is an important day in the Christian Calendar and so every effort should be made to give it the priority and reflection it deserves. If you can share it with us - great. If not please seek out a service wherever you may happen to be.
Lent provides us a chance to study the faith we profess. Churches Together in Maldon will again be promoting a series of ecumenical study groups held in private homes and it would be good to see members of All Saints participating. More details of all these Lent Groups will be found in the Link Newsletter over the coming weeks, but here is a brief introduction.
Introduction.
This is a five week study course designed to be used by small groups alongside the ‘Love Life Live Lent’ booklet.
Outline of the Course
The weekly themes tie in with those in the ‘Love Life Love Lent’ booklet and are as follows:-
Week 1 - Home and Family: The good, the bad and the ugly.
Bible passage Luke 15.11-32: ‘There was a man who had two sons.’
Week 2 - Neighbourhood/Community: From the wrong side of town.
Bible passage: Luke 10.11-32: ‘Who is my neighbour.’
Week 3 - Work/College/School: Transforming the mundane.
Bible passage: Luke 6.37-42: Relationships in the kingdom.
Week 4 - Global: Shine!
Bible passage: Exodus 3.1-12 Let my people go!
Week 5 God (Holy Week): Focusing on Go
Bible passage: Luke 24.13-24 Walking with Jesus.
Tool Box
The following comes from Jo Stark on behalf of the Churches Together in Maldon project.
Tool Box is a project being trialled by Churches Together in Maldon between January and Easter this year. The project has two 'edges'. The first is to benefit the folk (mainly in Africa) who receive the recycled, renovated tools and are then able to earn a living and educate their children. We will be giving the tools to 'Tools With a Mission' (TWAM). If you want more information about them, their website is www.twam.co.uk. The second is to attract folk to the town who have the time, willingness and skills needed to sort and renovate tools. (There are plenty of unskilled tasks, e.g. removing rust with a wire brush or using a magnifying glass to read the size of a socket and putting it into the appropriate ice cream tub!). It provides a sense of purpose and an opportunity to become part of a team - two things that plenty of folk miss when they retire.
You can help by bringing along your unwanted tools (carpentry, plumbing etc.); by helping to sort tools; by making socket set boxes; by checking sewing machines. This will be happening every Thursday from 10 am to 12 noon from 14th January to 1st April at Maldon Baptist Church, Butt Lane, CM9 5HD. You can contact Jo Stark on 01245 358951 for further information.
The Freedom Programme A twelve week programme providing information to men and women about domestic violence.
Hope & Encouragement for Lone Parents (www.loneparenthelp.org.uk) in association with Christian Growth Centre are Hosting a course for women who would like information about domestic abuse and an insight into different types of traits, good and bad that men portray. This can be for themselves, a friend or relative, work or just for interest.
The course will be lead by Jill Nicholls from CGC Maldon who has been been trained by the Freedom Programme Team, It runs through the book called "The Dominator" which is available to all participants of the course.
What are its aims?
· To help women understand the beliefs held by abusive men and in so doing, recognise which of these beliefs they have shared.
· To illustrate the effects of domestic violence on children
· To assist women to recognise potential future abusers, Mr Wrong or Mr Right
· To help women gain self-esteem and the confidence to improve the quality of their lives
· To introduce women to community resources such as Women's Aid, the Police Domestic Violence Unit, The Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, local Colleges etc.
This is not a Christian course but there will be one week where we share supper and Jill and I give our testimonies which will include our walk with God. The course runs for 8 weeks from Wednesday 3rd of February 7.30pm to 9.30pm and is held at the Christian Outreach Centre, Broad Street Green, Colchester Road in Heybridge. (It may be possible to roll on this course if weeks are missed due to the short notice of start date). It is FREE to all women as funding has been received by H.E.L.P (lifts to the course/babysitting fees may be available). We would love any women in your church or others they may know to take advantage of this course as we believe its of huge benefit to our community. Further information, details and leaflets if you would like some are available from H.E.L.P, please contact Ann/June or Lindsay on 01621 855855 or 07960975736.
Lindsay Young,, Chairperson/Trustee H.E.L.P
Saints and Martyrs
February 2010
ST. ABRAHAM OF SMOLENSK
Abbot (d. 1221)
"He slept but little; kneeling and weeping abundant tears, he beat his breast and called upon God, imploring the Lord to have mercy on His peoples and to turn away his wrath.”
Abraham was a biblical scholar and monk who endured many trials in his lifetime. Born to a wealthy family in Smolensk, Russia in the late twelfth century, Abraham was orphaned while young and gave away his inheritance to become a monk.
He entered the Bogoroditskaya Monastery and developed a genuine apostolate for the sick and poor of the region. He celebrated the Eucharistic liturgy every day, a practice considered remarkable at the time. A biblical scholar who lived austerely and preached on the Last Judgement, Abraham made many enemies in his religious community. His prophetic warnings about the coming judgement of God and the need for repentance provoked the resentment of both his fellow clergy as well as the rich. He eventually withdrew from his monastery and joined the monks of the Holy Cross. He was not well received there either, and charges of misconduct with women, heresy, claiming to be a prophet, and “reading impious books” were levelled against him
After two separate trials cleared him of these charges, Abraham was ordered back to Bogoroditskaya Monastery and was denied his priestly functions by Ignatius, Bishop of Smolensk. However, when the city faced a terrible drought, the citizens of Smolensk demanded that Abraham be restored. This clamour for reinstatement led to a second investigation, one that cleared his name. Bishop Ignatius apologized to the saint for his treatment. Abraham became the Abbot of the Mother of God Monastery in Smolensk where he received people and was revered for his courage and humility. He remained in the Mother of God Monastery until his death in 1221.
John Clifford
FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS
FUNERALS
VIRGINIA GRETNA GODWIN (aged 90)
HILDA ADA NOON (aged 103)
JACK WOODCRAFT
FLORENCE BARRELL
DOROTHY HULL
"May they rest in peace and rise in glory"
Celebration of Youth Ministry
5th February 2010
Shire Hall Chelmsford,
doors open 7pm
The diocesan youth workers are holding a Celebration event for all those interested in young people's work in the Diocese, celebrating the unsung heroes and what God is doing amongst us. Including worship, resources, Graduation from Equipping 2009 as well as a café and a chance to meet others and enjoy some reflection time. The event is free, but please register for your place by contacting Alice Smith youthadviseralice@yahoo.co.uk.
Taken from the Diocesan E-Bulletin
Dear all, please see below my diary for the next 2 weeks. As usual, a lot of mentoring and pastoral opportunities are arising, and these are not in my diary. I'm looking at opening this up more to old and existing members of SWIM clubs too.
Thanks for your continued support.
Andrea Dalton
Mon 1st Feb – 12.15pm: Year 7 RE lesson on Existence of God
Tues 2nd – 8.50am: Year 7 RE lesson, 11.15am: Year 7 RE lesson, 12.20 All Saints SUPA club, 1.20pm: 6th form CU, 2.30pm: Mentor session with ex 6th form student
Weds 3rd - 8.50am: Year 7 RE lesson, 9.50am: Year 7 RE lesson, 11.15am: Year 7 RE lesson, 1.20pm: SWIM Lunch club, 3.10: CU at Lower School,
Thurs 4th - 9am: Heybridge Assembly, 10.25: Maldon Primary infant then junior assemblies, 12.20: Wentworth SUPA club, 1.20pm: SWIM lunch club at Upper, 3.10pm: Rock Solid.
Fri 5th – 9.50am: Year 7 RE lesson, 1.20pm: CU at Upper Plume, 2.10pm: Year 7 RE lesson
Sat 6th - Counselling course
Mon 8th Feb – 11.15am: Year 8 RE lesson on Existence of God Tues 9th - 12.20 All Saints SUPA club, 1.20pm: 6th form CU, 2.10pm: Year 8 RE lesson
Weds 10th - 1.20pm: SWIM Lunch club, 2.10pm: Year 8 RE lesson, 3.10: CU at Lower School,
Thurs 11th – 8.50am: Year 7 RE lesson, 11.15am: Year 8 RE lesson, 12.20: Wentworth SUPA club, 1.20pm: SWIM lunch club at Upper, 2pm: Mentor meeting for me, 3.10pm: Rock Solid.
Fri 12th - 8.25am: Year 13 assembly, 8.50am: Year 8 RE lesson, 12.15pm: Year 8 RE lesson, 1.20pm: CU at Upper Plume.
Sun 14th - 6.30pm: Education Sunday service *Come along and encourage everyone you know to come along too!
In the Mood for Big Band Music?
The Sid Bolan Big Band are holding their annual All Saints’ Church concert on 13th March at 8pm. They will be playing the music of Glenn Miller, Ted Heath, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, to name but a few. A local resident, Sally MacDonald will also be singing with the band. Tickets for the concert are £6.00 and are available from the Vicarage, Maldon Tourist Office the band or at the door on the night.
Bradwell Area Vocations Day:
Saturday 20th March 2010
Moving on: Standing still is not an option!!
At Emmanuel Church, Billericay: Time 9.45 am – 3.45 pm
Saint Paul writes to the Romans “..not all have responded to the good news” Rom 10.16
So what’s your response? Did you miss the Bradwell Area Vocations Day last year? Well, this year’s Vocations Day is to be held on Saturday 20th March.
The word vocation is from the Latin,’ vocare’ which means calling and we want to offer you an opportunity to spend the best part of the day, thinking about your calling through workshops, and discussion and to hear some testimonies of others’ response to God’s call. The day includes workshops, which you can sign up to, from the following:
Fresh Expressions (Pioneering Ministry)
Reader Ministry
Working with children
Caring for Others (including the Ministry of Pastoral Assistants)
Listening to God: Contemplative/Mystic
Sharing my Faith (including the Ministry of Evangelists)
Faith in Action
Ordained Ministry
This year we are calling our day “Moving on: Standing still is not an option!!”. Hopefully this makes the focus of the day really clear. So look out for the registration forms in your church, or talk to your incumbent. Please let us have replies as near to 1st March, to give us time to organise lunch arrangements and other planning.
Who will be there?
Bishop Laurie Green, Bishop of Bradwell
David Lowman, Archdeacon of Southend
Richard More, Diocesan Director of Ordinands
Vocation Advisors
Readers & Pastoral Assistants
Bradwell Area Team
And you!
You will have an opportunity to hear from your Bishop and Archdeacon on the subject of hearing and responding to God’s call. We will offer you some food, so that you can concentrate on listening to God on the day! We will provide useful resources that you can take away or buy for further contemplation on how God wants to use you in His service in the Diocese of Chelmsford, and to begin and/or continue your personal reflections as a servant of Christ.
If you would like to develop your calling further, then please come along on Saturday 20th March.
“Moving on: Standing still is not an option!!”
In what way is God calling you?
Contact: Rev’d Karen Best, revkbest@aol.com 01245 248157
I have just returned from Sri Lanka, where I paid my final visit to the Giganage family. The photo shows the progress that has been made on their new house.
Since January 2008, when Canon David donated the proceeds from a jazz concert to the family, you have given over £1100 for the family. This together with £2600 raised by my family and friends has enabled Mr and Mrs Giganage to replace their house, destroyed by the tsunami, with this new one built further inland and almost completed. I am very grateful to you all for your generosity. The family hopes to occupy the new house later this year.
David Matthews
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THE LATEST BARGAINS
New! Gold and Silver plated lapel pins John Clifford has now received a supply of assorted Christian lapel pins from the U.S.A. These will be on sale at church functions (Fete etc.). Alternatively you can telephone 01621 858090 to make other arrangements to view. These pins are a bargain at £2 each, all of which will go to the church.
Washington Window Dedication Souvenir Programme Get your copy now. Only £2 each, This booklet is an accurate reproduction of the original commemorative programme from July 5th 1928. Available in the church or call John on 01621 858090. The full £2 paid for each copy will be donated to the All Saints' re-ordering fund.
Music for a Summer's Evening Copies of the DVD of this year's choir concert are available at a cost of £7 each. Please contact John on 01621 858090 to secure your copy.
Cook Books, Calendars and Pens We can again offer to you some unique All Saints artefacts for your personal use or as gifts. So what have we got?
2010 Diaries Don’t miss out on those important dates. Look out for this year’s diary which is now on sale. They are only 50p each.
