News from St Mary's
Family Pet Service
Sunday 6th May 2012 was a special morning at St. Mary & All Saints Church with our annual Family Pet Service. A warm welcome was given to many dogs, cats, rabbits, and even a chicken. There were plenty of laughs, smiles, and happy wagging tails as we paraded our beloved pets throughout the Church. Alison Gibbs let us through the service with the "Lovely Jubbly" song and "Spot the Difference" game. The morning concluded with a Blessing over all the animals.
Hall Barn Dance a "Swinging" Success
"It looks like we will have raised nearly £800 for the Newham Renewal Programme," reported Bill Edwards, one of the event organisers from the first ever Hall Barn Dance. The evening was a huge sucess as great fun was had by all. A big "Thank You" goes to the Farncombes for their very generous hospitality laid on for the event. A further "Thank You" goes to those who attended the dance and to those who donated gifts for the raffle hamper prize.
Ann Easter, Chief Executive Office of NRP, commented on the level of involvement and enthusiasm of everyone, and stated, "As a dance caller, I had no strugggle at all getting people dancing. This was fantastic!" Some people had dressed for the evening. Some parents said they were exhausted at the end of the evening from their ever energetic children. Overall, it was a lovely evening that provided a fun amosphere for all who attended.
St. Mary's Church has supported NRP for many years.
However, there is hope to become more involved with NRP, not only by giving money, but in also giving time towards other events and projects. A few of these ideas are to coordinate efforts with all three churches, including the Rock Solid, Junior Church and Messy Church groups with plans in giving regular donations of canned goods, clothing, and other items. For more information about the Newham Renewal Programme, visit the website at www.renewalprogramme.org.uk.
"Handing on the Torch" Lent Groups 2012
Every year, under the auspices of CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BEACONSFIELD, groups of Christians gather in their own homes to follow a course of study for Lent. As in 2011, the current study material - a booklet for each participant and CDs and transcripts for leaders - is a York Course. This year's is called Handing on the Torch: sacred words for a secular world. Christianity is the largest movement our world has ever seen, continuing to grow in Asia, Africa and Latin America while in the West it sometimes struggles even to survive. Over five weeks in Lent we consider some of the reasons for this. Do we live in (1) a Christian Country, (2) a Secular Society, or (3) a Beleaguered Church? How do people cope with (4) Competing Creeds? How do we (5) Hand on the Torch of faith to others?
The groups are ecumenical, which allows us to get to know people and viewpoints from different denominations. Hospitality appropriate to the time of day precedes each session's discussion which is kicked off by the appropriately ecumenical contributors to the CD - Archbishop John Sentamu of York, Rachel Lampard, team leader of the Joint Public Issues Team for the Methodist, Baptist and United Reformed Churches; Clifford Longley, well-known Roman Catholic broadcaster and journalist and Bishop Graham Cray, Archbishops' Missioner and Leader of the Fresh Expressions Team. Prompted by prayer, bible study and the booklet debates are well-informed, challenging and lively.
This year there are eleven groups with members from St Mary's, St Michael's, St Thomas', St Teresa's, the two United Reformed churches, Beaconsfield Baptist Church, the Free Methodist Church and the Society of Friends, at Jordans. In addition, the Revd Nigel Douglas is leading groups in Bradbury House and Sunrise.