The Herald

From the Senior Circuit Steward, Rob Wood

November 2008

Dear Friends,

Like many others, Joy and I decided to take a short break on the Isle of Wight at the end of October. This is no new venture for us as we have been doing this journey at least twice a year for over forty years. Part of our reason for going was to visit Joy’s elderly uncle and spend some time with him.

As we drove to Portsmouth on the Monday the sun shone and the mini-Indian summer seemed set fair for the week. When we had crossed the Solent earlier in the year the Island had been bright yellow with the blossom of the mimosa trees. On Monday the scene was one of beautiful reds and oranges as autumn was in its full glory. The seasons had turned again and the change was well under way.

The drive from the ferry to Freshwater Bay took us through the village of Wootton Bridge, the home of Joy’s grandparents. As we drove up the street we mused on the changes that had taken place on the Island since we were children let alone since her grandparents’ childhood. But despite the vast changes, many of which we don’t think were for the better, we could still recognise the place.

I personally find constant change very difficult to understand, but I am aware it is inevitable and if we are to do God’s will we must prayerfully embrace the changes especially with regard to the Church.

It is with great sadness we must say farewell to Marion as she goes forward to do God’s work in the next phase of her life. Marion has become a constant point in many of our lives and it is very difficult to come to terms with seeing that change.

At this time we not only have a "credit crunch" but also a "ministerial crunch". The facts speak for themselves: more ministers are retiring and leaving the active ministry than are candidating. Last September many circuits were not able to fill all their appointments and in the foreseeable future this situation is only going to get worse. So with this background and in consultation with the Chair of District and the Superintendent the stewards took the decision to complete an application for a probationary minister for the Sudbury section. This seems to have proved to be the way forward and we expect to be welcoming a new minister to our circuit in 2009.

Marion joined our circuit as a probationer and what a wonderful blessing she brought! So I'm sure that the circuit as a whole and the Sudbury section in particular will warmly welcome the person who comes to share the work of God with us here in this corner of His kingdom. During the interim period we ask for your continued support and prayers for the circuit staff as they each take on extra commitments.

In this world the only truly constant thing is our God, but our daily lives are lived in His constantly changing world, so we pray that we shall be open to His word and do His will and accept the changes that He brings into our lives.

Every blessing,

Rob Wood (Senior Circuit Steward)

Yesterday I travelled past a factory unit in Beccles on the front of which is a huge clock with a difference: the numbers run in an anticlockwise direction and it therefore appears that time is going backwards. It set me thinking wouldn't that be nice, I might even be ready for Christmas when it comes, but that's not how things happen. It always concerns me that at this time of the year there is never enough time for anything and if we are not careful we can so easily forget the true celebration that is Christmas.

This year at St John's we have again printed a Christmas card with details of our services shown and if you could spend an hour assisting us in pushing these in letter boxes in houses in the streets around the church please give your name to me or one of the stewards. Some cards will also be placed in the church for you to give to friends and family with an invitation to join in our services this Christmastide.

On Wednesday 3rd December, Woodhall School will be having their Carol Service in the Church and Sunday 7th December following the morning service we shall be having a Christmas meal in the hall. The Christmas Gift Service will be on 14th December and you are invited to bring your gifts of money in an envelope to be placed on the Christmas tree in aid of 'Action for Children' (NCH). At this service Rock Club will be providing a playlet with a Christmas theme. Sunday 21st will be our evening Carol Service at 6.30pm arranged by the Choir. Hilary and the Worship Leaders will be organising a Christingle Service for Christmas Eve at 4pm and Keith Horton has offered to conduct the service to be held at 11.30pm. Graeme Garden will be conducting our Christmas Day Service at 10am.

Answer: The Rock Club. Yes our 'Sunday School' has met under various names over the years because not only does time not go backwards it doesn't stand still either and at the recent Church Council Meeting we were delighted to endorse the proposal from Alexander Badrick to reorganise the arrangements for our young people under the new title of 'SPARK Junior Church'. Alex in association with assistants has been working hard to provide an appropriate format to bring to the young people the messages of the Gospel and for that we are grateful. Please remember this work in your prayers and if you feel able to assist in any way, please speak with Alex or any of the Stewards.

Time moves on and when you read this our good friend and minister over recent times, Rev Marion Bright, will also be moving on to live in her house in Bath. Our best wishes and prayers that she may again be restored to full health go with her together with our gratitude for her ministry in the Bury St Edmunds Circuit, and for her involvement in CTiS and the wider community.

With this talk about time perhaps we should remind ourselves of words attributed to John Wesley:- (Perhaps your New Year's Resolution)

When we read the account of Jesus' birth in the first two chapters of Matthew's Gospel we are likely to pass over the various quotations from the Old Testament in order to get on with the story itself. Should we take the trouble to look up the passages we are in for a surprise. None of them predict the birth and childhood of Jesus. The first one from Isaiah seems to refer to a royal child who would inaugurate peace and prosperity in Judah. The nation was threatened with invasion. The king, Ahaz, was worried because he had no heir and the sacred line of David might become extinct. Isaiah the prophet, reassured him with a sign. Before a child about to be born was old enough to know right from wrong, the danger would be past. The sign was for Ahaz, not people living some 720 years later.

So then, how does Matthew see Isaiah's words fulfilled in the coming of Jesus? The theme common to both births is 'God is with us.' Isaiah's trust in God assured him that no military action was needed. He was right for Judah was not invaded then. But beyond that, Isaiah's hopes were not realised. No king following Ahaz brought the lasting peace for which the people longed.

As a result of their rebellion against God the nation was eventually taken into exile. But the hope of a new king of the Jews remained, symbolised by the quest of the Wise Men from the East. That hope was fulfilled by the birth of Jesus who, as Son of God was the sign that 'God is with us' in a more wonderful way than Isaiah conceived. Alas, the world has yet to respond. "Beneath the angel strain have rolled, two thousand years of wrong" lamented the carol writer. But God doesn't withdraw. Matthew, who reported on God being with the people of Judah and celebrated his presence in the birth of a saviour, concluded his gospel with Jesus' promise, "I am with you always to the end of the age."

Sadly, I shall never have another 80th birthday but the memory of my ‘special’ day, in November, will remain with me for a very long time. I greatly appreciated the cards and the good wishes I received from my friends at St John's and Bradfield; the warmth of your “happy birthday” messages delighted me no end - a reminder of how fortunate Audrev and I are to be retired in the Circuit. Many thanks indeed!

About a year ago a small group - Christians Together in Glemsford - took a decision to start a cafe style meeting at the Methodist Tye Green Centre, once a month on Sunday morning.

This is an informal gathering for all ages, Coffee, rolls and cakes are on hand, and along with songs and discussion, there are activities in which everyone can join.

The number of people who meet is still very few at this Sunday Celebration, but it is there for anyone who wishes to come and join in a very informal and friendly atmosphere, and it is hoped that it will prove an effective outreach as the months go by.

Our first speaker on 9th November was EIsa Day. Elsa spoke about ADVENT - the time we prepare for Christmas, the birth of Jesus. EIsa said we need to prepare ourselves both mentally and spiritually as well as for all the material preparations. It is easy for the real meaning of Christmas to be pushed into the background so we need to keep our minds focused on all that Christmas stands for. Deacon Hilary Smith came on 11th November so appropriately she spoke about remembrance and all that it entails. Rev. Malcolm Hill was our next speaker but unfortunately I was unable to be present. We are most grateful to him and our other regular speakers who willingly give up their time in this way.

Sadly our numbers have been very low this session owing to illness etc. Some of our older members are unable to come now and we miss them very much. We pray that Geraldine will soon be better and able to return.

In December we look forward to having May and Friends to entertain us. Also Ashley Cooper will be with us on 9th. Our final meeting on 16th is our Carol Service and tea. We send our Christmas Greetings to everyone.

The Post Office has a principle of having Christian and secular stamps every other year. I understand that this year's Christmas stamps are both secular and religious in design. It is thought that by producing both in the one year the Post Office will be asked ' Which type of stamps sold most?' If the secular stamps sell more it may be harder to get religious stamps in the future. So we may want to consider which stamp we ask for when we buy this year's stamps.

Our meeting on 4th November opened with Peggy giving a welcome to all and up to date news.

The huge success regarding St John's involvement in this year's children's shoe boxes was discussed and Daphne Harris was congratulated on her ceaseless efforts in organising such a favourable outcome. She had recited a most appropriate poem jn the recent church service, and was persuaded to repeat this for the benefit of all those present. Whilst she had been talking in the church, photographs showing the joy of children opening the boxes had been shown on the screen.

The theme of the evening meeting was 'The Lost City of Petra', a talk given by Rodney Tibbs, who visited the city three years ago and who gave an excellent presentation which included slides to support his talk. The slide show led us through Aqaba towards Petra in Jordan. We realised, upon arrival, that it was not surprising that the city was referred to as the 'Lost' city, as the only approach was along what appeared to be a narrow gap through the mountains - a gap far too narrow to allow cars to travel along. The buildings there had been carved out of stone - a really amazing sight, especially as it was explained that the city of Petra was created over 2,000 years ago.

It was agreed that the presentation was extremely enjoyable and a pleasant evening was very much appreciated.

We also held a successful Christmas bring and buy sale. This raised an amount of £20.00 which will be added to the help given to the Hillside Special School, our agreed charity for this year.

Our next 8 o'clock club meeting will be 'Carols by Candlelight' on the 2nd December, starting at 7.30 p.m., when I am certain we will have another very enjoyable evening with a great choice of carols.

The members of the 8 o'clock club send their very best wishes to everyone for Christmas and the New Year.

'To every Christian a pilgrimage to the Holy Land should be the journey of a lifetime' so says the guidebook.

To visit the country which Jesus knew, to see sights which He saw, to walk In His footsteps was indeed, a privilege.

I went without expectations and was rewarded in abundance - shared fellowship and fun with other pilgrims; prayers for healing at the Pool of Bethesda, meditating at holy sites, seeing the countryside - hills and olive groves, desert places, and viewing part of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We listened to Peter our Palestinian guide and Christian peacemaker who had so much to share with us regarding the Palestinian/Jewish situation.

The holy sites were important reminders of Christ's life and ministry, places hallowed by centuries of worshipping pilgrims, but on our visits many were too crowded to be appreciated and a sense of Christ's presence was lost in jostling groups. I was reminded that Jesus himself was pushed and jostled as needy people tried to reach Him. We certainly had a mountain top experience on Mount Tabor! As we set off in taxis up the steep slopes to the church at the summit we had no inkling of what was to follow. We spent a time of reflection in the Church of the Transfiguration and came out to feel a cold wind and see dark menacing clouds gathering around us. Lightning flashed and thunder rolled around the summit as the time came for us to meet at our taxi point. Suddenly we were bombarded with hailstones the size of marbles, lashing

exposed heads, arms and legs. In seconds we were drenched as we rushed for the nearest shelter - a narrow archway. We crushed together, pressed and squeezed to allow room for more.

A German pilgrim told Brenda "This is love!" Was God angry'? Was this a test? A greater test was to follow. As the hail turned to rain we moved to the taxi point, to be followed by crowds. No queues, no orderly lines - just pushing and shoving for the next taxi. We were almost the last group to leave, in spite of our guide's diplomatic efforts. To keep warm, while dripping wet, Marion and others urged us to move about. We clapped, danced and leaped about singing 'Hosanna'. What a mountain top experience!

A challenging experience was the visit to St Peter's Church in Galicantu with its excavated dunqeon, possible site of the High Priest's house. Vaughan led us in a meditation on 'How we deny Christ today’ perhaps in small ways, by not challenging, by our silence. These words have stayed with me. What can we do to support Peter and the others in their struggle for peace and reconciliation - the living stones in this divided land?

The communion service led by Val Spencer by the shore of the Sea of Galilee was a highlight of the trip. It was a moving and prayerful experience to break bread and wine together, with the waves on the lake gently lapping on the beach, the water mirroring the hills hazy in the distance - 'The silence of eternity.' Jesus had been here. Jesus was with us and is with us today.

We were able to send 70 shoe boxes from St.John’s and a donation of £168-50 to cover costs.

All the shoe boxes collected at the depot in Sudbury will be going to Romania at the end of November. There will be over 8000 boxes altogether leaving in the lorry from Sudbury. THANKYOU to everyone for all your hard work and generosity.

We are considering setting up a self-help computer group in the New Year to initially meet at 2.30pm on alternate Mondays

I would like to say thank you very much to St. John's for the flowers you sent me while I was feeling unwell.

An open meeting was held at Bradfield to hear a presentation by Len Raven and Lorna Burroughs on the history of the National Children’s Home and its transformation into Action for Children.

Len raven gave a fascinating illustrated talk on life in the past at Edgeworth, a large well-equipped home and where, it was later revealed, he had spent his childhood.

Lorna Burroughs described the many ways the organisation supported child care in the community today. In the past it had never advertised because it had always thought that money was better spent on children. In 2009 however there will be a publicity campaign.

Tesco have kindly allocated us Saturday. 20^th December, for a store collection, and we need 2 collectors each hour from 9 am to approximately 3pm. one each side of the store entrance (seats can be provided). It has become increasingly difficult to recruit volunteers for these collections. For many it is not their favourite pastime, and for some it will be a very busy day.

However, please help if you can, even if you are unable to make a positive decision until the previous Friday evening.