in touch

Building bridges between church and community

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

2 Building bridges between church and community

Looking to HimThere are two Whitney Houstons in my head.

One the young chirpy, squeaky clean, pop princess prancing about in thevideo to I Wanna Dance with Somebody. She was the Whitney I imitatedwhile dancing and singing around in my bedroom as a little girl.Hopeful. Optimistic. A future.The other Whitney is the limp, haggard and frail addict who became drugdealer ‘Uncle John’s’ most lucrative client in her darkest days.Tired. Lost. The past.

As the world was given a view into the soulful yet heart-wrenching funeral service for the singer at NewHope Baptist Church on Saturday, we remembered both Whitney the star and Whitney the lost soul whoseneed to be loved drove her to addiction and destruction. From the pulpit at the New Jersey church, KevinCostner, who co-starred in the film The Bodyguard which sent her career into the stratosphere, fought thelump in his throat as he shared Whitney’s insecurities. “Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will theylike me? It was the part that made her great,” he said. “And the part that made her stumble in the end.”

Though we were shocked by Whitney’s untimely death, we were not surprised. Because we have seen thisso many times before. Some of the greatest talents have reached the heights of fame only to sink to thedrink and drug-fuelled lows which eventually lead to their tragic ends. In the days that followed the deaths ofKurt Cobain, of Michael Jackson, of Amy Winehouse and so on and so on, psychologists cited thenarcissism of celebrities and their craving for access to the ‘highs’ they get when on stage, bathing in theadoration of their fans.

But there is one thing that marks Whitney’s death apart from most of the others. She was a Christian. Herewas a woman whose faith in God and love of Christ we have heard emphasised throughout the obituariesand underlined at the gospel-filled funeral service. Through the highest highs and the lowest lows, her faithremained constant. So shouldn’t she have found it easy to resist the drink and the drugs? Her stunningvoice may have echoed the beauty of God’s creation, but how did her life reflect Christ through the slurredwords, profanities and erratic behaviour?

How do our lives reflect Christ?

Whitney’s story is a sobering reminder that though we love a perfect God, we ourselves are imperfect. Weneed to take care not to succumb to the things of the flesh. We must guard our hearts and our minds andkeep our eyes fixed on the one in whom we find perfect love and acceptance. For 40 days, this is whatJesus did in the desert when tempted by the world. He kept his eyes firmly on God, and did not waver.He resisted despite attempts to cause him to sin.

During this period of Lent, we try to imitate Christ’s endurance by giving up things we crave or becomeaddicted to. Whether we become addicted to chocolate, or Facebook, or the TV; or whether we becomeaddicted to drugs or alcohol. Our addictions are an attempt to fill an emptiness in our lives. In becomingdependent on these worldly fixes we are in effect saying that God is not sufficient for us.

As we remember Christ’s endurance in the desert and look ahead to his death and glorious resurrection,may we not look for worldly pleasures which satisfy for a moment and lead to destruction, but look to Himwho says: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even thoughthey die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” (John 11:25)

(I Look to You, as sung by Whitney Houston)

Chine Mbubaegbu - Editor, Evangelical Alliance

“Winter storms have comeAnd darkened my sunAfter all that I’ve been throughWho on earth can I turn to?

I look to youI look to youAfter all my strength is goneIn you I can be strong.”

�

3Building bridges between church and community

I’ve been asked this andother questions many timesduring the last 3 months! Is itan extended holiday? What doyou do on a Sabbatical? Whenare you coming back to StMargaret’s? Let me try andgive you some answers.

The idea of Sabbath is rootedin Scripture. In the Old Testa-ment the Sabbath day of reststood at the very heart ofwhat it meant to be a Jew.The Hebrew word shabathmeans to stop work or to rest.The essence of the Sabbath,indeed of a Sabbatical, is notworking. Human beings needrest to keep on functioningwell. The Sabbath ring-fencedone day in every week forrest, relaxation, and lookingto God. A Sabbatical followssimilar guidelines.

In the Church of England,fulltime paid clergy areentitled to a 3 monthSabbatical after 10 years ofordained ministry (I’ve done15 years this year!) A Sabbat-ical is about refreshing futureministry. It’s an agreed andstructured time away from the

parish: a time for space andreflection,refreshing and equipping forthe future, and a chance forGod to speak more deeplyand afresh.

So, what have I been up tosince the beginning of the yearwhen I started mySabbatical?

I spent most of January trav-elling around south India. Ateam of four of us visitedchurches, schools, variousprojects and other places ofinterest, speaking andencouraging Christians intheir everyday faith. It was afascinating time. We metsome lovely people andreceived wonderful hospitalitythroughout our trip. One ofthe highlights was a visit toCape Kumari at the verysouthern tip of India wherethree oceans meet.

In February I spent more timeat home with Jane, my wife,generally chilling out andmaking the most of theopportunity to read, have agrand clear out or out-of-datepaperwork in my files, visitfamily and friends and wor-ship at other churches. Ialso did a very basic Welshlanguage course which wasgreat fun!

During March I am focusingon retreat and pilgrimage.Early in the month (5-8th) Iwill be spending the best partof a week at the NorthumbriaCommunity, north ofNewcastle, on an individuallyguided retreat. This will be atime for listening and beingopen to hear from God. Then,later (16-23) I will be doing a48 mile walk along ‘the Edgeof Wales’ (the Llyn Peninsula)following an ancient Celticpilgrimage route to Ynys Enlli(Bardsey Island.) It has beenmy long-term ambition totackle this walk so thisseemed like a goodopportunity to have a go. Inancient times, threepilgrimages to Bardsey wasthe equivalent of one toRome!

I have thoroughly enjoyed mySabbatical, the various thingsI have done, the lessening ofresponsibility, the absence ofmeetings (especially eveningones!) and the opportunity tospend some prolonged andquality time with family andfriends. In some ways it willbe hard getting back to theroutine of parish ministry, butin other ways I am quite look-ing forward to being back ‘inharness’.


You will needEggshells, washed and driedTweezersGlueCardWatercolours pens or coloured pencils

1. Draw a picture onto the piece of card

2. Cover one area of your drawing lightlywith glue

3. Break the eggshells into small pieces anduse the tweezers to pick up each piece andplace it on the area you have just glued.

4. Glue and build up the mosaic in each areaof your drawing in turn so that the gluedoes not dry before you have put the piec-es of shell in place.

5. When the whole drawing has tiny piecesover it, colour each part of the drawing tocomplete the effect.

Easter MosaicTry this idea to make special present for Easter. It takes lots of patience but the results can be worth it.

WORDSEARCHE V E R L A S T I N G GK R G P Q T Q N N B O LB I I S E V E I L E B TO L S V X R D Y W O U DT S A N A E I O S O T GW H O E V E R S G X T OS O A O H L T M H W A RC U L T D T I E R G M SN L M X T H N F E C S PG D D E N E W H E M H ECan you find the words?

God, so, loved, the, world, that, whoever, believes, in, him, should, not,perish, but, have, everlasting, life


This must be one of the best known songs in the country; and not just in this country, for it is nowsung all over the world, and was first heard in 1945. Sung with gusto in crowds, I’m sure it gives afeeling of comradeship and pleasure. I wonder though, would these words mean anything to a lonelyperson, perhaps grieving for a loved one they have lost, or maybe someone completely alone in theworld? It is a joy to me to see the pleasure people have when greeting one another in church on Sunday,or in the Church Hall on Tuesday. It calls to mind a verse from the Bible - “If we walk in the light asJesus is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” Thinking of this last verse reminds me of another - When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Just think about that for a moment; If we have Jesus Christ in our lives, it does not matter whatmay happen, He has promised to be there to help us through all the problems we may have to face. Hewill never leave us. Perhaps you have never attended church, or maybe have been put off by some niggle from the past.Forget the past; look to the future. Attend a church. Meet people who care. Come and hear about theheroic life of a man whose thoughts and deeds have spread across the world and changed the lives ofhundreds of millions of people. Come and learn about a God who loves you and cares about you, and was willing to be tortured todeath for you. Why not change course and look ahead this Easter-time?

Every blessing to you.

!!This year the Guide unit here at StMargaret's is celebrating their centenary.The unit which was registered in October1912 has been active throughout all of theseyears and has given hundreds of girls anenjoyable and challenging experience. Theguides still meet each week following avaried and challenging program which alsoincludes day trips and residential holidays.

To celebrate the Guides have got a numberof events planned. Some of these will be for

the current members to enjoy but there arealso some events which past members cancome to. In June there will be an exhibitionof guiding at St Margaret's which will bepart of the Love Burnage Weekend. Thecelebrations will conclude in October with aService of Thanksgiving in October.

If you would like further details pleasecontact Heather Bonnebaigt [email protected].

Want to feel good about eating chocolate thisEaster?This is the only Easter Egg to tell the story ofEaster on the packaging. The true “reason for theseason.”

The Fairtrade Easter Eggs, which taste deliciousand use fairly traded produce are sold at St.Margaret’s Church Parish Centre on the 1st. Sun-day and the 3rd. Tuesday in April, or can be orderedon 0161 445 0632.


Do you know of anyone who would like to take communion this Easterand is not able to get to church? This year we have started a Communionservice for the housebound, and authorised lay people are able to bringconsecrated elements to the house. These visits use Communion breadand wine which have been blessed by the ordained priests atSt. Margaret’s, and are given out in a simple service at home.Please phone the Help Line 0161 432 4606 with contact details.

Christians Together In Burnage are again organising a Holiday Special for Older Peopleat the Parish Centre of St Margaret's Church on Burnage Lane, Monday to Friday,6th to 10th August 2012 from 10:30 to 4:00. The theme is Celebrations (no, not thechocolates!) There will be lots of interesting activities and talks together with food, funand friendship.All over 55 are welcome.

will be tak-ing place on .Lots of people have already been to MessyChurch over the past year and so will knowjust what to expect from Messy Easter. Foranyone who might be wondering if MessyEaster is for them, here’s what we’ll be do-ing: The doors open at 3.30pm and you’llbe welcomed to sign in, make a namebadge and enjoy some light refreshments(tea, coffee, soft drinks and a biscuit ortwo).

Then there’ll be about an hour of crafts andother fun activities all connected with East-er. We aim to provide something for allages – even the littlest ones can make agood old Easter mess with some paint orsome cutting and sticking activities.Don’t dress in your best clothes for MessyChurch – the clue is in the name!

Around 4.45pm we go into church and haveabout 20 minutes of songs, story andprayers – again, we’ll be sticking to theEaster story theme. And after that, it’s backto the Parish Centre for a full two-coursefamily meal (a main and a dessert) so youwon’t even need to do any cooking whenyou get home.

So, how much does it cost? Nothing at all!As with all our Love Burnage activities, it’sall absolutely free (though we are alwayshappy to accept all your very generousdonations towards the cost of our craft andfood supplies).If you want to know more, phone the Curate, RevdCaroline Throup, on 0161 445 8874 or email me [email protected]. Details will alsobe on the St Margaret’s website.www.st-margaret.co.uk


http://www.topmarks.co.uk/christianity/easter/easter.htm

http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_life_of_jesus/the_empty_tomb/jn20_01.html

http://www.teachingandlearningresources.co.uk/xweasterprint.html

April01/04/12 North Ave, West Ave, West Place08/04/12 Burnside Drive & Astor Rd15/04/12 Heathwood Rd, Daneholme Rd & Foxwood Gdns22/04/12 Glenhurst Rd & Westville Gdns29/04/12 Overlea Drive, Edgedale Ave & Northolme GdnsMay06/05/12 Lansdale Gdns., Holmdale Gdns &

Eastville Gdns

13/05/12 Barnfield Rd., Oakland Ave & Carrgreen Close20/05/12 Whitehurst Rd.27/05/12 Woodside Ave & Elmhurst Drive

June03/06/12 Grangethorpe Rd, & Hoscar Drive10/06/12 Omer Dr., Orville Dr. & Lynton Dr17/06/12 Burnham Dr., & Burnage Hall Rd.24/06/12 Brecon Ave, Connaught Ave & Lindsay Rd.

Here’s a list of streets for the next 3 months

Baptisms: None

Thanksgivings:Dec 4 Layne-Li Courtney,

Lilya Courtney

Weddings: None

Funerals:Feb 13 Elizabeth (Peggy) Freeburn

March 7 Nora Ferris

March 12 Eric Mason


Got a problem?Like someone to talk to?

In spiritual help or advice?For pastoral help and support,

telephone our Helpline and someone will get back to you

.

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