Issue No. 34 June 2017 NewSheet - St Mary Magdalen Sheet · Issue No. 34 June 2017 ongratulations,...
Transcript of Issue No. 34 June 2017 NewSheet - St Mary Magdalen Sheet · Issue No. 34 June 2017 ongratulations,...
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NewSheet
Issue No. 34 June 2017
Congratulations, James & Hayley
Loving God, Loving People St Mary Magdalen Church, Sheet, Petersfield
www.sheet.church Registered Charity No. 1128244
Our own James White and
Hayley Denyer were
married in church on
Saturday 29th April.
They had issued an open
invitation to the church
family to attend the cere-
mony and a number of reg-
ulars (not least, the choir)
were there to share in their
special day. The smiles on
their faces say it all: it was
a truly joyous occasion and
we wish the new Mr and
Mrs White a long, blessed
and healthy life together.
Our congratulations also to
another couple previously
married at Sheet, Chris &
Jenna Coombes, on the
birth of their son Jacob,
who behaved immaculately
on his first visit to church!
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Pentecost gets none of the hype and commercialism that Christmas or Easter attract, but
what we celebrate at this time of year – the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on ordinary,
everyday people – is just as important as Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection. For it is the Spirit who brings home
to us in the here and now the reality of the rescue and freedom which Jesus has brought.
At Christmas we celebrate the kingdom of God coming to the earth as Jesus, King of the kingdom, is born. But, as
Jesus tells Nicodemus, it is only as we are born of the Spirit that we enter the kingdom for ourselves. (John 3:5-8)
At Easter we celebrate Jesus’ wonderful victory over sin and death. But it is the work of the Spirit in our lives
that means we ourselves participate in this victory, which in turn gives us hope of resurrection. (Romans 8:11)
It is by God’s Spirit living in us that we share in Jesus’ life. It is by God’s Spirit living in us that we are adopted into
God’s family, know we are God’s children and can talk to him intimately, crying, ‘Abba, Father’. (Romans 8:15,16)
Christians are meant to live in the presence and power of the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit helps us to confess Jesus
as Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3), empowers us to serve God with supernatural power (1 Cor 12:4-11), binds us together as
the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-13), helps us to pray (Romans 8:26), and even intercedes for us with God the Father
(Rom 8:27). The Spirit guides us (Galatians 5:25) and transforms us, helping us to live like Jesus (Gal 5:22-23).
All of this could be seen as a very individual thing. And of course we can and do experience the Spirit as individuals.
But the first Pentecost was a pouring out of the Spirit on a group of Jesus’ followers as they were gathered to pray.
And it led to a shared life together, focused on teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer and practical sharing
to ensure no-one was hungry or needy (Acts 2:42-47). And so we speak of Pentecost as the birthday of the Church.
So the Spirit brings us into a new relationship with God and with one another. But it didn’t stop there. God is a God
of mission, reaching out in love to all he has made, to heal, to rescue and make himself known. So we shouldn’t be
surprised to discover that the Spirit drives the church out in mission. As those first Christians lived out their new
faith together by the power of the Spirit, ‘the Lord added to their number those who were being saved’ (Acts 2;47).
So my prayer this Pentecost is that we may be filled with the Spirit of God and that this will deepen our relation-
ship with our heavenly Father and with each other as brothers and sisters in His family. And it is that we too,
both individually and as a church, will be motivated and empowered to make his ways known in the world and
be used to help others come to know him. You can read about some of the ways we believe God is calling us to
do this in our Mission Action Plan leaflet. Thank you for being part of this. And if you’d like help in discovering
more about how you might be involved, I’d love to hear from you.
PS. My Pentecost challenge! If you don’t usually get round to reading the Bible at home – or even if you do – why
not take five minutes a day for a few days this Pentecost to look up the Bible references above and reflect on
them, being open to what the Spirit might want to say to you and praying for a deeper experience of Him?
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On Sunday 7th May, Sofia preached at both
services, tackling the thorny topic of suffering
with sensitivity and wisdom. At the opening of
her sermon, she said this:
During my visit here I have learnt a lot about
the differences between our churches, but
also about our similarities. We pray, we
sing, we talk about God and try to get to
know him through his Son Jesus Christ. We
read the scriptures and try to learn what it
can mean to us today in 2017 in Sheet, in
Stockholm and around the world. By visit-
ing here I have learnt a lot about how our
language, culture and context (differ), but in
the end we all live the same lives….
This curate exchange has certainly made a real
connection between Christians from opposite
ends of Europe. Many people were touched
and impressed by their meeting with Sofia and
it was good for us to hear these words too:
St Mary Magdalen Sheet is now a place
where I have friends.
Tack Tack & Adjö, Sofia!
[ in other words, Thank-you and Goodbye! ]
Swedish curate Revd Sofia Backsten completed her two-
week stay with us on 8th May, before flying back to Stock-
holm to find out how Max had fared in her home parish.
[We’ll hear more about that in next month’s NewSheet.]
As well as Sunday services at Sheet, Sofia visited a Sheet
prayer meeting, Parents & Toddlers at the Vicarage,
Reveal, a home group, Wednesday Communion, }OPEN{,
a Sunday tea (for seniors), YA and Costa drop-in (for
young people) and a Deanery Synod meeting, as well as
observing a wedding and a funeral….. And that wasn’t all.
The diocese arranged a two-day trip to the Isle of Wight,
where Sofia met Bishop Christopher at a service to mark
35 years of the IoW Hospice. She also learned about the
organisation of church life on the island and the ministry to
prisoners.
Sofia was very grateful to all who gave her hospitality. The
visits to different people in their own homes gave her a
really valuable insight into English ways as well as the
faith stories of individuals.
[You will be pleased to hear she also managed to fit in
sightseeing trips to Idsworth, Chalton, Winchester,
Chawton and Portsmouth and a brief visit to the beach!]
Sofia takes the microphone for a brief
interview in The 10 O’Clock Service
Sofia shakes Thelma Berry’s hand at the door after
her sermon. The service included a baptism -
coincidentally of a lovely little girl named Sofia!
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OASIS
At The Half Moon, London Road, Sheet
Service followed by tea and cake
Thursdays, 2.30 - 4.30pm
JUNE 8th and 22nd JULY 13th and 27th
ALL OLDER PEOPLE VERY WELCOME
For more details, contact Julie Slade on 01730 269160
or email [email protected]
We give 10% of our income away. This will
amount to £12,804 this year, as it depends on
our income from the previous year.
We are still appealing for money to ensure we
can employ David Loveless as our full-time
Youth Worker for a further 3 years, all the way
to 2020.
We had a deficit of £2,394 in 2016, despite
increases in regular giving. We are hoping to
pay our way this year and secure reserves of
£30,000.
Generous legacies from much-loved church
members Gladys Fiander and Adrienne Spiers
are funding our part-time Seniors Chaplain.
Hilary Bonney has retired as our PACT
representative with Petersfield Area Churches
Together after doing sterling work for many
years. She hands over to Jenny Parkes.
Philip Poulter has stepped down after 5
years as Treasurer, handing over to Peter Gaut.
Philip still has one more year to serve on PCC
before taking a well-deserved rest.
After years of much-valued service, Ambrose
Barber, Tim Horne, Shaun Whelan and
Nigel Williams left the PCC at the end of the
last Council year in April.
Our teams of visitors have now knocked on
around 1,700 doors in the parish. About 50%
of people come to the door and of those,
around two-thirds have a specific request for
prayer. Those requests are then included in
our services the following Sunday.
Our Mission Action Plan has been approved by
the PCC and copies are available now.
It embodies our mission statement and values,
summed up as ‘Loving God, Loving People’.
From the Annual Meeting
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A Vicar’s Life…
… is not all about long hours at the computer, managing
a team, discussing church heating, visiting parishioners
and meetings with the Archdeacon! Our pictures show
Richard at May’s ‘Messy Church’, obviously enjoying a
break from the week’s usual challenges. (Although, to be
fair, he did have to sing for his supper, telling the story of
Daniel to an audience of children and their parents
before the craft and meal.)
Messy Church was started in our own diocese, just down
the road in Waterlooville. Lucy Moore had the idea of an
after-school monthly meeting for children and parents
with craft, a chance to celebrate and a meal.
The next Messy Church is at Petersfield Methodist,
3:00 - 5:15 pm on Tuesday 20th. June. Prepare...
Concentrate... … Enjoy!
A Toddler’s Life … isn’t just about stories, singing and playing at
Toddling Tortoises in the Village Hall on Sunday
mornings, or making hand-print lions at Messy
Church once a month.
Thanks to Jo Saunders’ hospitality, on Thursday
mornings there’s play inside the vicarage to enjoy
and a whole big beautiful garden to explore. There
are even trees to sit in, as you can see!
Pre-school Families Worker Suzy Cross welcomes
all toddlers to the Tortoises on Sundays and to the
Thursday morning group. Do contact her on 01730
301126 or at [email protected] for more details.
Pictures by Karen Glanville
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***** STAR PAGE******
The monthly page for The Ark, SMART and Young-at-Heart.
The Sunday after Pentecost is ‘Trinity Sunday’.
On that day, we celebrate the amazing fact that
our God is one God but three persons: God the
Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
On Sunday 4th June we celebrate Pentecost. That’s the name of the Jewish festival Jesus’ friends were cele-
brating when the Holy Spirit was given to them. Pentecost is the 50th day of Passover. Because Easter is close to
Passover, Pentecost Sunday is always 7 weeks - or 49 days - after Easter Day. If you are confused about the num-
bers, remember that the Jews always counted the first day as number 1, not zero. That’s why they said
Jesus was raised on the 3rd day, rather than 2 days after he was crucified. Friday = day 1, Saturday = day 2 and
Sunday = day 3! ****************************************************************
Another difference is that we think each day starts in the morning. The Jews count the evening as
the beginning of the day to come. Each 24-hour day runs from nightfall to nightfall. So if you
were born after nightfall on 4th June, your Jewish birthday would be 5th June!
Our Pentecost as Christians is really important because God the Holy Spirit is with each of God’s
people all day every day and the coming of the Holy Spirit for every one of us started on that day.
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Calling All Actors! On all but the last of the Summer Sundays (ie 30 July to 27
August inclusive) we shall be working our way through the
life of Joseph, whose experiences have so much to teach us
today. While the appropriate passage from Genesis will be
read as usual at The 8 O’Clock Service, The 10 O’Clock Ser-
vice will include a dramatic presentation of each episode.
Linda Clist is inviting anyone who would like to take part
to volunteer as soon as possible. She’s happy to confirm
that there will be no discrimination on the grounds of age,
gender or experience and you don’t even have to remember
your lines! The cast will vary from week to week, so it’s fine
if you’re available for just one or two weeks of the five.
Did you know…? If you miss a service, you can usually
catch up with the sermon on our web-
site sheet.church ? Just go to the Down-
loads page and follow the instructions.
There are large-print hymn sheets at
every 10 O’Clock Service. Do ask a wel-
comer if you prefer to sit for some of
the songs or find it easier to read on the
page rather than the screen.
As well as the streamers, there are toys,
books and colouring available at the
back of church each week.
Families are of course very welcome to
sit wherever suits them in church.
If you have an email address, Rebecca
can send you the Sheet sheet of weekly
notices and the monthly link to
NewSheet - in full colour - every month.
Put your name down NOW for the
PACT HOLIDAY CLUB
What is it? A week of school holiday mornings full of fun, craft, singing, stories & sport When is it? 31 July to 4 August 2017 9:15am - 12 noon Where is it? The Petersfield School Who can go? 0-7s, with a parent or carer (job-share with a friend!) 8-11s on their own Can I help? YES! As a junior helper if under 16; as an adult helper as long as you have a DBS How do I book? There are forms at the back of church or look online:
www.pact.org.uk/HolidayClub
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Services for June
Services for July Sunday 2 The 8 O’Clock Service The 10 O’Clock Service
Sunday 9 The 8 O’Clock Service BCP The 10 O’Clock Service with Communion
Sunday 16 The 8 O’Clock Service The 10 O’Clock Service with Communion 6pm Evensong
Sunday 23 The 8 O’Clock Service BCP 11am at Sheet Rec St Mary Magdalen FESTIVAL SERVICE
Sunday 30 The 8 O’Clock Service The 10 O’Clock Service with Together Communion Summer Sunday 1
From the Registers Baptism Sofia PENWARDEN (7 May)
Wedding Hayley DENYER & James WHITE
(29 April)
Funeral
Marilyn WADHAM (24 May)
NewSheet is free, but a donation of 20p per copy would cover basic costs. (There’s a slot in the wall near the church door.) To receive NewSheet in full
colour (at no cost to the church) join the church email list at [email protected] Feedback, letters and contributions are welcome. Please deliver to
[email protected] to the pigeonhole at the back of church or to the Parish Office. Material for publication will be edited as necessary.
Copy date for the JULY/AUGUST issue is MONDAY 19th JUNE . Editor: Linda Clist 01730 262312
Vicar Revd Richard Saunders 263673 [email protected] Hon Clergy Revd Mick Micklethwaite 893303
Curate Revd Max Cross 301126 [email protected] Lay Ministers Linda Clist 262312 & Bob Slade 269160
Youth Worker David Loveless 302695 [email protected] Pre-school Families Worker Suzy Cross 301126
Churchwardens Karen Glanville & Philip Taylor [email protected] Seniors Chaplain / Pastoral Co-ordr Julie Slade 269160
Parish Administrator Rebecca Whelan 302695 [email protected] Parish Office 2 Pulens Lane, open Wed - Fri mornings
Wednesdays 9am Short Communion
8pm Reveal at Winton House
…………………………………………………………...
Mondays 29th MAY & 3rd JULY 8pm - 9pm
Praise and Prayer
Saturdays 3rd June & 1st JULY
6pm - 7pm }OPEN{ informal worship open to all
Pentecost Sunday 4 Filled with the Spirit
The 8 O’Clock Service
Communion
The 10 O’Clock Service
inc ‘The Ark’ (for 0-10s) &
Upper Room (for 11+)
Trinity Sunday 11 Faith in a sceptical world
The 8 O’Clock Service
BCP Communion
The 10 O’Clock Service
with Communion (& optional prayers for healing),
inc ‘The Ark’ + Upper Room
Sunday 18 Sharing faith with those closest
Father’s Day
The 8 O’Clock Service
Communion
10 O’Clock Together
6pm Choral Evensong
Sunday 25 Faith around the world
The 8 O’Clock Service
BCP Communion
The 10 O’Clock Service
with Communion, inc ‘The Ark’ & Upper Room
with a speaker telling us more about ‘Connected
Church’ as we connect with Christians in Uganda
NewSheet The next issue, professionally printed in colour, will be distributed free to every home in the parish.