kerithcommunity church magazineissue 13

24 LiTTLe HOURs The low down on Foodbank Bracknell.

dOes CHURCH HAVe A PLACe in TOdAY's WORLd? We ask the local community for their views.

CATCHinG UP WiTH KeRiTH sAndHURsT 6 months on and still going strong.

WHAT HAPPens nOW? When marriage doesn't go according to plan.

mAKinG THe

3

Those of you who have read any of the previous editions ofLinK will notice that this one is a bit different. In the past, LinKcontained both information about forthcoming Kerith eventsand stories of people and ministries in our church and localcommunity. From now on we're advertising upcoming eventsvia an email which will go out monthly (you can sign up for thisvia our website), leaving LinK free to focus on telling stories. Inthis edition we have chosen to highlight stories investigatingthe relevance of faith in 21st Century Britain.

I grew up in a family that never went to church, and up to theage of 18 would have proudly proclaimed that I was an atheist.If you'd asked me what I thought about church and ChristiansI'd have used words like boring, irrelevant and only for"religious types" who had never properly engaged their brains.

Many people in the UK would hold the same views today, nothelped by the presentation of Christianity in our media. TVprogrammes such as the Vicar of Dibley and Father Ted,although often amusing, have portrayed faith in Jesus assomething which is relatively harmless but pretty pointless.Then there are personalities such as Richard Dawkins, whomake faith in Jesus seem positively dangerous both toindividuals and society.

But is that media portrayal true? In this edition of LinK, we takea look at the lives of some people in Kerith Community Church,not religious types (whatever they are) but just ordinary peoplewhose lives have been impacted by a relationship with Jesus.We also look at some of the ways we are involved in serving inour local community.

I'd encourage you to read the stories with an open mind. And ifthey grab your interest, or perhaps challenge some of yourpreconceived ideas, I encourage you to explore that further.Why not come and join us on a Sunday, sign up for an Alphacourse or get hold of a Bible and read about Jesus for yourself?

Simon

COnT

enTs

TeAm

LinK Chief EditorSuzanne Whitton

Copy EditorSuzanne WhittonConsulting EditorsSimon Benham Penny Lander Beccy OliverDebs FieldJohn Mitchell Magazine CoordinatorKara ChallisEditorial ContributionSuzanne Whitton Penny LanderSimon Benham Helen Cottee Karen MehtaDebs FieldMichael Ross-WatsonJacqui Webber-GantArt DirectorMike Charlton Head of PhotographyStephanie CroninPhotographiccontributionJohn MitchellRebecca Moreland Stephanie CroninStuart BaileyPaul MarlowDan JonesProof CheckingClive ChallisGlynis ChallisDiane BryanTim FarleyHeather PocockNicholette Deakin

WeLCOme TO THe 13TH ediTiOn OF LinK.

www.kerith.co.uk

Discover Kerith 4

What is Church? 6

Who Needs God? 8

Catching Up with Kerith Sandhurst 10

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made 14

Hotstons’ Story 16

A Modern Miracle 20

Mum’s the Word 23

Big Questions, Little Answers 24

Papering Over the Cracks 26

It All Makes Perfect Sense 28

Bon Appetit - FoodBank 30

Why Should I Forgive? 34

Give us a Job 35

Local, National, International 36

Kerith Directory 38

simOn

BenH

Amse

niOR P

AsTO

R

KeRiTHCOmmUniTYCHURCH

International Hub

OakwoodYouth Challenge

District line

Central line

KerithCommunity

Church

Partner organisation,outward bound activityand leadership trainingcentre

LithuaniaHelping establish firstLithuanian WillowCreek LeadershipSummit

AlbaniaDeveloping leadersand supportingyouth events inchurches

PolandSupportingleaders in twochurches

EstoniaSupporting leadersand theirministries

Sound, lighting,projection & recording

Website,graphics, setdesignand literature

Support for adults withlearning disabilities

support and advice to help break thecycle of poverty in the local community

Feeding local people in crisis in partnership with a national charity

Free debt advice through a national charity

Group for the deaf and hard of hearing

Support groups for children with

disabilities and their families

Women’s book club

Women’s writing group

Midweek small groups

Midweek group for the retired

Friday night youth

event

Social Justice

Hilltop

TMTL

Bracknell Area Foodbank

Social Justice Outreach

Advice and support through nationalcharity CAP to those who are looking toget back into employment

CAP Job Club

Partnering with national charities working in prisons and supporting ex- offenders

Prison Outreach

Charity shop supporting Kerith social Justice projects

Konnections

Debt and Money Advice (CAP)

Partnering with a national charity

to support strugglingprimary aged children

Early Intervention

Deaf Hope

Children &Families

Unique Women’s Ministry

MpowerMen’s Ministry

Creative Arts

Life Groups

Welcome Teams

Bubblesunder 2s

Raindrops2s

Puddles3s

Ripples4s

Splash5-7s

Plunge7-9s

Quench9-11s

Hydrate

Freedom in Christ

The Alpha Course

The Marriage Course

Bracknell

Car Parking

Building Admin

Receptionists

Stewarding

Refreshments

Sandhurst

Wokingham Binfield

Discovery Workshop

Simply Events

Activate

Production

Photography and illustrativemedia

PhotographyVideo editing and animatedproduction

Media Team

Copywriti

Editorial TeamSocial Media and

CommsEvents and

Set Design

Graphics

Football Club Golf Club Events

ExpositionWomen’sday retreat

Fourteen

Youth Ministry

LifeLife Unleashed

Schools’ Work

Sunday youth meetings Yrs 7-9

Networking within localsecondary schools

Next LevelJoint youth ministries event

Saturdays

Encounter

Sundaymeetings andproductions

Drama

Sparklers

Kerith Courses & Academies

Midday bible study group

Parent andtoddler group

Intermediate discipleship

Introduction to the

Christian faith

Building great relationships

Bereavement CourseCoping with the death of a loved one

Evening theology study course

Realise your

spiritual gifting

Money management

CAP Money

Year training in theology

and practical service

Kerith Academy

Kerith’soutreach work

Life within Kerith

Events Crew

KerithKids

Holiday club for primary schoolchildren

www.kerith.co.uk

A JOURNey OF DISCOVeRy

INvest

Resound Adult worshipbands

Worship

CreativeHub

Revolution

The Parenting Children CoursePractical skills to help with

parenting

BRACKNELL

SANDHURST

For those parentingalone

SerenjeSupport for thecommunity ofSerenje in Zambiaon the impact ofHIV/AIDS

Women’sannual Kerith event

REAL Conference

5

A sAfe pLACe

CeremoNIesWeddINGs,CHrIsTeNINGs orfuNerALs ANdmAyBeCHrIsTmAs.

AreAssurANCeseNse ofCommuNITy

peopLeTryING TomAKe seNseof THeWorLd THeyLIve IN

fILLed WITHdouBLesTANdArdsANdICKyNess

www.kerith.co.uk 7

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‘church’, as i

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in the archite

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and the hist

ory.’

‘I used to feel Church was my family, a safe place, a place

to reflect and commune with God. Now I feel I can do

these things every day without Church as a building.

recently I have found Church to be filled with double

standards and ickyness!’

‘until recently, I had never spent any time in a churchwhen it wasn't for a ceremony, but I had someone passaway and found myself drawn to the church my son waschristened in. I sat alone for over an hour feelingpeaceful, but when I started flicking through the bible infront of me, I felt a little judged. That said I still left feelingbetter than I did before I went in.’‘As an agnostic, I think all religions offer comfort and

community to those that need it. I do actually believe

that the loss of religion is part of the downfall of how

society is today. I do, unfortunately, feel that the

'church' has done this to itself, with all the

negative/illegal actions they have practiced. Now

this is public knowledge, people distrust them all.’

‘I think I will probably turn to the church for com

fort

as a mid-life crisis so to speak, but it is not the place

where I im

agine The Lord to live. Not His house. The

idea of a church solidifies my view

s of disbelief as it

is mankind’s ideology of w

hat The Lord represents.’

‘Good acoustics as a concert venue. But having had

religion ramm

ed down m

y throat growing up, I'm

afraid that religion as an adult (and therefore

churches) are not a place I find myself regularly.’

‘I think that a world without ‘the church’ would be a very

dark place, although I don’t attend church every week I

know that it’s there if and when I need it.’

‘I think churches don't offer the same focal point of the

community that they used to. I don't think society needs

the reassurance that it once did, as we have other means

to seek knowledge, reassurance and a sense of

community.’

‘In the hectic and chaotic world that can often surround

us, I have found that just being in a church and its

environs can be an oasis of calm; a place to be able to

think, and perhaps sometimes see things more clearly.’

‘The church to me - an atheist - is a collection of people

trying to make sense of the world they live in, but instead of

looking for answers for themselves they would rather look

for answers in a book that has been cobbled together from

various religious texts, translated, edited, translated again

then re-interpreted’.

A place where people can come together to make the power

of thought /p

rayer/hope stro

nger as a congregation. It doesn’t

have to be religious but I love the power of th

e masses’

Having gone through many changes over the centuries, we wanted to find out if ‘the church’ still has a place in our modern, fast-paced, technological age. LinK threw out the question ‘What is the Church?’ to people who would not call themselves a Christian. ….

Churchwhat

’s that t

hen??

www.kerith.co.uk 9

who needs

GOd?Adam can't help smiling about thelast year - "We've had three of themost stressful things you can do:getting married in March, movinghouse, then Albert being born onChristmas eve. It's been a greatyear though!"

That's a cue to ask Nicolawhat first attracted her to Adam:"We were running partners andfound we had the same sense ofhumour, doubled over with laughterat 'you've Been Framed'. And he'sa good person, the sort other peoplecome to." How would Adamdescribe himself then? "Forgetful!Faithful. Laid back. A bit of a joker.Family orientated."

People obviously matter alot to him… "I've a solid set offriends, some of whom I've knownsince primary school. I grew upplaying football and I'll watch anysport - football, golf, cricket - it drivesNic crazy! I still play golf with friends,one I've known since I was 5."When we get onto the subject ofchurch, Adam's experience growingup mirrors that of many people.

AdAm BiLCLiFF OPens THe dOOR WiTH A BiG smiLe,WARm And WeLCOminG desPiTe THe LACK OF sLeePineViTABLe WiTH A neW BABY. He's TALL, sOmeOne YOUWOULdn'T miss in A CROWd, And One OF THOse PeOPLeWHO'd GeT PiCKed FiRsT FOR AnY TeAm. THis is OnLY HisFiRsT WeeK BACK AT WORK AFTeR PATeRniTY LeAVe FROmHis JOB in i.T. And He HAs OBViOUsLY missed His neWsOn, ALBeRT - CUddLinG Him On His LAP - OURCOnVeRsATiOn PUnCTUATed WiTH neW-BORn nOises.

"Church was non-existent, it wasn'tpart of my upbringing. I remembersinging the odd hymn at secondaryschool about this guy who wascrucified, but it wasn't something Irelated to personally. I didn't reject theidea; just didn't connect."

Adam talks warmly about hisupbringing. A family split when he wasa toddler and then again as a teenager,didn't detract from feeling loved andcared for by a close family: people heloved spending time with.

He stayed at home until hewas 21.  By then he'd been workingfor 3 years, which brought a realitycheck….    "you don't realise at thetime, but when you move fromeducation to the workplace, you haveto grow up.  I was keen to work whenI left school, I’d been told I was friendlyand chatty so would do well in sales,so started with jobs you could justwalk into, like call centres. I fell into ITby accident.  A friend's dad ran a smallIT company and I ended up workingthere and after 3 years I moved on to work for the large global firm I amwith now.”

What happened then to turn a happy,successful guy with no interest inreligion, into a Christian with a passionfor Jesus?

"When my career took off, myview of life changed and I realised howlucky I was. I had a good job, goodfriends and things were going well withNicola. I thought 'Wow, I'm very lucky,maybe I should do something for otherswith what I've been given'….”

It was about 2 years ago thatthings started to change. I knew thatNicola was a Christian and I wascurious. Before, I'd thought it was forreligious nutters, but she broke thestereotype. I decided to berespectful and look into itand when Nicola suggestedthe Alpha course I thought Iwould like to know what shefound good about it. I hadn'tdone anything extra-curricular for a while and Icame back from the first week hookedand thirsty to know more. That was thestart of finding my faith.

I'd never really dwelt on any ofthis, so it was fascinating to learn thatJesus died for our sins so we couldhave a relationship with God. I startedto piece it all together. As thoughts andquestions came in, I'd bounce things offguys who were Christians.

At the Alpha Course day away,they were asking people if they wantedto be prayed for.  I didn't, but I closedmy eyes just to be respectful of theothers around.    I felt a hand on myshoulder and it was Liam (the speaker)saying exactly what I was thinking - thatI felt very lucky and blessed. He told methat God had a plan for me to helpothers.   That's when I decided OK, Igive in God, and became a Christian." *Life was obviously good for Adam beforethis happened, so what's changed?

If you're wondering what it means to be a Christian, here's how tostep into a relationship with the God who loves you: ACCEPT that you've rejected God and gone your own wayBELIEVE that Jesus died for you CHOOSE to make Jesus the Lord of your life PRAY "Lord Jesus, I'm sorry I've gone my own way and not yours.

Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I want to put you first in my life and I choose to follow you."

Wor

ds: P

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Lan

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"My whole outlook on life isdifferent.    It's almost exclusively achange from the inside out, ratherthan making conscious decisions todo things differently.  I feel my hearthas been softened and I’ve becomemore caring, less judgmental.    Iworry much less now.  Not that therewon't be troubles, but I have aconfidence and peace thateverything will be ok.  I know nowthat my life on earth will be just a tinypercentage of my overall existence -that really changes your perceptionof this life!  It's difficult to describethe change - it's like another

dimension.  My life wasgood, now it's amazing!It has got so muchbigger since I made thechoice to follow Jesus."What about family andfriends who have alwaysmeant a lot to him?

“It was very alien to all my friends,as it was to me until I went on thatpath.  I hadn't lived a typical Christianlifestyle.    I haven't lost any friendsand I think a lot of them areinterested but perhaps a little unsure,which I can relate to because it's notlong since I was in the sameposition.    Some said that theythought something had changed,that I seemed really at peace and Iappeared to be different. I thinkthey’d struggle to pin down thereason why, but I know it’s God’sHoly Spirit in me.  My mum calls meher ‘rock’ now, which I’m not sureshe would have done before."

Adam laughs, "Some peoplethought I only did it because Nicolawanted me to, which makes me laughbecause I’ve never done what she toldme to and I wasn’t about to start!”

WHAT HAPPened TO TURnA HAPPY, sUCCessFULGUY WiTH nO inTeResT inReLiGiOn, inTO ACHRisTiAn WiTH APAssiOn FOR JesUs? 

www.kerith.co.uk 11

As mOsT ReAdeRs WiLL KnOW, KeRiTH COmmUniTY CHURCH

HAs ALWAYs Been in THe HeART OF BRACKneLL. WiTH THe

nUmBeR OF PeOPLe ATTendinG On A sUndAY inCReAsinG

mOnTH On mOnTH, FOR sOme Time THe LeAdeRs FeLT An

URGenCY TO CReATe mORe sPACe. HAVinG exPLORed VARiOUs

OPTiOns, iT WAs deCided THAT KeRiTH’s FiRsT mULTi-siTe

WOULd Be BORn.

On sePTemBeR 15TH 2013, KeRiTH sAndHURsT OPened iTs

dOORs TO THe LOCAL COmmUniTY, A WHOLe YeAR AFTeR THe

iniTiAL COnTACT WiTH sAndHURsT sCHOOL. And WHAT A

ROLLeRCOAsTeR Ride iT’s Been!

Catchingup withKerithSandhurst

The Sandhurst site regularly welcomes 120-130 people everySunday morning, 25 of them being children in the 0-11s age group.There is also a youth ministry for 11-15s, which we look forward toseeing flourish in 2014.

This is the first time that LinK has caught up with Ben and HeatherPocock, the leaders of Kerith Sandhurst, since the adventure began.This is what they had to say:

“It has been wonderful to see the congregation develop and grow as ateam. Having to set up from scratch every Sunday morning means the firstvolunteers arrive around 7am – that takes dedication! New people havejoined us and immediately got involved, serving where needed: drinks,welcoming at the door, outside in the car park, with the kids, as part ofthe tech team and of course, the worship band. It’s so exciting to see thebody of Christ in action!”

Ben and Heather’s vision for Kerith Sandhurst is an inspiring one: “Our vision for 2014 is to be a spiritually healthy congregation that God can use to see more people in Sandhurstand the surrounding area, come into a relationship with Him. We want to grow and possibly see a second servicein this building. We are looking into the possibility of a K4 charity shop in Sandhurst and want to see more smallgroups meeting during the week, along with other courses too. Above all, we want to build community.”

GU47BUiLdinG COmmUniTY

www.kerith.co.uk 13Wor

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Sharon SimpsonMy first encounter with Kerith Community Church was at the Bracknell sitein November 2012. I was immediately struck by the number of young peopleattending and knew that this was a church where things were happening!When the multisite announcement was made I decided to investigateSandhurst, as it is nearer to my home. Making the decision was not easy asmy husband and family continue to attend another church, but I am trustingGod to work things out.

I was present at the opening service and felt a buzz of excitement andanticipation in everything that took place.Several months later, the passion, dedicationand enthusiasm of the leaders andvolunteers continues undiminished. There isno mediocrity at Kerith and havingcommented on this to Ben Pocock, theleader of Kerith Sandhurst, his responsewas: “We do all of this for Jesus and hedeserves the very best.”

Shortly after I began attending KerithSandhurst, I developed some significantproblems with my larynx and was off workfor over two months with functionaldysphonia (severe hoarseness leading tospeech difficulties). everyone at church waskind and supportive, whilst all I could do wassmile! The situation was extremelyfrustrating and temporarily debilitating forme, but part of a bigger plan…

The loss of my voice got me thinking aboutthose who struggle to communicate and

have their voice heard. To cut a long story short, itled me to start learning Makaton as well asbecoming involved in the Prison Fellowship ministry– opportunities provided through Kerith.

In summary, I have found Kerith to be a communitywhere whatever your age, ethnic background, socialstatus or personal circumstance, you can be yourself,

while growing in faith and deepening your relationship with the living God.The support provided here is not only for the soul but for every aspect of life– for me, this is church as it should be.

I would encourage anyone who is searching for meaning, to ask questions,attend an Alpha Course or consider going along to a Discover Kerith lunch, asI did - you won’t be disappointed!”

LinK met with twodedicatedattendees of KerithSandhurst to findout their initialimpressions andthe difference thatbeing a part of thiscommunity hasmade to their lives:

The next Alpha course is planned for October 2014. To register your interest,please email info@kerith.co.uk.

Andy Barrett“I committed my life to Christ in 2008 but quickly became disillusionedwith the church and distanced from God. I hadn’t attended church forover a year when I saw the advert for Kerith Sandhurst in the localResidents Magazine.

When I walked through the doors, it certainly didn’t seem like the firstday of a new church! everything was so smooth and professional andthe people made me feel very welcome. I left with a copy of SimonBenham’s book - The Peach and The Coconut - and despite having not

read a book for 4 years, I read it from coverto cover before returning the followingSunday.

I continued to go to the meetings everySunday on my own, as my wife and ourtwo little girls were alreadyattending a different church.There was something aboutKerith Sandhurst which Ihadn’t seen in a churchbefore: a real sense ofcommunity and a genuinelove and compassiontowards people. It seemedto be a place where thesethings were not just talkedabout but people wereactually living them out.

I decided to attend an Alpha Course,where I was able to unpack many of thethings I had been struggling with

previously as a Christian. The people on my table were welcoming andI felt comfortable asking the questions that I had wrestled with for solong.

Through Alpha and the Sunday morning meetings, my life has beentransformed. Having felt so far from Jesus for a long time, myrelationship with Him has grown and I feel closer to Him now than Ihave ever felt before.

One area which has really benefitted is my family life. Although I hadchosen to turn my back on God, my wife and daughters had continuedto attend church. This situation seemed to unbalance us and caused agood deal of tension, especially on Sundays. But praise God we are nowre-balanced and singing from the same hymn sheet, so to speak!

My wife has seen such a big change in me and my relationship withGod that she has decided to join me at Kerith Sandhurst, permanently.We will now be worshipping together as a family and I am so excited.”Kerith Sandhurst meets at

Sandhurst School Owlsmoor RoadSandhurst, GU47 0SD every Sunday morning at 10am. Please do come and visit!

"THeRe WAs sOmeTHinGABOUT KeRiTH sAndHURsTTHAT i HAdn'T seen in ACHURCH BeFORe: A ReALsense OF COmmUniTY AndA GenUine LOVe AndCOmPAssiOn FOR PeOPLe.”

"THe sUPPORT PROVidedHeRe is nOT OnLY FOR THe sOUL BUT FOR eVeRY AsPeCT OF LiFe."

dAnieL JOnes is An ACTiVe memBeROF KeRiTH COmmUniTY CHURCH. On A

sUndAY mORninG YOU WiLL Find HimseRVinG in OUR 9-11s Kids GROUP And in THe

eVeninG YOU miGHT see Him sinGinG in‘ReVOLUTiOn’ (KeRiTH’s YOUTH BAnd) OR OPeRATinGOne OF THe CAmeRAs As PART OF THe TeCH TeAm.

dURinG THe WeeK, He ATTends BRACKneLL AndWOKinGHAm COLLeGe, WHeRe He is

sTUdYinG FOR His A LeVeLs.

At the age of 10, Daniel’s parents noticed there wassomething different about his behaviour. After seekingmedical advice, he was diagnosed with Tourette’sSyndrome - ‘a neurological condition affecting the brainand nervous system that is characterized by a series ofinvoluntary noises and movements called tics’(NHS Definition). Life has not been easy for Daniel… “In my early days at Primary school, I knew I wasdifferent to the other children. When I was anxious orexcited, I had urges to make unnatural movements butas they were relatively unnoticeable to others, I managedto keep it quiet for as long as possible. They graduallygot worse and I was subsequently diagnosed withTourette’s Syndrome.

For much of mychildhood I worried about ever findingwork, for fear of people thinking I wastoo ‘weird’; I now have a regular part-time job, which has really encouragedme. God has also put me in a place (thischurch) where I am surrounded bypeople who do me good, lift me upwhen I am feeling down and point me inthe direction of His promises for my life. Although I am not totally there yet, I ambeginning to understand and accept thatI truly am made in God’s image, which isnot necessarily the view that the worldhas of ‘perfect’. I am slowly letting go ofwhat I want for my life and finding thefaith to believe that ‘in all things, Godworks for the good of those who loveHim’ (Romans 8 v 28). I have recentlyapplied for a place at University to studyGeography and although this thoughtmakes me nervous, I know that God iswith me and that He has a perfect planfor me, with or without Tourette’sSyndrome.

&

www.kerith.co.uk 15

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dAn JOnes | mY sTORY

Although I am nottotally there yet, I am beginning tounderstand andaccept that Itruly am made inGod’s image

By the time I went to Secondary School, my peers seemed to go out of their wayto pick on me because of my condition. As Tourettes isn’t something obviouslyphysical, most people found it hard to understand and I would regularly get intotrouble with teachers for ‘making stupid noises’. even after my parents wrote aletter to explain my condition, nothing much changed. At college, I made thedecision to be far more open about having Tourettes, which has led to people beingmore accepting of it. Although some people still don’t understand, I am no longerbullied and this certainly helps.When I am alone, I do find that anxiety creeps in and my tics worsen. SometimesI feel that my condition dominates who I am and it’s on those days that I questionwhy God made me this way. But despite sometimes struggling with the notion ofwhy God would heal someone with a sore throat whilst I continue to suffer withTourettes, I have realized that He is still on my side .

www.kerith.co.uk 17

HOTsTOns’CHOiCe

“I was working away from home andwhen I returned at weekends, Tinabegan to notice that I was gainingweight. I insisted that I was not over-eating, but soon even I could see thatsomething was not right – my bodywas swelling with oedema. Oneevening I couldn’t make it up thestairs; that’s when Tina made theemergency call.

Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Ibecame unconscious and afternumerous tests, was diagnosed withacute renal failure. I was fortunateenough to be looked after by aleading specialist who prescribeddrugs and treatment, but I knew thatthe situation was real and veryserious. While I was in hospital, aman was flown in from Germany forspecialist renal treatment and diedafter just three days in my unit. At thispoint, I realised that my end couldwell be as swift.

sTePHen And TinA HOTsTOn JOined KeRiTH COmmUniTYCHURCH in 2012. HAVinG seRVed As A HiGH RAnKinGPOLiCe OFFiCeR, sPeCiALisinG in COUnTeR-TeRRORisTinTeRVenTiOns in TRAnsPORTATiOn, sTeVe is nOWOPeRATiOns mAnAGeR AT KeRiTH. TinA RUns ACOUnseLLinG seRViCe And HAs COnTRiBUTed TOinTeRnATiOnAL POsT TRAUmA emeRGenCY seRViCes.AFTeR A WHiRLWind ROmAnCe, sTeVe And TinA WeReenGAGed And mARRied WiTHin six mOnTHs OF meeTinG.ALTHOUGH VeRY mUCH in LOVe, THeRe WAs One AReAWHiCH CAUsed COnTinUAL disCORd BeTWeen THem – THeexisTenCe OF GOd. A LiFe-THReATeninG iLLness CAUsedTHem TO meeT THis issUe HeAd On….

I insisted on getting the truth aboutmy condition and prognosis.Unfortunately my doctor had grimnews: no treatment could save me.All they could offer was to ease myfinal days. Further tests were runand I was moved to TheConservatory – where the dyingpatients were sent.”

Tina and Steve had always rowedfuriously over her involvement inreligion. It was one of the fewthings they both held strong andvery opposing views on. Growingup in the church and being a choirboy had put Steve off entirely. Helater chose to reject the hypocrisyand narrow-mindedness he hadencountered in the church andidentified himself as a stridentatheist. Tina on the other hand, hadfaith in a loving, kind God who hadprovided comfort and guidancethroughout her life. Despite Steve’s

constant attempts to chip away atTina through criticism and negativity,he couldn’t shake her loose of herdevotion to Christ.

“What irked me the most was Tina’slack of concern over my condition.She did not rage and cry or fall intohysteria, she did not join me inanguish and panic, she simply had aquiet assurance that I would notdie.” What Tina hadn’t told Steve, wasthat on the way to hospital, she hadfelt a ‘nudge’ from God – a ‘word ofknowledge’ - which whispered“kidney”. Once his diagnosisconfirmed God’s word, this had onlymade her all the more convincedthat God would intervenemiraculously.

That night, Steve’s disbelief in Godand His power to heal, was utterlychallenged…

"THeRe WAs TOO mUCHPOisOn FLOOdinG FROmeVeRY CeLL OF mY BOdY. i HAd Been TOLd TO GOHOme And GeT ReAdY FORCeRTAin deATH."

“I was a miracle baby; weighing in atjust 1lb 10oz and not expected tolive. My parents called the priest fourtimes for last rites. My early years inIndia were dominated by bouts of illhealth with long periods in hospital,which interrupted my education thusmaking it difficult for me to makefriends.

School was miserable because Ididn't fit in and it got worse in myteens when we moved to england. Iwas constantly bullied and feltexcluded and alone. I hated schooland left at the earliest opportunity.eager to start work, I attended nightschool to study and get someprofessional training. In my secondyear of work I met Stephen and ouradventure began.

I had always found comfort in therhythms of liturgy and worship. Ifound my spiritualhome in an evangelicalBaptist church, andregularly worshippedon a Sunday. Stephenwas not happy andinsisted that I give itup, but I persisted. Myfaith grew and I hadmany times when Iexperienced peaceand assurance in times of stress,particularly when our children wereunwell.

I had been buffered by bouts ofchronic pain and weakness all of mylife. It took years to get an accuratediagnosis of the condition thatafflicted my lungs. A mere coldwould render me breathless andcoughing and ill for weeks. I was onrepeat prescriptions and my GP fasttracked me to hospital with any newinfection. I had learned to live withthis and did pray but it seemed thatmy illness was under God’s radar soI just did the best I could and longedto be drug free and well.

We started attending Kerith a year ago,when my health was at an all-time low.I had additional pains in my legs andback which were diagnosed as an auto-immune condition and I was on a highdose of steroids as well as my regulardrugs. I was barely functioning.

At the end of one particular servicethere was a message on the screenoffering prayer for healing. Why not? Iwas in a bad way. I went forward andtwo people prayed for me. I foundmyself lying on the floor, swept over bya powerful force but peaceful andresting. I could feel changes going on inmy body as they prayed quietly, askingGod to come with healing to restore mydamaged body.

We went from church to IKeA that dayand I walked without any discomfort. I thought it may have been due to theanti-inflammatory pills I had dosed up

on. But later that day Ifelt strong, was painfree and had energy. Itstarted to dawn on methat something hadchanged. I felt God sayto me: “I have done thisfor you, so what will youdo?” In an instant Idecided to stop takingmy medication and

test this healing. A month later I told my consultant, who cautiouslyrecommended that I keep a prescriptionon hand. I still have it a year later and I am healed. I no longer pick up colds andI am enjoying amazing health for thefirst time ever.

I am aware that we are entering a newand exciting season. God has restoredus to full health so that we can run therace set before us with confidence,knowing that our physical bodies havebeen transformed.”

www.kerith.co.uk

“I was wide awake, my thoughts were racing.My heart pounded as I listened to the sounds onthe ward at night. My mind was full of the barefacts: I was dying fast. My kidneys had stoppedworking and couldn’t even be helped by dialysisor transplant. There was too much poison floodingevery cell of my body. I had been told to go homeand get ready for certain death. This was bad. Iwas out of options and out of hope.

At 1 am my attention shifted and I was aware ofa bright light shining above me. It captured mywhole attention and as I focused on it, I saw inthe centre, the face of Christ. The light was pureand I felt drawn to its radiance. I had a sense ofpeace and a willingness to follow the light. Thisbrief encounter ended, but something inside mehad shifted.”

Tina had been supported by the prayer team atSindlesham Baptist Church and they wanted tocome and pray for healing. Tina had noticed aslight softening in Steve and thought he seemedmore receptive. Once she managed to wheedleout of him, the vision he had seen that night, shewas even more convinced that God would healhim.

“I didn’t think I was a worthy candidate. My trackrecord with God was pretty bad, why would I getspecial treatment? Up until that night I had noexperience that there could be any God, but nowthe chips were down and my encounter let meopen up enough to agree to give it a go.

The senior radiographer at the hospital was oneof the people who had prayed for me. He was thefirst to see medical evidence of something I nowunderstand as a miracle. Test after blood testshowed that I was improving and later that week,a biopsy revealed normal kidney function. I wassent home on a special diet and had follow upappointments, spaced further and further apart.I was then left to get my head round the miraclewhich had taken place. In the weeks and monthsto come, I started to look for more understandingand encounters with that face and that lightwhich had penetrated my darkness and despair.”

Steve had been miraculously healed by God, butwhat about Tina? She had her own health issuesto deal with, present since birth….

continued...

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Are you suffering or in pain?No matter how big or small yourneed, the same power thatraised Jesus from the dead canbring life to you too. At KerithCommunity Church, our prayerteam is present at all of ourSunday meetings to pray forhealing. you will find times andvenues on the back cover of thismagazine.

19

'i FeLT GOd sAY: "i HAVe dOne THis FOR YOU.nOW, WHAT WiLL YOU dO?" in An insTAnT, i deCided TOsTOP TAKinG THe mediCATiOnAnd TesT THis HeALinG'.

www.kerith.co.uk 21

The story of the Moore family is a beautiful one oftrust and a calm commitment to hold onto thepromises of God despite their circumstances.

Jon and Angela were childhood friends and datedbriefly but split up and went their separate waysbefore reuniting in their early twenties. After a few‘friendly’ drinks out, they both realised that no oneelse had even come close in the time they wereapart and were married the following year.

They decided early on that they would start a familysoon after getting married. After two years of tryingto get pregnant, they realised that achieving theirdream of being parents was not going to be aseasy as they first thought. The road of infertility isone marked with pain, hurt and repeateddisappointment but through that season I sensethere was a firmness in their faith and in the beliefthat God had promised them children. After severalmore years, Jon and Angela made the decision togo through IVF. Sadly both attempts failed andAngela found herself facing yet moredisappointment.

It was during this difficult season, as they werepraying and seeking guidance, that Jon had apicture that he felt was a clear vision from God,

As i PULL UP OUTside THe HOme OF JOn And AnGeLA mOORe, i’m exPeCTinGTO Be meT WiTH CHAOs. eiGHT mOnTHs AGO THeY BROUGHT THRee BeAUTiFULBABY BOYs inTO THe WORLd, TO JOin THe THRee PReCiOUs CHiLdRen THeYALReAdY HAd. THe FiRsT HinT TO THis FAmiLY’s AmAzinG sTORY is ‘THe A-TeAm VAn’ PARKedOUT THe FROnT... i’m GUessinG iT’s nOT eAsY FindinG A CAR TO HOLd AFAmiLY OF eiGHT! i RinG THe BeLL And insTeAd OF BeinG meT WiTH AHARAssed, FOOd-sTAined PARenT, i Am WeLCOmed inTO A CALm, PeACeFULHOme BY A WARm (And RemARKABLY CLeAn!) COUPLe. THe TRiPLeTs AReROLLinG COnTenTedLY ROUnd THe FLOOR, smiLinG GUmmiLY AT THeiRneWesT VisiTOR, WHiLsT THe OLdeR THRee CHiLdRen ARe AT sCHOOL.CURLinG UP On THe sOFA WiTH A COFFee And mY nOTePAd, i ReALise THATTHis HOme HOLds An innATe sense OF PeACe And seReniTY.

mOORes COdeA mOdeRn miRACLe THe mOORe FAmiLY’s sTORY

regarding their future. He saw a basket floating inbulrushes, like the one in the bible story of Moseswho was found in the basket and adopted into anew family. Jon shared the vision with Angela andthe thought that God was calling them down thepath of adoption. But the pain of failed IVF was tooraw for Angela to let go of the dream, that shewould one day have her own baby.Three years aftertheir treatment, they both found themselves readyto take the step towards adoption.

They embarked upon a 10 week adoption trainingcourse. This in itself was a tough journey, seeingcouples ruled out each week, but they walked itwith a confidence that God was in charge of theirfuture.

In 2006 they found themselves at an Adoptionexchange meeting holding a magazine with thefaces of dozens of children needing a family. Whenthey saw a sibling group - twins aged two and ahalf and an 18 month old younger boy, they knewthat these were their children, the fulfillment of thepromises they had held onto for so many years.Despite 50 couples going for the children, in March2007 the Moore family went from two to fiveovernight; welcoming Richard, Phoebe and Beninto their home and their hearts. W

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www.kerith.co.uk 23

Sparklers (open to pre-schoolers and their carers), has beenrunning for more than twenty years and has always been afirm favourite with local parents.

A typical morning at Sparklers begins with free play whereyou will find a fantastic selection of toys including trains, aplay kitchen, LeGO DUPLO, slides and rockers, dressing-up,puzzles, books, play dough, cars, Play Mobil; as well as anarea set up to cater for young babies.

Part way through the morning, everyone gathers to singsome action songs together and listen to an interactivestory from the Bible. The children then enjoy a drink and abiscuit, before getting creative with craft and playing withthe ride-on toys. Hot drinks are also served for the adultsat various points throughout the morning.

Netmums founder Siobhan Freegard said: “Well done to Sparklers! We had thousands of mumsvoting in the area but Kerith Community Church’s groupstood out. Parents look forward to going every week -This is what local communities are all about.”

We are thrilled to find that Sparklers is up there with thebest!

Sparklers takes place on Mondays 1-2.30pm, Tuesdays andWednesdays 10-11.30am (term time only) and there is asmall charge of £1.50 per family. Due to the popularity ofthe group, there is often a waiting list for places but pleasedo come for a free visit at any time.

mUm’s THe WORd

Kerith’s very own Sparklers toddler group hasbeen awarded the prestigious title of‘Region’s Most Popular Toddler Group’. The annual awards are run by Britain’slargest parenting website:Netmums.com

where more than a million parents wereeligible to vote.

We pause for a moment as it’s now 11am and time for thetriplets to go down for their sleep and a lovely lady called Annfrom the charity Homestart, has arrived to help out. Shecuddles sleepy babies and takes them upstairs one by one asJon makes more coffee and Angela holds the last baby to godown. As I look over my notes I am taken aback by the faithof this couple throughout their marriage. There is somethingvery inspiring about them... partly because they seem to havelife with six children under control, which in itself is utterlyamazing, but more so because of their attitude to the paththey have walked.

It strikes me that they could easily have fallen into bitterness,anger, or resentment through any one of the many twists andturns which have dominated their route to parenthood. I amsure that during the last decade they have had momentswhen they have felt some, if not all of these emotions, butthe inspiring thing is that in the hour or so that I have seenthis family up close, I can already see that they are not definedby the difficulties they have walked. Instead they arecharacterised by their unwavering faith in a God who haswhispered promises over their lives.

With the triplets tucked up in bed, we pick up the story in 2012.One Sunday morning Angela was sat in church listening to amessage about God’s promises. At the end of the talk SimonBenham got up onto the platform and encouraged people tokeep holding onto promises that had yet to come to fruition. Itwas in that moment that Angela felt God speak into her spirit,that He still had more children for her and that His promise thatshe would have a baby, was still going to happen. She wentback to her GP to ask about repeating IVF again and was toldnot to wait around but to go for it. Two embryos were implantedand 8 weeks later, at her first scan, Angela was told both hadtaken and she was pregnant with twins!

After all they had been through they decided not to tell anyoneabout this latest attempt at IVF, as the chance of herpregnancy ending before 12 weeks was high. One week latershe went back for another scan which is when she was toldshe wasn’t carrying twins, but instead one of the embryoshad split and she was actually pregnant with triplets!

At 12 weeks, Jon and Angela told their close family andfriends that after years of trying, they had finally received theirmiracle and were expecting not one, but three babies.

The road forward was not an easy one and at 16 weeks theywere told that there was a problem with the embryo that hadsplit. These two babies had twin to twin transfusion syndromeand the future for two of the three babies looked bleak. Angelahad to go straight into a specialist hospital for treatment withthe added complication of three children at home to be lookedafter and Jon working shifts. Amazingly, Angela’s mum whowas living abroad for the month, managed to get the last seaton a flight back home. She moved straight in to help Jon lookafter their three older children, leaving Angela to focus on thehealth of the triplets.

mOORes COde : the story continuesMiraculously, the babies responded to the treatment betterthan the doctors anticipated and six weeks later, they andAngela were signed off. They managed to hold on until 27weeks before the condition flared up again and Angela wastaken back into hospital where three weeks later, 70 daysbefore the triplets were due, Angela gave birth to threehealthy baby boys - Daniel (2lb 8ozs), James (2lb 7ozs) andJacob (2lb 9ozs).

The babies were kept in special care for 8 weeks but theywere surprisingly healthy. With help from the team in thehospital and Angela’s mum who is a retired special carenursery nurse, the triplets continued to thrive. Meanwhile,the three older children were supported by a growing teamof mums from school known as the ‘walking bus’. Theseladies would shepherd them to and from school as Angelaand Jon shuttled back and forth to the hospital. They knewthat God had told them to raise their family in community

and over the past eight months, the Moores have beensupported by an army of volunteers who have cuddled andcleaned, folded and cooked their way into the lives of thisfamily.

My final question for Jon and Angela... ‘If people take onething from your story, what would you want it to be?’

Their answer is that God never goes back on His promises;that His timing is perfect even if it does not fit with ours. Itis the simple, yet profound truth that the God of theuniverse not only hears our prayers but actually loves usenough to answer them.

Their answer is not just trite words; it is a truth lived andbreathed by this couple over the years. It is one which islived out in three children adopted into their family, andthree more birthed into it years later. It is walked out bytheir family, friends and the many volunteers who have hadthe privilege to step into their world and it is one I got tosee with my own eyes as I sat on their sofa amazed bythese inspiring people.

For more information, please emailsparklers@kerith.co.uk or visitwww.kerith.co.uk

qUesTiOnsAnsWeRs

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What’s your favourite food? Pizza, with all toppingsWhat do you want to be when you grow up? A nurse just like my mumWho is your hero? My dad because he makes me laugh a lotWho is Jesus? He is kind, enjoyable, caring and lovelyWhy should we read the bible? So that we know what God is telling usWhy should we pray?So that if we have any problems we can ask God.

Stephanie

What’s your favourite food? Spaghetti bolognaiseWhat do you want to be when you grow up? I want to work at the church because I believe in God and JesusWho is your hero? JesusWho is Jesus? Powerful, he has a powerful nameWhy should we read the bible? So we can learn more about God and JesusWhy should we pray? To praise Jesus, to thank him and ask for things

What’s your favourite food? Strawberries, on their own or with anythingWhat do you want to be when you grow up? A policeman because they can get robbersWho is your hero?God, because nobody can do anything betterthan HimWho is Jesus?Not actually human, nothing else, just thatWhy should we read the bible? Otherwise you won't know much about GodWhy should we pray? Because if you don't pray to him then hemight not make anything happen

Anna E

What’s your favourite food? Potatoes, especially roast potatoes with turkeyWhat do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor, like my mummy, because they make peoplebetterWho is your hero? My daddy because he looks after usWho is Jesus? GodWhy should we read the bible? I like the Bible stories about God, I like reading the Biblein a warm placeWhy should we pray? Because it can make a difference and it's good to fix it

Harry

What’s your favourite food? Coke, but only a little taste of itWhat do you want to be when you grow up?A policeman because they can go drivingreally fast and catch a bad guyWho is your hero? MeWho is Jesus? The one that died on the cross andGod is the one who made JesusWhy should we read the bible? I don't read the Bible, it's too long. Iread the children's Bible though, it'sshorter and has picturesWhy should we pray? To thank God

What’s your favourite food? Mini eggs chocolate yoghurtWhat do you want to be when you grow up? A movie maker. I like making movies andI'm working on one at the moment andfilming on my video cameraWho is your hero? God because when I don't feel well he'sthe one that makes me betterWho is Jesus? Kind and lovingWhy should we read the bible? So we can learn about Jesus' lifeWhy should we pray? So we can talk to GodAnna TEtienne

Kemi

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www.kerith.co.uk 27

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FROm THe OUTside, sCOTTAnd LiAnne ALLen LOOKedLiKe THeY HAd iT ALL: A HAPPY mARRiAGe, THeiROWn HOme And TWOBeAUTiFUL, HeALTHYCHiLdRen – A BOY And AGiRL, nO Less! BUTTHiRTeen YeARs inTO THeiRmARRiAGe, THe CRACKsBeGAn TO APPeAR….

Here at Kerith we run a Marriage Course once a year - please check ourwebsite for upcoming dates. The Marriage Book by Nicky and Sila Lee whichaccompanies the marriage course, is packed full of practical advice for every married couple and is well worth a read.

avoid talking things through and to just focuson ‘fixing it’ by getting the house finished asquickly as I could. Once that was complete, Iwas convinced that everything would bebetter.”Having reached rock bottom, Lianne wasalready seeking help from a counsellor, whohad been recommended to her by a friend andwas known to the Kerith pastoral team. A fewweeks in to her treatment, Scott turned on hiscomputer one day, to find an email invitinghim to one of Lianne’s therapy sessions....“I was always supportive of Lianne sorting herproblems out in a ‘girlie’ way (as I saw it) butI was very reluctant to go myself. Talking it outjust wasn’t my style”.But knowing that Lianne needed the help,Scott agreed to attend. What neither of themrealised, was that the problems they wereexperiencing in their marriage, were having adirect effect on Lianne’s ability to face herown issues. As a result, they began seeingthe therapist together, on aweekly basis. It soonbecame apparent that theywere in it for the long haul... “I found the first few weeksreally tricky,” says Scott,”but suddenly there was ashift and I realised that thecounsellor was ‘for’ us and not against us. Wewere able to speak the truth to one another ina safe environment and we slowly beganlearning the tools that would enable us tocontinue the positive communication athome.”This certainly was no quick fix and as a couple,they continued to see a counsellor everyweek for about 6 months. “Very quickly werealised that we were wanting the samething: our marriage back and better, whichmeant that we were both willing to put theeffort in and follow through the advice beinggiven – homework was a key part of ourweek!”With all their hard-earned money beingploughed into the house, the recommendedweekly date nights were about walking thedog, having a BBQ in the garden, or playingboard games in front of the fire. And slowlybut surely, the hard work began to pay off:“Over time, the tools we were being taughtstarted to form a habit,” shares Lianne.“When in the past I would have buried myfeelings, allowing them to fester, I began tofeel confident that communicating could be apositive thing. I was no longer fearful of

causing an argument or hurting Scott’sfeelings.”The outstanding DIy list was still therebut by now, both Scott and Liannerealised that an unfinished house wasthe least of their problems. They madea plan to tackle each task in smallerchunks, agreeing in advance whatwould be done and when. Slowly theirfamily life started to take priority...“We became intentional about havingfun times together as a family. Butmost importantly, we put our marriagefirst – if we hadn’t had a properconversation for a while, then it was okfor the kids to be on their own for a bit,whilst we chatted in the other roomtogether,” remembers Lianne.Despite not always feeling like it,throughout this whole process, theycontinued to attend Kerith everySunday morning. Due to the struggles

Lianne was facing in her personal life,she confesses to finding it difficult toconnect with God....”Although my relationship with Godwas very up and down throughout thistime, I knew that God was for me; Hehadn’t changed. My close friends atKerith were also an important part ofmy healing – having them to walk thejourney with me was so important.”Scott recalls Sundays when hestruggled even to enter the Kerithbuilding....“Although it was often difficult to facea room full of people who had no ideawhat was going on in our lives, wedecided to keep the channels openwith God. Without His presence in ourlives, I honestly don’t believe that ourmarriage would be what it is now.”It’s not been an easy journey for Lianneand Scott but it has been a vital one.They now work as a team rather thanindividuals and constantly seek to putGod at the centre of their marriage. Thefun that was so prevalent in the earlydays is finally back!

“i started wondering if i could survive on my own - i wasn’t sure if there was any point

in being married.”

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“Our marriage was always about having fun,”says Lianne, as she sits on the sofa cuddlingtheir new puppy. “Dog walks in the rain,snowball fights in the garden and exploring theworld together.” Not being shy of a challenge, in 1998 Scott andLianne bought their first home, planning to dothe renovations themselves “We had the skillsand it seemed like the obvious decision – justanother adventure together,” remembers Scott.The first house project was fun, the second wasmore of a challenge but still achievable. Whenpregnant with their second child in 2008, Lianneand Scott decided it was time to look for abigger home, to accommodate their growingfamily’s needs. “We could see the potential inthis house and loved the area, but I was hesitantas Koen was only 8 months old,” explainsLianne. Scott however, was more convinced that thishouse was the next step for them: “We hadprayed for a house in the exact area and the salewent through without a hitch. We really did feelthat this was God’s plan for us.” The renovations weren’t as easy with two veryyoung children and as the enormity of theproject loomed large, Scott began to focussolely on trying to get the house finished. WithScott spending every spare momentconcentrating on the task, Lianne was quiteliterally left ‘holding the baby’:“In the beginning we were doing the team workthing, but gradually we became separateentities. Scott continued to plough everythinghe had into getting the house finished, as hesaw it as his way of providing for our family, butI felt very much a single parent, spendingweekends on my own with the children andtaking all the responsibility.”The ‘fun times’ that had been so crucial to theirmarriage in the early years, were by now, non –existent. No longer a joy, the renovations werebecoming a burden and Scott and Lianne’srelationship was suffering. Lianne recalls:“I was never any good at telling Scott how I feltand looking back, I think these issues werealways present in our marriage. Things came toa head when I began going through some verypersonal stuff that I simply felt unable to sharewith him. I became resentful of the house andthe DIy, which dominated our lives – we neverwent out, never did anything fun and our wholemarriage/family life was about striving. We grewfurther and further apart and I started wonderingif I could survive on my own – I wasn’t sure ifthere was any point in being married.”Although Scott knew things weren’t how theyused to be, he was totally unaware that Lianne’sfeelings were this strong: “Being a typical bloke, I tend to steer clear ofanything a bit ‘touchy-feely’. My answer was to

www.kerith.co.uk 29

Anja, could you explain what a multi-sensoryroom is and why it's so important?

It is a space where people with sensory issuesreceive therapeutic intervention, to help withtheir under or over developed sensory needs. It provides a relaxing environment to play in, forthose who find the world a scary, noisy, over-busy place. It also offers an exciting and vibrantspace full of sensory stimulation, benefittingpeople with specific impairments such asblindness and deafness as well as those withless obvious but complex needs such assomeone on the autistic spectrum.

AT THe TAiL end OF 2013 A BRAnd neWPeRmAnenT sensORY ROOm WAs insTALLedin THe K2 BUiLdinG On THe BRACKneLLsiTe. THis is THe VenUe FOR OUR WeeKendAnd HOLidAY ResPiTe CARe FOR CHiLdRenWiTH sPeCiAL needs - KOnneCTiOns.KARen meHTA meT UP WiTH AnJA dAVies,KOnneCTiOns mAnAGeR, TO Find OUT HOWTHis GReAT neW FACiLiTY CAme ABOUT.

How did you set aboutassessing what would berequired from a newsensory room and how wasit planned?

Previously we had somemulti-sensory equipmentthat we had to set up andset down each session -sadly after 10 years ofproviding respite care,most of it was in a poorstate. The decision to set upa purpose built room was amassive step but we roseto the challenge! First weplanned the funding, savingfor over 3 years andapplying for communitygrants to help. Kerith issuch a busy communitywith rooms in constant usebut it was decided that wecould use one room in K2as a permanent sensoryspace. This was a hugebreak through as it meantwe could have equipmentthat we had previouslybeen unable to consider.The profile of children inour care is diverse andcomplex; we had the roomprofessionally planned toensure that it would meetour current needs andthose going forward.

How have the children responded to the new room?

They absolutely love it! The first session we opened theroom, the other equipment was hardly touched and theirenthusiasm has not waned. It’s so encouraging for us asa staff team to know that we are providing a betterenvironment for all the children to have a great timeregardless of their disability.

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www.kerith.co.uk 31

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF FO

ODBANK

FOOdGLORiOUsFOOd

On A BLUsTeRYWednesdAY in FeBRUARY,LinK’s ROVinG RePORTinGTeAm OF PennY LAndeRAnd JOHn miTCHeLL(PHOTOGRAPHeR) sPenTTHe dAY AT BRACKneLLFOOdBAnK, disCOVeRinGTHe PeOPLe And THePROCesses BeHind THeneWs HeAdLines.

Foodbank opens at 12 noon, but thewarehouse team are already at workat 9.30, as Geoff Parkin checks stocklevels at the Kerith Centre store. “It’s nice to see people going out witha smile on their faces as well as withfood.” Geoff loads food donations intohis car, picks up the re-stock list, thenit’s off to the warehouse.

Another volunteer - Jack Rosenberg,from San Francisco - jokes as he sortsdonations into types and then into‘use by dates’ as far ahead as 2017.

Jean Ardron runs thewarehouse, with her finger onthe pulse of the 18 tonnes offood stored there – shelves offood stretch into the distance.

Geoff unloads thedonations for Jean toweigh and record.

Meanwhile John Hawkins, who's alsoretired, collects crates of food forGeoff's list.“I was looking forsomething worthwhile to do and it getsme out from under my wife’s feet!”

11:00 Back to the KerithCentre with food to re-stockthe distribution cupboards.This is an impressive systemmoving tonnes of food!

At the Kerith Centre, Wednesdayteam leader Val Pocock is checkingthe shelves of full bags ready to goout soon. “Some come inabsolutely devastated that theyhave to come to a Foodbank. I justwant them to know they are notalone.”

11:20 Steve from Sandhurst arrives early and like allclients, he is welcomed with tea and biscuits. “I live on my own and I find it hard because I’m analcoholic and have medical problems. Foodbank isimportant to me, it helps me survive”.

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Clients are given a redvoucher by a local agency,school, or other supportorganisation to claim theirfood pack.

Food is donated by localchurches, faith groups,schools and businesses.

Bracknell Foodbank isopen on Mondays,Wednesdays and Fridays,12-2:30pm.

in THe 12 mOnTHs JAnUARY TO deCemBeR 2013 We WeRe dOnATed 43 TOnnes OF FOOdWHiCH HeLPed TO sUPPORT 4,300 AdULTs And CHiLdRen dURinG THAT sAme PeRiOd.

12:15 Katie from Bracknell, who was given her Foodbank voucherby school, has two children aged 3 and 5. “You haven’t got to worrybecause there’s help there. It would be very hard without.”

Joanne with Amy, aged2, was given her voucherby her health visitor. Shechats to FoodbankManager, Pat Hallett, andvolunteer, David Mason,while Amy munches abiscuit. “It matters whenI have no money and nofood in the house. I workpart time in the eveningsbut splitting up from mypartner has taken its toll.”

In his office awayfrom the bustle, GeoffHallett loads the latestFoodbank stats ontohis laptop – keepingan eye on trends sothat the team canrespond quickly asneeds change.

1:00pm Around the reception, volunteers sit listening to clients.Stephanie is tearful. “I’m a PA, I’ve always worked. Now I can’tpay my mortgage. My voucher came from the benefits agency.”

The team of volunteers cluster round the distribution cupboards,making up packs for singles, couples and families – the listsspecify everything, from size of cereal box to number of teabags.Today the new Ascot Foodbank team are being trained ahead oftheir launch the following week.

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David volunteers on his day offfrom Syngenta. “It really helpspeople in their time of need.”Behind the scenes, teammembers keep making new packs- Joy, Janet and Renate areenthusiastic as they work -“Foodbank has been an eye-opener, and it’s really worthwhileseeing where the food goes.”

FOOdGLORiOUs FOOd

Other clients choose food from the‘miscellaneous’ boxes - anyone want a tinof octopus?! One Finnish client did!

Note: Some names in this article have been changed.

At one table a hungry young builder, Sean, tucks into ahot meal. “I’ve been on drugs but I want a new startand I’m waiting to go into re-hab. I don’t like notworking. I’ve been borrowing from friends and familyto get by.”

1:45pm Volunteers grab a cup of tea while it’squiet. But soon everyone moves to make spacefor more clients.

Sally from Warfield has a grown up family. Sheworked in admin and was made redundant inNovember. “Coming here, you feel someone hasreached out and helped. Foodbank is amazing. Assoon as I get a job I will give back.”In another corner a young woman, Kayleigh, has justbeen given her food pack. “Foodbank gives me foodand someone to talk to. It’s tremendous.” She’shomeless, waiting to start a new job. Her dad, who’salso homeless, confides “It’s embarrassing” – he ranhis own business for 20 years.

2:30pm Today’s 18vouchers represent 29people who now havefood for three days.

The team moves cratesof food down to thedistribution cupboardsready for Friday.

2:45pm Pat and Clairefill out the re-stock list,for the warehouseteam to start all overagain at 9.30 on Fridaymorning.

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www.kerith.co.uk 35

need A JOB?Join the club!!!

For many years I had a deep wound within me as a resultof the way I was treated as a child. This wound causedlong-term damage in my relationship with my mother.Whenever she came to our home for more than a day ortwo, the result would be angry exchanges between us.One day, God showed me the deep hurt in my mother’sheart and I felt tremendous compassion for her. I explainedthis to her and she broke down and wept, saying: “I oftenwanted to pick you up and run away with you but yourstepfather could give me the security that you couldn’t.” Atthat moment I saw her pain and hurt, and forgave her. Thatwas the beginning of the healing of my relationship withmy mother. Today she holds a very special place in my heartand I lovingly honour her. Forgiveness brought healing, loveand peace.

I am frequently asked the question: “What was done tome was wrong, so why should I forgive?” Firstly, it isimportant to understand that forgiveness does not make awrong action right. Something done that was wrong willalways remain wrong. It is vital however, that the personwho has been wronged, forgives the one who did thewrong. The consequences of not forgiving are anger,bitterness and resentment. If not dealt with, theseemotions will often lead to serious physical and emotionalconsequences that will damage other relationships.

In a parable about forgiveness [Matthew 18:21-35] Jesustaught that when we have been forgiven, we should thenforgive others. Our sin before God is like a huge debt. Onthe cross Jesus bore the debt of our sin so that we couldbe forgiven and set free. When we have been forgiven somuch, we should then forgive those who have done wrongto us. How often do we hear the words, “He owes me anapology”? To owe something is a debt. Forgiveness is torelease a person from that debt.

Our own forgiveness by God is conditional on us beingprepared to forgive others who have done wrong to us.When Jesus taught us to pray, He said: “Forgive us as weforgive those who trespass against us” [Matthew 6:12]. Healso said: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses,neither will your Heavenly Father forgive your trespasses”[Matthew 6:15]. If we refuse to forgive, then our sinsremain and we will not be able to enjoy the blessing thatGod longs to pour into our lives. He wants to take away allanger, bitterness and resentment and give us inner peace,rest and wholesome, healthy relationships. Whilst we holdon to past hurts this is impossible, but as we forgive wewill find freedom.

My mother is now ninety-five years old. What a joy to loveher unconditionally and be free from all those oldresentments and bitterness. Will you also choose to forgivethose who have wronged you and find healing?

why s

houl

d I fo

rgive

?

By

Michael Ross-Watson

Do you have a question you would like answered in our next edition of LinK? Please email it to link@kerith.co.uk

If you would like to seek healing from past hurts and learnmore about the freedom of forgiveness, then Michaelwould love to hear from you. Please make contact with himby emailing info@kerith.co.uk.You might also like to consider attending our next Freedom in Christ course. Find more information at www.kerith.co.uk/courses

Job Club is open every Wednesday 10am to 4pmupstairs in the Kerith Centre, Bracknell. It is free toattend and we welcome anyone who is currentlyseeking work. 

Meet in a relaxed atmosphere with other job seekersfor light refreshments and informal advice. Computers are provided with internet access for jobsearches, applications and writing CVs. 

For more information please contact Richard White:richardwhite@capjobclubs.org or complete the formon our website: www.kerith.co.uk

www.kerith.co.uk 37

LOCALnATiOnALinTeRnATiOnAL

COme And AsK YOUR qUesTiOnsAT THe nexT ALPHA COURsesTARTinG AUTUmn 2014BOOK AT WWW.KeRiTH.CO.UK/ALPHA#TRYALPHA

TO seRenJe

The girls’ dormiTory is well on iTs

way To compleTion.

Thank you all for your valued

conTribuTion To make This happen.

FROm KeRiTH

diReCTORY

Alpha is an opportunity to explore themeaning of life through a 10 week coursedesigned as a basic introduction to theChristian faith.Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699Register via www.kerith.co.ukemail: info@kerith.co.ukCourse Leader: Caroline Hanbury

The Freedom in Christ course is designedto help you take hold of the amazing truthabout who you are as a follower ofChrist.Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699 Register via www.kerith.co.ukemail: info@kerith.co.ukCourse Leaders: Rob & Stacey Omokaro

The marriage course is an evening coursethat is run over seven weeks. each weekincludes a meal together, a talk and timeto discuss together.Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699Register via www.kerith.co.ukemail: info@kerith.co.uk

The Parenting Children course is an eveningcourse for any parent or carer of children upto ten years old. Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699 Register via www.kerith.co.ukemail: info@kerith.co.ukCourse Leaders: Tim and elaine Felgate

Serving the whole of Bracknell communitywith practical help and support to familiesand individuals alongside other services inthe area.Pick up a form from Kerith Centre ReceptionPhone: 01344 862699 Mobile: 07591 579149email: info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Lorraine Wade

A book club for all women who enjoyreading or want to be motivated to readmore books. Meets bi-monthly. Group Leader: Ope Olugbile

A women's writing group for those whowould like to grow in the art of writing.Meets third Tuesday of the month.Group Leader: Jacqui Webber-Gant

We are a large and friendly toddlergroup for all pre-school children(including babies) and their carers.We meet on Monday afternoon orTuesday or Wednesday mornings.Phone: 01344 862699 email: sparklers@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Susannah Mills

For advice on handling your money betteron a day to day basis join the CAP Moneycourse.Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699email: info@kerith.co.ukCourse Leader: Helen Dodwell

A group serving the deaf and hard ofhearing in the Kerith community.Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699 email: info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leaders: Mark & Alex Hooper

COURSeS MINISTRIeS & SOCIAL JUSTICe GROUPSMeeTINGS & GROUPS

Freedom in Christ

A 3 week course to help you to discoveryour spiritual gifts. Find out more:Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699Register via www.kerith.co.ukemail: info@kerith.co.ukCourse Leaders: Geoff Hawke & Mark Ridgway

An informal opportunity to explorethe Bible, led by Ben Davies.12.50pm Wednesdays.Find out more:Phone: 01344 862699 email: info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Ben Davies

encounterMidweek Bible Study

Small midweek groups that meet inpeople’s homes. We seek to get to knowGod more and do life together.visit: www.kerith.co.uk Visit the Life Group Stand in Reception after a Sunday meeting for a chat.email: info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leaders: Duncan & Sharon Klitgaard

Life GroupsDoing Life Together

The Alpha Course

Deaf Hope

Restoring dignity reviving hope. Partnering with a national charity to feed local people in crisis. Phone: 01344 862699 email: foodbank@kerith.co.uk

FoodbankBracknell Area

Social Justice Outreach

HILLTOP is for adults who have a learningdisability and is a place where they arewelcomed and valued.Sundays, once a month from 5pmand Thursdays 10am until noon.Pick up info from Kerith Centre Reception.Phone: 01344 862699 email: info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Hazel White

Hilltop

DiscoveryWorkshop

A 5 week course facilitating how to deal withyour grief.Find out more:Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699Register via www.kerith.co.ukemail: info@kerith.co.ukCourse Leaders: Pete & Alex Moon, Sue Davis

BereavementCourse

The Marriage Course

Unique is the ministry for all women.www.catrinabenham.com (blog)Phone: 01344 862699email: info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Catrina Benham

UNIQUeMinistry for Women

SPARKLeRSParent and Toddler Group

Look out for these large events forwomen coming together to share fun andfaith.

SIMPLy eVeNTS

exPOSITION

This is a day for you - time for rest andenjoyment, for personal reflection &prayer.Group Leader: elizabeth Pudner

FOURTeeN DAy ReTReATS

ACTIVATe

CAPMoney Course

We welcome all children from birth to final year of primary school, including those with disabilities. To find out more come along any Sunday to K2. Find out more:Phone: 01344 862699visit: www.kerith.co.ukemail: lydiah@kerith.co.uk Group Leader: Lydia Harris-Lane

KeRITHKids

Charles Square, Bracknell.Open 10am - 5pm daily except Sundaysand Bank holidays.K4 sells good quality clothing,accessories,household goods and much more.Please bring your donations to the shopduring trading hours.To volunteer pick up an application formfrom shop manager, Rob eveleighrob.eveleigh@kerith.co.uk

K4Charity Shop

Free debt advice from award winningcharity Christians Against Poverty (CAP), for anyone struggling with debt. Appointments freefone: 0800 328 0006 Centre Manager: Lisa Rutland

CAPDebt and Advice

INvestA community of young people school years 7-13.Phone: 01344 862699email: liam.parker@kerith.co.ukwww.kerith.co.uk/youthGroup Leader: Liam Parker

youth & LIFeat the Kerith

A number of different groups that seek tosupport both children with disabilities andtheir families.Phone: Anja Davies - 01344 828802email: anja.davies@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Anja Davies

Konnections

evening course aimed at helping you to grow your relationship with God through the study of the bible and its practical application. Pick up a form from Reception.Phone: 01344 862699 email: james.evans@kerith.co.uk Group Leader: James evans

One+ Support for those parenting alone

ReCRUITMeNTMeet people and get involved with themany projects and ministries that make upKerith Community Church.Phone: 01344 828808email: info@kerith.co.uk

KerithVolunteers

TMTL is a group dedicated to the retired.Thursdays from 1.00pm.Phone: 01344 862699 email: info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leaders: Roy Buck, Bill Dick, Dave Barker

There’s More To Life

A group for single parents which meetsevery second Friday night to pray, supportone other and have fun.Phone: 01344 862699email: sarah.hardy@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Sarah Hardy

The ParentingChildren Course

Free support and advice for anyone lookingto return to employment. Club open onWednesdays 10am- 4pm upstairs in theKerith Centre, Bracknell.Phone: 01344862699email: richardwhite@capjobclubs.orgJob Club Manager: Richard White

CAPJob Club

A mixture of evening and daytime eventsto build friendships. our faith and to havea laugh.Phone: 01344862699info@kerith.co.ukGroup Leader: Matt Ranger

Mens events

39www.kerith.co.uk

Kerith Bracknell Church RoadBracknell RG121eH

Kerith Sandhurst Sandhurst SchoolOwlsmoor RoadSandhurst GU47 0SD

Tel: +44 (0)1344 862699 email: info@kerith.co.uk

One CHURCH TWO LOCATiOns

s U n d A Y V e n U e s

Bracknell: 9am, 11am & 6pm The Kerith Centre RG12 1eH

sandhurst: 10am sandhurst school GU47 0sd

Catch the latest Kerith news:

www.kerith.co.uk

kerithcommunitychurch

@kerithcommunity

www.simonbenham.com

We would love your feedback on LinK,please email: feedback@kerith.co.uk