Shareit!35

shareit!shareit!Summer/

Autumn 2012

The Magazine of Church Army

35

Patron: HM The Queen President: The Most Revd Dr Desmond Tutu

Church Army Evangelists share the Christian faith through words and action and equip others to do the same. Evangelists and staff are devoted to a wide range of service in Anglican churches, projects and teams throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Shareit! is the magazine of Church Army and it is available free upon request. Please let us know if you would prefer not to receive further issues of Shareit! or other communications from Church Army.

Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ

Tel: 0300 123 2113 Email: [email protected] www.churcharmy.org.uk

Registered Charity Nos: 226226 & SC040457

Editor: Hannah Gray 0300 123 2113

Sub-editor: Bethan Hill

Design & Print: CPO 01903 264556

ISSN 1751-3960

If you have a story for Shareit!, or suggestions on how we can improve this magazine, then please contact Hannah Gray.

The paper used is from sustainable forests and can be recycled. Printed by Bishops who have 14001 accreditation.

Evangelist Support Scheme

This symbol identifies those Evangelists who, through the Evangelist Support Scheme, seek support for their ministry through prayer and giving. It may be that you are drawn to an Evangelist in this issue and would like to find out how you can partner with them in their ministry. To receive further information about the scheme, please email [email protected] or call 0300 123 2113.

Dear friends,

Welcome to the latest edition of Shareit! which is packed full of all the news from Church Army and

uplifting stories of lives changed through the gospel. In this edition you can read more about our Hope

on the Streets campaign, which highlights how our work is reaching those on the very edge of society: the homeless, unemployed, those struggling with addiction and many more. As last year’s summer riots showed, thousands of people across our nation are living without purpose and in spiritual poverty. It’s into this kind of world that the message of Jesus desperately needs to be heard, a message of freedom, transformation and, above all, hope. You can find out more about the campaign by turning to pages 10-13 where we feature Church on the Bus in Derbyshire, which helps more than 60 homeless people each week. You can also read about “Louise” who fled from domestic violence and ended up living on the streets of London. Thanks to Church Army’s Marylebone Project she has now been resettled into her own flat and is looking forward to a more positive future. To watch a film about Hope on the Streets, visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/hopeonthestreets

The past few months have also been an exciting time for Jeff Hill in Witney, Oxfordshire, after Prime Minister David Cameron paid him a visit. Jeff has set up a late night café in the town on Saturday evenings which reaches more than 100 people and he has also developed the local church’s children and families work. To read more, turn to pages 8-9.

On pages 28-29, we report on our recent Centres of Mission Conference, which saw more than 90 evangelists, trainees and volunteers gather at the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield. The Centre of Mission teams, which are based throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, spent time discussing their experiences and sharing stories of people coming to faith. Graham Tomlin, the Principal of St Paul’s Theological Centre and Dean of St Mellitus College, also spoke at the event looking at what can be learnt from the growth of the early church.

In this issue we also speak to Lynne and Peter Bone who are reaching out to their community in Skelmersdale,

shareit!The Magazine of Church Army

From the Chief Executive

2 Shareit!

Welcome...

Shareit! 3

Lancashire, (pages 24-25), Retired Evangelist, Tony Maidment, about Gospel Magic (page 22), and Eileen Caple who runs a door-to-door ministry in Twickenham (page 30).

Finally, Mission Support Officer, Paul Critchlow, tells us more about Church Army guest speakers and how they can help inspire your church (page 17), and we have been busy compiling our top 20 fundraising tips to share with you (pages 20-21).

May I once again thank you for your commitment to Church Army as we seek to share the gospel through words and action.

Your prayerful and financial support continues to make a real difference to people’s lives and we praise God for each one of you.

With my love and prayers,

Mark Russell Chief Executivewww.churcharmy.org.uk/ceo

Welcome...

STOP PRESS!A new café-bus has been launched by the Zacchaeus Outreach Project in the Diocese of Armagh in Northern Ireland to reach out to marching bands. The bus will act as a mobile café at band parades and meetings, where volunteers will be available to chat with band members about faith, as well as offering practical support and advice. The Church Army and Church of Ireland initiative is being led by Evangelist Valerie Thom. She said: “Many of the young people I meet at band events have links with church but don’t actually attend on a Sunday. So we want to try to build on those links and put them in touch with relevant people. Jesus met Zacchaeus at his point of need and that is what we want to do.”

Mark Russell

at band parades and meetings, at band parades and meetings,

Valerie Thom

shareit!shareit!Summer 2012

The Magazine of Church Army

35

Shareit! 35 Summer/Autumn 2012C

on

ten

ts

NEWS6 News All the latest

from Church Army

8 “Big Society” honour David Cameron visits Jeff Hill in Oxfordshire

10 Hope on the Streets Church on the Bus

12 Hope on the Streets The Marylebone Project

FAITH18 A week with…

Kevin Metcalfe in Northern Ireland

22 Gospel magic Retired Evangelist, Tony Maidment

23 The journey of life Hospice Chaplain, Mike Reeder

24 Connecting community Lynne and Peter Bone in Lancashire

WORDS17 Inspiring you…

Church Army guest speakers

28 ReflectandrejoiceCentres of Mission Conference

30 Ask, seek, knock Eileen Caple’s door -to-door ministry

31 Everyone needs a good shepherd Peter Graystone has the last word

8 12 17

4 Shareit!

Isthisthefirsttimeyou’vereadacopy of Shareit!? Would you like to receive your own FREE edition regularly? To sign upandtofindoutmoreaboutother Church Army resources please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/res Alternatively email [email protected], telephone 0300 123 2113 or write to Church Army, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50CavendishRoad,Sheffield,S37RZ. We will be more than happy to help.

Front cover: Barbara at our Church on the Bus project in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.

ACTION14 New beginnings

Meet our newly commissioned Evangelists

20 Fantastic fundraising 20 top tips

26 True potential Valley of Hope photography group

1018

26

20

28

30 Shareit! 5

6 Shareit!

NOW A CHRISTIAN – A HIT!

Church Army is preparing to open its doors to new members after it voted to become a Mission Community in the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

More than 90 per cent of those who voted said “yes” to the decision and the constitutional changes were approved at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held in November last year.

Mark Russell, Church Army Chief Executive, said: “Church Army hopes to create a new community of people who are passionate about the gospel and who want to share it with those on the margins of

society. The vote means that many other people will be able to join the organisation as members of a modern missionary movement. This will include people who are ordained, those who feel called to be Evangelists in the wider church and Church Army’s existing volunteers and supporters.

“We hope that through this extended network of mission-minded people, communities will be transformed and evangelism resourced.”

Further details of how people can join the Mission Community will be announced later this year.

explore the basics of Christianity. People can sign up for free by visiting the Now a Christian website and they will then receive an email every day for five weeks.

Evangelist and Church

The creators behind Church Army’s Now a Christian email course are celebrating after sign-ups hit the 2,000 mark.

The course was launched back in 2009 and is specially designed to help people

Army’s Online Services Manager, Neil Thomson, said: “Now a Christian has been a great resource for people beginning their Christian journey as well as for some who have come back to church. The feedback and stories we have had from people have been really encouraging and we are thrilled that this has helped over 2,000 people so far.”

To sign up, please visit www.nowachristian.org

MISSIoN COMMUNITY FUTURE

Shareit! 7

BIRTHDAY “DIP” FOR YOUNG FUNDRAISER

Church Army has welcomed its new Chair of the Board, the Bishop of Chelmsford Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, who spoke of his “passion for evangelism” while visiting the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield.

Bishop Stephen brings with him a wealth of experience in mission and his previous jobs have included being a member of the Springboard Team, which was the evangelism initiative of Archbishop George Carey, and the Diocesan Missioner for Wakefield. He was also a founder member and chair of the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists.

When reflecting on his new role, Bishop Stephen said: “Throughout most of my ministry I’ve had a very particular concern for evangelism and helping churches engage with it. Therefore Church Army as an organisation was a very obvious fit with my own passions and experience.”

news

THANk YOU!

WELCOME TO BISHoP STEPHEN

We are pleased to announce that our Life to the Full appeal featuring Tim Hyde’s work on the Weston housing estate in Southampton has raised more than £16,000. Thank you so much for your generosity and support! With your help our Evangelists will be able to reach even more people who are marginalised and living without the hope of the gospel.

A 10-year-old boy from Tyne and Wear braved freezing temperatures during the winter to take part in a North Sea “dip” to raise more than £500 for Church Army.

oliver Cake shares his birthday withChurchArmy’sfounder,Wilson Carlile, so decided to mark the occasion by running into the sea 10 times. Family and friends were there to cheer him on.

oliver said: “The sea was very cold and I was pleased I wore my wetsuit! I wanted to raise money for Church Army because it helps people who don’thavemuchinlife.”

8 Shareit!

Jeff lives and works in Mr Cameron’s Witney constituency, where he

has established a number of projects including a night-time café attended regularly by more than 100 people,

a Street Pastors initiative and various groups for families and children.

Among these are a junior church at St Mary’s, which ministers to around 60 children a week, an ecumenical summer holiday club and a regular men’s curry night. He has also launched several Messy Churches for families, established a regular pattern of assemblies in the 11 local primary schools and started X:site, Scripture Union’s project for eight to 11-year-olds on a Saturday evening.

Mr Cameron met with Jeff at St Mary’s Church where they were joined by the Rector of Witney, Toby Wright, Church Army’s Director of Mission Support, Neil Biles, and volunteers Guy Plowman and Dominic Baker.

During the meeting the group

Prime Minister David Cameron has visited Evangelist Jeff Hill, whose outreach work in Oxfordshire is having a positive impact on the community

Junior Church

“Big Society” honour for Evangelist L to r: Neil Biles, Dominic Baker, Toby Wright, Jeff Hill, David Cameron, Guy Plowman

Shareit! 9

“As Christians we have an important role to play in building up communities and meeting people’s needs. From my own experience I have found that a lot of Christians want to reach out beyond the church but need mechanisms to enable them to do so. I hope that the church can increasingly act as a resource in building the Big Society and restoring broken lives.”

discussed how Church Army could work in partnership with churches to contribute to Mr Cameron’s vision of the Big Society. They also talked about Church Army’s work in Witney and about the value of volunteering.

When hearing about the night-time café which takes place in Witney’s Market Place on a Saturday evening between 11pm and 4am, Mr Cameron

said: “It’s great, because you’ve found a model that works which is meeting a need. The state is not always very good at the personal, the emotional, the niche, and this is where I think the Big Society absolutely comes in, because you’ve got the creativity in people coming up with ideas like this.”

The group also talked about the need to create projects that were self-sustaining. Mr Cameron said: “One of the things we’re doing as a government in order to encourage the Big Society is to look at the whole issue of how to encourage and train community organisers – particularly in deprived communities. We’d really like community organisers to be able to build a project, make it sustainable and then move on to build another project.”

After the meeting, Jeff Hill said: “It’s been a real privilege to meet with the Prime Minister and to share how Christians are investing in their communities. I’d like to thank all the volunteers who work alongside me for their willingness to serve others.

news

Please pray for Jeff and for all the volunteers who work with him, may they continue to find relevant ways to share the gospel with people in Witney.

How can I help?

“Big Society” honour for Evangelist “ I hope that the church can increasingly act as a resource in building the Big Society and restoring broken lives.”

L to r: Neil Biles, Dominic Baker, Toby Wright, Jeff Hill, David Cameron, Guy Plowman

10 Shareit!

HOPE ON THE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETS

As part of our Hope on the Streets campaign, Shareit! takes a look at the Church on the Bus project in Derbyshire, which is reaching more than 60 homeless people each week

Homelessness. Unemployment. Addiction. Low self-esteem. A life lived without purpose. These are just some of the struggles which thousands of people on the margins of our society are facing each day. Our streets are a place devoid of true hope where fear and sadness reign. As last year’s riots clearly showed, the Good News of Jesus is desperately needed so that true freedom can be found and people released from spiritual poverty.

Yet up and down the country, Church Army Evangelists are working with those on the edge, sharing the gospel through words and action. And this year our new campaign, Hope on the Streets, is highlighting how lives are being transformed through Christ. Church on the Bus in Derbyshire is one such project.

Church on the Bus was set up in 2004 by Evangelist Alan Park, and has grown to become a Christian community which meets each week in Chesterfield, Matlock and Clay Cross. Alan and his team of 45 trained volunteers use a bus as a drop-in for those who are vulnerable and homeless, where they provide friendship and prayer alongside food, hot drinks, clothes and toiletries. The bus stops in the same places each week at the same times, so that people always know where to find it.

Before becoming a Christian, Alan was homeless himself for seven years, living on the streets of Doncaster and London.

Church on the Bus

Alan Park (centre) with volunteers

news

Church on the Bus and is hoping to begin visiting an estate in Matlock ministering to single parents. He also would like to recruit more volunteers so that more people can be trained and equipped for mission.

He said: “I’m really excited about how God is working through Church on the Bus and am so thankful that people are coming to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. I also hope that other people will be inspired by the project and will want to reach out beyond their church building to those on the edge of society.

“There is nothing more exciting than raw evangelism – each day is different and I never know who I’m going to meet!”

n For more information and to donate to Hope on the Streets, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/hopeonthestreets

He describes this period of his life as “very lonely” and says he felt completely excluded from society.

He said: “Homelessness can happen with the break-up of families, debt, alcohol or drugs. Nobody is exempt from being on the streets – it can happen to anyone.

“Therefore as a team we believe it is important to help people feel valued. We know everybody’s name and we welcome them onto the bus. When we share the gospel we tell people about God’s love for them and reassure them of our prayers – and that does something to these people… it shows them that we care.”

Since the project began, many people have come to a living faith, including “Jason”, who has struggled with drug addiction since he was a teenager.

He said: “I’ve been a drug addict since the age of 15. I spent a lot of time in jail, and when I came out I was living on the streets. I started coming to Church on the Bus because I found out they ran a soup kitchen. I’m clear of drugs now. If it hadn’t been for this bus I don’t think I’d be here now, to be honest. It has absolutely saved me.”

Over the coming years Alan is looking to expand the work of

Shareit! 11

12 Shareit!

Sleeping rough on the streets of London is a stark reality for hundreds of people – and sadly the number is rising. As part of our Hope on the Streets campaign, Shareit! finds out how The Marylebone Project is giving homeless women a helping hand

Spirituality, hospitality, empowerment and resettlement are the four themes which lie at the heart of The Marylebone Project. As one of the largest women’s hostels in the United Kingdom, it works to practically help women experiencing homelessness while valuing each of them as individuals.

Providing emergency and short-term accommodation is the project’s main focus and in 2011 more than 115 women were resettled into their own homes. The Valentia Suite and its specialist team also acts as a much-needed refuge for homeless

women with diagnosed mental health issues.

Alongside this is the Women’s Day Centre which offers advice on issues such as housing and welfare, educational activities and a rough sleepers’ service where people can use the showers, laundry facility and luggage stores.

Bill Gallagher, Project Manager, said: “Many of the women we meet have fled from unstable family situations or domestic violence, while others struggle with mental health problems and drug and alcohol addictions. So often when they arrive at the project they have extremely low confidence and self-esteem.

“Therefore our staff work hard to show each of the women that they are cared for as a demonstration of God’s love. The project’s chapels and faith events also provide the women with a space to explore spirituality if they want to.

“Investing in people’s lives is key to the way we work at the project. We believe that all women are very special people and have enormous potential. We consider it a privilege to journey with them and hope to see their potential released.”

Stories of hopeHOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE HOPE ON THE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETSTHE STREETS

n To watch a film about Hope on the Streets, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/hopeonthestreets

Shareit! 13

“Louise’s” storyMy name is “Louise” and I fled from my home and husband after experiencing domestic violence. I came to London but ended up on the streets for nearly a month, which was really terrifying. I was then referred to The Marylebone Project and moved in straight away which was such a relief. Since arriving I have been involved in the jewellery making project, a computer course and have helped out at a local church. I’m also taking part in a domestic violence course and one about confidence and awareness.

The Marylebone Project is so important and helps women from many different situations. It has saved me. My key worker has done everything she possibly can to help me and I am about to move into my own flat, which I’m really looking forward to. I’m going to miss all the new friends I’ve made here, but I will come back and visit them.

“Aasiya’s” storyMy name is “Aasiya”. I’m 23 years old and grew up in Somalia until I moved to the United Kingdom eight years ago. Due to family circumstances and depression I found myself homeless – thankfully

I was referred to The Marylebone Project. I was worried at first because I’d heard lots of bad things about hostels; however the

staff at Marylebone are wonderful and have always treated me as an individual. They offer me emotional support and really invest in me. It is rare to find a hostel where people actually care about you. I hope to return to university next year to continue my studies as a student midwife. I’ve had a tough life, but I’m trying to work hard and look to the future.

news

Stories of hope

Meet our new Evangelists who are the first to be commissioned from our four-year Mission-Based Training course

New beginnings

14 Shareit!

Name: Craig DowlingMission-Based Training Placement: South Greenwich Centre of Mission Firstjob:PioneerEvangelistatStJohn’sChurchinPlumsteadaspart of the South Greenwich Centre of Mission

What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? I’ve always wanted to study church history and theology so it’s been great to be given the chance. Also, coming from Northern Ireland originally, I’d always associated oppression with politics and power. However, working in South Greenwich has opened my eyes to how addiction and poverty can be personal oppressions and it has been amazing to see Jesus release people from them.

Whatisthemostimportantthingyou’velearnt? How vital it is to give people your time and a listening ear. Before I joined Church Army I was all about getting in there and getting the job done. Now I’ve realised that people appreciate nothing more than your time – particularly when they are carrying heavy burdens.

Whereisyourfirstjobgoingtobeandwhatareyoulookingforwardtoaboutit? I’m going to be developing a mission in Plumstead, which is a very diverse and multi-cultural area. It has a number of housing estates and a very large primary school with around 700 pupils. Initially I want to find out what God is already doing in the area and work out how I can join in. I can’t wait to put my learning into practice.

How can we pray for you?Pray for God to raise up a team of volunteers to help me. Pray also for guidance and wisdom as it is rather daunting starting mission work in a new place.

New beginnings beginnings

Shareit! 15

action

Name: Damien HineMission-Based Training Placement: Warwick Gates Centre of Mission First job: Bradford Centre of Mission – Sorted Project

What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? Working with a team of really strong evangelists alongside the local church. It’s been great to do mission together, support one another and have fun!

Whatisthemostimportantthingyou’velearnt? The best thing I can give to the furtherance of the Kingdom is myself and my ministry.

Whereisyourfirstjobgoingtobeandwhatareyoulookingforward to about it? I’ll be starting work at the Sorted Project in Bradford, a church run by young people for young people. I will be developing work among young adults, discipling them and encouraging them to take mission seriously. I can’t wait to give it my all!

How can we pray for you?Pray I will integrate well into the team and the work I develop will be supported well by local volunteers.

Name: Matt Rowley Mission-Based Training Placement: Craigavon Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland First job: Staying in Craigavon to build on the work already started

What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? Having Evangelist Myrtle Morrison as my Training Enabler and being able to study and then reflect on what I’ve learnt with her. I’ve also really enjoyed my hospital chaplaincy role as you never know what situation you are going to face and it has really taught me to listen to people.

Whatisthemostimportantthingyou’velearnt? To ask the “why” questions and reflect on the way we do things.

Whereisyourfirstjobgoingtobeandwhatareyoulookingforwardtoaboutit? I will be staying on at the Craigavon Centre of Mission to build on the work already started. My main focus will be working with people outside the church on the edge of society.

How can we pray for you?Pray that God will strengthen and energise me as I begin my new role and that the transition will run smoothly.

Name: Mark BinghamMission-Based Training Placement: Chester Centre of Mission First job: Southampton Centre of Mission

What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? The course has been great because, from the first day you start, you’re living and working in the community and making a difference to people’s lives. It’s also been great having the opportunity to study.

Whatisthemostimportantthingyou’velearnt? To show God’s grace and love to those I meet and never to judge. Also, not to force what I believe on people but to help them see Jesus Christ for themselves.

Whereisyourfirstjobgoingtobeandwhat are you looking forward to about it? I’m going to be joining the team at the Southampton Centre of Mission where I will be living and working on the deprived Weston estate. One of my key responsibilities will be running the Seedbed Allotment Project, which aims to build community and provide people with “green therapy” through gardening. I’m looking forward to sharing life with people – the joys and the difficulties.

How can we pray for you?

Pray for my wife and children as they settle into a new home and schools. Pray also that God will provide me with opportunities to build good friendships with people on the estate.

Name: Jasper RutherfordMission-Based Training Placement: Newcastle Centre of Mission Firstjob:OutreachandDevelopmentOfficerforSummer Madness festival in Northern Ireland

What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? The pub ministry which I have developed with non-churched men in Wallsend – it has been brilliant to build friendships with them and recently a group of us went on a mission trip to Romania. The trip was an eye opener for many of them and it was great to see God become more of a reality to them throughout the trip.

Whatisthemostimportantthingyou’velearnt? I’ve learnt loads! I think often we’re far too protective of mission and just look for a passionate group of Christians to get alongside us. Yet often if you involve those outside the church, it can provide a very natural environment for God to reveal himself.

Whereisyourfirstjobgoingtobeandwhatareyou looking forward to about it? I’m going to be the Outreach and Development Officer for Summer Madness, the biggest Christian youth festival in Ireland. My job will be to equip and train young people for mission all year round so they can share the gospel with those in their schools, universities and workplaces.

How can we pray for you?Pray for my wife and three children as we settle into a new area and church. Pray also that God would provide me with strong teams of volunteers.

New beginningscontinued

beginnings

16 Shareit!

“I think often we’re far too protective of mission...”

“ I can’t wait to put my learning into practice”

word

s

Mission Support Officer, Paul Critchlow, explains how you can find out

more about Church Army’s vital work and hear stories of transformation

from our guest speakers

Shareit! 17

Inspiring you...

Ph

oto

cre

dit: ©

iStoc

kph

oto

.co

m/C

hristo

ph

erFu

tch

er

Today I didn't hear a sermon, I saw a

sermon, as you painted a picture of

your work, thank you!

new messages

It was very useful to have Tim with us

on Sunday, and our congregations

found what he said really inspiring.

For many years, Church Army guest speakers have visited churches throughout

the United Kingdom and Ireland to share inspirational stories of changed lives as a result of our Evangelists’ work.

Visiting parishes in this way is really important to us. For those that already support us generously in prayer and finance, it is an opportunity for us to say thank you in person. For those yet to support us, it gives us the privilege of sharing more about our work.

There are real benefits in having a Church Army guest speaker:• Your church will be encouraged

to hear how our Evangelists are making a difference in the lives of thousands of people nationwide.

• Your church will be inspired to pray and to be generous in its regular giving.

• Your church will be invited to partner with a specific Church Army Evangelist through our Evangelist Support Scheme. This can bring a real sense of being part of evangelism and mission. Here is some of the feedback we’ve

received from churches…

Speakers are available on Sundays and throughout the week, so whether you would like someone to speak at a church service, or at a special mid-week meeting, we can help. All we ask of you, where finances permit, is to cover the expenses of our guest speaker and also to commit to supporting the work of Church Army.

n To book a Church Army guest speaker, please call Paul Critchlow on 0300 123 2113 or email [email protected]

18 Shareit!

kevin Metcalfe works with families living on the deprived Bloomfield housing estate in Bangor, Northern Ireland. He shares with us a snapshot of his ministry

MondayChrist Church Primacy’s parent and toddler group meets on Monday mornings and is always an energetic start to my week. At the moment I’ve got two of Church Army’s Xplore gap year students on placement with me and it was great to see Stephen and Peter getting stuck into the activities and chatting with people. This afternoon I visited a family on the estate who’ve had little contact with church in the past, but whose mum is now battling cancer. It was a real privilege to pray with her and the children. She has so many questions about faith. It has been amazing to see how the church family has offered practical support; cooking meals and looking after the children.

TuesdaySince moving to Bangor in 2007 I have established strong links with Bloomfield Primary School and this morning I led their assembly. I talked about how we can know God like a loving Father, which is a challenging message to get across when, for many of the children, their family situations are fractured and chaotic. I just pray that some of what I said remains with them and gets them thinking. Later on I went to a Community Association meeting which aims to develop new projects and facilities for the area. The Bloomfield Estate is known locally as

the “forgotten estate” and has problems with anti-social behaviour, sectarianism and isolation. Therefore, much of my work is about building relationships and helping people feel they are invested in and cared for.

WednesdayToday I met with the Xplore gap year students, Stephen and Peter, to discuss their development and pray with them. It was so encouraging to hear how God has been working through them. They’ve been prayer walking around the estate, distributing food hampers to families in need and doing gardening and DIY for people. They are so keen to serve people and share the hope of Jesus Christ.

ThursdayA relaxed day off with my wife Rita and two young daughters Emily and Katie.

Kidz Klub

A week in the life of an Evangelist

faith

kevin Metcalfe works with families living on the deprived Bloomfield housing estate in Bangor, Northern Ireland. He shares with us a snapshot of his ministry

Saturday A day off.

SundayA year-and-a-half ago I set up a Messy Church, which is an all-age Christian gathering that offers families the chance to come together to take part in craft and games, to eat and to worship. It takes place once a month and this week we had around 60 people attending. It was great to speak to Gemma about how she wasn’t interested in Jesus and wouldn’t have come near a church, but now feels she belongs to Messy Church and finds meaning in being part of something with Jesus at the centre.

n To watch a film about Kevin’s work, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/kevinMetcalfe

Scan the QR code with your mobile phone to donate £10 to Church Army or text CHUR24 10 to 70070

FridayToday has been a busy one as each Friday evening a team of volunteers and I lead Kidz Klub for primary school-aged children. Tonight 50 children from the estate came along and we looked at Jesus’ teaching about how he accepts us the way we are but how he wants us to follow him by living his way. All of this was communicated through music, games and drama. We are getting more and more families from non-church backgrounds interested in Kidz Klub and, as a result, we’ve been able to host the first holiday Bible club in the area for five years. There are also a growing number of Kidz Klub young leaders who help each week and recently they’ve taken part in an eight-week course which explores Christianity.

Xplore gap year student, Stephen Whitten

Shareit! 19

A week in the life of an Evangelist

20 Shareit!

1Organise a dinner party with a theme and sell tickets for it. There are so many options: a

wine and cheese party, international food evening or a safari supper. You could even play one of Church Army’s films between courses.

2Hold a ‘dress down’ or ‘dress up’ day at your workplace, school or church.

3 Dig out all those unwanted items in your house and sell

them at a car boot sale. Why not ask your friends to join in?

5Recycle your old mobile phones and donate

the proceeds to Church Army.

7Organise a sponsored church walk – it can be as long or short as

you like! It is also a great way to get chatting to new people.

9What about a 24-hour challenge? It could be a 24-hour sponsored silence, swim, dance…

4 Ask members of your church to make some

cakes or biscuits and then sell them with the refreshments after the Sunday service. Or you could hold a coffee morning.

6 Ask friends and local businesses to donate something

towards an auction night for Church Army.

8 For those who are sporty, hold a golf,

tennis, football or netball tournament.

10 Quiz nights are great events for people of all ages. You

can charge per person or per team.

action

Have you got time? Have you got talent? Why not put them to good use and have a go at fundraising for us? Here are 20 ideas to get you started

11During the summer, host a garden party. Strawberries and cream

are always a favourite!

12 Get people to sponsor you to

“give something up”. It could be chocolate, coffee, your mobile phone, the internet or smoking…

13 Organise a cards tournament. Canasta or Bridge work well.

15 For those who enjoy the finer things in life, organise a

dinner dance and charge for the tickets.

17 Hand out Church Army money boxes to your friends and ask them to fill them with spare change.

You’ll be amazed at how much is raised. To order money boxes please email supportercare@ churcharmy.org.uk or telephone 0300 123 2113.

19Get your friends to clear out

their wardrobes and hold a clothes swap party.

14 Host a pamper party

for the ladies – think face masks, foot spas and manicures.

16 If you and your friends are musically talented, organise a concert

at your church.

18 If you are a keen gardener, why not grow

some plants which you can then sell?

20 Finally, if you are a UK tax payer, please remember to Gift Aid any donations you make to us.

This allows us to reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 you give!

Shareit! 21

22 Shareit!

Pho

toc

red

it: ©M

artin

Ho

wse

faith

Teaching God’s word in easy to remember ways is at the heart of Gospel Magic. Retired Evangelist, Tony Maidment, shares his experiences with Hannah Gray

Can you tell me a bit about yourself?I joined Church Army in 1962 and over the years have worked in hostels for the homeless, young people’s homes and with children in schools and parishes. I have a wonderful wife called Sylvia and we now live in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. What is Gospel Magic?Gospel Magic uses tricks and illusions as a tool for explaining God’s truth creatively. Because it is very visual it helps to capture people’s imaginations and then focuses their fascination onto Jesus Christ. It is really effective at drawing a crowd during a mission or at a church outreach event.

How did you get involved in it?I’ve always enjoyed magic and remember teaching myself tricks as a child. However, later on when I was working for Church Army in a home for troubled teenagers, I found myself really struggling to engage them with Christianity. So I decided to try Gospel Magic and found it really held their attention.

Sinceyou’veretired,howdoyou use your magic?I often use Gospel Magic to illustrate a point when preaching or speaking at school assemblies in my local schools. It is just brilliant to see children wanting to know more about Jesus. I am a member of Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians and The Fellowship of Christian Magicians which holds an annual conference each year for around 70 people. This year I led one of the morning Bible teaching slots which was a great privilege.

What are you favourite tricks?I perform lots of rope and coin tricks, but one simple card trick I like to use with children is what I call the King of Hearts. During the trick I explain that Jesus is the King of Hearts and there’s only one way to find him.

n For more information about Gospel Magic, please visit The Fellowship of Christian Magicians’ website at www.fcmuk.org

The journey of Life

Shareit! 23

faith

Mike Reeder is the Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator at St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield where he ministers to those who have incurable illnesses

Please pray that God would bless Mike with many opportunities to share the hope of Jesus Christ.

How can I help?

He describes his job as “loitering with intent” as he walks with

people on their journey of life and helps them cope with the realities of illness and death. When appropriate opportunities arise, Mike shares the gospel of hope with those he meets.

Mike said: “At St Luke’s we want to care for a person’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being – we want to look after the whole person. You are able to help people live life to the full no matter how long or short they’ve got. Often when people are brought face-to-face with death there are lots of questions that arise about their past, present and future.

“To contemplate one’s own mortality means we do need to think about matters that relate to what comes next. For me, the words of Jesus are the key to the door and faith is the strength to believe that what is the other side of the door is just as Jesus said: ‘a place that has many rooms’. (John 14:1-3)

“But my role doesn’t end there,

I also spend time looking after patients’ carers and relatives and the hospice staff and volunteers.”

One patient who Mike particularly remembers was a man called Grenville who became a Christian while at the hospice. In the hospice chapel’s Book of Reflections, Grenville wrote: “My belief in God has given me the strength I need to be strong, positive and to smile. I lost God for many years, or at least I thought I had, but now I realise that he was always by my side. There are good days and there are bad days, but with a positive smile on my face I get through them all.”

n See Mike’s short film at www.churcharmy.org.uk/MichaelReeder

24 Shareit!

Connecting community

Community café

Lynne says…Since moving to Skelmersdale, Peter and I have been reaching out to

people in the Tanhouse district, which is ranked among the top five per cent of most deprived areas in England in terms of unemployment. Skelmersdale was originally designated a New Town in 1961 but in the 1970s, during the economic downturn, industrial employers left en-masse and migration was stopped. This left the area half-finished with roads that just stop, no hospital or cinema and

a limited number of shops. The consequences of this time were a lack of jobs, an increase in crime, drug abuse, debt and poverty. Sadly, not much has changed since then and therefore we have been working hard to build life-enhancing relationships with people.

Through Oaks Church, I help to run a café each Wednesday afternoon at the community centre, where people of all ages can meet and enjoy quality food at low prices. We also provide newspapers, table tennis, crafts, a toddler area and a prayer wall. One lady who struggles with depression says that the café gives her a reason to get out of bed in the

Back in 2009, Lynne and Peter Bone joined Oaks church plant in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, with the aim of building community on the nearby housing estates. Three years on, they share how God has been at work

people in the Tanhouse district,

Shareit! 25

Connecting community

Please pray for Lynne and Peter, that God would help them build trusting relationships with the Tanhouse community so the Good News of Jesus Christ can be shared with them.

How can I help?

faith

morning and it’s been great to see her join in.I also spend time visiting older people in the

nearby sheltered housing. It is a more pastoral role, listening and encouraging, but also gently challenging them to maybe view things differently or try something new. To bring people together, I’ve set up a weekly club called Classic Views where TV series from the past are projected onto a big screen. It has provoked some great discussions and allows people to share stories and memories together.

“Doris”, who comes along to Classic Views, is blind and in her 70s. For the past year she has been attending Oaks Church and has facilitated me in setting up a monthly communion service in the sheltered housing. Sadly she developed mental health problems that caused her to be disorientated and forgetful. Through her contact with the church, we have been able to help her seek the medical attention she needs.

Peter says…One of my main focuses over the past three years has been to develop a men’s ministry and this now includes a monthly film and chippy night, and a pool team/fellowship group in the local pub. Through living out the motto, ‘Love people until they ask you

why?’ Lynne and I wait for opportunities to arise where we can share our faith and nurture others in their journeys with the ever-loving God.

At the moment I’m meeting with a chap

called Craig who is part of the pub’s pool team and we are looking at a basic Christianity course. Alex, an 18-year-old lad, and his girlfriend have also started the same course.

I’ve also recently become the Wing Chaplain to the Merseyside Air Cadets which has allowed me to offer young people on the estates an organisation that promotes meaning and structure in their lives. The role also allows me to influence how Air Cadet Chaplains are appointed and support the squadrons who do not have one.

Integrating all of these different ministries into the wider community is a challenge, but God has blessed us with opportunities. For example at Pentecost last year, as a church we organised a free professional firework display on the estate where the pool team ran the BBQ and the Air Cadets marshalled the event. It went down really well and it was good to see people coming together.

26 Shareit!

The road back to independent living for many people at the Valley of Hope project is a long and difficult one filled with ups and downs. Therefore, as a

team we are committed to journeying with them by offering practical, emotional and spiritual support.

As part of our rehabilitation programme, I run a photography group with the aim of teaching people new skills, building their self-esteem, preventing relapse and, of course, having fun at the same time! The project also offers music lessons led by Sue Evans and training in painting and decorating led by myself.

I have been a professional photographer for 21 years so it’s been great to use my skills to help others and, since the group was established in 2010, people have had their work featured in a number of high profile exhibitions.

These have included exhibitions at The National Assembly of Wales’ Senedd building in Cardiff and at the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd. The group was also asked to be the official photographers at the Recovery Cymru Walk 2011 around Cardiff, which saw more than 1,000 former addicts take to the streets to celebrate them regaining control over their lives.

In addition to all of this the music group performed in front of the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, at the project’s Christmas meal last year.

As you can imagine I am immensely proud of each and every person involved in the photography and music group and it has been a real privilege for Sue and I to help them discover their new potential.

n For more information, please visit www.valleyofhope.co.uk

Valley of Hope

The Valley of Hope project in South Wales works with ex-offenders, homeless people and those with substance abuse problems. Deputy Manager, Paul Jones, explains how a photography group and music group is helping people look to the future

Shareit! 27

Stories of fresh starts…

Ann L said: “Since joining Valley of Hope almost

a year ago, I have come a long way in my journey to alcohol and drug recovery. I have learnt how to budget my money properly, along with running my home efficiently. I can now go out into the community by myself and even go shopping. I am also involved in diversionary activities where I’m learning to play the guitar and about photography. I enjoy both subjects very much. These activities have contributed to rebuilding my confidence, and week by week my self-esteem is getting stronger, along with my problem solving skills. I have learnt to believe in myself all over again.”

Jon M said: “I was put in contact with Valley

of Hope in 2008 after suffering with drug and alcohol dependency - as a result of this I nearly lost my home and found myself in spiraling debt. Valley of Hope staff have helped me greatly to address issues I couldn’t imagine that I’d have coped with alone. It’s been so good to hear a sympathetic voice at the end of the line, along with not being judged when things go desperately wrong. They’ve helped me get back on my feet and given me friendly advice along with a shoulder to cry on when things became too much to bear. I’ve always had an interest in photography, so when Paul said he was starting a photography group as a diversionary activity, I jumped at the chance. Due to my lifestyle I’ve always found it hard to go outside on my own. The photography class gave me an opportunity to address this head on. I can’t believe how quickly I developed skills to take pictures all on my own. I’m 11 months into the course now and I’m really enjoying every minute, learning more and more as I go along.”

action

Graham Tomlin, the Principal of St Paul’s Theological Centre and Dean of St Mellitus College, spoke at the event looking at the early church period and

what can be learnt from its growth in a non-Christian culture. He led three sessions which included “What was the

early church like?” “Why did the early church grow?” and “Discipleship in the early church”.

The Centre of Mission teams, which are based throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, also spent time discussing their experiences and praying with one another. A candlelit thanksgiving service was held where the teams shared story after story of people coming to faith.

On the final day, Mission Consultants Peter and Dorothy Neilson reflected on the Centre of Missions’ development and helped the teams think about their future growth.

Afterwards, Evangelist Rob Barker, who is based at the Chester Centre of Mission, said: “I have found the conference to be extremely encouraging and greatly moving. I have been affirmed and challenged – particularly when thinking about how to model the body of Christ and get the

More than 90 evangelists, trainees and volunteers from Church

Army’s Centres of Mission gathered at the Wilson Carlile Centre

in Sheffield for a three-day conference – Community in Mission

28 Shareit!

ReflectReflectandrejoice!

word

s

Shareit! 29

right balance between pioneering and nurturing people.”

Evangelist JohnO’Neill who works at the Lisburn Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland, said: “I have really enjoyed the fellowship during the conference and it has been great to meet up with the other Centres of Mission – sharing ideas and experiences – both good and bad.”

The conference was led by Neville Willerton, who is responsible for Church Army’s Centres of Mission.

He said: “The Community in Mission conference was a significant time together for Evangelists, Evangelists-in-Training and volunteers. We had an inspirational time celebrating people coming to faith through the Centres of Mission that we have established around the country. Many of the delegates came away from the conference encouraged and inspired to continue in the work of bringing people to a living faith in Jesus Christ.”

n For more information, please www.churcharmy.org.uk/com

Praise God for the hundreds of people who have heard the gospel thanks to Church Army’s Centres of Mission. Pray that each of them will grow in their faith and that many more will put their trust in Jesus Christ.

How can I help?

Warwick Gates Centre of Mission team

“ It has been great to share ideas and experiences”

Reflectandrejoice!

Ask, seek, knock

30 Shareit!

Eileen Caple speaks to Hannah Gray about the blessings and challenges of door-to-door ministry

action

Please pray for Eileen that God will provide her with the words to say in all her conversations so that others come to know the truth about Jesus Christ.

How can I help?

Can you tell us about your work and how it started?

When I began training with Church Army in 1977, I spent some time in Liverpool where a group of us were encouraged to try door-to-door ministry as a means of outreach. It was really hard at first knocking on strangers’ doors but a great way to meet lots of people outside the church – particularly if you have limited resources. So it developed from there really and over the years I have used a short multiple choice questionnaire to engage people and to help them think about faith. I encourage other people from the church to join me and we always go out in pairs. We take information leaflets about the church with us and find that these are well received.

You must have knocked on thousands of doors! What have been some of the biggest encouragements recently?

Since moving to St Augustine’s Church in Twickenham in 2010, it has been really exciting to see how God has provided us with opportunities. We have been welcomed into many people’s homes and on a few occasions have been able to pray with them. We have also seen several families come along to church, which is really wonderful. Each time we go out, we just hope and pray that people will come to know Jesus and that in some little way something we say may touch their hearts.

And what are some of the challenges?

Sometimes when people ask very difficult questions you can feel you don’t know enough or that you didn’t give them a very good answer. But when this happens I have to remind myself that it is not about human knowledge. It forces me to trust in God to use what I have said because we can’t bring people to him in our own strength.

Shareit! 31

It’s evening, so the sheep are in the pen. The shepherd is lying across the entrance. He is a human gate. He is literally laying down his life for the sheep.

For those who life has cramped and confined, like sheep in a pen, Jesus is the exit. Out of oppression into freedom. For those who life has frightened and bruised, he is the entrance into the security of the fold. Out of loneliness into protection.

This good shepherd knows each of his sheep individually. That’s astonishing to people like me who only want sheep to be intimate once they come in sweater format. But it’s the truth that Church Army Evangelists tell people every day. Each one of the world’s seven billion people is loved by Jesus.

Wherever the Bible is translated, the image is made appropriate to the local setting. In South America the sheep become llamas. In the Himalayas they are yaks. In parts of Africa they are goats.

And in Croydon? Well, in Croydon they’re lunch. And I’m already 10 minutes late. Excuse me!

Idon’t have much experience of sheep. I’ve been a Croydon man all my life, and I have to drive miles to get close to one.

Having said that, it’s my friend’s birthday today and, if I get this article written quickly, I’m hoping to get thoroughly acquainted with a sheep at his barbecue.

So the opinion I’m about to share may be ill-informed. Sheep are pig-ignorant. (I also think pigs are sheep-ignorant, but that’s a subject for another day.)

The evidence? Watch sheep deciding which way to go. They follow a leader from among themselves in what appears to be an orderly way. The problem is their leader doesn’t know the way and is as likely to lead them to disaster as security.

That’s the context in which Jesus described himself as a good shepherd. He described his society as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”.

Travel back 2,000 years. Picture sheep grazing on a hillside. In the valley is a horseshoe-shaped stone enclosure with a narrow entrance.

By Peter Graystone

“Jesus said: I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me ... and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14,15

the last w

ord

You run a hugely successful business –

diet and exercise programmes, online

TV shows, food products and more –

but how did it all begin?

Back in 1971 I started one class in the local

village hall where we lived, with help from

a few neighbours. That was a really big step

and very exciting, but I had no ambition

other than to run that one class. Then,

because it was so successful, I gave up my

job as a secretary and opened more classes.

As well as weight loss, we did ‘good

grooming’ as we called it, which was

basically making the most of yourself and

was very popular. Then we added exercise.

By 1980 we had around 50 classes running

around Leicestershire and they were very

well attended.

What made you start that first class?

I’d been overweight and lost a couple of

stone myself. I’d been to Weight Watchers

and lost some weight with them, but then

put it all back again plus more. So I knew

what a slimming club did: you get weighed,

talk about food and there is an element of

companionship in the group. I’d done a

‘good grooming’ course when I was 18 and

I’d also been a Tupperware dealer, so I was

used to standing up in front of people. On

top of that, I was a secretary so I knew how

an office ran and, at the time, I was married

to an accountant, so I knew I could get the

figures bit sorted out. It was putting all these

different ingredients together. And people

listened and it worked, and they came back

the next week and were ecstatic at the

results. And I thought, “Well I’m actually

enjoying this, and I’m my own boss so that’s

very exciting!”

Has your business always been a

success and why do you think your

particular programmes have caught on

so well?

I think it was a combination of things. In

1980 I was approached by IPC Magazines

and they bought my business. I ran it

nationally for them, but it was a disaster. My

marriage failed, the whole thing was ghastly.

It was a most unhappy time. I was very

bruised when they closed it down and I

went back to running my own classes again.

Then in 1986 I wrote a book The Hip and

Thigh Diet which was published in 1988 and

was hugely successful – and it really did

work. In 1993 we went back to opening

classes nationally, but as a franchise. My

time with IPC made me stronger without

question and I learnt lots of lessons about

how not to do things.

I’ve also combined the two elements of

diet and exercise. There isn’t anybody else

who does both because they are quite

I love to see

8 October woman alive

Rosemary Conley celebrates 40 years in the diet

and fitness industry this month. She talks to Ali

Herbert about her life, business and faith

growin confidencewomen

Woman to Woman

woman alive October 9

difficult and separate. I’m not an academic

and I’m not interested in taking degrees, but

I’ve qualified as an exercise teacher and

have surrounded myself with brilliant

experts who check everything that I do so

what goes into my books is really sound.

Did you have a healthy upbringing?

I think I would consider it a healthy

upbringing. I was quite a sickly child

because I had terrible asthma – I still have

it. As a child they didn’t think I’d live

beyond ten years old and I spent three

months in hospital when I was eight. But

my parents were always active and we ate

good food at home. While there were cakes

around, we didn’t eat biscuits – and of

course we didn’t eat lots of fried and fast

food that is readily available now.

Do you think the nation’s diet has

changed a lot?

Oh without a doubt. I was born just after

the war and the aftermath of that was felt

for years. I can remember seeing ration

books and there was no doubt that you

were careful about what you spent. My

father would grow our own vegetables and

he would be endlessly working in the

garden – which was his full-time hobby

outside of running his business. Life is very

different now.

These days we are also significantly less

active in our everyday lives because we

drive instead of walking or cycling, and

when we get to our destination we’re likely

to be sitting behind a desk or screen. So

now we have to actually go and do

something: join the gym or go to a class, or

buy the Wii Fit. So instead of activity being

your lifestyle, it has to be something you

bring into your life, almost like a hobby.

Is it a fine line between looking and

feeling good, and becoming obsessed?

Yes, I do think it’s a fine line. I can

remember a time in my life when I was

obsessed with food and was struggling with

my weight. I thought about food the whole

time. The more I thought about it, the more

weight I put on, so I have been there. And

while I’ve never had an eating disorder in

the sense that everybody understands it, I

think in a way I did have a bit of an eating

disorder in so far as I was obsessed by food.

As far as image is concerned, with the

advent of magazines like Hello and OK,

everything is just so artificial. There is so

much air-brushing and enhancement –

people’s teeth are made whiter, wrinkles

disappear, hair is made fuller and people

are made slimmer. We’re surrounded with

woman alive October 9r

have

d live

three

ht. But

we ate

e cakes

and of

and fast

as

n just after

at was felt

eing ration

bt that you

spent. My

getables and

king in the

l-time hobby

ss. Life is very

gnificantly less

s because we

or cycling, and

tion we’re likely

k or screen. So

lly go and do

r go to a class, or

d of activity being

e something you

st like a hobby.

n looking aandd

oming obssessseedd?d?

a fine line. I can

my life when I was

d was struggling with

about food the whole

ght about it, the more t

have been there. And

an eating disorder in

body understands it, I

have a bit of an eating

I was obsessed by food.

is concerned, with the

nes like Hello and o OK, KK

so artificial. There is so

g and enhancement –

e made whiter, wrinkles

made fuller and people

er. We’re surrounded with


A while back, my friend Tracey and I met for lunch to discuss a project. While munching on our sandwiches and sipping Diet Cokes, we talked about “big issues” women face. “Fear” came up as one of them. We agreed it was a good one, and then the strangest thing happened.

I can’t remember which one of us was first to say, “Well, I mean, I’m not afraid”. But the other joined in, quickly adding, “Oh, me neither. I’m not afraid of anything.” Within moments, Tracey and I had morphed from grown women (each a mother of three!) into 12-year-old boys, posturing, chests out, heads cocked, clucking our tongues as we tried to out “I’m not afraid” the other.It was weird. But it was true. For the most part, I don’t think of myself as a chicken.

I’m not afraid – of much. I can read Stephen King in the dark, before bed, and sleep soundly. I can speak in front of crowds without butterflies. I throw my opinion into arenas where I know I’ll take a beating. I pipe up and chime in, even when I know people may disagree. I write about things that might come back to haunt me (or at least embarrass my kids).But then the 12-year-old boys faded back into the grown women when one of us ventured, “Well ... at least not for myself. I do get afraid when I think about the kids ..” Suddenly, we were both talking about the zillions of things we are, in fact, afraid of.Speaking for myself, I fear that we haven’t chosen the right school. I fear we’ll have to move (and change schools) and scar my kids for life. I fear that we won’t make enough money to provide for our kids.

With that, my fears move away from parenting and right back to myself. I often fear that God is calling me to do something I don’t think I can do. Or, even worse, I fear he’ll stay silent and never call me to anything in particular. Or worse yet, that I won’t hear – or heed – the calling.I fear fading into the background. I fear insignificance and being forgotten. I fear the choices I make on my own. I fear I’ll go right on back to feeling so distant from God. I fear that because I’m now a child of divorce, I’m more likely to get divorced myself.

I fear I’ll lose my desire to change the world. I fear things will get dark again. I fear someone will stop by unexpectedly and see how messy my house is. I fear what other people think. I fear that I’ll bother people. I fear – sometimes – that I’ll lose my mind.

A chance conversation with a

friend prompted Caryn Rivadeneira

to face her fears

Why am I afraid?


I can’t forget my physical fears: I’m afraid of snakes, heights, and open-backed staircases. I could go on and on. I’m afraid of a lot.And yet, the Bible says – God says! – do not be afraid. I once read that we’re told this – not to fear – more than 100 times in the Bible. According to a colleague of mine, “Fear is addressed a lot more frequently than, say, lust or pride.” Interesting. More than some deadly sins. Huh. And yet I am so often afraid. Perhaps God understands the deadliness of fear.The other night when talking about this, someone told me, “God and fear cannot occupy the same space.” I can’t get that out of my head. I’m not sure it’s right theologically. I mean, if I believe (and I do) that the Holy Spirit resides in me and that my body is the temple of God, I’m sure God occupies a space in me. And so does fear, often enough.

So I don’t think the guy is right. I think God and fear can

occupy the same space. But it’s a ridiculous image. Picture it with me. Think of something that terrifies you. For me, that might be having to climb open-backed stairs with a nest of snakes on my way to my kids’ new school because God has called me to something new.Now picture God next to it. Occupying the same space. Honestly, it makes me laugh. Even if you picture fear as giant and mighty and growling and grabbing, how can it measure up next to God? God! Warm, strong, open, loving. Hands ready, arms wide and big, eyes smiling.Of course, if your image of God is whacked-out, this might get tricky. If you picture God as aloof or uncaring, or full of shrugs and with a “not my problem!” attitude then you’ve got a problem. You need to work on your image of God. You need to get to know the Big God, the Loving God, the Warrior God, the Hand-Holding God, the It-Is-My-Problem God. You need to know – and picture – the God who says these words:“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour” (Isaiah 43:2-4).

Lifelines

We’re told not to fear more than 100 times in the Bible

Would like to meet …

Speed dating used to sound like the scariest thing imaginable, but after nearly two years, I’ve become pretty blasé about singles events. It seems best to approach them simply as a fun evening and a chance to chat to new people, with no expectation whatsoever of meeting Mr Right. Still, you can’t help but hope this might be the day you hit the jackpot. But as I entered the back room of a pub for a Christian speed dating event, my hope ebbed away. You know the phrase “a face like an unmade bed”? Well, this was like walking into a ward full of unmade beds. Around 20 scruffy, paunchy, grey, dejected-looking men gazed back at me. Looks aren’t everything but seriously, chaps, if you’re looking for a wife, it wouldn’t hurt to run an iron over your shirt and drag a comb through your hair.

The tables were arranged around the room for the ladies to sit at. As we got settled, I chatted to the girl at the next table. It was NiceGirl’s first singles event and she was none too excited by the prospect. “I feel like I’m in a roomful of my friends’ dads,” she whispered. “Why don’t they warn Christian women that if you don’t bag yourself a husband in your 20s, this is where you end up?” I couldn’t disagree. Still, I prepared to launch myself into the proceedings with enthusiasm. Here’s how it works. Each ‘date’ lasts four minutes. Then a bell sounds and the men move on to the next table. You tick “yes” or “no” on your sheet to indicate if you’d like to meet the person again. If you both tick “yes”, you’re a match. Between chats, you’re given a minute to make notes so you have a fighting chance of remembering who “number 12” was – “Welsh beekeeper with Harry Potter specs”, that kind of thing. The organisers later crunch the numbers and e-mail you with your matches.

My 20 ‘dates’ passed in a blur. But one, I’ll never forget. HaughtyMan fired a list of questions at me. At each answer, he gave me a disapproving look and openly made notes on his sheet – even while I was talking! “So, Hopefulgirl, what kind of cook are you?” demanded HaughtyMan. “Er, well, I’m a vegetarian …” I faltered. He raised his eyebrows. “But what if I want meat?” he enquired seriously. A giggle escaped. I couldn’t help it. “Are you recruiting for a housekeeper?” I asked, incredulously.

HaughtyMan launched into a lecture about biblical roles within marriage, but thankfully the bell went and he had to move on. I winked at NiceGirl as he sat himself down at her table. He clearly thought he was there to assess the merchandise on offer and select himself a wife. Never mind that every woman in the room was out of his league. I doubt I got a “yes” on HaughtyMan’s sheet, but I reckon I’ll get over it.As I put on my coat, NiceGirl said, “You know, HopefulGirl, I’m not a lesbian, but you’re the nicest person I’ve met this evening.” I laughed and promised to drop her a line on the Christian dating website we both belong to. You see, you DO meet great people at singles events. Unfortunately, they’re usually women!

*Some details changed to protect the innocent (and the guilty)

The real-life diary of a 30-something Christian woman looking for love

www.christian-dating-uk.co.uk is a free website for all denominations. Click on your county to browse local singles.

TIP OF THE MONTH

Read more about how Caryn copes with the ups and downs of life in Grumble Hallelujah, by Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira (Tyndale House ISBN 978 1 4143 3801 9 £9.99). We have 5 copies to give away to readers. For your chance to win, simply send your name and address to WA/Grumble, Woman Alive Competitions, CPO, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BW by 20th October and the first 5 names to be selected on that day will each win a copy of the book.

For You To Win


How does a busy young

mum connect with God

on a day-to-day basis?

Lucinda van der Hart

offers encouragement

and some practical

ideas

Oh dear, we’ve run out of

milk,” announced Lydia –

mum of three children under

three – as she boiled the

kettle to make our drinks.

“Anyone object to having formula milk in

their coffee?”

It was one of those moments when

mentally you step outside your situation,

look in on it and laugh out loud. If the pre-

motherhood me could have known what

life would be like once children were in my

world, she might have been somewhat

surprised. Now that I am mum to a two-

and-a-half-year-old and eight-month-old,

formula milk in the coffee is par for the

course.

As Jennifer Lopez once said, parenthood

“… totally changes your perspective on

everything”. And as Christian mothers, not

least affected is our faith. Yolanda, mum of

two toddlers, said, “I always used to have a

time of the day when I sat down and read

my Bible and prayed, but when I had kids

I just didn’t know how to have a relationship

with God.”

let aloneOver the past year, a friend (who is also

a mum of two little ones) and I have written

a devotional book for mums of babies –

Soul Food for Mums. The book was born

out of my feeling just like Yolanda – that

quiet times in the traditional sense of a

physically silent ‘God-slot’ with time for

prayer and Bible reading – had become

somehow impossible now that I had severe

sleep deprivation and ‘baby brain’ to

contend with.

Rachel Hughes, mum of three pre-school

children, explains how she found it

increasingly difficult to build her relationship

with God once she became a mum. “This

time last year, I was feeling spiritually

dead,” she says. “I felt so cross with God. ‘Is

this my lot?’, I asked him. ‘My husband is

seeing all the exciting spiritual stuff, and I

am just looking after children. That is my

existence.’ I was very pregnant with my

third child at the time, and was feeling a bit

fed up.”

A year on, Rachel feels very different –

but she wants to hold onto how she felt

previously in order to be able to minister to

other mums in a similar place. “I want to

remember that so many mums experience

that sense of distance from God, and feel

left out of church,” she says.

Following her experience, Rachel, along

with a team of others from her church, Holy

Trinity Brompton, has launched a ministry

to reach mums of young children, called

MOLO (which stands for Mums of Little

Ones). The vision for MOLO is to gather

together the ‘spiritually knackered’

preschool mums and provide a space for

them to connect and really encourage each

other without children being present. To

this end, MOLO is taking the form of an

evening of child-free worship, teaching and

pray…I’m too tired to think,

“


Solutions

Creative ideas for praying at home

Take a long, hot bath once your children are asleep. Enjoy the peace and silence in

your home, meditating on this verse: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm

46:10).

The next time you prepare a meal, put on a CD of worship music. Use this as a time

to thank God for his provision for you and your family.

As you wash up, reflect on how God washes us clean. Read Psalm 51:7 before you

start.

Start reading a Bible story with your child before bed, and ask God to speak to you,

as well as your child, through what you read together.

A simple walk to the shops or the park (perhaps with your child in a buggy) can

become a prayer time. If you’re tired, just focus on sending up short ‘arrow’ prayers

of ‘help’ or ‘thanks’ to God.

We have 7 copies

of Soul Food For

Mums, by Lucinda

van der Hart and

Anna France-

Williams (IVP) to

give away to

readers. For your

chance to win,

simply send your name and address to

WA/Soul Food, Woman Alive

Competitions, CPO, Garcia Estate,

Canterbury Road, Worthing, West

Sussex BN13 1BW by 20th October and

the first 7 names to be selected on that

day will each receive a copy of the

book.

prayer. A huge sale of baby clothes and toys

to which the MOLOs can invite their mum-

friends is also being planned.

“We need God to come and fill us,

re-envision us, to equip us. We need to

create an honest community of mums

where we don’t pretend that everything is

OK all the time …” says Rachel. “… and

then we can go out and feel impassioned to

share the Good News.”

Lizzie Bassford, a member of Openshaw

Community Church in Manchester and

mum of two, has also identified the need

that many mums of young children have for

encouragement in their faith. Families with

pre-school aged children make up two

thirds of her church community and, keen

to build up the mums there, Lizzie and a

group of friends decided to plan a

conference for 2012 specifically for them

and other mums.

They chose the name Captivated and

Lizzie created a group on the social

networking website Facebook, intending to

do a little publicity for the event. But the

Facebook group grew, and as a consequence

Lizzie started writing a blog – now popular

with mums who also want to remain

captivated by Jesus through the early

parenting phase.

“There are lots of women who are

desperate for some spiritual encouragement

– it’s not just friends in my church,” Lizzie

says. Her vision for Captivated is to

encourage others in their identity as

mothers, and to inspire them to share Jesus

with those around them.

“As a mum of young children, it’s

sometimes easy to hide behind all the

discussion about nappies and poo,” she

says. “It can be a challenge to be intentional

about our friendships with non-Christians.

But I’m desperate to share Jesus with

people.”

So how, as a busy, home-based mum,

does Lizzie connect with God day-to-day?

She explains that she has to make a

“deliberate choice” to spend time with God.

“When it’s the children’s nap time, I could

either go on Facebook, do the washing-up

or spend a bit of time with God and read

my Bible,” she says. She also incorporates

God into her daily tasks. “I do lots of

listening to preachers online when I am

chopping vegetables for the children’s tea. I

also meet up regularly with a friend to pray,

and try to bring prayer into all my

friendships.”

For a mum of young children, receiving

at church is often also a challenge. “I spent

two and a half years frustrated that I

couldn’t meet God in church anymore,”

says Rachel. “Another church service would

come and go and I would have sat in the

crèche for the entire time. I remember

praying so many times, God, where can I

find you? I need you. And I kept sensing

God say, ‘you’ve got to find me out of the

meeting’. I began to see that if my faith was

reliant on meeting with God in a church

service, then my faith was in trouble.”

If church becomes a place where an

encounter with God is no longer a real

possibility, then our day-to-day spirituality

as mums becomes even more important.

But instead of this becoming a pressure,

can it become an amazing opportunity to

think outside the box about how to weave

God into all we are, and do, as mothers?

Rachel has started getting up 15 minutes

before her children in order to pray, and

she also meets with several friends and

their children every Monday morning to

“… pray through the chaos”. Lizzie and her

children attend a mid-week ‘Baby Church’

– “a jazzed-up Sunday school with a craft

time and song time. Then the children play

while the parents pray.”

Today, my main time with God was while

I fed my baby in a dimmed room before he

went to sleep. Often during this time I

reflect on a psalm, or even just one verse of

a psalm. Sometimes I learn it over the

course of a few feeding times, and then

mentally carry it around with me, trying to

bring it to mind as I go through my day.

God is present with me, nourishing me as I

nourish my child.

As another mum said, “You don’t have to

be silent when you pray, you can pray with

noise all around. I used to think that proper

prayer was just me, my Bible and silence,

but it was freeing to discover that prayer

can take place anywhere.”

Through this season of motherhood, I am

learning things about God – and how to

meet with him a little more creatively – that

I don’t think I could have learned before

children came along. And for that, I’m

grateful.

For you to win

ghts, id of

once es in ed a

More aid.

me, out if I my me.

an

th be y o

e. d t s

t

es

Would like tWWmeet …

Speed dating used to sound like the scariest thing imaginable, but after nearly two years, I’ve become pretty blasé about singles events. It seems best to approach them simply as a fun evening and a chance to chat to new people, with no expectation whatsoever of meeting Mr Right. Still, you can’t help but hope this might be the day you hit the jackpot. But as I entered the back room of a pub for a Christian speed dating event, my hope ebbed away. You know the phrase “a face like an unmade bed”? Well, this was like walking into a ward full of unmade beds. Around 20 scruffy, paunchy, grey, dejected-looking men gazed back at me. Looks aren’t everything but seriously, chaps, if you’re looking for a wife, it wouldn’t hurt to run an iron over your shirt and drag a comb through your hair.

The tables were arranged around the room for the ladies to sit at. As we got settled, I chatted to the girl at the next table. It was NiceGirl’s first singles event and she was none too excited by the prospect. “I feel like I’m in a roomful of my friends’ dads,” she whispered. “Why don’t they warn Christian women that if you don’t bag yourself a husband in your 20s, this is where you end up?” I couldn’t disagree. Still, I prepared to launch myself into the proceedings with enthusiasm. Here’s how it works. Each ‘date’ lasts four minutes. Then a bell sounds and the men move on to the next table. You tick “yes” or “no” on your sheet to indicate if you’d like to meet the person again. If you both tick “yes”, you’re a match. Between chats, you’re given a minute to make notes so you have a fighting chance of remembering who “number 12” was – “Welsh beekeeper with Harry Potter specs”, that kind of thing. The organisers later crunch the numbers and e-mail you with your matches.

My 20 ‘dates’ passed in a blur. But one, I’ll never forget. HaughtyMan fired a list of questions at me. At each answer, he gave me a disapproving look and openly made notes on his sheet – even while I was talking! “So, Hopefulgirl, what kind of cook are you?” demanded HaughtyMan. “Er, well, I’m a vegetarian …” I faltered. He raised his eyebrows. “But what if I want meat?” he enquired seriously. A giggle escaped. I couldn’t help it. “Are you recruiting for a housekeeper?” I asked, incredulously.

HaughtyMan launched into a lecture about biblical roles within marriage, but thankfully the bell went and he had to move on. I winked at NiceGirl as he sat himself down at her table. He clearly thought he was there to assess the merchandise on offer and select himself a wife. Never mind that every woman in the room was out of his league. I doubt I got a “yes” on HaughtyMan’s sheet, but I reckonI’ll get over it.As I put on my coat, NiceGirl said, “You know, HopefulGirl, I’m not a lesbian, but you’re the nicest person I’ve met this evening.” I laughed and promised to drop her a line on the Christian dating website we both belong to. You see, you DO meet great people at singles events. Unfortunately, they’re usually women!

*S

The real-life diary of a 30-something a 30 somethingChristian woman looking for love

How does a busy young

mum connect with God

on a day-to-day basis?

Lucinda van der Hart

offers encouragement

and some practical

ideas

OOOOOh dear, we’ve run out of

milk,” announced Lydia –

mum of three children under

three – as she boiled the

kettle to make our drinks.

“Anyone object to having formula milk in

their coffee?”

It was one of those moments when

mentally you step outside your situation,

look in on it and laugh out loud. If the pre-

motherhood me could have known what

life would be like once children were in my

world she might have been somewhat

to a two-

let alllonnnnneeeeeeeeeOver the past year, a friend (who is also

a mum of two little ones) and I have written

a devotional book for mums of babies –

Soul Food for Mums. The book was born

out of my feeling just like Yolanda – that

quiet times in the traditional sense of a

physically silent ‘God-slot’ with time for

prayer and Bible reading – had become

somehow impossible now that I had severe

d ‘baby brain’ to

third ch

fed upA ye

but sh

previo

other

remem

that s

left oFo

pprrrrrrrrrraaaaaaayI’m tooo tirededdddddto think,

“

Gather together your summer photos and create a book of memories. Sian Lawton gives a step-by-step guide to making a holiday scrapbook

Create a

scrapbooksummer

O nce upon a time the photograph was a special item that took a long time to take and was a treasured item handed down from generation to generation. Now, with the advent of digital cameras, we have a tendency to leave our photos on our computers and forget that they exist. Creating scrapbooks is not a new invention. Victorian ladies and children would sit for hours cutting and sticking scraps of newspaper, advertising cards, and ‘scraps’ produced especially for the purpose of cutting out and sticking. Scrapbooks today are a combination of photo albums, journals and keepsake books! Holiday pictures, family weddings, wedding anniversaries and other special times all deserve to be remembered and the photographs should be looked at and enjoyed. So how about transforming your photos into a lovely album that you and further generations can enjoy looking at!

There is a growing trend amongst Christians to create ‘faith books’. These are created in the same way as a scrapbook, but carry the theme of a

gegegegegegeegegegeeegegegeeeegegegegegeeeeeeeeeeenenenenneneneneneneneneneneneneenneeeneenerarararararararararararararararaararrarrarraattttttttttttttttttadadadadadadadadadaddadadadaddaadadaddadadadddadddaddadvevevevevevevevevevevevvveveveveveveveveevv ntntntnntntntntntnnntntntntnntntnnntnnntnntnnntnntnntttteteteteteteteteteteetettetetetetetteetett ndndndndndndndndndndndndndndnddddddndndnddddddddddddddddndenenenenenenennenenennennencococococococococococoococococoooocococoocccoc mpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmpmmmpmpmpmpmppuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

CrCrCrCrCrCrCrCrCrCrCrCrCrCrCCrCrCCCC eaeaeaeaeaaeaeaeaeeeaeaaeeeinininininiininninininininninnninvevevevevevevevevveveveveveveeevvventntntnntntnnntntnnntnntnnnnnnnnnnn iiioioioioiioioioiiioiiiiiwowowowwowowowowowowowowowowooowowoowowowowooooowowowoowwowoowowwoowoo lulululululululululululululululululllulululululuulluululuuuuuuuluuulu dddddd d dd d ddddddddddddddddd dscscscscscscscscscscscsccscscsssccscsss rararararararararararaaaraaaaraaaaar pspspspspspspspspspspspspsspsspppp‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘s‘‘s‘scrcrcrcrcrcrcrcrcrcrcrcrcrcc apapapapapapapapapapapapapppapapappppppps’s’s’s’sss’ss’sss’ss’ssssofofofofofofoffofoffoffffoffofffofofoofffof cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccutututututuututututututututuututuutututtutttutututtututtuttttututuuttititittitttiititiititititttittittttitttttttt

ScScScScScScScScScScScScScScSS rarararaarararararraraapppppppppppppphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphphhphphhhhhhhhp ototototototototototototootoootototooototototo oo o oo ooooooooooooooooooooobobobobobobobobobobbobobobobobobobobobbobooboobooooobobbbobbooboobooobookokokokokokokokokokokokkokkookokokokokookokokokokookokokoooookkkokks!sssss!ss!s!s!s!ss!sss!s!s!ssss!swewewewewewewewewewewewewewwewewewewewewweweweweweeweeweewewweww ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddinininininninnininininininninininiininiiniininnnnnnntitititititititiitititittitiititititititiiittittt memememememememememememememmeemmememmmeemmmmmememmmmm ss s s s s ssssssssssssthththththththththththththththththtththththththhtttt e e e e eeee e eeeeeeeeeeee ee ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenneneneneneneneneeeneenenennneenennennnjojojojojojojoojojojojojojoojojojojojojojojojoojojojooooojooyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyooyooyoyooyoyoyoyyoyoyoyoooooyouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuyoyoyoyoyoyyoyoyoyoyoyoyyoyyoyoyoyoyoyyyoyoyylolollollololllololololololololololollolololoololllllllloo

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa scscscscscscscscscscscscscscsscscscscsscscscscccrarararararararararararararrararararararararrrrrrrrrr pppppppppppppppppppppp42 September woman alive

woman alive September 43

Know-how

To create a holiday scrapbook you will need:

spiritual journey of growth. Sometimes it is good to go back and see how far you have progressed. With the increase in Christian ‘scrapbookers’, there is now a whole range of Christian scrapbook papers, embellishments and even digital kits for use on the computer that have been produced to help you record your faith in your layouts.

The principle of scrapbooking can be applied to a family or church event. I know of one church which appoints one of a team of scrapbookers to create a page for each special event. All the pages are then put into an album, which lives in the church, so that members and visitors can look back and see all the exciting things that have taken place.Hopefully, once you have completed your first layout you will be inspired to carry on and ‘scrap’ more of your photographs and memories to pass down to future generations. It’s much better than leaving them on a computer or in dusty boxes where they remain unseen.

Step 1First you will need to decide which of your photos you wish to scrapbook. If you have prints ready, you will just need to make a choice as to which ones you want to use. If, however, they are stored on your computer, you will need to get prints made. There are several ways of doing this. You can either save your pictures to disk and take them along to a photo shop or, if you have the equipment, you can print them yourself. Alternatively, some supermarkets now have special desks or machines where you can get photos printed.

Step 2Now it’s time to get creative and decide on a layout for your scrapbook page. The best way to do this is to place the photos on the background paper in lots of different combinations to see which one you like the best.Step 3

When you are happy with a layout, attach the photographs to the page. To protect your photographs, it’s best to use an archive quality adhesive. When I put a layout together, I like to layer my photographs because it gives the page a more professional look. This involves sticking the photograph to another piece of card or paper before attaching it to the 12" x 12" paper.

Step 4When you have stuck your photographs down, it might be a good idea to make a journaling tag to go on the page. Journaling is a great way to put additional information on to the page, such as dates or names of the people in the photographs! Depending on the colour theme of your page, you may wish to use a different colour pen to do your writing!Step 5

Now here comes the fun part where you can start to embellish the page. Remember this page is yours and it is personal to you. Place things on the page, but don’t stick anything down until you are totally happy with the overall look. If you have the space, perhaps leave things laid out on the page for a while, so that as you walk past it you can see if things need to move or be rearranged. Most crafters collect bits and pieces and now is the perfect time to use them. Use anything you have collected that you think will go with that page: entry tickets, shells, buttons, stickers … the possibilities are endless!

Step 6Finally you need to place your layouts in an album. You can buy special scrapbooks with a plastic covering that you slide your page into. The best albums to buy have special screw posts that enable you to increase the size of your albums very easily!

ooooooooor r r r r r r rr rrrrr rrrnnnnnnnn n nnnnn nnnnnn nnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Archive quality adhesivesPhotographs12" x 12" papersPapers for layering Tickets and other mementoes to add to your pagesScissors

discoverdiscoverThe magazine for today’s Christian woman

And look forward to:•Relevant Bible teaching •Inspirational reading

•Real Life stories •Great competitions and giveawaysAll stylishly packaged and delivered to your door every month.

Woman Alive Priority Order Form Offer code SHARE12

YOUR DETAILS

Name ............................................................................................................................................. Address ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ ............................................................. Postcode ......................................................................Tel ....................................................... E-mail ...........................................................................

Payment Details

I enclose a cheque/postal order for £21 (made payable to CPO)Please charge my credit/debit card £21Signature ................................................................................... Date ........................................

Name on card ................................................................................................................................

Valid from Expiry date

Please return to: Woman Alive Subscriptions, CPO, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BWOffer valid until 26 November 2012

Shareit!35

Documents

Transcript of Shareit!35