Justine Writes

So near and yet so far…

On Easter Monday Guy and I took ourselves down to Arundel for the day. You may remember that the weather was glorious, and the sun was beating down on our faces as we pottered round the town (which was absolutely packed). The town looked so pretty and of course the Castle, seat of the Dukes of Norfolk towered very romantically over the plains around.

Of course it was a bit of a busman’s (bus woman’s?) holiday, and given the chance to go into churches of course we did. I loved the openness of the Roman Catholic Cathedral and the warmth of the stone, but Guy liked the parish church of St Nicholas even better. The one thing that really intrigued both of us was the glass screen which ran behind the sanctuary in the parish church. On closer inspection it was a screen that had been erected to separate the Fitz Alan chapel in the Castle from the parish church – there were ‘disputes over ownership’ according to the notice in the church. So the screen separated the Anglican Church from the Roman Catholic Chapel – although it had been opened a few times over recent years this was something of a rare occurrence.

Later on in Easter week, St Elphege’s Church in Stafford Road came to celebrate their Patronal Festival at St Mary’s. This visit has been going on for many years and is hugely appreciated by the parishioners of St Elphege as well as by us. It is an opportunity for us all to remembering the life and ministry of St Elphege a former bishop of Winchester who visited St Mary’s during his episcopacy. Father Paul Hough preached about multi-culturalism and called us to remember that it was as much of a challenge for ST Elphege and those who lived over a thousand years ago as it is for us today. He reminded us that St Elphege was martyred as a result of ethnic tensions and that we should pray for all of those suffering persecution as a result of their race or their faith. It was a real honour to be part of the service, and to worship with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters, remembering that which joins us together is so much more than that which separates us.

It seemed to me that this was an occasion that the glass screen that separates Christians of different denominations was well and truly opened and we had a great opportunity to learn from each other.

As we approach the feast of Pentecost at the end of this month, let us remember that it is a feast of unity in diversity. It reminds us that we are all called to worship God, that we are all empowered by the Holy Spirit, but that we are not all called to be the same. So let’s learn from those around us, whether in church or in the community so we can each grow into the fullness of our humanity.

PS While I was depressed by the screen and what it said about the barriers in church life, I was absolutely delighted to discover that the Roman Catholic Cathedral was to host the Anglican confirmations taking place in May.

Justine

Whats on in May

Sunday 3rd

Easter 4 - Sunday Services at the usual times

Exhibition of wedding and christening memorabilia in Church

Monday 4th

Early May Bank Holiday - 2-5pm

Exhibition of wedding and christening memorabilia in Church - 11-5.30pm

Wednesday 6th

Eucharist - Carew Chapel - 10am (followed by refreshments in The Centre)

St Mary’s Guild meets St Mary’s Court - 2.30pm

Thursday 7th

Mothers Union Meets - The Centre - 7.30pm

Sue Stevens talks about Domestic Violence meeting open to everyone

Saturday 9th

Men’s Breakfast - The Centre - 8.30am to 9.30am

Sunday 10 th

EASTER 5 - Sunday Services at usual times

Christian Aid week begins

Tuesday 12th

‘Time for God’, a quieter way of prayer - Carew Chapel - 9.30-11.30am

Wednesday 13th

Eucharist - Carew Chapel - 10am

Sunday 17th

EASTER 6 - Sunday services at the usual times

Wednesday 20th

Eucharist - Carew Chapel - 10am (followed by refreshments in The Centre)

(The monthly Corporate Eucharist for Mothers Union Members)

Thursday 21st

Ascension Day sung Eucharist - 7.30pm

Sunday 24th

Sunday after Ascension Sunday services at the usual times

Monday 25th

Spring Bank Holiday church open 2-5pm

Tuesday 26th

Men’s Group meets at The Plough- 7.30pm

Wednesday 27th

Eucharist - Carew Chapel - 10am (followed by refreshments in The Centre)

Friday 29th

The Centre open for Coffee and Cake 10-11.30am

Sunday 31 st

Pentecost Sunday services at the usual times

Praise and Play for pre-school children and their parents meets in the Centre on alternate Thursday mornings - for details please telephone Justine on 8647 1973 or Helena on 8395 2822.

Advance notice:

Saturday 6 June - Church open 10.30 - 1.30pm / Concert in Church - 7.30pm

Sunday 7 June - Church open 2pm-6pm

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Snippets

Carew Manor School got a good OFSTED report which reflects the very fine teaching and support they give to their pupils. Congratulations on being recognised for your good work.

Elizabeth Goodridge has been appointed as Honorary Assistant Curate for St Michael’s and St Paul’s Wallington. Close to home, this appointment will start after she is ordained on 11/10/09.

The organisers of Kith Kin and Kanine are searching for a new name. How about Dogs Donuts and Darjeeling! Maybe not. Please send your suggestions and the best will be given a piece of cake, coffee or tea of their choice!

Give yourself to others The Silent Auction will be set up in time for the Open Weekend 4th/5th May. What we are short of is Promises these are offers of help or service to others for example, cooking, cleaning, gardening. We are all blessed with unique talents and skills and offering a promise is a good way to share and bring some money for the church. If you would like to offer a promise Please write the details of what you are offering, with your name on a piece of paper and give it to Jane Gates. Jane's will say: “ promise to collect you and a friend, at a mutually agreed time to drive you to a beautiful garden for afternoon tea and cake, and drive you home again.” Think hard and be generous of your god given talent.

Saints and commemorations

1 Philip and James, Apostles

2 Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373

4 English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era

8 Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417

14 Matthias the Apostle

16 Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, 1877

19 Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988

20 Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804

21 Helena, Protector of the Holy Places, 330

23 Petroc, Abbot of Padstow, 6th century

24 John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788

25 The Venerable Bede, Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735

25 Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, 709

26 Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605

26 John Calvin, Reformer, 1564

26 Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratorians, Spiritual Guide, 1595

28 Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Scholar, 1089

30 Josephine Butler, Social Reformer, 1906

30 Joan of Arc, Visionary, 1431

30 Apolo Kivebulaya, Priest, Evangelist in Central Africa, 1933

31 The Visit of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth

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From the Registers

Baptised

19th April 2009

Joshua Daniel Hoad

APCM

Results of Recent Parish and APCM Elections

Churchwardens: Christine Morgan and Ian Atkins

Members elected or re-elected to the PCC are:

Jake Adams

Lorraine Bullock

Helena De Ritter

Simon Jackson

Pat Kingsbury

RichardPocock

Derek Whiting

They join elected members:

Pam Akhurst

Lizzie Atkins

Hugh Crozier

Ros Gammie

Michael Morgan

and non-elected members:

The Rev.Justine Middlemiss

Rev.Paul Goodridge

Ian Atkins(Churchwarden)

Chris Morgan(Churchwarden)

Ian Akhurst (Sutton Deanery Synod rep)

Heather Cosgrove (Sutton Deanery Synod rep)

Jean Kimber (Sutton Deanery Synod rep)

Commemorations

Caroline Chisholm - 1808 - 1887

Caroline Chisholm was the author of the first work written by a woman to be published in Australia. That was in 1842 and the title of the book was ‘Female Immigration, Considered in a Brief Account of the Sydney Immigrants Home’.

Behind this report with its wordy title lay ten years of pioneering social work. Caroline Chisholm had set up and run the first hostel for single immigrant girls who were alone and homeless in Australia.

Caroline Chisholm herself was born near Northampton and went to settle in Australia in the 1830s with her husband who was an officer in the East India Company. After the publication of her report she came back to England where she spent eight years raising money to encourage and help people to emigrate as families rather than on their own. Returning to Australia in the 1850s, she continued to lecture on social conditions and acted as a n Inspector of Living Conditions in the Gold Fields where the gold rush was then in full swing.

As we remember her let us also remember the many people - both men and women who are alone and without their families in a strange country.

St Asaph May 11th

Asaph was a prince, the son of King Sawyl Penuchel of the Southern Pennines. When still a boy, Asaph and his father had to flee to North Wales and Asaph was sent as a disciple to his distant cousin, St Kentigern, at the abbey in Llanelwy (which is what the Welsh call St Asaph).

One day, when Kentigern had been praying in the icy waters of the river, he sent Asaph to fetch some hot coals to warm himself. Having nothing else to carry them in, Asaph used his cloak but neither he nor his cloak were burnt. Kentigern saw this as a sign from God and when he returned to Strathclyde in 573, he appointed Asaph Bishop of Llanelwy in his place.

There are no further recorded details of Asaph's life but since that time the Cathedral has been dedicated to St Asaph and the diocese bears his name. The present cathedral was begun in the 13th century and is said to be the smallest ancient cathedral in Britain. Asaph also founded a monastery in Llanasa and there he died in 601.

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The Julian Meetings

Exploring Contemplative Prayer

Saturday 13th June 2009.

9.45am - 4pm.

Speaker - Seamus Cullen, Spiritual Director,

Retreat Leader, (England, Ireland & Norway)

St Matthew’s Church, Wigmore, Kent, ME8 0NX. 5mins from M2, Junction 4

This teaching day is an opportunity to discover or to deepen our understanding of contemplative prayer. There will be two talks, questions, time for prayer, opportunity to meet with each other, information about Julian Meetings and a bookstall. If you are new to contemplative prayer or want to know more, then this is the day for you.

Cost £7. To register, write to:- A Echlin, 10 King St, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6QT

You may register more than one person. Please include names and payment (£7 each) and s.a.e. Cheques should be made payable to A Echlin.

Closing date 1st June 2009

For further details phone

01732 845550 or 01732 848467

Praying in May

3rd Vocations both Lay and Clergy

World Press Freedom Day

4/25th Bank Holidays—Those visiting St Mary’s Church

And all travelling by Road, Rail, Air or Sea.

7th Families suffering as a result of domestic violence, or abuse

10th Christian Aid Week, that people will give generously

18th Farmers and fishermen and all who provide our food. Pray for a good harvest.

19th Those who work in commerce and industry.

20th Those who provide public services.

24th National Family Week

A Prayer for Vocations

Almighty God, you have entrusted to your church a share in the ministry of your son our great high priest. Inspire by your Holy Spirit the hearts of many to offer themselves for the ministry of your church, that strengthened by his power, they may work for the increase of your kingdom and set forward the eternal praise of your name; through Jesus Christ your son our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for Family Life

Father in Heaven, pattern of all parenthood and lover of children, we pray for the homes and families across the world. Sustain and comfort them in need and sorrow, in times of bitterness, tension and division, draw near to heal. May parents and children together be learners in the school of Christ, daily increasing in mutual respect and understanding, in tolerance and patience, and in all prevailing love; through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen

General Prayers for the Swine Flu Outbreak

Heavenly Father,

giver of life and health:

comfort and restore those who are sick,

that they may be strengthened in their weakness

and have confidence in your unfailing love;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Creator and Father of all,

we pray for those who are ill.

Bless them, and those who serve their needs,

that they may put their whole trust in you

through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

For the people of Mexico

Sovereign God,

the defence of those who trust in you

and the strength of those who suffer:

look with mercy on the people of Mexico:

bring healing to those infected with the virus,

give wisdom and insight to doctors, nurses and health professionals,

and bring calm and peace to all within the nation,

through our mighty Saviour Jesus Christ.

Amen.

For those who have contracted the virus

The almighty Lord,

who is a strong tower for all who put their trust in him,

whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth obey,

be now and evermore your defence.

May you believe and trust that the only name under heaven

given for health and salvation

is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Behind the scenes of Church Flower Arranging.

When you come to the church and see the flowers I wonder if you realise what preparations are made for the weekly arrangements.

Firstly you have to have a team of arrangers! At present we have eleven. Sue, Pam & Carolyn, who buy the flowers, have a meeting to discuss which weeks each can do. The weekly rota is then compiled. It includes details of the weddings and also takes into account holiday dates and other inconvenient dates of each member.

When there is more than one wedding at a weekend the flowers are white & cream, however if only one then the bride may ask for particular colours – we get all sorts of requests such as ‘Latte’ or ‘Cadburys Milk tray’!

Flowers are bought from local shops or nurseries or come from people’s gardens. Sometimes we get up at 5am and drive to Covent Garden! Well worth the effort as the atmosphere is great and the flowers amazing.

The day of arranging arrives and 3 or 4 members of the team, depending whether there is a wedding, descend on the church armed with their flower arranging scissors. Then it is happy arranging time using the bucket of flowers allocated with their own choice from the selection of greenery. ‘The Three’ take it in turns to water and spray the arrangements on Sundays and during the week.

Social outings for the flower arrangers include a meal in the New Year and a summer event.

We are always happy to welcome new people to the team which involves arranging the flowers about every 3 or 4 weeks on a Friday or Saturday. No experience needed – help is on hand if required. If you are interested please talk to Sue Ardley who could fix a time for you to come and ‘have a go’ and see how you like it!

Growing churches sit down for ‘Big Lunch’

Churches are being encouraged to grow their own produce – or use local food – and break bread with their own community as part of the Eden Projects nationwide ‘Big Lunch’ this summer.

Launched this month, to give growers and organisers time to prepare for the big day on July 19, the Big Lunch aims to bring communities – both rural and urban - together to create a new sense of neighbourhood and make the most of what they have on their own doorstep.

With a Christian presence in every community the Church of England is keen to tap into the event and support community ventures or host their own.

Church members at St Mary The Boltons in Chelsea have already planted herbs and vegetables for their homegrown ‘loaves and fishes’ meal they plan to host as part of the Earls Court Festival. The Revd Ruth Lampard associate vicar of St Mary The Boltons said: “We are delighted to support ‘the simple act of community’ objective of the Big Lunch project.Through The Boltons Big Lunch we want to reach out to the local community, especially the lonely and isolated, and share good food and sunshine.We are aiming for a festival picnic atmosphere, Le déjeuner sur l'herbe.”

Dr Jill Hopkinson, the National Rural Officer for the Church of England, said this would be a chance for churches to celebrate with their communities: “The rural church has always been deeply involved in its local community and this is a great way to show it. The Big Lunch is an opportunity for rural churches of all denominations to work together to encourage gardeners, support local farmers and food producers and have fun with the whole rural community.”

David Shreeve, the Church of England's Environment Adviser, said: “Many churches already organise parish lunches for their congregations on Sundays.The Big Lunch brings the opportunity to extend these and offer a welcome to others in their communities. If this can include using church land to produce some of the food then that would be a real bonus.”

Tips from the Royal Horticultural Society are provided for Big Lunch enthusiasts who want to grow their own produce or plant ahead for the 2010 event - carrots can still be planted this April in time for the July 2009 event.

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Offering a welcome for all: church accessibility guidance updated

A thoroughly updated guide on how to make church buildings as accessible as possible to people with disabilities has been reissued this month.

Widening the eye of the needle helps those responsible for church buildings understand legal principles and the practical steps necessary to comply with all the relevant access and disability-related legislation. The re-publication of the guidance is a timely reminder of the need for churches to consider such issues, particularly if they are planning to reorder their buildings to accommodate more worshippers or extend their use as venues for community services such as art exhibition space or evening classes.

Following a major update to reflect the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, changes to the Building Regulations in 2004 and the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001, the book includes illustrations and a range of forms and checklists to ensure churches are meeting the needs of those who have special needs when attending services and other events. The book includes a pro-forma to assist in conducting a detailed ‘access audit’ of existing church buildings or plans for a new build or extension.

Writing ten years ago, the then Bishop of Hulme, Rt Revd Colin Scott, wrote in his introduction: “One of the striking characteristics of the Gospel narratives is Jesus’ concern for people with disabilities, but sadly the Church has, in the past, given little attention to their needs… Our responsibility as a Christian community, reinforced by our legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act, should make us determined that all members of the community can attend and participate in services easily and with dignity. I hope that this publication will assist congregations and their advisers as they seek to make this possible.”

On the 24th March the Government and the Church of England published guidelines to help religious groups identify funding and support for faith groups that will enable them to adapt their buildings for community use and build on their capacity to engage at local and regional level.

Janet Gough, Director of the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division of the Archbishops’ Council, comments: “This book is part of a wider jigsaw that will help give local churches the big picture when they are considering reviewing their physical space. The Church is entrusted with some magnificent architectural gems, and we have to strike a delicate balance between protecting that inheritance for future generations while ensuring that churches’ physical environments are suitable for the diverse range of activities of the modern Christian life. Ensuring that our buildings are as accessible as possible is an essential consideration as part of reaching that balance.”

Widening the eye of the needle, priced £16.99 (ISBN 978-07151-4061-1), is available from Christian bookshops, or by mail order via the web.

A Salad from Capri

- one of the simplest you can make - Serves 4

from ‘Jamie’s Red Nose Recipes’

4x150g balls of buffalo mozzarella

2 handfuls of good mixed tomatoes - different sizes and shapes

The white of 1 spring onion very finely sliced

Extra virgin olive oil

Good quality her vinegar

Freshly ground black pepper

For the dressing:

A big handful of fresh basil leaves

Sea salt

Extra virgin olive oil

First make your dressing - keeping a few leaves aside, roughly chop the basil and pound it with a good pinch of salt. Then just add a splash of oil.

Then carefully tear the mozzarella onto a large serving plate. Dress the tomatoes into a bowl with the spring onions, olive oil, her vinegar, salt and pepper. Put the tomatoes round the mozzarella and drizzle your basil sauce on top. Sprinkle with basil leaves and enjoy.

Jamie’s Red Nose Recipes was a sale for Red Nose Day. Anyone who was at the coffee morning in March will already have tasted Jamie’s Any-Way-You-Like Cookies in a variety of flavours.

The Bells, The bells!

On 18th April about 30 people enjoyed St Mary’s Handbell Ringers’ 20th anniversary concert – in fact some people said that they had been ‘converted’ by the event to the joys of handbell ringing. In the programme we were told that the group would demonstrate the wide variety of genres and styles that they played, and with sections ranging from the Classics, Gilbert and Sullivan to Films and Shows we were certainly treated to a huge range of music.

Jean Kimber who leads the group told us that they used two octaves of bells, which came from quite a wide variety of sources, and that the bells therefore had significantly different characters and required different approaches to get the best sound. Apparently strong wrists are required – ‘It’s more like badminton than tennis’ said one of the band.

On a more technical note, this concert gave the reviewers an insight into some aspects of handbell ringing of which we had previously been ignorant. One effect was achieved by striking the bell on the table in front of the ringers to produce a single sound that cancelled out the usual resonance. Another was having the bells on the table and playing them with beaters which again produced a more concentrated sound. Special mention must be made of Khristyne Crowe- Haylett`s performance in this regard, because she played normally and with the beater in rapid succession - and at one point it looked like both ways simultaneously! (Now there’s multi-tasking for you.) Further variety was added with the use of other percussion instruments (loaned to the group for free by a certain Chris Kimber, I believe!), one example being a tam-tam that was used for the Japanese-style music from The Mikado.

All in all, it was the more rapid, quickfire items that we enjoyed most, especially the early music dance, also with backing percussion. These items really showed off the group’s ability to work as an ensemble – after all, one mistimed note and you’ve had it! – and this was duly appreciated by the audience.

The concert raised £250 for the Royal Marsden (interestingly the group was first formed for a charity event all those years ago). If you’d like to get involved with handbell ringing yourself, why not give Jean Kimber a call on 8660 4254.

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Twenty Years Ago

Carousal welcomed us on the first page extolling the Maundy Thursday performance at the Fairfield Halls of "Holy Man". You may remember that, a while ago, two of St Mary's youngsters wrote about their experiences in taking part in a revival there of that Easter Oratorio. Chris Kimber played percussion on both occasions, the first time while still a schoolboy himself.

There was another pleasurable note as new recruits Hayley Martin, Donna and Hayley Yorke, Cheryl Hawkins, Rebecca Hobbs and Debbie Kennedy had joined the choir, the first six as Trebles and Debbie as an Alto. The PCC had previously agreed that girls could be welcomed as Trebles up to the age of 16. Unfortunately, none of them progressed to Tenor or Bass!

There was to be a Flower Festival in June to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Brownie Movement. The theme was to be Nursery Rhymes. More about that in a later edition, I suspect.

There was a report of the APCM. A new amplification system had been installed and seemed to be working effectively. The new heating system had also been completed - the cost of which was causing concern. That 20-year-old concern is back to haunt us!

The problem of children's Christian nurture is still with us. Twenty years ago we were discussing a programme called "Children in the Way". I wonder how long it will take us to solve it?

In Stewart Kimber's 1969 20 years ago, he too commented on the APCM, saying that although the churchwardens were willing to stand again, the Treasurer felt he could not. Stewart doubted that the first ever budget deficit - £1 - had anything to do with the decision!

The Medical Superintendent from St Francis's Hospital in Katete, Zambia, had written urging us to continue to support USPG. The money donated from there, paid for necessary drugs and staff.

There was an article outlining the Sutton Mencap Leisure & Recreation Integration Project. This was looking at ways in which people with learning difficulties could take part in community activities as equals with non-handicapped people. This is certainly one area where things have changed in 20 years.

I finish with this little snippet from a Surrey newspaper:

The hymns "Love Divine" and "O Perfect Love" were sung

while the organist played a Wedding March.

Top that, Andrew!

No Light helps to lighten the World

On Saturday, 28 March at 8.30 pm, lights went off around the world for one
hour in support of WWF's Earth Hour 2009 campaign for urgent action on
climate change. Earth Hour began in 2007 with some two million homes and
businesses switching off their lights. In 2009 the aim was for one billion
people to show their concern for our beautiful planet in this simple and
effective way and to get the message across to world leaders when they
meet in Copenhagen for the Global Climate Change Conference in December
2009. This meeting will determine official government policies to take
action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It
is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard, and
it is not too late to add your vote at www.earthhour.org.

In over 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries lights were switched off:
from the Empire State Building, the Sydney Opera House, China's Birds'
Nest Stadium, the Pyramids, Rome's Coliseum, the Eiffel Tower, to nearer
home at Edinburgh Castle, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. And here
at St Mary's we joined in too by switching off our floodlighting for an
hour. Let us all hope and pray the message gets across and our world
leaders will see the light, simply by the lack of it!

When God calls

Brrring, brrring. “Hello?” “God here - do you have a moment?” If only it were that straightforward! How much easier it would be to discover our intended path and calling in life, but we know it doesn’t work like that. So how do we discern what God is calling us to do – our Christian vocation?

First and most importantly of all, we can be confident that God is calling! The words of Jesus to the Galilean fishermen are still being spoken in the hearts of all who can hear: “follow me”! In addition to any specific call to any specific work or ministry, God is still calling all to become followers of Christ.

Paul urged the Christians in Ephesus “to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph 4:1-3) This is our primary and on-going call: to become active and faithful members of the body of Christ.

But what about the other kind of call, the burning conviction that we are supposed to be doing something special and distinct for God? In order to build up the body of Christ on earth, God does call some people to a variety of ministries for which they have to be selected and trained. These include the priesthood, reader ministry, being missionaries, counsellors or youth workers. Such calls often involve thoughts and desires that just won’t go away, and also encouragement from other people who can sometimes see our potential more clearly than we can ourselves.

Usually, though, God’s call involves recognising what we love to do and what we’re already good at, and looking for opportunities to use our time and talents in our homes, communities, churches and places of work – or even abroad! If, for instance, I am a good listener, perhaps I could use my talent to visit people who are housebound or help out with a reading scheme at a local school. If my passion is arts and crafts, there might be a call for my talent and skills in a Sunday school or at a community centre, or creating new works of art for my church. If I really care about helping young people, I could volunteer my time and other resources for church or community projects that are aimed at this age group.

Where service to God is concerned, it is often the case of being able to see a need and then being willing to respond. No matter what the call, though, it will always be the case of being - and becoming - the hands and feet of Christ, seeing with his eyes and allowing his compassion to inspire and motivate all that we do. That’s what’s at the heart of true discipleship, and that’s a call for all of us, for all of our lives.

Christina Rees

Justine Writes

Whats on in May

Snippets

Praying for you

Readings for May

Saints and commemorations

From the Registers

APCM

Commemorations

Caroline Chisholm - 1808 - 1887

St Asaph May 11th

The Julian Meetings

Praying in May

Behind the scenes of Church Flower Arranging.

Growing churches sit down for ‘Big Lunch’

Offering a welcome for all: church accessibility guidance updated

A Salad from Capri

The Bells, The bells!

Twenty Years Ago

No Light helps to lighten the World

When God calls