by Rev David Proud
Faith
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The Vicar Writes... by Rev David Proud |
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As any parent knows, you spend what appear to be fruitless years, reminding your offspring to say thank you because it’s good manners and it pleases people to be appreciated. You do wonder if they take anything onboard you say, but you persevere with the experiment. Eventually somewhere between age five and twenty five, all your hard work (i.e. nagging) pays off. Hearing someone show gratitude for a word or action is a real encouragement and yet in adulthood we are not always very good at demonstrating gratitude to one another, never mind to God. Not only is gratitude a necessary attitude, it is something which the Bible commands us to do. ‘Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.’ (I Thessalonians 5.16).As I listened to Peter’s excellent sermon on gratitude I was reminded that gratitude is a response that we can choose to share or not. It is always easy to say thanks when life is good and everything is going well. However, the true test comes when we are struggling and it is hard to say thank you when life has dealt you another kick in the teeth. Gratitude is both a discipline and a joy when we master it. I found this very challenging as I realised it was easy to neglect thankfulness and simply concentrate on the negatives of my life. If God challenges us then we need to respond and my response is to use the period of Lent as a time to change my habits. Now traditionally Lent is a time for giving up things but I am going to add one thing to my life. I want to add gratitude. Gratitude to God for all he has done, is doing and will do through Jesus Christ. If I am going to do that, then I need the discipline to change my habits. Peter asked my wife Bobbie to share how she has found a discipline of thankfulness and I share it with you now as a way of encouraging thankful hearts in Christ Church. She would be the first to say that she is a fellow learner in this discipline but I find her ideas very helpful.
Developing a Discipline of Gratitude
God bless and thank you for being my Church family!
David
| Needed - Street Pastors for Hertford & Ware |
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In October the commissioning service for the Hertford & Ware Street Pastors was held in Christ Church. Since then the 14 volunteers have made a very successful start to their work on the street, patrolling the towns on Friday evenings.More Street Pastors are needed to ensure 4 volunteers are available every Friday evening and the police would like to see volunteers on the street on Saturday and Thursday evenings. The work challenging but very rewarding.
If you are interested, further info is available on the Christ Church website, at the back of church from Bob Barker or the Street Pastor Coordinator Rick Hartwig (07986 9964299 or hertfordandware@streetpastors.org.uk).
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
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Womens World Day of Prayer Friday, 5th March 2010 |
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Women’s World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action, organised and led by Christian women who call the faithful together on the first Friday in March each year to observe a common day of prayer and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.The service is written by a different country each year and that country then becomes the focus of the world’s prayers on the day itself, which begins as dawn breaks over the islands of Tonga in the Pacific and continues across each continent until the last services of this special day are held back in the Pacific, on the islands of Samoa, circling the world in prayer for 36 hours. We are aware that the word ‘WOMEN” in our title causes some problems, however this title has to be retained as if this word were removed there are some countries in the world where women have no freedom and would not be allowed to organise a service – it would be taken over by men. We therefore pray for tolerance and understanding and would love to see more men joining us on this special day.
The symbol of the Women’s World Day of Prayer was designed in 1982 for the service prepared by women of Ireland, both north and south, and was then adopted as the International Logo.
The design comprises arrows converging from the four points of the compass, four figures kneeling in prayer, the Celtic cross and a circle representing the world and our unity through all our diversity.
Here in Ware this years service will be held on Friday, 5th March 2010 in St Marys Parish Church, High Street, Ware at 10:30am, speaker: Rev Tim Swindell
An evening service will be held in St Margarets Church, Hoddesdon Road, Stanstead Abbotts, 7:30pm.
This years service has been prepared by the Christian women of Cameroon. Their theme is ‘Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God’ and invites us to join with brothers and sisters from the four corners of the earth with all creation in worship and praise of God.
Cameroon is said to be ‘Africa in miniature”. It is situated in Central Africa with an estimated population of over 17 million people . Life expectancy is 51 years and malaria, T.B. and HIV – Aids constitute the principal causes of mortality. It sounds a beautiful country with a striking variety of landscapes and is potentially a tourist paradise. Today the greatest threat to the way of life comes from multi-national logging interests as the forests disappear.
In Ware we celebrate this service as a joint Church Venture and invite you to join together with the other Churches in Ware as we celebrate with the women of Cameroon and pray with all women, men and young people all over the world.
Wendy Tucker
| Christ Church Football: The midway point of the season |
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After an indifferent start to the season which has seen us slip into the relegation zone of the Herts Combined Churches 1st Division, ‘Church have begun to make a recovery and are well placed to bring home some more silverware, for the 4th consecutive season. In all competitions, Christ Church have Won 5, drawn 1 and Lost 5, scoring 30 goals but also conceding 30 whilst losing 5 games to the weather! Despite our lowly league position, there are plenty of games left to play in which to secure safety. However, this season we seemed to be a cup team, rising to the big occasion. After some terrific displays which have seen us defeat teams from Essex, High Wycombe and Wandsworth, we have reached the last 8 of the Christian National Trophy and have a good chance of reaching the finals. We are also in the quarter finals of the League Cup and look forward to a winnable cup tie against our old foe from Bishop Stortford sometime in March.Winning is a vital part of the experience but Christ Church Football is also a great way of bringing men together to enjoy exercise and fellowship and, along with our Tuesday training sessions at Haileybury, we have about 35 men associated with the Church on a regular basis. Due to this success, we are looking to run a 2nd team next season with the view of holding a couple of 2nd team fixtures this season. The team would go into the 2nd Division where the standard is not as competitive and so give those who enjoy playing football at a more ‘recreational level’ the chance to do so. If you are interested in playing or in helping to run this team then please let me know ASAP.
So, half way through and the portents are good. Follow our progress in the church news sheet or at www.churchfootball.co.uk and if you can, come down to Presdales Recreation Ground to follow the action and smell the ralgex!
Ian Henry - Player Manager
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LoveWare:LiveWare Update Just to keep you up to date with the LW:LW events |
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Community Action Sundays (always second Sunday of the month) are taking a different shape from February.I am personally overjoyed that the Christ Church Football team are offering to play football with any of the young people who live around the King George area who may be interested.
We are sending out letters to the young people who have registered with us in the past, asking them to join us and it would be great if you are able to join us too.
We would like to be able to serve refreshments to and build relationships with the young people who turn up, if there are enough of us we could also litter pick or wash cars (weather depending). If you are interested ring me on 01920 421795 or turn up in the Christ Church car park at 10.30 am on the following dates:-14th March, 11th April, 13th June and 11th July.
We will be putting together larger events as usual for both the bank holidays in May the 1st and the 9th May (more information to follow).
Don’t forget to take part in any activity involving children and young people you will need to hold a current CRB disclosure. If you would like to start the CRB process please ask Sue Woodrow for a form.
Thank you, Alison Jackson.
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Church Family News Addition to the Freer Family! |
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Polly and Asher are both doing really well. Ayla is getting used to having a brother and getting lots of attention!
Asher means ‘joy’ in Hebrew and refers to the Ash tree, Ben is a family name and is also Hebrew meaning ‘son’, and Kitto is Swahili for ‘precious’ and also Cornish for ‘bearing Christ’.
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Pilgrimage to Taize Article by Mary Topley - part of the St Albans group in 2007 & 2009 |
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Leaving the typical English Summer behind us, we made our way to Dover for the ferry crossing. This would take us to Calais and then it would be a further nine hour trip to our destination of Taize in the South of France. Spirits were raised as old friends were reunited and new ones were being made. We were a group of varied ages and also had two families with young children who continued to bring laughter to the group throughout the week.In the not too early hours of Sunday morning, fighting off the urge to fall back to sleep, we arrived at the Taize community. As we stumbled off the coach memories of previous years came flooding back and expectations for the week ahead were high. We pitched our tents together and it became apparent that, out of the 4000 pilgrims that come to Taize from all over the world, English groups were few, as snippets of German and Polish were heard from other pitches.
After a reasonable night’s sleep we were able to start the day and Taize routine proper. Each day in the Taize community is centred on three half hour services at 8:30am, 12:30pm and 8:30pm. The services offer a chance for meditation, stillness and prayer and off course the beautiful Taize chants. There are options for how to spend the rest of the day; Bible study or helping with chores around the campsite and kitchens. Meals in Taize are communal and everyone mucks in to help serve the 4000 pilgrims and to join in the task of washing up, which usually involves an international water fight! The brothers of the community provide a Bible study for everyone after breakfast each day, this is always an engaging and rewarding hour. The afternoons are set aside for chores, workshops run by the brothers and meetings in small groups with people from around the world to discuss the mornings bible readings; this gives the opportunity to learn more about different countries and people’s relationships with God. Evenings can be spent at the onsite cafe “Oyak”, continuing conversations with new friends, joining the community singing, or simply personal reflection in the church.
The week at Taize was eventful both spiritually and physically, with a member of our group injuring themselves whilst attempting some ninja moves! The experience that Taize provides is unique because of the international aspect of it and the simplicity of community life that still manages to be conveyed despite the numbers of people. Everyone in our group got something out of the week, whether it was the opportunity to renew our connection with God, or simply enjoying the time out from the chaos of regular life.
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Ware Welcomes New Scout Group 5th Ware (Christ Church) Scout Group |
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The Hertfordshire Scouts County Commissioner Rikki Harrington, joined members of the Ware and District Scout Executive and Ware’s Deputy Mayor Edward Bedford, to open the new 5th Ware (Christ Church) Scout Group, which meets in the Memorial Hall on Mondays.This is the first new Scout Group to be opened in Ware in 50 years.
The group has started with a Beaver Colony which has the youngest age group in the scout movement, (6-8yr olds), and is due to start a Cub Pack in September of this year, as Beavers become old enough to move sections.
If anyone is interested in joining or helping, please contact Martin Vaughan on 01920 877779.
| Oasis |
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Oasis is Christ Church’s ministry to those parenting alone in Ware and the surrounding area.We meet on the last Saturday of every month 4:00 - 7:00pm in the church centre for coffee and cake, crafts and games, and supper. On the right you can see Maggie helping one of our smaller guests with some sticking.
Do recommend us to any of your single parent friends!
| Ware Christmas Together 2010 |
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A new team of volunteers is required to help with organising Christmas Together 2010. Funds are already in place. Although Christmas seems a long way away, outline plans need to be made now as several of those who have run it for a number of years are standing down. It would be a great shame to have to abandon the event altogether, as it obviously does meet a big need.
A small group of people is needed to run the event. Tasks can be divided as preferred but one/two should be in charge overall to check that all the tasks are covered.
For more information and to offer help please contact: Diana and Steve Perkins or Celia and Geoff Thomas.
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Bob’s Browsings by Bobbie Proud Muxed Ip |
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It’s easy to find yourself in conversation but it’s equally easy to lose yourself...at least, with my K-group it is. The topic can slip inconspicuously from “comedians doing amusing things with cowbells” to “the memorable meal I had last night in Pizza Express” in a nanosecond and if you have allowed yourself a momentary mental diversion to consider, say, which Muppet character one of your number reminds you of, you end up returning to the conversation with the impression that someone has been eating garlic doughballs while Bill Bailey was having pizza marinara at the next table.It’s equally easy to get a little muddled. I don’t know about you, but I find that particular well-known faces become confused in my mind for no apparent reason. For instance, Michael Portillo and Peter Mandelson. Well, I can easily put that down to their initials being the same (albeit reversed). Then there’s the guy off Flight of the Phoenix (the 2004 version, not the original) and the other bloke who saves the world in every series of 24 (who by now must need years of therapy, or an extremely long holiday, or both). Which one is which? I can’t tell the difference between them. I initially assumed it was because Dennis Quaid and Kiefer Sutherland just looked a bit alike, but having checked it out on Google, they don’t really. The mix-up which is really really weird, though, is my inability to discern between the footballer Michael Owen and the worship leader Matt Redman. Not that I can’t tell the difference between a bloke with a guitar and one who’s kicking a ball around, you understand. It’s just that, strangely, whenever either one is mentioned, I have a mental picture of both of them. (And having mental pictures of footballers is not something I do a lot, which makes it even stranger.)
Is it just me, or is everyone afflicted like this? And how does it happen? What’s going on? It’s so easy to get the wrong end of the stick in a situation like this, and convince yourself that Matt Redman’s new album has been written by a guy who plays for Man United, Dennis Quaid’s dad was a doctor in the US Army during the Korean War, and that Michael Portillo loves Strictly Come Dancing...
I suppose the answer to it all is, check it out. Go back to the basics. Find out what’s true. The kid who answered “Jesus” when he was being shown a picture of a squirrel hadn’t made sure of his facts. The people Paul wrote to in Galatia had lost sight of the reality of their salvation. The Pharisees and Scribes who tussled with Jesus were convinced they were right, and thought they were doing a good job for God. I wonder if we all have the same tendencies, rather than a thirst for Jesus and the humility to let Him lead? Sometimes we are far more ready to share what we think we know, than to admit where we are lacking.
I was hugely delighted to hear these words attributed to Oliver Cromwell quoted on the HTB podcast “Godpod”, a while back: “I beg you, by the bowels of Christ, consider it possible that you might be mistaken”. I think it’s all too likely that I might be mistaken, and on many things, judging by what I’ve shared above. However, I’m safe on one issue: at least I can tell the difference between Jesus and a squirrel. Phew.
"So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth." 1 John 3: 7 (The Message)
"We sometimes tend to think we know all we need to know ...- but sometimes our humble hearts can help us more than our proud minds. We never really know enough until we recognize that God alone knows it all." 1 Corinthians 8:2-3 (The Message)
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Christ Church School Update So what’s School for?? |
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Those of you who can remember will recall that last time I wrote I gave an update on the changes that had taken place in the school and some of the challenges we were facing. Since then I am pleased to say that under the leadership of Ania, our acting Headteacher, the school has made great strides in meeting those challenges. The task of improving levels of attainment is being met ‘head on’, we have had our financial audit and are progressing with the subsequent action plan and, oh yes I nearly forgot, we have had a visit from OFSTED.The OFSTED visit went well. The inspectors carried out a thorough and exhaustive, (or should that be exhausting?) investigation and, as I write, the report on their findings is awaited. The whole staff team worked hard to present a positive yet realistic picture of the school to the inspectors who appeared to be supportive and constructive in their approach. Of course, time (and the report) will tell!
This is the second time I have been involved in an inspection and it is interesting to see how the focus shifts. This time the emphasis was on ‘Safeguarding’. This is defined as “the process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully”. In order to satisfy the inspectors in this area we had to prove that we had a whole raft of policies and procedures in place, that staff and governors were fully aware of them and that they were being properly implemented. The emphasis on these criteria was so strong that it formed the first phase of the inspection and we were informed that should the school be deemed to be failing in this area then the inspection would be halted and we would be judged to be an inadequate school. PHEW.... No pressure then.
So here we are with schools being judged, as far as the politicians are concerned, on academic progress and attainment but at the same time being expected to develop a well rounded ‘junior adult’ fitted for life in the big wide world and above all else (at the moment anyway), ensuring their safety and well being. I suppose the question could be asked, what is the priority? Well of course life is a balancing act and the aim is to meet all the expectations but it is undoubtedly true that if a child is being abused or feels unsafe then how can we realistically expect them to progress and develop.
Our school provides a safe and caring environment. Anyone who has visited us (and if you haven’t please do so) will immediately recognise a happy school where the welfare of the children is our primary concern. The Christian ethos and values based education helps children to care for one another and appreciate and accept difference. Yes we want them to achieve but we also want them to understand that they each have different gifts and yes problems. Giving them a safe environment where they can discuss problems with caring adults is important. Helping them to understand the difficulties suffered by disadvantaged children or those with special needs will equip them in life to deal with issues that they are bound to face when they enter adult society. Above all, we must, and I believe do, provide a place where people care about their safety and welfare and ensure that any suspicion of neglect or ill treatment is vigorously pursued.
So I think Mr OFSTED that perhaps you’ve got it right. Can you please just make sure that when you judge schools and publish those judgements you attempt to make your audience aware of ALL that the school is doing for its charges. Yes we will try and keep all the balls in the air but should we drop one occasionally rest assured it will not be Safeguarding.
Please keep the school in your prayers.
Bob Owen
