25 December 2016
“Happy Christmas” To All Our Readers.
Christmas Lunch.
Sue Baxter has asked me to say “Thank You”, on her behalf,
to all those who helped prepare, and who came to join in,
the Christmas Lunch and so produced a “Fun” occasion
and £171 for Church Funds.
Bible Readings.
Michael May has remembered that Julia ordered the Daily Bible Reading Notes from IBRA! If anyone is interested in the ‘Notes’ please contact Anne and either she or Michael will organise it.
THE OFFERTORY.
By joining the ‘Envelope Scheme’ and ‘Gift Aiding’ your weekly offering you can accept the Government’s generous (?) gift to the Church of returned Tax ? Do think about discussing the Scheme with Judith Bradshaw, in complete confidence of course.
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18th December 2016
Christmas Cards.
There is a board in the community hall upon which you may pin a Christmas Card to cover all your friends at church, you might like to make a donation, via Anne May, of the stamp money you have saved to 'Action for Children', the Church's Christmas Charity.
Parkinson’s UK used stamp collection
Jayne Hopps would like to thank everyone for collecting their used stamps. Jayne hopes that due to Christmas card postage we can all collect many more stamps over the Christmas season. There is a box in Church for your stamps.
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11th December 2016
Bible Readings.
Michael May has remembered that Julia ordered the Daily Bible Reading Notes from IBRA! If anyone is interested in the ‘Notes’ please contact Anne and either she or Michael will organise it.
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4th December 2016
Christmas Fair.
Stall Holders have asked me to say a heartfelt “Thank You” to all who gave items for their stalls. The Raffle made some £82, while the total for the Fair was £269.56. The Church says “Thank You” to all who supported the Christmas Fair last Friday, particularly Chris for the Tombola, Kath for the Raffle and Jayne and Anne for the Refreshments.
Christmas Cards.
There is a board in the community hall upon which you may pin a Christmas Card to cover all your friends at church. In lieu of the cost of cards and postage if you wish, you might like to make a donation via Anne May to 'ACTION FOR CHILDREN' the Church's Christmas Charity.
Food Bank.
The ‘Storehouse’ holds the ‘Food Bank’ for Skegness and they have told us that the demand continues to rise so could we please provide food items for them by putting things in the Box in the Entrance.
Parkinson’s UK used stamp collection
Jayne Hopps is still collecting used stamps for Parkinson’s UK and would like to thank everyone for collecting their used stamps so far. Jayne hopes that due to Christmas card postage we can all collect many more stamps over the Christmas season. There is a box in Church for your stamps.
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27th November 2016
Saturday 3rd.
Wainfleet Christmas Tree Festival
2.00pm. Chapel Open to view the trees. Hot Drinks,
Mince Pies and Soup available as well as Craft Stalls.4.00pm. Carol Service with The Skegness Silver Band and the Magdalen School Choir.
5.00pm. Switch On of the Christmas Lights in the Market Place.
Withern Methodist Church.
7.30pm. “ ‘Twas the Night before Christmas.”
Seasonal Entertainment by the Withern Singers and Guests. Cost £6, with Buffet.
Parkinson’s UK used stamp collection
Jayne Hopps is still collecting used stamps for Parkinson’s UK and would like to thank everyone for collecting their used stamps so far. Jayne has already sent 3 large envelopes of stamps, but hopes, due to Christmas card postage stamps, that we can all collect many more over the Christmas season.
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20th November 2016
Please Note the Communion Service here tonight.
And Please Note the Carol Singing on Thursday.
I have been asked by Jayne Hopps to add these two items to the Newsletter. Please give them serious thought – they matter!(GMG)
Flower Rota Request Forms
Those of you who are already on the flower Rota will receive your letters shortly. If you are not already putting flowers into Church and would like to, please complete one of the Flower Rota Request Forms which are available at the back of the Church. All completed forms must be handed back before Friday 9th December 2016.
Parkinson’s UK used stamp collection
Jayne Hopps is still collecting used stamps for Parkinson’s UK and would like to thank everyone for collecting their used stamps so far. Jayne has already sent 3 large envelopes of stamps, but hopes, due to Christmas card postage stamps, that we can all collect many more over the Christmas season.
And finally: Advent Wreath Festival. There is to be a Wreath Festival on show in St Matthew’s Church every day during Advent from next Sunday.
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13th November 2016
Please Note next Sunday’s ‘Cluster’
Communion Service is at Algitha Road.
Be a Good Samaritan.
Circuit have asked us to consider being a ‘Good Samaritan’ by helping children and young people. Details are in a letter which is at the back of the church, or you can read it in the “Link” magazine.
Christmas Fair.
Chris South says will you please give her things for her renowned Tombola Stall. While Kath Riding also asks will you please give her things for her famous Raffle.
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6th November 2016
Bonfire Night.
Guy Fawkes was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Fawkes was born and educated in York. His father died when Fawkes was eight years old, after which his mother married a Catholic. Fawkes converted to Catholicism and left for the continent, where he fought on the side of Catholic Spain against Protestant Dutch reformers. He travelled to Spain to seek support for a Catholic rebellion in England without success. He met Thomas Wintour, who introduced Fawkes to Robert Catesby, who planned to assassinate King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. The plotters leased an undercroft beneath the House of Lords, and Fawkes was placed in charge of the gunpowder they stockpiled there. The authorities searched Westminster Palace during the early hours of 5 November, and found Fawkes guarding the explosives. Fawkes became synonymous with the Gunpowder Plot, the failure of which has been commemorated in Britain since 5 November 1605.
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30th October 2016
Christmas Fair.
Algitha Road Christmas Fair will be held on Friday November 25 and there will be the usual stalls, raffles and other fund-raising activities as well as light refreshments. However, all this is only possible if people are willing to volunteer and help and I have already received a call for help from Chris South –
Will you please give her things for her renowned Tombola Stall.
Chocolate.
On returning from a week’s holiday I was saddened to hear that Jane’s guide dog Omega had been seriously ill. It appears that someone, not aware of the danger, had given her some form of human chocolate which can be a fatal poison to dogs. A “Pet Care” web page has the following : A small amount of chocolate will probably only give your dog an upset stomach with vomiting or diarrhea. With large amounts, theobromine can produce muscle tremors, seizures, an irregular heartbeat, internal bleeding or a heart attack. The onset of theobromine poisoning is usually marked by severe hyperactivity.
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16th October 2016
Anniversary.
Two weeks ago we remembered a Roman Catholic killed by Protestants, today we have Protestants killed by a Roman Catholic.
Nicholas Ridley was Bishop of London. He was a preacher beloved of his congregation whose very life portrayed the truths of the Christian doctrines he taught. He had daily Bible readings and encouraged Scripture memory. Hugh Latimer also became an influential preacher. He was an earnest student of the Bible, and as Bishop of Worcester he encouraged the Scriptures be known in English by the people. His sermons emphasized that men should serve the Lord with a true heart and inward affection, not just with outward show. When Mary became Queen of England, she worked to bring England back to the Roman Catholic Church. One of her first acts was to arrest Bishop Ridley and Bishop Latimer and both were burned at the stake in Oxford on this day, October 16, 1555.
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9th October 2016
Flowers in Church
Many ask why people put flowers in Church. Firstly flowers in Church are there to remind us of "Creation", creation of all things living. Flowers should be used as often as possible as a reminder that we were all created beautiful in God's eyes and so we should make our Church an example of that beauty. We provide flowers at Funerals with the belief in the resurrection. We provide flowers at Weddings with the belief that unity is being created as Adam and Eve were made one. we are all one with Christ and so let flowers symbolize just that. Flowers enhance the beauty of our Church and greatly contribute to the atmosphere in the building, it has been a tradition here at Algitha Road to have fresh flowers in Church all year round, though artificial flower arrangements are used when no fresh flowers are available. Anyone may place flowers in the church, or in the entrance hall and skilled ‘arranging’ is not demanded, though it is valued when possible. We invite people to offer flowers to celebrate Birthdays, Wedding anniversaries and other such special dates.
(Cannibalized from Google. GMG.)
Note – The Administrator is on duty on Friday Morning.
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2nd October 2016
On this day in 1528 William Tyndale, the renowned English Reformer and Bible translator published his famous work “The Obedience of a Christian Man” in which he argued for an English-language Bible. He wrote, “How can we whet God’s Word (that is put into practice, use and exercise) upon our children and household, when we are violently kept from it and know it not?” Tyndale accuses the church of keeping the people away from, and claiming all authority over, scripture. He believes that the reading of scripture directly reveals the power of God to the individual, without any need of an intermediary. One of his principal concerns revisited throughout the text is the availability of an English-language Bible for the common people to read. Tyndale criticizes the church for allowing the English people to be ignorant of the Bible. Authorities also postulate that if every man were able to read scripture, every man would interpret it for himself, leading to widespread non-conformity and insurrection. Tyndale considers this claim to be ridiculous. Tyndale asks if the church is so concerned about Biblical misinterpretation, why does it not teach scripture? Would teaching scripture be more effective if every man possessed a copy of the Bible from which he could study?
So, as we read our Good News Bible let us give thanks for Tyndale, martyred for his arguments against the Church and its Latin.
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25th September 2016
Church Administrator
Maureen Carrington-Hunt has been duly appointed Church Administrator under the church's safer recruitment policy and will commence on Friday 7th October. We welcome her onto our team and look forward to her relieving the stewards of some of their admin duties.
True Faith.
Reading the September edition of the Anglican Parish magazine “Shoreline” I was impressed with the following paragraph in a letter by the Rt. Revd. Dr. David Court, Bishop of Grimsby, and I thought that it might be of interest to others :
“True faith, true religion, is world affirming, seeks to make a difference – loves God, loves people, loves this world we’ve been given to enjoy. It is, to paraphrase a phrase recently used by President Obama, to believe in the ‘audacity of love’. That is the calling of people of faith. The challenge is whether that is what people see and experience in both you and me.” ( Is it what they see in us ? GMG. )
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18th September 2016
While writing this Newsletter the TV News was describing the problems with Young Offenders institutions – about which I know very little – so here is some information.
Why are young people sent to custody ?
A court can give a young person a custodial sentence if -- the crime is so serious there is no other suitable option, the young person has committed crimes before, or the judge or magistrate thinks the young person is a risk to the public. When arriving at custody the young person is interviewed by the reception officer as soon as they arrive. The reception officer uses this interview to make sure the young person is properly looked after, eg if they need any health care. For advice or support, a young person can speak to a member of staff, eg, their personal officer, a chaplain, social worker or teacher; or to a doctor, nurse or other health worker. The personal officer is the person in charge of the young person’s well-being. Chaplains provide support to everyone, whatever their faith.
All very good but, obviously, I feel that there ought to be more “Education”, more Staff, and more time per person.
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11th September 2016
Church Council.
Two points that were mentioned that should interest you : one is that we are to have a Church Administrator to try to do what Jayne used to do; and secondly – that our three Stewards will hold the fort until the AGM when we must consider appointing a new steward to try to replace Julia. (Which will be very difficult !)
I’ve been reading again !
As an eight year old savage in Africa I used to read Arthur Mee’s “Children's Newspaper” even though it referred to a country about which I knew nothing. I have recently found, in a Charity Shop, an old copy of his “The King’s England – Lincolnshire” and am now enjoying reading of a county about which I know something. The photographs of village streets with horse and cart traffic are beautiful. I was interested to read of the Cross in the church-yard at Chapel St Leonards. It is in memory of Mark Hill who, due to illness, was not able to join all the other young men from the village at the beginning of WW I . Later, when he got well, he joined up and went to the Front where he was the only man from the village to be killed, all the others, including his brothers, returned home.
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4th September 2016
It is with great sadness that this Newsletter has to announce the death, during August, of Julia Allton. Her funeral is to be private, but there will be a Church Memorial Service in Algitha Road at a date to be announced.
Verses from a Hymn by Jane L. Borthwick, 1813-97.
Come labour on !
No time for rest, till glows the western sky,
Till the long shadows o’er our pathway lie,
And a glad sound comes with the setting sun,
“Servant, well done !”
Come, labour on !
The toil is pleasant and the harvest sure;
Blessèd are those who to the end endure;
How full their joy, how deep their rest shall be,
O Lord, with Thee !
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7th August 2016
Picnic
The Great Annual Cluster Picnic will be held at 3pm on Sunday the 21st in the grounds of Wainfleet Hall. You need to bring Food and Drink, chairs, blankets and a Voice to Worship God. [In wet weather the event will be in the Methodist Chapel.]
Thought for the Month – from Thomas à Kempis.
“When therefore spiritual comfort is given thee from God, receive it with thankfulness; but understand that it is the gift of God, not any desert of thine. Be not puffed up, be not too joyful nor vainly presumptuous; but rather be the more humble for that gift, more wary too and fearful in all thine actions; for that hour will pass away, and temptation will follow.”
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31st July 2016
Newsletters.
Next Sunday the Newsletter will be a monthly digest for the month of August while the editor has a rest.
Weekly Newsletters will probably resume in September depending on the instructions I receive from the Circuit or the Algitha Road Church Stewards. Assuming that I will be writing a Newsletter for September 4th you need to tell me anything you would like included – dates for meetings, coffee mornings, etc.
Church in the Park.
On Sunday the 7th of August in Tower Gardens from 11am to 3pm there is to be a time of Worship.
There will also be a Craft Tent for children, Face Painting, a Bouncy Castle, a BBQ, resources stands and –
for real ‘fun’ a chance to “Splash the Pastor”.
This event is sponsored by “Churches Together in Skegness” -- and we should try to support it.
24th July 2016
Church in the Park.
On Sunday the 7th of August in Tower Gardens from 11am to 3pm there is to be a time of Worship.
There will also be a Craft Tent for children, Face Painting, a Bouncy Castle, a BBQ, resources stands and –
for real ‘fun’ a chance to “Splash the Pastor”.
This event is sponsored by “Churches Together inSkegness” -- and we should try to support it.
Thomas à Kempis on being a “do-gooder”.
“Without charity the outward work profiteth nothing; but whatever is done of charity, be it ever so little and contemptable in the sight of the world, it becomes wholly fruitful. For God weigheth more with how much love a man worketh, than how much he doeth. He doeth much who loveth much.”
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17th July 2016
I found this on a Church Web Site – have we done anything ?
“Across the globe partners of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have for some years been telling of their experiences of the impact of global warming. We stress that now is the time to act. Concern for the environment is central to a theology of care and respect for God’s creation. It involves solidarity with all the peoples of the earth, all other creatures and with our planet itself. The impacts of the global warming will fall increasingly on the world’s developing nations, in the form of droughts, famines and lands becoming uninhabitable. Justice demands that the UK and other developed nations take their share of the burden to substantially reduce carbon emissions. We must acknowledge our errors, repent, and turn towards sustainable and just use of the world’s resources.”
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10th July 2016
League of Friends of the Skegness Hospital.
After my piece about the “League” in the June 26th Newsletter I was delighted to be told by a member of our congregation that her mother was one of those original ‘Ladies’ who set up the “League”.
And I draw your attention to the fact that the League of Friends of the Skegness Hospital is having a Tombola stall at the Hildreds Shopping Centre on the 12th August from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm. I’m sure your support will be welcome.
I was glad to see that it has been confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, that the new Rector of the Skegness Group of Parishes will be the Reverend Richard Holden. He will be installed at St Matthew’s Church Skegness, at an evening service on the 15th of September 2016, presided over by the Bishop of Lincoln. We look forward to greeting Richard and his wife Carol, and pray that they have a happy and successful time among us.
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3rd July 2016
How delightful it was last Sunday to have the Church full, including so many well-behaved children; thank God for Donell and his family.
The value of music.
It has always been known that music has an effect on human beings. In ancient Greece music was used to improve performance in athletes during the Olympic Games. Researchers at Ruhr University have found that listening to classical music results in lowered blood pressure and heart rate. These drops in blood pressure were clearly seen when listening the music of Mozart. The music of ABBA, and other ‘pop’ songs, did not show any, or only very small, effects on blood pressure and heart rate. This could be due to the use of spoken words which may have a negative role. Nowhere did they find that repeating choruses or clapping out of time helped to lower blood pressure – probably the reverse. (Though, to be fair, they did not research this, it’s just my interpolation. GMG.)
This Week’s “Neilism”.
I’m reading a book about anti-gravity – I just can’t put it down.
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26th June 2016
League of Friends Skegness Hospital.
I saw this about the League of Friends in the June edition of the “Shoreline” magazine and thought it might be of interest. A small group of ladies got together in 1950 to raise funds to contribute to patients’ comfort when in hospital. They raised £91.5s.6d and provided a Christmas turkey for each ward, chocolates and cigarettes. (How times change!) Since then they have bought speciality beds, ECG machines, hoists and artificial limbs. Last year they spent £106,000 in providing en-suite facilities in the single bedrooms. Needless-to-say they can always use more money so please keep your eyes open for their fund-raising activities.
This Week’s “Neilism”.
A rubber-band pistol was confiscated from an algebra class,
because it was a weapon of math disruption.
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19th June 2016
Your attention is drawn to the following information :
The annual Open Air Songs of Praise at Orby House, Burgh Road, Orby, will take place at 6pm on Sunday the 19th June, 2016, That is – this Sunday evening.
Collection for Phakamisa. (If wet in the house.)
This section has been too serious lately so here are some signs –
On a septic tank truck – Yesterday’s Meals on Wheels.
On another septic tank truck – Caution – this truck is full of Political Promises.
In front of a Funeral Parlour – Drive carefully. We’ll wait.
On a plumber’s truck – We repair what your husband fixed.
On another plumber‘s truck – Don’t sleep with a drip.
Call your plumber.In a veterinarian’s waiting room – Back in five minutes.
Sit ! Stay!At the optician’s Shop – If you don’t see what you are looking
for, you’ve come to the right place.################
12th June 2016
Civilisation.
In 1969 Sir Kenneth Clark made a Television programme in which he commented on the fall of the Roman Civilisation some 1,500 years ago. He pointed out that what had seemed a solid and complex civilisation was quite fragile. His argument was that a civilisation could be destroyed by fear (of war, invasion, famine & plague) by a loss of self-confidence and by exhaustion, He claimed that for a civilisation to flourish it needed a modicum of material prosperity, but mostly it needed confidence in the society in which one lived and belief in its philosophy and its laws. All this was a long time ago but it might be worth our thinking about it as Thursday, June 23rd approaches.
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5th June 2016
More Thanks.
Those who work in the Church Kitchen ask me to say :
“Thanks to Albert & Sheila for their kind donation of a Microwave, to replace that which was stolen a few months ago”.
Guess who gave me these bits of information :
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
When the cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.
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29th May 2016
Thanks.
Thursday’s ‘Ladies’ donated a quilt to charity and got this in return :
To everyone at ‘The Skegness Jolly Quilters’ group.
We would like to thank you all very much for the beautiful quilt that you kindly donated. The quilt is very special and will make someone’s bed lovely.
Thank You once again from All the Staff at Boston Women’s Aid.
Workers with Mother Teresa.
Mother Teresa’s helpers worked with “the poor” – that is those who did not have enough to eat and were seriously deprived materially, socially or spiritually. The workers recognised the dignity, the individuality and the infinite value of every human life. They also realised that all the ‘goods’ of this world, including gifts of mind and body, of birth and education are the free gifts of God, and that no one has the right to a superfluity of wealth while others are dying of starvation and have nowhere to live. Such deprived people still exist and although Mother Teresa died in 1997 her ideas are still relevant. It is up to us, and all people of good will, to try to do something about improving society and the world we inhabit.
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22nd May 2016
Thoughts on returning from Ely Cathedral.
The architecture and octagonal structure of the Cathedral are breath-taking. There are hundreds of ‘niches’ which used to contain statues of the saints but are now empty due to the destruction done by Christians during the Reformation and there are many statues in situ with heads knocked off. But there are some impressive modern statues and Stained Glass which add beauty to the building. The flower arrangements in so large an area were impressive.
We worship in a much more modest space graced by Jenny’s “wall hangings” and by our small-space, but no less beautiful, flowers. Are we with the ‘reformers’ who wanted no art to distract from the pure worship of God, or are we with the Medieval builders who thought that they could worship through their skilled art & statuary ?
Thanks.
“Action for Children” offer their sincere thanks to everyone that contributed and helped to make the wonderful gift of £101.90 possible. This will go towards helping vulnerable, neglected children and young people. Julia.
Julia.#################
8th May 2016
Algitha Road Church Council & “Link”.
Two dates for you to note :- Church Council on the 10th of May and the date for ‘copy’ for the next “Link” magazine is the 16th .
The council members would like to hear your answers to :-
Who are we ? What are we here for ? and Who is our neighbour ?
If you have views please talk to a council member.
Also if you wish to submit copy for the “Link” it should be sent to the Editorial Team before the 16th.
Thanks.
“Action for Children” offer their sincere thanks to everyone that contributed and helped to make the wonderful gift of £101.90 possible. This will go towards helping vulnerable, neglected children and young people. Julia.
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1st May 2016
Algitha Road Church Council & “Link”.
Two dates for you to note :- Church Council on Tuesday the 10th of May and the date for ‘copy’ for the next “Link” magazine is Monday the 16th of May.
The council members would like to hear your answers to :-
Who are we ? What are we here for ? and Who is our neighbour ?
If you have views please talk to a council member.
Also if you wish to submit copy for the “Link” it should be sent to the Editorial Team before the 16th.
Mrs Kathleen Riding has asked me to express her thanks to you all for your “ Cards, Kind thoughts, Calm words, Love and Hugs” and for your support for her and the family at the service at Alford. Although they won’t read this she also wanted me to say ‘thank you’ to the undertakers, to Belinda and to Keith for the moving and inspiring service.
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24th April 2016
Algitha Road Church Council.
The next Church Council is on Tuesday the 10th of May. This might seem a bit early to give you this information but the Circuit asks the Council to answer three questions. The council members should hear what you think the answers should be so that they can represent the views of the congregation as a whole. The Questions are :- Who are we ? What are we here for ? and Who is our neighbour ? The questions are not designed to trip us up and there are no wrong answers, they are for us to think about our faith and to focus our prayers and resources. If you have views please talk to a council member.
East Lincs – Link.
If you have enjoyed reading the Spring Edition of “Link” with the photo of our three ‘celebrities’ have you considered submitting a piece for the next edition ? If you do wish to submit copy it should be with the Editorial Team by the 16th of May.
(If I’ve missed a ‘celebrity’ I apologize to the fourth one!)
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17th April 2016
Please note the Tuesday Circuit Service at Louth on the 19th at 2 o’clock: the funeral, at Alford Crematorium, of Mr P. Riding on the 22nd at 2 o’clock and the Southern Cluster Evening Service at Chapel St. Leonards on 24th at 6 o’clock.
This year marks the 600th anniversary of the death of Julian of Norwich. She was an English anchoress and an important Christian mystic. Her “Revelations of Divine Love” written around 1395, is the first book in the English language to have been written by a woman. Julian was known as a spiritual authority, counsellor and advisor within her community. She is venerated in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches. Julian lived in a time of turmoil, but her theology was optimistic and spoke of God's love in terms of joy and compassion. The book contains a message of optimism based on the certainty of being loved by God and of being protected by his Providence.
Each year, beginning in 2013, there has been a week-long celebration of Julian of Norwich in her home city.
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10th April 2016
Last Sunday’s Sermon by the Rev Phil Greetham was a literary and theological ‘eye opener’ for those who, like me, thought that C. S. Lewis’s book “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” was just a children’s story. Rev Phil used it to illustrate the reality of the Resurrection, and to show that that ‘reality’ was different for the two on the road to Emmaus then, and for us on the roads of Skegness now. The main story is an allegory of Christ's crucifixion: The Lion sacrifices himself for a traitor who may deserve death, in the same way that we believe Jesus sacrificed himself for sinners. The Lion is killed on the Stone Table, symbolizing Mosaic Law, which breaks when he is resurrected, symbolizing the replacement of the strict justice of Old Testament law with, as we believe, redeeming grace and forgiveness granted on the basis of atonement. As with the Christian Passion, it is women who, in the story, tend the Lion's body after he dies and are the first to see him after his resurrection. I, and at least two other members of the congregation, might now be persuaded to read the book.
Please note the Tuesday Circuit Service at Louth on the 19th; and the Southern Cluster Evening Service at Chapel St. Leonards on 24th at 6 o’clock.
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3rd April 2016
Having seen the Spring Issue of “The Parkinson” Magazine I was struck by the fact that there is a “Parkinson Awareness Week” running from the 7th to the 13th of this month and that I had not seen, or heard of, it from any other source. It would seem that we, and the media in general, need greater awareness. If you would like to know more, and are on the internet, you can visit parkinsons.org.uk with
/pawevents or /localgroups where you can read stuff by someone who knows what he/she is talking about (unlike me).
With the Muslim / Islamist / Christian problems in UK, Belgium, France, the Middle East and Pakistan I have been re-reading about the Crusades from whence it all started. This month marks the 920th anniversary of the Peasant Crusade led by Peter the Hermit who claimed to have been commissioned by Christ himself to go and liberate Jerusalem from the “barbaric races who worship their idols” on “holy ground”. (Hardly a fair or accurate description of Islam) And Peter’s ignorance led to the destruction of some 25 thousand peasants who followed him, while also putting a stop to the pilgrimages to Jerusalem that had, until then, been possible.
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27th March 2016
Christ the Lord is risen today –
– Alleluia !
We look at the ways Easter is celebrated around the world, from Spain to the Philippines. In Spain celebrations are particularly emotional in Valladolid. Good Friday processions include members of different Easter "brotherhoods" dressed in robes and riding on horseback. In Sardinia most towns and villages feature events on Good Friday, when silent processions carry a statue of Jesus on the cross into the main church, where the image may be ritually taken down from the cross before being laid in a coffin. Tens of thousands of faithful will gather in St Peter's Square on Easter Sunday when the Pope conducts Mass. He also delivers his traditional message of hope and peace, known as the "Urbi et Orbi". In Jerusalem Pilgrims congregate for an Easter sunrise service at the Garden Tomb. Filipinos take part in bloody Easter rituals in which half-naked penitents whip their backs with blades and bamboo sticks. In Indonesia the crucifixion is represented quite literally with young men considering it an honour to be chosen to play Jesus and be tied to crosses in various locations. In Florence on Easter Sunday a large wagon is pulled by oxen to the front of the cathedral. When the Gloria is sung inside the cathedral, the Archbishop lights a dove-shaped rocket which tears down a wire into the cart, setting off a large and suitably noisy fireworks display in the wagon.
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20th March 2016
Your attention is drawn to the Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service at Algitha Road, the Good Friday St Matthew’s “Walk” and the Wainfleet “Meditation”, the Easter Day Sunrise Holy Communion Service on Skegness North Shore and the “Songs of Praise” service at Burgh Methodist Church.
I’ve recently read, but I can’t remember where, that the brains of older people are slow because they know so much. People do not mentally decline with age, it just takes them longer to recall facts because they have so much information stored in their brains from which to select the facts. And if you occasionally go into a room to get something and then stand there wondering what you came for this is NOT a memory problem – it is nature’s way of making older people get the exercise they need, the exercise is much improved if you went upstairs and can’t remember why.
So there! I’m OK; but I can’t remember who told me so.
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13th March 2016
Women.
Last Sunday was Mothering Sunday and I am writing this on International Women’s Day. I see that the Methodist Relief and Development Fund are inviting us to celebrate inspirational women. We are all likely to have met many women who have inspired us because of the way they positively influenced the lives of others. Women who have nurtured and cared for us, taught us and equipped us, and led us and encouraged us in our lives. MRDF invites us to commemorate these women and to pray for the many women who are so often overlooked in many societies.
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6th March 2016
Toilet refurbishment : All Done – Hallelujah!
I’ve been reading again – In his book “The Bad Christian’s Manifesto” Dave Tomlinson tells of some Texas research which found that 72% of Americans believe in an authoritarian, critical or distant God while only 23% see God as gentle and forgiving. This minority also believe God is active in their lives and in the world, that God listens to and responds to prayer and cares about human suffering.
Are we in the 72% or the 23% ?
From a Child’s letter to God – Dear God. Why do I have to pray when you know anyway what I want? But I’ll do it if it makes you feel better. Sue.
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28th February 2016
Women’s World Day of Prayer.
The Service will be held at the Storehouse at 2.00pm on Friday the 4th of March.
It would be good if Algitha Road Women supported this service –
For fuller details see Heather Gray or Anne May.
The Methodist Modern Art Collection is a collection of over 40 works of significant modern Christian art and it may be seen at Lincoln Cathedral until the 2nd of April. It includes works by Graham Sutherland, Eric Gill, Elisabeth Frink, William Roberts, Patrick Heron and many others. The collection is valuable for the Church and the wider community and should stimulate conversation about faith in the world today. (It certainly got us talking to the Curator. We also had a long talk to Rev Canon John Wickstead who wishes to be remembered to all his friends in Skegness. GMG.)
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21st February 2016
Pastoral Team Visit.
Mrs Margaret Smith in the Phoenix Care Home is regularly visited by a member of the Pastoral Team and she asks to be remembered to all her friends at Algitha Road.
If you know of anyone who would appreciate a visit from Keith, or a member of the team, please let Heather, Lois, Jenny, Marjorie or Mary know.
Women’s World Day of Prayer.
The Service will be held at the Storehouse at 2.00pm on
Friday the 4th of March, but there will be a rehearsal / run through on Tuesday the 23rd of February – same time, same place.
It would be good if Algitha Road Women supported this service –
For fuller details see Heather Gray or Anne May.
Toilet refurbishment.
Work continues on the Hall Toilets – please put up with the inconvenience – it will all have been worth it when we have our superior facilities. Meanwhile the down-stairs adapted toilet for the disabled can be used; whether spelt correctly or not.
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14th February 2016
Algitha Road Church Council.
The Council was told that the financial situation was not much changed from last year but we have lost some of our letting income. There will, as usual, be a “Gift Day” probably in May. A Circuit ‘Learning Day’ will be held in May. It is felt that the “Cluster” should do more together and a ‘Quiet Day’, an ‘Heritage Day’ and a ‘Summer Picnic’ will probably be arranged.
St Valentine’s Day.
Who was St Valentine? No one knows – there might have been two saints, or perhaps not! One was a priest martyred in Rome by Claudius, the other was the Bishop of Terni (just North of Rome) but it could be the Bishop that was martyred! He, or they, had nothing to do with “Love” other than the love of Christ. Our connection of St Valentine with love is a middle-ages belief that it is the day when wild birds start their mating process. Both Chaucer and Shakespeare use this idea, but as I am not an ornithologist I can’t comment.
Toilet Refurbishment.
Work continues on the Hall Toilets – please put up with the inconvenience – it will all have been worth it when we have our superior facilities. Meanwhile the down-stairs addapted toilet for the disabled can be used.
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7th February 2016
Church Council.
Please note that there will be an Algitha Road Church Council meeting at 2.00pm on Tuesday the 9th.
Church Lunch.
Please note that the Algitha Road Church Lunches resume this Thursday, the 11th, at 12.00 noon. Book your seat with Sue/Neil.
Toilet Refurbishment.
Work has begun on the Hall Toilets – please be aware of the fact that the “Gents” and the “Ladies” may both be out of use at some times, the adapted toilet for the disabled should be useable. The work in the “Gents” has led to the turning off of the water to the Church and its Toilet, so the upstairs sink and toilet are also out of use. (Information correct at the time I’m writing – could now be wrong.)
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31st January 2016
Circuit Service.
Please note the details of the Circuit Service at Alford shown in the “Next Sunday” section.
Toilet Refurbishment.
Work has begun on the Hall Toilets – please be aware of the fact that the “Gents” and the “Ladies” may both be out of use at some times, the adapted toilet for the disabled should be useable. The work in the “Gents” has led to the turning off of the water to the Church and its Toilet, so the upstairs sink and toilet are also out of use. (Information correct at the time I’m writing – could now be wrong.)
South Sudan.
I have received a Bible Society request for a donation to their work in South Sudan – it can be studied at the back of the Church. They are providing Bibles for Refugees and would like to afford to provide more. It would be nice if we, in the rich world, could also give them clean water, food, shelter and ultimately “Peace”.
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24th January 2016
If you can read this – HALLELUJAH – we have a new, working Photo-Copier. (And with luck I can work it! GMG.)
If the workmen are working – HALLELUJAH – we will soon have beautifully refurbished toilets.
If you were at Church last Sunday– HALLELUJAH – we have a Digital Hymnal, and someone who can work it; so we can give Anne a day off and we can keep fit with fast singing and breathing exercise.
If you attended any of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity prayers – HALLELUJAH – may you be blessed. (And, on behalf of the Stewards, ‘Thank You’.)
(If there is anyone who does not know the dictionary definition of “Hallelujah” it is the Hebrew for “Praise God”, which I, for one, could do more often. GMG)
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17th January 2016
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The details of the Prayer Meetings for the Week are in the ‘Diary’ and it is sincerely hoped that some of our members will be able to attend some of the meetings. We particularly hope for a good turn-out for our own meeting on Friday. If you need tempting – it is usual for the meetings to end with refreshments.
A Child’s Letter to God : In view of the recent floods in this country and elsewhere I like young Terry’s letter : “Dear God, When you make it rain how do you know how long to do it ?”
(I’ll save the lecture on “World Climate Change” ‘till later !! GMG)
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10th January 2016
Refurbishment.
Be Prepared ! Work is due to start on the refurbishment of both the Gents and Ladies toilets on, or around, the 18th of January. The workmen will try to work on one or the other much of the time but common sense and economics dictate that there will be times when both toilets are full of workers so only the ‘adapted’ toilet for the disabled will be available for everybody in all three down-stairs rooms.
So ‘Be Prepared’.
Today is the 371st Anniversary of the Beheading of William Laud on Jan. 10, 1645. He was archbishop of Canterbury (1633–45) and religious adviser to King Charles I. His persecution of Puritans and other religious dissidents resulted in his trial and execution. In his London diocese, Laud devoted himself to combating the Puritans and to enforcing services in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer. The wearing of surplices and the placing of the communion table at the east end of the chancel not in the Choir were imposed when churches, from St. Paul’s Cathedral down to village chapels, were repaired, beautified, and consecrated. To religious radicals, all such reforms seemed moves toward popery and were to be resisted. (And all involved claimed to be Christians. GMG.)
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3rd January 2016
2016.
While trying to find something to say about “The New Year” I came across an English translation of “Auld Lang Syne” and some quotable sayings. I didn’t know that “Auld Lang Syne” meant “Times Gone By”, while some of the lines in verse two were meaningless to me in Scots (and not much better in English).
I found one man who said that he hoped that in the year to come you make mistakes. His theory being that people who do not make mistakes do so because they don’t make anything. On the other hand, people who are trying new things, learning, living, changing and doing things they have never done before will make mistakes.
A lady said – you will never move forward until you take a step away from the past – so as we look forward to 2016 let us cancel 2015’s errors – I’ll try hard not to give you incorrect information in the ‘Newsletter’, but errors of photo-copying await a member of the Church who can service the copier, who can pay for a new machine, or who can persuade the Stewards to spend money. You need a new, efficient copier more than a new, errorless editor. GMG.
GMG. ###################
