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home > parish church > parish newsletters > december 2002 to february 2003 |
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Helmdon Church Newsletter |
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OUT OF AFRICA Following the Harvest Festivals throughout the villages of Syresham, Helmdon, Whitfield, Wappenham and Radstone we have the wonderful amount of £2388 to give to the work of Send a Cow. Many of you will know that we had set as our target this year the purchase of a complete farmyard - comprising:
We have achieved that and much more. The work of Send a Cow is centred on Uganda, and is extending to Rwanda, Ethiopia and Kenya. Yes, they used to send cows direct from this country, but following the business with BSE and the banning of exports, they have been sourcing their cows from within Africa - chiefly South Africa. The expansion of the scheme into other animals is simply because many of the recipients are too poor or unable to look after the demands of a large animal. But the principle remains the same - part has to be passed on to other people in need when it calves, kids, farrows or whatever, so that others can benefit and the good work is multiplied. One figure from a recent survey of their work stands out. The effect of the cows that have been given since the start of the organisation in the late 80s, means that a mug of milk a day - enough to stave off malnutrition - is being drunk by over 23,000 children in those countries. This is thanks to communities like our own who have faithfully supported the work over the years, and the organisation would like me to thank all of you on their behalf. Bungoma - yes there's name you may not have come across. It is an area within the same part of Africa and it is the name of an Anglican Diocese with which this Diocese is linked - Bishop Eliud is the Diocesan Bishop, and in the middle of last month I received a disturbing e-mail from the Diocesan office concerning Bishop Eliud and his family. Here is an extract from the letter that Bishop Eliud sent to our Diocese: "While I was on my way for a Conference in Mombassa, and after Karen (the Bishop's wife) had just returned home, we received the greatest challenge ever for the family. A gang of over 10 people broke into the home while Karen and the children were about to pray at 9.00 p.m. before getting to bed. They tied her up together with the children - they had guns, sharp machetes and clubs. They beat them demanding to have me killed. They demanded all the money in the house. About 300 Kenya shillings which Karen had for domestic use was taken. My computers were taken, the radio, our bedding clothes and essential household items were taken away. We thank God that no one was killed or seriously hurt. We are now in our second week trying to recover from this terror. I am worried that my security is at risk - pray for us-like Paul the apostle said, this has helped to advance the Gospel in this part of the world. The incident has strengthened our resolve to stand firm in our ministry as a family. Bungoma Christians are expressing tremendous solidarity with us and this encourages us. Although the property lost will require a lot of sacrifice to replace, we are glad that our lives were spared. On the plus side we had also hosted two friends from Peterborough, Agnes Reeds and Helen from Kettering who were on holiday in Kenya. The incident happened a day after their departure." Not long ago Bishop Eliud and several of his Diocese were in this country, many for the first time, when they visited our diocese. They spoke warmly of their faith, their hope for the future and the joy they found in sharing with us. In common with many Christians in the past, they are suffering for their faith in a way that it is difficult for us to comprehend. In Bungoma their lives have been abused and traumatised. It is perhaps easy for us to talk about good winning through, about the love of God shining in the darkness - but there is a cost to the innocent victims, especially their children. As we prepare for the season of Christmas and think about that light shining in the darkness, the coming of Christ into the world, the bringer of peace and goodwill, please bear them all in your thoughts and prayers. John Roberts CONTEMPLATE YOUR NAVEL IN THE NAVE Anyone who has visited Helmdon Church in the last few months will have noticed that the new kitchen is installed in its handsome oak cupboard and the south porch has been transformed into a very neat toilet area. We are now able to serve drinks after each service and offer hospitality to visitors. Guests arriving for weddings need no longer keep their legs crossed throughout the service but instead are able to make themselves comfortable before the service begins. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of the village and we are very grateful for all the donations we have received. The work is complete but the contractors are still to be paid their final instalment. To meet this expense we have borrowed £15,000 from central Church funds and would like to be able to repay this loan as quickly as possible before we embark upon next year's improvement programme of upgrading the heating. The Church is a beautiful place to sit and contemplate life, strife and love. In this world of frenzied activity and manipulative rhetoric we should spend some time thinking about our priorities, about love and friendship and making resolutions to create space for people and events that matter to us. The Church is open every day during daylight hours use it whenever you can. There is a slot in the wall, just near the door, for donations - if you feel you want to contribute money toward the upkeep of this very special building. We are gradually working our way towards having a warm and welcoming building with good acoustics which can be used regularly for concerts and other cultural events. This will not only provide an amenity for the village but will mean that the Church can be much more self-sufficient as a building and allow the Christian community to increase its support for projects providing help for people in need. Morag Underwood Churchwarden NINTH SUPPER MEETING - February 12th The benefice celebrated the millennium by a super followed by a speaker and then discussion round the group of tables as if they were only one table. Our aim was to imitate Jesus' table-fellowship, in which disciples and critics and those whom either might marginalize were all equally welcome to him, and the discussion entirely open. These meetings proved so enjoyable that we have followed them a couple of times a year ever since. If there has been any feeling of disappointment in them, it is that too few non-Christians have been among us. Everyone, I stress, is very welcome indeed. Our ninth speaker is Canon Stephen Cottrell, and I shall publicise his title when I know it. The venue Lois Weedon Village Hall, and the cost of a hot supper will as before be £3, just to is Lois Weedon Village Hall, and the cost of a hot supper will as before be £3, just to cover costs. Jean Spendlove THE FRIENDS OF ST MARY MAGDALENE Our most recent fundraiser - "Last Night of the Proms" at Richard Watsons' house, The Glebe, on Saturday 14th September proved to be a great success and much fun was had by all from eating fish & chips dressed in our finery to linking up with the televised celebrations at the Albert Hall on a big screen outside, waving our hand flags and singing with gay abandon. We would like to especially thank Richard for hosting one of our events once again. The evening raised £374 and hopefully, due to the positive response, we would like to repeat this event next year. The quiz, scheduled for Friday 1st November, was cancelled and is being re-arranged on January 24th. Our "Wine Tasting" on Friday 22nd November at 8:00 p.m. with S.H. Jones of Banbury will also have taken place at Fountain House courtesy of Richard & Philippa Lloyd. Our last event of 2002 will be "Words & Music for Christmas" on Friday 20th December at 7.30pm (please note this is on the Friday not Saturday 21st as has been previously published) There will be Christmas poems/readings, instrumental items and songs/carols for all. The tickets will cost £4 for adults and £2 for children, to include a glass of mulled wine/juice etc. and mince pies (additional glasses by donation). You are welcome of course to just come along on the night but those who can book tickets please do so to assist catering numbers. Thanks to all of you who support our events.
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