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THE RECTOR WRITES |
LENT: A season of prayer
During Lent we shall be holding Compline (Night Prayer) across
the Astwell Benefice. It is a simple and short service. Preceding
the service a few thoughts will be offered for contemplation during
the quiet of the service and beyond.
Not infrequently folk express difficulty in praying. Certainly,
it is sometimes hard. It can be the stimulus of a scriptural verse,
a piece of literature or poetry that aids our reflection and eases
us into prayer. Perhaps, not surprisingly, such readings at funerals
provide us with the words we are unable to form and which express
our feelings so aptly.
Many people find real comfort in the dream called Footprints. (I
have aded it below.) The person recalls the pilgrimage of life and
sees two sets of footprints side by side on the journey, except
at the most difficult times, when there is only one set. Querying
God as to why we should be left alone when we need him most, God
replies, "It was then that I carried you."
As we pursue our efforts to enter into contemplative prayer we might
begin by continuing to learn to let go. It is a great paradox, but
sometimes the harder we try the more difficult things become. I
discovered this when having some advice on how to swim. Although
I had no great fear of the water, I did feel that I had to splash
frantically to propel myself along. Yet, in spite of all my exhausting
effort I made little progress along the lane! My tutor shared the
secret with me. It was to relax, to lie back and trust the water
and learn to float. It made me think that this too was a good guide
to prayer. Relax and allow yourself to contemplate - just let go.
As in the Footprints Dream allow God to carry you. Lie back in his
arms and let him carry you.
Look in the March to May 2006 Astwell Service Schedule for the evenings
when Compline is being celebrated in the benefice churches. May
be you would like to join us in Helmdon when it is its turn to host
contemplate prayer during the season of Lent.
God bless,
Will Adams, Rector
rector@astwellbenefice.co.uk
FOOTPRINTS
One night I had a dream.
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with God and across
the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed
two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonged to me and
the other to God.
When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked
back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at times
along the path of life there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest
times of my life. This really bothered me and I questioned
God about it. "God you said that once I decided to
follow You You would walk with me all the way but I noticed
that during the most troublesome time in my life there is
only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times
when I needed You most, You would leave me."
God replied, "My precious child, I love you and I would
never, never leave you during your times of trials and suffering.
When you see only one set of footprints it was then that
I carried you."
Anon
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DIARY DATES
Please note Family service and an extra 8am Communion held on
4th Sunday during this period.
Feb 06
Sun 27th Sunday Club leaders meeting 8pm 14 Church street.
March 06
Sat 4th Fruit, Veg & Daily Bread 10-12 in Church
Tues 21st Helmdon Lunch at 1 pm in Reading Room
Wed 29th Helmdon Church Annual PCC Meeting at 7.30 pm
April 06
Sat 1st Fruit, Veg & Daily Bread 10-12 in Church
Tues 18th Helmdon Lunch at 1 pm in Reading Room
Sun 23rd Trains at Pimlico 3-5pm
Wed 26th MU Astwell Service at 7.30 p.m. in Syresham Chapel
Sun 30th Rogation Sunday
May 06
Sat 6th Fruit, Veg & Daily Bread 10-12 in Church
Tues 16th Helmdon Lunch at 1 pm in Reading Room
Wed 24th MU Astwell Communion Service 8 pm
Sun 28th Trains at Pimlico 3-5pm
WHERE BEING WHITE IS A CLAIM ON FRIENDSHIP
Some of you met my friend Josephine Mdongo, a torture victim, when
she came for a short holiday in August 2004. She enjoyed Helmdon
and always asks for news of it.
I went to see her lately, and she took me to her church. They moved
from Tottenham to Edmonton to rent space in what seems to be a disused
warehouse. They have two rooms but I saw only the church itself.
This is on the top floor and enjoys a pitched roof without a ceiling.
They have hung the walls with alternate red and pale gold curtains,
festooned and graceful. The floor is carpeted and the chairs comfortable.
There were thirty or so men and women there and two young boys -
a small gathering because this was a Tuesday evening. No one seemed
old. Everyone was African, perhaps most from Angola and the Democratic
Republic of Congo. The service was sometimes excited and deeply
emotional. There was little singing, however, except for a long
Alleluia, and their drums were little used; the strenuous praise
was declaimed. Earnest prayer included the congregation praying
their own prayers all at once and not silently.
The visiting preacher was eloquent and unscripted. His brief texts
were read by the pastor as needed. He told his anecdotes with humour
and much enjoyment, walking about, a tubby, sweatered figure whom
people warmed to. I didn't follow very well. An interpreter had
come to sit by me, but the preacher's voice and microphone were
too powerful for her. His French was fairly clear but there were
passages I couldn't cope with at all: it was a relief to discover
those were in Lingala.
They were all so friendly. While Josephine was occupied afterwards,
very many came simply to say they were glad to meet me; some hoped
I would be there again tomorrow.
Their church was a haven of colour in a cold desert of concrete
and tarmac. When we got off the bus, and Josephine ducked under
a rail to lead me across a vast car park towards the North Circular
Road, where there were few houses except a deserted terrace, and
then opened a door by a great pile of refuse to climb up to her
church ... I felt I was the foreigner, while she had made home in
London's dreary back ways.
Jean Spendlove
MOTHERS' UNION
The Speaker for January was Mr Sandy Robinson, Fund Raiser for BYHP,
supporting young people in need of housing.
This meeting was well attended. The talk highlighted the needs of
young people living on the streets.
Wed 22nd Mar 06 8pm at 12A Church Street
Speaker: Ms Lorna Robjohns, Northampton Soup Kitchens.
Sat 25th Mar 06 Lady Day Service 2pm Chipping Warden.
Wed 26th April 06 8pm in Syresham Chapel
Relationships - a short service
Taken by Mrs Faith Sharp
Wed 24th May 06 8pm in Whitfield Church
Talk by Rev Will Adams followed by Communion
All are welcome to attend our meetings.
Jenny Saunders 01295 760721
FRIENDS OF ST MARY MAGDALENE
Thanks to a donation of £500 from the Helmdon "Young
Husbands" Organisation, together with Ross Vicars' efforts
on EBay, the church now boasts its own Clavinova. The small balance
of the cost came from the proceeds of the "Words and Music
for Christmas", which this time raised £208. Many thanks
to all the performers.
The next Friends event is an Old Tyme Music Hall evening in the
Reading Room on Saturday 18th March at 7:30. The cost is £8.00
and includes a sausage and mash supper in the interval - bring your
friends and book a table! Tickets are available from the Friends
Committee, the Bell Inn and Bill England.
Chris Gartside
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