In March I heard the Dean of Birmingham talking about "Space" - no not the sort that has rockets flying through it, but the space that has to do with our churches and the way we use them. He talked about Holy Space, Prophetic Space, Hospitable Space and Beautiful Space: I thought I would share my notes from his talk with you and see what comments you have to make when thinking about our own churches.

Holy Space. In the book of Chronicles - God says that he will dwell in the temple, but only as long as you live out your lives showing what it stands for. God is present in our buildings not constrained by them. Peter ran to the tomb on the first Easter day looking for Jesus constrained in the tomb, only to find that Jesus had gone on ahead, moved on. God is like that, constantly on the move, a nomad God, going on ahead of you.

Sadly our worship tends to move from the supernatural to the natural and from adoration to demand, attempting to constrain God where we want him to be.

Prophetic space. It was Richard Rogers (architect of the Pompidou centre among others) who contrasted single minded space with open minded space. He says that we have become too much obsessed with single minded space - we move from buildings where we live, to those where we work, to those we we work out etc - and so communities become fragmented.

Open minded spaces are for a multitude of different purposes where people come together - churches must be these, inclusive spaces, places where we need and find each other - where the prophetic work of God is done, intercessions should be subversive, speaking up for others - pushing the boundaries.

Hospitable space. This is where faith and experience collide - we must pray with our questions as well as with our certainties, otherwise we push God away and make him unapproachable, unreachable by those who are searching - imagining that we have absolute certainty when we don't! We must give people the opportunity to pray to "wake God up".

Beautiful Space. In the middle ages "seeing" is to be so close as to be affected by it, to be seen as a participant, to be changed by it. In the enlightenment people stood back to see and were unengaged (the modern Internet is like that!)

The request "sir we would see Jesus" takes on a new meaning when we understand that the request is not just to see but to be involved with and changed by Jesus. (Salisbury cathedral close used to have houses standing within 20 yards of the West front and would have been affected by it - now all that has changed and the cathedral is surrounded by acres of grass and the house are set back - you stand back to look from afar - you may be impressed by what you see, but to be engaged and changed you have to get closer).

The hymn we sing during Lent - When I survey the wondrous cross - takes on a completely new meaning when the "surveying" means being changed by it.

John Roberts

Don't miss our own celebration of "The last Night of the Proms" on Saturday 11th September 7.30 pm at Home Farm, courtesy of John & Gill Watson.

As last year this event will be outside, weather permitting, and we will link up on a large screen to the Albert Hall to watch and listen throughout the evening and even sing the last few numbers in the traditional way!

The cost will be £8 and will include supper. Drinks will be available at extra cost and possibly a raffle.

Tickets available from :-
Chris Gartside 760523 / Jane Heaton 760396 / Vanessa Vicars 760477 or speak to any committee member.

We will be holding a Wine Tasting Evening on Saturday 20th November - venue to be confirmed.

Please look out for more details on these events on village notice boards and in the church.

Vanessa Vicars

Ckers is a Youth Group organised by the Church and Chapel together for children of Helmdon from school year 5 upwards. We meet for various activities on a Sunday evening. Any new members would be welcome but please contact Louise Stothard (01295 760518) or Kathy Quiney before September if you wish to join. We will contact everyone soon to tell them when we will next be meeting.

We are delighted to have recruited some new helpers but always be pleased to have any more help - a stimulating evening can be promised to you all!

Kathy Quiney

Following the success of the Craft exhibition in the church two years ago, we are planning to hold another open day to celebrate the work of the craftsmen and women and artists of the parish on November 6th from 10am - 4.00pm. There will be an opportunity to display, demonstrate and sell work.

Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Please contact me if you wish to be involved in any way.

Louise Stothard (01295 760518)