OCTOBER 2015

Herald

Bispham Your Parish Magazine

The Rector’s Letter

“Thank you Granddad, Grandma!”

Euan’s eyes shone. He has a mobile phone. When Tom & Jen joined us recently, they were in a discussion about Euan needing a phone – preferably not too expensive – to give him more freedom and responsibility now that he’s 9. We had an old mobile phone, the robust Nokia, but still working fine, so we offered it – and it was accepted with joy. All weekend, Euan was checking on its charging, loading numbers, playing ‘snakes’ – the only game it has – and even caressing it. As he left to go home, he rushed back and thanked us, clearly very happy.

As we tidied up after everyone had gone, we found a small piece of paper, covered in writing. Neatly written out were all the rules for Euan to observe in the use of his phone; the piece of paper was a crib, an aide-memoire, for the talk Euan had evidently had with his parents. All the rules were very sensible, but seeing them all written out – there were at least 13 – gave us a set of giggles, as we wondered if Euan had felt the weight of responsibility in taking on his phone.

As I said, they were all very sensible rules – he was warned not to give out his number and to ask before adding others to his phone; his phone would be checked for abuse & use and only he was to use it; restrictions were imposed on calls, text and time spent on games, a ban imposed on use in bed or at the table; expectations about being kept informed of his location, the addition of the ICE number, warnings

about the responsibility and consequences of 999 calls, of losing and replacing the phone – and the chilling “it will be used as a punishment.” After we had read the list, we wondered that Euan still saw the phone as a gift.

It is a perennial problem, the tension between gift and rules, or grace and law. St Paul wrestles with this issue, especially in his letter to the Galatians. God gives us as an act of grace life itself and a world in which to live; we mess up; He shows through Abraham that He is willing to accept messed-up humans through faith as an act of grace. Some 400 years later, Moses issues guidelines to live a life of grace, the 10 commandments or ‘The Law’ – a bit like 13 sensible rules to use your mobile. The trouble is how we tend to work with rules or law. The rules are there to guide us, but we treat them as fixed points, to be navigated around or to sail as close to the wind as we dare.

Take a couple of simple everyday rules or laws: firstly, 30mph zones. What they are intended to say is – ‘this is the maximum speed deemed safe for all road users in this zone.’ How do we respond? “You can go at 30+10%+1=34, so if I drive at 34, I won’t get prosecuted.” “This is a 30mph zone so why is this idiot doing 20mph?” “I have a right to drive at 30mph here, so pedestrians ought to take more care.”… We treat the law as an absolute, rather than a marker to considerate driving. Secondly, dog-dirt rules. Rules for clearing up after your pet are trying to say ‘leaving dog-dirt is

All Hallows: Your Parish Church

Sunday Services at All Hallows

8.00am Traditional Holy Communion

(Every Sunday)

9.30am Modern Worship

(Holy Communion 4th Sunday)

11.00am Traditional Worship

(Holy Communion 1st Sunday)

6.30pm Evening Worship

(Holy Communion 3rd Sunday)

Midweek Services at All Hallows

Thursdays at 11.00am Traditional Holy Communion

(In the Gospel Chapel)

unhygienic and unpleasant for other walkers - bag it and bin it. The highly responsible owners are disheartened by those who’s line is “the bin’s full.” “It doesn’t say this area Is covered.” “I’ve already scooped one on this walk.” “What’s the point? – Look at the other piles of dirt.”… Again, the law is treated with precision rather than a guide to considerate behaviour.

If you think about it, we have a tendency to treat all laws like this, and they have to be refined and clarified to remove wriggle room. St Paul goes on to show that the Law is good in itself, but can only convict us when we break it; it can’t actually help us to keep it. Jesus sharpened the challenge: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions.” (The Bible, Mark 7.9), and in his greatest sermon (Matthew 5-7) re-points the law – murder starts with anger in your heart, adultery with lust, so it is your heart that needs to be changed, not the law. Changing hearts and our status before God’s Law was the purpose of Jesus’ mission. Jesus said “…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10.45) and St Paul promised “You are all sons of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3.26) – right before God by the letter of the law, able to follow the spirit of the law by grace, by gift.

Praying that you may hear the loving will of God in Christ and walk confidently in his path, enjoying his blessing and bringing glory to his name.

Your servant in the Lord Jesus Christ,

Simon Cox Rector

The Rev’d Canon Dr. Simon Cox The Rectory, 86 All Hallows Road,

Bispham, FY2 0AY.

Telephone: 01253 351886 Email: contact@bahchurch.com

Get in touch:

Note from the Editor

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Dates for your diary

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For free and friendly quote—

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Ladies Meal on Thurs 1 Oct at 7pm Mimmo’s in Thornton

Fylde Concert Orchestra

on Saturday 17th Oct at 7pm (Church)

Messy Church

on Saturdays 10th Oct & 7th Nov at 3pm (Barn)

For details of weekly activities, please look towards the back of the Herald magazine. For more information about any of these events,

please telephone the Rectory on 351886

Café Church on Fridays 2nd Oct & 6th Nov at 7.30pm (Stable)

Ladies Christmas Pudding evening

(make your own) on Fri 27 Nov (Stable) £5

Dad’s & Toddlers

on Saturday 17th Oct at 10am (Stable)

Men’s Breakfast on Saturday 29th Nov

At 9 am (Squirrel)

Dear Readers, the Farewell Meal for our Curate Damian and his family is to take place on Sunday 18th October at 1pm in the Barn. It is to be a

warm meal, with gateaux’s for sweet, and a cup of tea or coffee. There is a list at the back of church. Please add your name and the number of people wishing to attend. If you are a vegetarian please say so. If you

want to share this meal with the Platt family, you really need to put your name down, to ensure you have a place, and for catering purposes. Thank you so much.

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Dominion Republic This month, Will and Ann

Hulme travelled off to the above location, to give their

help in building much needed homes, and generally helping with other projects.

We, as their Church Family prayed for their safe keeping throughout, and God answered our prayers. Come and hear their story at Afternoon Fellowship on

5th Jan, or Evening Fellowship on 2nd February. God’s call comes to each one

of us in different ways Are we ready? Are we willing?

Farewell Damian I wonder, have you met Damian, the curate at All

Hallows, who is to leave us in October to minister at Thornton Christ

Church. He has fitted in a treat, bringing a freshness and zeal to our fellowship in all

sorts of ways, gently suggesting new ideas, not to mention creating the format

for this Herald. He is what many of us would call ‘a grand lad’ and we have been

blessed to share fellowship with him, assist him in his ministry, and welcome

him into our homes . . . As we have Lauren, Harry, Ruby & Elsie

House Group There are 7 of us, in all, and a more enthusiastic group would be hard to find. We may be ‘getting on a bit’, if you

know what I mean, but we meet prepared, having read the notes. Each of us

contributes, we discuss, until we come to the truth of the scripture we are studying, which as Joan said ‘we wouldn’t do if we were in a larger group’. Thanks Damian

for giving us much teaching and thought, we have learned so much. Us ‘old dears’

are enjoying God’s Word. The joy of growing together in Christ

Growing in Faith Some of our young

people, together with leaders, shared with us at

the 9.30 service what a great time they had had at a Youth Camp in Colwyn Bay. These young people are growing in their faith at All Hallows, are enthusiastic about helping with Young

Church, and are involved with All Stars. May our encouragement be seen in a

friendly word with them, as with all our younger members and always a smile.

Precious to God, and to us.

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We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God’s Almighty Hand.

Our Father, who art in

heaven, You provide our

daily bread. May we

always give you our

thanks. Amen

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How serious are we ….?

If we are serious about our faith, does it affect our daily lives? If so, we are not then seen as hypocrites (play-acting). Do people notice, and will they want to know what (or who) has made the difference. When God entered my heart, after asking Him earnestly to do so, people noticed. My daughter said to me “you’re different Mum’ and others said the same. People will want to know what (or who) has made the difference.

It is always a powerful witness when someone self preoccupied shows a new concern for others; people with a temper begin to control it, and generally are sacrificial with their time and giving.

Paul urges us to make friends, show love to people and pray for opportunities to tell them, as well as show them, the love of Christ. “Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders, making the best use of time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” . (Col 4: 5,6).

Sharing our faith is not about always talking about Jesus and forcing conversations in that direction. That’s often scary and off putting! If we are honest, we all have so many opportunities, what we lack is the courage to take them.

I wonder if you are a Christian reading this because of someone going outside their comfort zone by asking you to something which ignited faith?

The Holy Spirit (the Comforter) gives us the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit nudges us,

gives us His power to be bold. Well, how serious are we ?

Prayer Corner

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As we say “goodbye” to Damian, Lauren, Elsie, Harry & Ruby, we thank God for their ministry among us, & the many lives they have “touched”, praying God’s blessing may rest

upon them as they move on to serving the Lord at Thornton Christ Church.

Sunday

Harvest Time

We thank the Lord for the joy of living in His world, for the beauty of His creation, and for His many gracious gifts to us.

Monday

Commitment

Dear Lord, help us to see, this Harvest time, as a

time of commitment and re-commitment, of

offering our hearts and lives in faithful service to

you.

Thursday

Caring

Heavenly Father, we thank you for those who show your compassion and love towards the

vulnerable & sick in our society , and who carry on quietly caring day by day.

Friday

A Personal Prayer

Generous God, please save us from envy and greed.

Give us peace, not wealth, and help us we pray to rely each day on your abundant

provision to fill our need, quietly trusting in you.

Tuesday

Our Nation

Restore our nation, O Lord, we pray. Help us to

recognize in our communities that you are

calling us to “return” to you, the true Light in the

world’s spiritual darkness.

Saturday

Our Speech

Dear Lord, we would ask you to help us guard each word we say, so that we

reflect you and your love. May we speak words that heal, and encourage, not

words that harm.

Wednesday

Sharing

Dear Lord, we pray that governments around the world will share your rich

harvest of resources, so that the many who are in poverty

and need, will be lovingly provided for.

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Changing Seasons

As we prepare for the Autumn leaves to start their descent to the ground and then remain on the ground waiting to be crunched under foot, I’m mindful of the following words from the Bible:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

As I embark on a new season of life, moving from All Hallows (where I have been training as a Church of England minister), to be Vicar of Christ Church Thornton, I look back over the last 3 ¼ years with gladness.

“there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work” (Ecclesiastes 3:22)

The phrase “time flies when you’re having fun” comes to mind. Time has passed quickly and enjoyably during my time at All Hallows. Throughout the changing seasons and life’s ups and downs, what has been constant throughout is the love and support of the Church family at All Hallows. The people of Bispham really are a friendly bunch of people, and my family and I are grateful to the welcome we have received—thank you. Ministering at All Hallows has been enriching, enjoyable, and a great privilege.

“there is a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted” (Ecclesiastes 3:2)

As we approach the Harvest season, we can be thankful to God for all He provides for us to live and to enjoy, but also for the opportunities He gives us to live for Him, toil for Him, and to embrace Him. The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes also says:

“I have seen the business that God has given everyone to be busy with” (Ecclesiastes 3:10)

Whatever season you feel you in at this moment in your life, I’d like to encourage you to be busy with God’s business—in other words, to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.

Damian Platt

Regular Church Activities

For all Bibles, Books & Cards 45 Abingdon St Blackpool

Tel: 01253 624160

from Fleetwood

Call Colin on 07920 473 460

Valentine’s Fresh Fish

Mother and Toddler Group - 0-5 year olds for parents, guardians, child-minders, and grandparents’ There is a cuppa and a friendly chat in the Barn. Lots of toys with action songs and nursery rhymes. Meets Thursdays (except school holidays) in the Barn 9.30 to 10.45 am & 12.45 to 2.15m. £1 per family.

Afternoon Fellowship - meets at 2pm in the Stable each Tuesday, emphasis on fellowship and care and concern for one another. Varied programme and visiting speakers. All adults are welcome.

Tuesday Evening Fellowship - meets at 7.15pm in the Stable the 1st, 3rd, & 5th Tuesday of each month, emphasis on fun, food and fellowship. All adults are welcome. Tel: 351319 .

Craft ‘n Chat - Please note will be 2nd & 4th Friday each month 2-30-3.30 for men and women, of all age groups . All most welcome. Knit, crochet or other skills. Friendly atmosphere with a cuppa! Come and learn new skills.

All Stars - a fun filled and action packed club for children of primary school age. Includes actions songs, games, juice & toast with Bible stories. Meets every Thursday during term time from 4.30pm to 5.30pm in the Stable. Tel: 595873 for more information.

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Editor’s Extras

A little girl called Ruby often invites herself to our house on a Sunday morning. This Sunday we had the pleasure of Ruby, who also invited

herself for lunch! When we had our grandkids 2 weeks during summer hols, Ruby recalled having lunch in our garden. This little girl ate

impeccably and enjoyed every mouth full, as did my own. We all shared some of our lamb chop with her (only having bought 4) you see! The highlight for her was

having a twister lolly as sweet! She’s a cute pie and we love her very much. We had a giggle, Ruby observed ‘Keith’ hadn’t got his sandals on properly. She was right!

‘Ruby Tuesday’ Oh how we will miss YOU.

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Parish Registers

BAPTISMS 09.08.2015 Lyla-Rose PARKINSON; Lewis Craig MUSGRAVE 16.08.2015 Jordan Joshua BROWN 23.08.2015 Emilia Violet GRIFFITHS 30.08.2015 James BAILEY; Charlie Christian SIMPKIN

WEDDINGS 22.08.2015 Neil Wayne BENNETT & Michaela Jane BLACKMORE 29.08.2015 Michael David GEE & Hayley Theresa SHAW

FUNERALS

07.08.2015 Alan David BOTT, 83 (Cremation) 19.08.2015 Denis MARCHBANK, 87 (Cremation)

INTERMENT OF CREMATED REMAINS — Garden of Remembrance 06.08.2015 Hilary Margaret WARR, 64 (20.06.2015)

Each Sunday at All Hallows there are a few who meet faithfully in the Stable at 6pm to share fellowship together, and to pray for the sick and those in need in our Church

Fellowship, and in our Parish. Please know that if you would like to join us you would be most welcome.

We also have a box at the back of Church for prayer requests. If you wish only to pop in and place your prayer request in the prayer box, then please do so. However, if you would

like someone to pray with you, then you only have to ask. Your requests and/or prayers will be confidential.

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