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Dual Nationality of Kingdom Living
News from our Community Worker
Data Protection reviewed
Be sure your sins will find you out!
Highlands Hub update
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Some of you will be aware that Andy and I have
been quite intensively house-hunting for the past
few weeks. We’ve managed to resist the
temptation of moving house whilst the youngsters
are away at uni and not giving them the forwarding
address (to enforce a bit of independence you
understand, rather than because we don’t love
them!!) – well so far anyway!
But as we’ve trawled our way through more than fifty houses (who’d have
known it would be so tricky?) looking for just the right balance of size,
location, price, space for hens and cars, and all those other things that
make a house feel like home; we’ve heard many stories from vendors
about why what once felt like a home no longer does so. From relationship
breakdown, the inability of a relative to live independently (or worse), or
sometimes simply because it was only ever intended to be an investment
opportunity rather than a home – these are the stories behind some
houses that make me want to ‘love’ them back into happiness….until I
bring myself back to the reality of what the property actually offers!
Whilst this is going on I find myself in a strange place between still feeling
my current house and geographical area is home, & yet looking ahead to
putting down roots in a new – as yet unknown – house & area. It’s made
me feel rather like I belong in two places, even if one is as yet unknown. If
‘home is where the heart’ is, how can it be in two places at once?
As we’ve gone through the Lent, Holy Week and Easter journey, the
experience has made me reflect both on Jesus’ dual citizenship of earth and
heaven, and also our own ‘dual nationality’ as citizens of the Kingdom of
God. I’ve wondered what Jesus felt like as he approached his death – a
terrible experience to get through before finally returning to the Father –
The Dual Nationality of Kingdom Living
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were his feelings mixed about leaving behind his earthly home and those
he cared about and loved, even whilst being eager to finally complete the
task he’d been sent to do and return to more familiar territory; or was his
‘heart’ always really with his Father?
As a Jew who was also a Roman citizen, St Paul also knew all about ‘dual
nationality’ – and they weren’t necessarily aspects of life that sat entirely
comfortably alongside each other! Added to that was his sense of being a
citizen of heaven as well as of earth, something else he didn’t always find
easy to live with:
“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh,
that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I
am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with
Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more
necessary for you.” Phil 1:21-24
I guess this could be summed up as saying Paul feels ready for heaven, but
is still needed on earth too – ‘dual nationality’ – having your heart in two
places - is all part and parcel of his, and our, Christian experience. This dual
aspect of life can be difficult, and whilst we might have a goal of the two
sides of life being inextricably woven together, we’re
sometimes asked to make choices or live with situations that
aren’t comfortable for one aspect or the other.
So the question is where is our heart? Longing to be with
Jesus in heaven? Certainly. But it’s also very much here on
earth, working with the Holy Spirit alongside those God’s
given us to love and walk alongside, sometimes in life-long
partnerships, sometimes in single conversations (and
everything in between!). Perhaps the secret is to try and give of ourselves
wholeheartedly to each in its God-given moment – so that home becomes
where the heart is – right now. Rachel.
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Hello Everyone, I hope everyone has had a happy Easter. This is just an update as to what I have been up to over the last few months…. First of all I would like to thank everyone who supported the ‘Late, Late Breakfast’ activity on Good Friday. The children & adults enjoyed eating hot cross buns which varied from the ‘ordinary’ to chocolate & toffee versions! The children enjoyed the process of making the buns – from kneading the dough to piping the cross on each one. We also decorated eggs, coloured pictures & completed Easter puzzles, ending the session with an Easter Story poem.
During the holidays and once a month on a Saturday morning I have been running some art activities for children and adults in the Hub. We are currently making a doodle
mural to go on the wall in the Hub. There has been a positive response to these activities, but word needs to be put around to encourage others to come and take part.
On the Wednesday before Easter St Columba Academy held their Easter Service at St Columba. The singing was great & the children did well in their performances of poems about Easter. Ruth and Ian were asked to judge the children’s fantastic Easter bonnets. A very hard job as the children (with a little help from their parents) did so well!
Our work at the Academy continues to go well. I have started telling stories to the younger ones in Pandas and they have responded well and are also enjoying singing songs too.
News from our Community Worker
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'Open The Book' is still going well and we are grateful to Julie for starting to make some costumes for us. Thank you to the Open The Book team for their continuing commitment and enthusiasm! I have been on a couple of courses, one of which was 'Child In Our Midst' held at Saint Columba. This course challenged us in our approach to children and young people in church. We compared and contrasted our own childhood interests with what interests and stimulates children today. We thought about the challenges they face and how we can support and nurture children so that they feel part of our worship. This touched on how to make the environment attractive, our resources stimulating, and looked at some of the thinking behind teaching, or should I say ‘facilitating’ children’s learning about Jesus.
This aspect of facilitating children’s learning brings me nicely into the second course I attended which was a day’s training about 'Godly Play'
which you may have heard of before. This is a technique of telling Bible stories using visual resources and prescribed dialogue which allows children to express their own thoughts and ideas as each story unfolds. On the course we put ourselves in the place of a child and then were given the
opportunity to create whatever we liked given a variety of different resources. We then told our own story to the rest of the group. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and felt very inspired by this different approach which I hope we can use in the very near future. Many thanks to Helen Cobb who organised the training for me. Warmest wishes, Sally Dewberry
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New Additions Our 10am Family Communion service on Easter Day was a real celebration, and made all the more special by being able to celebrate with two of our families: Hazel was baptised during the service before being admitted to Holy Communion, along with Sam.
Hazel and Sam had been prepared for receiving ‘Communion before Confirmation’ by Revd Garry and Donna Irving, along with some young people from Holy Trinity Church. The group made altar cloths for each of the two churches – pictured right with Sam standing proudly alongside.
Every blessing to both our youngsters as they continue on their journeys of faith.
Rev Laura Cameron (pictured left with husband Grant) was licensed to the parish as assistant curate in early March, and celebrated Communion at St Columba for the first time during Holy Week. We are really looking forward to getting to know both Laura and Grant as they worship with us, and as Laura ministers among us in the parish.
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The Standing Committee recently reviewed our parish Data Protection
policy to ensure that how we use the information we hold about
parishioners complies with current legislation. As a result some changes
are being implemented - you may already be aware of some of the
difficulties that this has thrown up in checking electoral roll entries!
Some of the other changes that you may notice are that:
if your name is included on a church-related rota, contact
details for you cannot be included without your specific
consent (i.e. we are not permitted to assume that you are happy
for your details to be included unless you tell us otherwise), and
those who put together rotas should have been (or will be) in
contact with you to ask for your consent for your details to be
included.
Fiona / Nikki / receptionists in the parish office are NOT
permitted to pass on contact details of other parishioners – so
please don’t get frustrated with them if they cannot give you the
address or phone number you want!
Annual Parochial Church MeetingDon’t miss this year’s annual meeting which
will take place on Wednesday 20th April
2016 at St Columba Church. There will be
evening prayer at 7pm, followed by the
Annual Vestry Meeting with the Election of
Churchwardens. The APCM itself will start at
7.30pm. All welcome.
Looking after your personal details
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Services at St Columba during April Prayer during the week – Tues & Thurs at the Hub – 9.15am 3rd April – Easter 2
8am - Said Communion; 10am - Morning Worship (all age) 6.30pm- Iona Service
10th April – Easter 3
8am - Said Communion 10am - Family Communion (with Columba kids)
17th April – Easter 4 8am - Said Communion 10am – Morning Worship
24th April – Easter 5 8am - Said Communion 10am - Family Communion (with Columba kids)
Oasis Tea and Chat - Our
friendly and informal bereavement team work to support those who have suffered from the effects of losing a loved one. ‘The Oasis’ Tea and Chat Club has been formed to help with this support and meets between 2- 4pm for a cup of tea, homemade cake and a chat. The next date is: Monday 11th April at the Highlands Hub, Highlands Road Shops. Come and join us, we would love to see you, with or without a friend. Contact June Haye on 01329 231449 if you would like to know more.
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We Remember in April
1st Ronald Dowdell
Norman Stanley
2nd George Hussey
William Jacobs
Maurice Webb
3rd Penny Johnson
Ruth Simpson
Louise Wellman
4th Glyn Williams
5th Philip Holliday
Jack Westmacott
6th Wilf Truine
8th Irene Bradley
Joan Judd
Colin Knight
9th Grace Bassett
John Dilloway
Ron Eley
Betty Goodman
10th Gloria Simmons
Derek Whiffin
11th Connie Flemming Eileen Hawkins Charles Kinsman Rhona McClimont Bob Mould Robert Thompson
12th Jean Hall
Harold Holliday
William Reilly
14th Tom Davis
15th Violet Frost
16th Jack Frost
Bettina Healey
Simon Morgan
18th David Hughes
19th David Pidgeon
20th Sandie Wagener
21st Doris Pope
22nd Donald Hoare
Marjorie Mortlock
Grace Northway
23rd Susan Bittles
Harry Holmes
Elsie May
26th MarieLouise Hayward
Agnes Maclean
27th David Mills
28th Elaine Fuger
Pat Greenway
29th Susan Godwin
30th Rose Collins
Edward Day
Joan Mullaly
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Highlands Hub Update
Some of you may be aware that The Hub’s manager – Nicola – has been ill for some time, and it is with great sadness that following discussion with Nicola, the management committee has decided that it is best for her if she does not return to the Hub as Manager. Everyone is wishing Nicola all the very best for her recovery and she will be very much missed in her role.
During Nicola’s illness the Hub has been kept open with the help of voluntary cover, which has been hard work and stressful at times, and the committee is hugely grateful to Penny Raymond who has been regularly covering two days a week.
At the end of February Jim Palmer and Revd Ruth were invited to talk about the work of the Highlands Hub at the Diocesan Synod meeting. They were able to speak about the ways in which St Columba involves the local community (volunteer staffing is drawn from across church and non-church communities). Nicola’s appointment as manager has had enormous benefits, and in round terms £20,000 income is generated annually with an expenditure of £30,000. The shortfall is made up through donations and activities of the Friends of the Highland Hub.
The difference it makes is seen in both volunteers and customers – whether they come in for a drink, printing, looking things up on the computer, needing a chat, or gaining a sense of worth and friendship through volunteering. There are stories of desperate people given practical help, although because it’s real life not all stories end happily. There are still not enough resources, fundraising is hard work – but God is good, and we hope to negotiate a lease for a further six years.
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The 2016 programme of Diocesan Spirituality Days is now available
(pamphlets in the foyer). Included in the programme are:
14th May: A Day to let God love you: Portsmouth Cathedral. Julian of Norwich lived 600 years ago, and yet faced many of the same questions we struggle with today. Her profound insights can give us food for thought and liberate us into growth in love. 10am-3.30pm. Led by Ann Lewin.
3rd September: Songs in the Key of Life: Portsmouth Cathedral
A contemporary look at the Book of Psalms using songs by Bjork, Stevie
Wonder and the Black Eyed Peas. 10am-3.30pm. Led by Steve Marsh.
Booking for any of these days is via the application forms in the
pamphlets or by contacting Claire Holland at the Diocese: Tel: 023 9289
9656 or [email protected]
Growing your Spirituality
16th April: Journeying into Wholeness: St George’s Church, Portsea.
A practical and reflective day exploring Ignatian Spirituality in creative
ways. 10am-3.30pm. Led by Barbara Mace.
4th June: Surrounded by Witnesses: Portsmouth Cathedral.
Looking at how Columba, Augustine, Thomas a’Becket and Lancelot
Andrewes faced the task of living the life of faith and prayer in a
world of turmoil. 10am – 1pm. Led by Canon David Isaac.
24th September: Lose your head and come to your senses:
Portsmouth Cathedral. Words can get in the way in our relationship
with God, so this day focuses on using the five senses to let God into
our lives. 10am – 3.30pm. Led by Malcolm Rothwell.
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Many moons ago our neighbouring church organised an Easter Treasure
hunt car rally. It was well advertised
announcing an afternoon of fun, followed by
tea and cakes in the church hall, a few short
talks and the grand prize giving.
I thought we should support them and have a
great family afternoon out. I suggested it to
everyone and it was eagerly agreed that we would enter two cars. Son
Rupert and his wife and Andy (my husband) in one car, Son Oliver, his
girlfriend and myself in the other car. This was like lighting the blue touch
paper, the sibling rivalry was in top gear, pardon the pun. We arrived in
good time, paid our dues. There was so much chatter between the two
brothers about who was going to beat who, that no thought was put into
winning the competition, just the sibling rivalry.
The two brothers are very different - Ru is quite compulsive and hot
headed, Oly is more 'lets make a plan and work it out'. Ru rushes off keen
to get to the first clue, our car sits a minute to work out where we are
going. This is pretty much how the afternoon went, we plodded carefully
along, and saw Ru several times going back to find clues they had missed.
Everyone was really having a good time, and the banter between cars was
very funny. Still nobody bothered about the competition with the other
twenty or so cars that had entered, our little world was just our two cars.
Oly was convinced we were doing well because of the extra mileage Ru was
clocking up. When we finished and checked in they compared mileage,
which is a very important factor in car rallies. Ru had done less miles than
us!!! “How did you manage that?” “I disconnected the gauge. I have to beat
my brother one way or another”! Remember, as far as they were
Be sure your sins will find you out…
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concerned they were the only two cars in the world, nothing else mattered,
it wasn’t serious it was just a good laugh.
We got the Church hall, all beautifully laid out for afternoon tea, wonderful
sandwiches & homemade cakes. We were having a lovely time, & the rally
was behind us now as the talks begin. The first guest speaker was
fascinating, he told us how he was on drugs and down & out, and one day
somebody did a good deed for him, they gave him a pair of shoes. Thinking
just saying ‘thanks’ wasn't enough he went into a Church to say thank you,
and whilst he was there God spoke to him, & his life was turned round. He
now had his own parish & did inspirational speaking. The second guest
stands up & talks along the same lines. Ru turns to me and says "Ohh I feel
awful, it was all a joke, I didn't know it was all going to turn serious" He was
wracked with guilt, because we were the only ones that knew what he had
done. I suggested next time he was in church he said an extra prayer and
asked forgiveness for his misdemeanour.
Well poor Ru, it got even worse, at grand prize giving time the results are
announced in reverse order. Third prize goes to Mr Joe Bloggs, second prize
to Oliver Truman, along with £50 prize money. Drum roll da da da - first
prize to Rupert Truman. and a cash prize of £100.
Rupert didn't accept the money, he donated it back to the
church, thinking that would be the end of it and his
conscience salved. But, it got even worse as the proceedings
were halted for an announcement. “Ladies and Gentlemen
would you all please put your hands together for Rupert
Truman, he has unselfishly donated his prize money to the
church”. Hurrah hurrah clap clap clap. Then Oly stood up and said he
wanted to donate his money to the Church too. They are not bad boys, just
got caught up in sibling rivalry. They still compete against each other all the
time, but we have never entered another car rally!
Eileen T.
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Samaritans' House to House Collection
"The good news and the bad." The Portsmouth Samaritans fund-raising Chairman felt he had done his bit after eighteen years and resigned last November. His successor did not step forward until March, too late to organise the annual collection for this year. He has intimated that he felt that as people were becoming more and more reluctant to participate in collecting money it would be unlikely to happen in the future. As I have been the local organiser for Fareham for over thirty-five years and seen three central fund raising organisers come and go I thought this was perhaps the opportunity to retire.
However, before I go….! I have a few envelopes leftover from last year and have been given permission to use them for our usual pew collection. The envelopes will be in the pews at Holy Trinity and St Columba from Sunday 10th until Sunday 24th April. I would also like to express my gratitude to those brave people who have supported the Samaritans by working the streets for many years, some are on my first and last lists!
If you feel we have done well for a most worthy cause then please show your appreciation by putting your hands together to fold up a note of the realm and putting it in a Samaritans envelope and popping it in the plate one Sunday. Gift Aiding it if you are able would, as always, be worthwhile!
Maurice Shergold ("Good News and Bad News is often just a point of view." Discuss in 500 words!!!!)
Spotlight on World Concerns
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Update on Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension UK
We supported IIH UK in 2015 through our parish giving, & are continuing to do so in 2016, so it’s time for a little update…. During the annual IIH UK patient conference held last year information was given about two trials IIH UK was conducting in conjunction with Birmingham university into the effects of weight and drugs on people suffering with IIH.
The main symptoms which have the biggest impact on the quality of life for sufferers are the headaches (and the causes of these can be complex), and loss of vision. Work with patients has shown that weight loss can help ease symptoms for some sufferers, but is not always easy to achieve/maintain; whilst drug trials are also ongoing to try and find better ways of effectively managing headaches as not all patients can tolerate the drugs currently used to treat symptoms.
Further trials are due to start shortly in Liverpool and Glasgow, and IIH sufferers are being actively recruited to take part in these to further the research into effective ways to manage the condition.
Help Needed! As Rachel Abbey will be moving on from the
parish in the next few months, we are looking for people to take on one or two of the tasks that she has been responsible for:
Cards for housebound at Christmas / Easter (twice yearly task)
First Sunday candles (monthly task)
Posters / tickets – would suit someone who is creative and competent with desktop publishing (as and when basis)
Facebook page upkeep
Scripture readers and intercessors rota (quarterly task)
‘The Informer’ – magazine editing (monthly task) If anyone would like to know a little more about any of these tasks (without commitment) please speak to either Rachel or Revd Ruth – contact details for both of us can be found on the back page.
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Parish Office: Holy Trinity Church, West Street, Fareham. PO16 0EL
Opening times: 9am – 12 noon Monday – Friday
Tel: 01329 232688 E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.htscf.org.uk Team Vicar at St Columba: Revd Ruth Schofield
Tel: 01329 842300 or 07738 858909
E-mail: [email protected]
Church Wardens at St Columba:
Jim Palmer Tel: 07973 297977
Nigel Sturt Tel: 07766 345115
Rector: Revd Sally Davenport
Tel: 07500 775926
E-mail: [email protected]
Assistant Curate: Revd Garry Roberts
Tel: 07554 142729 E-mail: [email protected]
Assistant Curate: Revd Laura Cameron
Tel: 01329 830145 E-mail: [email protected]
Thank you to our contributors this month. We love to hear from you – want to reply? Want to share something that’s struck you, or tell us about something you’re involved with? Articles for the next edition of the Informer - available 1st May are very welcome – 500 words or less. Please forward them to Rachel Abbey at St Columba - hard copy deadline Mon 25th April, electronic copy Tuesday 26th April. Tel: 07900 470609 E-mail: [email protected].
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