OUR COMMUNITY

ST. THOMAS’ CHURCH, KERESLEY, AND ST . THOMAS’ CHURCH, KERESLEY, AND ST . THOMAS’ CHURCH, KERESLEY, AND ST . THOMAS’ CHURCH, KERESLEY, AND KERESLEY V ILLAGE COMKERESLEY V ILLAGE COMKERESLEY V ILLAGE COMKERESLEY V ILLAGE COMMUNITY CHURCHMUNITY CHURCHMUNITY CHURCHMUNITY CHURCH

www.stwww.stwww.stwww.st----thomasthomasthomasthomas----keresley.org.uk keresley.org.uk keresley.org.uk keresley.org.uk

MMMM A RC HA RC HA RC HA RC H 2010201020102010

5 0 P

Inside this issue:

St. Thomas’ Calendar and

Notice Board

2222

Local news 3333

Biodiversity 4444

St Thomas’ past 5555

Keresley Village Community Church

Calendar

6666

What’s the big idea 6666

Parish Register 7777

Mouse page 8888

All in March 8888

Where does your

time go? 4444

God never made a promise that was too good to be true D L Moody

EASTER

APPROACHES

Easter Sunday falls on 4th April this year. As in previous years there will be a number of opportunities at both churches during Holy Week to take time to reflect on the time between

Palm Sunday and Good Friday.

Details of the services are given in the

Calendars on pages 2 and 6.

A round ten years ago, shortly after Keresley Village Community Church was established, members of St. Thomas and KVCC opened a ‘Drop-In’ club for the young people of the village. The club has taken on different guises over the years, with an array of activities and varying levels of spirituality, but it has remained a constant weekly event in the lives of many young people of the village, several of whom have lives that are

less than constant.

During my time I have seen young people come and go, some have stayed making the club their own others just call in for some sweets, but one thing I have been made aware of, is the number of now parents that hold the club in fond regard. The ‘Drop–In’ also has the opportunity for the church to build up relationship with the young people of Keresley Village, offering support and encouragement in difficult times or ‘sign-posting’ to other organisations where they can get

further help.

The next Messy

Church is on

Sunday 21st March

at Keresley Village

Community Church.

At 4pm

Exciting isn’t it? However, and there’s always an ‘however’, due to different commitments some of the volunteers are having to stand down which will mean we no longer have enough cover to open the centre, so I need your

help.

Do you think you might be someone who could be a part of this

opportunity?

It does not take a great deal of experience, nor is a great expense of time. Perhaps it does however require a thicker skin, probably a willingness to meet young people where they are, and definitely a desire to be a part of

bridges built for the Gospel.

The ‘Drop-In’ opens every Wednesday

evening, from 7.30pm until 9.00pm.

Speak to me before you say “I can’t do that”, ask me about what goes on and

pray for God’s opportunity in this area.

Yours in Christ,

Steve Medley

Outreach to the Young People of Keresley Village Drop in Centre

MARCH 2010 PAGE 2

Holy Week

Monday 29Monday 29Monday 29Monday 29thththth 7.30pm Devotional Service led by Youth Essence Tuesday 30Tuesday 30Tuesday 30Tuesday 30thththth 2pm Devotional Service led by Refreshment Group Wednesday 31Wednesday 31Wednesday 31Wednesday 31stststst 7.30pm Devotional Service led by Housegroup

AprilAprilAprilApril Thursday 1Thursday 1Thursday 1Thursday 1stststst Maudy ThursdayMaudy ThursdayMaudy ThursdayMaudy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion with Simple Passover Meal

and Washing of feet. Peter and Ruth Walker Friday 2Friday 2Friday 2Friday 2ndndndnd Good FridayGood FridayGood FridayGood Friday 10-12noon All Age Craft and Worship. Steve Medley

2pm “The Last Hour” Peter Walker Sunday 4Sunday 4Sunday 4Sunday 4thththth EASTER DAYEASTER DAYEASTER DAYEASTER DAY 9am Holy Communion and hymns. Ruth Walker 10.30am Family Communion. Peter Walker Tuesday 6Tuesday 6Tuesday 6Tuesday 6thththth----Sunday 11Sunday 11Sunday 11Sunday 11thththth Party from St Thomas’ at Spring Harvest

MarchMarchMarchMarch Friday 5thFriday 5thFriday 5thFriday 5th 11.30am Womens’ World Day of Prayer service at All

Saints, Allesley Sunday 7thSunday 7thSunday 7thSunday 7th 9am Holy Communion. Peter Walker 10.30am Family Service. Peter Walker Tuesday 9th and weekly during LentTuesday 9th and weekly during LentTuesday 9th and weekly during LentTuesday 9th and weekly during Lent 1.30pm Refreshment Group. Galilee Room Sunday 14Sunday 14Sunday 14Sunday 14thththth Mothering SundayMothering SundayMothering SundayMothering Sunday 9am Holy Communion. Ruth Walker 10.30am Family Communion. Peter Walker Sunday 21Sunday 21Sunday 21Sunday 21stststst 9am Holy Communion. Peter Walker 10.30am Family Worship. Peter Walker 4pm Messy Church. At Keresley Village Community

Church Sunday 28Sunday 28Sunday 28Sunday 28th th th th Palm SundayPalm SundayPalm SundayPalm Sunday 9am Holy Communion. Peter Walker 10.30am Procession and Family Service. Led by Peter

Walker. Preacher, Pete Hudson

C H I L D R E N A N D Y O U N G P E O P L E

MARCH 2010 PAGE 2

Sunday Morning Activities at St. Thomas’Sunday Morning Activities at St. Thomas’Sunday Morning Activities at St. Thomas’Sunday Morning Activities at St. Thomas’ 10.30am (during term time) 1st Sunday Family Service in Church 2nd Sunday 3-11s, Sunday School in Galilee Room,

11+, Pathfinders in the Church Hall. All join the service around 11.25am

3rd Sunday All ages start in Church 4th & 5th 3-11s, Sunday School in Galilee Room,

11+, Pathfinders in the Church Hall All join the service around 11.25am

This pattern may change occasionally for special services.

ST. THOMAS’ CHURCH CALENDAR

First Steps . . . with JesusFirst Steps . . . with JesusFirst Steps . . . with JesusFirst Steps . . . with Jesus

For babies and pre-school children with their parents and carers

Meets in the Galilee Room, weekly in term time

Mondays 1.30-2.30pm

Monday evenings, 7.30pm, Galilee RoomMonday evenings, 7.30pm, Galilee RoomMonday evenings, 7.30pm, Galilee RoomMonday evenings, 7.30pm, Galilee Room

(School Year 9 and above. Contact Steve (School Year 9 and above. Contact Steve (School Year 9 and above. Contact Steve (School Year 9 and above. Contact Steve

Medley for more details)Medley for more details)Medley for more details)Medley for more details)

Uniformed Groups Meet in the Church Hall : 13th Brownies, 13th Brownies, 13th Brownies, 13th Brownies, Mondays, 6.00 - 7.30pm 9th Brownies9th Brownies9th Brownies9th Brownies, Wednesdays, 6.00 - 7.30pm 9th Guides9th Guides9th Guides9th Guides, Thursdays, 6.30 - 8.30pm Meet in the Scout Hut: 41st Cubs41st Cubs41st Cubs41st Cubs, Mondays, 6.45 - 8.30pm 41st Scouts41st Scouts41st Scouts41st Scouts, Tuesdays, 7.00 - 9.00pm 41st Beavers41st Beavers41st Beavers41st Beavers, Fridays, 6.00 - 7.30pm

(for 6-8 year olds )

Thursday at St T’s For 5-11 years Meets in the Galilee Room On Thursdays From 6pm to 7pm

Daily Prayer: Daily Prayer: Daily Prayer: Daily Prayer: 8.30am,Monday, Wednesday and Friday at St Thomas’ Church, Tuesday at Keresley Village

Community Church.

OUR COMMUNITY PAGE 3

Parish NattersParish NattersParish NattersParish Natters

Refreshment for all Tuesday afternoons, 1.30-2.30pm in the Galilee

Room

Every Tuesday during Lent. Following the

Lent course

If you need transport or would like to request prayers, please contact

Margaret Bosworth on 7633 7932 leaving a message if necessary with your name and telephone number and she will

ring you back.

At it’s meeting in January the PCC decided to:

• Display Gloria’s painting in the Galilee Room or vestibule upon completion of the re-decoration. It is hoped that this work can now be undertaken

very shortly.

• Look at more ways of raising funds for the Church

Hall kitchen.

• Await more quotes for replacing the vestry roof.

• Use the material from Jeff Lucas entitled “Life Journeys – Singing in the Rain” (or Navigate life’s rough waters with confidence) for the Lent

courses.

And approved:

• Revised fees for 2010 for weddings and funerals.

And alerted to:

• New legislation regarding radio microphones and

the need to replace one by 2012.

• CRB checks for people working with children.

• The need to check our Carbon Footprint.

If you would like the PCC to discuss any issues of concern please bring it to the attention of the Vicar

or any member of the PCC.

Margaret Bosworth

PCC Secretary.

The Women’s World Day of Prayer Friday, March 5th 2010 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” The Women’s World Day of Prayer is just one part of a huge worldwide movement from the rising of the sun in the East to its setting in the West, and really does unite Christian people all around the globe. We all share in the same service on Friday 5 March

2010 wherever we are!

The service this year has been written by women in Cameroon, West Africa, and has all the flavour and rhythm of Africa. So do come with your drum, rattle, tambourine .. and share with Christian women the

world over.

Allesley:All Saints 11.30Allesley:All Saints 11.30Allesley:All Saints 11.30Allesley:All Saints 11.30

contact Lesley Groves Tel: 0247640 2067

Everyone welcome – women, men and children!

Fairtrade Fortnight continues until

7 March 2010 As this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight continues (22 February to 7 March) it is not too late for you to join in ‘The Big Swap’. This year the campaign is urging people to “swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. This means that every time you go shopping, you can use your wallet to make a

stand.”

There have been a number of articles in the Coventry Evening Telegraph already, so look back

through the recent issues for local ideas.

Fair Share celebrates!

Everyone is invited to a Celebration Service

on Sat 6th March 2010

to give thanks to God for 5 years of trading as Fair Share Coventry Fair Share Coventry Fair Share Coventry Fair Share Coventry in partnership with

Holy Trinity Church

Service starts at 2.30pm

followed by a

5th Birthday Party at 3.15pm

Both events will be held inside Holy Trinity Church,

Coventry.

Tel 024 76550728 during trading hours for more

details.

Joan Davies Donations to Cancer Research UK made in respect of Joan Davies following her funeral

totalled £280.

Ken would like to thank most sincerely all those

who gave so generously.

MARCH 2010 PAGE 4

be that focus. Sit and look at it. Allow yourself to look at it rather than think about it. When you are

ready, talk to God about what you see.

Breathe Choose a short prayer or a few words from the Bible. Repeat it in time with your breathing. The Jesus Prayer can be used in this way: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,

be merciful to me, a sinner”.

Or simply: “Jesus”.

Try to breath naturally, without over breathing.

An empty chair Sometimes a chair becomes something to pile things on to—a bag of knitting, books, newspapers…… Take a chair and put it near the place where you are sitting. In your imagination put onto it anything you are finding difficult or heavy at the moment. Share it with God. Put onto it anything that you are glad about. Appreciate it and enjoy God

appreciating it with you…….

Or you may like to simply imagine Jesus sitting on the empty chair. Sit in his company. Talk with him if you want to. Tell him about your day.

Listen to him as well.

Heather Fenton of Bible Reading Fellowship considers a different kind of prayer...

Where does your time go?

H ave you ever got to the end of the day and wondered where the time has gone? Days, weeks, months can fly past. Before we know where

we are there is another birthday or anniversary.

Maybe it’s time to pause and reflect on the day or year, notice what is around, discover God in the middle of it all Here are some ideas you may like to

try.

Listen Try simply listening. Listen to whatever sounds are around with complete attention for a few minutes. How many sounds can you hear? Is there anything you

have not noticed before?

Feel Hold a smooth pebble. Take some time to feel the smoothness of the stone. Look at its colour and texture. Feel its weight in your hand. Great forces have gone into the making of your stone. Now it is small and still. Hold it as you talk to God about what

is in your mind.

Look Let a candle, a cross, a picture or icon become a focus for your attentiveness. Or sit in the garden and let a tree, leaf etc.

D id you know that 2010 is the Year of Biodiversity? Do you know what biodiversity is? Biodiversity is the variety of genes, species, and ecosystems on the planet, and it is disappearing faster that at any time since the demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Let's have a think

about why this matters.

I can't help thinking first of mammals – polar bears, threatened by climate change; great apes driven from their homes by forest clearance for timber and palm oil plantations or the 30-40 Amur leopards left in the wild, because of habitat destruction and

poaching for their beautiful coat.

We also depend on biodiversity for our food – and we expect nature to provide us with a free lunch. The UN Environmental Programme estimated that the pollination of crops by honey bees alone is worth US$2-8 billion. And biodiversity also serves as our medicine cabinet. More than half of commonly prescribed drugs are derived from natural products while 60% of people in developing countries rely on

traditional medicines for their health care.

But even if we didn't need the fantastic variety in nature to survive, would it still matter? Many people of faith and none would still say that it did. Ask any

child whether it matters if furry mammals become extinct and you will get a very definite “yes!” Is this ignorance or is it innate wisdom unspoiled by our materialistic view of the world where everything is

measured by its monetary value?

Whatever your reasons for doing so, here's some things to do to play a small part in caring for

biodiversity:

1. Go for a walk, sit in the garden, be aware of the beauty and diversity of nature in our own

neighbourhood.

2. Join a wildlife organisation – or better, several and set aside time to campaign on some wildlife

issue.

3. Eat less meat and dairy. The Amazon Rainforest is being cut down to grow Soya to export to feed

out cattle, and thus produce our milk.

4. Buy “Rainforest Certified” and “Fair Trade” products and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) timber, and make an issue of choosing these

products.

5. If you have savings in stocks and shares type ISAs make sure they are not being invested in

industries that are destroying habitats.

Christian Ecology Link

Biodiversity

OUR COMMUNITY PAGE 5

As well as a variety of outings, fundraising social events were also a regular part of the life of the parish in the early part of the century, whist

drives being very popular.

On Friday January 12th 1917 a whist drive was

held in the Council Schools in aid of the

Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. A very

enjoyable evening was spent and although the

weather was unpleasantly winterly a good

number (comprising 29 tables) left their cosy

firesides and braved the elements to obtain the

pleasure of another of our parochial whist

drives.

We wish to tender our very best thanks to the

following kind friends for prizes: Mrs Turral,

Miss E Harrow, Mr Dalton, Mr Cash, Mr

Tabberer, Mr Pickering; also to the “Saturday

Social Club” for their donation of £1 towards

refreshments, and to Mrs Green and helpers

who so excellently managed the refreshments.

Our Balance Sheet shows a margin of

£7 10s 11d.

There were threes prizes for the Ladies and for the Gentlemen, a Door Prize and two Booby

prizes!

There were also a number of clubs. In March 1915 the Men’s Club lamented that the recent departure of the men of the 7th Warwicks had

reduced the membership considerably.

Men over the military age cannot do better

than join the club now, and help keep it going.

In addition to older attractions a set of

snooker balls has arrived.

The recent billiards competition was won by H

Green, HC Townshend being a good second;

and the “best break” prize falls to a consistent

scorer, R Goode.

OUR COMMUNITY PAGE 5

St Thomas’ Keresley and Coundon

Skittles and Supper Fundraising evening

On Saturday 26th February a skittles and supper evening was held to raise money for the Church

Hall Kitchen Refurbishment Fund.

After a supper of baked potatoes with fillings and fruit pie and cream, the games began. Everyone had a go at table skittles, bar skittles and alley skittles. The children had a ten pin bowling with large skittles and ball instead of the alley skittles. Each persons’ score over two rounds of each type were totted up and the winners all

received certificates.

In the adult competition the winner was Paul Bosworth, with Leon and Steve picking up second and third. The children’s competition was won by Bethany Quinn, with Georgia and Euan

completing the winners podium.

£189 was raised for the Kitchen fund, which was rounded off to £200 with a donation. This now means that the total of £5,000 has been raised and the redevelopment of the kitchen can go

ahead in the near future..

MARCH 2010 PAGE 6

Friday 2Friday 2Friday 2Friday 2ndndndnd Good FridayGood FridayGood FridayGood Friday 10-12noon All Age Craft and Worship. Ruth Walker and

Jo Medley

2pm “The Last Hour” at St Thomas’. Peter Walker Sunday 4thSunday 4thSunday 4thSunday 4th————EASTER DAYEASTER DAYEASTER DAYEASTER DAY 10.30am Family Service. Ruth Walker

Regular Meetings "Children's Club" Mondays Trailblazers 5-6pm Tuesday mornings 9.30-10.30am First Steps for babies and pre-school children with their parents and carers, during term time Wednesday 7.30-9pm – ‘Drop-in’ Centre for teenagers Mondays and Mondays and Mondays and Mondays and Thursdays 9.30Thursdays 9.30Thursdays 9.30Thursdays 9.30----11.30am Coffee 11.30am Coffee 11.30am Coffee 11.30am Coffee mornings. mornings. mornings. mornings. The Church is open for anyone to drop in for a drink and a chat

PAGE 6

MarchMarchMarchMarch Sunday 7thSunday 7thSunday 7thSunday 7th 10.30am Family Service Sunday 14thSunday 14thSunday 14thSunday 14th 10.30am Holy Communion. Ruth Walker Sunday 21stSunday 21stSunday 21stSunday 21st 10.30am Morning Service. Joan Donkin 4pm Messy Church Sunday 28thSunday 28thSunday 28thSunday 28th————Palm SundayPalm SundayPalm SundayPalm Sunday 10.30am Holy Communion. David Hunter

Holy Week

Monday 29Monday 29Monday 29Monday 29thththth 7.30pm Devotional Service at St Thomas’ led by Youth

Essence Tuesday 30Tuesday 30Tuesday 30Tuesday 30thththth 2pm Devotional Service at St Thomas’ led by

Refreshment Group Wednesday 31Wednesday 31Wednesday 31Wednesday 31stststst 7.30pm Devotional Service at St Thomas’ led by

Housegroup

AprilAprilAprilApril Thursday 1Thursday 1Thursday 1Thursday 1stststst Maudy ThursdayMaudy ThursdayMaudy ThursdayMaudy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion with Simple Passover Meal

and Washing of feet. Peter and Ruth Walker

KERESLEY VILLAGE COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICES

Rev Paul Hardingham, Rector of Bolton

Exodus

T his month we are looking at Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament. Its name means exit or departure (from the Greek translation), reminding us that the departure of the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt is the major focus of the book. Although reworked over the years, it is not unreasonable to assume that much goes back to Moses. Depending on the time of the exodus, the book dates from around 1446 (traditional date) or

1290 BC.

Exodus is a book of two halves! The first part (chapters 1-19 & 32-34) is the story of an obscure and oppressed people who are delivered from slavery into a life of freedom. The second half (chapters 20-31 & 35-40) consists of detailed instructions about the life and worship of this freed people. The book introduces us to the idea of salvation or deliverance, significantly presented not as abstract truth but as story. God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are fulfilled as the people journey to the Promised Land. He also renews his covenant with them at Sinai, expressed in the Ten

Commandments (20: 1-17).

At the heart of Exodus is the person of God himself. In chapter 3 God reveals his name as YHWH or ‘I am who I am’. This is the name by which God is known throughout the Old Testament and it is expressed as

‘the LORD’ in our Bibles. To know God’s name is to know him as well as his character ie his justice, truthfulness, mercy, faithfulness and holiness. He is also the God who controls history, as he delivers of the people out of Egypt. Neither the affliction of Israel nor the plagues of Egypt were outside of his control and the death of the Passover lamb is fulfilled in the

cross of Christ (1 Co 5:7).

A key verse that reminds us of God’s promise of help comes when the Israelites face crossing the Red Sea to escape Egypt: ‘Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today”’ Exodus 14:13. As Eugene Peterson has commented: ‘This Exodus story continues to be a major means that God uses to draw men and women in trouble out of the

mess of history into the kingdom of salvation.’

Mark In this series looking at the books of the New Testament we come to Mark, the second of the

synoptic gospels (with Matthew and Luke).

Traditionally this gospel is ascribed to John Mark, a close associate of Peter (as we read in Acts). According to Papias (c AD 140), Peter was a major source of material for Mark and it is believed that the gospel became a source for the other synoptic writers. It was written for Gentile readers, probably in Rome. This may have been during Nero’s persecution of the church (c AD 64-7), recognising that suffering and persecution are important themes throughout the

gospel.

(Continued on page 7)

What’s the Big Idea? - An Introduction to the Books of the Old and NewTestaments:

OUR COMMUNITY PAGE 7 OUR COMMUNITY PAGE 7

Regular Activities in the Church

Hall NB the Church Hall is not usually

available for late night Discos

Pre-school Playgroup: Mondays to Fridays, 9am - 11.30am and

12.30pm – 3pm

Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scouts meet on

weekday evenings. See page 2 for details.

Why childhood is not as responsible

as it was

W hy don’t we treat children as seriously as we once did? Once they were trusted to nurse sick relatives, keep household accounts, clean the family car, and help decorate the house, according to a study of more than 300 parenting magazines

from between 1920 and 2006.

Nowadays it seems that the only real responsibility given to children is their homework, while most ‘chores’ are paid for, with British children earning

some £700 million a year for them.

Yet Jeremy Todd, of the Parentline Plus helpline, says that giving children chores is good for building their self-confidence. “Chores can also teach children how to plan their own time, and take into

consideration others’ needs,” he said.

How much responsibility do you give your child? How do you judge what is safe to give them, and what is not? The Editor of this magazine would like

to hear from you!

PARISH REGISTER

THANKSGIVINGS

21st February Megan Louise Dabell

Robyn Estelle Dabell

BAPTISM

7th February

Freddy Lucas Adams

CREMATIONS

19th February

Dorothea Mills aged 80 of The Scotchill

22nd February

Barry Stuart Morgan aged 62 of Holyhead Road

Mark wastes no time in getting down to business: ‘the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God’ (1:1). Unlike Matthew and Luke he omits the birth narratives, but begins with the unveiling of Jesus’ public ministry. The gospel is a succinct and vivid account of Jesus’ ministry, emphasising more about what Jesus did than what he said. Mark moves quickly from one episode to another, often using the word ‘immediately’ which is

characteristic of his gospel.

For Mark, understanding the true identity of Jesus is fundamental to his gospel. Halfway through his account Jesus asks the disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ (8:27). Mark is helping us to understand Peter’s answer, ‘You are the Christ’. This is evident in Jesus’ role as rabbi (teacher), his call for discipleship and the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which occupies a third of the gospel. The messianic secret, when Jesus warns people to keep silent about who he is or what he’s done, is unique to Mark. It contributes towards the tension in

grasping Jesus’ true identity.

A key verse which helps us to understand the nature of Jesus’ mission and how we might live in the light of it is: “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for

many." (10:44,45)

Mark is understandably in a hurry to tell us about Jesus; the one who reveals the truth of God to us, so

that we can live in reality and not ignorance!

(Continued from page 6) What’s the big idea?

Thoughts of Spring

No matter how harsh the

winter

And deep the driven snow,

No matter how vice like its

icy grip

It’s a comfort to all that we know,

That when all the snow has melted

And the birds once again start to sing,

The green shoots of nature’s new cycle

Will herald the arrival of spring.

By Colin Hammacott