Good day! And welcome to September’s Newsletter. As we move into our 9th month it’s really flying by this year isn’t it, and it doesn’t seem like we have done an awful lot of anything does it? Well at least physically anyway. You know all that rushing here, there, and everywhere, that cramming of a 48 hour day into only 24 real hours. Wasn’t that a challenge for those of us that tried it?

We have had a very different 6 months, one of learning new things, and re-learning those things that we knew off by heart. It’s been a trial in many ways to be sure. Life on the Corona Coaster has certainly had its ups and downs. I wonder if you have managed to learn new things, or even a new thing. Have you had to re-learn some of the stuff you have been doing for all of your life?

Tough call isn’t it? Made tougher still by not seeing those we love and even now those who are a lot of miles away whom we still haven’t seen. It can seem like we are in a hopeless situation can’t it? As we look to others to ease our dis-ease (not disease) dis-ease, and when we can’t find our ease from our situation. Where can we look? Who can we seek out?

Well, we would do well to do what David did in his times of dis-ease . He turned to his Lord, his God - not god, they are the little things (gods) that keep us away from the one true God.

David is the author of many of the Psalms and one he wrote was Psalm 23. I know you will know it well.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...”

Or maybe you could turn to Psalm 121 also thought to be penned by David.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills...”

You may wonder why I have only given you the first line of both Psalms.

That’s so that you can go off and find the rest for yourselves.

Please remember that the God of all hope is waiting to hear from you and your dis-ease. He waits because he is the God of all hope who tells us that he is still there/still waits for us even when,

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed”. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.

If we look to ourselves, or to others, we will often be disappointed, won’t we? But this only temporarily relieves us of our dis-ease.

We need to look to the one who will lead us beside those still waters. To seek out those things we have been doing that are habit and are not so right, so we can re-align ourselves to the one that truly matters..

“So we press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14

The Lord bless you and keep youWendy — The Lord bless you and keep you
Wendy

After much consideration, it has been decided that we will open our doors on Sunday 4th October for at 10.00am. For now, we are just having one service a week.

We are following the latest guidelines and unfortunately there will be no singing during the service and no refreshments served after. We will be asking people to socially distance and to wear a mask.

Due to how we are re-opening, we are looking for volunteers to help with stewarding at Sunday Services. This role ensures that people are shown to an available pew in a safe manner. Would anyone who is interested please either message the Facebook page or contact Pat Spruyt 07990525482

We aim for the moment to keep both our pre-recorded service and the two “Lives” that I do on Wednesday and Sunday at 11.00 am Do still continue to press your button for those. It’s really encouraging to see all of your comments.

I know that there are people who really want to come back into the church building, and we are trying to accommodate you and keep everyone safe. So, if you are still happy to be tucked up in your PJ’s with your pot of tea, than feel free to continue to join us online. Whatever works for you, works for us. Over to you folks!

Wendy

Well, it was different this year!

“Breakfast Club” was the idea of Wendy and Peter. Due to the restrictions, we were not able to do that this year. The need to provide food was still needed and “Pick up a Picnic” was put into action. This was in partnership with the food bank and other local churches to provide food for those who are struggling.

The dedicated team at St Paul’s has provided a packed lunch for those who came to collect one, even on some really wet days! “It was really well received with a steady flow of people: some people coming for the first time, some familiar faces. If we helped just one person, helped them not have to worry about where a meal was coming from for just one day, then we've fulfilled our brief. We're here to serve not to judge!” Lynne told us.

With incomes being cut with the furlough scheme and lots of people losing jobs as the lockdown has eased, there is so much pressure on budgets to pay bills and feed families. The need in our area has increased, which is often unseen because people feel ashamed of not being able to provide for their families. “Pick up a Picnic” gave people the chance to receive food without judgment from a friendly, compassionate and helpful team serving them.

Our biggest thanks to all who helped in any way: Those who gave time to clean and prepare the building, get the food, make sandwiches, put lunches into bags and serve people on the day.

Thank you

Bernard came to chat to the families who came to collect their picnic lunch

Buffalo

Back in the days when it was OK to talk about knives in schools I used to perform shows to Primary age children. One of the shows was called the '14 Umbrella Show' and involved the use of various props (umbrellas) and puppets to teach the children how the Native American Indians would hunt the buffalo and use all the parts of the animal (fur, stomach, brains etc) so that nothing was wasted.

The hunting part of the show called on the use of two volunteers from the audience usually a boy first, then later on, near the end of the performance, a girl. The volunteer would have to creep up on the buffalo (me) with an imaginary knife, silently so as not to be heard, from behind so as not to be seen, and facing the wind so that the buffalo would not pick their scent. When close enough the volunteer would stab the buffalo in the back and be applauded by the audience for being such a good hunter.

On this particular occasion it was a school in Lincolnshire with about 300 children in the audience and the show was going well until, in the latter part of the performance, I chose the second volunteer, a little girl.

As soon as I picked her I knew something was wrong. The members of staff seated at the back of the hall stiffened, some stood up ready to come forward.....but the little girl came out and hunted the buffalo. She did it really well - silently, from behind the buffalo, wind in the right direction, crept up and STABBED..."Ooh! You got me!" said the buffalo. The little girl stood, pleased and smiling, the audience clapped and cheered.

At the end I said to the teachers, "What was wrong, I saw you all react?" The Head Teacher said, "Two years ago that little girl witnessed her own Mother being stabbed to death. We haven't seen her smile or join in with anything since - until today." Now I know it's stating the obvious but if I'd known that information beforehand there is no way in a million years I would have chosen her, but apparently God knows better than I do.

Peter Nightingale

The Cross Before me

During the early 1900s missionaries from Wales went all over the world to share the news of love, peace and hope in Jesus to many nations. One of these missionaries went to India to the region of Assam. The tribes of the area were aggressive and savage. This news of Jesus was not welcomed in the villages, however they were successful in converting one man and his family in a village.

The chief of the tribe was not happy about this, so he asked this man to renounce his faith or face execution.

The man was reported to have said, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back”. The chief was angry about this and ordered his men to kill the man’s children. As the children were lying dying on the floor, the chief asked, “Will you deny your faith? You have lost your children. You will lose your wife too.”

But the man said, “Though no one joins me, still I will follow. No turning back”. The chief was angry and ordered his wife be killed. The man then said, “The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back”. He was then killed.

There was a miracle that happened in the village following the deaths of the man and his family. Some of the tribe members asked why should this man and his family die for a Man who lived so far away, over 2000 years ago? They wanted to know more, even the chief wanted to know about this faith and Jesus. The chief decided to follow Jesus and so did the whole tribe.

The song “I have decided to follow Jesus” has been sung in that tribe and all over the world ever since.

I confess that I had not heard the traditional version of this song, but felt my faith encouraged by the version of this song by Elevation Worship.

I am not alone suffering difficulties and hardship. I have not had to endure persecution or had my faith tested like the tribesman in the story. I have experienced God moving in power by the Holy Spirit through me, around me and my situation especially during my daughter’s cancer treatment and then death.

Our God is a great God and we will never fully know the depth of love he has for us. I know I cannot face what the world throws at me without him. So I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. When I focus on the cross before me, my problems and struggles fall behind me.

Paula Carlin

Do you have a favourite piece of scripture, hymn or worship song or prayer that has special meaning or has inspired you?

Would you like to share with us? Why it means something to you? It doesn't have to be a long piece. Just a few lines.

Telling stories of how God speaks to us can often be a powerful testament to others.

Contact Kathy via email kathy_geoff.crawford@ntlworld.com

Answers to the Just for Fun quiz in August Newsletter

Maid Marian Way
St James Street
Glasshouse Street
Angel Row
Bridlesmith Gate
Narrow Marsh
Stoney Street
Old Market Square
Spaniel Row
St Peter’s Gate
Shakespeare Street
Huntingdon Street
Bath Street
Kings Walk
Friar Lane
Standard Hill
Waverley Street
Station Street
Carrington Street
Raleigh Street
London Road
Burns Street
Peel Street
Arkwright Street

Something New

Lockdown has been a strange time for us all, for many it’s been a time to ask questions about life and faith. Sales of bibles and books on prayer have increased as people have had time to reflect on which things are really important to them.

Maybe Lockdown has left you too with questions, perhaps a desire to explore your faith a little more, understand the Bible a little better, find out more about Jesus, how the things he said and did can help us in everyday life and the struggles we face.

We hope to start a new group soon (initially by Zoom until lockdown eases enough for us to meet.) We want the group to be a friendly, welcoming space where you can meet and make friends, chat and ask some of those difficult questions we all have. All are welcome whether you are exploring faith for the first time or have been a Christian for many years.

Interested? Then email Philip and Pauline Thomas at philipthomas323@gmail.com.

If you haven’t used Zoom before but have an internet connection, computer camera and microphone on your computer then we can talk you through it and help you get set up.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Philip and Pauline.

Autumn Prayer

Creator God, Thank you for…

The sight of intricate spider-webs bejewelled with morning dew; The rich reds of rosehips and rowan berries, And the gradually-changing colours of autumn leaves;

Thank you for…

The smooth feel of beech nuts, burnished conkers, and chestnuts freshly burst from their prickly casings.

Thank you for…

The rich smell of casseroles and fruit crumble cooking in the oven; And wood smoke curling through the early evening air.

Thank you for…

The taste of juicy blackberries, damsons and plums and the flavour of freshly-picked tomatoes and pears.

Thank you for…

The laughter of children as they kick their way through piles of fallen leaves, and the sound of birdsong at dusk,

Creator God,

Thank you that once again, we can celebrate Autumn and all your goodness to us.

Amen

Kathy Crawford

Reflection on Seedtime and Harvest

Reflecting on harvest reminded me of many of our September holidays in Lincolnshire and Norfolk where we have stayed in cottages overlooking farmland, and watched the work of the farmer. We have seen the straw bales in the field after the harvest has been gathered in, seen them taken to the farm. We have watched the machinery chugging along, harvesting the sugar beet in the fields each side of the footpath which led us down to the Norfolk marshes, and we have seen many fields being ploughed and prepared for the next year’s sowing. As I write this, farmers are worried that this year the wheat harvest yield will be down by 40% and fearful that this trend will continue in future years. Let us pray to the Lord of the harvest, for our future harvests and for the health and wellbeing of our farmers.

Jesus told a parable (a story to teach us about Jesus and his kingdom). A sower went throwing out his seed, some fell on the path, some on stony ground, some amongst thistles but some fell on good ground which produced a harvest. (Read the whole story in Mark chapter 4). This parable reminded me that without the sowing of seed there would be no harvest at all.

It was the piece in our July newsletter written by Phil Walker and Geoff on volunteer chaplaincy work that got me thinking about seed sowing. For a few years I was a volunteer ward visitor with the Thursday morning team. After a short service, three of us on the team would walk down to the south corridor to visit the wards allocated to us. It was as we did that walk each week that we would remind each other that we were going to sow seeds for God, whether by words of comfort or encouragement, or by our actions, e.g. passing a box of tissues or holding a hand when patients could not speak or move. Our prayer was that some seed would fall on good ground. Whether those seeds bore fruit (harvest) was left in God’s hands, our job was simply to sow seeds. Someone else may do the watering and harvesting of those seeds.

We are all sowing seeds every day, by our words, our actions and how we live our lives. So I ask myself and you, “What kind of seed are we sowing?” Into my mind came Galatians chapter 5 verse 22, ‘The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,

All fruit bears seeds, so if we have the fruit of the Spirit let us continually TRY to sow these seeds. Not an easy task I know, however just maybe some will fall on good ground and some people harvested into God’s Kingdom.

Christine Shaw

Lynne Sabin would like to share this piece of writing which she was given on Cursillo about 10 years ago. Lynne has valued it ever since.

God’s Promise

Although things may not be perfect Because of trial or pain,

Continue in thanksgiving Do not begin to blame.

Even when the times are hard, Fierce winds are bound to blow. God is forever able,

Hold on to what you know. Imagine life without this love, Joy would cease to be.

Keep thanking Him for all the things Love imparts to thee.

Move out of ‘Camp Complaining’. No weapon that is known

On earth can yield the power Praise can do alone.

Quit looking to the future, Redeem the time in hand. Start every day with worship, To thank is a command.

Until we see Him coming Victorious in the sky,

We’ll run the race with gratitude, Exalting God most high.

Yes, there’ll be good times And, yes, there’ll be bad but

Zion waits in glory where none are ever sad.

Author unknown.

Harvest festivals

Celebrating the harvest has been an annual tradition since Pagan times and especially in rural, agricultural communities. When the last sheaf of wheat had been cut, or basket of fruit picked, it was time for the workers to celebrate the end of another agricultural year and to look forward to a good rest after all their hard work. It was a time to feast, to party and to be grateful that there was enough food stored up for the winter.

The term Harvest is derived from Haerf-est, an Old English word which meant August, Autumn, or any time between August and November when the main agricultural crops were ready to be gathered.

Some churches celebrated Lammas tide (loaf-mass) on 1st August which was at the beginning of the grain harvest. Special loaves of bread would be made from the first sackful of flour that was ground.. These loaves were then taken into local churches and used in Communion services.

However harvest celebrations, of the kind we know in the Christian church, only began in Victorian times when the Reverend Robert Stephen Hawker, a Cornish clergyman, invited his parishioners to a special harvest thanksgiving service at the church in Morwenstow in 1843.

In ancient Israel, the primary harvest season extended from April to November. This period could be subdivided into three separate parts: the spring grain harvest, the summer grape harvest and the autumn olive harvest. These harvests were all linked to other major festivals in the Jewish year.

There was also an instruction in Jewish law that said farmers must make sure that those who were poor or strangers had enough grain (as in Ruth chapter 2).

‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and alien.’ (Leviticus 23:22)

Sharing and giving is a concept that is still carried on today as harvest gifts are traditionally given to help the homeless and those who need food.

It’s also a grateful response to the goodness God has shown us in providing for our needs. Sometimes a jug of water and a simple loaf of bread may also be displayed as a reminder of those people in the world who do not even have these basic necessities of life.

Harvest festivals have become joyful occasions when the community come together to celebrate. Traditions vary in different parts of the country and often depend on whether the church is in a rural or urban area.

Some of our favourite Harvest Memories

Going into an empty, slightly musty church in East Anglia and the wonderful smell from boxes of ripe apples
Little old ladies in village chapels in Lincolnshire as they fussed over the pyramids of choice vegetables and bowls of fruit they were arranging for the displays
Carrots with their ‘tops’ on
Huge marrows
Potatoes being harvested, then riddled to remove the loose soil before being stored in potato clamps (in the Fens in the 1950s)
Decorating shoe boxes and strawberry baskets with crepe paper and ribbon, then filling them with home-grown fruit and vegetables to take to school or church services
My grandad picking the best eating apples from a tree, then polishing them until they gleamed
Harvest suppers – often Sausage & Mash or Pie & Chips
How different groups at St Paul’s used to be responsible for arranging displays on ’their’ window ledges at both Harvest and Easter. Was there a competitive element to this or did we just imagine it?
The Dahlias and Chrysanthemums that Brian Goodliffe has grown on his allotment and generously donated every year (for as long as we can remember) to decorate St Paul’s Church.

Kathy and Geoff Crawford

P.S. If you have any Harvest memories you would like to share, please let us know.

Rod’s Roast Parsnip & Apple soup

2 oz each carrot, onion, celery and leek, roughly chopped

8 oz parsnips that have been peeled, chopped and roasted 2 oz butter or margarine

2 oz plain flour

1½ pts water

1 Vegetable stock cube

½ pt milk

8 oz apple, peeled and diced

Seasoning, chopped parsley

Method

Fry the vegetables in the butter or margarine. A little bit of browning does not matter.
Stir in the flour and cook for a few minutes.
Stir in the water and stock cube and bring to the boil. Simmer gently for twenty minutes.
Add the apple and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Add the milk, bring to the boil and simmer for another ten minutes.
Liquidise the soup in a blender then strain. A flour sieve is useful for this.
Correct the seasoning with salt and fresh milled pepper – take care not to add too much salt as the stock cube is already salty.
Reheat the soup and serve sprinkled with chopped parsley as a garnish.