Colchester Christ Church

News – February 2014

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:26

Christ Church Anglican Congregation Vision Statement “Through our worship, mission, nurture and service we want to enable all

people to enter into a living relationship with Jesus Christ”

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23

Rector:

Rev Paul Norrington (01206) 563478

Curate: Church Treasurer:

Revd Jackie Sams (01206) 530586 Brian Taylor (01206) 540392

Churchwardens: Church Office:

Delia Bloom (01206) 571788 Liz Bird (01206) 542307

Rod Green (01206) 768242 christ-church-vestry@btconnect.com

In this month’s news:

From the Rector: Come follow me - learning to dream again!

Prayer of the month

Home groups? Lent? Where could I fit in?

Bishop Stephen’s Sermon for Diocesan Centenary Service

Christ Church Advent Christingle 2013

Festival Decorations

Women’s World Day of Prayer 2014 & Knitting thank you

Hat Sale Report & Towel rota

Mission weekend

Early warning! The Real Easter Egg

Fairtrade fortnight

News from Richard and Katy Smith

Colchester Foodbank & Colchester Street Pastors

Family Quiz evening

Who let the Dads out?

Holiday Clubs evening

What’s on

February diary

Clergy availability

Please note that Paul is normally not available on Fridays.

The Rector Writes “Come follow me” – learning to dream again!

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4.18f Jesus comes to Peter and Andrew as they fish the Sea of Galilee. “Come follow me,” he says. They follow without a thought! I recall that day when I believe I heard the call of Jesus “follow me”. I had just been speaking about the moment every fisherman’s dream comes true – a great catch! In one of his many post resurrection appearances, Jesus calls out to Peter, cast your net on the right side, cast your net against all your instinct and training, cast your net – trust me! And I knew then as I know now his call was true. (John 21). Gladly for the first disciples the response to Jesus’ call was instant - off they go. For me and anyone who believes he or she has been called to serve as an ordained person, such a call would be an ongoing and developing dream. It was a few years before I could know the passing of one life to take up another. Such is the way of the

church! I too was to become a ‘fisher of men’. The rest is history.

Yet that was not the end of the fishing metaphor. On the day of my induction at Christ Church, I was given many encouragements but one stands out to this day. It was something of the prophetic, a picture of a fishing net, and full to over flowing. As I think of it now, I am reminded again of my first call to ministry. Now a picture, which I believe, was a sign of God’s desire to bless his church and my part in it. That in time, God’s time, this ‘picture’ would be a shaping influence for my ministry and the ministry of the church. I think on that evening I was in a bit of a dream with a lovely welcome and the sense of knowing God desired to be at the heart of this great new adventure.

Well nearly twelve years on I believe we are yet to see the net full to over flowing! Did we get it wrong? Was the picture just a fantasy or was it like a dream yet to be fulfilled? Are we soon to see revival and the fulfillment of God’s promise? I think in time and over the years such pictures and promises can get a little lost to the business of work and activity of ministry, a dream not forgotten but now perhaps a little hazy. Until that is God breaks in and reminds us that his promise never fades and our hopes and dreams remain as we seek to trust him again for his call and plan for us. On the last Sunday of Epiphany 26th January 2014, Brian Beattie led us in this prayer: God of resurrection, you give us not less than we ask, but more. Take our failures and turn them into wisdom; take our regrets and turn them into insight; take our hurts and turn them into compassion. Fill us anew with your holy spirit that we may claim afresh your kingdom, your gospel and your grace, that we may

look back on this day and name it as the day we learnt to dream again. I was struck by the words, “Fill us anew with your holy spirit that we may claim afresh your kingdom, your gospel and your grace, that we may look back on this day and name it as the day we learnt to dream again.”

These words have made me wonder again about that ‘picture’ of a fishing net full to over flowing. In fact, I am deeply encouraged to dare to believe it again as a sign of God’s longing to build his Kingdom in this community, in our church, home and the life we live. I pray, come Holy Spirit fill me

afresh, pour out every necessary gift of grace and love, empower me to live this dream rekindled. For each and everyone to know and see this dream come true. Could it be that in this year of mission, we will see our church grow both deeper spiritually and larger numerically. That as we seek God’s heart for a renewed vision, resources and gifts following, we will see and experience revival where we often think of survival! Brian’s prayer

reminds us that God has everything we need and more, we just have to ask. As we go into this year, may we set our hearts to prayer for our response to God’s call to mission and Kingdom building ministry. May we seek God’s heart for the right gifts and resources, especially for someone to lead our families and youth work and the wider financial resourcing of ministry. May we be encouraged to ‘go fishing’, sharing the good news of Jesus preparing hearts for a great catch. May we be open to God’s call

“come, follow me” and be obedient to it. Lastly let us be a passionate people who will look back on these days and name them as the time we learnt to dream again.” May God bless us and keep us. The love of the Lord Jesus draw us to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in his service, and the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our hearts. Yours ever

Paul

Prayer of the month As we enter this year of MISSION and with the Bishop of Chelmsford’s message to us all let us take time to consider that this means for Christ Church. .

Home Groups? Lent Groups? Where could I fit in?

If you are not a member of one of the Christ Church Home Groups (or “Small Groups” as we seem to call them) then the chances are that the person sitting next to you on a Sunday morning is in one! About half the congregation are in one of the four – soon to be five and then six - Small Groups. Each of the groups (apart from the one that hasn’t started yet!) has written a note about themselves below. The Small Groups usually meet fortnightly (or twice a month), with breaks at Christmas, Easter and in the Summer. They are places of fellowship, friendship, learning and prayer. They are informal, usually with shared leadership and plenty of discussion. I think all of us who are members of a Small Group would say they are fun; we look forward to meeting! During Lent, the Small Groups will meet weekly, and follow the Lent Study “the Nail” by Bishop Stephen Cottrell. You are welcome to join a group and experience Lent with the group – or indeed to stay on and become a more permanent member of the group. Look out for the sign-up sheets in the Church foyer, or contact one of the groups below.

There will also be a NEW GROUP starting on Wednesday mornings in Lent, meeting at the Church. This will begin as a weekly group in Lent, 10.45am for about an hour, also to look at the Lent Study “the Nail”. An initial gathering is on 12 February at 10.45am after the Wednesday Communion (10am), and then starting properly on Ash Wednesday 5 March. Here is what the current Small Groups say about themselves: • The "Carry On" group has been meeting fortnightly "in term time" ever since Christ Church's first Alpha course. We have 11 members who display a huge commitment to the group, meeting in homes both within the parish and in far flung places such as Parsons Heath and Copford on occasions! During our time together we have undertaken many biblical studies, in terms of themes and lifestyle choices as well as individual books from both Old and New Testament. Currently we are looking at The Book of Psalms. Sometimes we invite guest speakers to our sessions or make visits to learn more about the work of people in various Christian ministries, different dominations, or of other faiths. The importance placed by

Alpha on hospitality is seldom lost on us - we greatly value the time we spend in fellowship, always with good refreshments, and we enjoy meeting socially for theatre visits, meals, etc. Our size means that we are limited in being able to welcome new members, although Lent has often proved to be a good time for us to benefit from the company of others. Please feel free to contact either Clive Joyce 865418 or June Chandler 366930. • Our small group formed after one of our Alpha courses and was originally led by Rev Ray Sams- four of our current members are from the original group and the other three have joined since its formation. We meet on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays each month at Sheila’s home on Abbeyfield and take turns in leading the evening. We have had a varied programme over the years and most recently we have been looking at 1 Corinthians and one of the minor prophets, Hosea. We occasionally have guest speakers who have kindly shared something of their own faith journey. With mission very much on our minds this year we are planning to look at Acts and explore how the early church can encourage us in spreading the good news. We would love to welcome new members – contact Sheila Godwin (578403) or Judith Budge (546622).

• Our group (consisting of Paul and Katherine Wakefield, Paul Norrington, Jackie Sams, Jan Howell and Veronica Reilly) meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Over the past couple of years we have looked at various studies including a journey through Acts, a study on Psalms and we are currently looking at ethics. We are a light-hearted, open group and have plenty of good discussions, prayer and sharing. If anyone would like to join us please feel free. For more info please speak to Paul or Katherine. • Our group (Sara Humphreys, Clare Lankshear, Carolyn Munson, Rosemary King, Jean Taylor and Ken Wallace) meets fortnightly at each others' houses, and have been a group for ten years now! We choose varied discussion topics. There is always some biblical connection, but sometimes we devise our own studies, and sometimes used published materials. At present we are looking at the Lord's Prayer in connection with current affairs and concerns in the world. We enjoy each other's company and spend time talking and praying together as well as reading and discussing. We would be very happy to welcome new members - contact Sara (579379) or Rosemary (544558).

• The new Alpha Plus group is a follow-on from the recent Alpha course and has around 10 members, led by Simon and Michelle Prestney. We are journeying through Paul’s letter to the Philippians and following the Alpha format of food (through cakes and biscuits), a short DVD and open discussion. The session is a great place to allow questions from new Christians and people who maybe haven’t had the opportunity through their Christian journey to ask questions to understand Christianity as fully as they wanted to. The course builds on the Alpha course and is entitled “A Life Worth Living” and the journey is

about how we take Christianity into all facets of our life, growing in faith individually and as a community of faith. We meet every other week on Monday evenings in houses close to Christ Church and the group is currently made up of those who have just completed Alpha, and at present doesn’t have spare spaces in it. So – please feel very welcome and encouraged to be a part of a group! We look forward to seeing you and enjoying your company. Sara Humphreys on behalf of the Nurture Group

Sermon for Diocesan Centenary Service - Chelmsford Cathedral, 24 January 2014 Jesus said, “I am asking not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe…” (John 17. 20-21).

These are remarkable words. On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus gathers with his closest friends in the upper room, and speaks not only of his unity with the Father, but the longing of his soon to be broken heart that his disciples may also know such unity with God; and, more than this, he longs that they may

reach out to others, that their being entrusted with God’s word will bring this message of truth and peace to other cultures, other nations, other people and other times. Brothers and sisters, Jesus is speaking to us. He was thinking of us on the night before he died. He is

reaching down through the centuries. His message of truth is for everyone. Jesus was not just a Jew for Jews. Not just a man for men. Not just a 1st century preacher for 1st century people. Jesus, as the scriptures and the early councils of the church make clear, is the universal Word of God come down in the very particular form and likeness of our human flesh. Yes, a Jew; yes, a man; yes, first Century Palestine; yes the womb of the Virgin Mary, but, as Athanasius put it so succinctly, “He became what we are so that he might make us what he is.” He comes to us in the particularity of a single person and a single life, but he also meets us in the fullness of our humanity and therefore makes it possible, by his death and resurrection, for every person in every age and in every culture to know him and receive him. May they all be one. The radical vision of the Christian faith is that we are one humanity, inhabiting one world; that we are called to enjoy one community with God, and that this community should shape every aspect of our living. It is deeply uncomfortable for the rich and the powerful, because it questions all our so called norms of

wealth, privilege and power. It is liberation for the poor and the excluded, because it binds upon every one of us an acknowledgement that every person is my neighbour – no, more than that, my sister and my brother. So let me share with you one of the strange consequences of this Christian vision for the world for me personally. Unlike many other Christians, I have never had any great desire to visit the Holy Land. And the reason is this: I don’t need to go to the Sea of Galilee and gaze upon the waters and imagine Jesus walking across them, because I have been to Canvey Island, and I have seen the mists upon the water at Mersea and Paglesham and across the mud flats at Chalkwell and Barkingside; and I have known many storms in my life, and seen others overwhelmed by grief and pain, and known Christ’s presence calming the furies and arriving miraculously in people’s lives. And I don’t need to go to Cana and imagine Jesus changing water into wine, for I have presided at weddings in Plaistow and Hawkwell, baptisms in Waltham Abbey, confirmations in Chingford, St Osyth, High Beach, Saffron Walden, Harold Hill and many, many others, and I have seen lives transformed, people changed,

hope discovered, love triumphant; and I believe that all water can be made wine. And I don’t need to go to the Mount of the Beatitudes for Jesus’ teaching to be real for me. For I have read the scriptures, and I have been to church schools in Dagenham Park and Romford and Galleywod and Chelmsford and Birch, and these children and young people, who Jesus tells us the kingdom belongs to, they are here with us this morning. And I don’t need to go to Gethsemane to encounter doubt and pain, for I have known it myself and encountered it in others; and I don’t need to stand outside the city of Jerusalem and see the place where the cross of Jesus stood, for there are calvaries enough in Clacton and Becontree and Basildon and Manor Park; there is pain and injustice aplenty, and people still throw dice for other people’s lives, and mock the innocent, and walk by on the other side, and wash their hands of all responsibility. And I don’t need to see the tomb where they laid the body of Jesus, because I have been to a school in Stratford where four pupils have died from knife crime in the last few years, and I have opened a garden of

remembrance there; and I have seen the dedication of teachers and social workers and parents and friends who like Mary Magdalene have brought the oil and spices of their love and done what they could to confront the misery and injustices of the world; and I have stood in a crematorium and held the shoe box coffin of a child in my arms and howled inside at the sadness of the world; and I have taken funerals in Dedham and Southend ; and I have wept at many tombs. And I don’t need to go to Bethlehem and try and find the stable where Jesus was born to encounter the truth of the Incarnation, because, quite simply, I have been taught and have come to know that every person bears the image of God, and it is Jesus himself who tells me that the least I do for any of these, my brothers and sisters, I do to him; that he is present to me in everyone I meet, that another person’s life is holy ground , the place of encounter with the living God. As our first reading put it: “You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12. 27). And earlier in the same letter: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you.” (1 Cor. 3. 16).

Brothers and sisters, our beloved diocese of Chelmsford is one hundred years old this week. It was formed for only one reason: the better communication of the gospel of Jesus Christ; to build up Christ’s body here in East London and Essex, and to serve those people with the medicine and the peace of Christ. And Jesus constantly intercedes for the church he loves, his friends today, longing for us as he did for his friends in that upper room, that we may be one. So, in the presence of many dear friends from other Christian churches, and in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, I commit myself afresh today to the pursuit of visible Christian Unity, for our sad and scandalous divisions still hinder the work of the gospel.

And may the Church of England be one. With us today we have older people who have lived through most of the history of the diocese, and what a century of turmoil and change it has been. But also younger people who represent our future. You are all welcome. But there are all sorts of other people who make up the church. We are a motley crew: young and old, male and female, gay and straight, black and white, but one in Christ. We represent every aspect of humanity. May we learn to live together with our conscientiously held disagreements. May we teach the world that disagreement need not lead to separation, for Jesus is the one who breaks down barriers, and whose own shed blood brings peace to the world.

It was a privilege to attend the packed service headed " Friendship in Christ " in

the Cathedral. It was a happy celebratory time with a further strong message

from Bishop Stephen. There was a focus on the participation of children with a

song by the Cathedral School, instead of the choir, and intercessions undertaken

by Dagenham Park School. Christ's image is in all of us we were told, and the

service ended with a procession to the west door where a large screen portrayed

an Icon of Christ (as seen at the head of this article), but made up of a mosaic of

the photos of the congregation as we were each snapped as we entered. It was

a very moving moment on which to end.

Roger.

Christ Church Advent Christingle 2013 For many years we have made a giant Christingle as our centre piece for family fun and fellowship together. This year we took the theme of Advent to a whole new level where a church full of children and adults set about making a three dimensional interactive calendar based on the fairly traded ‘Real Advent Calendar’. Cutting, Painting, sticking and gluing provided ample opportunity to bring imagination and colour to the 25 images to be used in the calendar windows.

On opening the Christmas day window, we were greeted with baby Jesus hiding under a duvet-wonderful!

Festival decorations Special thanks to our team of ladies who give their time, talent and love arranging the flowers and making our church look splendid at Christmas, other festivals and indeed all the year. We look forward to 2014 as the ladies continue to delight us with their imaginative displays.

Women’s World Day of Prayer 2014 Friday 7 March 2014. The theme of this year’s service is ‘Streams in the Desert’ and has been prepared by the Christian women of Egypt. Services in this area are as follows: West Bergholt Methodist Church - 1.30pm. Preceded by Soup lunch at 12.30pm Mile End Methodist Church - 2pm Wivenhoe Methodist Church - 2.30pm St. Sabina’s , Roman Catholic Church, Brightlingsea - 2pm Regrettably there will not be a service in any Colchester Town Centre church this year. With the resignation of both the Chairman and Secretary from the local committee of the W.W.D.P., who have moved on to other areas of

service, there has not been found a way forward for organising the service. I know there is some continuing interest so please do get in touch if you feel the Lord is calling you to this work. Shirley M. Buckingham, Christ Church URC

Knitting thank you! Thankyou very much to all the knitters who knitted so many squares before Christmas. Enough squares were knitted to make 2 blankets and these are being donated to Colchester Open Door. Many thanks Katherine Wakefield

Early warning!

I apologise for talking about Easter Eggs so early, but as I shall be away for a few weeks prior to Easter, if anyone would like to order “The Real Easter Egg” I would be pleased to get them. Each fairly traded milk chocolate egg contains a 25 gm. bag of chunky chocolate buttons and a new illustrated booklet of the Easter Story. The cost is £3.99 There is also a Special Edition Egg which includes an olive wood holding Cross, and an exclusive Meaningful

Chocolate bar with a hint of orange at £9.99 I hope you will forgive me for thinking about Easter when we have only just ended the Christmas period! Clare

Fairtrade fortnight : 24 February – 9 March Fairtrade Fortnight 2014 marks the launch of a unique campaign that aims to transform the banana industry to ensure those at the sharp end of the supply chain, the millions of struggling banana farmers and workers, get a fair deal.

Below are a couple of recipes using Fairtrade bananas More details at : www. fairtrade.org.uk

Banana Bread by Michael Barry By television chef Michael Barry. Makes one loaf.

Ingredients 225 g (8 oz) self-raising flour 100 g (4 oz) butter 150 g (5 oz) caster sugar 450 g (1 lb) Fairtrade bananas (the gooier the better) ½ teaspoon salt 2 eggs 175 g (6 oz) mixed dried fruit Method Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Peel and mash the bananas, and then mix all the ingredients except the dried fruit together. You can do this in a food processor, or by hand in a basin. When they’re all thoroughly mixed, add the dried fruit. Spoon the mixture into a 1 kg (2 lb) non-stick loaf tin, spread it out evenly and bake it for 1½ hours. The loaf is done when a skewer pushed into its middle comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack before slicing.

Crumbly Banana Squares

Ingredients 175g Fairtrade sugar 175g margarine 225g self raising flour 100g porridge oats 2 medium Fairtrade bananas, mashed 25g Fairtrade sultanas (or similar) Caster sugar Method

Warm your oven to 200°C

Cream the sugar and margarine together

Cut in the flour and oats to make a crumbly mixture

Sprinkle half into a baking tray (12 by 8 inch) and press down lightly

Spread over the bananas and sprinkle the dried fruit

Sprinkle the rest of the mixture over and again press down lightlyBake it for 25 to 30 mins until golden

Sprinkle with caster sugar

Wait until it cools (if you can) and cut into appropriately-sized chunks

News from Richard and Katy Smith We now have our plane tickets to move to west Turkey on 20 February 2014. The local church group is welcoming us and is looking for a place for us to live. The plan is to be there for the first two years; praying, learning the language and culture, and settling together in Turkey. You can journey with us.... Please pray with us for; • A good place to live, good

location, and friendly neighbours.

• God's grace with us to help love each other, our local team, and local people.

• Holy Spirit inspiration to continue to pray and serve there.

• Provision for Moses, friends, nursery, school and fun in Turkey!

• That more and more Turks, including those in the East, would have a chance to encounter Jesus.

Please consider sponsoring us. During the first 2 years language learning phase we are relying on sponsorship from friends in the UK church. We currently have half the sponsorship we need.

(A gift of £10 a month would pay for one of us to travel on the public minibus. A gift of £50 would pay for a week of Moses' nursery. A gift of £100 a month would pay for language lessons in the local language school.) Please contact us smiths.anywhere@gmail.com or 07962 869215 for more information on sponsorship. Please don't use words mission or missionary on published news from us Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us and to shine on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, To guide our steps into the path of peace. (Luke 1: 78&79)

• In December 5.8 tons of food was distributed to needy individuals and families in Colchester. This compares with 4 tons given out during the whole of 2010! This staggering and sad local increase mirrors the position nationally.

• We have been working hard on

developing partnerships with other care agencies whilst networking with other organisations to heighten awareness of the service and to encourage support and participation, for example from supermarkets, schools & colleges, businesses, local media, etc.

• Clients are appreciating the modest-comfort of the reception area that has been created as part of the distribution warehouse at Moorside. Coffee, cake and chat are offered.

• Trustees and volunteers join

together in prayer at specific times each week. Additionally a time dedicated to Prayer & Praise was held at the warehouse recently. It is hoped that this will become a regular feature.

Clive Joyce

Diary Sunday 2nd February 8.00 am Holy Communion in St Mary’s Chapel 9.30 am Café Church 6.30 pm Prayer and Praise Monday 3rd 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 4th 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.30 pm FRoG Club Wednesday 5th 10.00 am Holy Communion in St Mary’s Chapel Thursday 6th 9.00 am Morning Prayer Friday 7th 6.00 pm Crusaders Saturday 8th 10.30 am Saturday Prayerworks 7.00 pm Family Quiz Night Sunday 9th 9.30 am Holy Communion Traidcraft stall Monday 10th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 11th 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.30 pm FRoG Club Wednesday 12th 10.00 am Holy Communion in St Mary’s Chapel 10.30 am Lent Home Group Thursday 13th 9.00 am Morning Prayer

Friday 14th 6.00 pm Crusaders Saturday 15th 9.00 am Who let the Dads out? Sunday 16th 9.30 am Morning Worship 6.30 pm Holy Communion Monday 17th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 18th 9.00 am Morning prayer Wednesday 19th 10.00 am Holy Communion in St Mary’s Chapel Thursday 20th 9.00 am Morning Prayer Sunday 23rd 9.30 am Holy Communion Monday 24th 10.00 am Coffee + Tuesday 25th 9.00 am Morning prayer 10.00 am Time Together 3.30 pm FRoG Club Wednesday 26th 10.00 am Holy Communion in St Mary’s Chapel Thursday 27th 9.00 am Morning Prayer Friday 28th 6.00 pm Crusaders Sunday 2nd March 8.00 am Holy Communion in St Mary’s Chapel 9.30 am Family Worship 6.30 pm Prayer and Praise

www.colchesterchristchurch.org.uk