The Parish Magazine of St John’s Church and St Andrew’s Church, Yeovil

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You can read the Focus Magazine online at www.sjyeovil.co.uk

October

2016

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PARISH DIRECTORY For this month’s church diary see pages 22 & 23

CHURCH OPENING TIMES… MON-FRI 10.00am to 3.00pm SAT 10.00am to 1.00pm

PARISH OFFICE: Tel 427745 (Answer phone outside office hours)

E-mail address - office@sjyeovil.org.uk Website - www.sjyeovil.org.uk

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR available in the Church office: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9.30am-1.30pm

Church activities...

Junior Church Crèche (0 to 2 years) Second, third and fourth Sundays in the St John’s Scramblers (3 years to 4 years) Schoolrooms. We leave partway through the morning Climbers (5 years & 6 years) service — Jo-Anne Smith Explorers (7 years to 10 years) Pathfinders (11 years to 14 years) Footprints Toddler Group Mondays 10:00am (Term-time only) — Joy Neville 321672 (For Mums and toddlers over one)

Bell Ringing Practice Monday Evenings 7.30pm — Roger Fox 862041

St John’s Music Group Practice Mondays by arrangement — Keith Ovenden 424780

St Andrew’s Friendship Circle 1st Tuesday 2.30pm — Beth Farrington

SALT (St Andrew’s at Lunch Time) 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 12.30pm — Beth Farrington

Together on Tuesday 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 2.30pm — Pat Legg 424354

Genesis Fortnightly on Wednesdays — Becky Dudley-Smith 475352 (For Mums with young children)

18-30's Wednesdays 7:30pm — Tom Putt 507964 tom@sjyeovil.org.uk

Tiny Toes at St John’s Thursdays 10.00am (Term-time only) — Joy Neville 321672 (For Mums and babies under one)

First Wednesday Usually, the first Wednesday of each month 7.30pm at (Parish Prayer & Praise) St Andrew’s Hall

Friday Night Youth Groups Friday evenings 7.30pm Pathfinders (11yrs to 14yrs) Lin Hann CYFA (15yrs to 18yrs) James & Doreen Maitland

TCP 4th Saturday 9.00am — Roz Chatwin

Fellowship Groups These usually take place on the second & fourth weeks of each month — Contact James D-S 475352

Christians Against Poverty Centre Manager — Steve Hart 426771

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A Letter from... The Rector

Dear friends

People often speak of life as a journey. Journeys for me are frequently associated with uncomfortable car seats, restless children, and traffic jams. Or overheated and overcrowded trains. Or cold and infrequent buses. When you go on holiday, it’s not usually the journey you look forward to. No, the important point of a journey is not the in-between bit, but the start and the end. Where have you come from, and where are you going? For the journey of life, those two things also are more important than the in-between bits. We are currently preaching in the book of Genesis on Sunday mornings and evenings. The first few chapters of the Bible tell us so much about where we have come from – our origins. In the mornings we are working our way bit by bit through the first chapters, and in the evening we are looking more closely at some significant topics that emerge in those same chapters (e.g. marriage, gender, or the sanctity of life). Where we come from determines who we are: so we come from God, we are made in his image, made to relate to him and to one another, made to live under his rule, blessed by his word and the richness of his creation. These origins are true for all people. And where are we heading to? The last chapters of the Bible tell us our destination, our destiny. It is that we should be restored to a renewed creation, saved through the cross of Jesus, and brought to the place where there is no more suffering, sin or death, to be with our loving God for ever. This destiny is not true for all people – but specifically for those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ, the Saviour God has sent to bring us home. Can you imagine being on a train without knowing where you travelled from, or where you are travelling towards? All you know is the seat you are sitting on, the table in front of you, and the countryside whizzing past the window right now at this present moment. You can only live for now, you can only make decisions relating to what you feel like doing now. That is such a limited way to live, and it has no reference point for decision making, beyond immediate personal preference. John Lennon pictured ‘all the people living for today’ – but that is such a blind and blinkered and short-term way to live.

For Christ in the heart...

...of Yeovil

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God calls us to lift our eyes and live for eternity. As you journey through October, ‘set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For … your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, you also will appear with him in glory’ (Colossians 3:2-3).

With my best wishes – James

Important evangelistic opportunity

Paul Jones of ‘Manfred man fame’

Well known for singing ‘do wa diddy diddy dum diddy do’! Radio 2 show presenter

Come and hear Paul and his wife sing and speak about what following Jesus means to them

Live at Vida comida Tappas restaurant, Sherborne Saturday 19/11/16

£15.00 per head Contact Iain and Roby Maitland - 01935 816163

News of Yeovil Chamber Choir

We are pleased to report that Peter Parshall has accepted the invitation to be our new Musical Director. He is based in Devon where he also conducts The Axminster and District Choral Society and Axminster Chamber Choir.

This term’s concert is entitled “The Italian Connection”, and contains music with an Italian flavour for the Advent and Christmas seasons. This is a joint concert, as last year, with Axminster Chamber Choir, with two performances, one in The Minster in Axminster on Sunday 11th December at 3.00pm, and one in Holy Trinity Church, Lysander Road, on Wednesday 14th December at 7.30pm.

For further information please contact our Secretary, Elizabeth Gowers, on 01935 425383, by e-mail at yeovilchamber-choir@hotmail.com, or go to our website at www.yeovilchamberchoir.org.

- Robin Hutchfield

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Family Announcements Wedding: Congratulations to Rory and Renee White, for whom prayers of blessing were said in St. Andrew’s on September 4th, following their recent marriage.

In Memoriam: We remember with gratitude … Gary Turner and Karen Watson, whose funerals took place in St. John’s in September. Please pray for their families.

We extend our deepest sympathy to all those who have lost loved ones and

pray that God will comfort all who mourn

Welcome to the world: Abigail Rose Putt, born Tuesday 13th September!

Congratulations to Anna, Tom, Ellie and Sam.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast at St John’s

Men's prayer breakfasts are on the second Saturday in the month from 7:45am until 9:00 am

8th October - in the Church 12th November - in the Schoolrooms 10th December - in the Schoolrooms

For more information please see Keith Stevens

Quote of the month

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

- Isaiah 41:10 New International Version (NIV)

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St Andrew’s Chit - Chat I suppose the great advantage of typing October at the top of the page is that you can now count on one hand the months until Spring! The disadvantage is that all the shops are selling their Christmas cards – and love Christmas as I do, I really don’t want to think about cards and presents while the remnants of summer are lingering in my garden! However there is something about Christmas that Beth would like you to consider. Each year, at Christmas, we like to send a parcel of good things to those members of our Church who are unable to get to services because of health or frailty issues, as a practical reminder that they are still part of our Church family and we send a gift as a token of our love and care for them – or, as Beth puts it, as a “hug” - a sign that they are important to us. We know that you would support this project, but if we all chose the same thing to bring, the parcels would be rather odd! Beth is planning to put a list of the items that we would like to put in the parcels and by the items there will space for you to tick and the number that we need. This should give us inspiration about what to bring and avoid the difficulty of 20 boxes of chocolate mints and I packet of biscuits. You will hear more about this project both in Church and in notices etc. There will be a special box to put those items in, so that they are separate from our regular donations to the Lord’s Larder. Another “Christmas” item that arose at our last Committee Meeting, is the matter of our Toy Service. It has been a custom at St. Andrew’s that about 2 weeks before Christmas, when the tree is first put up, we have a special service at which we can donate toys and gifts for needy children. They used to go to Social Services but they are now unable to take them. Last year, we gave them to CAP, for children of their clients, but they had far too many for their needs. The Council felt that perhaps our focus at this Special Service could be slightly altered. We hear so much about young people who leave Social Care, or for many reasons have left home without support and help, and find themselves alone and without a safe place to stay. The Children’s Society, to which many of you already contribute through the collecting box scheme, make helping these youngsters their special focus. Perhaps our Toy Service – although, lets face it, we all enjoy choosing toys and gifts for that occasion; we probably get as much pleasure as the children from our gifts – could have a focus on these young people, and we could give a money donation to help the Children’s Society in this special work. Again, you will hear more about this nearer the time. Jenny Jones is our representative for the Children’s Society. Last Focus, I put in a short piece about Nicky and John Pilton and their

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journey to Belgium in search of family history. Nicky sent me an e-mail with a bit more detail than she could tell me over coffee after Church – but in the mysterious ways of e-mail on some occasions, it did not reach me, and I got some facts wrong. We resolved the issue and Nicky re-sent her e-mail, and it arrived safely. I quote, because Nicky puts it better than I can – and more accurately! In July, Nicky and Jon stayed in Ieper, Belgium, again after a lovely holiday there the previous year. This time, they went with Jean and Norman Pilton, Jon’s parents, especially to trace Norman’s father’s time spent in Ieper during World War 1 and also to find the Brussels Cemetery, where Jean’s uncle, Charlie Old was buried. Charlie Old was, unfortunately, a victim in a plane crash during peacetime, in October 1945, in Belgium. Corporal William Henry Pilton, John’s Grandad, came home from WW1, but took part in the 3rd Battle of Ieper and was awarded the Military Medal. With the help of a superb Battlefield Tour Guide, they were able to retrace the steps William would have taken at that time. It was a very touching and humbling experience. Whilst there, they were able to view the daily Menin Gate ceremony, held every evening, when the Last Post is played. They also visited Bruges and enjoyed the delicious chocolate. Thank you, Nicky for that. I have to point out that I kept typing “Ypres” in the script, daring to think Nicky had got it wrong! But on looking it up, in the atlas it is spelt “Ieper” which is the Flemish spelling. We know it as “Ypres”, which I assume is the French version. Bridget was the only member of St. Andrew’s who went to the Parish Weekend Away. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience, as I believe, did all those who attended. Perhaps some of us will be braver the next time it comes round. The “Holiday at Home” was a great success. We did feel we had been to France thanks to the hard work of Helen and all the team involved. We had a French lesson from Jon Peace – I wouldn’t mind going back to school if all the teachers were as gifted as Jon! We had the most amazing food – starting the day with croissants, and a delicious lunch of Coq au Vin and a selection of very Gallic desserts and ending with tea and cakes! The entertainment in the afternoon was given by a clever prestidigitator from France – who looked amazingly like our Rector, James - but it can’t have been him, because he did not let his accent slip once! All those who came had a splendid time, so many thanks to Helen and her hard working team. Rumour is that we may have another one next year!

- Margaret Akerman

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October 2016 .... the BYG suggests for your prayers.

Please pray for our mission links abroad...

Marc, Hilary, Simon, Benjy and Eve Deneufchâtel - serving with SIM in Benin, West Africa

- Pray for the Monkole church and for all those responsible for good teaching;

- Pray for Marc preparing Bible studies for a continuation of Genesis;

- Pray for the translation programme and all those involved and pray for Marc and the children as they settle back fully into home schooling.

Dr Ruth Hulser serving with CMS at St Phillip's hospital, Tabora, Tanzania, East Africa.

- Pray for St. Philip’s and the work of the hospital, the farm and the school;

- Give thanks for the new solar power which now ensures at least some continuous electricity supply, vital for the oxygen concentrators;

- Pray for full and committed staffing at the hospital and for good relations with government organisations.

Rev Muyunda Simangolwa, priest at St Peter's church Lusaka, Zambia, Central Africa.

- Pray for good health for all the family and particularly for Cynthia who has been unwell following a visit to Western Zambia;

- Give thanks that the walls are now built on the new Sunday School classrooms and office and pray for successful completion of the buildings;

- The Bishop (of Lusaka) is currently transferring priests in the Diocese. Pray for wise decisions and particularly for Muyunda in his future and his ministry.

Prayers for the rest of the world… - Pray for Christians who are being persecuted in many parts of the world

and particularly in the Middle East and Indian sub-continent;

- Pray for the European Union and for those working on Brexit that all may work together for the good of all;

BYG... Points for prayer

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- Pray for our church leaders, give them grace and wisdom to do your will and to give strong and clear leadership to all people.

Don’t Forget the Parish Prayer Diary is available each month. It gives suggestions for people, places and events that you can pray for.

Name: Ruth Hulser Location: Tanzania My Call: To come alongside and walk with people not usually seen by all but who are seen by God, showing them that he cares. My Role: As a doctor in a health centre, I help run it and organise outreach clinics as well as a holistic community project, reaching out to people with specific needs

Hello from Tanzania! Please read below for my latest news as of July.

Dear friends I hope you are well! Recently I had the opportunity to hold a Bible study on these words of Jesus. “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14: 6-7. It made me think about one of the older ladies on the farm, Mwajuma. We got to know her a long time ago in a village outreach about 160km away. She was very sick, crouching on the earth floor before me with bloody diarrhoea, losing weight and frail. She had lived in the bush all her life, ha no children (the worst thing that can happen to a woman here) and was living with a third “husband”. A pagan with no education at all, she was not even very knowledgeable in Swahili. Unfortunately we found that she was infected with HIV. In the end, after trying many things, we invited her to stay on the farm in a small, little house that we had built to temporarily help people from the villages if they needed to

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be closer to St Philip’s Health Centre. It took a whole year for her to understand her tablets and how to take them without daily supervision! We then thought that she and her husband would move back to the bush, but he is very frail and she became a sort of surrogate granny for the children that had started to collect on the farm from other families so they stayed on. Three years ago we started an informal prayer, worship and Bible teaching session on a Sunday afternoon on the farm, when one of the children – Holo – became very sick again; everyone realised she was dying. Since then, these little informal prayer, worship and Bible sessions have become a focal point of all our weeks. Over time I noticed that the atmosphere has also changed, with adults listening intently and, instead of just sharing little stories aimed at children we were beginning to teach about the words of Jesus etc. The quality of the worship even changed. And then, about a year ago, this lady started to sing a tribal song in our worship sessions about Jesus being the only way. I assumed that this was perhaps done out of politeness, a way

of joining in. Imagine my surprise then when this year I found out that she had started going to a regular Sunday morning service in a nearby village and asked to be called “Maria” instead of Mwajuma. What introduced her to Jesus? What did she see? She says, and sings, with great clarity that Jesus is the way and that God is amazing.

Swaibu Swaibu, the 12-year-old who at the end of last year and the beginning of this had to spend three months on the ward on oxygen, has moved to the farm for the time being. He loves being in the midst of all the activities although he is still very short of breath all the time. He has finished TB treatment and is really enjoying a more normal lifestyle with Mama

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Holo becoming a temporary foster mother. We hope that Swaibu will be able to go home at least for the next month while we have school holidays, and hopefully somehow reintegrate him back to his village. This is all dependant on his father finding a reliable person to help him take his medication and food at the right times. (His father has four wives and over 20 children from different relationships and his mother is dead).

Fatuma Eva This lovely, cheeky little girl is nearly two years old and doing great. She is extremely talkative and alert to everything even though her granny is still drinking all the time. Fortunately the great grandmother and severely handicapped uncle are supervising her daily medication with help from us. We also support this family with food as Eva and her two siblings have no income generating relative. New children We have a tiny new boy called Sadiki (aged just five months

old); he has already spent three weeks on oxygen, but remains very sick still. He weighs only 4kg and has HIV and TB. The mother has never gone to school, there is no known father, and she comes from the bush. Her family are now trying to help and she will move in with her uncle as her parents are dead,

and he has taken her on as “his” child. Please pray for Sadiki. We have another new boy aged six called Ramadhani, who is quite unwell with newly diagnosed HIV. The mother took him away after he got tested in an outreach clinic by our matron Mama Ndugu, so that her family

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would not find out about her infection. However, the grandmother followed the mother for 500km to get her grandchild back, after Mama Ndugu started trying to find this child. He also needs your prayers so he can overcome his fragile health and become well again.

Wonderful development: Solar comes to St Philip’s Thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of Philip and Elaine Barlow and their friends Jon and Kjersti Oyvind, as well as their first rate organisational skills in finding a wonderful solar supplier in Dar, we have in just two steps at St Philip’s. We have a separate DC light system, with more than 64 panels and over 32 batteries, which allows us to run all our energy needs in the lab as well as all our computers in reception, pharmacy and various offices, and at least one of our oxygen concentrators. This system is brand new and we are still trying to work out exactly what it can do, but one thing is for sure; when the electricity company shuts the power off again, as happens at least for once a week for a day… and sometimes daily… our lights won’t go out nor will the oxygen concentrator. This is the lifeline for babies and older people who are life threateningly sick.

We thank everyone who contributed to this new development and all of you who, by holding us faithfully in your prayers, make these miraculous developments possible. God bless from Tabora!

Ruth, Juma and Geni as well as the clinic and Familia Moja team!

I would love you to pray for me

Please take time to pray for me as I continue to put my call into action Please pray for the diocese as well as St Philip’s Health

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Centre I will be in the UK again for my summer locum and

appraisal. Pray that in my absence everyone will be looked after well and he staff will be able to go on with the many jobs I have left them.

Thanks for your prayers for my parents Ute and Henry. My mother is finally home and hopefully stabilising. She has still many problems but can manage daily life with my father’s help. I will visit them when I go back to the UK.

Please pray for the children mentioned in this letter as well as for the farm community and all Familia Moja projects. This work makes a huge difference to people and is beginning to have some impact on communities.

You can give online to Ruth at: churchmissionsociety.org/hulser

St John’s Finance Update The General Fund Income up to the end of August

2016 is 2.1% higher than the same period last year.

This is below the fully funded budget increase

needed of 12%. A number of new people are now

giving by standing order but we have lost some givers who have moved

away which has reduced the overall increase to 2.1%.

The General Fund accounts up to the end of August 2016 show a deficit

of £5,941 which under current arrangements will be charged to the Peter

Wakely Community Fund.

Thank you to all those who have reviewed their giving but if you are a

regular member of St John’s and do not give by standing order or by

weekly envelopes, please consider joining either scheme as it makes

budgeting easier knowing that we have a regular guaranteed income.

Pledged giving and gift aid forms are available at the back of the church

or on our web site www.sjyeovil.org.uk/about-us/financial-matters.

At The PCC meeting on 21st September it was decided to discontinue

taking collections during services. Instead there will be a secure box by

the entrance to the church to deposit offerings either as you arrive or

leave. This will start during October.

- John Brookes - Treasurer

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Hello from Dartmoor! I am fully settled at Heatree now, I have been here for more than 2 weeks! We went on Expedition for a week in North Wales, where I climbed, walked, scrambled, swam and more! Yesterday, we had our weekly housegroup and the people that go are either TIs (Trainee Instructors) or members of our church in Bovey Tracey. It has been great to meet some amazing new people and learn more about myself and God! We are currently studying Acts in church, which has been really encouraging and challenging, it talks about the power of evangelism. In Acts 5:41-42, the Bible says “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” How powerful is that? This is true persistence. So I’ve had my induction period, and now I am assisting in activities with other instructors! Recently, I helped to run a high ropes session and low adventure. I also helped on an off-site day which included climbing a tor, walking through the forest and cooling off at a lake where we made a fire! It’s very tiring every day when I have finished work but it’s great to see the kids enjoying it and loving spending time outdoors! Everyone here is really nice, settled in with the 2nd years and the rest of the first years have now arrived and they are really nice, I’ve made good friends with two German girls. Today, we were taken to a climbing wall in Exeter and I climbed all the way to the top lots of times! Although that may seem small, it is massive progress for me because I am really scared of heights! All is good, now I am off to the local pub (as local as you can get to Heatree) with some friends from church! I hope you are all well, if you would like to know what else I have been up to, feel free to e-mail me at: hannah.peace01@gmail.com I would love to hear from you! Lots of love, Hannah x

Give God your weakness and he will give you his strength

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Back from Romania A little while ago I mentioned in the Focus that Alex and I were taking on a

project with our Explorer group, we have now completed the project and

here is some feedback from it, so that everyone in the church family who

supported us can find out what happened:

At the beginning of the summer holidays fifteen Explorers travelled to

Romania with five adults for ten days. We camped on a field located near

a town called Sighetu Marmatiei in the north of Romania, this field had a

river running by it which we used for swimming and washing in, and there

was a framework for a kitchen and a dining shelter, which groups from

previous years had put together so that we could add the walls and

ceiling when we arrived. The main purpose of this trip was to build

numerous structures for a care home out there. Our team was split into

two groups, the morning and afternoon shift; this allowed everyone in

each of the shifts to continually work as there were always things that

they could do. The building site to start with was just a plain patch of land

at the front of the care home, with no shade and no use. To fill this space

we built two seat swings, two tyre swings, a shelter with attached table

and benches, two raised flower beds, and a wooden vine structure that

has a flower bed box to go over each post. We finished our time there

with a party for the residents so we could see them use all of the

structures and equipment that we built.

It was an amazing experience to be part of and I am thankful for everyone

who has supported us. Thanks again, - Kelsie and Alex Ewen

The end result

Thank you so much Barbara Pinney and family would like to thank all those who attended David’s funeral service on the 9th August, also the prayers, letters, cards and phone calls we have received.

They have meant a lot to us.

The team

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‘Why do the sick people I pray for never get healed? The gospels tell of Jesus’ great healing miracles and he often comments on the faith of those who ask for them; so am I not praying with enough faith?’

I have preached once or twice on the phrase ‘great faith’ which Jesus uses twice. Once in referring to the Centurion whose servant is sick in Matthew 8, and once of the Canaanite woman whose daughter is demon-possessed in Matthew 15. Their ‘great faith’ seems to have two ingredients. First it is humble; the Centurion says he is not worthy to have Jesus under his roof and the Canaanite woman accepts that she has no right to anything but crumbs that might fall from the master’s table. Second, it is focused on Jesus himself; they both come to him and ask for help. If you pray in humility, genuinely seeking help from Jesus Christ, then your faith is great, whether you receive the answer you wish for, or not. Jesus gives his blessings sometimes to the ungrateful and unfaithful, as well as to those with faith. So don’t let anyone tell you that your prayers are not answered because of your lack of faith.

The apostle Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, and God did no such thing. Instead he answered with these words: ‘My grace is sufficient for you’ (2 Corinthians 12). And even Jesus himself prayed to his Father for the cup of suffering to be taken from him … and it was not. The New Testament clearly shows that God can use our sufferings for our good, and for the good of others. It is not God’s will for us all to be well all the time, in this life.

This question also needs us to understand the purpose of the miracles that are told to us in the four Gospels. They are not told to us so that we can copy them and try to heal people ourselves. They are not told to us so that we should normally expect Jesus to heal us or others miraculously and instantly, in response to our prayers. After all, there were plenty of people in Israel whom Jesus did not heal; he never goes out of his way to seek a sick person to heal them; he came as a teacher and Saviour, not a healer, but his compassion for others causes him to reach out in love to those who came seeking his help. He never promises healing to all in the here and now.

Tough Questions

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John calls all Jesus’ miracles ‘SIGNS’. The other gospel writers too are using the miracles as teaching points, to help us understand some things about Jesus. What do they teach us?

1) That he is powerful with a miraculous power that makes us go ‘wow!’

2) They teach us about Jesus’ identity. He does things we would normally associate only with God; it is a power over nature, sickness, life and death. These are things we would expect only the Creator himself to be able to do. So who is Jesus? He is God.

3) They show that his power is for good; it comes with compassion for the human condition and love for those in pain.

4) They show that his power is that of a kingdom yet to come, a kingdom where sickness will be healed for good, where no sin will be done, where death will be no more. His miracles (along with the whole of his life) point us forwards to the new heavens and the new earth where ‘there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain’ (Revelation 21:4). Jesus came from heaven and belongs to heaven. He has the power of heaven, and brings the touch of heaven forwards in to the present, as he loves and welcomes, puts down evil, forgives and heals – and raises from the dead. The demons are furious, because Jesus has brought the power of the future into the present: ‘before the appointed time’ (Matthew 8:29).

5) So the miracles teach us to put our faith in Jesus. Not for what we can get out of him to make our lives better, but because he is Lord. He is Lord of heaven and earth, the one who has the power of heaven, the rule of the Kingdom, with all its compassion and glory. We are to have faith in him, even when our lives now are full of pain and suffering, for those things can make us long for the real healing of our souls and bodies, the healing of the earth, and the renewing of all. Jesus’ miracles point us forwards to that time, and draw forth our greater faith.

Of course we pray for ourselves and for others in times of suffering. We pray to the one who has done everything, at great cost, to defeat all our enemies. So let us pray not merely for healing now, but for faith, strength, love, character, perseverance and joy – even when the suffering itself carries on.

- James Dudley-Smith

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CAP’s 20th ANNIVERSARY This year is Christians Against Poverty’s 20th Anniversary and what God has done through CAP in 20 years is a great deal more than anyone would have imagined when it started back in 1996 by its founder John Kirkby. Just over a couple of weeks ago, David Upton, Mary Irwin and myself had the privilege of joining 100s of frontline workers and head office staff at 2 days of celebrations in Harrogate where amongst other things John encouraged us to believe that with Jesus you can change stories and with Jesus your story can change! As an award winning charity, CAP is celebrating 20 years of saving lives, restoring marriages, feeding families and bringing hope back to thousands of broken people. Internationally, its work now reaches as far as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and its vision has expanded to so much more than just debt counselling. Whilst there are 300 Debt Centres in the UK, with numbers growing all the time, God has inspired CAP with new services to tackle the causes of debt and poverty, such as unemployment and addiction. It currently has 145 job clubs offering people a place of community and coaching to help them take the next steps towards employment. There are also 58 release groups that are seeing people break free from life controlling habits, and in 2015 CAP launched ‘Life Skills’ to teach practical ways to budget and live well on a low income; so far there are 25 Life Skill groups. In addition to these 4 services is the CAP Money Course, where 850 courses throughout the UK help people put value back into cash and provides them with a practical system to help them manage their money. The journey hasn’t been easy, and those who have read ‘Nevertheless’ will vouch for this, but with every setback CAP has faced, God has driven the ministry further forward into something greater. CAP is His idea and He’s always true, always good and always faithful to His promises. His heart for the poor and lost is relentless. He won’t stop pursuing His people and nor will CAP. To see the passion that has already risen up from an army of Christians and churches who have partnered with CAP, determined to serve the poor and save the lost, is just breath-taking. Through CAP UK, over 800 people come to faith every year; in the past year

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CAP saw 1009 come to faith! Nothing very ordinary but something short of miraculous! And just maybe greater things are yet to come. Lives have been changed time and time again with people helped by CAP. When a family is back on their feet, not only is their future changed, but the hope is that the future of their children, and their children’s children is also changed. That’s the incredible legacy of CAP – what it does now will echo throughout generations to come. Plus the eternal impact for thousands who’ve also stepped into a relationship with Christ! Looking back on all the miracles God has done through CAP, it must fill us with amazing faith for the future. CAP has a huge vision, to see 1000 church-based life transforming services by 2021, which is double the size CAP is today. God is able! We are all encouraged to preach the good news to the poor, and with all our strength to bind up the broken hearted and set the captives free. If you are a follower of Christ in Yeovil and the surrounding area, this same spirit is on you too. Together we are His people, His Church, designed to display His splendour in our communities. So let’s rise up like the Church Jesus always wanted us to be, let’s live out what He’s always called us to do, and let’s see even more lives transformed both now and for eternity. It’s an honour to be serving the poor and needy in our community and if you know of anyone needing help because they are struggling with unmanageable debt, please encourage them to ring CAP on 0800 328 0006. As you read this why don’t you stop for a moment and store this number in your mobile phone so you are equipped to signpost people to get help. If you would like to know more and support the work CAP does in the Yeovil area, please contact Steve Hart on either stevehart@capuk.org or 07972 057373. Thank you. ‘Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’ Ephesians 3:20-21

Steve Hart, Yeovil Centre Manager

“CAP are unsurpassed when it comes to the debt help they give people across the country. There’s nothing better to start you on the path to having more money in your pocket.” - Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert

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HOLIDAY PROGRAMME FOR SENIORS

Bonjour la France!

Our ‘Bonjour la France’ Holiday at Home was held on Wednesday 31st August 2016 at St Andrew’s Church Hall. As with any holiday, it was an opportunity to make new friends, do something different, and enjoy delicious ‘home cooked’ food. Our 40 guests arrived in the morning to the smell of hot croissants and freshly made fair trade coffee. Then a French quiz was enjoyed by all, led by Chris Tune and Iain Maitland, with Nigel and Davida winning in style! After that Tom Putt led the thought for the day, talking about John Calvin, the French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He focused on Calvin’s daily use of the verse from Psalm 124 “Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth” (v8), and how we need God’s help in every aspect of our lives, in all things great and small. Jon Peace then conducted a French class for us, with guests learning numbers from one to twenty and games of bingo followed with lots of fun. Lunch was an amazing French meal, coq au vin with new potatoes and vegetables, tarte tatin or tarte au citron, French stick and a glass of red wine! Empty plates all round, enjoyed amidst French flags and flower arrangements. More guests arrived after lunch for some excellent entertainment, with the French singer ‘Madeleine’ coming to sing to us and encouraging us to join in. Then, la crème de la crème, a French magician called Jacques arrived to bemuse and beguile us with his amazing tricks and stunning accent. It was of course our Rector and member of the Magic Circle, James Dudley-Smith. Coffee/tea and patisseries were served in the afternoon, before our guests were chauffeured home. Thank you to the amazing array of volunteers who made this fantastic day possible, to those who set up the room, arranged flowers, made food, served coffee, baked cakes,

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These usually take place on the Second and Fourth weeks of each month

If you are interested in joining one of these groups CONTACT James Dudley-Smith on 01935 475352

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN

Please telephone any prayer requests to:-

Helen Peace 414464

picked guests up and dropped them off, washed up, entertained and dismantled the hall afterwards … to enable some who do not go on holiday to enjoy a day en France and a special time of friendship and fellowship. We hope to run an afternoon in December called ‘Christmas Festive Fun for Seniors’ – please do contact me if you would like to be on the team of helpers for this …. date to be confirmed – watch this space! Yours in Christ, remembering ‘Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth’.

Helen Peace, Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

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SERVICES & EVENTS IN OCTOBER

Sat 1st 8.15 am Men about Yeovil Breakfast Yeovil Court hotel

10.00 am A year of training “Inviting people”

Downstairs schoolrooms

Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity

Sun 2nd

9.30 am Holy Communion St Andrew’s

10.30 am Together for Worship St John’s

6.30@St John’s Evening service St John’s

Mon 3rd

9.00 am Staff Meeting St John’s

10.00 am Footprints Schoolrooms

7.30 pm Bell ringing practice St John’s

Tues 4th 10.30 am Holy Communion St John’s

2.30 pm Together on Tuesday Schoolrooms

Wed 5th 9.45 am Genesis 41 The Park

7.30 pm First Wednesday St Andrew’s Hall

Thurs 6th 10.00 am Tiny toes Schoolrooms

10.00 am Gone Fishing Cafe St John’s

12.30 pm Lunchtime prayer St John’s

7.30 pm Creative Craft Schoolrooms

Fri 7th 7.30 pm Pathfinders/CYFA Schoolrooms

Sat 8th 7.45 am Men’s prayer breakfast St John’s

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

Sun 9th

9.30 am Morning Worship St Andrew’s

Harvest 10.30 am Holy Communion St John’s

6.30@St John’s Evening Service St John’s

Mon 10th 9.00 am Staff Meeting St John’s

10.00 am Footprints Schoolrooms

7.30 pm Bell ringing practice St John’s

Tues 11th 10.30 am Holy Communion St John’s

12.30 pm SALT St Andrew’s Hall

Wed 12th 7.30 pm 18 – 30’s 9 Shrewsbury Rd

Thurs 13th 10.00 am Gone Fishing cafe St John’s

10.00 am Tiny Toes Schoolrooms

12.30 pm Lunchtime prayer St John’s

Fri 14th 7.30 pm Pathfinders/CYFA Schoolrooms

Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity

Sun 16th

9.30 am Holy Communion St Andrew’s

10.30 am Morning Worship St John’s

6.30@St John’s Evening service St John’s

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Details of events are as correct as possible at the time of printing but please check weekly notice sheets for any necessary changes.

SERVICES & EVENTS IN OCTOBER

Mon 17th 9.00 am Staff Meeting St John’s

10.00 am Footprints Schoolrooms

7.30 pm Bell ringing practice St John’s

Tues 18th 10.00 am Holy Communion St John’s

2.30 pm Together on Tuesday Schoolrooms

Wed 19th 9.45 am Genesis 41 The Park

7.30 pm 18 – 30’s 9 Shrewsbury Rd

Thurs 20th 10.00 am Gone Fishing cafe St John’s

10.00 am Tiny Toes Schoolrooms

12.30 pm Lunchtime Prayer St John’s

7.00 pm Model Railway Group Schoolrooms

7.30 pm Creative Craft

Fri 21st 7.30 pm Pathfinders/CYFA Schoolrooms

Sat 22nd

9.00 am Ladies’ TCP Schoolrooms

9.00 am Women’s Breakfast Yeovil Court Hotel

Last Sunday after Trinity

Sun 23rd 9.30 am Together for Worship St Andrew’s

10.30 am Holy Communion St John’s

6.30@St John’s Evening Service St John’s

Mon 24th 9.00 am Staff Meeting St John’s

7.30 pm Bell ringing practice St John’s

Tues 25th 10.00 am Holy Communion Schoolrooms

12.00 pm SALT St Andrew’s Hall

Wed 26th 7.30 pm 18 – 30’s Half term social tbc

Thurs 27th 10.00 am Gone Fishing Cafe St John’s

12.30 pm Lunchtime prayer St John’s

Fri 28th 7.00 pm Pathfinders/CYFA Schoolrooms

Fourth Sunday before Advent

Sun 30th

10.30 am Together for Holy Communion

St John’s

6.30@St John’s Evening Service St John’s

Mon 31st 9.00 am Staff Meeting St John’s

7.30 pm Bell ringing St John’s

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This month’s theme

The Thirst Quencher

Scripture: Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4: 13-14 (NIV) Most of you probably play some kind of sports. If so, you should know that when you are exercising, it is very important to take in plenty of liquids. The question is, what kind of liquids should you drink? Ordinary water, of course, is a good choice, but when you go to the shops, the shelves are full of all kinds of sports drinks, energy drinks, and flavoured water. It is hard to know what is best. The advertisement for one popular brand of sports drink says, "It's better than water, juice, or any other drink. It gives your body what it is thirsty for! It gets you going and keeps you going." Wow! They have me convinced, but one thing I have noticed - in all of the claims made by sports drinks companies, not once have they ever claimed that if you would drink their product, you would never be thirsty again. If somebody had something that would do that, they would really have something, wouldn't they? Well, Jesus claimed to have that very thing! One day Jesus was walking through a town in Samaria. He was hot and tired so he sat down beside a well to rest. A woman came to the well to get some water and Jesus asked her if she would give him a drink. The woman was surprised that Jesus spoke to her because Jews would not usually speak to Samaritans. She said to him, "Why do you ask me for a drink since you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan?"

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Jokes Corner

Where do bees go to the bathroom? At the BP station! What do you call a baby monkey? A Chimp off the old block. Who earns a living driving their customers away? A taxi driver. "How do you shoot a killer bee?" "With a bee bee gun." What happened to the dog that swallowed a firefly? It barked with de-light! What stays in the corner and travels all over the world? A stamp.

Why did the computer go to the doctor? Because it had a virus!

Jesus answered and said, "If you knew who was asking you for a drink, you would ask him for a drink and he would give you living water." The woman replied, "You don't even have anything to get water in, how can you give me living water?" Then Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from the water from this well will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst again." Wow! Water that would satisfy your thirst so that you would never be thirsty again! Jesus wasn't talking about our thirst for water from a well, he was talking about our thirst for God. The Bible teaches us that we have a thirst in our heart for the living God - and that is a thirst that only Jesus can satisfy. So when we have Jesus in our heart, he satisfies our thirst for God and we will never thirst again! Jesus is life! Drink it up! Dear Lord, you have given us Jesus, the Living Water. May we drink of that Living Water so that we will never thirst again. Amen.

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Something to make you smile HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INFORMATION

BULLETIN MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET WOMEN: A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

ELEMENT: Women

SYMBOL: Wo/ DISCOVERER: Adam ATOMIC MASS: Accepted @ 53.6 kg but known to vary

from 40 - 200 kg OCCURANCES: Copious quantities in urban areas

Physical Properties 1. Boils at nothing, freezes without any known reason 2. Melts if given special treatment 3. Bitter if incorrectly used 4. Found in various states ranging from virgin metal to

common ore 5. Yields if pressure is applied to correct places

Chemical Properties 1. Has great affinity for gold, silver & range of precious

stones 2. Absorbs great quantities of expensive substances 3. May explode spontaneously without any prior warning and

for no known reason 4. Insoluble in liquids but activity increases greatly by

saturation in alcohol 5. Most powerful money reducing agent known to man

Common Uses 1. Highly ornamental, especially in a sports car 2. Can be a great aid to relaxation 3. Very effective cleaning agent

Tests 1. Pure specimens turn rosy pink when discovered in the

natural state 2. Turns green when placed beside a better specimen

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ADVERTS By inclusion in FOCUS an advertiser is not underwritten by the Editor or the Church Council. We suggest always asking for a recommendation.

If you would like to advertise in this magazine, please contact the Editor

A Touch of Glass

Glass and Metal Engraving Specialists

1 Church Street, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1HE

Tel 01935 411088

dawn.stevense@btinternet.com

Hazards 1. Highly dangerous except in experienced hands 2. Illegal to possess more than one, although several can be

maintained at different locations as long as specimens do not come into contact with each other

A young man was taken on as a temporary caretaker at a large city church. When he reported for his first day at work, the vicar greeted him with a warm handshake and a smile. He gave him a broom and said, “I’m afraid the place is in a bit of a mess, so for your first job you will have to sweep the whole place and make it tidy." The young man looked shocked and he said, rather indignantly, “Have you forgotten I’m a university graduate?” The vicar replied, “Oh, sorry, I’d forgotten that; here give me the broom and I’ll show you how it’s done.” The curate appointed to a new church had a rather inflated view of himself. A few minutes after he had moved into his new office, he saw there was someone in the corridor waiting to see him. Thinking he would create a good impression, he picked up the telephone and, speaking in a voice which would be heard outside, he said,” Hello, yes I’m the new curate and I already have a string of people who have said they want to see me, so I am going to be very busy. Would you mind ringing later in the week?” Putting the phone down, he asked the person in the corridor if he could help him. “Yes,” was the reply, “I have been sent to connect your new office telephone.”

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Independent Examiners for St John the Baptist Church.

Partners Paul Gilbie and Craig Howes specialise in advising small and medium sized local businesses.

Why not call in for a chat? 1 Church Terrace, Yeovil. BA20 1HX, Tel: 01935 426811

David Upton’s Art for CAP David is selling his paintings in the form of Canvas prints, Paper and Card Prints, Greetings Cards, and postcards. Proceeds to help the work of the CAP

centre. To buy please see his work on Facebook page: David

Upton’s Art or also from the website: www.david-uptons-art.myshopify.com Tel: 01935 424270 Mob: 07801 554014

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DAVID C. RIVETT FAMILY OWNED AND RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS

30 LYDE ROAD YEOVIL SOMERSET BA21 5AT

01935 433737

A family run and owned funeral directors aiming to offer a friendly, caring but professional service. On site manager. With just one office, we aim to dedicate ourselves to our clients from the first call, offering help and advice on all aspects, including pre-payment funeral plans. Client parking on site with disabled access.

NAFD member. 24-hour service

G. H. Cook & Son

FUNERAL DIRECTORS AND MONUMENTAL MASONS

24 Hour Service

Private Chapel of Rest

8-11 Bond Street, YEOVIL Tel: 423463

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Walter Wall

for Quality Carpets, Rugs and Vinyls.

All Prices—Immediate Delivery

Fitting by Experts

34 Princes Street, Yeovil

Tel: (01935) 478100

AJ Wakely & Sons Independent Family Funeral Directors and Monumental Mason

- 24 Hour Service - Private Chapels of Rest

Website :www.ajwakely.com

33 Sparrow Road, Yeovil, BA21 4BT Tel : 01935 479913

16 Newland, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3JQ Tel : 01935 816817

Please contact Clive Wakely, or a member of their dedicated team for any advice or guidance

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Building Contractor Extensions. Alterations. Maintenance &

repairs. Patios. Internal & external decorating

Tel: 01935 428176

GEOFF BRYAN

BARTLETTS Removals, Containerised Storage, and Transport.

Packing materials available.

www.bartlettsremovals.co.uk 36 Buckland Road, Yeovil. BA215HA. Tel: (01935) 423932 Fax (01935) 433713.

60 West Coker Road, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2JA Tel: 01935 472793 Email: info@beechwoodcarehome.co.uk

Set in large gardens, we pride ourselves on a very high standard of 24hr residential care. With trained, caring staff, we put the interest of each individual at the heart of everything we do. A family-run home, we aim to provide a welcoming and homely environment for up to 28 residents, each with their own room and ensuite facilities. Please do call or visit us, you will be made most welcome.

Beechwood House Care Home

B015

Jim Allen Roofing and Building Contractor

- New Builds

- Brickwork, Stonework, Blockwork and Rendering

- Carpentry & Property Maintenance

- Roofing/Re-roofs and Repairs

- Guttering & UPVC

No job too big or too small

Tel: 01308 863809 Mobile: 07976 372045

Web: www.jimallenbuilding.co.uk E-mail: alljm996@aol.com

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WHO’S WHO?

St John’s St Andrew’s

Wardens

Rob Dean

Jennifer Matthew

389780

862190

David Maynard-Griffin

Les Jackson

424605

425343

Treasurer John Brookes 478862 Les Jackson 425343

PCC Secretary Janet Dean 389780 Margaret Akerman 422474

Organist Ray Willis

07880 918697

Derek Wood (01460) 75680

Gift Aid Officer Roger Fox 862041 Les Jackson 425343

Captain of the Bell Ringers

Roger Fox 862041

Music Group Leader Keith Ovenden 424780

Children’s Team Co-ordinator

Jo-Anne Smith

Floral Group Chair Mary Brooks 425147 Nicky Pilton 822422

Child Protection Contact

Jane Maclean 862140

Envelope Secretary Roger Fox 862041 Jo Dodwell Ex-Dir

Focus Magazine Editor

Elaine Mitchell 476097 Margaret Akerman (liaison)

422474

Traidcraft Contact Pauline Kibblewhite 841510

Parish Administrator & Schoolrooms Bookings

Kath Upton

Home 424270 Office 427745

Diana Rose (Hall Bookings)

476801

Please submit any articles or items for the Focus Magazine to the Editor via e-mail or pigeon hole in St John’s by the 3rd Sunday in the month

Focus Editor email address: focus@sjyeovil.org.uk

Elaine Mitchell is a member of The Association for Church Editors

Rector Associate Minister

Revd. James Dudley-Smith Revd. Tom Putt

475352 Email: james@sjyeovil.org.uk

507964 Email: tom@sjyeovil.org.uk

Readers

Keith Stevens David Upton Beth Farrington

428142 424270

Ex Directory

Facilities Co-ordinator

Terry Bush 427745

Pastoral Care Co-ordinator

Helen Peace 414464 Email: helen@sjyeovil.org.uk