News f r o m Abbey United Reformed Church, Romsey and sister church at Braishfield

May 2011

MINISTER’S LETTER May 2011 Dear friends, Happy Easter! You may have eaten all your Easter Eggs (perhaps you won one from the amazing collection at our Pilots Easter Egg raffle which raised a goodly amount for their charity the Jubilee Sailing Trust). And the Church Easter flowers have all been distributed by now (and perhaps have wilted away). But we remain in Easter for the whole of May. The 40 days of Lent are counter balanced by 40 days of Easter, as a reminder that the story of Jesus does not end with a cross, but continues on an open road. Jesus is not history! No, when we share bread and wine in Christ’s name we do not simply remember his sacrifice or proclaim only his death. We make the bold claim that he is risen and gloriously makes himself known as we break bread and share his cup of blessing. The life he lived spills into our lives. The fullness of life he promised bubbles up within us, like a spring of fresh, cool and refreshing water. So let’s continue to proclaim: ‘the Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!’ As an author who celebrated life, love and spirituality, D. H. Lawrence once wrote: ‘to preach Christ crucified is to preach half the truth’ and not to preach with equal passion Christ risen is to ‘rob us of the blossom and fruit of the year.’ So can we be an Easter people? As we meet for worship can we recognise the presence of Christ among us? As we eat and drink at the table can we know Christ feeding our hearts? As we listen to the Gospel stories can we allow them to come alive and speak to our times? As we meet people in their joys and their difficulties can we recognise Christ in them? As we look at the world of nature can we look with the care of the one who counted sparrows? As we come together for our Church Meetings can we seek not simply the will of the majority but the mind of Christ? Can these dry bones live? Happy Easter: the Lord is risen; he is risen indeed. Let’s live it!

Terry Hinks

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PRAYER FOR THE MONTH Christian Aid Week falls in the middle of this month (15 – 21 May) and as well as collecting for its work we are asked to pray. We will be learning about coffee farmers in Nicaragua in their dreams and struggles for a better life. Please use the two prayers below:

God, who is more than we can ever imagine, give us a bigger picture of the world; give us a broader view of justice; give us dreams of love that are not defined by boundaries of geography or race or religion, or by the limitations of worldly structures and systems. Enlarge our imaginations and inspire our courage this Christian Aid Week to put ourselves in that bigger picture. Keep us struggling, keep us faithful, keep us strong, so that we never give up on the promise of your kingdom, where the world is transformed, and all can enjoy life in all its fullness.

The Lord's Prayer from Nicaragua

Our Father, who is in this our land, may your name be blessed in our incessant search for justice and peace. May your Kingdom come for those who have for centuries awaited a life of dignity. May your will be done on earth and in heaven and in the church of Central America, a church on the side of the poor. Give us today our daily bread to build a new society. Forgive us our trespasses, do not let us fall into the temptation of believing ourselves already new men and women. And deliver us from the evil of forgetting that our lives and the life of this country are in your hands. Amen.

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CHURCH FAMILY NEWS Our prayers are with: All who are unwell, housebound or in hospital. We remember people by name Sunday by Sunday in our intercessions. Please add names to the book of prayer requests (in church entrance). From the church registers Weddings 9 April Richard Stanley and Lisa Redmore 23 April Mark Breakspear and Carola Willox

We wish them every happiness and God’s blessing Baptisms 27 March Mollie Knight (daughter of Robert and Carole) Annabelle-Lorraine Daw

(daughter of Michael and Karla-Louise) Funerals 24 March Avril Gritt Service of thanksgiving at All Saints

followed by burial in the graveyard led by the Minister

20 April Clara Hobby Service at Southampton Crematorium led by the Minister

28 April Amanda Hall Service of thanksgiving at church followed by committal at Southampton Crematorium led by Revd Alan Green

Cradle Roll Birthdays in May

7 May Oliver Young 1 year 13 May Reece Page 3 years 13 May Jude Schwodler 3 years 14 May Alfie Campbell 4 years

WE WISH THEM A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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Pilots News Greetings to everyone and hallelujah - summer is finally here. Trip to visit Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST) ship The visit to JST tall ship (Tenacious) on 17 April 2011 was great fun and everyone was requested to dress up as a Pirate as part of the visit. I felt very encouraged by the support shown by the members of the congregation. Here are some of the comments:

I really enjoyed the food and the water pistol fight with our guide jolly Roger. He showed us how they fight off invading pirates!

Coran The thought that has gone into the design of this boat to enable

people with such a range of ‘abilities’ to experience their full potential is amazing. I take my hat off to the many volunteers who help make this possible.

Angela A lovely visit. I hope to join them for a short cruise in the summer.

Betty Some Amazing People, on an Amazing Ship, Doing Amazing Things!!

Di Easter Eggs Raffle (JST Fund raising event) I must say a very big thank you to all who had donated Easter Eggs and bought the raffle tickets. The Easter Eggs Raffle took place during the Easter breakfast – it took a while as there were so many Easter Eggs to be given away. Total raised for JST stands at £180. Pilots on Sundays The Pilots will continue to learn about living in God’s family based on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew’s Gospel. If you know of any children who might be interested in joining our Pilots group do invite them along. Volunteer as Pilots Helpers If you would like to volunteer to help with Pilots Sunday sessions and do let me know. We would love your help. Within Pilots we follow the guidelines laid down for Good Practice in Safeguarding Children. Pilots meet on Sunday mornings between 10.30 and 11.30.

Wai Chan, Pilots Captain 077943 61570 foongcy@hotmail.com

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Tiny Tots Service

Thursday 5 May and 2 June 2 pm in the hall lounge

5 May: Weddings: Please bring a picture of a wedding

Twenty minutes of songs and stories for pre-school children, babies and parents followed by refreshments and activities: very informal and relaxed. For more details contact Angela

Bevan (01794 511161) or the Minister

Easter Fun Club

The Easter Fun Club for children was held on13 and14 April, about 20 children attended the event. Thank you especially to Susan Lord and Carole Cox - the key persons who organised this event and not forgetting all the helpers as well.

Wai Chan

Music for an April Evening Our thanks to EllaBeth Little (violin), Joseph Little (cello) and their grandfather Bryn Bridges (piano/organ) for the lovely concert on 8 April in aid of church funds and sponsorship of assistance with medical work in Nepal. Details of the charity working in Nepal can be found at www.brinos.org.uk Ear disease as the single most prevalent disease among those living at high altitudes in the Himalayas. As a result of this ear surgery camps have been carried out two or three times a year in which UK consultant ear surgeons give their time to go out to Nepal to operate on afflicted patients. Joseph’s father Paul spoke about this to the audience at the concert and Joseph spoke of a visit he made last October when he acted as an operating theatre assistant. The concert raised £372.66 which was divided equally between the two causes.

First Sunday Collection of basic foodstuffs We (and a number of Romsey Churches) collect basic foodstuffs on the first Sunday of each month for the Andover Food Bank which now operates in Romsey. Thank you for your support.

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Year of Evangelism: a faith worth sharing, a hope worth holding, a love worth knowing May Focus on Session 3: ‘Following Jesus’ Discussion at 6.30 pm worship on 8 May (our second

Sunday discussion in the hall lounge) June focus will be on ‘making a commitment’

Talking about God – Leading worship Following on from our monthly meetings exploring the Bible, we are planning a series of meetings beginning in May to look at theology and worship. If you want to know more please contact Terry Hinks as soon as possible.

LADIES’ GROUP Thank you to everyone for their help and support with the Spring Sale. This raised £524.14 (an increase of £22.37 on 2010!). Dates for May: Thursday 5 May Illustrated talk by Jake Simpkins on the Titanic Thursday 19 May Talk by Trevor Sleath on the Andover Food Bank Thursday 2 June A walk with Susan Hartley around Romsey viewing unusual trees followed by summer supper in the lounge. Note: 6.30 start at the hall. Meetings are open to anyone who wishes to join us.

Gwen Sloan

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LETTERS Susan and I would like to thank all those who helped with the Easter Fun Club. They assisted the children in making lots of things and most of them required carrier bags to take everything home. The days were a great success for children and parents alike.

Carole Cox and Susan Lord. I would like to thank the members of the congregation for their good wishes and care during my recovery from my hip operation.

Carole Cox

Church Officer holiday First, a belated thank you to all who helped so willingly while Angela was away in February, both with key holding and cleaning, all went smoothly.

Angela is again on holiday from Saturday 18 to Wednesday 29 June 2011, we will need to cover cleaning, and the opening and closing of church and hall.

We need volunteers to help clean and prepare the church for Sunday worship on Friday 25 June, and to check toilets and kitchen in the Hall.

We will approach those who helped with the many opening and closings of church and hall doors in February to see if they can help again, but we would be pleased to hear from anyone else able to help. Please contact Mavis or Chris.

Mavis Stirling and Chris Gunston

Romsey Flower Rota 1 May Iris Langrish 8 Judith Dixon and Ruth Liggett 15 Betty Bowen 22 Mavis Stirling 29 Ruby Hiscocks 5 June Amy Roberts If you would like to donate or arrange flowers please add your name to rota at back of church or contact Janet Littlehales 02380 733654.

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The Church is us

Annual General Meeting

7.30 pm on Thursday 26 May

in the hall Key items for the meetings are: News of the church’s activities Appointment of elders and others to serve the church Introduction of the URC’s national advertising campaign (ZI –

come and find out what the initials stand for) Plans for fundraising to bridge budget deficit News of Commitment for Life and our re-launch Future events including plans for the Arts Festival

The meeting is open to all (though for decisions in the life of the church only members can vote). We hope you will be able to attend.

Terry Hinks

Balm 10.30 am – 12 noon

Second Monday of the month

Balm (Bereavement and Loss Meeting) continues on the second Monday of the month, an opportunity to meet and talk over coffee and cake. The morning is hosted by Stella Gunston, Maureen Spurrier and Christine Thomas. If you would like more information please speak to one of the team or contact the Minister. The dates for 2011 are: 9 May; 13 June; 11 July; 8 August; 12 September; 10 October; 14 November; 12 December

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ROMSEY ARTS FESTIVAL

We are looking forward to the Romsey Arts Festival 1-17 July. The brochure has been printed and will be landing on doormats from 23 May. For a preview of what we can look forward to, look at the diary of events on the website www.romseyartsfestival.org.uk For this festival there are 50 organisations putting on 53 events and 13 exhibitions throughout the town. As always, our church will be hosting special events which will include concerts, a music workshop and an art exhibition. We will be open every day from 10am – 4 pm to welcome guests, and to sell coffee and home made cakes! In direct competition to Café Nero in a much calmer and more attractive environment!

We hope to have a display on World Outlook with contributions from Christian Aid and Amnesty International and also a display from the Pilots to celebrate their 75th Anniversary. If our festival is to be the great success that it always is, with thanks to a great team of stewards and helpers, we will be looking for volunteers again in many and varied ways!

At the last Arts Festival meeting, the URC was congratulated on the high standard of stewarding and the very warm welcome received by our visitors.

A list will go up at the back of the church from mid May for volunteers to steward the church and help with the refreshments. If you enjoy baking, it would be great to have a constant supply of yummy treats to sell to raise money for the church. So please bake and freeze whenever the spirit takes you! As always our church will be decorated on the outside with our very own hand-made bunting. This will link us up to the rest of Romsey which will be filled with flags for the Festival! We would hope to have fresh flowers inside the church for the second week, taking us up to the closing service that will take place in our church on Sunday 17 July. Thank you all so much in anticipation of all the skills and help that you can offer. It should be a lovely summer!

Louise Avory

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Commitment for Life to help the world's poorest people

The Commitment for Life programme of the URC has selected four countries for its appeal within the denomination working through Christian Aid projects and the World Development Movement. At Romsey we chose the occupied Palestinian Territories for our appeal. It means that we centre our praying, giving and campaigning on that country and also to the main beneficiary, PARC, the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee. Forty per cent of URC churches are in this arrangement and Christian Aid has always expressed the importance of the scheme to them. When our giving is sent to the URC the bulk of it is shared between the four countries, in order that there is not an imbalance between them (Bangladesh, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory). It does mean that only part of our money goes to the Palestinian cause, but churches who chose other focus areas are helping the projects in Palestine too.. The olive oil sales and the Nablus olive tree planting were direct giving from Romsey URC. There will be time given to discuss this at the AGM and there is a plan to re-launch the scheme at the end of the month during the World Council of Churches Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. Jennifer Prestage Commitment for Life re-launch: 10.30am Worship on Sunday 29 May

Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel. 29 May - 4 June 2011 www.oikoumene.org

This annual observance of a week of prayer, education, and advocacy calls participants to seek justice for Palestinians, so that both Israelis and Palestinians can finally live in peace. The week's message is that now:

• It's time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace. • It's time for freedom from occupation. • It's time for equal rights. • It's time for the healing of wounded souls.

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Church Calendar for May

1 May 10.30 am Family Worship and Communion led by Revd Alan Green

6.30 pm Evening Worship led by Jackie Lowe 3 May 2.30 pm Women's Guild: Bible searching 4 May 2.30 – 4 pm Table tennis in the hall 5 May 2.00 pm Tiny Tots

7.30 pm Ladies' Group: Illustrated talk by Jake Simpkins on the Titanic

7 May 9 – 12 noon Working party around church 8 May 10.30 am Family Worship led by the Minister

6.30 pm Worship and discussion in hall lounge: ‘Year of Evangelism’ led by the Minister

9 May 10.30 – 12 noon BALM gathering in the hall lounge 7.30 pm Pilot Leaders’ meeting 8.15 pm Youth Forum 10 May 12.30 pm Church Lunch Club

2.00 pm Women's Guild: The Tee Gees Comedy and Song 7.30 pm Elders’ Meeting

12 May Communion Service postponed to 19th 15 May 10.30 am Family Worship led by Angela Bevan 6.30 pm Holy Communion led by the Minister 17 May 2.30 pm Women's Guild’s 65th Anniversary Speaker: Dick Duley 19 May 10.30 am Short Communion Service in hall

lounge followed by refreshments 7.30 pm Ladies' Group: Presentation on the

Food Bank by Trevor Sleath 22 May 10.30 am Family Worship led by the Minister 6.30 pm Evening Worship led by the Minister 23 May 8.00 pm Worship Group 24 May 2.30 pm Women's Guild: Poetry please 26 May 7.30 pm ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING in the hall (with refreshments) 28 May Amnesty 50th Anniversary

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29 May 10.30 am Family Worship led by the Minister 6.30 pm Evening Worship led by Daphne Purver 31 May 2.30 pm Women's Guild: Beetle Drive 2 June 2.00 pm Tiny Tots 6.30 pm Ladies’ Group walk and supper 4 June 9 – 12 noon Working party around church 5 June 10.30 am Family Worship and Communion

led by the Minister 6.30 pm Evening Worship led by the Minister 7 June 2.30 pm Women's Guild: Talk - Wendy Lenihan 11 June 10 am – 1.30 pm Christian Aid Fair 12 June 2.30 pm Cymanfa Ganu (Welsh Singing) 18 June Synod Day: Steaming ahead

Magazine material for June to be submitted by Sunday 15 May please

Tuesday Prayers

9.30 - 10 am in the vestry The suggested readings for April are:

3 May Psalm 123:1– 2 John 14:1–10 10 May Psalm 126: 1 – 4 John 14: 11 – 17 17 May Psalm 127: 1 – 2 John 14: 18 – 26 24 May Psalm 130 John 14: 27 – 31 31 May Psalm 131 Matthew 28: 11 – 20 7 June Psalm 133 Romans 8: 14 – 17

If you have particular prayer requests, please add them to the book at the back of church. WORK MORNING 9 am – 12 noon at church (DIY and cleaning jobs) on Saturdays 7 May and 4 June Contact Geoff Prestage (01794 884948)

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Braishfield United Reformed Church

Minister: Reverend Terry Hinks, Abbey Manse, The Abbey, Romsey 01794 512163 Secretary: Mrs Shirley Smith, Elttoc, Kiln Lane, Braishfield 01794 368447 Treasurer: Mrs Margery Randall, Paddock View, Newport Lane, Braishfield 01794 367738

Sunday Services First Sunday Holy Communion 9.30 Junior Church 10.00 All other Sundays Family Worship and Junior Church 10.00

Calendar

May 1 9.30 am Holy Communion led by Revd Alan Green 8 10.00 am Family worship led by Peter Davies, followed by refreshments 15 10.00 am United Christian Aid service led by the Minister 22 10.00 am Family worship led by Angela Bevan 29 10.00 am Family worship led by Peter White June 5 9.30 am Holy Communion led by the Minister News from Braishfield Thanks to Daphne Purver, an elder from Romsey, who served at our Communion service on 3 April. This being Mothering Sunday and as Rusty and I were away Rusty was not able to pick the daffodils as he has done for a great many years. Thanks to Sharon for taking on the job this year. Also once again thanks to Jean and Peter Vine for allowing us to gather the daffodils from their woods. The united Christian Aid service this year is in our church on 15 May and will be led by our Minister and members of All Saints Church. We invite you to join in this service at 10.00 am if you can.

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What a lovely surprise Rusty and I got as we arrived at church on 27 March. Members of our congregation had got to church very early to decorate it with an amazing amount of flowers, mainly gold and white, to help us celebrate our golden wedding which was on the 25th. We also had gold 50s and Happy Anniversary sprinkles on the two pews where we sit. The church looked wonderful. Hazel Roberts led our worship during which we had lots of mentions for which we thank her. After the service we were asked to come to the front of the church and were presented with gifts, a wrought-iron bike plant holder and garden vouchers from church members, a card signed by everyone, a cheque and a lovely cake from the church. This was followed by coffee and everyone enjoyed a piece of the cake. It was a wonderful occasion and we thank everyone who was involved in any way for giving us a Sunday to remember. It hardly seemed like 50 years ago that our wedding took place in our beloved church in Braishfield. We cannot mention all the names of people who helped – there were so many, but we are sure that Margery was a key person, so thank you Margery and everyone – you will never know how much this day meant to us.

Shirley and Rusty Smith

Braishfield Flower Rota

1 May Pat Taylor 8 Margery Randall 15 Gill Light 22 Hazel Davies 29 Sharon Whitfield 5 June Margaret Batchelor

HOLIDAY FORUM 2011

Do things always happen as you expect? Have a holiday with a difference this year by joining Holiday Forum 2011 and explore the theme Expect the Unexpected. It takes place from 20 to 26 August 2011 at the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick , Derbyshire. Holiday Forum is a wonderful week for adults and children alike. For more details contact Angela Storer angela.storer@ntlworld.com or visit the website www.urcholidayforum.org.uk

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CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 15 – 21 MAY

In Christian Aid week some 200,000 supporters will take to the streets collecting donations house to house in a bid to end poverty. This means that more than 1 million members of the public will give to Christian Aid projects around the world. Many other fundraising events will take place during that week and as a consequence Christian Aid will raise between £13-15 million for its vital work in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. Christian Aid makes a significant contribution to bringing justice, peace and hope into our troubled world. However difficult we may find door to door collecting, let us please realise that we are making a significant contribution in the worldwide battle against poverty. We are also demonstrating to our neighbours a message that is at the heart of the Christian way of life. I receive the Christian Aid prayer diary. This reminds me week after week how many projects are supported by Christian Aid. For example, in Christian Aid week itself we are asked to remember the Latin American country of Nicaragua and are asked to pray for an end to intense poverty in that country. More than a quarter of its population are malnourished and more than a fifth have no access to clean drinking water. Christian Aid works with a collective – Soppexca – which among other activities extends credits to farmers and provides training so that they can improve their coffee production. In addition to what I call its first aid work Christian Aid has two campaigns which it is actively pursuing at present. Last October I joined in a Christian Aid rally at Central Hall, Westminster followed by a lobby of Parliament. The two issues we were encouraged to discuss with our MP were climate change and tax dodging by international companies working in third world countries. The Easter message reminds us that Christ is alive and continues to bring love and hope to all in need. Christian Aid week is a time to celebrate that belief.

Alan Green Christian Aid Fair: 11 June 10 am – 1.30 pm in Abbey (URC) Hall Christian Aid Concert: 1 July 7.30 pm in Abbey URC

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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 1961-2011

On 28 May Amnesty International is marking its 50th anniversary, and from May 2011 until May 2012 groups will be holding celebrations throughout the world. Fifty years ago one man, outraged by the injustices he saw, made an appeal to others, published in the Observer, to unite in common action. Peter Benenson expressed his concern about the story of two Portuguese young men arrested and sentenced to seven years imprisonment because they raised their glasses ‘to freedom’. He decided that the way to make a difference to these ‘prisoners of conscience’ was to bombard the Portuguese government with letters. So in 1961 this initiative was launched as a campaign on behalf of all religious and political prisoners. Originally small groups of people would ‘adopt’ a prisoner, sending letters to governments on their behalf, and to their prisoner and his or her family. Leaders of repressive regimes would receive letters of protest about the often cruel and inhuman treatment when perhaps before then they thought their actions were unknown to the outside world. From this has grown a worldwide, authoritative and respected movement which continues to maintain the cause of human rights. Our own involvement dates back to a radio talk in 1961 by Australian writer and broadcaster Wilfred Thomas, heard by Don, and to a meeting Sylvia attended. Preoccupied with getting married, setting up home in Australia and the birth of our first child, it wasn’t until 1964 that we finally tracked down the Adelaide Amnesty group. We worked for a prisoner in South Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), a lorry driver accused of being a communist, a useful and common charge in those days. For us this led to a friendship that has spanned several generations as we continued to write to him after his release. Subsequently his granddaughter wrote requesting help in obtaining books for her Sunday school class. Our friend died aged over 80 in the early 1990s. His great granddaughter, now at university, also writes to us and our daughter. At one time she also exchanged letters with our Pilots.

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The problem is still immense. Fifty years after those early optimistic days we read and hear of many cruel and terrible atrocities which give meaning to the word ‘unspeakable’. But every person whose torture ceases or receives better food, conditions or medical attention, or best of all, freedom, makes all the effort worthwhile. We shall continue ‘writing letters’ for as long as it takes. Romsey Amnesty International is currently thinking and planning what to do on 28 May in Romsey town centre. Watch this space. As ever thanks to Abbey URC for the support given to our group over many years.

Don and Sylvia Thompson

18 June 2011 at Fawley Hill near Henley on Thames

Time to buy your tickets for this special day

Cost is £5 for adults (£2 for children)

Fawley Hill is the home and estate of Sir William and Lady Judy McAlpine and is not open to the public except by invitation. The

grounds contain many attractions including sculptures, steam railway and museum, deer and other wild animals! There will activities for all

ages. Contact Roy Macartney (Romsey) or Sharon Whitfield (Braishfield) if you would like to come

Sarum Theological Lectures

Why we’ve all misread the Gospels: Kingdom and Politics then and now

7 pm on 9 – 12 May 2011 at Salisbury Cathedral

by Professor Tom Wright

More information and tickets from Sarum College 01722 424826

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Romsey Green Fair

Saturday 14 May 2011

10.00am – 4.00pm at the Crosfield Hall, Romsey

FREE ENTRY

Following the success of last year's event, Romsey's second Green Fair will take place on Saturday 14 May in the Crosfield Hall. Between 10 am and 4 pm there will be a fun opportunity to see what goes on locally that can help us live more sustainably. As well as stalls and products, there will be children's activities, workshops, raffle prizes, advice on bike repairs and maintenance, and a musical playground. Thanks to the Country Market, there will be food and drink; there will also be local ice-cream available.

Transition Town Romsey is coordinating this event. This local group tries to raise awareness of how to nurture local strengths and build resilience in the face of ‘climate change’ and ‘peak oil’. New members are always most welcome, and of course we hope to see you on 14 May. See www.transitiontownromsey.co.uk for more information.

Margaret Hobbs Association of Romsey Churches will be having a stall at the Fair; if you could give an hour to look after the stall please speak to Terry Hinks. We plan to give away herb and veg. plants; we would welcome any spare plants you are able to donate. Thank you. Christian Aid helps launch solar lighting project in India UK based churches’ international development agency Christian Aid has teamed up with solar lighting specialist d.light design to launch an innovative microfinance project that will bring solar lighting to more than 4,400 socially excluded poor rural households in three Indian states during its first year.

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WINDOW ON THE WORLD 2011

15 – 21 August at The Urdd Centre, Llangrannog

The Annual CWM Window on the World Conference gives Christians of all ages the opportunity to meet the world church. The theme is Christians@work. For more details visit the CWM Europe website

www.cwmeurope.org

A Personal Easter Reflection

This was the final sacrifice; the Father’s will was accomplished; the lamb of God slaughtered to save us, the only acceptable way to God.

Lord Jesus, man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, you drank that bitter cup so that Scripture might be fulfilled. What was the worse pain? Stricken by God the Father? Rejection by the Jews? Cruel nails? The agony of Gethsemane? Remembering how you wept over Jerusalem – how can your faithful servants follow that? And yet many did, and still do. Risen Lord Jesus, come to us with the Father’s promise – the Advocate. With courage, resolve and the sword of the Spirit we shall take up our own cross daily. With the shield of faith we shall go. Our cup of happiness overflows, knowing that your words of encouragement and hope come to us, giving love, light and salvation to this sad world. The cross is defeated, wiped out by two of the greatest words ever spoken at an empty tomb; ‘Mary!’ and, in astonishment, ‘Rabboni!’ The Preacher (Ecclesiastes 3) says there is a time for everything: ‘A time to mourn, and a time to dance,

a time to keep silence and a time to speak.’ But may I add: a time to say sorry and a time to forgive.

Ken Parker

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A union of Congregational, Presbyterian and Church of

Christ traditions (formed in 1972)

the United Reformed Church is

committed to working and praying for

greater unity among all Christians today.

25 Church Street, Romsey SO51 8BT Telephone/Fax 01794 512194 shop@oasisromsey.co.uk www.oasisromsey.co.uk

Open 9am - 5pm Monday - Saturday

More than a bookshop….

Tearcraft Crafts and Wholefoods from Traidcraft Music and greeting cards Scout and Guide Uniform

The Floristree

Weddings, Tributes and Bouquets to local area

Louise Avory Tel: 01794 501077

For Flowers