Christian Aid

 

Our local Christian Aid Action Group has sent us this link as we plan out gift giving this Advent:

https://giving.give-star.com/online/christian-aid/amersham-and-chesham-bois-ca-group-christmas-2021-no-more-impossible-choices

Open for Nominations

 

AFC Church Meeting 21.11.21

In the early 1980’s I was elected, in my early 20’s, as Treasurer of Locks Heath Free Church, Southampton and it was the quickest election I’ve experienced in church life.

Locks Heath was a new church, combining an existing URC congregation and newly formed Baptist one, under the leadership of a minister (Home Mission funded) who had left Chorleywood Free Church to serve alongside us in Southampton.

So, one summer’s evening we all gathered in the Manse sitting room (as there weren’t too many of us at that time) to elect a Church Secretary and Treasurer.  As I worked for the Midland Bank, and people mistakenly thought I knew a thing or two about maths and money, the treasurer’s job came my way; all within ten minutes of it being declared vacant!

Fortunately I didn’t hold it very long, as soon afterwards a Bank Manager joined the new church and I was pushed in another direction, that of training for ordination.

All churches are dependent on the good people who fill roles such as secretary and treasurer.  It’s no good just having a congregation as churches are required, by law, to have ‘office holders’ too.  As a Free Church we may be independent of Bishops, but not of The Charity Commission!

So, as Janet comes to the end of seven years of exemplary service as our secretary, and Bob embarks upon his seventh and final year as treasurer, we are now actively looking for their replacements.

On Sunday, at our Church Meeting, we accepted the job description for the new Secretary or Joint-Secretaries.  So, after lots of thought and meetings, we have a document.  All we need now is a person or people to fill the role!

A few years ago The Revd Dr Nigel Wright, then Principal of my old theological college in South London, Spurgeon’s, wrote a book about church leadership.  He gave a scholarly introduction about the names we give leaders, such as: elders, deacons, ministers, pastors, priests, moderators, bishops.

He concluded that, in the end the important thing was never what you called the ‘office’ but WHO filled it.

I think he has a point.

 So, as a congregation we are praying and planning for the future, hoping that someone, or more than one, will hear God’s call and respond, ‘Here I am Lord’.

We are open for nominations!

A Vulnerable God?

 

The liturgical Church Year (the Year of Mark) comes to an end this Sunday with the Feast of Christ the King; so, many churches will be singing Crown Him with Many Crowns.

‘Christ the King’ came about just before World War Two when the Pope, conscious of the growing totalitarian regimes then flourishing in Europe, instituted a Sunday when Christians would do well to think of God as a different sort of king; one who is just.

Of course, it’s always a bit of a ‘fool’s errand’ attempting to describe God in human terms at all.  The Jewish Scriptures were surely wise invoking that divine title of I am who I am.

On Wednesday this week I had the joy of leading a small evening study group at church.  In one of the side rooms, as we were serenaded by a Community Choir giving it their all in The Sanctuary across the corridor, we looked at the passage from Mark’s gospel where James and John request a seat at the top table in heaven.  Themes of ‘power’ and ‘control ‘were before us as all this was challenged by Jesus who declares I did not come to be served but to serve and give my life…

If we believe Jesus shows us the character of God, then surely ‘service’ is a core component of that character.

I love the parable story often called The Lost Son which could easily be labelled The Loving Father. This is the picture of a parent who is vulnerable in their longing and their waiting.  A parent whose love is never manipulative.  When the Prodigal does appear on the horizon this parent runs to greet him with open arms.

Over recent weeks we have begun to appreciate that our own Queen is becoming more vulnerable.  She has served us with exemplary faithfulness and I suspect our love and respect for her is not diminished as she now enters into years that are calmer and less busy.

Kingship obviously has elements of power intrinsic to it, yet the bible also describes God, seen through the prism of Jesus, in terms of loving, even vulnerable, service.

Graham Kendrick was, I think, much inspired when he wrote of the Lord Jesus Christ: Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered.

The Blessings of Technology

 

I took this photo of the telly at the Manse as I tuned in to a recording on YouTube of last Sunday’s service from AFC.  I think it’s wonderful that for well over a year now every Sunday service at AFC has been made available on the internet by about mid-afternoon on the same day.  It’s our way of trying to enable those who do not yet feel able to return to ‘in Person’ worship to still feel part of us.

Technology really has been a blessing over recent months and, as someone who is rather ‘technologically challenged’, I’m grateful for it.

Last evening I took part in the Zoom presentation sponsored by COTHA looking at Climate Change and I was thrilled to hear that last year we in Britain produced more power from ‘renewables’ than from carbon based production.  This progress has been as swift as it is welcome in being part of the answer to the combating the disastrous warming of our planet, and technology has made it possible.

And then at lunchtime today we concluded two days of Convocation for The Order for Baptist Ministry, of which I’m a member (see photo opposite).  Alas we were unable to meet in person but, once again by the wonders of technology, we gathered over Zoom and enjoyed reflection, fellowship and challenge together.

Our God is not only the great creator behind the beautiful falling autumn leaves but also the microchips that drive our phones, computers and factory equipment.  And obviously God approves of technology – after all His Son must have been good with tools in that carpenter’s workshop!

The Importance of Welcome

 Whilst on holiday in The New Forest last week we visited Christchurch Priory.  It’s an inspiring building and very welcoming.  I was particularly struck by a prayer that is on display as you enter the north door, one written by Thomas Ken, all about the importance of welcome.

It’s sometimes said that people make up their minds about whether or not to return to a church within minutes of arriving at a service, depending on the welcome their received at the door!

The gift of hospitality is one we should constantly strive for.  I hope, and believe, it’s offered at AFC in all sorts of ways and I’m grateful for those who have a way with them in getting alongside newcomers in a warm and encouraging way.

Thomas Ken’s words are as profound as they are poetic.

The Leaves of the Trees

 Hazel has shared with us some details of an inspiring art instalation that is coming to St Alban's Abbey this month.  It shows many leaves, appropriate for this autumn season, and it is intended to be a message full of both beauty and hope.

https://peterwalkersculptor/?page_id=996