Today, at The Crematorium and then by a graveside, we'll say 'farewell' to two members of AFC. Both played their part amongst us with considerable grace.
Keith Pulford loved nothing better than filling our church with music. Catherine Dolman loved attending worship and sharing in fellowship, and played her part well in a numbers of clubs and societies connected with AFC.
We pray that Pam and John, who have lost such faithful partners, will continue to be surrounded by the love and prayers of our church community.
Today I'm delighted that we are able to publish another of Heather's helpful and touching Reflections.
The audio service for Sunday is being assembled today from various recordings that have been made at different times, places and by different people throughout the week. Our Regional Minister, The Revd Geoff Colmer, is the preacher this week and I'm grateful to him for being willing to take part.
Finally, our thanks to the editors of Family News for a splendid May edition which has now been sent through to us all in a variety of ways. It's a full magazine, reflecting love and thanksgiving for those who have recently passed away and a celebration of all the optimisim and hope to be found among us during the strangest of days.
May God's blessing and joy be with you today, and this weekend, in all you do.
Ian
Thursday, 30 April 2020
Thursday 30th April 2020
The second is a poem from Olga:
SMILING IS INFECTIOUS
Smiling is infectious
You catch it like the flu
When someone smiled at me today
I started smiling to.
I passed around the corner
and someone saw my grin
When he smiled I realised
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile
then I realised its worth.
A single smile, just like mine
could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin,
don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick
and get the world infected.
Thursday 30th April 2020
Today the Minister's letter is published and sent out; this week it's written by Erna. This coincides with the publication of our church magazine, the May edition of Family News. I'm very grateful to the editors for the hard work they have put in to this edition. It's one that carries a number of moving tributes to friends who have recently passed away, alongside some lovely personal reflections of the good things folk are experiencing during the Lock Down.
Yesterday I shared with you a bible names quiz passed on to me by the Renshaws - well done to those of you who scored top marks!
Tomorrow we hold Pam in our prayers as she prepares for Keith's funeral and John, along with his daughters, who will be gathering at the cemetery in the afternoon for Catherine's. May Keith and Catherine rest in peace and rise in glory.
Yesterday's Zoom Church Officers' meeting went well - we must be getting better at it because it lasted for well over an hour! Today I 'Zoom' again! This time with the committee of The Baptist Union Retreat Group. Incredible to think most of us had never heard of this video conferencing platform until six weeks ago!
May God's blessing and joy be yours in all you do today.
Ian
Yesterday I shared with you a bible names quiz passed on to me by the Renshaws - well done to those of you who scored top marks!
Tomorrow we hold Pam in our prayers as she prepares for Keith's funeral and John, along with his daughters, who will be gathering at the cemetery in the afternoon for Catherine's. May Keith and Catherine rest in peace and rise in glory.
Yesterday's Zoom Church Officers' meeting went well - we must be getting better at it because it lasted for well over an hour! Today I 'Zoom' again! This time with the committee of The Baptist Union Retreat Group. Incredible to think most of us had never heard of this video conferencing platform until six weeks ago!
May God's blessing and joy be yours in all you do today.
Ian
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
Wednesday 29th April 2020
I'm delighted that Sue Wale has written this week's Thought. We are so grateful to everyone who is writing for the site at the moment.
Last week I received a super quiz from the Renshaws. The task is to find 30 books from the Bible 'hidden' in the text. Here it is - happy hunting! So far I've located 19, but Sylvia and Peter tell me they have got up to an impressive 27!
In a few minutes we are due to hold our weekly Church Officers' Meeting by Zoom and tomorrow you'll be receiving the Minister's Letter written, this week, by Erna.
May you know God's blessing and joy in all you do today.
Find the names of 30 books in the Bible from this writeup:
This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman, in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john-boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist, was so intrigued by it, she mentioned it in her newspaper column.
Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving; she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam; especially since the books names are not necessarily capitalized.
Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which features this puzzle, the Alpha-Delta-Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record.
The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, The books are all right here, in plain view, hidden from sight.
Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind, that punctuation & spaces in the middle are normal.
A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus. There really are 30 books of the Bible, lurking somewhere in this paragraph, just waiting to be found.
This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman, in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much, he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john-boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist, was so intrigued by it, she mentioned it in her newspaper column.
Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving; she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are easy to spot. That's a fact. Some people, however, will soon find themselves in a jam; especially since the books names are not necessarily capitalized.
Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which features this puzzle, the Alpha-Delta-Phi lemonade booth set a new sales record.
The local paper, The Chronicle, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, The books are all right here, in plain view, hidden from sight.
Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also keep in mind, that punctuation & spaces in the middle are normal.
A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus. There really are 30 books of the Bible, lurking somewhere in this paragraph, just waiting to be found.
Tuesday, 28 April 2020
A sense of 'Belonging'
 |
| I love this photo of my great grandfather - one recently discovered and the only one we have! A snowy day at Chorleywood - with no teeth in I think!! |
Over recent weeks Rachel has given a bit of time to
researching the Green Family Tree and she has taken it all the way back to 1624
– which I think is quite amazing!
She has turned up some interesting facts (at least for us!) about my Great Grandfather, Alfred. He was born in the Watford Union Workhouse in 1881, before living in Sarratt (one of the six local parishes that funded the Workhouse) and marrying the girl next door! They tied the knot at Sarratt Parish Church on Christmas Day 1899, and he told a bit of an untruth to the Vicar! He said he was 21 years old – at least that’s what it says on the marriage certificate. Our research indicates he was merely 18, and as such he would have had to obtain parental consent, which I don’t think he could achieve. So, love won through! Alfred and Annie settled at Gate Cottages on Chorleywood Common, and that’s where my own grandfather was born in 1912. I pass those cottages nearly everyday as I take our dog for a walk – smiling as I pass my great grandparents’ home En route! It actually gives me a profound sense of ‘belonging’, a sort of historical attachment.
Such a sense of belonging is not just about yesterday but today.
Even, perhaps especially, in these days of Lock Down, our family has kept in more regular contact that usual via daily WhatsApp messages to my brothers, and weekly Zoom family calls (nine households on at once!) to Rachel’s folks. And here at The Manse, with five of us living together in a sort of ‘Bubble Community’, we punctuate the week with a Film Night, Quiz Night and Games Night. One of our sons yesterday, exclaimed he’s never been so busy!
And for those who are self-isolating I sense there has been a welcomed, and much appreciated, increase in emails and phone calls.
On top of all that there is prayer. We are praying for each other. Someone said to me last week that they are stopping regularly at noon to remember friends at AFC, and she told me: ‘I pray regularly for you and your family’. It meant the world to me.
All of this creates a sense
of belonging. It is an expression of
deep friendship and fellowship that makes our hearts glad during these strange
times.She has turned up some interesting facts (at least for us!) about my Great Grandfather, Alfred. He was born in the Watford Union Workhouse in 1881, before living in Sarratt (one of the six local parishes that funded the Workhouse) and marrying the girl next door! They tied the knot at Sarratt Parish Church on Christmas Day 1899, and he told a bit of an untruth to the Vicar! He said he was 21 years old – at least that’s what it says on the marriage certificate. Our research indicates he was merely 18, and as such he would have had to obtain parental consent, which I don’t think he could achieve. So, love won through! Alfred and Annie settled at Gate Cottages on Chorleywood Common, and that’s where my own grandfather was born in 1912. I pass those cottages nearly everyday as I take our dog for a walk – smiling as I pass my great grandparents’ home En route! It actually gives me a profound sense of ‘belonging’, a sort of historical attachment.
Such a sense of belonging is not just about yesterday but today.
Even, perhaps especially, in these days of Lock Down, our family has kept in more regular contact that usual via daily WhatsApp messages to my brothers, and weekly Zoom family calls (nine households on at once!) to Rachel’s folks. And here at The Manse, with five of us living together in a sort of ‘Bubble Community’, we punctuate the week with a Film Night, Quiz Night and Games Night. One of our sons yesterday, exclaimed he’s never been so busy!
And for those who are self-isolating I sense there has been a welcomed, and much appreciated, increase in emails and phone calls.
On top of all that there is prayer. We are praying for each other. Someone said to me last week that they are stopping regularly at noon to remember friends at AFC, and she told me: ‘I pray regularly for you and your family’. It meant the world to me.
We may be dispersed, but in so many ways we are still ‘together’.
May God’s blessing and joy be yours in all you do today.
Ian
Monday, 27 April 2020
Monday 27th April 2020
Technology is helping us through these unusual days. Our prayers and hopes are with scientists as they strive to come up with vaccines and medicines that will help the world at this challenging time.
Tecnology is helping our church community 'stay together' too. We are very grateful to Michael and Matthew for the work they do on the audio-service week by week. Matthew writes, and arranges, a lot of music for these and he's produced a video explaining the technology he uses - you'll find it at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2fYS1NZtI&feature=youtu.be
Liz, our Junior Church co-ordinator, is also using technology to stay in touch with the AFC young people. Yesterday she posted a wonderful video for them to watch, based on the Easter story. I think it deserves a wider audience, so here's its address:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ozgKxpgYh0&feature=youtu.be
Technology - at times it exasperates us, yet we thank God for it!
May you know God's joy and blessing in all you do today.
Ian
Tecnology is helping our church community 'stay together' too. We are very grateful to Michael and Matthew for the work they do on the audio-service week by week. Matthew writes, and arranges, a lot of music for these and he's produced a video explaining the technology he uses - you'll find it at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn2fYS1NZtI&feature=youtu.be
Liz, our Junior Church co-ordinator, is also using technology to stay in touch with the AFC young people. Yesterday she posted a wonderful video for them to watch, based on the Easter story. I think it deserves a wider audience, so here's its address:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ozgKxpgYh0&feature=youtu.be
Technology - at times it exasperates us, yet we thank God for it!
May you know God's joy and blessing in all you do today.
Ian
Friday, 24 April 2020
Friday 24th April 2020
I've been very conscious, talking to members of the church community over the telephone recently, that many of you have relatives and friends who are 'front line' workers. Even as we 'isolate' in relative safety I know that, on a daily basis, you are very much aware of the risks that come with their jobs, both in hospitals and out in the community.
This weekend we would have been commissioning our Elders for another year of Christian service and, indeed, on Tuesday of this week we would have meet together for one of our monthly meetings. At the moment much of the 'business' of church life is being overseen by The Church Officers' Meeting every Wednesday, with descions then ratified by email later that day. Such 'emergency' arrangements won't last for ever and we do look forward to meeting in committee once this is over. (Things really have changed if I'm hearing myself saying I'm actually looking forward to committee meetings!!)
May you, this weekend, know God's joy and blessing in all you do.
Ian
This weekend we would have been commissioning our Elders for another year of Christian service and, indeed, on Tuesday of this week we would have meet together for one of our monthly meetings. At the moment much of the 'business' of church life is being overseen by The Church Officers' Meeting every Wednesday, with descions then ratified by email later that day. Such 'emergency' arrangements won't last for ever and we do look forward to meeting in committee once this is over. (Things really have changed if I'm hearing myself saying I'm actually looking forward to committee meetings!!)
May you, this weekend, know God's joy and blessing in all you do.
Ian
Thursday, 23 April 2020
Thursday 23rd April 2020
This has been quite a week for receiving sad news.
Yesterday we heard that Isabel Lang's mother and sister in law both passed away within hours of one another. It's so tough that Isabel wasn't able to be alongside them at a time when holding a hand and just 'being there' is the most natural and precious thing in the world. So, we send our love and prayers to Isabel at this time.
During these surreal days it's good to be cheered by both memories of the past and hopes for the future. In that vein Michale Autton (whose work on the church monitors has been so appreciated over recent years) has used his talents to come up with a short quiz which has been placed on the website. Why not take a coffee break and have a go at answering ten questions!
Yesterday the Church Officers met for a full hour on Zoom! We reviewed the audio services, spoke together of the pastoral concerns before us, reviewed church finances and various property matters, and heard about some of our Administrator's work as she keeps in touch with our 'user groups' and puts the final touches to the new church directory.
Today we are publishing the Minister's Letter for this week. It's on the website, arriving by email, and being delievered through letter boxes!
May you, today, know God's blessing and joy in all you do.
Yesterday we heard that Isabel Lang's mother and sister in law both passed away within hours of one another. It's so tough that Isabel wasn't able to be alongside them at a time when holding a hand and just 'being there' is the most natural and precious thing in the world. So, we send our love and prayers to Isabel at this time.
During these surreal days it's good to be cheered by both memories of the past and hopes for the future. In that vein Michale Autton (whose work on the church monitors has been so appreciated over recent years) has used his talents to come up with a short quiz which has been placed on the website. Why not take a coffee break and have a go at answering ten questions!
Yesterday the Church Officers met for a full hour on Zoom! We reviewed the audio services, spoke together of the pastoral concerns before us, reviewed church finances and various property matters, and heard about some of our Administrator's work as she keeps in touch with our 'user groups' and puts the final touches to the new church directory.
Today we are publishing the Minister's Letter for this week. It's on the website, arriving by email, and being delievered through letter boxes!
May you, today, know God's blessing and joy in all you do.
Wednesday, 22 April 2020
Wednesday 22nd April 2020
For the second time this week it's my sad task to pass on to you the news that a member of our community has passed away.
Yesterday Mrs Catherine Dolman died peacefully at home, surrounded by John and their two daughters.
Over recent times we have been aware that Catherine's health has become more and more vulnerable, yet it was always a delight to see her at church and I know how important the services were for her. We have all, I think, been touched by John's wonderful care and encouragement; and for the support given to them both by their wider family.
There's no news yet of funeral arrangements.
Once again in this Easter season, our prayer for Catherine is that she may rest in peace and rise in glory and that John will be given the peace and hope he needs for coming days.
Yesterday Mrs Catherine Dolman died peacefully at home, surrounded by John and their two daughters.
Over recent times we have been aware that Catherine's health has become more and more vulnerable, yet it was always a delight to see her at church and I know how important the services were for her. We have all, I think, been touched by John's wonderful care and encouragement; and for the support given to them both by their wider family.
There's no news yet of funeral arrangements.
Once again in this Easter season, our prayer for Catherine is that she may rest in peace and rise in glory and that John will be given the peace and hope he needs for coming days.
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Who are the heroes...?
Hagiography is the art of creating heroes and saints. It can be a dubious activity because all of
us, even those we place on pedestals have ‘feet of clay’, and it can be a
deeply unsettling process to discover the fault lines in those we admire.
I’m currently reading a book by Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, about twenty of his heroes from the Christian past. Perhaps he too is wary of hagiography as he calls them ‘luminaries’ rather than ‘saints’!
I’m currently reading a book by Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, about twenty of his heroes from the Christian past. Perhaps he too is wary of hagiography as he calls them ‘luminaries’ rather than ‘saints’!
I find the Bible curiously ambiguous about all this. For example, there is no doubt that it
portrays some periods of history with a certain ‘glow’. The ‘Davidic Age’ is
such a time; yet the king whose name it bears was both an adulterer and someone
who cruelly abused others by his power.
The Gospels, too, paint character portraits of the disciples which are balanced with a sometimes brutal honesty. We are left in no doubt about the fallibility of disciples like Peter, James, John or Judas Iscariot.
Yet, we still seek for heroes, and perhaps it has always been this way.
A current ‘luminary’ of the Virus Crisis is surely the wonderful Captain Tom Moore, in his 100th year and ‘walking’ for the NHS.
I sense there have been countless heroic acts over the last few months. Carers, both NHS and community based, have shown self-sacrificing courage and compassion. And similar qualities have been on display in hundreds of local, unreported, contexts.
In this; ‘The best of times and the worst of times’, we give thanks for the heroic spirit that continues to make living through these difficult days possible, and at times even joyful.
The Gospels, too, paint character portraits of the disciples which are balanced with a sometimes brutal honesty. We are left in no doubt about the fallibility of disciples like Peter, James, John or Judas Iscariot.
Yet, we still seek for heroes, and perhaps it has always been this way.
A current ‘luminary’ of the Virus Crisis is surely the wonderful Captain Tom Moore, in his 100th year and ‘walking’ for the NHS.
I sense there have been countless heroic acts over the last few months. Carers, both NHS and community based, have shown self-sacrificing courage and compassion. And similar qualities have been on display in hundreds of local, unreported, contexts.
In this; ‘The best of times and the worst of times’, we give thanks for the heroic spirit that continues to make living through these difficult days possible, and at times even joyful.
Monday, 20 April 2020
Monday 20th April 2020
Yesterday we heard the news that our former choir master and much loved church member, Mr Keith Pulford lost his battle with cancer and died at Wexham Park hospital. We send our love and prayers to Pam at this sad time.
Keith loved music and conducting choirs. He almost singlehandedly filled the LunchBreak concert programme over recent years with the various choirs and music groups with which he was connected.
We will miss this quiet, sincere and faithful gentleman - yet in this season of Easter our prayer is that Keith will 'rest in peace and rise in glory'. And our hope is that Pam will be held and supported by the love of God and her church family at AFC.
May God's blessing and joy be yours today, in all you do.
Ian
Keith loved music and conducting choirs. He almost singlehandedly filled the LunchBreak concert programme over recent years with the various choirs and music groups with which he was connected.
We will miss this quiet, sincere and faithful gentleman - yet in this season of Easter our prayer is that Keith will 'rest in peace and rise in glory'. And our hope is that Pam will be held and supported by the love of God and her church family at AFC.
May God's blessing and joy be yours today, in all you do.
Ian
Friday, 17 April 2020
Friday 17th April 2020
Well, the numbers are in! By that, I mean, after seven days of 'hosting' the audio- services on a new 'platform' (one that gives us statistics) we can see how many times the following services have been downloaded:
Easter Day Worship: 147
Easter Day Holy Communion: 78
Good Friday Worship: 128
The stats also tells us where the services are listened to; so I'm intrigued that we have five listeners in Austria and three in India!
We also want to say a big 'thank you' to Peter Wilkinson who has made it possible for people without the internet to listen to these services on CD.
So, we'll press on with their production week by week - grateful to Michael and Matthew and that modern technology has given us this gift of 'doing church differently'.
Today we have published Heather's short service of Prayer and Reflection on the website, and as she prays in her blessing, 'May the Risen Christ by your constant companion'.
Have a good weekend and I'll catch up with you on Monday!
Easter Day Worship: 147
Easter Day Holy Communion: 78
Good Friday Worship: 128
The stats also tells us where the services are listened to; so I'm intrigued that we have five listeners in Austria and three in India!
We also want to say a big 'thank you' to Peter Wilkinson who has made it possible for people without the internet to listen to these services on CD.
So, we'll press on with their production week by week - grateful to Michael and Matthew and that modern technology has given us this gift of 'doing church differently'.
Today we have published Heather's short service of Prayer and Reflection on the website, and as she prays in her blessing, 'May the Risen Christ by your constant companion'.
Have a good weekend and I'll catch up with you on Monday!
Thursday, 16 April 2020
Thursday 16th April 2020
Today we are circulating the Minister's letter, following our Zoom Church Officers' Meeting yesterday. The technology is working better and better everyweek and it's really good for the three of us to talk face to face.
I've put up beside this blog the current poster outside our building. We are so grateful to Patrick for doing these for us and this one carries with it a message of hope even during difficult days.
On Sunday another audio service will be available, alongside a short Communion one - we'll be producing ones for communion on the first and third Sundays, following our normal pattern at AFC.
May you, today, know God's blessing and joy in all you do.
Ian
Wednesday, 15 April 2020
Wednesday 15th April 2020
I hear some wonderfully positive things as I telephone members of the congregation. Yesterday someone from our church community told me it was her birthday last week and twenty neighbours gathered outside her home to sing Happy Birthday! People's 'goodness' has come to the fore in recent days and surely this particular expression of it will remain one of the most memorable moments of her life!
Yesterday I was so pleased to receive a phone call from one of our Baptist Regional Ministers, just checking to see that I, and AFC, are doing OK. It was such an encouragement to feel the support of one of our 'parent' denominations.
Today I take the funeral service of Mr Darrell Hamley at the Crematorium. In the last few years of their lives we got to know Darrell and Jo very well at AFC. They regularly attended Morning Worship and the LunchBreak concerts. Darrell was a fighter pilot with the RAF. Jo died just weeks after their Diamond Wedding last year, and within twelve months he has now passed away.
Yesterday we also heard the news that one of our longest serving church members, Jim Collins, has died. Jim joined the church way back in 1946. When I came he was still singing in the choir and driving himslef and Jean to morning service. Jim and Jean have been central people at AFC, and much loved. We thank God for Jim and remember the wider family at this time.
Today the Church Officers 'meet' by Zoom!
May you know God's blessing and joy in all you do today.
Ian
Yesterday I was so pleased to receive a phone call from one of our Baptist Regional Ministers, just checking to see that I, and AFC, are doing OK. It was such an encouragement to feel the support of one of our 'parent' denominations.
Today I take the funeral service of Mr Darrell Hamley at the Crematorium. In the last few years of their lives we got to know Darrell and Jo very well at AFC. They regularly attended Morning Worship and the LunchBreak concerts. Darrell was a fighter pilot with the RAF. Jo died just weeks after their Diamond Wedding last year, and within twelve months he has now passed away.
Yesterday we also heard the news that one of our longest serving church members, Jim Collins, has died. Jim joined the church way back in 1946. When I came he was still singing in the choir and driving himslef and Jean to morning service. Jim and Jean have been central people at AFC, and much loved. We thank God for Jim and remember the wider family at this time.
Today the Church Officers 'meet' by Zoom!
May you know God's blessing and joy in all you do today.
Ian
Tuesday, 14 April 2020
When Less is More...
I was fascinated to learn recently that during World War
Two all the paintings from The National Gallery were stored in the Manod Quarry
at Blaenau Ffestiniog in Wales. The
Gallery’s curator had suggested to Churchill that maybe they should be shipped
to Canada for safety, but he is reported to have replied: ‘hide them in caves
and cellars, not one picture shall leave this island’!
This meant the huge gallery on one side of Trafalgar Square was now empty. To fill that ‘void’ Myra Hess, along with other musicians, regularly put on free lunch time concerts for Londoners to keep their spirits up. Those free recitals still exist today, and I regularly attend them; now held next door at the church of St Martin in The Fields.
This meant the huge gallery on one side of Trafalgar Square was now empty. To fill that ‘void’ Myra Hess, along with other musicians, regularly put on free lunch time concerts for Londoners to keep their spirits up. Those free recitals still exist today, and I regularly attend them; now held next door at the church of St Martin in The Fields.
During the Blitz the National Gallery was hit nine times and by the end not one pane of glass survived in its roof. However, by 1942 it was deemed safe enough for just one painting a month to be taken out of the Manod Quarry, driven up to London, and put on solitary display. Just one painting! Then it would return to Wales at the end of the month and another take its place. Thousands queued to look at the beauty of just one painting.
Less became more! The appreciation of these war time Londoners of one painting was totally disproportionate to pre and post war reaction when so much more was, and is, on offer.
During these days when so much has been temporarily withdrawn from the routine of our daily life, an hour’s walk in the fresh hour, a phone call or WhatsApp message, even the repeat of a much loved programme on TV can bring us immense pleasure.
We are, perhaps, re-calibrating life and not unlike those of previous generations who went through their own time of crisis, we too are learning that sometimes Less is More as we thank God and each other for the little things that still make life a joy.
Monday, 13 April 2020
Monday 13th April 2020
I'm delighted that David has written a lovely prayer for us all this Easter Monday. One full of thanksgiving and yet touched with the realism of the current situation.
Last week we received a Prayer Letter from our link missionaries, Sergio and Liz Vilela in Mozambique. They tell us that the country isn't yet in total lockdown but all educational establishments are now closed. This means that Liz cannot do her work with pre-school groups and that the Vilela children, Chloe and Joshua are being home schooled. Apparently they have garden space and even an opportunity for one daily becah walk which they enjoy. The government of Mozambique say there are only 10 reported cases of the virus in the country at the presnt moment, but others put the estimate far higher. The country is very dependant on food imports from South Africa and slowly the border is closing. Liz and Sergio end by saying that in a country where 70% work today so that they can eat tomorrow, the idea of social distancing is very challenging. We hold the Vilelas and Mozambique in our prayers.
I wonder if you have had a chance to hear the Queen's audio broadcast from yesterday? It can be found on tritter.com/Royal Family and it's full of Christian hope.
And lastly, just a personal comment! We have received the most enormous box of chocolates at The Manse, yet it hasn't got a card to say who its from! If it was you - they are delicious, and thank you!
May you today know God's blessing and joy in all you do.
Ian
Last week we received a Prayer Letter from our link missionaries, Sergio and Liz Vilela in Mozambique. They tell us that the country isn't yet in total lockdown but all educational establishments are now closed. This means that Liz cannot do her work with pre-school groups and that the Vilela children, Chloe and Joshua are being home schooled. Apparently they have garden space and even an opportunity for one daily becah walk which they enjoy. The government of Mozambique say there are only 10 reported cases of the virus in the country at the presnt moment, but others put the estimate far higher. The country is very dependant on food imports from South Africa and slowly the border is closing. Liz and Sergio end by saying that in a country where 70% work today so that they can eat tomorrow, the idea of social distancing is very challenging. We hold the Vilelas and Mozambique in our prayers.
I wonder if you have had a chance to hear the Queen's audio broadcast from yesterday? It can be found on tritter.com/Royal Family and it's full of Christian hope.
And lastly, just a personal comment! We have received the most enormous box of chocolates at The Manse, yet it hasn't got a card to say who its from! If it was you - they are delicious, and thank you!
May you today know God's blessing and joy in all you do.
Ian
Friday, 10 April 2020
Friday 10th April 2020
The Good Friday story has crowds at its centre. Those chanting below Pilate's window and those watching an execution 'outside the city walls'. Today no crowds will gather. Instead, individually, we pause to reflect on the dignity and forgiveness shown by a suffering Jesus as he shows us that qualities such as love and goodness are possible even when confronted by hatred and evil.
I hope folks were/are able to listen to the audio service which, from today, is being 'hosted' on a different platform, that of SoundCloud. This way of doing things enables the services to be slightly longer with better sound quality.
On Easter Sunday they'll be two services. The main one will be followed by a much shorter service of Holy Communion, enabling listeners to 'join in' by taking bread and wine in their homes if they wish. We'll do this once a month throughout the crisis.
I'm delighted that Doreen Platts has a picture ready for the website tomorrow - thanks Doreen, and everyone else who is currently writing for the site.
And this is the final call for Passing the Peace! If you would like a greeting of a few lines to be on the website on Easter Day do drop me an email, with or without a photo of you, and I'll be delighted to add your greeting to the church community alongside all the others I'm receiving.
May God's blessing and joy be yours this Easter weekend.
Ian
I hope folks were/are able to listen to the audio service which, from today, is being 'hosted' on a different platform, that of SoundCloud. This way of doing things enables the services to be slightly longer with better sound quality.
On Easter Sunday they'll be two services. The main one will be followed by a much shorter service of Holy Communion, enabling listeners to 'join in' by taking bread and wine in their homes if they wish. We'll do this once a month throughout the crisis.
I'm delighted that Doreen Platts has a picture ready for the website tomorrow - thanks Doreen, and everyone else who is currently writing for the site.
And this is the final call for Passing the Peace! If you would like a greeting of a few lines to be on the website on Easter Day do drop me an email, with or without a photo of you, and I'll be delighted to add your greeting to the church community alongside all the others I'm receiving.
May God's blessing and joy be yours this Easter weekend.
Ian
Thursday, 9 April 2020
Thursday 9th April 2020
Erna has written this week's Minister's Letter and it's available on the website today and will be sent out via email and post by Laura to everyone on our mailing list. Our thanks to everyone who has contacted us expressing their appreciation for this way of keeping in contact.
We heard yesterday, from the Baptist Union, that our very own Regional Minister, the Revd Geoff Colmer, has been elected by the denomination as the upcoming Baptist Union President - due to start his one year term of office in the spring of 2021. We wish Geoff every blessing as he takes up this national role amongst Baptists.
Tomorrow we are giving Heather a week off producing her Prayer and Reflection Service as we'll be having the Audio Service on the website for Good Friday. We'll publish the Order of Service for that later today.
We had a note yesterday from our good friend Ann Cloke, of St John's Methodist, just thanking us for being prepared to participate in the united Maundy Thursday service which isn't happening now. It was good to hear from Ann and she sends us her greetings.
May you know God's presence and blessing in all you do this Maundy Thursday.
Ian
We heard yesterday, from the Baptist Union, that our very own Regional Minister, the Revd Geoff Colmer, has been elected by the denomination as the upcoming Baptist Union President - due to start his one year term of office in the spring of 2021. We wish Geoff every blessing as he takes up this national role amongst Baptists.
Tomorrow we are giving Heather a week off producing her Prayer and Reflection Service as we'll be having the Audio Service on the website for Good Friday. We'll publish the Order of Service for that later today.
We had a note yesterday from our good friend Ann Cloke, of St John's Methodist, just thanking us for being prepared to participate in the united Maundy Thursday service which isn't happening now. It was good to hear from Ann and she sends us her greetings.
May you know God's presence and blessing in all you do this Maundy Thursday.
Ian
Wednesday, 8 April 2020
Wednesday 8th April 2020
We've just completed our third Church Officers' Meeting via Zoom! It was good to chat things through with Janet and Bob and some of what we talked about will be in The Minister's letter, written this week by Erna, and due to be ublished tomorrow.
My thanks to those of you who have sent in a 'greeting' of about 3 lines (some with a photo, possibly waving) to be included in the 'Passing The Peace' document which will go on the website on Easter Day. It's just another way of us doing church differently at this time and keeping in contact with one another as a community of faith. So, do send in your greetings.
In my phone calls with members of the congregation I've been struck about how much 'contact' is still being made among us. One person told me that as a result of their chats they felt they'd 'made a friend for life', which I thought was terrific. And I was particularly cheered by Peggy's comment to me (remembering that she will reach her hundreth birthday next month) 'I'm looking forward to us all coming back to church, Ian. I want to see you dancing up that ailse again and we'll all have a knees up'. The only response I can possibly give to Peggy's 'prayer' is a heartfelt 'Amen'!
May you know God's presence and blessing in all you do today.
Ian
My thanks to those of you who have sent in a 'greeting' of about 3 lines (some with a photo, possibly waving) to be included in the 'Passing The Peace' document which will go on the website on Easter Day. It's just another way of us doing church differently at this time and keeping in contact with one another as a community of faith. So, do send in your greetings.
In my phone calls with members of the congregation I've been struck about how much 'contact' is still being made among us. One person told me that as a result of their chats they felt they'd 'made a friend for life', which I thought was terrific. And I was particularly cheered by Peggy's comment to me (remembering that she will reach her hundreth birthday next month) 'I'm looking forward to us all coming back to church, Ian. I want to see you dancing up that ailse again and we'll all have a knees up'. The only response I can possibly give to Peggy's 'prayer' is a heartfelt 'Amen'!
May you know God's presence and blessing in all you do today.
Ian
Tuesday, 7 April 2020
The Tree of Life
Somehow, in these uncertain times, the rhythm and predictability of the seasons is strangely comforting. Maybe there is a reason why Jesus once asked us to consider the ‘lilies of the field’. They speak to us of ‘normality’ and ‘dependability’.
On our daily walks with Pip, our dog, Rachel and I look at the trees. If only they could speak, for they have surely seen it all before.
In the UK the oldest tree is in Perthshire. The Fortingall Yew continues to grow in a churchyard there and is believed to be 2000 years old. Interestingly a Yew enters the ‘ancient’ stage of its life aged 800 years, whereas the Beech becomes ‘ancient’ at 225 years. Both pale into insignificance compared to the root system of Old Tjikko in Sweden, a Norwegian Spruce, which has undergone carbon14 dating and is an astonishing 9,500 years old.
These trees have lived, and prevailed, through crisis and war on so many occasions and in so many different centuries. Today, in these spring days of 2020, they are living through another pivotal moment in history.
This Holy Week Christians think of another ‘tree’, one found on Good Friday’s hill outside the city walls of Jerusalem: the cross of Jesus.
That ‘tree’ also speaks to us of dependability. The God of Suffering who was present with us that first Good Friday, stands alongside every generation in the sufferings of succeeding years. Not an absentee God, but one who shares the moment with us.
The cross of Calvary; a Tree of Life reminding us that God is among us, walking beside us through every chapter of history
Monday, 6 April 2020
Monday 6th April 2020
This afternoon I'm back at the Crematorium taking a service for another resident of Rayner's Care Home, a lovely lady who has died of natural causes. She used to sit in the circle with two very good friends, we thought of them as a 'trio', and one by one they have all passed away. She could not see but usually sang every hymn without needing to look at the words. The family will gather today with just five members present. They hope to have a memorial service for their beloved mother later in the year.
Thank you for your continued messages of support for the audio-service. The Good Friday one is currently being recorded. If you are able to record a reading or a prayer that we would send you on your computer and could send it in, usually via an mp3 file, do let us know because we could use a variety of voices, as many people have told me they really appreciate this - so, don't be shy in offering your services!!
On Easter Day I hope to publish something I'm calling 'Passing the Peace at Easter'. It will just be an on-line communication with 'greetings' you might like to give to the church community. We won't have seen each other for four weeks by then and perhaps you'd like just to share a greeting in about three lines to the cingregation for Easter. Please send me your message in a Word document, I'll format it with all the others, along with a photo perhaps (you could even do a hand wave!). I think the compilation, to be published on Easter Sunday morning will be like a wonderful virtual 'handshake' among us!
May you, today, know the presence and blessing of God in all you do.
Ian
Friday, 3 April 2020
Friday 3rd April 2020
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| The current poster outside AFC |
This weekend AFC would have had the opportunity to welcome back The Revd Dr John Parry to the pulpit. John and Yvonne have been living in North London over these last few years with John serving as co-director of The London Interfaith Centre. They are due to return to Manchester latet this year so, this visit to AFC was to be a good opportunity for us to say 'farewell' to them. Now unable to do that, we still wish them God's blessing as they eventually re-locate to a city they know well and we 'thank' them for the fellowship we have shared over recent years.
We heard from the Vogel family in Germany yesterday. Hauke, our most recent Time for God volunteer, is back with his family, along with all his siblings. All of them, and his grandmother, are well and the farm continues to operate. Jochen, Hauke's father, tells me that Hauke sets up a family 'cinema' in their dinning room every other evening and plays films through his data projector; they are currently watching 'The Crown' - I must write back and they them it's 70% fact and 30% fiction!
It's Palm Sunday this weekend and Colette Brazie has sent us this interesting link showing us how to make our own palm crosses, 'thank you' Colette. She also writes; When you haven't got a palm leaf, a daffodil leaf will do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMvSVqYK3d4&feature=youtu.be
I'm delighted that The Revd Heather McIntyre, our good friend and church member, offers us today her second service of Prayer and Reflection containing a super 'monologue' from St Paul.
The Palm Sunday audio service is complete and ready to go! So I hope you'll tune in on Sunday, or any time, and share the service with us.
Over this weekend, may you know the presence and blessing of God in all you do.
Ian
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Thursday 2nd April 2020
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| Matthew working on this Sunday's Audio Service yesterday evening |
Some of our discussions and decision making is reflected in The Minister's Letter which can be accessed on the website or found in your email 'in boxes' today.
We are especially conscious that not everyone in our church community has the internet so we've decided that with their weekly post through their house letter boxes they will also receive a printed selection of some of the articles printed that week on the website.
Our audio service for Palm Sunday is now 'in the can' (as I think they say!), all the recording has been done and sent on to Michael who'll be putting it together over the next few days.
We hope to produce an extra service which will be put up on the morning of Good Friday.
Even though 'normal' church life has ground to a halt, our administator is working on producing a new Church Directory for us.
Lastly, congratulations to the Editorial Committee of Family News for putting our April church magazine together and sending it out today!
May you, today, know the presence and blessing of God in all you do.
Ian
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
Wednesday 1st April 2020
On this first day of a new month I'm delighted that Bryan Long has written us a Thought for the Week on the AFC Website. I'm really grateful for every member of the church community who is stepping up to the plate and writing for the site during the Crisis. It's one way of keeping us all connected and many of you have emailed to say how much you enjoy reading the daily articles - even recommending them to friends!
Yesterday I conducted a funeral for a 95year old gentlemen, a former Boys' Brigade Captain and resident of Rayner's Care Home - where AFC take a monthly service. He died of natural causes and it was a great privilege to officiate. Many from his family were prevented from being present because of travel restrictions, so the service was also webcast. It is a testament to AFC folk who join us for these residential home services that we make the sort of relationships with the residents that give their family the confidence to ask one of our ministers to conduct the funeral of their loved one.
Today the Church Officers 'meet' via ZOOM! It will be good to chat through with Janet and Bob the various aspects of church life that need attending to; we keep Erna in the loop too! And then notes of that 'virtual' meeting are sent out to Elders for ratification before the substance is written up in The Minister's Letter which will be published and sent out tomorrow. Never in a million years, I suspect, did our Non Conformist forebears ever think that 'Congregational' church government would be exercised in this way using such technology in a time of crisis. Yet, I hope we are still honouring the 'spirit' of our church tradition.
And lastly, I'm delighted to share some good news, via our church member Hector Fordyce. Hector plays his part in local community life at Chorleywood and is keen to share with us some news about the proposed new Cricket Pavillion on The Common. I've offered to print his letter to me, and the church secretary, below as there are so few avenues at the moment for him to share the news with us. Thank you Hector for sharing the news with us and for your obvious commitment to your local community. I think he was particlaurly keen for me to know about this as I take Pip, our dog, for a walk on the Common every day!
Yesterday I conducted a funeral for a 95year old gentlemen, a former Boys' Brigade Captain and resident of Rayner's Care Home - where AFC take a monthly service. He died of natural causes and it was a great privilege to officiate. Many from his family were prevented from being present because of travel restrictions, so the service was also webcast. It is a testament to AFC folk who join us for these residential home services that we make the sort of relationships with the residents that give their family the confidence to ask one of our ministers to conduct the funeral of their loved one.
Today the Church Officers 'meet' via ZOOM! It will be good to chat through with Janet and Bob the various aspects of church life that need attending to; we keep Erna in the loop too! And then notes of that 'virtual' meeting are sent out to Elders for ratification before the substance is written up in The Minister's Letter which will be published and sent out tomorrow. Never in a million years, I suspect, did our Non Conformist forebears ever think that 'Congregational' church government would be exercised in this way using such technology in a time of crisis. Yet, I hope we are still honouring the 'spirit' of our church tradition.
And lastly, I'm delighted to share some good news, via our church member Hector Fordyce. Hector plays his part in local community life at Chorleywood and is keen to share with us some news about the proposed new Cricket Pavillion on The Common. I've offered to print his letter to me, and the church secretary, below as there are so few avenues at the moment for him to share the news with us. Thank you Hector for sharing the news with us and for your obvious commitment to your local community. I think he was particlaurly keen for me to know about this as I take Pip, our dog, for a walk on the Common every day!
Dear Ian and Janet,
I would normally have sent this article to the editors of Family News, and wonder at this present time whether -due to the present circumstances - this good news could be put on the AFC website.
Some Good News - Chorleywood Cricket Clubs New Pavilion.
Many friends of AFC will have travelled along the A404 to Junction 18 on the M25 passing Chorleywood Cricket Club’s old ramshackle pavilion. For many years CWCC have wished to build a new pavilion.They came to the conclusion that because of cost, they would have to proceed to just clad the original building, and put on a pitched roof instead of the present flat roof. Out of the blue the Charity, “MissionEmployable “appeared over the horizon, and a joint effort to design a new building was started.
Planning Permission for the new building was granted at the end of January 2020 by TRDC. Activity by CWCC & ME is now concentrated on raising the necessary funds. Unfortunately, due to the present circumstances, planned fund raising activities have had to be postponed, but it is still hoped that construction will take place between September 2020 to April 2021.
The building is going to benefit the Chorleywood community, and a far wider area (including Amersham) with MissionEmployable. CWCC have to raise over £ 350,000, and ME over this amount.
Generally the ground floor will be occupied by ME, when from 9.00am to 6.00pm, or dusk, you will be able to order tea , coffee and light meals. Youngsters with learning disabilities etc.,will be trained to cook, serve, wash-up, clean, make out bills, work at the till, prepare CV’s, and interview techniques. This is in expectation that they will be able to apply for a job (employable).
CWCC will occupy the first floor, and will have a socialising space and full changing facilities for men/boys and women/girls, in line with ECB requirements. There will be a balcony for players and scorers to view the match. A separate area on the ground floor is allocated to the Groundsman. Coaching on Sunday mornings takes place from April to July - in normal times - for over 100 boys and girls, aged from 5 to 11 years. Coaching for ages12 to18, and local league matches takes place on weekday evenings. CWCC field 4 teams in the local leagues at Weekends. Did you know that W.G.Grace played for MCC against CWCC on the “hallowed” turf.
Quite a few AFC friends walk on Chorleywood Common, some with their dog. From May 2021 it is hoped you could have a break with refreshments.
If you wish to financially support ME & CWCC for this exciting venture, you could send a cheque to the Honorary Treasurer : Mr Adrian Bryant, 6 Pheasants Way, Rickmansworth, WD3 7ES, or make a Bank Transfer to : NatWest, Chorleywood Cricket Club, Sort Code 52 21 27, Account No.794 379 07, Reference : Your Name. Gift Aid Declaration forms can be obtained from the Treasurer (01923 721309), or On-line by applying via the Treasurer’s email : bryanta@ntlworld.com
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