Minister's
Letter
October
2009
Dear
Friends
I want to begin by sending our warmest congratulations to Revd Mindy Bell and her husband Ted Denney on the birth of their daughter Morgan Therese who arrived safely, a bouncing 7lbs 13 oz, on 18th September. Please remember them in your prayers as they adjust to their new life! Please remember too Revd. Bill Whiffen who, after a spell in hospital, is now in Dovecote Manor Care Home in Bletchley. We send our love both to him and to his wife Joyce, living still at Lovat Fields.
As many of you will know, this summer Duncan and I were married, and we are now settling down to a new way of life!! Many thanks to all of you who sent us cards and good wishes, which we greatly appreciated. We are acutely aware that we have not just each acquired a spouse, but also we have acquired all each other's stuff - which over the years has come to be quite a lot! The tandem on which we cycled away from our wedding is now bursting out of the space I think was once intended to be the larder, whilst I can't open a cupboard door in the front room without a tea-plate or a musical instrument falling out! So we now find ourselves in the business of paring down our things, of de-cluttering ourselves, of asking ourselves what we should give away. Or, to put the question round another way and frame it more positively, we are asking ourselves what we really need to keep. Maybe we should ask the question even more simply still: what do we really need? It's a challenging question which strikes at the heart of our acquisitive lifestyles, but it's one which we all need to be asking ourselves more often and more deeply if we are to take seriously the call to be both better stewards of our environment and advocates of justice in an unjust world.
But what if we were to ask ourselves the same question about our church lives? What do we really need? Is everything which currently forms part of our routine church life absolutely necessary to our life and witness as Christian communities? If we were to go through a de-cluttering exercise, what would we decide to do without? What would we keep? At the moment, many of us are trying to keep everything going - and in the midst of such keeping, we lack the space simply to stand back and prayerfully reflect upon who God is, and upon what is beautifully essential to faithful gospel living in obedience to Jesus Christ. Perhaps we are almost frightened to ask the question, because we have grown so accustomed to how things are we cannot easily imagine how they might be otherwise, and experiencing that level of powerlessness and vulnerability makes us deeply uncomfortable. Yet when we only dare to strip away our defences, we are ready to be open to the transformative energy of God who by the Holy Spirit leads us to sing a new song to the Lord.
Perhaps we could engage in the same kind of process in relation to faith itself. If we were each given the opportunity to express our own experience of living our faith in one single sentence, I wonder what we each would say. Or if you could tell - or, for that matter, draw - just one Bible story, which one would it be? This month there is an exciting art project being based at the church of Christ the Cornerstone, entitled 'The Big Draw'. Opening on 7th October, it invites individuals and groups from all over Milton Keynes, to draw their favourite Bible story (and no, there's no such thing as 'can't draw'!). It will be fascinating and exciting to see at the end of the month what these contributions, displayed in the cloisters, all portray together. If you or your group would like to take part, please contact Revd. David Moore whose details are included in this mailing.
Just a couple of weeks ago I was attending the Forum of Churches Together in England. It was a very significant and energising event, and many expressed the view that it marked a new and hopeful point in our journey. I came away with a sense of renewed commitment to the ecumenical vision. One particularly memorable moment was a Bible study led by Catholic and Anglican Archbishops Vincent and Rowan, in dialogue with the teaching of Paul and with each other, as well as with participants from the assembly. Vincent spoke movingly about the need for us to take to heart among ourselves 'what we find in Christ Jesus, who emptied himself and was obedient even to death on the cross' (Phil 2:7-8). In the very process of self-emptying, however scary or challenging the journey may be, we shall come to be more fully ourselves, as God intends us to be. Daring to focus on the essential we shall be renewed, just as Christ's disciples became more truly fishermen only as they left their nets behind them.
Mary Cotes
.CTNP
CONNECTIONS
An announcement from Mindy Bell & Ted Denney. We are pleased to share with you the great news that Morgan Therese Bell-Denney was born on Friday the 18th of September just before 10am. She came into the world at 7 lbs 13 oz and is 20 inches long. Mum and baby are doing well. We look forward to adjusting to life as a family of three! We look forward to you all meeting her too and appreciate your presence through your prayers. Visitors to the manse are welcome in October. Thank you for all of your support and prayers!
Wednesday, 30 September Meeting about future use of Academy building (located behind the URC):, 7.30pm in the URC. It's hoped that this building might be able to provide much needed youth facilities for 14–18 year olds. We want you to come along, dream dreams and think big! Any queries, contact Jenny Mills (revdjmills@btinternet.com)
Beetle Drive
The United Reformed Church are organizing a Beetle Drive on Saturday 17th October in the Church Hall. The evening will start at 6.30 pm, ticket price £ 2.50 for adults and £ 1.50 for children (including refreshments). Besides having lots of fun the aim of the Beetle Drive is to raise money for a weekend trip the young people went on.
Tickets are available at the URC or to book tickets to collect on the night, ring the Church Office on 01908 611427 and leave a message.
An exciting and fun evening for the whole family, don’t miss it!!!
Carnival Planning Meeting
Thursday, 8 October, 8pm in Methodist Church: meeting to discuss CTNP's presence at 2010 carnival. We want to do something a bit special next year and need lots of fresh ideas.
Sparkle and Shine For Christmas
On Saturday 10th October from 10.30 – 12.30 there will be a fund raising event at Newport Pagnell URC. You will be able to purchase or order cosmetics, skin care, bath and body products, jewellery and homeware – lots of lovely Christmas presents included. Also available will be handcrafted jewellery and cards.Why not buy a raffle ticket (available on the day) for a chance to be the model in a skin care and make-up demonstration? You could book an individual consultation or an ‘at home’ for you and your friends. There will also be a raffle for £25 worth of Vie products of your choice.
All profits go to the URC redevelopment fund, so please support us at this event.
Newport Pagnell Educational Trust
The remit of this trust is to promote either generally or individually the education (including social and physical training) of persons who are resident in Newport Pagnell and who are in need of financial assistance. The Trust distributes £2-3000 annually to individuals and organisations and welcomes new applications which should be made in writing to the Chairman. There are conditions but if anyone may be interested you can get full details from Trust Chairman, Mervyn Evans.
Alternative Hallowe'en
CTNP will be holding a Family evening at the URC on Saturday 31st October starting at 5:30 pm. Details are still being worked on but a lively evening of games, activities and a shared supper will offer a fun alternative to trick or treating for all ages. Watch out for further details.
Coffee Morning
If you are in the High St. on the morning of Saturday Oct 24th why not pop in to the Methodist Church for their coffee morning and stalls.
Autumn Walk
The walking group are organising another local walk on Saturday 3rd October. We will meet up in the lay-by just past the Chester Arms pub on the A422 at Chicheley at 10am. We will cover a 5 to 6 mile circuit round Chicheley finishing up at the Chester Arms for lunch for those who want it. Not an arduous walk but some stout footwear is recommended as it may be muddy if the weather has been wet. Further details, contact Geoff Morris
Letter from a Minister
The homes of MHA (Methodist Homes for the Aged) Westbury and Paganell Grange have joined together to form Westbury Grange! We have a brand new wing and ongoing internal improvements are being made. It all looks lovely. I have been in position as the chaplain at Westbury Grange for the past 18 months. The definition of the word chaplain according to the dictionary is ‘a member of the clergy who conducts religious services for an institution, such as a prison or hospital’. I prefer to think of chaplaincy as sharing time with individuals during moments of need and trouble. Just as important is the sharing of joys, accomplishments and celebrations of success. My role is best described as providing both spiritual and pastoral care for both the residents and staff. Spiritual here means what is important to and nurtures the spirit of an individual whether it be music, nature, religion, family and friendship. Westbury Grange caters and cares for residents with nursing needs and is also a residential home for individuals with dementia. The residents, dedicated staff, willing volunteers and families of Westbury Grange are all part of a developing community which aims to create home where all are individually valued and cared for.
Birgitte Grace,
Chaplain of Westbury Grange
If you would like to explore the opportunity to get involved, please get in contact with us.
Westbury Grange
Westbury Lane
Newport Pagnell
MK16 8JA
Tel: 01908 210322 Email: home.pgn@mha.org.uk
www.mha.org.uk
Newport Muster
Muster mash at the pub and Kendal cake from the sweet shop were just two of the delights on sale as traders in Newport Pagnell joined the fun when the town went walkabout. The sun came out right on cue as walkers – human and canine – put their best feet forward for the first Newport Muster on Saturday (Sept 12). The themed event, built on a choice of organised walks round Newport Pagnell’s civil war garrison town and its beautiful Ouse Valley, was launched with a champagne toast by Euan and Irene Henderson, the Mayor and Mayoress of Milton Keynes – who then proceeded to walk the three-mile ‘Nifty’ route in full regalia. Around 200 walkers of all ages followed marked paths and tracks which included the medieval Bury Field, one of the oldest areas of Common Land in the country and the scene of everything over the centuries from horse-racing to pitched battles.
A pair of limestone plinths illustrating the history of the Common and provided by MK council with support from English Heritage, Natural England, and the Bury Field Commoners’ Association, were another attraction for the walkers. Organisers aim to make the Muster an annual event, raising money for charity, bringing visitors to the town and increasing community involvement. They described the turnout as “very encouraging” and there were happy faces all round from those who took part.
“A brilliant idea,” declared Councillor Henderson.
“Just what the town wanted,” David Mundy, Commoners Association.
“Hope this is the first of many,” Steve Crowther, countryside manager of MK council.
“A great success, Bury Field was alive with people – all smiling,” Hazel Dean, NP Business Association.
