1. No category

the bulletin
At long last, the building work has
entered the final phase (praise the
Lord!). Rapid progress has been
made - they’re preparing the ground
for the car park as I write. I’m afraid it
still isn’t certain whether we will
celebrate Christmas in the new
building or in Cressex School, though
I’m hopeful it will be the former.
I was allowed to wander around the
building a few weeks ago by Terry,
the site manager, and as I did that, I
said to myself, “I love it!” I felt really
excited that not too long from now
this will be for real. My excitement
goes beyond the building itself, of
course - it’s what will go on in it that
matters.
There are several things I’m
particularly looking forward to seeing
in the new building - I’ll mention a
couple.
Ÿ Reconnecting with the various
community groups that hire our
premises and seeing them enjoy
the new facilities is one.
Ÿ The other is using one of the
small rooms primarily as a prayer
room. It’s the room right in the
heart of the building,
emphasising that we make
prayer a priority, central to all we
do. The room will be like a
spiritual power house.
Please take note of a date for the
diary. There will be a service to
dedicate the new building to God’s
glory on Easter Day 2013, that is
31st March. This date is significant,
not only because of the symbolism
of resurrection and new birth, but
also because it was on Easter Day
2003, 10 years earlier, that St
Birinus and St John’s churches
merged together.
As ever, we have some new
ventures in the pipeline that don’t
need to wait for the new building in
order to get them moving.
Carina has ambitious plans for the
Next Generation in the new year.
She intends starting a Friday night
november 2012
youth club. To complement that, we
intend to start a new monthly service
for young families featuring Lighthouse
style activities. Carina is looking for
volunteers to help with both of these
ventures, so if you would like to help,
please have a word with her - and
please pray that they will be
successful.
Starting on 28th October and running
monthly, Mike Bratby and Jo Allen are
leading a course for those involved in
worship. The course, which runs for
seven sessions, is from Worship
Central and features Tim Hughes and
Al Gordon. We are so grateful to all
those involved in leading worship those who play an instrument, sing,
or work the A/V equipment - for their
commitment and servant hearts. I’m
looking forward to the effect the
course will have! I believe it will have
a profound impact on our worship,
taking us to a new level.
Blessings from Steve
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
1
the bulletin
november 2012
Church in the Pub is debating “Life on the
Frontline” during the Autumn. In this series
from the London Institute for Contemporary
Christianity, we’re exploring some core
questions about how God might use us to
make a difference in today’s world. Where
we live and work matters deeply to God these are our “Frontlines”.
Church in the Pub does what it says on the tin.
We meet on alternate Wednesdays at the
Wendover Arms on Desborough Avenue. If
you want to have a healthy debate on
Christian issues and world matters, why not
give us a try? We gather at 7:45pm for an 8
o’clock start. You will be most welcome.
Date
Title of Talk
Topic
7th November
How does our Frontline shape our prayers?
The Frontline Cry
21st November
How can we sustain our commitment to one another on the Frontline?
The Frontline Commitment
28th November
Pub Quiz
5th December
This is my Frontline
19th December
Social
My Frontline
The church website is being updated and the new version should be
launched very soon. We shall be including photos of our events, but
we are aware that may cause some awkwardness for some people,
so PCC have approved the following policy:
- We aim to show only the back view of children and vulnerable
adults. We will electronically blur the features if a face is accidentally
included, unless we have written permission to include them.
- We are aware that some adults may have objections to their
photograph being published on line. If we publish a photograph and
an adult objects, then we will either remove the photograph or
electronically blur the individual involved.
- If an adult lets us know in writing that we must not publish any
photographs that include them, then we will obviously comply with
that decision.
- This policy is published in the Bulletin and on the website.
the bulletin is published ten times per year by
St Birinus & St John’s Church
Tel: 01494 459070
www.banjos.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
St Birinus and St John's Church, High Wycombe
Registered Charity number: 1129098
Church Office, 70, Marlow Road, High Wycombe, HP11 1TH
2
www.banjos.org.uk
And as always, please let me have your
feedback on the Bulletin and the website.
They are intended to be instruments for the
glory of God, to proclaim His Word and to
encourage His people.
Marie Jackson
Bulletin Editor and Website Co-ordinator
[email protected]
Copy date for the next issue is Wednesday
14th November for publication on Sunday 25th
November
Please send your articles, reports, ads, and
dates for the December/January issue:
[email protected]
or hand them to Marie.
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
William Booth (1829-1912) and
his w ife C atherine founded T he
Salvation Army in 1865. If you’ve
ever w ondered w hat empow ered
William, this is the vision God gave
him.
company. They were divided into
different "sets" or classes, and they
occupied themselves with different
pleasures and employments. But
only a very few of them seemed to
make it their business to get the
people out of the sea.
I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over
it the black clouds hung heavily;
through them every now and then
vivid lightning flashed and loud
thunder rolled, while the winds
moaned, and the waves rose and
foamed, towered and broke, only to
rise and foam, tower and break again.
What puzzled me most was the fact
that though all of them had been
rescued at one time or another from
the ocean, nearly everyone seemed
to have forgotten all about it.
Anyway, it seemed the memory of its
darkness and danger no longer
troubled them at all. And what
seemed equally strange and
perplexing to me was that these
people did not even seem to have
any care about the poor perishing
ones who were struggling and
drowning right before their very eyes.
In that ocean I thought I saw myriads
of poor human beings plunging and
floating, shouting and shrieking,
cursing and struggling and drowning;
and as they cursed and screamed,
they rose and shrieked again, and then
some sank to rise no more.
Now this astonishing unconcern
could not have been the result of
And I saw out of this dark, angry
ignorance or lack of knowledge,
ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with because they lived right there in full
its summit towering high above the
sight of it all and even talked about it
black clouds that overhung the stormy sometimes. Many even went
sea. And all around the base of this
regularly to hear lectures and
rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this sermons in which the awful state of
platform, I saw a number of the
these poor drowning creatures was
drowning creatures climbing out of
described.
the angry ocean. And I saw that a few
of those who were already safe on
But the thing to me that seemed the
the platform, were helping the poor
most amazing was that those on the
people still in the angry waters to
platform to whom God called, who
reach the place of safety.
heard His voice and felt they ought to
obey it (at least they said they did),
On looking more closely, I found a
those who confessed to love Him
number of those who had been
much and were in full sympathy with
rescued were working to deliver the
Him in the task He had undertaken,
poor strugglers out of this sea. Some who worshipped Him or who
actually jumped into the water,
professed to do so, were so taken up
regardless of all the consequences, in with their own concerns that they did
their passion to rescue the perishing.
not listen to the cry that came to
them from this Wonderful Being who
had Himself gone down into the sea.
As I looked, I saw that the occupants
Anyway, if they heard it, they did not
of the platform were quite a mixed
heed it. They did not care. And so
the multitude went on drowning in
the darkness right before them
And then I saw something even more
strange. I saw that some on the
platform, whom this Wonderful Being
had called to, wanting them to come
and help Him in His task of saving
these perishing creatures, were
always praying and crying out to Him
to come to them!
Some wanted Him to come and stay
with them, and spend His time and
strength in making them happier.
Others wanted Him to come and
take away various doubts and
misgivings they had concerning the
truth of some letters which He had
written them. Some wanted Him to
come and make them feel more
secure on the rock - so secure that
they would be quite sure that they
should never slip off again into the
ocean.
So these people would meet and
they would cry out, "Come to us!
Come, help us!" And all the while
He was down among the poor,
drowning creatures in the angry
deep, with His arms around them
trying to drag them out, and looking
up longingly, but all in vain to those
on the rock, crying to them with His
voice all hoarse from calling, "Come
to Me! Come and help Me!"
And then I understood it all. It was
plain enough.
Now, what will you do?
T aken from
w w w .jesus.org.uk/vault/library/bo
oth_vision_of_the_lost.pdf
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
3
the bulletin
november 2012
There is a story about a little girl who,
on the way home from church, turned
to her mother and said, "Mummy, the
preacher's sermon this morning
confused me."
The mother said, "Oh! Why is that?"
The girl replied, "Well, he said that
God is bigger than we are. Is that
true?"
"Yes, that's true," the mother replied.
"He also said that God lives within us.
Is that true, too?"
Again the mother replied, "Yes."
grow and to grow to the extent that New Testament and either a
the amount that God lives in us is so Psalm or Proverb to read. To
big, He just shows through.
accompany the book there is an
online commentary or video and
Last month’s Bulletin also spoke
a reader’s blog.
about devotion to teaching as in
Acts 2. People were asked to share
what they do in this area and what
they find helpful. Many people
spoke about finding Bible notes very
helpful. “Daily Bread” and “UCB”
were firm favourites. These both
quote a verse or a short passage
and then give some thoughts,
rooting it in everyday life. These can
be very powerful and I have heard
people saying “This was written just
for me - God must have known”.
"Well," said the girl. "If God is bigger
Some people prefer a more
than us and He lives in us, wouldn't He structured approach. I am currently
show through?"
using Stormy OMartian’s “The
Power of Praying through the Bible”
* * * * * *
which takes key verses from the
Bible and gives a thought and a
prayer. This can really develop an
Last month’s discipleship article in the overall sense of what the Bible says.
Bulletin spoke about asking three
questions in your Christian life:
Elaine Brewster is one of a group
Are you in?
following the Soul Survivor ‘Bible in
Are you well in?
a year’. Elaine says: “I’ve never read
Are you bringing others in?
the whole Bible - I might follow a
Lent Course for Easter or read up
How well you are in and how you get on something before house group
better in is what discipleship is all
but I didn’t regularly read my bible.
about. Note that you cannot do this
until you yourself are in and you need “In September I downloaded the
to be well in to bring others in. In
Soul Survivor Bible-in-a-Year book
other words, in order to fulfil our
onto my Kindle. Every day there
mission to the lost, the found need to is some of the Old Testament,
4
“I can honestly say that I never
expected to be enjoying reading
the Bible so much! The
commentary and blog are great,
you can ask any questions that the
readings raise but what I really
enjoy is trying to find answers to
other people’s questions. As I’m
already on the computer ‘to
Google’ for answers is easy.
“I am finding the Bible-in-a-Year
an easy, accessible way to read
through the bible and would
recommend giving it a try.”
C ontinued at top of next page
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
C ontinued from previous page
For those of you who also fancy
using technology more than
hardback books, why not opt for a
daily email? There are several
people using LICC emails and Joyce
Meyer’s emails. Carina Herbert
recommends Breakfast of
Champions from Pastor Andy Elmes.
The emails go straight through to her
phone and its the first notification she
gets when she wakes up. Go to
http://eepurl.com/q22wj to see a
sample, and there’s a link there to
take out a subscription.
Andy Elmes has also compiled 200
devotionals into a book.
http://greatbiglife.co.uk/breakfast-ofchampions/
I spoke with a local vicar last night
who logs onto the “prayasyougo”
website and downloads a ten
minute session each day.
Alternatively, if you want an app,
then have a go at the Bible app from
lifechurch.tv It contains lots of
different translations and has easy to
follow Bible reading plans. These
plans are listed under different
headings to suit your age and where
you are in your faith and life.
If you enjoy radio, then why not
tune into UCB UK radio – Carol
Chapman listens to the 15 minute
teaching from Derek Prince at
5.30am, the teaching hour from 7 8pm, plus bible quotes and thoughts
scattered all through the day and
night – a brilliant way to find out
how to “live” the life Jesus wants for
us. There is also a worship hour
from 6 - 7 and 11pm - midnight
each day. This has become a part of
Carol’s routine and means that on
the days it all goes to pot she is
Many of you know that I have been trying to lose a bit of
weight with a Rosemary Conley class. Our instructor is
Rachel, and every month Rachel sends out an email to
encourage us, often with an inspirational quote. I found
this month’s very challenging:
When I looked this up, to find the person being quoted, I
discovered that he was an American basketball player and
coach, John Wooden. John was an excellent player and
coach, renowned for his pithy inspirational comments,
and in later life he collected some of his wisdom into
books.
Wikipedia, the on-line encyclopaedia, quoted John’s
“creed” and I thought it worth passing on to you.
upheld by God’s Word and can
reach into her reservoir (as Peter
Viney calls it).
The thing that has struck me while
compiling this article was how much
stuff is out there and how varied and
innovative it all is - perhaps even this
reflects part of the richness of a life
with an innovative, transforming
God?
Next month, we’ll be looking at
more corporate ways of devoting
yourself to teaching, although if
anyone wants to add to this article
or if you’ve told me stuff and I’ve
forgotten, let me know and I’ll add it
in. To whet your appetite we’ll be
having a series of sermons on time
called “Whose time is it anyway?“
later this term.
Blessings from Allison Smale
John Wooden's Seven Point
Creed, given to him by his father
Joshua:
Ÿ Be true to yourself.
Ÿ Make each day your
masterpiece.
Ÿ Help others.
Ÿ Drink deeply from good
books, especially the Bible.
Ÿ Make friendship a fine art.
Ÿ Build a shelter against a rainy day.
Ÿ Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings
every day.
And this quote was, I think, the most challenging:
Marie Jackson
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
5
the bulletin
november 2012
ADVENT HOPE
- T houghts by Joan Heybourn
Let not the dull damp days of winter
Fill you with depression and despair
For whilst wet leaves lie soaking all around us
Christmas time comes earlier every year!
Santa has already been sighted!
In shopping malls and stores throughout the land.
Each year the Ads say ‘go out and spend now’
No need to pay, a credit card’s to hand.
November makes us think of bonfires burning
A fire in our hearts to warm the cold
Thoughts turning in Remembrance of the suffering
Giving their lives for freedom that we hold.
And, soon the King of Kings will be appearing
A tiny babe born in a cattle stall
As we light up the Advent candles
Prepare our hearts to hear the Advent call.
Sounding like a trumpet to awaken
Pronouncing Light in winter’s frosty day
The Lord comes with the Christmas catalogues
We throw them out, but ask the Lord to stay!
Filling our lives anew with joy and blessing
As once again we’ll celebrate His birth
Our Advent Hope arrives; God’s Gift as promised
And people pray anew for Peace on Earth.
Hearts that come to know the blessed Saviour
Will find a peace that nothing else can give
Poured out upon the cross of our salvation
Our Advent Hope, reborn, that we might live!
If you have access to the Internet, this link leads to a
personal testimony of a miraculous healing at Ffald-yBrenin.
http://tracingtherainbow.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/anunexpected-outpouring-of-grace.html
6
The lady concerned suffered from ME (Chronic Fatigue)
for at least 32 years, and arrived at Ffald-y-Brenin in a
wheelchair. The wheelchair is now gathering dust. As
the lady herself puts it: “I am free and life is a revelation.
HO W GREAT IS O UR GO D!”
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
Bayless Conley reflects on balance in our lives
I think we would all agree that the Christian life is one to
be taken seriously. But in our desire to go all out for
Christ, we can get to a place where we are physically,
emotionally, and spiritually drained.
God does not intend for us to live our lives that way. In
fact, in 1 Timothy 6:17, Paul writes:
“ . . God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy . . . “
You and I need to take time to enjoy the things God gives
us. In fact, Jesus said this to His disciples in Mark 6:31,
“Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and
rest a while.”
It is so easy to live our lives believing that somehow it is
more spiritual to be on the edge of exhaustion all the
time. But God clearly tells us that we are to take time to
rejuvenate and to enjoy the things He has put into our
lives.
And he said, “Well, Bayless, you have a nice golf swing.
My advice is that you get some lessons. And whatever it
costs you, join a country club and play golf regularly.”
Then he looked at me and said, “Golf is the only thing
that’s kept me alive.”
It was some of the best advice I had ever received.
You need to make sure you live a balanced life. Take
time for rest and for play. Recharge your batteries. You
are in this thing for the long haul.
© 2012 Answers with Bayless Conley
Los Alamitos, California
Visit http://www.AnswersBC.org for more resources to
encourage you in your relationship with God.
Bayless broadcasts on cable and satellite channels CNBC
and UCB
When I was a young minister, I had the chance to meet
with a seasoned minister who had literally changed the
world for Christ. I thought, “Man, this is my golden
opportunity. I’m going to ask him some questions.”
So I said to him, “Look, I’m a young man in ministry. You
have had decades more experience than me. You have
impacted the world. What is the best advice you could
give me as a young minister?”
Parish Church of All Saints’ High Wycombe
on
Sunday 11th November 2012 at 6.30 p.m.
A service of Choral Evensong with Alan, Bishop of Buckingham,
Light refreshments will be available after the service
If you would like to attend the service, please respond to:
Mrs Ann Davies
c/o All Saints Church Office
The Oakley Hall,
8 Castle Street,
High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 6RF
e-mail: [email protected]
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
7
the bulletin
november 2012
Holmers House care home are looking
for folk to visit and befriend their
residents. If you are looking for a way
to be active in our community, and have
an hour or two to spare, then this may
be just the thing for you. Visits can fit in
with your own life, so can be weekdays,
weekends, daytime or evening, to suit
you. How much time you spend and
what you do is entirely up to you.
You won’t need any special skills,
qualifications or experience, but you do
need to be friendly, approachable and
compassionate. The most important
thing is your own enthusiasm and
willingness to make a difference for
these special folk, some of whom have
no visitors.
Wycombe Homeless Connection held
its Annual General Meeting in October.
The Chairman’s report highlighted the
current crisis of homelessness in the UK.
The issue is complex, but changes in the
welfare system, cuts in Local Housing
Allowance, a severe shortage of
affordable housing and other effects of
the recession are all contributing to this
challenge facing society. The past 12
months have seen rising numbers
seeking support from WHC through
their all-year drop-ins and the Winter
Night Shelter. Note that WHC works
closely with Wycombe District Council
as the local authority tackles the wider
issues of homelessness.
8
Some residents may have particular
needs such as memory loss,
communication problems and physical
frailty, but training will be given to help
you to encourage them. You won’t
be asked to provide any kind of
intimate personal care or medical
support, as there are staff on hand to
provide that sort of help.
To get involved, you would need to
complete a short application form and
a CRB check will be required. You
would then be invited to visit the
home for some taster sessions and to
meet the manager for a short chat to
see what you can offer and what the
role of befriender is all about.
Training will be given, especially for
dealing with dementia.
Local volunteer support is critical to
the operation of WHC. Around 250
volunteers help to run the Winter
Night Shelter. Volunteers also help to
run the year-round drop-in sessions
and community-building sessions.
Volunteers come in all shapes and
sized, ages and nationalities, including
Joan who is turned 90 years old!
Volunteers help with laundry,
befriending, publicity, prayer support,
administration, fundraising, mentoring,
cooking and generally being useful.
Local people are also a key feature of
financial support. Income mostly
comes from grants, corporate
sponsors, churches and individual
donors.
The home runs support meetings
for all volunteers 3 - 4 times a year,
where you can get to know other
volunteers and share ideas and any
concerns. Volunteers can be male
or female, and from any
background.
This is a wonderful opportunity for
us to get involved with our local
community and make a difference
for some lonely people. So if you
would like more information
contact me on 01494 451069 or
speak to me at church.
Janice Allerston
WHC aim to be a safety net at a
time of crisis, but then offers
continuing support and challenge to
find solutions. As one client put it,
“I feel like I’ve turned a corner and
I’m back on the straight and
narrow, thanks to all at WHC.”
T aken from the WHC Annual
Report 2012.
T o read more, make a donation, or
find out more about volunteering,
visit: w w w .w yhoc.org.uk
or speak to Paul Griggs or one of
our WHC volunteers - Lorna,
Jackie, Marie, Steve & Kay
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
The children who attend “Sunday
School”, “Kids Zones” or “Junior
Church” are a tiny minority – they are
the lucky ones who hear about the
love of God and the message of
salvation. The rest of the children in
this town, probably over 90%, would
not get to hear the Good News
unless one of the Wycombe Youth for
Christ Team are there doing an
assembly or RE lesson or run an after
school club.
The WYFC team are vital for getting
the Good News to all the children
and young people who are in nonChristian families. This term they are
going into 18 Schools in the High
Wycombe area, 13 Primary and 5
Secondary. Please pray for them, that
they will continue to be well received,
be able to speak openly and that they
will be a blessing to the children and
staff.
Sam McKee, who goes into the
secondary schools, has begun a
project called “Train 100” which is
about training young people and
equipping them to serve God in their
schools and communities as young
missionaries – their school is their
mission field. WYFC supports the
young Christians to live out their faith
in their schools, prays with them,
meets with them and encourages
them as they seek to share their faith
with their school friends. After all, the
best people to tell other young
people about their faith is the young
people themselves.
charity and does not have any surplus
money for this and so this project is
dependent on donations from local
Churches. I have offered to assist
with coordinating collection and
delivery of items so if anyone wants
to contribute, then please bring your
gifts on Sundays and put them in the
box labelled WYFC Helping Hands
Project and I will deliver them to the
team on your behalf.
Please keep the WYFC team in your
prayers, and give if you can.
One of the things that WYFC likes to Many thanks from Julie Dulley
do at Christmas time is to bless all the
schools that they work in, with gifts
for the teachers and other staff. They
do it as a sign of appreciation for
allowing them the opportunity to go
in and work there. They make up
baskets and hampers containing food
and other items and give them out
towards the end of term.
Last year, many of the school staff
were overwhelmed with gratitude for
the gifts they received. WYFC is a
Tuesday 4th December 2012
at the Elaichi
Tickets available soon - see Newsletter for details
This is an outreach event, so please bring your friends
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
9
the bulletin
november 2012
You may have heard someone refer to the church staff
team, or seen a notice that says “see any member of the staff
team.” Do you know your staff team? Or what they do?
Steve Whitmore, Vicar
Peter Viney, Associate priest
Ruth Wooster, Associate priest
Marie Jackson, Associate priest
Allison Smale, Lay minister
Janice Allerston, Lay minister
Carina Herbert, Youth leader
Morag Campion, Pastoral Co-ordinator
Viv Inch, local priest in training
Levy Santana, Pioneer minister in training
We held an away-day in September 2011 where we
worked out together what we thought our purpose is. This
is the list we made, in no particular order:
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Shaping and delivering vision in line with PCC policy
Developing ways to reach our parish of 17000 souls
Theological reflection and prayer
Supporting one another
From our meetings in September:
In early September, the church had tried the “Out of Body
Experience” and staff spent considerable time reflecting on
what had been learned and what should be taken forward
from the event.
At the meeting in the Sabbath week, we minimised the
business and spent considerable time in intercession. What
does the staff team pray about?
ŸWe prayed for wisdom on the future of meetings on
Sunday evenings
ŸWe prayed for more Holy Spirit on us and on our church
ŸWe prayed about discipleship in our church. We believe in
the “ministry of all the baptised” and that part of our task as
a team is to encourage everyone to take up the call to be a
faithful disciple. Why pray about it? Welcoming and
encouraging is not just a task for the licensed staff but for
10
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Ÿ
Supporting all other ministry in our church
Leading one another
Defining priorities
Goal shaping and setting
Reviewing ministry
Developing new ministries and leaders
Leading by example
Relating to other churches
If you have an issue you feel we should be attending to,
then contact any of us. We meet most Monday
mornings and any of us can raise anything there. Of
necessity, some items are treated as confidential, and all
of us are bound by that.
In coming months the Bulletin will introduce you to each
member of the team, and provide a report of our
recent deliberations. God has called each of us to serve
here in this parish, and that is what we aim to do
together.
Blessings from Marie Jackson
every member of our church, and that’s not always
apparent to us. Correct us please if we’ve got that
wrong!
ŸWe prayed for a specific area of the church’s ministry
where the disciples are keen to extend the range of
what they do.
ŸWe prayed for several particular pastoral situations.
At the end of the month we were wrestling with
Christmas services - where will we be? How late can
we leave it to arrange things?
And we reflected on Worship Together - does the
relaxed atmosphere lead to a lack of respect for God
and one another? This reflection was prompted when
someone was spotted texting during the service.
Marie Jackson
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
Just a little reminder, and I know a lot of you do this already .
This Christmas, and throughout the year, please think about
where you buy your Christmas presents from. If you buy
on-line, you need a book or CD, please to go to St
Andrews Bookshop website rather than Amazon. It is good
to keep the monies directed to supporting Christian
businesses.
And have a think about those really meaningful presents you
can find from Christian Aid. Your gift could dig a well in Africa
or plant cocoa in Nicaragua. And if you can’t think what to
get for that relative or vicar, you could always buy a goat!
Your spending this Christmas could send blessings far beyond
your immediate circle.
Jay Hay
St Andrew’s Bookshop:
Castle Street Coffee Shop, High Wycombe
High Street, Great Missenden
http://www.standrewsbookshop.co.uk/
Christian Aid gift catalogue:
http://www.presentaid.org/
Please pray wherever you are, anytime from 8am
Monday November 5th through to 8am Tuesday 6th, for
our town, for our outreach, for our neighbours.
We have news that many prayers are answered each
month.
From the Street Angels:
The Lord really does bless us with such encouragement
and continued favour. Please pray and thank God for all
those we meet on our evening walks around the town;
the door staff, the police and ambulance staff, the staff at
the late night food outlets, the taxi marshals and the street
cleaners who turn up as we're heading home and are left
to clear up so the town looks clean again by the time
dawn breaks.
From One-Can Trust:
We have been overwhelmed by the response and
support from schools, churches, businesses and
organizations throughout Harvest 2012. Please continue
to pray for and support the Trust. Give thanks to God for
the generosity of so many across the town. Pray for those
who have been or will be fed by One Can Trust; that they
would know there is a God who loves and cares for them
Blessings from Geoff Woolmore
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
11
the bulletin
november 2012
Petition to save Grameen Bank
Grameen Bank Project was born in the village of Jobra,
Bangladesh, in 1976. Grameen specialises in micro-credit
i.e. tiny loans to impoverished people who have no
collateral to underpin loans from traditional banks, loans to
buy a cow or a goat, a few chickens or ducks, loans that
help people make enough money to lift themselves from
poverty.
In 1983 the project was transformed into a formal bank
under a special law passed for its creation. It is owned by
the poor borrowers of the bank who are mostly women.
It works exclusively for them. Borrowers of Grameen
Bank at present own 95 % of the total equity of the bank.
The remaining 5% is owned by the government of
Bangladesh. Grameen was founded by Dr Muhammad
Yunus, and in 2006 Dr Yunus and Grameen jointly shared
the Nobel Peace Prize. In recent years, the government
of Bangladesh has made moves to bring the bank’s assets
more and more under its own control.
by government officials, and bribe demands that led to
the cancellation of the World Bank loan for the Padma
Dam.
In the Wall St. Journal, Schultz and Albright wrote,
“Grameen Bank is more than just another financial
institution. It is a symbol of how people who lack
advantages of any kind can nevertheless lift themselves
out of poverty through hard work and personal
accountability. We hope the government will think again
and choose instead to preserve a system that has worked
well, earned credit for Bangladesh on the world stage,
and inspired followers across the globe.”
There is growing momentum to support the borrowers
of the Grameen Bank in ensuring the institution retains its
independence:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the U.S. State
Department have expressed concern regarding the bank
takeover.
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer led all 17 female U.S. Senate
Avaaz - a global campaigning organisation - is currently
members in urging the Bangladeshi government to
raising a petition to demonstrate world-wide antipathy to
the moves by the Bangladeshi government. The situation is preserve the autonomy of the Grameen Bank.
Journalist David Bornstein, who specializes in writing
complex. I have gathered an outline here, with links to
helpful websites, so that you can make up your own mind about social innovation, and entrepreneur Richard
Branson have publicly voiced support for the Grameen
whether to support the Avaaz campaign. Editor.
Bank shareholders in the New York Times and The
Times, respectively.
More than 140 prominent female Bangladeshi leaders
The following is taken from
have expressed their solidarity with the women of
http://www.moneylife.in/ - an Indian business website
Grameen Bank.
7th September 2012
Former Secretaries of State George Schultz and Madeleine
Albright have joined a growing chorus of global leaders that For more information on Grameen, visit
grameenresearch.org
have decried the Bangladeshi government’s latest
www.friendsofgrameen.com
manoeuvres to take over the Grameen Bank. The bank
has been a pioneering model emulated worldwide,
For commentary on the situation at Grameen, see
demonstrating the power of micro-finance to help lift
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19144410
individuals out of extreme poverty.
Historically Grameen Bank has been 97% owned by its
customers, women from Bangladesh’s poorest regions. In
late 2010, the government installed a chairman and gave
him the authority to name a new managing director, a
charge previously held by the bank’s board, the majority of
whom are borrowers. This shift has created concern
worldwide that shareholders will lose ownership of the
Bank. There are also increased reports of government
corruption, including the raiding of government-run banks
12
Micro-lending is not without its critics - see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11664632
If you would like to support the Avaaz petition, then visit:
http://www.avaaz.org/
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
“Umenga Ntituri Abarundi”
A report from Rema Ministries on the
resettlement of Burundi refugees
Our friend François Nitunga works
for Rema Ministries, which is a
Christian NGO working in Burundi.
Burundi is one of the world’s
poorest countries, and it was
devastated by civil war that started in
1972. For many years, Rema
worked in exile in Kenya, but is now
well-established back in Burundi. A
lot of their work is concerned with
the resettlement of refugees who
fled the war and have been coming
home since the Arusha peace accord
in 2000. This report is from Rema’s
Newsletter of Summer 2012.
Since independence, Burundian
politics has been characterised by
ethnic competition and violence.
Major episodes of violence in the
70’s, 80’s and 90’s led to a total of
574,000 refugees, most of whom
fled to neighbouring Tanzania.
A framework for refugee return was
established at the 2000 Arusha
Accord, and a Burundian
Government body was set up to
manage this process in conjunction
with the UNHCR. This includes a
legal responsibility to assist returnees
to recover their property and
possessions, which came into force
in June 2008.
This process has been described by
the UNHCR as “one of the most
successful operations on the African
continent”.
Ten years on, Rema Ministries
conducted a major piece of research
Rema is a Kirundi word
which means to console,
comfort, encourage,
strengthen, to build up,
support and give hope to
people who have suffered
misfortune and catastrophes
such as deaths, civil wars,
HIV/ AIDS, earthquakes, etc.
in Sept-Oct 2011, in conjunction
with the Danish Refugee Council
and others, to survey returnees and
establish the situation on the ground.
Ÿ Seven out of every ten
respondents said that they were
still struggling to reclaim their land
and property.
Ÿ The judicial system is perceived as
flawed by 89% of returnees, but
only by 46% of residents.
Ÿ Access to education was reported
as a serious problem by 89% of
returnees, compared to 43% of
residents. Returnees speak
Swahili and some English, and
have huge problems reintegrating
into a culture of Kirundi and
French languages.
Ÿ Food security was reported as a
serious problem by 77% of all
respondents.
Ÿ Access to healthcare was
impossible for 78% of all
respondents, with 84% of
returnees unable to pay to get
treatment.
The language barrier is such that
children are sent back several year
groups in school, and adults find they
are barred from access to
employment, healthcare and justice.
Many of the respondents stated flatly
that the Government lied to them
about the living conditions they
could expect on their return. This is
a volatile mix, and particularly so
where it is relatively easy to mobilise
disaffected youth into violence.
Rema Ministries is a nondenominational Christian
non-government
organisation (NGO) that
brings ‘rema’ to refugees and
other disadvantaged people
from and in Burundi
Rema’s recommendations include
returnee involvement in determining
policy and practice, revisiting
earlier unjust land adjudications,
facilitating resettlement back in
Tanzania for some, urging
international donors to reconsider
their withdrawal of bilateral aid and
urging the Government to redefine
‘reintegration’ to include a wider
range of indicators (such as identity,
language, trust and a sense of
belonging).
And the headline? It’s a quote from a
refugee who said
“It’s as if I am not a Burundian”.
Please pray for the people of
Burundi, that they can work through
their differences and maintain a
lasting peace. Pray too for the work
of Rema Ministries. You can find out
more about their work at :
http://www.remauk.org
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
13
the bulletin
november 2012
Praying in a public space like Macdonalds
can bring challenges. This was brought
home to us at a recent Wednesday
meeting. Not long after we had started
praying we were interrupted by a rather
drunk young man. Somehow he had
recognised us as a praying group and
asked for our help and our prayers. He
was quite noisy but he calmed down as
we prayed, then went to another table
to sit down to talk with Ruth. However,
ASDA security felt they needed to
remove him, which they did rather
forcefully.
With hindsight, I can see that we were
all taken aback to begin with, but then
Christian compassion took over, and,
leaning on God, we looked for ways to
be helpful and supportive. The incident
has not put us off, we continue to meet
in the same place, same time. The
incident should not have surprised us.
God had warned us that our prayers for
“more” would lead to some difficult
encounters (See blog for 12th
September 2012). The example
from Scripture is to persevere - look
at Acts 4 to see the apostles reacting
to a very threatening situation with
great boldness and courage.
2012
The following week we were back
in Macdonalds, praying to go
deeper with God. In her sermon
at Worship Together on the
previous Sunday, Carina had asked
“How devoted are we?” - taking
her words from the description of
the fellowship of believers in Acts
2:24-47. Going deeper with God
is scary and challenging, but the
reward is a closer walk with Him.
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians
5:22,23) is not grown in a halfhearted relationship with God. If
we really want the love, joy, peace
etc that He promises, then we
have to submit our lives more and
more to Him.
Blessings from Marie Jackson
The year of
the Lord’s favour
http://freshfireprayers.blogspot.co.
uk/
Biblical Bits for Knitwits
‘Biblical Bits for Knitwits’ is a book by
Summer Mungle and Vicki Bedford.
The book, which starts with my
favourite Psalm 139 and is about knitting,
has grabbed my attention! Did you
know that God is a knitter?
“For you created my inmost being; you
knit me together in my mother’s w omb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and
w onderfully made; your w orks are
w onderful, I know that full w ell.”
Psalm 139 v 13-14
This wonderful book is a series of 12
bible studies, discussion questions and
instructions to knit simple squares.
When sewn together the squares make
14
a blanket that tells the story of God’s
love for us.
The Craft and Chat group are
planning to do these bible studies and
some of us will be knitting squares for
the blanket.
We plan to start on the 5th November
and invite you to join us.
To make a blanket you need a pair of
5.5mm knitting needles and 500g for
the main colour and 300g of a
contrasting colour of either chunky or
Aran weight wool.
www.biblicalbits.com and click on
“The Blanket”.
For information about the Craft and
Chat group contact Elaine Brewster
To learn more about the blanket have on 01494 531395.
a look at the following website
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
@Restore Hope Latimer
SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2012
6:30pm - 8:30pm at Latimer Park
Adults £8 & Child £4 (Inc. BBQ Burgers )
Book Your Tickets online: www.restorehopelatimer.org
Restore Hope Latimer
Latimer Park
HP5 1TU
Registered Charity Number: 1094494
Phone: 01494 765 555
St Birinus & St John’s Church
invites you to a
on
Saturday 24th November 2012 at 9am
at
Cressex School
Guest Speaker: Sarah Mordaunt from One Can Trust
Sarah will be in the “hot seat” so come with your questions.
Please advise Allison if you are coming, for numbers for catering.
Craft and Chat
- a monthly social craft evening Do you enjoy knitting, crochet, sewing or any other craft?
Next meeting:
Monday 5th November at 7 - 9pm at 12, Rennie Close
Further details from Elaine Brewster
Come along for a chat and to share your skills!
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
15
the bulletin
november 2012
Vicar
Rev Steve Whitmore
Associate priest
Rev Peter Viney
Associate priest
Rev Ruth Wooster
Associate priest
Rev Marie Jackson
Lay minister
Allison Smale
Lay minister
Janice Allerston
Youth leader
Carina Herbert
Church Warden
Andy Smale
Church Warden
Anna Williams
PCC Treasurer
Charles Thompson
PCC Secretary
Karen Brown
Church Administrator
Karen Brown
Traditional worship team
Marie Jackson
Worship Together team
Steve Whitmore
OPS team
Janice Allerston
Rainbow Worship
Morag Campion
Next Generation Administrator
Amanda Holland
Missions team
Levy Santana
Church in the Pub
Andy Smale
Stewardship
Peter Viney
Prayer Co-ordinator
Ruth Wooster
Prophecy Co-ordinator
Viv Inch
Buildings Action Group
Steve Whitmore
Discipleship
Allison Smale
Small groups / Home groups
Veldees Brooks
Growth
Keith & Julie Dully
Revival
Marie Jackson
Pastoral Co-ordinator
Morag Campion
Newsletter
Karen Brown
Bulletin
Marie Jackson
CSK website
Marie Jackson
If you are having difficulty contacting someone on this
list, then please be in touch with the church office and
Karen will help you find a way.
16
And if any of the names are incorrect, then please let
the editor know, Many thanks. Ed.
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
november 2012
the bulletin
Our events are happening around the parish, so please check this list to find your venue. Contact the Editor
or the Church Administrator to add or correct information in this list. The Church Office is currently located
at the Vicarage; the office telephone number and email address remain the same.
Monday Booker Guides - Cressex School
9am Communion on Sunday
10:45am Worship Together on Sunday
Both these services meet at Cressex Community School. Monday Booker Evening WI - Booker Memorial Hall
Rainbow Worship monthly on Monday - see calendar for Tuesday Running Sisters - Chiltern Gate School
date - at Cressex Community School.
Wednesday Kumon - Cressex School
7am Wednesday Fresh Fire Prayers at Macdonalds in
Thursday Open Door Coffee - meets at Cressex
ASDA.
Community Centre.
9:30am Communion on Wednesday at the Avenue
Thursday Kidsplay - Surestart, Field Road
Methodist Church.
Thursday Open Door at Cressex Community Centre
Thursday Tea Dance - Sands Village Hall
Friday Fellowship (monthly) at the Avenue Methodist
Church - see calendar for date
Friday Slimming World - Cressex Community Centre
Friday Craft Group - Lane End Village Hall
Friday Instron Retirement Group - Booker Memorial Hall
Friday Zumba - Hill Top Community Centre
Saturday Kumon - Cressex School
17th to 22nd December is a Sabbath Week - no business meetings please!
3rd December
Prayer for Wycombe, through to Tuesday 4th
4th December
Ladies Curry Night at the Elaichi, see Newsletter for details
5th December
Church in the Pub at the Wendover Arms, 7:45pm
14th December
Friday Fellowship Christmas lunch, ticket only, 1pm
14th December
Carol Service, 2pm
17th December
Rainbow Worship
19th December
Church in the Pub at the Wendover Arms, 7:45pm
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
17
18
St Birinus & St John’s Church, High Wycombe
Communion
Worship
Together Communion
Communion
Worship
Together
Rainbow
Worship at Cressex
Community School
Praise in the
Community at Holmers
House
Communion
Worship To-
gether
through to
8:00am tomorrow Prayer for Wycombe
Craft & Chat at
12, Rennie Close
Communion
Worship
Together
Praise in the
Community at
Shelburne Lodge
Sabbath Week
Praise in the
Community at
Catherine Court
PCC
Sabbath Week
Sabbath Week
Open Door
Open Door
Fresh Fire
Communion
YMCA Outreach
Open Door
Fresh Fire
ASDA
Communion
Chaplaincy
Praise in the
Open Door
Community at New Road
Gardens
Church in the
Pub at Wendover Arms
YMCA Outreach
Fresh Fire
Communion
YMCA Outreach
Fresh Fire
ASDA
Communion
Chaplaincy
Praise in the
Open Door
Community at Havenfield
Church in the
Pub at Wendover Arms
YMCA Outreach
Sabbath Week
Praise in the
Community at Nancy
Hall Court Day Centre
Friday
Fellowship Lunch
Friday Fellowship Worship
Sabbath Week
Ladies’ Prayer
Breakfast at Cressex
School
Sabbath Week
Wycombe Prayer at St
Peter’s Loudwater
the bulletin
november 2012