| |
|  |
50p from the church. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Page 1
Page 2 AUGUST DIARY Sunday 1st PENTECOST 10 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist 6.00 Evening Service Thursday 5th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 8th PENTECOST 11 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist 6.00 pm Evening Service Thursday 12th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 15th PENTECOST 12 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist 6.00 pm Evening Service Thursday 19th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 22nd PENTECOST 13 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist 6.00 pm Evening Service Thursday 26th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 29th PENTECOST 14 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist 6.00 pm Evening Service Prayers for Healing 10.00 am every Wednesday in Parish Office Other services and activities as announced in the Weekly Newsletter
Thought for the Month Newspapers of a certain kind find circulation figures demand searching and finding the worst in human nature. Also, when they deem it necessary, then manufacturing it as in the ridiculous attempt to rekindle hatred toward our enemy of 70 years ago. One wonders why only Germany, why not France or Spain, both great enemies in the past and all in the name of a game. How different it should be! Where love is, there is God Bernard Davies Love was his (Jesus) meaning. What did he show you? Love. Why did he show it? For love. Hold on to this and you will know and understand love more and more. But you will not know or learn anything else ever! Julian of Norwich
Looking Ahead . . . . . . . . Some of you may know that for two periods in my ordained ministry, I taught Biblical Studies and Theology at two institutes of Higher Education. I enjoyed them both as it was a great privilege and joy to be part of a process of discovery in which both young and old students were enabled to learn more about the foundation of the Christian Faith and its development over the ages. If I had to choose between either of the experiences, however, I would definitely say that it was the first, back in the nineties, that was the most satisfying. And this is because it was an age when University Staff were allowed to get on with the job of research and teaching, unencumbered by the utilitarian demands of politicians and Quangos. My later experience coincided with the advent of the Quality Assurance beaurocracy the prevailing philosophy of which was to ensure uniform (and uniformly high) standards of delivery in University education. However the practical requirements of this resulted in so much administration that there was less and less time for reading, research and good teaching. The student experience, was I am certain, the poorer for it. There is a sense in which the Church stands in danger of falling prey to a similar dynamic. For long gone are the days when the Parson was able to do the work unfettered by paper aims and objectives, striding through the Parish at will and spending his time, not filling out forms but listening and talking with real people. And gone are the great characters too. Ψ Where are the Kilverts of today? Ψ Where are the great Anglo Catholic priests of the East End who brought colour and interest to a drab landscape? Ψ Where are the wonderfully provocative Bishops of Durham who thought the unthinkable and got people talking about Christianity as something that was relevant to their lives? I am not advocating that we operate in chaos, of course not. But I do feel that as a Church we must resist adopting the management speak and corporate ethos which are the hallmark of big business in Britain and the global community today. For we are not big business. And if we are corporate, then, we are corporate only to the extent that we are the body of Christ, bound together by an ethos not of commerce or profit but of love. To this extent, I think that there is room for the Church to be slightly untidy, slightly unruly, slightly unpredictable a movement which is prone to the promptings and the vagaries of the Holy Spirit who descends upon us as fire and dove, purging, persuading, refreshing and replenishing as He wills. Now this can make for a heady brew! It might even make us uncomfortable or unsure because most of us prefer to stick with the things that we know and prefer to do things as weve always done them. And sometimes, it is right that Tradition prevails. But equally, if we are to grow and deepen as a Church community, we must be open to new directions and new possibilities also. For it is by taking risks, daring to be different and breaking out of the mould that we progress in our discipleship and witness to the Gospel. So for us, then, I would advocate not the dull, controlled, monochrome vocabulary of management speak and corporate euphemism but the gushing of the myriad voices of the Holy Spirit, breaking through barriers, unrestrained by convention and ultimately bringing new life, hope and colour to our Church and our world today. What will that mean in practical terms? Who knows? I for one, cant wait to find out! With all good wishes Richard
CHRIST CHURCH GIFT DAY (27th JUNE 2010) OUTCOME
This excellent response complements the contributions in time and money being widely and gladly given for the benefit of Christ Church as well as external charities. For many, too, this generosity is on top of regular monthly (or annual) financial contributions to the parish, which so sustain and advance its mission. On the same (very sunny) Sunday there was held in the hall the annual Parish Lunch, very much enjoyed by the 66 who attended, including the vicar, -lovely melon, salmon, strawberries, all beautifully prepared and served. Our thanks go to Ann Picken, Shirley Davies, Mary Rayner, Gill Kilvington and all helpers. This happy event raised the further sum for the parish reported below. The financial outcome of the Gift Day, from the contributions numbering 94 this time, was as follows (with comparative values for the 2009 and 2008 Gift Days alongside):- 2010 2009 2008 Donations totalled: £5,190 £4,715 £5,147 Tax reclaimable on Gift Aided donations: £1,306 £1,127 £1,134 Gift Day Gross Donations: £6,496 £5,842 £6,280 Parish Lunch Surplus: £ 235 Grand Total: £6,731 What a truly encouraging response! The £5,190 donations, you can see, are at a record level, in excess even of the total for 2008, when our emergency appeal towards the urgent re-roofing of the churchs eastern flat roof was very generously supported. Again this year a very useful supplement will accrue from the available tax refunds secured by the Gift Aiding of so many contributions, this time of at least £1,300 (another record sum). This very welcome boost to the parish kitty will enable important initiatives to be prepared and progressed, and some, hopefully, quite soon. As stated in the appeal, the accent is to be placed on mission and outreach to our local community as well as on good worship and pastoral care, and our PCC is engaged on the necessary consideration, planning and provision, and will be keeping the congregation informed. In the autumn amongst events with the wider community in mind will be a specially prepared Back To Church Sunday (26th September) and a Harvest Festival (10th October). Once again, sincerest thanks to all contributors for your good-hearted and generous support, to the honour of our Lord and in support of our stated ambition to let people know that:here at Christ Church is God's Place, and so also a place of welcome and benefit for them and theirs.
BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY - 26th SEPTEMBER Back to Church Sunday is six years old this Autumn. Most denominations are now involved, and the increased attendances in participating churches nationally have surprised many 36,000 new people last year alone. Of these, a small minority have continued to attend church, and a few churches have reported significant growth. So how does it work? Very simple: the emphasis is on individual Christians like you giving a personal invitation to people whom you know. All the evidence suggests that this is the most effective way of getting people back into church. CNS
Page 6 An Introduction to the Books of the New Testament: Romans This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes. (Martin Luther) Paul probably wrote his letter to the Christians in Rome in AD 57 at Corinth, on his third missionary journey, ready to return with an offering from the churches for poverty-stricken believers in Jerusalem. The original recipients of the letter were predominantly Gentile, although Jews would have constituted a substantial minority of the congregation. Paul sets out to explain the relationship between Jew and Gentile in Gods overall plan of salvation. The Jewish Christians were being rejected by the larger Gentile group in the church, because they wanted to observe dietary laws and sacred days. Paul begins by showing that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners in need of salvation. He shows how the life, death and resurrection of Jesus eternally affect world history and the life of every person on the planet. This salvation, secured by Jesus, must be received by faith, as the example of Abraham shows. As salvation is not just about starting the Christian journey, Paul moves on to show how believers are freed from sin, law and death. This is made possible both through their union with Christ in his death and resurrection and by the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. None of Pauls other letters states so profoundly the content of the gospel and its implications for both the present and the future. The theme of the book centres on the Gospel of Christ: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."(Rom. 1:16,17). He wants his readers understand how they can be in a right standing before God (ie righteous) and live by faith (cf Habakkuk 2:4). CNS Rev. Paul Hardingham
THE PRIVILEGE OF READING GODS WORD Reading the Bible, along with prayer and Christian fellowship, is a key aspect of discipleship. We dont have to read the Bible to be a Christian after all, most people had to manage without a copy of the Scriptures until the first printing press was set up in 1476. Until the advent of free education, the ability to read was far from widespread and engaging with the Bible would have meant hearing it read aloud in church. Although, thanks to translators such as William Tyndale, it was at least available in a common language. Being able to read the Bible for ourselves is, then, a wonderful privilege that we should not take for granted. It is important that we sustain our delight in this privilege and we can do so in a number of ways. First, we can ensure that the translation we use is one that enhances our understanding of the passage. This does not necessarily mean a modern translation, but one that is fresh for us. Secondly, we can develop our understanding by using Bible reading aids, which range from thought for the day Bible notes to in-depth commentaries. If we have been using the same approach for a while and we are starting to find it a bit stale, the answer is not to abandon Bible reading, but to try a new approach! Finally, whenever we turn to the Scriptures, we should do so prayerfully. If we read the Bible as believers, it is more than a cultural treasure, or a collection of moral insights or inspiring stories. It is a means of connecting with the living God, whose Spirit inspired those who wrote it and those who helped to shape the canon of Scripture. As we read and reflect, so, amazingly, we will find that over time we continue to be transformed into the likeness of our Creator. No, we dont HAVE to read the Bible but who could turn down the chance of such blessing? Naomi Starkey is a commissioning editor at BRF. For more information visit: http://www.brfonline.org.uk/daily-bible-reading CNS
Christ Church Society Visit to the Millennium Stadium 42 members and friends of Christ Church set off for the Stadium from the Discovery car park, by coach on Wednesday 21st July. We were met at the Players Entrance by Colin Francis who, as Security Manager for the stadium, had arranged an exclusive and extensive visit for us with behind the scenes access. We entered the Welsh Player dressing area and were impressed by the sight of all those famous names, whose kit was arranged at their lockers. The Welsh Dragon was emblazoned everywhere to inspire or intimidate. Exercise facilities for before and after the games showed how, in the modern game, psychology and fitness are paramount. There were individual bathing facilities and some players even use ice baths after a match to warm down. We followed the route used by the Welsh Team entering the arena and strolled down the players entry ramp to the awesome stadium. The grass was taken up specially for us said Colin. So that we could admire the concrete base!!.. Colin explained that as it costs £120,000 to remove and replace the turf, it is now taken out once a year and all events such as speedway and pop concerts take place in the summer season, hence we saw the stadium without turf. The grass is laid for the games on a foundation of top soil brought in on pallets and then the turf about 4 thick, arrives in massive rolls like a carpet to be rolled out on top. A team of experts tump the grass to eliminate the joins, in a similar fashion to carpet fitters, but using high pressure hydraulic rams designed for the job. Surprisingly, the roof which takes 20 minutes to open is left open when it rains and shut when sunny, for the best conditions for the grass. Next we entered to the V.V.I.P.s box, where royalty and the great and the good sit. Christ Church Society members occupied seats normally seating the Queen and other notables. Organisation is an enormous task and there are 1000 stewards available of which on match days 750 are necessary, working in teams of 30. The leader of each team is responsible for delivering the right numbers on the day. The massive catering operation is contracted out. There are several bars on each level plus a similar number of food outlets. Cleaning is also labour intensive and the cleaning team can eliminate most of the rubbish within a couple of hours of the stadium emptying. Colin was a mine of information and there were plenty of questions for him. Finally we visited the Control Box, the hub of all that goes on at the Stadium. Banks of monitors relay information from every sector and the police can track known, banned, individuals all the way from the Severn Bridge and follow them into the ground and even to their seats- big brother is really here! The Control Centre houses the roof control panel, security, St Johns Ambulance and Fire Co-ordinators. Walking back from the Control Centre, overlooking the Taff River to the Westgate Street exit brought home to us the immense size of the Millennium Stadium. After taking lifts down to the coach waiting on the internal road, of motorway dimensions, beneath the stands, we returned to the Discovery Inn for a buffet, prepared by Phil the Landlord and staff in their very pleasant function room. We sang Happy Birthday and congratulated Bernard Richards, for reaching his 80 birthday. We thoroughly thanked Colin Francis for hosting our excellent tour of the Millenium Stadium. Gillian Kilvington
WILL TO SURVIVE There are people, I feel, who, living in the lap of luxury as I see it, are never satisfied. It depends on our wants and our needs. In the bible we are told that God will provide for our needs. If we have sufficient we should be grateful. There are so many in the world who virtually have nothing, and yet, never give up hope or faith and have the will to survive. As Christians, it is our duty to share with those who have very little to survive. Jesus said Love one another as I have loved your. That is sacrificial love. V Moverley Page 8 WOMEN BISHOPS
The General Synod of the Church of England has taken a further step towards consecrating women bishops. It has rejected the amendments put forward by the Archbishops, amendments which were intended to protect those whose consciences would not permit them to acknowledge the Orders of women in the episcopate. The issue is what place there should be for any who for reasons of theology and conscience cannot accept a woman as a bishop. Many argue that such dissentients have a defensible theological case, and that jurisdiction should be granted to alternative male bishops. Female bishops would consequently find their area of diocesan care curtailed by clergy who chose to remain under the sole control of a male bishop. As I see it the biggest impasse lies not in the actual act of consecration of a woman bishop but in the fact that the Orders of priests ordained by a woman bishop will not be recognised by all. This for me is the crux of the problem. The Anglo Catholic wing does not and will not accept priests ordained by a woman bishop. If no provision is made for these Anglo Catholics, some will sadly convert to Rome, under a generous (in RC terms) and somewhat tempting system which Pope Benedict has put on offer. There was an exodus to Rome in the early 1990s when the first women priests were ordained in the C of E. I know of this only too well, because my own husband was one of those who defected - or, as he sees it, converted to the true Church. I have not previously written or even spoken about this publicly, but I faced a personal dilemma in about 2004. When Edward and Sally came to our parish, we three made an arrangement that they publish in advance notice of which of them would celebrate each Eucharist. At that time I was a disaffected Anglican, and this satisfied me. I did not attend any Eucharistic service where Sally or any other lady was celebrating, nor did I receive blessing or absolution from Sally or anyone of her gender. This persisted for I think about 3 or 4 years. It was not entirely satisfactory from my angle, nor I suspect from theirs, because misunderstandings did occur, but we got by with a little goodwill. And then they decided it was too complicated to continue the arrangement. Purely by coincidence I had gone into retreat, and I knew nothing of their decision. But - as I had felt misunderstood for some considerable time and indeed had been accused in this parish of lack of charity - and as I grew to know Sally personally the discomfort intensified - I decided while on retreat that when I returned to Cardiff I would concede the point and receive my Communion from her when she celebrated. This change of heart on my part came precisely at the moment when they had arranged to terminate our agreement. I made my turnaround decision wholly for the sake of the Parish, and it was hard to go against my conscience. I have to admit that it was not primarily done out of consideration for Sally, but in the certain knowledge that I had been called to work at Christ Church in a teaching and pastoral role, and that my apparent lack of cooperation was - by misunderstanding - undermining what I preached. It was a spiritual decision, undertaken with pain and after much thought and prayer. So here we are in 2010 with the women bishops issue simmering in the Church of England, and another hard decision to be made by me and hundreds who feel as I do. I dont expect to be understood by parishioners, my reasoning is of a patristic nature, and younger people do not wish to function on that level. But even those who believe me to be misled will I hope pray for me, and for all in the Anglican Church whose consciences are troubling them. Joyce Rice Dear Editor LETTER I am a Trustee of a Welsh anti-bullying charity called Bullies Out (Registered Charity Number 1123070). We are currently looking to recruit additional members to our Board and I am writing to enquire whether any of your readers would be interested in assisting the charity and/or joining our Board of Trustees. Kind regards Emma Thomas Further information from EmmaThomas emma_t11@btinternet.com Many members of Christ Church may not have realised that the author of Masai Medical Mission, Helene Evans is the daughter of Ken Perkins whose childhood was spent at Christ Church where she formed a close friendship with Rev.Ruth
Many members of Christ Church may not have realised that the author of Masai Medical Mission, Helene Evans is the daughter of Ken Perkins whose childhood was spent at Christ Church where she formed a close friendship with Rev.Ruth Page 9 Are They Making the Right Saint?
We are seeing at first hand the processes by which our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Roman Catholic Church decide who is worthy of being an acknowledged saint. John Henry Newman is about to be beatified during the Popes forthcoming visit and there is little doubt that this will be followed in due course by canonization. The whole process is a bit bewildering for Christians of other denominations, but like most things in the Roman Church if one begins by accepting unquestioningly certain clearly stated premises, there is an absolute logic in the train of thought that then follows. Now I am no theologian but I know something of 19th Century history, and I am just a bit puzzled by the Catholic Churchs choice of this one of its two great Cardinals in that era. The other was Cardinal Henry Edward Manning(1808 - 1892) Like John Henry Newman, Manning began life on the evangelical wing of the Church of England. Much is made of Newmans intellectual strength as theologian, as a teacher of theology and as a founder of teaching institutions such as the Birmingham Oratory and the Catholic University in Dublin
.all of which would have an appeal to the present Pope whose own background is very much that of university lecturer and exponent of doctrine. It is, however, one of the curiosities of the present choice of which cardinal to choose for veneration that Newman came down from Oxford with a poor Third Class degree and Manning had a brilliant First at Balliol. However, sainthood and degree classifications have nothing in common and my puzzlement about the choice of Newman lies in other matters. Certainly Newman was a fine poet
we still sing his hymns and Lead Kindly Light has a poignancy that few could deny. His prose in works such as the Apologia pro Vita Sua which he wrote to refute some of the rather brash polemics of the Anglican Charles Kingsley (remembered rather more now for The Water Babies ) would be celebrated in any history of English prose writing of the time for its wonderful word-craft. But there are other aspects to Newmans character that seem to be a little far away from what most would regard as saintly. Like Mr Darcy in Pride and Prejudice once Newman had a low opinion of you, there was nothing you could do to re-habilitate yourself and there were quite a few blighted careers among the Catholic clergy in consequence. There was never any scandal in his personal life, but the intensity of some of his friendships especially with one Father Ambrose with whose remains Newman insisted on being buried seem a little odd, and a certain effeminacy in him is what Kingsley amongst other things latched on to. But the oddest thing of all about the choice of Newman is simply this. The huge theological row that raged in 19th Century England was over the question of Papal Infallibility. In this Newman always stressed the supremacy of individual conscience in matters of Faith and although the present Popes writings would in some measure seem to support in part this stance, such views are not sweet music in the Vatican. Manning, in contrast, took a very different view and the emphases in his ministry were quite in another direction. Manning whilst still an Anglican parish priest had married a beautiful but consumptive girl. The marriage was brief because of her illness and childless but Manning carried a lock of her hair to his grave. Manning, who by the way did not much like Newman, nor Newman him, was above all the great architect of the Roman Catholic diocesan structure which has survived to present times, the builder of Westminster Cathedral, an outstanding pastor to clergy and laity alike. Above all, he probably ensured that Roman Catholicism in this country would be a religion of the working masses and not just an enclave of certain wealthy old families such as the Dukes of Norfolks. Manning cared deeply for social justice and stood up for the poor and downtrodden in Victorian society whose lot in life when read about now sometimes seems unbelievable. An example of his willingness to battle on behalf of the poor is that he was largely responsible for the settlement of a bitterly fought Strike in the London Docks in the 1880s His conversion to Catholicism was occasioned by the realisation of how far Church was subordinate to State in Victorian England. The Ecclesiastical Committee of the Privy Council confirmed in office after dispute a clergyman whose beliefs about baptism were in the view of most orthodox clergy heretical. At this point Mannings doubts about going over came to an end. What I find most curious of all, though, is that in their great debate about Papal Infallibility, it was Manning who came firmly down on the then promulgated doctrine Ex cathedra that the Pope spoke divine truth. Newman never openly disagreed but those who read him could not fail to see where he stood. How many light years away from us these controversies now seem to be. But Rome has always thought long and I am still a little puzzled by what is happening. John Walrond
TO A FISH OF THE BROOK Enjoy thy stream, O harmless fish; And when an angler for his dish, Through gluttonys vile sin, Attempts, a wretch, to pull thee OUT God give thee strength, O gentle trout, To pull the rascal IN! By John Wolcot (Peter Pindar) 1738-1839 Page 10
2010 2011 Sunday 10th Oct. Harvest Lunch Friday 10th December Carol & Mince Pie Evening Thurs. 6th January 2011 Epiphany Cheese & Wine Please contact Ann Picken if further details required. Tel: 029 20755550 MOTHERS UNION August No meeting 15th September 2.15 pm Entertaining ourselves 20th October 2.15 pm John Walrond talk Some Peculiar Places in our Language Contact:Molly Hughes 20758605 New members welcome Prayer Link Saturday 7th August - Thornhill Evangelical Sat.4th Sept. St Isans (Anglian) Llanishen Village centre Sat. 2nd Oct. St Brigids (RC) Crystal Glen, off Heathwood Rd/Fishguard Rd ALL WELCOME Advent Retreat in West Wales Parish Retreat led by Richard, at St Nons Retreat Centre, St Davids, 30th November - 2nd December 2010 Cost £90 p.p. Names to Joyce Rice, in an envelope please with £10 deposit Mums, dads and tots @ chatterbox YOU are invited to our New CHATTERBOX Club Starting Wednesday 8th September 1.30 pm - 3.00 pm In Christ Church Hall An opportunity to have a coffee, chat, exchange views, and enjoy time together with or without little ones. For more information contact Jill Barker Tel; 20747464 ALL WELCOME Sunday 10th October You are invited to come dressed as a SCARECROW or FARMER or bring a scarecrow Competition for the best dressed SCARECROW before the Lunch Cost and times to be announced later PROCEEDS to CHURCH FUNDS
Page 11 A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO LIVE ALONE Recently, a friend of mine went to Walsingham on a pilgrimage. She spotted the following prayer, thought of me, and sent a copy to me. I would like to share the prayer with other members of the congregation who live alone. I live alone, Dear Lord, stay by my side. In all my daily needs be Thou my guide Grant me good health, for that indeed I pray, to carry on my work from day to day. Keep pure my mind, my thoughts, my every deed. Let me be kind, unselfish in my neighbours need. Spare me from fire, from flood, malicious tongues, from thieves, from fear, and evil ones. If sickness or an accident befall, then humbly, Lord, I pray hear Thou my call, and when Im feeling low, or in despair, lift up my heart and help me in my prayer. I live alone, Dear Lord, Yet have no fear, because I feel Your Presence ever near. Len Bowker SSAFA Forces Help Needs YOU! The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help needs you. There are over 10 million people eligible for help from SSAFA Forces Help, the leading national charity committed to helping those who serve in our Armed Forces, those who used to serve and the families of both. We provide a reliable, caring and trusted service to more than 50,000 people each year. Volunteers can give as little or as much time as they can spare. There are positions for people interested in practical case work as well as other roles such as team leaders, treasurers and fundraisers. If you would like to be part of our Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Branch that cares for those who have left the Services, please get in touch. Training is provided and all out of pocket expenses are paid. Please contact: Mr Glen Smith Branch Support Advisor Membership 19 Queen Elizabeth Street LONDON SE1 2LP Telephone: 0207 463 9273 Email: Glen.s@ssafa.org.uk
NEW DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS EVIDENCE ON RELIABILITY OF THE BIBLE The Jesus Accounts Fact or Fiction? A new documentary that will equip Christians to take on the sceptics over the trustworthiness of the Bible is being released this summer. By throwing light on scholarly, scientific and historical evidence that supports the trustworthiness of the ancient manuscripts, eyewitness accounts and more, the 30-minute documentary provides an invaluable tool that shows how the four canonical gospels can be trusted. It is hoped by leading clergy that The Jesus Accounts will prove a powerful tool to churches, scholars, ministers and lay-people reaching out to their communities with the power of the gospel. To view the trailer to the film, visit: www.thejesusaccounts.tv. For more information on the film visit: www.thejesusaccounts.tv
PHONE A FRIEND ? How often do you use a phone book? For the past 130 years it has helped us find all manner of local services, not to mention a choice of tens of thousands of people living in our area. But its days may now be numbered. Disposing of out-of-date phone books and unwanted copies left on doorsteps are costing councils more than £7m a year. They make up thousands of tons of paper dumped in landfill every year. The average phone book weighs 3lbs. In Britain, the most common name in the phone book is Smith, but worldwide it is Wang, with 92.8m entries mostly in China. Bill Gates, the Microsoft founder, has predicted that in the USA no one under 50 will use the phone book within five years. CNS
Page 12
Page 13 CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ACROSS 1 & 3 Two of the disciples who witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus (Luke9:28) (4,3,5) 3 See 1 Across 8 Let us draw to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22) (4) 9 O Simon is (anag.) (8) 11 Form of government under the direct rule of God or his agents (10) 14 How Jesus found his disciples when he returned to them after praying in Geth semane (Luke 22:45) (6) 15 In The Pilgrims Progress, the name of the meadow into which Christian strayed, which led to Doubting Castle (2-4) 17 Glad sin rat (anag.) (10) 20 Spinal column (Leviticus 3:9) (8) 21 Valley of the Balsam Tree with a reputation of being a waterless place (Psalm 84:6) (4) 22 The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one sees clearly (Numbers 24:3) (5,3) 23 Adam and Eves third son (Genesis 4:25) (4)
DOWN 1 Davids great friend (1 Samuel 20:17) (8) 2 The Lord... will bring me safely to his kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18) (8) 4 I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; or wine touched my lips (Daniel 10:3) (2,4) 5 Seeking to vindicate (Job 32:2) (10) 6 Female servant (Isaiah 24:2) (4) 7 For Christ died for once for all (1 Peter 3:18) (4) 10 Offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5) (10) 12 Jesus said that some people had renounced this because of the king dom of heaven (Matthew 19:12) (8) 13 One of the three men thrown into the furnace for refusing to worship Nebu chadnezzars golden image (Daniel 3:20) (8) 16 You have of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry (Luke 12:19) (6) 18 There before me was a white horse! Its rider held , and he was given a crown (Revelation 6:2) (1,3) 19 Equipment to Charity Hospitals Overseas (1,1,1,1) HEARING A man went into a church and asked the minister to pray for his hearing. Ah, certainly, said the minister, somewhat taken aback. The man knelt, and the minister placed a hand carefully on each ear. In a loud voice he asked God to help the man with his hearing. I hope that will help, he shouted to the man. Well, we wont know for a while, the man replied softly, it isnt until next month!! CNS
Here is something to plan for September: make time to take advantage of a Heritage Open Day. On these four days each September a range of properties across the country are open for viewing. free of charge to the public. The open buildings range from castles to factories, town halls to tithe barns, parish churches to Buddhist temples. It is a once-a-year chance to discover hidden architectural treasures and enjoy a wide range of tours that bring local history to life. Visit: http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk Answers ACROSS: :1, John. 3, And James. 8, Near. 9, Omission. 11, Theocratic. 14, Asleep. 15, By-path. 17, Stalingrad. 20, Backbone. 21, Baca. 22, Whose eye. 23, Seth. DOWN 1, Jonathan. 2, Heavenly. 4, No meat. 5, Justifying. 6, Maid. 7, Sins. 10, Acceptable. 12, Marriage. 13, Shadrach. 16, Plenty. 18, A bow. 19, ECHO. Page 14
HONKING ENCOURAGEMENT Why are some churches vibrant and growing while others seem to be struggling and discouraged? It may be a difference in attitude. If the people build up and encourage one another, the whole atmosphere is optimistic. But a critical, negative spirit breeds discouragement and failure. Bruce Larson illustrated the power of encouragement in his book Wind and Fire. Writing about sandhill cranes, he said: - These large birds, who fly great distances across continents, have three remarkable qualities:- (1) They rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time. (2) They choose leaders who can handle turbulence. (3) All during the time one bird is leading, the rest are honking their affirmation. Larson commented, Thats not a bad model for the church. Certainly we need leaders who can handle turbulence and who are aware that leadership ought to be shared. But most of all, we need a church where we are all honking encouragement.
DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WERE OVER THE HILL ? If you are 58 or more, it seems that others may think that you are. A new survey has found that most of us consider youth to be over by 35, and old age to have begun at 58. This may come as a surprise to many people who are more than 58, but who do not feel quite in the twilight of life just yet! After all, older people are living more active lives than ever before. The survey was done by the Economic and Social Research Council in London. However old you are, here is an encouraging promise, found in Isaiah 46:3 I have upheld you since you were conceived, and carried you since your birth. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. So no matter when you go over the hill God knows all about it, and is there to help you, if you call on him..
Are you hopeless at DIY? Does the sight of flat-pack furniture fill you with dread? Dont let your loved ones mock you it is not your fault. You simply dont carry the DIY gene, thats all. In fact, it seems that two in three Britons lack the necessary spatial awareness needed to complete DIY tasks, according to recent research. While overall men scored higher in the experiment, one psychologist explained: Some people simply do not have the mental equipment necessary to manipulate shapes, and will always struggle to complete DIY tasks successfully. The research, by Halifax Home Insurance, came up with one scary statistic: damage costing £400 million was caused last year by people who lack any genetically pre-determined DIY ability, but who thought theyd have a go, anyway
. . . . The Bible tells us the DIY aptitudes are God-given.
I have filled him with
skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship
(Exodus 31:3-5). So, thank God, if you can do it! And pray for help, if you cant
Page 15 SEPTEMBER DIARY Thursday 2nd 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 5th PENTECOST 15 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Childrens Eucharist 6.00 pm Evening Service Thursday 9th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 12th PENTECOST 16 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist & Junior Church 6.00 pm Evening Service Wednesday 15th 2.15 pm M. U. Entertaining Ourselves ! Thursday 16th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 19th PENTECOST 17 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist & Junior Church 6.00 pm Evening Service Thursday 23rd 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Sunday 26th PENTECOST 18 Back to Church Sunday 8.00 am Holy Eucharist 9.45 am Parish Eucharist & Junior Church 6.00 pm Evening Service Thursday 30th 9.30 am Holy Eucharist Prayers for Healing 10.00 am every Wednesday in Parish Office Other services and activities as announced in the Weekly Newsletter ???????? Priest in Charge Rev. Richard Spencer 154 Lake Road East, Cardiff Tel: 20757190 Father Mark Preece Canton Rectory, 12 Thompson Avenue, Canton, CARDIFF CF5 1EY Telephone & Fax 029 2056 2022 fathermark@mandm6162.plus.com Church Wardens Roy Dowell Tel: 20408265 Phil Bramall Tel: 20759353 Reader Joyce Rice Tel: 20755381 Readers Emeritus John Walrond Parochial Church Council Secretary Judith Hill Tel: 20758080 Treasurer John Hodgson Tel: 20764485 Covenants Secretary Norma Ash Tel: 20754835 Electoral Roll Officer Judith Hill Tel: 20758080 Magazine Editor John Griffiths Tel: 20754370 Office Administrator Richard Hill Tel: 20758080 Hall Lettings Secretary Margaret Harris Tel: 20753475 Sacristan - vacant Acting organist / Choir Master Peter Sidaway Junior Church Leader vacant Flower Rota Organiser Kathy Jones 02920759678
Churches Together Vacant ****** Next meeting Tuesday 14th September 7.30 pm in Christ Church |
Many thanks indeed from your Parochial Church Council to all the many parishioners who responded to this years recent appeal by a generous financial donation to support your parishs work and witness.
Church Social Events
HARVEST LUNCH 
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
