The Sunday Archive: The Pilot, July 1993 - Part 4
Parish Notes
All Saints
From
Desmond Springham, Ministre Desservant, and Simonne du Val and Bill Scott, Churchwardens
ALL SAINTS members may like to glance across with a bit of amused interest at their neighbours along the road, as you read what has been happening at St Andrew's: some members have had to "get up out of their seats" and find somewhere else to sit! Reason — the side aisle is full of organ pipes and other bits and pieces. Not what you might call a big issue. Not until you realise how "set in our ways" some of us are. We don't like moving. In any case, we might be sitting in someone else's seat. They may not say anything, but they may think it! Alternatively, they may welcome you — no problem. It's a risk, though, isn't it. Why? Because we do not like change, whether it be where we sit, whom we sit with, the service — you name it.
But are we not "one body in Christ"? Certainly — but that has to be worked out, worked at. No easy matter, because that means giving consideration to other people who may see things differently, do things differently. As far as we at All Saints are concerned, that means, for instance, children. How do we accommodate them in our worship? It means visitors, of whom we receive a fair sprinkling, some Anglican, though not often "Prayer Book" people these days; others who are not used to our worship in any shape or form.
Now, working out the principle of "one body" does not mean "giving in" to other people, or "giving up" all we hold dear. But it does surely mean looking at things from the other person's viewpoint as well as our own. So — smile at those neighbours down the road, and then make your way back here and apply the same principle to ourselves.
VISIT OF MARGARET WALKER. Recently Margaret Walker, who is on furlough from Uganda, spent a fortnight in Jersey visiting St Paul's and St Andrew's — two of her "link" parishes. We were pleased to welcome her, both to our Bible Study Group and to the Sunday evening Songs of Praise when we were able to hear about her work with nurses and other hospital staff in various hospitals throughout the country. Following her visit we were pleased to send £120 to MAM — Ruanda Mission — who still support Margaret in her work.
We were also pleased to donate £20 to St Andrew's Church Organ Fund — so that some of those displaced may more speedily regain their seats!
CONCERT. Wednesday 14th July, 7.30 pm. The Helvetia Ladies Choir and Helvetia School are performing a concert in All Saints Church, in aid of the St Andrew's Organ Fund. We look forward to an entertaining evening.
God bless us — each member of the body of Christ
From
Desmond Springham, Ministre Desservant, and Simonne du Val and Bill Scott, Churchwardens
ALL SAINTS members may like to glance across with a bit of amused interest at their neighbours along the road, as you read what has been happening at St Andrew's: some members have had to "get up out of their seats" and find somewhere else to sit! Reason — the side aisle is full of organ pipes and other bits and pieces. Not what you might call a big issue. Not until you realise how "set in our ways" some of us are. We don't like moving. In any case, we might be sitting in someone else's seat. They may not say anything, but they may think it! Alternatively, they may welcome you — no problem. It's a risk, though, isn't it. Why? Because we do not like change, whether it be where we sit, whom we sit with, the service — you name it.
But are we not "one body in Christ"? Certainly — but that has to be worked out, worked at. No easy matter, because that means giving consideration to other people who may see things differently, do things differently. As far as we at All Saints are concerned, that means, for instance, children. How do we accommodate them in our worship? It means visitors, of whom we receive a fair sprinkling, some Anglican, though not often "Prayer Book" people these days; others who are not used to our worship in any shape or form.
Now, working out the principle of "one body" does not mean "giving in" to other people, or "giving up" all we hold dear. But it does surely mean looking at things from the other person's viewpoint as well as our own. So — smile at those neighbours down the road, and then make your way back here and apply the same principle to ourselves.
VISIT OF MARGARET WALKER. Recently Margaret Walker, who is on furlough from Uganda, spent a fortnight in Jersey visiting St Paul's and St Andrew's — two of her "link" parishes. We were pleased to welcome her, both to our Bible Study Group and to the Sunday evening Songs of Praise when we were able to hear about her work with nurses and other hospital staff in various hospitals throughout the country. Following her visit we were pleased to send £120 to MAM — Ruanda Mission — who still support Margaret in her work.
We were also pleased to donate £20 to St Andrew's Church Organ Fund — so that some of those displaced may more speedily regain their seats!
CONCERT. Wednesday 14th July, 7.30 pm. The Helvetia Ladies Choir and Helvetia School are performing a concert in All Saints Church, in aid of the St Andrew's Organ Fund. We look forward to an entertaining evening.
God bless us — each member of the body of Christ
ST ANDREW'S
From
DESMOND SPRINGHAM
Vicar
ONE BODY? Over the past few weeks, an interesting exercise will have been taking place in St Andrew's Church: one side aisle is well and truly occupied — with displaced organ pipes and other bits and pieces. So what have the displaced church members done with themselves? Have they happily found them-selves a different seat, alongside others? When they moved over, were there "murmurings," out-loud objections: "that's my seat you're sit-ting on" — or just dark "looks"?
If none of the above happened, were these "side-aisle" visitors just tolerated, with nothing actually said? Or, yes, of course! A warm word of welcome: "Do come and sit here; we haven't actually spoken before, have we . . ?"
Perhaps I am thinking of my own "skin" and reputation, when I sincerely hope that these latter thoughts apply. It is so easy to talk of the Church as "one body." But here is a very local, practical application: people of different ages, personalities, some perhaps more set in their ways than others. At times, quite naturally, we get on each others' nerves, rub each other up the wrong way. After all, we are individuals, made that way.
But this is where the lovely word in the `old' Bible comes in: "long suffering" — bearing with, or forbearing one another. How interesting that Paul should have written these words specifically to Christians — the Church at Colossae. No, we do not automatically get on well with each other just because we are Christians. It has to be worked out, worked at. Over the years, we have seen how difficult this is in the wider Church. Pray God that at the very local level, coming down to what may be a very minor issue as that mentioned above, we may indeed see what it means to be "one body in Christ."
ORGAN. As mentioned above, work on the overhaul of the organ is now well under way. As far as the church is concerned, we are on the final upward climb to the total of just over £20,000. We should, by now, have passed the £16,000, all of which has come in from many different sources since last November. Recently, Les Conteurs Singers have given a concert in church on behalf of the fund, and we are very grateful to them, both for the musical enjoyment they gave us, and for the money raised.
RUANDA MISSION. Just to relieve the minds of all avid PILOT readers, especially those who immediately turn to the St Andrew's column: the Ruanda Mission - MAM - is still an independent missionary organisation, and has not got itself linked with MAF - Missionary Aviation Fellowship -although I am sure that relationships with that fellowship are very good. What a difference one letter can make!
THANKS. Sylvia Smith has acted as our Ruanda Mission Secretary for some years. We do thank her for her service to the church and to the Lord in this way. Jane Collins has kindly offered to take on this task. Ruanda Mission - MAM - is one of those Missionary Societies which we strongly support at St. Andrew's. 1 am sure that the recent visit of Margaret Walker, our missionary link, has helped to rekindle our interest and concern with God's work in that part of the world.
CONCERT AT ALL SAINTS. Wednesday 14th July, 7.30 pm. The Helvetia Ladies Choir and Helvetia School with be presenting a con-cert in aid of St Andrew's Organ Fund.
SUMMER FETE. Saturday 17th July, from 11 am.
HOLY BAPTISM. 9th May, Craig John Raines.
HOLY MATRIMONY. 22nd May, Mark Watkins to Kathryn Rosser; 29th, Service of Thanksgiving for the Marriage of John Molloy and Corinne le Marrec.
From
DESMOND SPRINGHAM
Vicar
ONE BODY? Over the past few weeks, an interesting exercise will have been taking place in St Andrew's Church: one side aisle is well and truly occupied — with displaced organ pipes and other bits and pieces. So what have the displaced church members done with themselves? Have they happily found them-selves a different seat, alongside others? When they moved over, were there "murmurings," out-loud objections: "that's my seat you're sit-ting on" — or just dark "looks"?
If none of the above happened, were these "side-aisle" visitors just tolerated, with nothing actually said? Or, yes, of course! A warm word of welcome: "Do come and sit here; we haven't actually spoken before, have we . . ?"
Perhaps I am thinking of my own "skin" and reputation, when I sincerely hope that these latter thoughts apply. It is so easy to talk of the Church as "one body." But here is a very local, practical application: people of different ages, personalities, some perhaps more set in their ways than others. At times, quite naturally, we get on each others' nerves, rub each other up the wrong way. After all, we are individuals, made that way.
But this is where the lovely word in the `old' Bible comes in: "long suffering" — bearing with, or forbearing one another. How interesting that Paul should have written these words specifically to Christians — the Church at Colossae. No, we do not automatically get on well with each other just because we are Christians. It has to be worked out, worked at. Over the years, we have seen how difficult this is in the wider Church. Pray God that at the very local level, coming down to what may be a very minor issue as that mentioned above, we may indeed see what it means to be "one body in Christ."
ORGAN. As mentioned above, work on the overhaul of the organ is now well under way. As far as the church is concerned, we are on the final upward climb to the total of just over £20,000. We should, by now, have passed the £16,000, all of which has come in from many different sources since last November. Recently, Les Conteurs Singers have given a concert in church on behalf of the fund, and we are very grateful to them, both for the musical enjoyment they gave us, and for the money raised.
RUANDA MISSION. Just to relieve the minds of all avid PILOT readers, especially those who immediately turn to the St Andrew's column: the Ruanda Mission - MAM - is still an independent missionary organisation, and has not got itself linked with MAF - Missionary Aviation Fellowship -although I am sure that relationships with that fellowship are very good. What a difference one letter can make!
THANKS. Sylvia Smith has acted as our Ruanda Mission Secretary for some years. We do thank her for her service to the church and to the Lord in this way. Jane Collins has kindly offered to take on this task. Ruanda Mission - MAM - is one of those Missionary Societies which we strongly support at St. Andrew's. 1 am sure that the recent visit of Margaret Walker, our missionary link, has helped to rekindle our interest and concern with God's work in that part of the world.
CONCERT AT ALL SAINTS. Wednesday 14th July, 7.30 pm. The Helvetia Ladies Choir and Helvetia School with be presenting a con-cert in aid of St Andrew's Organ Fund.
SUMMER FETE. Saturday 17th July, from 11 am.
HOLY BAPTISM. 9th May, Craig John Raines.
HOLY MATRIMONY. 22nd May, Mark Watkins to Kathryn Rosser; 29th, Service of Thanksgiving for the Marriage of John Molloy and Corinne le Marrec.
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