Newsfrom Newport Pagnell Churches Together SCELEB TING POPE JOHN PAUL'S ACHIEVEMENTS ince I last wrote, his Holiness, Pope John Paul II has died, and I want first of all to extend the sympathy of the Mission Partnership to our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters and to assure them of our prayers for the cardinals and for the whole Roman Catholic church as John Paul's successor is sought. The requiem mass, held at Cornerstone on the fifth day of the nine days of mourning, inspired all those who were there, and it was moving to see so many om the wider Christian mily, from other faith communities as well as others from all over the city. John Paul's death coming at Easter, there could not have been a more tting moment to celebrate rhe hope of new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus which underpinned rhe whole of his life and work. By his world-wide pastoral visits, his strong statemenrs regarding the sanctity of all human life and the significant impact he had on the political landscape of Europe - to mention only a few elements of his extraordinary ministry - John Paul reminded us that God is God not only of rhe church, bur of rhe whole world, concerned for and present in the whole of human life. This is the God we find in the Bible. It may well be that politicians want to claim they "don't do God," but it is nonetheless the case that the Bible certainly does "do" politics, in the sense that the Biblical writers were inspired by the God who is concerned r justice, truth and righteousness, who has a special care for the poor and the weak, and whoismadeknowninJesusChristwhoselife and ministry engaged him in the political realities and debates of his day. It is perhaps very fitting, then, and also rather ironic, that politicians who "don't do God" should have established the date of the general election r Ascension Day. This is the day when the Christian Church celebrates the Lordship of Christ over all things in heaven and on earth. Exercising our right to vote is a Christian responsibili , and we make our political choices nor on the basis of personal self interesr, but with the Lordship of Christ and rhe values and demands of the Kingdom of God in mind. The "Just Life" Campaign which the Mission Partnership is supporting this year offers us another opportuni to show our commitment to the God of j ustice who cares for the poor. This special Christian Aid programme enables us to create links with Christian Aid's partner agencies in Israel and Palestine. Ir helps us learn more about their specific projects, develop an understanding of the issues and how it is that people experience poverty and injustice. We are invited to pray for the partners and find ways of raking action, including raising money. I am hoping very much that we will be able to receive a visit from one of rhe agencies sometime in November. As we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, let us pray to be transformed by rhe God who turns us outwards and inspires us to be fearless witnesses to the God ofJesus Christ, crucified and risen, to whom God has given the name which is above all other names, "that at the name ofJesus, every knee should bow." RY COTES ,Tou are young, you're bereaved, you're bewildered. Bur don't feel you're on your own. The WAY Foundation is there to help you. This is a selfhelp support group for men and women widowed up to the age of 50. They understand, they listen and they can help. Contact them at PO Box 6767, Brackley,NN136YWorre!:08700 113450. Visit their website: • PAGE 36 THE PHONEBOX FROM THE ECUMENICAL MODERATOR HELP IS AT HAND PL S FOR "NEW LOOK" AT THE www.wayfoundarion.org.uk or e-mail info@wayfoundarion.org.uk I P KE PO RTY HISTORY lans are underway for the Milton Keynes "Make Poverty History" event on June 2 5 . Events will include wrapping city buildings and monuments in a white band, music, a well known speaker and ar, exhibition by Milton Keynes organisation\ involved in global issues. It will provide the opportunity r people in Milton Keynes to demonstrate to the world leaders their support r trade jusrice, debt relief and more and better aid. Your support is needed to get as many signatures as possible on the petition you will find at your local church. Petitions should be returned to rhe Mission Partnership Of ce by June 1 5 so that it can be sent to Gleneagles by the rime the GS meet there. TH LING NETWORK GROUP he aim of a new group being set up by rhe Mission Partnership is to network with individuals, churches and organisations in the Milton Keynes area interested in Healing. The inaugural meeting is at the Cornerstone 7.30 pm on Wednesday, June 8. Everyone i s welcome. More derails frod Mission Partnership office re!: 311310 or l,_) mail admin@MKCC.fsnet.co.uk T WOUGHTON LECTURE he 25th Woughton Lecture will take place on Thursday, September 8, at 8.00 pm at Sr. Mary's Church Woughton on rhe Green. The Rev. Dr. Mary Cores will speak on "Celebrating Together - Understanding the Ecumenical Process." The lecture will be preceded by Holy Communion at 7. 1 5 pm. Everyone is welcome. GIVE GENEROUSLY FOR CHRISTIAN PARISH CHURCH A t the annual Church meeting, held at St uke's in April, members were shown plans for the re-ordering of the west end of the Parish Church. This will involve improving the north porch, providing a disabled access and installing a ringing platform so that the space underneath can be used for a kitchen and toiler. PCC secretary Dick Parker explained that though a recent legacy of £39,000 from a former church member would rm the nucleus of a building fund some serious fund-raising lay ahead. The plans have been particularly welcomed by the bellringers who, with 80ft ropes to contend with, have been pleading for a ringing platform for well over 50 years! The Rector, the Rev John Lewis presided at the annual meeting and in his report explained that services over the Christmas period had been very well attended and that the parish church, with its new carpets repaired windows and walls soon to be cleaned, was looking more welcoming. They had also been told that the diocese was now receiving enough parish share income to pay for the parish ministry, which should mean manageable increases and more to spare for outside giving. The current group ministry arrangement should hold good with no further reduction in the number of clergy posts until 2012 Reports from 1 2 church organisations were presented. Alex Ramsay gave his nal statement as treasurer, a post he has held for the past eight years. He was warmly thanked for this long service. Diane Harrington and Mervyn Evans were elected churchwardens with Karen Browne, Penn Derosaire, Karen Goff, Kate Graves, Dick Parker, Loretta Ramsay, Brian Riddy, Marlene Smith, Jeremy Stacy and Glenda Winfield as members of the Parochial Church Council. H AID opefully, when you read this, the Christian Aid Week (May 15-22) will be in ll swing. The house-to-house collection forms an essential part of the organisauonfs fund-raising to provide assistance r some of the world's poorest people, so please give generously when the collectors call.