Page 73 - Phonebox Magazine May 2013

CHURCHES TOGETHER NEWPORT PAGNELL
Letter From The Minister
As I write this it seems that spring is finally on its way! It feels like it’s been winter for a long time but as I look out of my study window at the glorious sunshine and watch the post woman delivering the mail in her shirt sleeves, I’m mindful of a verse from Genesis, Chapter 49, verse 26, ‘the blessings your father gives are greater than those of the everlasting hills, greater than their eternal riches.’Occasionally in life we pause to remember how much we have to celebrate; the many blessings and gifts that God so freely showers upon us. Sadly, such moments are all too rare. More often than not, we lurch from one demand to another, one crisis to another and one responsibility to another, scarcely finding the time to draw breath and reflect on the reasons we have to give thanks. If we’re not careful, we can end up brooding on the things we haven’t got, sucked into a vicious circle of self pity and the sorrier we feel for ourselves the more ground there seem to be for such feelings. We need to stop sometimes and, in the words of the old hymn, make time to ‘count our blessings’, for when we do that, life can seem very different. There is so much that is not only good but indescribably wonderful and beautiful beyond words. The words of Genesis above were concerned not with God’s blessing but with Jacob’s blessing to his sons, but they could speak more appropriately of all God has done for us. Hopefully this year won’t be a repeat of the last, but if at times it feels like it is, and the view from our windows doesn’t look quite so glorious, pause for a moment, remember all that we receive from God and far from feeling sorry for ourselves, we should stop to consider all the reasons we have to give thanks.
Rev Karen Browne
Enough Food For Everyone IF
In 2013 we can take action to address world hunger as the G8 summit takes place in Northern Ireland in June and tens of thousands of people add their voices to demand action. Over 150 charities are behind this campaign, including Christian Aid, CAFOD, Tear Fund, Oxfam and many more. At a lively meeting
at NP URC in April, Jess and Steve from the Christian Aid Oxford office explained the campaign, showed us how it could benefit communities and challenged us to think what we could do locally to raise awareness. So much progress has been made in tackling poverty around the world, but still one in eight people go to bed hungry every night and 2.3 million children die from malnutrition each year.
IF we fulfil our existing commitments on aid
IF small farmers have the land they need to grow food
IF we tackle tax dodging globally
IF companies and governments are open in their dealings
What can you do? Look up Christian aid. org.uk/if or Google ’IF campaign’ to see other websites about it, add your voice to the campaign, write to Mark Lancaster MP to urge him to take action, look out for local events and support them, consider going to the London rally on 8 June, pray for the campaign, support Christian Aid week 12th–18th May in whatever way you can as its focus is also on world hunger, make others aware in your church, work, school or community group.
Churches Together Newport Pagnell g Event g
Saturday 11th May@URC
From 9am: IF Awareness-Raising Break- fast. Come and join us for coffee, juice and croissants as we find out more about the IF Campaign and what we can do to bring about change.
10am-12 noon: Coffee Morning, Book and Cake Sale in aid of Christian Aid.
Please come along and support these impor- tant events as we focus on the needs of the poorest in our world. For more information
call Jenny on 07703 485017.
PROCEEDS FROM LENT LUNCHES q2013q
I am happy to announce the fantastic total profit to Christian Aid –
This Year is - £2013.74
Many thanks to those who helped by mak- ing homemade soup and to all who gave their time during the last six weeks to help achieve this excellent result.
There was a great community spirit and it was pleasing to see people enjoying the social occasion. We had abundant offers of help from the churches of Newport Pagnell and also from people not connected to the churches.
Thanks also to everyone who came along, spent their money and supported us. We rely on you.
Jennifer Mazzone
f Bridgebuilder f Trust Sponsored Walk & Ride - ‘Roundabout MK’
Takes place on May 11th starting at Furz- ton Lake at 10am. Walk or cycle the Milton Keynes Millennium Trail, 13 miles of red- ways and paths around MK’s countryside- in-the-city.
Too much for you? Then how about a five- mile walk along the Tattenhoe Brook or just a stroll round the lake?
More information and sponsor forms avail- able from the Trust office on MK 270670 or Geoff Morris on 617050.
(Refreshments available)
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Phonebox Magazine 73