Newsletter

The clocks have sprung forward and we can now all look forward to lighter evenings and some warmer weather, even though it doesn’t quite feel like it just now! This is the time of year when we do a spring clean in anticipation of the onset of summer and enjoying our gardens over the next few months. As another year slowly moves on, let us not forget those around the world that feel that they have nothing to look forward to, as life as they know it, has changed forever. Our prayers are needed now more than ever.

Linda and Malcolm Johnson

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IT’S SPRING – LET’S PARTY!

Dear Friends,

Every season is special for its own reasons, but Spring is particularly wonderful in my view. The days are lengthening and the birds’ wonderful morning chorus gets earlier and earlier. Over the last few mornings, it has been particularly piercing, notwithstanding our double glazing! But, most exciting of all is to see the spring flowers emerge and to watch as the brown hedgerows and trees start turning green. I loved living in India so much, but I have to confess that I really missed the seasons. I love the fact that Spring is so very different from any of the other seasons.

Robin Williams commented: “Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘Let’s Party!’” I like that! Spring brings to us the promise of new life, new possibilities, new journeys, new thinking. I want to encourage you in this way because the world is so full of bad news at the moment. You need to have a strong constitution to watch the news programmes these days. The obliteration of Gaza and so many parts of Ukraine; the agony of families in Israel, Gaza, Russia, Ukraine and Sudan to name but a few. On all sides there is so much sadness and brokenness, but I want to point you to Spring. I want to remind you that amidst the deadness and destruction there can be new life.

For Christians, Easter isn’t a one day event. Easter transforms every day of the year. Because Jesus rose from death, we can be confident that God can bring new life to the deadest of situations. Easter doesn’t allow us to give up hope. The countries that I have listed could be forgiven for thinking that the end has come – but it hasn’t. God is able to transform the most hopeless of situations when we hand ourselves over to him.

Probably all of us are in touch with people for whom life is a desperate struggle at present. The problems may be financial, health, relationship or something completely different. Life is dominated by problems and there seems to be no way out. I hope that you will have the opportunity to point them to God. No, he won’t suddenly fix all their problems, but he does promise to be with us amidst all the challenges of life. In the book of Isaiah we hear God saying “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour” (Isaiah 43:2-3).

I do hope that you will thoroughly enjoy this Spring but, even more, I trust that you will look to our Easter God with the certainty of knowing that he wants to share his life, love and hope with us, our families and all those around us.

With warmest greetings.

Yours ever,

Revd Jonathan Edwards

Transitional Minister

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Sunday Services at 10.30 a.m.

• Sunday 7th April: Revd Jonathan Edwards (Holy Communion)
• Sunday 14th April: Mr David Hoar
• Sunday 21st April: Revd Jonathan Edwards (Holy Communion) 
• Sunday 28th April: Mr Martyn Cook

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Dates for your diary, held at the Pilgrim Centre unless stated otherwise. (Please phone Jonathan on 07876 234264 if you need Jo’s address.)

• Thursday 4th April: Bible Study, 2.30 p.m.
• Monday 8th April: Community Cafe, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday 9th April: Bible Study, 7.30 p.m. (at Jo’s house)
• Monday 15th April: Community Cafe, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Thursday 18th April: Bible Study, 2.30 p.m.
• Monday 22nd April: Community Cafe, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday 23rd April: Bible Study, 7.30 p.m. (at Jo’s house)
• Monday 29th April: Community Cafe, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

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Annual General Meeting

At our AGM in March, we agreed to adopt the Annual Report and Financial Statement. If you require a copy, please ask Chris.

The following members were re-elected to the Executive: Christine Durant, June Osborne, and Sue Mason. Eva Shama-Kumar was also appointed. They have joined Judith Furse, Jo Struthers-Frost, Andrea McNab and Marion Manning,

The following members were re-elected as Pastoral Leaders: Jane Walsh and Mavis Poolman. There is currently one vacancy but we hope to fill this with an ex-officio appointment.

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Lent Lunches

CTiSC (Churches Together in Swindon Centre) held a weekly lunch during Lent and over the five weeks £678 was raised. This will be shared between Christian Aid and CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development).

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Below is an extract from Commitment for Life Newsletter passed on by Judith Furse

Gaza Crisis

You will not be surprised to know, however, that the region that has taken up much of our time is Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. William Bell, Christian Aid’s Head of Middle East Policy and Advocacy, was joined by Julie Mehigan on a recent trip to the region.  “No one is safe,” says William. “The violence is affecting everyone, civilians and humanitarians alike.”  

The devastation in Gaza is mortifying. The speed and scale of bombing and killing of children and women in such a small and concentrated area is unprecedented. Most people around the world believe that our political leaders are failing the Palestinian people. Not only has Palestine suffered under extreme levels of violence for over 75 years, now the International Court of Justice has found ‘plausible evidence’ of a genocide committed against Gazans. Gaza has become a killing field.

Speaking from Gaza, Dr Hassan explains: “I have lived through many wars in Gaza, but this war is not the same. We have lost a lot of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. Many healthcare workers have been killed by bombs and rockets hitting their homes. They are bombing crowded places, bakeries, hospitals, and homes. They are bombing everywhere.”

We can feel so very helpless, but we can still make a difference. We absolutely need to pray because ultimately this is a spiritual issue. We can lobby our MPs to insist on a full and unconditional ceasefire.

A prayer for Gaza’s Children

God who clothes us in warm garments of grace; weave this cry for Gaza into the fabric of your peace…

We are ashamed at the depth to which humanity can sink; how eagerly we march to the drum beat of war; how easily we are seduced by violence – justifying narratives.

Mend our broken ways; challenge our complacency; protect the children of Gaza; grant their families freedom from oppression, and bring Shalom to all who call The Holy Land home.

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Deadline for May 2024 Newsletter: Thursday 25th April 2024