Newsletter

As we enter a new month and look forward to our summer and planning our holidays we need to remember those less fortunate than ourselves who struggle to survive daily. With wars still raging in so many parts of the world and desperate people fleeing war and famine the world has, unfortunately, become less tolerant of refugees. As Christians we need to remember that Jesus, Mary and Joseph had to flee to Egypt as refugees and seek asylum there until Herod’s death. As Christian Aid is celebrating 80 years this month let us be generous in our contributions for the great work they do worldwide.

Linda and Malcolm Johnson

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CELEBRATING VICTORY

Dear Friends,

On May 8th the 80th Anniversary of VE day will be celebrated. On the previous day in 1945 the Germans unconditionally surrendered, bringing to an end nearly six years of terrible pain and destruction. We will never know the exact number of people who were killed in the war but it is thought to be between 70 and 85 million. The ending of the war allowed 3.8 million British men and 400,000 women to return to their homes and families, although that happened over a prolonged period.

In his VE Day announcement, Winston Churchill said: “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.” May 8th was clearly a very joyful day. It was a day of relief after the restrictions and traumas of war and a new page was turned in the history of the world. But, as Churchill admitted, there was still a long way to go. Japan was yet to accept defeat and that would not happen for another three months and then only after atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And the work of reconstruction took many years of hard work.

It is absolutely right that we should celebrate the end of the Second World War. It gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the bravery and self-sacrifice of huge numbers of people. It allows us to stand with those who still feel the pain of bereavement of those who were lost in the bloody conflict. And it gives all of us the opportunity to give thanks for the large measure of peace that we have enjoyed over the past 80 years. Since 1945 there has not been a single day without conflict somewhere in the world. There have been 285 distinct armed conflicts since the Second World War and last year recorded the highest number in any one year. A total of 56.

I recognise the privilege of living in the years since the Second World War. I often reflect that my father lived through one world war, and my grandfathers lived through two. It has been a blessing to live in a country in which I have not been asked to fight, and in which I and my contemporaries have been allowed to live our lives in peace. But we must never take these things for granted and the commemoration of VE day is an important reminder of the need for us all to work for peace.

Jesus never called on his followers to be lovers of peace. I think he simply assumed that people love peace. But he did call on us to be peace makers. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mountain Jesus declared: “Blessed are those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). It is unlikely that any of us will be involved in international peace making. But every day we will be given opportunities to make peace. Through listening to people in distress, offering words of encouragement and sending messages of support we will all have the opportunity, to bring peace. Every day is full of little disagreements, tension and difficulties between people and it is our task to do what we can to make peace in Jesus’ name and with his inspiration and strength.

I look forward to all the celebrations which will take place to mark the anniversary of VE day and would love to hear from those of you who have memories of that amazing day in May 1945.

God bless you as you make peace this month.

Your minister and friend in Christ,

Revd Jonathan Edwards

Transitional Minister

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Sunday Services at 10.30 a.m. unless otherwise stated.

• 4 May: Revd Owen Green
• 11 May: Revd Jonathan Edwards, (Holy Communion)
• 18 May: Revd Stephen Henderson
• 25 May: Revd Jonathan Edwards, (Holy Communion) followed by Church Meeting

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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 Barbara’s address.)

• Thursday 8 May: 2.30 p.m: Bible Study / 6.30 p.m: Executive Meeting
• Monday 12 May: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
• Tuesday 13 May: 7.30 p.m: Bible Study at Barbara’s
• Monday 19 May: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
• Thursday 22 May: 2.30 p.m: Bible Study
• Tuesday 27 May: 7.30 p.m: Bible Study at Barbara’s

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Community Cafe

Please note that the Community Cafe will not be open on Mondays 5th and 26th May as both these days are Bank Holidays.

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Myanmar

On Sunday 13th April we took a retiring collection to send to the Myanmar Earthquake Disaster Appeal. We raised £154. Many thanks to all who contributed. 

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We are pleased to share with you an extract from the latest newsletter from Lucia Bastos. (forwarded by Judith Furse)

2025 has begun at a dynamic pace, and we are all excited about the direction we’re heading in. Last year was dedicated to setting up solid financial procedures and supporting our Chadian colleagues by sharing international financial management standards. This year, my focus is on integrating those guidelines into our everyday practices and automating our hospital’s financial procedures as much as possible.

We are fortunate to have guidance from former BMS Finance Director Val Stevens. Through the Catalyst programme, initiated by BMS, professionals like Val generously offer their time and expertise to mentor others with specific tasks. In February, Val graciously spent three weeks with us, training our management team and assisting us in analysing our 2024 annual balance sheet.

We have chosen a system widely recognized in the French-speaking world, which will greatly benefit our colleagues’ professional development. Training enhances our operations and is a significant investment in their careers.

Beginning in May, I’ll be spending a couple of months in the UK on home assignment, and I can’t express how excited I am to reconnect with friends and visit churches that have supported us financially and so much through their prayers, emails, and messages.

I would truly appreciate your prayers during this time, as I hope to receive a meaningful word from God to share with my brothers and friends while I’m there. Additionally, I hope that any logistical challenges get resolved smoothly so that our time with partners can be both fruitful and constructive for all of us. Thank you for being such a crucial part of this journey!

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Christian Aid Week – 11^th to 17^th May

There will be envelopes distributed to our congregation to donate, and on Sunday May 11th. we will have a cake sale after church in the cafe.

Christian Aid has worked with Guatemala for over 48 years and this year together with their partners they are supporting people’s rights, including those of Indigenous communities. They work with climate justice, challenging the structural causes of climate crisis and supporting farmers to increase their resilience. The climate crisis is ravaging the farms of Indigenous communities in Guatemala. As plants die, food becomes scarce. However, with specialist training from their partner, Congcoop, Aurelia’s leading her community to grow resilient crops, conserve water and make fertiliser.

Will you help fund vital tools and training so farmers like Aurelia can support their community to escape hunger?

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Christian Aid Concert
We have been informed of a Christian Aid concert to be held at Bath Road Methodist Church on Friday 16th May at 7.30 p.m. Tickets cost £10 which includes refreshments. To book: 0776 9973015 / barbaraaftelak@gmail.com 

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Christian Comedian
We have been asked to advertise an evening in Christ Church when Paul Kerensa will be performing on Friday 4th July. Paul is an award winning co-writer for BBC’s Miranda, Not Going Out, and many more shows. Tickets  cost £10 and can be purchased from http://www.ccccswindon.co.uk  and all proceeds go to Dementia UK.

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Thought for the day :  “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”

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Deadline for June 2025 Newsletter: Tuesday 20th May 2025.