Central Church Newsletter
June 2026
Having already recorded the hottest temperatures of the year so far this Spring and with summer just around the corner will it get even hotter? Many countries around the world have been suffering the affects of global warming for many years now and it looks like the UK is about to join them. Our beautiful world is definitely slowly but surely being destroyed and we each have a duty to do our bit for the environment when we can. For those that love the sun, ENJOY!
Linda and Malcolm Johnson
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY
Dear Friends,
Sport will be grabbing many of the headlines over the next couple of months. Most significant of all will be the football World Cup. Even if you loathe football, as I know some people do, you are not going to be able to completely avoid it! Personally, I welcome the World Cup. I enjoy football and I deeply appreciate the way in which, in our violent and broken world, we can come together as nations and, to a large extent, leave aside our differences.
Our different attitudes to sport reminds me that we are different from one another in a huge variety of ways. Take music for example. Some people prefer to tune into Radio 2 and others wouldn’t consider doing so. They would be much more comfortable with Radio 3 or Classic FM. Some people vote Conservative, Labour or Lib Dem and wouldn’t think of doing anything else. Whilst others are inspired by Reform or the Green Party. And what makes life interesting is that all these differences will be represented in the church.
At times we might long to be with people who have identical views to our own but the fact is that we need diversity. We need to enjoy and celebrate the fact that we are very different from one another. The apostle Paul spent a lot of time reflecting on the vital importance of our differences within the church. He pointed out that every Christian has a spiritual gift and that they are all different. He wrote powerfully on this subject and compared the church to a body. Just as the parts of the body are different from one another so too are you and me. The body simply wouldn’t work if we were all an eye or a hand or an ear. The idea is laughable.
Diversity is crucial to our bodies and to the church. So let’s learn to celebrate our differences and not to see them as a problem. When someone winds us up in the church, let’s take time to rejoice in their gifts and outlook! We need one another. We couldn’t manage without our differences.
I thank God for you all.
Yours ever, in Christ
Revd Jonathan Edwards
Transitional Minister
Sunday services at 10.30 a.m.
- 7th June: Revd Jonathan Edwards (Holy Communion)
- 14th June: Ms Joanna Heath
- 21st June: Revd Jonathan Edwards ( Holy Communion)
- 28th June: Mr Martyn Cook
Dates for your diary, held at the Pilgrim Centre unless stated otherwise. (Please phone Jonathan on 07876 234264 if you need Barbara’s address.)
- Monday 1st June: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Thursday 4th June: Bible Study, 2.30 p.m.
- Monday 8th June: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Tuesday 9th June: Bible Study, 7.30 p.m. at Barbara’s
- Monday 15th June: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Thursday 18th June: Bible Study, 2.30 p.m.
- Monday 22nd June: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Tuesday 23rd June: Bible Study, 7.30 p.m. at Barbara’s
- Monday 29th June: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Circuit Meeting
The Methodist Church Circuit Meeting will be held here on 17th June at 7:30 p.m. Jonathan and Judith will represent Central Church at the meeting. Barbara has offered to serve refreshments before the meeting (from 6:45 p.m.) Please speak to her if you can offer to help.
The Blessing of Giving
The thinking of this world is largely focused on acquisition: you show that you are successful by what you own. So it is better to have a large income and a big house and long holidays etc. However, Jesus totally pops that balloon. He says that even if you owned the whole world (just imagine) you would have missed the point if you lost your soul in the process. What matters is not how much we have, but how much we give away. Jesus said that you find life precisely by giving it away,
Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
This reminds us of the prayer of St Ignatiuus Loyola: “Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest”.
Latest news from Lucia Bastos
(Forwarded by Judith Furse)
The past few months have brought significant challenges for us. The shifting landscape of the world political scene has deeply impacted the missionary community in Chad, and, by extension, our hospital. With visas no longer available for American citizens, we have had to bid farewell to two beloved families. Christy Harrison, a dedicated midwife who played an invaluable role overseeing our maternity care and nutrition programs, and a Tangen couple, who were instrumental in the construction of our hospital and rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities, are both leaving us.
While their absence is keenly felt, we are taking this opportunity to reorganise the activities in their programmes. Our goal is to rejuvenate these initiatives and actively engage local leaders in sharing the vision. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for wisdom as we navigate these changes and seek new directions.
Yet, not all goodbyes bring sorrow. We also recently said farewell to Haoua, a remarkable nurse who has been with us since the early days of our hospital. She has played a pioneering role in establishing a health centre in her hometown, set to open this January. With pride and gratitude, we gathered to pray for her, honouring her incredible dedication at Guinebor 2. While we will miss her greatly, our hearts are full of hope knowing she will bring essential healthcare to her own community.
I had the privilege of participating in a women’s retreat in N’Djamena. The theme, “Taste and See the Goodness of God,” provided a sacred space for reflection, meditation, and connection with fellow women navigating similar challenges. In this moment, I recognized the profound truth that God’s goodness shines through even in the midst of difficulties.
As every year, this is a time for visitors. This year, in addition to two Swedish surgeons, who are short-term volunteers, we also received a visit from German gynaecologist Dr Claudia Wahl, who specialises in fertility treatment and is well-known by the hospital’s patients. All these surgeries give our director Kalbassou a little respite.
Another extraordinary news is the road to the hospital is almost finished. And we have seen its effect on the hospital’s revenue during this last rainy season. With better access to the hospital, the number of patients has been considerably higher than last year. Thank you so much for your prayers!
Thought for the Day – Always end the day with a positive thought. No matter how hard things were, tomorrow’s a fresh opportunity to make it better.
Deadline for July Newsletter – Tuesday 23rd June 2026.