Easter People
Easter is at the heart of everything we are as Christians. The first Easter, Resurrection Sunday, demonstrated Christ’s defeat of sin and death, established him as Lord of all, and established a whole new order of being.
No longer striving for improbable victory over our sinful nature. No longer stuck in a vicious circle of turning over a new leaf then failing again. Instead a complete fresh start, a resurrection. Christ’s resurrection pre-figures and guarantees ours. We live in the light and the anticipation of a completely new life.
This year sees a number of elections, new starts of a kind in our democratic way of life. Next month a General Election. Later in the year both the three-yearly elections to Diocesan Synod and the five-yearly ones to General Synod. Doubtless new faces will appear. Maybe new ideas. Possibly even improvements. The cycle of new starts in the government of both state and church has much to commend it. People have the chance to step down with dignity and without bloodshed. New people have a bit of breathing-space, permission to settle in and discover the role.
I encourage you to vote when you are invited to do so. Voting maintains a system of peaceful transitions and fresh starts. It is more healthy than the alternatives. And in voting we should take seriously the alternatives, the policies, the characters of those seeking our support. This is not to be starry-eyed and imagine that a new politician can change the world, or a new general synod member make the Church perfect. But it is right that we all take responsibility for the way we are governed. Democracy isn’t perfect, but it is better than any alternative yet devised.
Fortunately though, our salvation (and the coming of the kingdom of God) don’t depend on human policies, on able but fallible leaders, or on the ballot box.
Jesus Christ is Lord. He is risen from the dead. He guarantees resurrection life. Not a tweaking or a bit of improvement, but a whole new start, perfect and forever.
Greetings in the risen Christ.
+Donald
Ministry to those suffering dementia
Almost four years ago St Botolph’s Longthorpe received a request from the nearby Care Home to provide a short Harvest service for the residents, many of whom suffered from various forms of dementia.
As a then newly-licenced Reader Pat Hemsley was one of the team who went. During the visit, Pat became aware that this was the ministry God intended for her and it is a ministry which has grown.
“I feel passionate about what we are doing,” says Pat. “We really see the face of Christ in those deeply lost to the ravages of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. Even on the days when the thought of going is tiresome, I never fail to leave without feeling uplifted and that God was with us.”
Together with a small team Pat now visits the Home four times a month. She leads short, Eucharistic services and their “congregations” are on the increase. They include the residents, family members and staff. The team have also hosted the residents at three specially designed services held at St Botolph’s.
The team has evolved a simple liturgy incorporating visual symbols; a candle, the Bible, a cross and anything relevant for that particular service, and simple responses which also mean something to residents, visitors and staff. Pat usually wears her Reader robes as it’s a recognisable sign of the Church. It is also a response to a resident telling her on one occasion that she was wearing, “the right clothes this time”.
“In many ways, I feel a novice, untrained to be working in this field. All that I know about this ministry has come through my own research, some courses, by trial and error and a great deal of prayer.”
“I feel strongly that this is a vital ministry, an increasing issue for society and one in which the church should be involved,” says Pat. “It’s a huge privilege to minister to those who appear locked into a world of their own. I know God is there and I sense strongly that for many residents there is often a recognition of something dear, held deep within them.”
Pat and the team would like to hear from anyone else engaged in this type of ministry. “We can’t be the only people in the diocese involved in this calling and it would be wonderful to create some form of support group – a place where we could exchange ideas, thoughts about good practice, affirm and encourage each other and possibly provide opportunities for others to begin similar ministries.” Pat can be contacted on
Spratton commemoration for VC aiman
The first airman to be awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest gallantry award, will be commemorated in the village of Spratton later this month.
Lt William Rhodes-Moorhouse, whose family moved to the village at the turn of the century, joined the Royal Flying Corp in August 1914 at the outbreak of hostilities.
In March 1915 he was posted to France as a pilot. The Corps’ main task was reconnaissance of enemy troop lines and movements.
Just five weeks into his active service, William was critically wounded over Belgium, in an attack on a railway line being used to bring German reinforcements and chlorine gas to the front. Badly wounded and in a damaged plane, William flew the 35 miles back to his French base to report the success of the attack. He died from his wounds the next day, aged 27.
As part of the on going commemorations of the First World War, the UK Government is recognising all those awarded the VC with a memorial stone. William’s will be placed in the Millennium Garden in Spatton in a ceremony on 12 April, led by Bishop John Holbrook. The stone will be unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, David Laing.
Two weeks later (25th - 26th April) the village will commemorate all the men who went to fight in the First World War. The highlight of the event is on Sunday. At 3.05pm, exactly 100 years to the time and date of the take off of Lt Rhodes-Moorhouse’s ill-fated final mission, a replica of his BE2A Biplane will perform a fly-by over the village and bringing the story right up to date, it will be accompanied by an RAF typhoon fighter.
“The village is very proud of having a VC recipient,” says Parish Councillor Barry Frenchman. “Lieutenant Rhodes-Moorhouse epitomises the story of many young men who went off to fight for their country, fought bravely and sadly didn’t return.”
50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions
Rona Orme, our Children’s Missioner has just had a new book published.
The 50 sessions are easy to run and provide all you will need when holding all-age gatherings, throughout the week. Each session provides practical tips for activities, as well as Bible verses and response ideas, and are designed to last about an hour.
“As churches increasingly meet with people in their communities midweek,” says Rona, “The book offers creative ways for parishes to find creative ideas to explore a theme with reflective thoughts and challenges to take into the week ahead.”
Published by Barnabas for Children, 50 Praise, Pray and Play Sessions costs £9.99.
Inaugural Richard Beadon Lecture
Theologian and author Paul Valler will be the keynote speaker.
Hosted by Bishop John with the Guild of Centurions, the lecture aims to encourage all Christians to live out their faith in their everyday lives.
There is free admission to what promises to be a special afternoon. 2pm Saturday 4th July at Northampton High School for Girls. Please contact Cheryl Goddard if you plan to come.
April Events
Monday 6 Cowslip and Fritillary Day. Plants for sale and afternoon teas. 2-4pm. St Peter’s Newton Bromswold.
Thursday 16 Toby Capwell, Curator of Arms and Amour at Wallace Collection gives a talk on the medieval funeral effigies in Lowick church. 6.15pm. More details .
Saturday 18 Music at Lyddington. Rustem Hayroundinoff (Piano) plays music by JS Bach, Ravel, Schumann and Chopin. 7.30pm St Andrew’s Lyddington. Tickets 07709 968896.
Saturday 18 Open Gardens, Irthlingborough. In aid of Christian Aid. 10am-5pm. Programmes £3. St Peter’s Irthlingborough.