Ride & Stride - Update from Eric Skipper (Petersfield Area Coordinator)

Hello, may you be aware of God's presence and blessings throughout the summer. Susanne

Cafe Church

Sunday, 13th July from 5-7pm, Costa Coffee, Rams Walk: Discussing big issues of life from a variety of viewpoints, including the Christian one, on the second Sunday of each month. Come and join in - or you are welcome to sit and listen!

Ride & Stride - Update from Eric Skipper (Petersfield Area Coordinator)

Last year was a special year for the Petersfield Churches as we not only raised a record sum which was in excess of £6000, but three of our churches were placed amongst the top ten fundraisers in the County. Half of the amounts raised are returned to the churches concerned, whilst the remainder is given as grants to churches with a special need. This year's event is on Saturday, 13th September, and your support is needed if we are to maintain the successes of the past. The following extracts from Doreen's letter of thanks to sponsors, makes interesting reading and will hopefully also be an encouragement to others to "have a go". To take part in the next "Ride & Stride", please contact your church representative. Over to Doreen:

"This year... was not only a mile stone for the HCT (25 yrs), it was also the month of my 60th birthday. With that in mind I set myself a target of upping my usual mileage, aiming for 60 kilometres and attempting to secure 60 sponsors. I just about made the mileage, and I have been overwhelmed at the response and generous sponsorship from family, friends and colleagues.

The route ... was ... heading first to Steep, Sheet, Petersfield, Buriton, Idsworth and Rowlands Castle. From there, a diversion to Warblington before back to Havant and Bedhampton. Then... headed to Drayton, Cosham and Wymering. The plan was to drop down into Portsmouth but the light was fading, so cycled back along Farlington Marshes to Havant for the return home by train. Still, a total of 18 churches was quite respectable, made all the more achievable by the wonderful “Welcomers”. Their delicious offerings, support and enthusiasm for the history of their church made the day a joy to participate in.

One church I had not visited before was St Philip at Cosham. An uninspiring red brick building belies what is going on inside! The stark white simplistic beauty of the interior made the central feature even more mind blowing! A heavily gilded and ornate “ciborium” (a canopy placed over the altar) which, to me, would not have been out of place inside the Taj Mahal! ... it has been described as one of the outstanding pieces of architecture of the inter war period. It was funded ... in memory of ...Sir Heath Harrison... He lived locally, at Le Court, Greatham (known as Manor House back then) and served on the board of Governors at Churcher's College. He also funded a new wing at Petersfield Hospital, Heathside or the old Cottage Hospital. Any historians out there? ..."

Family Participation in the Churches Ride & Stride on 13th September 2014

For the second year running there will be a series of quiz questions at most of the 25 churches in the Petersfield Area and these are suitable for anyone of school age accompanied by one [or more] sponsored parent. This year most questions will be about World War I and the facts to be found about it, especially in our local Parish churches. It is suggested that parents will probably prefer to travel by car in order that country churches in particular can be more easily visited.

All parents who wish to make this a family event should obtain sponsor details from either their local church representative, or contact the Area Organiser, Eric Skipper, on 01730 267899.

Update on Petersfield Neighbourhood Plan

After the draft plan has been published in June, there will be a statutory 6 week period of consultation. In the Summer of 2014, it will be seen by examiners, and then in the autumn a referendum should be taking place. That’s when we, the people of Petersfield, need to vote on whether or not to accept the Plan. If we voted ‘no’, that would mean that developers would have carte blanche to build the 700 houses wherever they could get permission to do so. So we need to check that the Plan is to our liking, and, if so, vote ‘yes’ to support it. At the recent exhibition at the Festival Hall, over a 1000 people attended, and 85% of them said they would support the Plan, which is good news. This project is being lead by the community and not by the "planners" (as would traditionally be the case) so our community really does get a say in what will happen. E-mail: . Check

Reflections on the churches in Petersfield (by Patsy Robinson)

One sunny morning in April as I passed the inside of our front door, I was entranced to see several different little rainbows on the floor. One was predominantly green, with a yellow edge; one was various shades of bluish purple, and another a whole miniature rainbow, vividly painted.

Brilliant, vibrant, beautiful; and that was just the colours that my eyes are capable of registering. What about the ones I can’t see? I was puzzled, because the door faces west, so how could the sun possibly be shining in here at this time? Looking around and upwards, I noticed that the small window half way up the stairs was illuminated, sending a shaft of light down on to the hall mirror, where it was bouncing off the bevelled edge and reflecting these short-lived patterns on to the floor.

This is a picture of us, dear Petersfield Christians, in our different congregations. We follow the same Son, the same Saviour, and as we reflect His glory, our uniqueness translates His light into different colours. We need each other. Let’s respect and honour the security of liturgy, the adventure of free worship, the holy faithfulness of our elderly. Let’s not be afraid to bask in the colours reflected by denominations different from our own. And, as we delight ourselves in the Lord together, His lost sheep in the world around will recognise His beauty shining through us.

Spiritual food for thought:

"Money can buy bed, but not sleep; books, but not brain; cosmetics, but not beauty; a house, but not a home; food, but not appetite; religion, but not salvation; luxuries, but not culture; a passport to anywhere, but not heaven." (seen above a market stall in Arusha, Tanzania)