PEWS                            St Peter and St Paul, OLNEY

NEWS                                                   

                                                        Rector: Rev'd Philip S. Davies (01234 713308)

Bill Shacklady     Tel. 01234 710997, e-mail: bill.shacklady@virgin.net

Please give Bill items for Pews News by Wednesday p.m.

Week commencing Sunday 25th June.

KEEP UP WITH FORTHCOMING EVENTS

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Pastoral Letter

June 2006.                                                                                                                                                                The Rectory,

                                                                                                                                                                                 9, Orchard Rise,

                                                                                                                                                                                 Olney.

Dear Friends,

            If ever I have been to a doctor's surgery for a medical check up, the main thing that they seem to ask me is about my diet and level of exercise. For generally healthy people, without any specific or particular complaint, the main issue seems to be intake of fruit and vegetables, and how often we walk to the shops. With no other symptoms to ask about, how we are sleeping might also become a topic of conversation.

            Similarly at the dentist, I go for a check up every six or twelve months, and there is hardly ever anything wrong, but just to be on the safe side, I am sent to the hygienist for a scrape and polish. I try my best to brush my teeth properly, but they always talk about flossing, and we all probably need a good clear out of plaque once in a while.

I have to confess now though, that I don't think I have ever been for a sight test, or a hearing test, or a cholesterol test, or any of the other myriad tests and checks that might be available for us. I'm not conscious of a problem in any of these areas, so I guess (perhaps like most men) such tests might just be looking or asking for trouble!

Similarly with our cars, we have to send them for an annual M.O.T. inspection, if they are old enough, and send them into the garage for regular servicing, even if there is nothing specific or particular that we are worried about. We might also get our gas central heating boilers serviced annually, as the Diocese of Oxford arrange for us here at the Rectory.

These regular and ongoing health and performance checks are a natural and normal part of our lives in so many areas, it is only right that we consider doing the same in our church. The fellowship of Christians is described in the Bible as the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12), and each of us as like a member of the body, an eye, a hand, a foot, or an ear. If each member is functioning well, then the whole body thrives, but if any member suffers, then the whole body suffers with it.

It is time for a health check for our church. It is not that there is any specific or particular problem or complaint, because there is much that is healthy, good and thriving. It is simply the equivalent of asking about our diet and exercise, and sleep at night. Are we fit and healthy, enjoying all that God's fullness of life offers us? Are each of the members functioning well, so that the whole body can thrive?

As well as good health for its own sake, it also true that healthy things grow naturally. If a plant or tree is sickly or diseased, it is unlikely to produce the best flowers or fruit. We owe it to ourselves, to our town, and to God, to be the best that we can be. We need to aim so to abide in God, that He can produce plentiful and rich fruit in us and through us.

We will be assessing ourselves, our service and witness, "our "functioning", to see if there are aspects that require help, attention or treatment. If there are parts of our church life that are not up to scratch, please bring them to my attention, and I will add them to the list for our health check. But in all of this, we must remember also to celebrate and give thanks to God for all of the good health and life and vigour that we do see in our midst. "Nurse, please send in the next patient for a check up ….!!"

                                                                                                                                                                            Revd. Philip S. Davies.

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Wednesday, 5 July CHURCHWOMEN’S GUILD, outing to Earls Barton.  Depart from Clifton Court at 1.30pm.  Cost £9.50.  There are a few seats available, so please contact Ann Lawson on 240421, to reserve a place.

Friday 7^th July 7.30pm MK Peace and Justice Network Just Supper at the Well at Willen, followed at 8.15pm by ‘Sierra Leone, awakening from the nightmare’ – a presentation by Rena Partridge and Ken Harris on their recent visit to Newton.  No charge, but a donation towards supper appreciated.  To book, tel. 01908 242190.

DIFFERENT PATHS: WOMEN’S JOURNEYS OF FAITH
 

A series of talks to encourage interfaith dialogue.
 

7.30 - 9.00 pm
Acorn House
381 Midsummer Boulevard.

26 June     Dialogue as Transformation: Jewish and Christian women crossing boundaries.  Rachel Montagu and Clare Jardine.

3 July        The heart on my sleeve.  Ummulbanin Merlin.

10 July      Women of different faiths: vital contributors to a harmonious society.  Harriet Crabtree.

17 July      Sikh and Quaker Steps on an Interfaith Pilgrimage.  Eleanor Nesbitt.

24 July      Hindu perspectives on inter-religious dialogue.  Sharada Sugirtharajah.

N.B.  Rena can offer a lift to anyone interested.

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Parish Magazine

If you do NOT ALREADY receive the Parish Magazine, but would be interested in subscribing, please contact either Dawn Brennan (713261) or Roger Hull (07900 204427) and they will arrange for you to be included on the distribution list and your subscription to be collected.

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WEEKLY GIFT ENVELOPES.

The new packs of envelopes are now available and can be collected from the table by the North door.

Alternatively, see Ken Noon after the service or telephone him on 01234 240187.

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WORKING WITH THE MEDIA for the OLNEY-NEWTON LINK

Is that something you could do, or would like to learn about ?

OR

Do you know someone else who would be interested?

We have a consultant ready to help us develop exciting ideas for a PR programme.

FIND OUT MORE……..

RING Rena on 240018

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OXFAM has opened a bookshop in Olney. If you enjoy books or music and could spare a few hours each week to help in the shop, please contact Kim Locke (Tel: 01234 241263). Donations of good quality books and music (CD’s or records) will also be gratefully received.

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Olney -Newton Link

Many thanks indeed for the mobile phones. Some of these have already reached Sierra Leone and are in use. We are still collecting phones and we have also had a request for a camera which would be used to take photos to send back to us to help with our publicity. Need not be the latest model but must be in good working order.  

For further details please contact Rachel or Brian Lintern, Tel 711751 if you can help. 

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CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER   

The role of Church Communications Officer is presently filled by Steve Smith.  However, Steve is still looking for a replacement and anyone interested can contact him on the numbers shown below. 

Anyone wishing to place an advertisement in the Olney Parish Magazine, or any current advertisers wishing to amend their entries, can contact Steve on 01234 240801, 0780 893 0655 or at oracledba@lineone.net. 

Rates for advertisements remain the same as last year at £45.00 per quarter page and £90.00 per half page advertisement.
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A call for Volunteer Helpers:

1. Our Youth Group, ENERGI, has enough willing and committed leaders to keep going, but ideally needs a few more helpers to go on a rota to go along occasionally, particularly if you are a man!  Speak to Philip or Ruth Ayling.

2.  If anyone is interested to help in the area of Communications, or to assist our Editor on a Magazine Committee, please speak to Philip or Malcolm Jones.

3.  We are planning to revise and revive our Welcome Packs and  Street Stewards Scheme, so if anyone wishes to help in this process, please speak to Philip.          

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HELEN INCE writes … we are still in need of voluntary help each Sunday to serve coffee after the 10.00am service, in particular the first Sunday in the month.  We would also welcome offers of help on a standby basis for when regular helpers are unable to assist.  The more the merrier!  Tel:  711682.

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THE NURTURERS, a newly formed Cell group, meet  fortnightly (not in school holidays) 1st and  3rd Mondays in the month at 18 Ferne Furlong.  They have been using the Lent Course ‘Meekness and Majesty’, which has proved very interesting; giving us insights to the Easter Story readings that we had not before noticed. (If any other group would like to use this course our booklets are available.  You are welcome to join us.  Couples might like to consider alternating weeks if babysitting is a problem.  Contact Val Tel: 713989.

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Diocesan  DOORS  -  Collect a copy  – Free.                           

WEEKLY GIFT ENVELOPES are now available.  Please pick up your pack as you leave Church from the table by the North Door.

PRAYING FOR THE SICK Until recently it has been the custom that those who are prayed for by name in Church have only been those in hospital and those who are gravely ill.  I have suggested that those with longer term problems be remembered now and then, perhaps once a month.  If you would like us to pray for someone you know on this occasional basis, would you please give me the name?      Rena   240018.

PEWS NEWS -    Do you have neighbours who would like to have a copy of Pews News to keep them in touch with Church?  Perhaps they have stopped attending regularly for health or other reasons. There are almost always some over so please use them.

PEN FRIENDS - Would you like to have a PEN FRIEND IN NEWTON?  Please ring 241890 and speak to Isobel Coli.

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CELL CHURCH

1. A living Church is always changing.

2. We are rediscovering that the ministry belongs to the whole Church and gifts work best in teams.

3. Small growing and multiplying Cells will form the basis of our church in future. Just read "The New Testament" it’s based on Cells growing and multiplying.

We have the foundations for a growing a modern Church – Our existing "Care Groups". These well established and treasured teams can play a vital role as the nucleus for Cells. Instead of the Care Groups being neat close knit groups, we can make them grow expand, and dare I say split into new Cells.

Remember today’s strangers can be tomorrows friends. Cells are for the whole congregation and those friends we have yet to meet.

Firstly we do not just change the name. We start with Care Group leaders introducing the principles and structure of Cells, using Phil Potters excellent book "The Challenge of CELL CHURCH". Phil explains the 4 W’s and the A, B, C, D and E of it – I will leave this to your Care Leaders.

My personal interpretation follows:-

We are SPECIAL Between us we have many talents from, reading to catering or just being there, and talents we don’t even know we have.

We are SOCIAL We like to enjoy ourselves and are keen to welcome and care for others.

We also SHARE Become a disciple, you don’t have to preach, you faith will act as an example.

We need SERVICING We all need our batteries recharged at our Sunday Services. Do we always understand the sermon or the readings – Cells will have the opportunity to dissect, explore, learn and provide feedback to the Ministry Team.

Are you up for change?

Let me put it another way, do you have a colour TV, video recorder, Hi Fi, microwave, computer with internet access or even an automatic bread maker.  If you have any of these 20^th century devices you are receptive and ready for change in the 21^st century.

Remember change does not mean losing our standards, heritage or faith. It only opens the door to allow it to grow and prosper.