Wellspring – The Persecuted Church.

Both the Archbishop of Canterbury’s and the Pope’s Easter messages included their concern for the problems of the persecuted church. Particularly disliked by the Islamic State, but much more widely persecuted than that across the globe, Christians are being much persecuted – with beheadings, bombings, killings of ordained ministers and their congregations and abductions of their children.

Each month, the Oadby churches hold a Sunday evening alternative worship service called Wellspring, which this month was held at St Peter’s Church. The service was led by our rector, Michael Rusk, and one of St Paul's readers, Colin Chettle.

The service included accounts of Christian persecution – both historical and current and a video highlighting the seriousness of the current situation.

There was also music, silence, meditation and prayer.

A retiring collection was taken for the churches which had recently been bombed in Lahore.

Fun@4 - He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands – 4 p.m. Sunday 10 May

Another opportunity – Don’t Miss the Fun

for further details contact Derek Bowering 0116 271 5765

or derek.bowering@btinternet.com

A Great Tea

Afternoon tea and cakes returned to the Barnabas Centre on Saturday afternoon, 19 April. Between 3.00pm and 5.00pm. we invited anyone who wished to, to join us, and a good number took up the invitation.

In recognition of the generosity of all that God has given us, we wanted to share something of his goodness with others. It was a time that many appreciated, with good food, chat and laughter.

Thank you so much to all those who made it possible.

Our Charity this Month

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) works in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, defending everyone’s right to freedom of religion or belief.

They say: "Three quarters of the world’s population lives in countries with severe restrictions on their religious freedom – in fact, it’s one of the most widely-violated human rights in the world.

We think this is unacceptable. We’re working to change it. Our vision is of a world where everyone is free to choose their beliefs – to hold and practise any religion they like, or none at all. 

We’re passionate about everyone’s right to complete freedom in their religious or non-religious beliefs. We believe this right is fundamental to the proper functioning of a democratic society. 

Almost every country in the world has promised to protect, respect and fulfil the right to freedom of religion or belief through the international human rights framework, yet it’s still one of the most widely-violated human rights. So we challenge world leaders, through our advocacy, to keep their promises to protect religious freedom.  We support and stand with people facing violations of their religious freedom. And we train and equip hundreds around the world in how to advocate for their rights themselves.

Our team of international specialists in the field of freedom of religion or belief give us a unique expertise. We are a voice for justice, and we campaign for religious freedom for everyone – for people from all backgrounds of religion or belief. However, because Christians are globally the most persecuted religious group, we prioritise working for Christians of all denominations and traditions. 

CSW Website

Our New Programme, April - June

Happy Easter! On the first Sunday of each month we are Introducing a new gathering called 'Essential'. Here we are planning to share a meal, life and faith together in what we hope will develop into a fresh expression of church. It will be an ideal place to bring friends to and to build community together. I am looking forward to seeing how Essential evolves over time.
At the end of June we look forward to welcoming Gillian Gamble into the parish as curate after her ordination at the Cathedral.

We also look forward to the visit of Becca Tincello and her mission team for a week in May.

Every Blessing,

Steve.

Programme

Still Cheap at the Price

As on every second Sunday of the month, a willing and dedicated team laid on Breakfast at Barney’s in our Barnabas centre before the All Age Service. Serving of organic breakfasts – Continental and Full English – started at 8.30 a.m.

For the first time for several years, prices have had to be raised by 50p, but at £3.50 for the “Full English” and £2.00 for a “Continental,” this seems good value, with friendship thrown in for free!

Try it next month.

Back from Spring Harvest

28 people from St Paul’s have just returned from the Christian holiday celebration, Spring Harvest, based in the Butlin's holiday camp at Skegness. Those who had been there frequently marvelled at the five days of continuous sunshine that we enjoyed –so different from their previous experiences of frost and rain!

Morning Bible studies in the Big Top were given by the Archbishop’s chaplain, Jo Bailey-Wells as she explored the Christian significance of the second half of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter 3.

The words from verse 17 provided the theme of the celebration – “More.” “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,   and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

The theme was studied in greater depth in seminars and there was much else available. The children seemed to have activities from morning to dusk, and they came to the front of the church in last Sunday’s service, to tell us of all their activities. They had obviously had a great time, as well as learning more of the Christian faith.

Another group is planned for next year. Would you like to come?

Evangelism and Witness

A few weeks ago the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby gave the first in a series of talks. The subject of the inaugural 'Lambeth Lecture' was Evangelism and Witness. Click here to listen to a brilliant message that focuses on one of the 3 main themes of the Archbishop.

Essential

On the 5th April we launched 'Essential', a chance to share food, life and faith.
Together we ate a fish and chip supper and then looked at a bible passage from Acts 2.42-47 which was conveniently printed on our place mats.

Our hope is that this fresh expression of being church will be a safe place for people to feel they can belong, be themselves, bringing their questions and doubts and explore faith and spirituality.
We meet on the first Sunday of each month at 6.30pm. Do join us on the 3rd May!

Day of Resurrection

We continued our Easter celebrations at 10 a.m. in church, with a Family Communion celebration. With a mixture of Easter hymns, and Easter worship songs, the children were active as they waved flags. The refrain: "Christ is risen" – "He is risen indeed, alleluia!" echoed around the building.

The service ended with another celebration – Communion when we remembered again Christ's death and Resurrection, which brings us back to God.

The final event of the day will be ‘Essential’ – the first of our new 'Café Church'style events which will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month.

Do come and join us!

Very early in the Morning on the First Day of the Week

 It was Easter morning that the women in Jesus group and the disciples found the grave empty. It was on this day that the Angels told them: “He is not here, He is Risen.”

This message of Resurrection featured in all the apostles’ preaching. They had met the risen Lord. They knew that the sacrifice of Himself on the cross had been acceptable to God. So, it’s right that we celebrate.

As the first Easter day events started “early in the morning,” we too met in Brock's Hill Park for a sunrise service at 6:15 a.m. prepared by Colin Chettle and led by Steve Bailey. There,as the sun rose, we read the account of Jesus' resurrection from John's Gospel chapter 20. Four monologues, representing the apostles Thomas, Peter, John and Mary Magdalene illustrated their feelings at the beginning and the end of the story. The words were interspersed with three hymns (When I Survey, Jesus Christ is Risen Today, and Thine Be the Glory) sung splendidly unaccompanied, the lighting of candles, to announce the resurrection, and prayers.

As the sun rose, a cloud blotted it out but it still made a memorable start to this most special of days. Together, we returned for breakfast in church, and the rest of the day's events.

Broken for Me

Good Friday is a day that is both solemn and joyful – solemn because it remembers how Jesus was rejected by mankind, unjustly condemned and made to suffer the most humiliating and painful death imaginable; – joyful because it is the events on this day which open up the way by which God is able to forgive sins, and humankind can once more approach God.

The day started with a joint Churches Together in Oadby service at the refurbished Baptist church – one of the last services to be led by their Minister, the Revd Ellen Price, before she moves on to her new job. We remembered Christ’s trial and crucifixion through drama, Bible readings, hymns, a sermon and prayers

Afterwards, the intention had been to distribute Easter eggs and hot cross buns to shoppers in the Parade at Oadby as an indication of God’s love and generosity to the world outside. Unfortunately the rain made this impractical, so people were encouraged to take them for their neighbours, with the same message.

We meet again this evening, at 7:30 p.m. for a service of meditation as we reflect on the cross.