Fragments - 25 May 2008

• "No one can be filled with the Holy Spirit if they're full of themselves"
• A quote from Martin Cavender of Resource: "40 years ago people were asking, 'Is this true?' 25 years ago they asked, 'Will this work?' Today they're asking, 'How can I be sure God loves me?'"
• God doesn't play tricks when his children ask for good things (Luke 11.11-13).
• When did you first realise that God loves you?

Hope where you live

From Hope 08



Be someone's hope today.

Keith Waddell

During our ten o'clock service this Sunday 25 May, Keith will be sharing information about his work in Africa in recent months. Keith is a highly skilled eye surgeon who has worked for many years to restore sight to people and to develop effective treatments for eye diseases in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the world. He is in the process of "retiring to Oadby" but he joked with me last week that his retirement is an annual event, which is quickly followed by packed bags and the resumption of work in Africa.

We are delighted to support Keith's work as part of our mission giving.

Church grounds and gardening morning

Not being much of a gardener myself, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to keeping things in trim.

But thankfully, a small number of volunteers keeps on top of the regular grass cutting and upkeep of our modest grounds. Their work is much appreciated.

Twice a year we invite the congregation to come out with their tools and gloves to get things really sorted out. Vivien has planned for this again this coming Saturday, 24 May, from 9.00am until 12.00 at the latest. Do come and help out. I always find the conversation far more interesting than the gardening but that says more about me than the task itself. Sadly I won't be there as I shall be chairing the AGM of the Diocesan Association of Readers. Oh well, there's always my own humble patch.

What's the best date for a Harvest service?

It's mid May and the summer's almost upon us, which means it's time to draft the rotas for the autumn and Christmas!

I've been thinking about the best time to celebrate Harvest. It's traditionally been in October but in 2007 we heeded the voices of those who pleaded that the fields, gardens and allotments were all empty and celebrated Harvest on 9 September. This felt a bit early, but the attendance was good and I think it worked.

But what do you think? Would you rather we celebrated Harvest on 13 September 2008 or on 12 October 2008? Let the people speak...

Send me an email or use the comments facility beneath this post to let us know which you prefer and, even more helpfully, why.

Update 29 May: Every response, email and conversation I've had with people confirms that 13 September is much the better date. So there you go, time to get on with the marrows, carrots and beans.

Jane Wood

You may remember that last year we were joined by Jane Wood, an ordinand training for ministry at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. Jane spent several weeks working with me and exploring how St Paul's ministers to the community and parish.

I've been able to keep in touch with Jane and she tells me that she will be ordained as deacon on 29 June at Leicester Cathedral and will serve as Curate in the Parish of Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forest East.

We'll be praying for Jane and others who will be ordained this Petertide.

District Church Council - May 2008 meeting

At its meeting this month, among other things the DCC:

• elected its officers for the coming year (Aileen Tincello as Lay Chair, Anita Chettle as Secretary, Diane Wright as Treasurer, Diana Courtney as Electoral Roll Officer).
• reviewed the purpose of the DCC in the life of the parish and the mission of St Paul's.
• reviewed administration of the church.
• considered new possibilities for lay ministry in the church.
  
• discussed the plans of the Gartree Mission Partnership.
• decided to purchase stoles for the use of visiting clergy when mine are elsewhere.
• decided to try a different brand of Fairtrade communion wine in services.
  

Love Sandhurst Street Green

Chris Swan at OBC has sent details of a practical service to the community at Sandhurst Street Green.

She writes,

The main aim is to help improve the area – recently there’s been a lot of vandalism & graffiti in that patch and the whole area feels a bit unsafe. It’s been great to work alongside the police, county. library and O&W and we’re also having help from Oadby Local History Society & the Civic Society to pull together some local history info. ASDA have offered to bring some practical help & possibly a barbecue! It’s turning into a bit of a village green event – all we need now is good weather.

If you’d like to come along we’d love to see you.

Do iMatter

Watch this film

Diocese gets new web site

The Diocese of Leicester has unveiled a new website: leicester.anglican.org

The site has been fully revised and designed with a contemporary layout and navigation. Some aspects are still being implemented but this will hopefully create a more appealing and effective way of communicating the work of the Church in Leicestershire.