FROM ST GILES' REGISTERS
Baptisms
Aug. 14th Finley Benedict Barnes-Long
Lewis Aaron Hartley
Weddings
Aug. 26th Wedding of John Robert Sheather and Nicola Marion Bean
Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Sep. 2nd Lillian Wallis, aged 76
16th Herbert Hulls, aged 79
At this time in the year Churches all over the country are celebrating the harvest. The Churches look and smell wonderful, filled with fruit, vegetables and flowers. Though increasingly these days you will see packaged goods too.
Thanks to the 'Make Poverty History Campaign' we are being made aware of the millions of people throughout the world who do not have a harvest to celebrate. In busy lives, we make our trips to the shops and fill our trolleys or baskets and very often, do not give very much serious thought to hunger elsewhere. When we do, we can feel disheartened, for we give to the various aid agencies and still there is hunger. Take heart! So much is being achieved. Wells are being dug, land is being irrigated and agricultural tools are being distributed so that crops can be grown. Sales of 'Fair Trade' goods are increasing, they are in our shops and have the wonderful potential to make such a difference to many lives. It is vital that we continue to support this initiative.
At this harvest time it is an opportunity for us to share' our' harvest with those less fortunate - buy a bunch of 'Fair Trade' bananas, or a jar of the coffee, and the 'Fair Trade' chocolate is delicious so it is no hardship to be tempted!
As we enjoy our harvest and share with others may God not be disappointed as He sees the 'harvest' that our lives bring forth - the Bible tells us 'Freely you have received, freely give' (Matthew chapter 10 verse 8)
Eileen Goodbody
Baptisms
Sep. 11th William Benjamin Sims (Conducted by the Revd. Adrian Guthrie)
Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
Aug. 30th Geoffrey John Langford, aged 85. (Taken by Anne Dove after service in the U.R.C.)
Geoff worshipped regularly at the U.R.C. and his company was very much enjoyed at the weekday coffee mornings
Bob Forrest continues to provide you with his personal thoughts for your spiritual well being using the alphabet as his guide.
He loved his wife dearly. They shared a luxurious home and she had plenty of money to spend on clothes and jewellery. She was the envy of her neighbours. But he was so busy at work that he had no time to give her the attention she craved, those little intimacies which mean so much to a woman. At last she gave way and had sex with another man.
Her husband came home unexpectedly and caught them in the very act. The man of course disappeared with alacrity. She was left in floods of tears.
Her husband was devastated. He went out and told his friends what had happened. They lost no opportunity to remind him of the provisions of the Law of Moses which states that a woman who commits adultery is to be stoned to death. They soon formed a posse, which included men who were quite pleased to have some legitimate target practice. The woman was taken from her home and dragged towards the place of execution. This was at a location just outside the town where plenty of stones were ready to hand.
Jesus happened to be standing at a street comer. He was stooping down and appeared to be writing something with his finger in the thick dust on the ground. He was recognised. Some of the men in the posse were barrack room lawyers and thought it was a golden opportunity to see whether Jesus would endorse the law of Moses in this case or whether he would say something which overruled it. If he did, the ecclesiastical authorities would be able to bring a serious charge against him. So they reminded him of the provisions of the Law of Moses and asked him what he had to say.
At first Jesus said nothing in reply and went on writing in the dust. But when they persisted with their questioning, he stood upright and said to them “Let the man among you who has never done anything wrong throw the first stone at her.” Then he bent down again and continued writing - the names for the misdeeds that men are most likely to commit.
They saw what he was writing and were conscience stricken. One by one they sloped off, starting with the eldest. In the end, none were left and Jesus was alone with the woman.
Jesus said to her, “My dear, have none of these men condemned you to death in accordance with the law?”
She said, “None, Sir.”
Jesus replied, “Nor do I condemn you. Go home and don't do it again.”
So she went home full of trepidation as to what her husband would say or do. He was there and took her in his arms, the first time for so many years.
Forum Groups meet for 7 one and a half hour sessions on either one evening or afternoon a week and look at an aspect of the Christian faith. Forums are designed to be places where we can informally explore our faith and learn from each other. Some Forums will work systematically through a section of the Bible and others will look at a topic. They'll include prayer and are a good opportunity to get to know other people.
The following courses will begin in the week commencing 10th October and end in the week commencing 28th November with a break for half term. More details and sign up sheets are available in both churches or from Adrian on 622970.
Nehemiah: Principles for life - Tuesday or Thursday evening
Great Prayers of the Bible - Wednesday evening or Thursday afternoon
More than brick and rituals - Monday evening
ST GILES' CHURCH MONTHLY STREET PRAYER LIST
Each week at St Giles' Church we pray for all the people who live or work in a particular road in the parish. During October we will pray for the following roads: 2nd October - Almond Avenue.; 9th - Ashbury Drive; 16th - Austins Lane; 23rd - Bellamy Close; 30th Boniface Road
If you live in one of these roads why not join us at our 8 a.m. or 9.45 a.m. services. You will most welcome.
Mrs Robin Cassingham will lead our opening devotions in the U.R.C. on Wednesday 5th October at 2.45 p.m.. Refreshments afterwards will be taken in the Parlour when there will be reminiscences, with photographs, of our activities over the past 60 years.
We hope to be joined by friends from amongst the congregations of the U.R.C. and St Giles' Church. Ladies, and gentlemen too, will be most welcome.
Eileen Playle
