THE RECTORS NOTEPAD MAY 2008
News reached me last month from Shropshire of the death on March 20th, 2008 at Woodcote Nursing Home, of Mrs. Brenda Constance GOSLING, aged 91. Brenda left Desford some years ago, but kept up her links with us, nearly until the end. She was a regular worshipper and a lively member of the little Christian fellowship at Kirby Grange. She worked hard to develop our witness there amongst the residents. We extend our sympathy to her family.
Thank-you to all those at Desford Church who worked hard to bring our church building back into use, after the completion of Phase 1 of our Access for All project. It is the biggest single change to the building since the building of the organ chamber, back in 1966. The challenge now is not with bricks and mortar, but imagination. Now we have the space and the means to make the building work for us. What can we do, in public worship and in weekday opening, to make that building the centre of service and witness to the community?
Those who come in and out of the church at Desford may miss an addition. A new porch lantern has been put up in memory of our former churchwarden Amos Jarvis, who, before his death in 2002, gave twenty-five years of service to the care of the building.
The H.O.P.E. 2008 Car Wash in the car park of the Blue Bell on Saturday April 5th, 2008 was a cold, wet spring day. Thank-you to those who
washed the cars, for nothing. The effect on the public was very interesting. Some couldn’t get their heads round why anybody should do such a thing for a complete stranger for nothing. It flies in the face of everything we are told in the media every day of our lives. Some wanted to pay. Some insisted on giving a donation, which we didn’t refuse. I kept thinking about the significance of water and baptism and the verse in John’s Gospel, where Jesus says to a reluctant Peter “You do not realise what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John, Chapter 13, verse 7).
Boxes are now at the back of Desford Church for items for the Church Fete on Saturday June 7th, 2008. This year it will be held in the Church Centre because this year the former school is one hundred years old. Applications for grants are underway, to renew the kitchen facilities. A new cleaner has been appointed, Mr. Tony Maud continues to keep the front grass tidy. I keep an eye on the flower beds. The P.C.C. has just agreed to allow the County Youth Service to operate a Youth Club one evening a week, on a three-month trial period and, as I write, a meeting is being arranged to draw up the necessary agreement. Please pray that it may go well.
Desford P.C.C. met on Tuesday April 8th, 2008 and took a brave decision, which is to run a Funding Campaign. We could not do this until our Access for All programme was completed. The reason is clear. The last Funding Campaign was in 2001, when our Parish Share at Desford was £25,000. This year, the Parish Share is £43,000. Our Treasurer Louise Collins has used her computer soft-ware to produce a budget, which shows that running up a deficit of £16,000, will not do.
At first, it sounds terrible. Then think again. From 2001, we have paid our Parish Share every year in full, as the Parish Share has climbed by 10% or so every year. In 2004, we raised the money in ten months to repair the church spire. Last year at Desford, we ran a Talents Scheme, turning a £600 outlay into over £10,000. If any reader knows of an investment or ISA, which will produce that kind of return in one year, please tell me! It was achieved by the faith, the enterprise and the imagination of church members, who, incidentally, enjoyed themselves and invited friends and neighbours to help them.
Next, Mr. Nev. Hammonds (whose careful management of the Access for All project has been crucial to its success) has offered to head up the Funding Campaign and, to date, has recruited sixteen others, to form the basis of a Funding Team. If any readers of the Parish News wish to assist, please let Nev. know on 822428.
Last. When we were told about the church spire in 2004, I produced a Prayer Leaflet. I am not a financier. I will leave that to others. But I do believe in a God Who answers prayer and I do believe in a God, Who, in Jesus, had a lot to say about money. The theory is that what people do with money says a lot about them; that some have pots of the stuff, but can’t bear to part with it and others are generous to a fault. The God I believe in is a Giver, with a capital G.
That is why I have produced another Prayer Leaflet and invite those who care about Desford Church to, in Peter’s words, Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you” (First Peter, Chapter 5, verse 7). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has much to say about anxiety. Our own society has much to say about anxiety. It says it on the front page of every newspaper. It drinks it in and spits it out in every bar and writes it into the small print of every policy. It searches the heavens, through huge telescopes, to see if there is anybody out there to cheer us on our lonely planet. Jesus invites us to put God’s Rule at the centre of our living and giving…and see what happens. Jesus did just that. Now, what happened to Him?
Peckleton Church A.G.M. was on Tuesday April 15th, 2008. Treasurer Gordon George was able to demonstrate the success of our Funding Campaign in 2006; achieved not by some canny financial investment but through the generosity of people. The test is now to see if we too understand what generosity can achieve. Churchwarden Jean Liddington was only lately out of hospital, but volunteered for re-election, which came with a special vote of thanks, for all she has done, despite ill health. Mr. Michael Birchall was elected as the other Churchwarden and Michael Richardson has replaced Michael Birchall as P.C.C. Secretary. I commend them all to your support and to your prayers.
No acts of theft or vandalism were reported. The superstitious will see that as a dangerous thing to write. Do not dangers lurk under every bush and lie disguised in every petal? Again, Jesus refers us in Matthew, Chapter 6, to the beauty of the flowers, which have a God-given glory, unequalled by all that people seek, to give them status, security and make them feel pleased with themselves and which, dare I say, are so vulnerable.
Thank-you to all those who marked my sixtieth birthday, with kind cards and gifts. Our society is obsessed with good looks and physique (and all the rest), because we have turned people into products, with sell-by dates. My wife tells me she married me for none of these things. She married me because she loves me and that is something which, if I read the magazines correctly, has eluded very many. I am very blessed.
The Acoustic Night, planned for April 12th in the Desford Church Centre, had to be postponed, but I am pleased to note that the Desford Encounter Band played at a Youth Service in Groby Church, on Sunday April 20th, 2008. Groby is one of our Mission Partners.
Thank-you to Nev. Hammonds, who organised another Family Bike Ride for Desford Church on Saturday April 26th, 2008.
Desford Church A.G.M. was on Monday April 28th, 2008 in the church. This change of venue allowed us to see the new arrangements, since the completion of our Access for All programme and to understand the challenges that lie ahead. There are some Thank-yous to give. First, to our friends in the Desford Free Church, who have supported us in so many ways, when our building was out of action. Secondly, to Louise Collins, who has asked to stand down as P.C.C. Treasurer and thirdly, to Mick. Walker, who has completed six years’ service as Churchwarden. Mick. is what I may call a hands-on person and we have all benefited from his experience, skill and expertise.
The next Rainbows Support Group will be on Tuesday May 6th, 2008, from 7.30pm. at the Rectory, followed, very smartly, by the Desford Pastoral Committee, from 8.15pm. at Ivy House.
Notice will appear elsewhere in this issue of the Barn dance up at the Social Centre at Caterpillar on Friday May 9th, 2008.
Sunday May 11th, 2008 at 10.30am. at Desford Church has been designated by the P.C.C. as Funding Sunday. It is an opportunity to put our financial needs into context. Who are? Whom do we believe in? What are we called to be? Whom do we serve? I hope you will be there, to support, with your prayers and your interest.
The following Sunday May 18th, 2008 is the end of Christian-Aid Week. Miss Sarah Lawson will be the speaker at 10.30am. Desford Churches Together hope to run another House-to-House Collection.
Peckleton P.C.C. will meet on Thursday May 28th, 2008, from 8pm. at 50a, Main Street.
St. Martin’s Church,
Desford.
Service of Thanksgiving
for the completion of Phase 1 of our
Access for All Refurbishment.
Sunday June 1st at 10.30am.
Preacher:
Ven. Paul Hackwood: Archdeacon of Loughborough.
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