General Chat

Good morning my friends..... :-)


Thank you kandj, my son is now at home complete with white stockings. As you can imagine, he is getting a certain amount of teasing from his many friends.... :-)


I popped into school last night to see how things were going for today's event. All was calm and organised and everyone seemed to know what they were doing. The stallholders were busy setting up their stalls and those who help in the kitchen were busy peeling and cutting potatoes ready for the hot pot lunches. I will be going back there soon........

Yesterday was another sad day for these boards as we heard of the death of Jonesey, a regular contributor and much admired for his commonsense, knowledge and wit. He will be sadly missed by those of us who chatted regularly with him.

We occasionally chatted off line, about faith issues and, although he readily admitted that he had no particular faith, he was always very respectful and supportive of me with that subject. I admired that and was grateful.

Just a few words for today:

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

- Christina Rossetti


And now I must get my skates on............................Cx :-)

Thank you. I pray that all will go well with your son's knee operation today Cynthia.

Church events are much needed to raise funds towards the high costs it takes to keep the church doors open and provide services for the local Community.
I do hope that many will come along and support your Spring Fayre tomorrow and spend generously. These functions are good fun, hectic and usually happy times but obviously tomorrow's event will be tinged with sadness now that your old Vicar has sadly passed away. There are sure to be lots of smiles as you all recall much happier times of shared fellowship together. It's also exhausting too, but with everyone pulling together, and hopefully the generosity of the Community it will make it all worth while.

Good morning..... :-)


It's our Annual Spring Fayre tomorrow, so I will be popping down tonight to the school to see if I can help. It's another difficult 'first' after the death of our vicar and he will be much missed. He worked so hard at these events and would be there from early morning and be the last to leave. Hopefully, we will be able to do his memory justice and have a good day.


Our prayer for today:


A prayer used by the Iona Community in Scotland

Bless to me, O God, the earth beneath my feet,
Bless to me, O God, the path whereon I go,
Bless to me, O God, the people whom I meet,
Today, tonight and tomorrow. Amen



Love to all....Cx :-)

Well done Cynthia...... we Mum's do have our uses and come in handy!

It's a blessing to have a close family and never feel alone in time of need.

I never walk alone, Christ walks beside me;
He is the dearest Friend I've ever known;
With such a Friend to comfort and to guide me,
I never, no, I never walk alone. S.Ackley.

Good morning friends... :-)


My taps are fixed - no more water torture thanks to our young church plumber. :-)


I spent yesterday morning with my son which was lovely. He has to have an operation on his knee tomorrow, so it was mum's taxi service to the rescue for an appointment he had. :-)

OH stayed at son's house watching TV with teenage grandson, who was off school due to the industrial action and, when I got back, I cooked everyone some lunch and then came home for a rest...... :-D


Our prayer for today:


Christ, be our hope
when sadness overwhelms us.
Christ, be our strength
when testing times are near.
Christ, be our light
when darkness would engulf us.
Christ, be our cornerstone
when quaking in our fear.
Christ, be our victory
when we lay our lives before you.
Christ, be our all-in-all,
today and evermore. Amen.

- Alison Judd


Love to all....Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for He Was One Of Us by HSR <3

Thank you Cynthia. We also have a plumber in our congregation and as he is self employed he is always happy to do jobs for anyone in church and we are pleased to have someone that we all know we can trust.

This has reminded me that many years ago when we had a thriving church of all ages our vicar back then suggested we make up our very own church directory and add skills that we all could swap with one another for no payment.
This idea worked really well. I offered to babysit for young couples who were happy to have a night out for free and in return they would offer to do heavy digging and such like, being young and fit.

We all have very different skills and talents and this was an excellent opportunity to help each other in a practical sense which also brought the whole church together bonding young and young at heart so creating a church family unit with one another

This idea wouldn't work now as my church congregation is quite small and we are mostly elderly with the aches and pains that come with "mature years!"
However, now that we recently have a new Rector we are all hopeful that young families will be drawn to attend regularly after baptisms as we desperately need young folk to become involved and take on the commitment to move our church forward into the future.
We always try to be welcoming to newcomers and how blessed we would be if new younger people chose to become regular members of our church family.

Dear Lord, I want to be a person who is kind and loving to others. Please help me to use words that will build others up and bring ultimate praise and glory to Your name.

Good morning my friends.

Thank you for your words kandj. So many people mourning the loss of loved ones in such tragic circumstances.

We have one of the young chaps from church coming tonight to look at a problem with our taps. He is a plumber with his own business and has a young family. It made me think of the congregations I have known over the years and how varied they were.

Teachers; police; shop workers; medics; lorry drivers; clerical staff; housewives; tradesmen; lawyers; manual workers - the whole gambit of employment and work and yet, when we kneel side by side at the altar rail, we are all equal in the sight of God. What a humbling thought.


He Was One Of Us

He was born as little children are
and lived as children do,
So remember that the Saviour
was once a child like you.

And remember that He lived on earth
in the midst of sinful men,
And the problems of the present
Existed even then.

He was ridiculed and laughed at
in the same heartbreaking way,
That we who fight for justice
are ridiculed today.

He was tempted ... He was hungry ...
he was lonely ... He was sad ...
There's no sorrowful experience
that the Saviour has not had.

And in the end he was betrayed
and even crucified,
For He was truly "One Of Us,"
He lived on earth and died.

So do not heed the skeptics
who are often heard to say:
"What does God up in Heaven
know of things we face today?"

For, our Father up in heaven
is very much aware
Of our failures and shortcomings,
and the burdens that we bear.

So whenever you are troubled,
put your problems in God's Hand;
For He has faced all problems,
And He will understand!

~ Helen Steiner Rice


Enjoy your day Cx :-)

Cynthia, that must be a relief to have had a good hospital consultation yesterday.

Such heartbreaking news about the Malaysian airplane and loss of life for so many on board.and those poor folk in Washington coping with the landslide..... many prayers needed for so much devastation and loss in our world today.

We can help the weak and weary in positive thought and prayers. God reaches out to us in our deep pain and we must reach out to others in this prayerful way.

Father, open my eyes to those struggling to have enough love, enough strength, enough hope today; then open my heart and mind to find ways to help them to receive love, using my own hands in service to them, and through them, to You..

Good morning everyone and thank you for that prayer kandj.

I'm pleased to say that everything went well at the hospital - just a tiny tweak to the medications. We are so grateful for the skill of the doctors.


More dreadful news with the aircraft disaster and the landslide in Washington. So many people grieving and so many trying to help. So much work to be done. We think of all those who suffer in any way.



Holy One, you are our comfort and strength
in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos.
Surround us now with your grace and peace
through storm or earthquake, fire or flood.
By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen,
sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild,
and fill us with the hope of your new creation;
through Jesus Christ, our rock and redeemer.

Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello Susan, lovely words. I am guessing that John is reading this thread set up by himself as we continue on this the 100th page giving thanks to each and everyone who has ever contributed and those also, who are happy to quietly read our words.

Still lots of baptisms taking place in my church Cynthia. It's good to encourage the nervous parents and I also like to have a cuddle of the little ones.
Well done you for calming the screaming little one...... experience does count and perhaps a bit like riding a bike. Once taught, you never forget ha ha.

Praying that the hospital appointment for your hubby will be a good experience for you both. We do have a lot to thank the NHS for even with all the cuts and disorganization. This then, may be appropriate for today:

A Prayer For Doctors and Nurses.

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study
and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention
of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving
Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the
community may be promoted and your creation glorified:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Is there no end to your talents Cynthia :-D (should that be 'are there'?)

Good morning everyone and thank you for those words Susan. I agree with you about the start of this thread - we went through a few difficult weeks but, hopefully, that is all behind us now.

Like the Christian life, it's a matter of making mistakes, picking ourselves up and moving onwards - Pilgrim's Progress springs to mind - we are all pilgrims on a journey. :-)


I was mistaken yesterday.....no baptisms! I think I must have been dreaming...but our normal service had several babies and young children in and I did manage to calm a screaming little one. The mother was most impressed with my skills....I just shrugged it off with a grin and put it down to experience. At least I could hand the child back .. :-)

Our prayer for today :

A prayer for Pilgrims

Teach us, O God ,
to view our life here on earth
as a pilgrim’s path to heaven,
and give us grace to tread it courageously
in the company of your faithful people.
Help us to set our affections
on things above,
not on the passing vanities of this world,
and grant that as we journey on
in the way of holiness
we may bear a good witness to our Lord,
and serve all who need our help
along the way,
for the glory of your name.
Amen.


A beautiful morning - I am off to Walton Neuro Centre this afternoon with my OH for his checkup re his Parkinson's. We are so grateful for the care and skills of the doctors and it is wonderful that he is still in a 'stable' condition.

Cx :-)

hello all

Nearly there John. ......There was a time I thought this thread wouldn't last, but it seems that it was meant to be.

Being a Christian is harder for some than others. Some fall by the wayside to pick up the trail further on down the path......But whenever the soul is touched by the gentleness of those who's love for others brings peace to their troubled minds.....This is Christianity in It's true form.....something we lesser beings hope some day to achieve but keep tripping up, making a mess and hoping that we can be once again forgiven......

Thank you for this thread John ......I hope you will come back and give us some more of your words along with those who talk to us daily even though they sometimes think they are not being heard. :-)

We used to have the Taize service many years ago when the church was lit only by lots of tea-light candles and Cynthia you are correct this is a special quiet time of reflection and meditation. Just so wonderful to be able to unwind and focus on the Holy Spirit.

The Taize Christian Community is an ecumenical monastic order based in Burgundy in France. A former Rector used to join in pilgrimage every year and on his return he would share his experiences. He introduced me to the silent prayerful worship which doesn't suit some people. The service includes quiet stillness and is so very calming
I loved it and really miss the special total relaxation of body, mind and spirit this gives.

Good morning..... :-)


Thank you for those words kandj. We occasionally have some music from Taize during worship - it's especially fitting for meditations and quiet times isn't it?


Two baptisms after the main service today. Our new priest-in-charge was hoping to limit the monthly baptisms a little - he has now realised that it isn't always feasible. We have a large number of applications for August and, last week, one of the applications was from the parents of a child as yet unborn.... :-S


The Collect for today:


Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.


Love to you all....Cx :-)

As always, thank you Cynthia and "hello" to everyone.

A very late simple prayer by Brother Roger of Taize

God of every human being
You never force our hearts
But you place your peaceful light
Within each one of us.
With that light
Shining upon us,
Our failures
And our joys
Can find meaning in you.

Good morning and I know John would be delighted to see that this thread has done so well after the initial hiccups. It's great to see different friends popping in as and when they wish, and everyone is most welcome...........you don't have to contribute.....just enjoy the company . :-)

The music chosen by Susan is very soothing indeed - the sort you could lay back and relax to if you have had a stressful time. Thanks Susan.


Just a short prayer for today - I have been asked to proof read that dreaded scourge of church councils......the Parish Magazine. Our late lamented Vicar had been the editor and, now that the job is vacant, the search is on for someone who would be happy to do it. I can't say that the queue stretches around the block...
:-S


For today:

Lord God, as we wake,
we remember that this day is yours.
You bring to us the hope of each new day
and fresh opportunities to heal a broken world.
May we hear in many places your whisper,
inspiring us to pray and act
with the compassion of Jesus,
the light of the world,
in whose name we pray. Amen.

Lord God, as we go to sleep,
we remember that this night belongs to you.
We bring to you the joys of the day,
along with our tiredness,
our anxieties,
our concerns
and the regret of things left undone.
May we hear your whisper granting us peace
and a good night's rest;
through Christ, our risen light, we pray. Amen.

Paul Hill - Inspired by Psalm 74:16



Enjoy your day my friends......Cx :-)

Music for the soul

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dfpOvM5OcuY

Hello Cynthia and friends, although I don't post on this thread but I read it every day, it's such a lovely thread. Like Ann said, I hope that John is just having a break and that he will be back with us very soon.

John, if you are looking in, please don't stay away too long, as you are missed by a lot of members. Hope all is well with you and your family.

Sallie.xx