shareit! The Magazine of Church Army
35
Summer/ Autumn 2012
shareit! The Magazine of Church Army
Patron: HM The Queen President: The Most Revd Dr Desmond Tutu Church Army Evangelists share the Christian faith through words and action and equip others to do the same. Evangelists and staff are devoted to a wide range of service in Anglican churches, projects and teams throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Shareit! is the magazine of Church Army and it is available free upon request. Please let us know if you would prefer not to receive further issues of Shareit! or other communications from Church Army. Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ Tel: 0300 123 2113 Email: info@churcharmy.org.uk www.churcharmy.org.uk
Registered Charity Nos: 226226 & SC040457 Editor: Hannah Gray 0300 123 2113 Sub-editor: Bethan Hill Design & Print: CPO 01903 264556 ISSN 1751-3960 If you have a story for Shareit!, or suggestions on how we can improve this magazine, then please contact Hannah Gray. The paper used is from sustainable forests and can be recycled. Printed by Bishops who have 14001 accreditation.
Evangelist Support Scheme This symbol identifies those Evangelists who, through the Evangelist Support Scheme, seek support for their ministry through prayer and giving. It may be that you are drawn to an Evangelist in this issue and would like to find out how you can partner with them in their ministry. To receive further information about the scheme, please email ess@churcharmy.org.uk or call 0300 123 2113.
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Welcom From the Chief Executive
Dear friends, elcome to the latest edition of Shareit! which is packed full of all the news from Church Army and uplifting stories of lives changed through the gospel. In this edition you can read more about our Hope on the Streets campaign, which highlights how our work is reaching those on the very edge of society: the homeless, unemployed, those struggling with addiction and many more. As last year’s summer riots showed, thousands of people across our nation are living without purpose and in spiritual poverty. It’s into this kind of world that the message of Jesus desperately needs to be heard, a message of freedom, transformation and, above all, hope. You can find out more about the campaign by turning to pages 10-13 where we feature Church on the Bus in Derbyshire, which helps more than 60 homeless people each week. You can also read about “Louise” who fled from domestic violence and ended up living on the streets of London. Thanks to Church Army’s Marylebone Project she has now been resettled into her own flat and is looking forward to a more positive future. To watch a film about Hope on the Streets, visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/hopeonthestreets The past few months have also been an exciting time for Jeff Hill in Witney, Oxfordshire, after Prime Minister David Cameron paid him a visit. Jeff has set up a late night café in the town on Saturday evenings which reaches more than 100 people and he has also developed the local church’s children and families work. To read more, turn to pages 8-9. On pages 28-29, we report on our recent Centres of Mission Conference, which saw more than 90 evangelists, trainees and volunteers gather at the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield. The Centre of Mission teams, which are based throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, spent time discussing their experiences and sharing stories of people coming to faith. Graham Tomlin, the Principal of St Paul’s Theological Centre and Dean of St Mellitus College, also spoke at the event looking at what can be learnt from the growth of the early church. In this issue we also speak to Lynne and Peter Bone who are reaching out to their community in Skelmersdale,
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Lancashire, (pages 24-25), Retired Evangelist, Tony Maidment, about Gospel Magic (page 22), and Eileen Caple who runs a door-to-door ministry in Twickenham (page 30). Finally, Mission Support Officer, Paul Critchlow, tells us more about Church Army guest speakers and how they can help inspire your church (page 17), and we have been busy compiling our top 20 fundraising tips to share with you (pages 20-21). May I once again thank you for your commitment to Church Army as we seek to share the gospel through words and action.
Your prayerful and financial support continues to make a real difference to people’s lives and we praise God for each one of you. With my love and prayers,
Mark Russell Chief Executive www.churcharmy.org.uk/ceo
STOP PRESS! A new café-bus has been launched by the Zacchaeus Outreach Project in the Diocese of Armagh in Northern Ireland to reach out to marching bands. The bus Valerie Thom will act as a mobile café at band parades and meetings, where volunteers will be available to chat with band members about faith, as well as offering practical support and advice. The Church Army and Church of Ireland initiative is being led by Evangelist Valerie Thom. She said: “Many of the young people I meet at band events have links with church but don’t actually attend on a Sunday. So we want to try to build on those links and put them in touch with relevant people. Jesus met Zacchaeus at his point of need and that is what we want to do.”
Mark Russell
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Contents
Shareit! 35 Summer/Autumn 2012
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12 17
NEWS
FAITH
WORDS
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News All the latest from Church Army
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“Big Society” honour David Cameron visits Jeff Hill in Oxfordshire
18 A week with… Kevin Metcalfe in Northern Ireland
17 Inspiring you… Church Army guest speakers
22 Gospel magic Retired Evangelist, Tony Maidment
28 R eflect and rejoice Centres of Mission Conference
23 The journey of life Hospice Chaplain, Mike Reeder
30 Ask, seek, knock Eileen Caple’s door -to-door ministry
10 Hope on the Streets Church on the Bus 12 Hope on the Streets The Marylebone Project
24 Connecting 31 Everyone needs a community good shepherd Lynne and Peter Bone Peter Graystone in Lancashire has the last word
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zin The Maga
h Army e of Churc
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Summer
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Is this the first time you’ve read a copy of Shareit!? Would you like to receive your own FREE edition regularly? To sign up and to find out more about other Church Army resources please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/res Alternatively email info@churcharmy.org.uk, telephone 0300 123 2113 or write to Church Army, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Road, Sheffield, S3 7RZ. We will be more than happy to help.
Front cover: Barbara at our Church on the Bus project in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
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ACTION 14 New beginnings Meet our newly commissioned Evangelists
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20 Fantastic fundraising 20 top tips 26 True potential Valley of Hope photography group
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MISSIoN COMMUNITY FUTURE Church Army is preparing to open its doors to new members after it voted to become a Mission Community in the Anglican Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland. More than 90 per cent of those who voted said “yes” to the decision and the constitutional changes were approved at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held in November last year. Mark Russell, Church Army Chief Executive, said: “Church Army hopes to create a new community of people who are passionate about the gospel and who want to share it with those on the margins of
society. The vote means that many other people will be able to join the organisation as members of a modern missionary movement. This will include people who are ordained, those who feel called to be Evangelists in the wider church and Church Army’s existing volunteers and supporters. “We hope that through this extended network of missionminded people, communities will be transformed and evangelism resourced.” Further details of how people can join the Mission Community will be announced later this year.
NOW A CHRISTIAN – A HIT!
The creators behind Church Army’s Now a Christian email course are celebrating after sign-ups hit the 2,000 mark. The course was launched back in 2009 and is specially designed to help people
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explore the basics of Christianity. People can sign up for free by visiting the Now a Christian website and they will then receive an email every day for five weeks. Evangelist and Church
Army’s Online Services Manager, Neil Thomson, said: “Now a Christian has been a great resource for people beginning their Christian journey as well as for some who have come back to church. The feedback and stories we have had from people have been really encouraging and we are thrilled that this has helped over 2,000 people so far.” To sign up, please visit www.nowachristian.org
Church Army has welcomed its new Chair of the Board, the Bishop of Chelmsford Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, who spoke of his “passion for evangelism” while visiting the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield. Bishop Stephen brings with him a wealth of experience in mission and his previous jobs have included being a member of the Springboard Team, which was the evangelism initiative of Archbishop George Carey, and the Diocesan Missioner for Wakefield. He was also a founder member and chair of the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists. When reflecting on his new role, Bishop Stephen said: “Throughout most of my ministry I’ve had a very particular concern for evangelism and helping churches engage with it. Therefore Church Army as an organisation was a very obvious fit with my own passions and experience.”
THANk YOU!
BIRTHDAY “DIP” FOR YOUNG FUNDRAISER
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WELCOME TO BISHoP STEPHEN
A 10-year-old boy from Tyne and Wear braved freezing temperatures during the winter to take part in a North Sea “dip” to raise more than £500 for Church Army. oliver Cake shares his birthday with Church Army’s founder, Wilson Carlile, so decided to mark the occasion by running into the sea 10 times. Family and friends were there to cheer him on.
We are pleased to announce that our Life to the Full appeal featuring Tim Hyde’s work on the Weston housing estate in Southampton has raised more than £16,000. Thank you so much for your generosity and support! With your help our Evangelists will be able to reach even more people who are marginalised and living without the hope of the gospel.
oliver said: “The sea was very cold and I was pleased I wore my wetsuit! I wanted to raise money for Church Army because it helps people who don’t have much in life.”
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L to r: Neil Biles, Dominic Baker, Toby Wright, Jeff Hill, David Cameron, Guy Plowman
“Big Society” honour Prime Minister David Cameron has visited Evangelist Jeff Hill, whose outreach work in Oxfordshire is having a positive impact on the community
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eff lives and works in Mr Cameron’s Witney constituency, where he has established a number of projects including a night-time café attended regularly by more than 100 people,
Junior Church
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a Street Pastors initiative and various groups for families and children. Among these are a junior church at St Mary’s, which ministers to around 60 children a week, an ecumenical summer holiday club and a regular men’s curry night. He has also launched several Messy Churches for families, established a regular pattern of assemblies in the 11 local primary schools and started X:site, Scripture Union’s project for eight to 11-year-olds on a Saturday evening. Mr Cameron met with Jeff at St Mary’s Church where they were joined by the Rector of Witney, Toby Wright, Church Army’s Director of Mission Support, Neil Biles, and volunteers Guy Plowman and Dominic Baker. During the meeting the group
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discussed how Church Army could work in partnership with churches to contribute to Mr Cameron’s vision of the Big Society. They also talked about Church Army’s work in Witney and about the value of volunteering. When hearing about the night-time café which takes place in Witney’s Market Place on a Saturday evening between 11pm and 4am, Mr Cameron
“As Christians we have an important role to play in building up communities and meeting people’s needs. From my own experience I have found that a lot of Christians want to reach out beyond the church but need mechanisms to enable them to do so. I hope that the church can increasingly act as a resource in building the Big Society and restoring broken lives.”
for Evangelist said: “It’s great, because you’ve found a model that works which is meeting a need. The state is not always very good at the personal, the emotional, the niche, and this is where I think the Big Society absolutely comes in, because you’ve got the creativity in people coming up with ideas like this.” The group also talked about the need to create projects that were self-sustaining. Mr Cameron said: “One of the things we’re doing as a government in order to encourage the Big Society is to look at the whole issue of how to encourage and train community organisers – particularly in deprived communities. We’d really like community organisers to be able to build a project, make it sustainable and then move on to build another project.” After the meeting, Jeff Hill said: “It’s been a real privilege to meet with the Prime Minister and to share how Christians are investing in their communities. I’d like to thank all the volunteers who work alongside me for their willingness to serve others.
“I hope that the church can increasingly act as a resource in building the Big Society and restoring broken lives.”
How can I help? Please pray for Jeff and for all the volunteers who work with him, may they continue to find relevant ways to share the gospel with people in Witney.
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HOPE ON THE STREETS As part of our Hope on the Streets campaign, Shareit! takes a look at the Church on the Bus project in Derbyshire, which is reaching more than 60 homeless people each week Homelessness. Unemployment. Addiction. Low self-esteem. A life lived without purpose. These are just some of the struggles which thousands of people on the margins of our society are facing each day. Our streets are a place devoid of true hope where fear and sadness reign. As last year’s riots clearly showed, the Good News of Jesus is desperately needed so that true freedom can be found and people released from spiritual poverty. Yet up and down the country, Church Army Evangelists are working with those on the edge, sharing the gospel through words and action. And this year our new campaign, Hope on the Streets, is highlighting how lives are being transformed through Christ. Church on the Bus in Derbyshire is one such project. Church on the Bus was set up in 2004 by Evangelist Alan Park, and has grown to become a Christian community which meets each week in Chesterfield, Matlock and Clay Cross. Alan and his team of 45 trained volunteers use a bus as a drop-in for those who are vulnerable and homeless, where they provide friendship and prayer alongside food, hot drinks, clothes and toiletries. The bus stops in the same places each week at the same times, so that people always know where to find it. Before becoming a Christian, Alan was homeless himself for seven years, living on the streets of Doncaster and London.
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Church on the Bus
He describes this period of his life as “very lonely” and says he felt completely excluded from society. He said: “Homelessness can happen with the break-up of families, debt, alcohol or drugs. Nobody is exempt from being on the streets – it can happen to anyone. “Therefore as a team we believe it is important to help people feel valued. We know everybody’s name and we welcome them onto the bus. When we share the gospel we tell people about God’s love for them and reassure them of our prayers – and that does something to these people… it shows them that we care.” Since the project began, many people have come to a living faith, including “Jason”, who has struggled with drug addiction since he was a teenager. He said: “I’ve been a drug addict since the age of 15. I spent a lot of time in jail, and when I came out I was living on the streets. I started coming to Church on the Bus because I found out they ran a soup kitchen. I’m clear of drugs now. If it hadn’t been for this bus I don’t think I’d be here now, to be honest. It has absolutely saved me.” Over the coming years Alan is looking to expand the work of
Church on the Bus and is hoping to begin visiting an estate in Matlock ministering to single parents. He also would like to recruit more volunteers so that more people can be trained and equipped for mission. He said: “I’m really excited about how God is working through Church on the Bus and am so thankful that people are coming to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. I also hope that other people will be inspired by the project and will want to reach out beyond their church building to those on the edge of society. “There is nothing more exciting than raw evangelism – each day is different and I never know who I’m going to meet!” n
For more information and to donate to Hope on the Streets, please visit www.churcharmy.org. uk/hopeonthestreets
Alan Park (centre) with volunteers
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HOPE ON THE STREETS
Stories of
Sleeping rough on the streets of London is a stark reality for hundreds of people – and sadly the number is rising. As part of our Hope on the Streets campaign, Shareit! finds out how The Marylebone Project is giving homeless women a helping hand Spirituality, hospitality, empowerment and resettlement are the four themes which lie at the heart of The Marylebone Project. As one of the largest women’s hostels in the United Kingdom, it works to practically help women experiencing homelessness while valuing each of them as individuals. Providing emergency and shortterm accommodation is the project’s main focus and in 2011 more than 115 women were resettled into their own homes. The Valentia Suite and its specialist team also acts as a much-needed refuge for homeless
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women with diagnosed mental health issues. Alongside this is the Women’s Day Centre which offers advice on issues such as housing and welfare, educational activities and a rough sleepers’ service where people can use the showers, laundry facility and luggage stores. Bill Gallagher, Project Manager, said: “Many of the women we meet have fled from unstable family situations or domestic violence, while others struggle with mental health problems and drug and alcohol addictions. So often when they arrive at the project they have extremely low confidence and self-esteem. “Therefore our staff work hard to show each of the women that they are cared for as a demonstration of God’s love. The project’s chapels and faith events also provide the women with a space to explore spirituality if they want to. “Investing in people’s lives is key to the way we work at the project. We believe that all women are very special people and have enormous potential. We consider it a privilege to journey with them and hope to see their potential released.”
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hope “Louise’s” story My name is “Louise” and I fled from my home and husband after experiencing domestic violence. I came to London but ended up on the streets for nearly a month, which was really terrifying. I was then referred to The Marylebone Project and moved in straight away which was such a relief. Since arriving I have been involved in the jewellery making project, a computer course and have helped out at a local church. I’m also taking part in a domestic violence course and one about confidence and awareness. The Marylebone Project is so important and helps women from many different situations. It has saved me. My key worker has done everything she possibly can to help me and I am about to move into my own flat, which I’m really looking forward to. I’m going to miss all the new friends I’ve made here, but I will come back and visit them.
“Aasiya’s” story My name is “Aasiya”. I’m 23 years old and grew up in Somalia until I moved to the United Kingdom eight years ago. Due to family circumstances and depression I found myself homeless – thankfully I was referred to The Marylebone Project. I was worried at first because I’d heard lots of bad things about hostels; however the staff at Marylebone are wonderful and have always treated me as an individual. They offer me emotional support and really invest in me. It is rare to find a hostel where people actually care about you. I hope to return to university next year to continue my studies as a student midwife. I’ve had a tough life, but I’m trying to work hard and look to the future.
n
To watch a film about Hope on the Streets, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/ hopeonthestreets
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New begin Meet our new Evangelists who are the first to be commissioned from our four-year Mission-Based Training course Name: Craig Dowling Mission-Based Training Placement: South Greenwich Centre of Mission First job: Pioneer Evangelist at St John’s Church in Plumstead as part of the South Greenwich Centre of Mission What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? I’ve always wanted to study church history and theology so it’s been great to be given the chance. Also, coming from Northern Ireland originally, I’d always associated oppression with politics and power. However, working in South Greenwich has opened my eyes to how addiction and poverty can be personal oppressions and it has been amazing to see Jesus release people from them. What is the most important thing you’ve learnt? How vital it is to give people your time and a listening ear. Before I joined Church Army I was all about getting in there and getting the job done. Now I’ve realised that people appreciate nothing more than your time – particularly when they are carrying heavy burdens. Where is your first job going to be and what are you looking forward to about it? I’m going to be developing a mission in Plumstead, which is a very diverse and multi-cultural area. It has a number of housing estates and a very large primary school with around 700 pupils. Initially I want to find out what God is already doing in the area and work out how I can join in. I can’t wait to put my learning into practice. How can we pray for you? Pray for God to raise up a team of volunteers to help me. Pray also for guidance and wisdom as it is rather daunting starting mission work in a new place.
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nings Name: Matt Rowley Mission-Based Training Placement: Craigavon Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland First job: Staying in Craigavon to build on the work already started What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? Having Evangelist Myrtle Morrison as my Training Enabler and being able to study and then reflect on what I’ve learnt with her. I’ve also really enjoyed my hospital chaplaincy role as you never know what situation you are going to face and it has really taught me to listen to people. What is the most important thing you’ve learnt? To ask the “why” questions and reflect on the way we do things. Where is your first job going to be and what are you looking forward to about it? I will be staying on at the Craigavon Centre of Mission to build on the work already started. My main focus will be working with people outside the church on the edge of society. How can we pray for you? Pray that God will strengthen and energise me as I begin my new role and that the transition will run smoothly. Name: Damien Hine Mission-Based Training Placement: Warwick Gates Centre of Mission First job: Bradford Centre of Mission – Sorted Project What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? Working with a team of really strong evangelists alongside the local church. It’s been great to do mission together, support one another and have fun! What is the most important thing you’ve learnt? The best thing I can give to the furtherance of the Kingdom is myself and my ministry. Where is your first job going to be and what are you looking forward to about it? I’ll be starting work at the Sorted Project in Bradford, a church run by young people for young people. I will be developing work among young adults, discipling them and encouraging them to take mission seriously. I can’t wait to give it my all! How can we pray for you? Pray I will integrate well into the team and the work I develop will be supported well by local volunteers.
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New beginnings continued
Name: Jasper Rutherford Mission-Based Training Placement: Newcastle Centre of Mission First job: Outreach and Development Officer for Summer Madness festival in Northern Ireland What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? The pub ministry which I have developed with non-churched men in Wallsend – it has been brilliant to build friendships with them and recently a group of us went on a mission trip to Romania. The trip was an eye opener for many of them and it was great to see God become more of a reality to them throughout the trip. What is the most important thing you’ve learnt? I’ve learnt loads! I think often we’re far too protective of mission and just look for a passionate group of Christians to get alongside us. Yet often if you involve those outside the church, it can provide a very natural environment for God to reveal himself. Where is your first job going to be and what are you looking forward to about it? I’m going to be the Outreach and Development Officer for Summer Madness, the biggest Christian youth festival in Ireland. My job will be to equip and train young people for mission all year round so they can share the gospel with those in their schools, universities and workplaces. How can we pray for you? Pray for my wife and three children as we settle into a new area and church. Pray also that God would provide me with strong teams of volunteers.
“I can’t wait to put my learning into practice”
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“I think often we’re far too protective of mission...”
Name: Mark Bingham Mission-Based Training Placement: Chester Centre of Mission First job: Southampton Centre of Mission What has been the highlight of Mission-Based Training for you? The course has been great because, from the first day you start, you’re living and working in the community and making a difference to people’s lives. It’s also been great having the opportunity to study. What is the most important thing you’ve learnt? To show God’s grace and love to those I meet and never to judge. Also, not to force what I believe on people but to help them see Jesus Christ for themselves. Where is your first job going to be and what are you looking forward to about it? I’m going to be joining the team at the Southampton Centre of Mission where I will be living and working on the deprived Weston estate. One of my key responsibilities will be running the Seedbed Allotment Project, which aims to build community and provide people with “green therapy” through gardening. I’m looking forward to sharing life with people – the joys and the difficulties. How can we pray for you? Pray for my wife and children as they settle into a new home and schools. Pray also that God will provide me with opportunities to build good friendships with people on the estate.
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Mission Support Officer, Paul Critchlow, explains how you can find out more about Church Army’s vital work and hear stories of transformation from our guest speakers
Inspiring you... F
or many years, Church Army guest speakers have visited churches throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland to share inspirational stories of changed lives as a result of our Evangelists’ work. Visiting parishes in this way is really important to us. For those that already support us generously in prayer and finance, it is an opportunity for us to say thank you in person. For those yet to support us, it gives us the privilege of sharing more about our work. There are real benefits in having a Church Army guest speaker: • Your church will be encouraged to hear how our Evangelists are making a difference in the lives of thousands of people nationwide.
• Your church will be inspired to pray and to be generous in its regular giving.
• Your church will be invited to partner with a specific Church Army Evangelist through our Evangelist Support Scheme. This can bring a real sense of being part of evangelism and mission. Here is some of the feedback we’ve received from churches… new messages on, I saw a Today I didn't hear a serm picture of a d nte pai you sermon, as ! your work, thank you e Tim with us It was very useful to hav gregations con our and , on Sunday inspiring. lly rea found what he said
Photocredit: ©iStockphoto.com/ChristopherFutcher
Speakers are available on Sundays and throughout the week, so whether you would like someone to speak at a church service, or at a special mid-week meeting, we can help. All we ask of you, where finances permit, is to cover the expenses of our guest speaker and also to commit to supporting the work of Church Army. n
To book a Church Army guest speaker, please call Paul Critchlow on 0300 123 2113 or email p.critchlow@churcharmy.org.uk
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A week in the life of an
kevin Metcalfe works with families living on the deprived Bloomfield housing He shares with us a snapshot of his ministry Tuesday
Kidz Klub
Monday Christ Church Primacy’s parent and toddler group meets on Monday mornings and is always an energetic start to my week. At the moment I’ve got two of Church Army’s Xplore gap year students on placement with me and it was great to see Stephen and Peter getting stuck into the activities and chatting with people. This afternoon I visited a family on the estate who’ve had little contact with church in the past, but whose mum is now battling cancer. It was a real privilege to pray with her and the children. She has so many questions about faith. It has been amazing to see how the church family has offered practical support; cooking meals and looking after the children.
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Since moving to Bangor in 2007 I have established strong links with Bloomfield Primary School and this morning I led their assembly. I talked about how we can know God like a loving Father, which is a challenging message to get across when, for many of the children, their family situations are fractured and chaotic. I just pray that some of what I said remains with them and gets them thinking. Later on I went to a Community Association meeting which aims to develop new projects and facilities for the area. The Bloomfield Estate is known locally as the “forgotten estate” and has problems with anti-social behaviour, sectarianism and isolation. Therefore, much of my work is about building relationships and helping people feel they are invested in and cared for.
Wednesday Today I met with the Xplore gap year students, Stephen and Peter, to discuss their development and pray with them. It was so encouraging to hear how God has been working through them. They’ve been prayer walking around the estate, distributing food hampers to families in need and doing gardening and DIY for people. They are so keen to serve people and share the hope of Jesus Christ.
Thursday A relaxed day off with my wife Rita and two young daughters Emily and Katie.
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Evangelist estate in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
Friday Today has been a busy one as each Friday evening a team of volunteers and I lead Kidz Klub for primary schoolaged children. Tonight 50 children from the estate came along and we looked at Jesus’ teaching about how he accepts us the way we are but how he wants us to follow him by living his way. All of this was communicated through music, games and drama. We are getting more and more families from non-church backgrounds interested in Kidz Klub and, as a result, we’ve been able to host the first holiday Bible club in the area for five years. There are also a growing number of Kidz Klub young leaders who help each week and recently they’ve taken part in an eight-week course which explores Christianity.
Xplore g ap year student,
Stephen Whitten
Saturday A day off.
Sunday A year-and-a-half ago I set up a Messy Church, which is an all-age Christian gathering that offers families the chance to come together to take part in craft and games, to eat and to worship. It takes place once a month and this week we had around 60 people attending. It was great to speak to Gemma about how she wasn’t interested in Jesus and wouldn’t have come near a church, but now feels she belongs to Messy Church and finds meaning in being part of something with Jesus at the centre. n
To watch a film about Kevin’s work, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/kevinMetcalfe
Scan the QR code with your mobile phone to donate £10 to Church Army or text CHUR24 10 to 70070
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1
Organise a dinner party with a theme and sell tickets for it. There are so many options: a wine and cheese party, international food evening or a safari supper. You could even play one of Church Army’s films between courses.
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Dig out all those unwanted items in your house and sell them at a car boot sale. Why not ask your friends to join in?
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Recycle your old mobile phones and donate the proceeds to Church Army.
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Organise a sponsored church walk – it can be as long or short as you like! It is also a great way to get chatting to new people.
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What about a 24-hour challenge? It could be a 24-hour sponsored silence, swim, dance…
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Hold a ‘dress down’ or ‘dress up’ day at your workplace, school or church.
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Ask members of your church to make some cakes or biscuits and then sell them with the refreshments after the Sunday service. Or you could hold a coffee morning.
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Ask friends and local businesses to donate something towards an auction night for Church Army.
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For those who are sporty, hold a golf, tennis, football or netball tournament.
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Quiz nights are great events for people of all ages. You can charge per person or per team.
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During the summer, host a garden party. Strawberries and cream are always a favourite!
Get people to sponsor you to “give something up”. It could be chocolate, coffee, your mobile phone, the internet or smoking…
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Organise a cards tournament. Canasta or Bridge work well.
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Host a pamper party for the ladies – think face masks, foot spas and manicures.
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For those who enjoy the finer things in life, organise a dinner dance and charge for the tickets.
If you and your friends are musically talented, organise a concert at your church.
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Hand out Church Army money boxes to your friends and ask them to fill them with spare change. You’ll be amazed at how much is raised. To order money boxes please email supportercare@ churcharmy.org.uk or telephone 0300 123 2113.
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Get your friends to clear out their wardrobes and hold a clothes swap party.
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Have you got time? Have you got talent? Why not put them to good use and have a go at fundraising for us? Here are 20 ideas to get you started
If you are a keen gardener, why not grow some plants which you can then sell?
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Finally, if you are a UK tax payer, please remember to Gift Aid any donations you make to us. This allows us to reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 you give!
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Photocredit: ©Martin Hows e
Teaching God’s word in easy to remember ways is at the heart of Gospel Magic. Retired Evangelist, Tony Maidment, shares his experiences with Hannah Gray Can you tell me a bit about yourself? I joined Church Army in 1962 and over the years have worked in hostels for the homeless, young people’s homes and with children in schools and parishes. I have a wonderful wife called Sylvia and we now live in Stourbridge in the West Midlands. What is Gospel Magic? Gospel Magic uses tricks and illusions as a tool for explaining God’s truth creatively. Because it is very visual it helps to capture people’s imaginations and then focuses their fascination onto Jesus Christ. It is really effective at drawing a crowd during a mission or at a church outreach event. How did you get involved in it? I’ve always enjoyed magic and remember teaching myself tricks as a child. However, later on when I was working for Church Army in a home for troubled teenagers, I found myself really struggling to engage them with Christianity. So I decided to try Gospel Magic and found it really held their attention.
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Since you’ve retired, how do you use your magic? I often use Gospel Magic to illustrate a point when preaching or speaking at school assemblies in my local schools. It is just brilliant to see children wanting to know more about Jesus. I am a member of Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians and The Fellowship of Christian Magicians which holds an annual conference each year for around 70 people. This year I led one of the morning Bible teaching slots which was a great privilege. What are you favourite tricks? I perform lots of rope and coin tricks, but one simple card trick I like to use with children is what I call the King of Hearts. During the trick I explain that Jesus is the King of Hearts and there’s only one way to find him. n
For more information about Gospel Magic, please visit The Fellowship of Christian Magicians’ website at www.fcmuk.org
faith
The journey
of L ife
Mike Reeder is the Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator at St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield where he ministers to those who have incurable illnesses
H
e describes his job as “loitering with intent” as he walks with people on their journey of life and helps them cope with the realities of illness and death. When appropriate opportunities arise, Mike shares the gospel of hope with those he meets. Mike said: “At St Luke’s we want to care for a person’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being – we want to look after the whole person. You are able to help people live life to the full no matter how long or short they’ve got. Often when people are brought face-to-face with death there are lots of questions that arise about their past, present and future. “To contemplate one’s own mortality means we do need to think about matters that relate to what comes next. For me, the words of Jesus are the key to the door and faith is the strength to believe that what is the other side of the door is just as Jesus said: ‘a place that has many rooms’. (John 14:1-3) “But my role doesn’t end there,
I also spend time looking after patients’ carers and relatives and the hospice staff and volunteers.” One patient who Mike particularly remembers was a man called Grenville who became a Christian while at the hospice. In the hospice chapel’s Book of Reflections, Grenville wrote: “My belief in God has given me the strength I need to be strong, positive and to smile. I lost God for many years, or at least I thought I had, but now I realise that he was always by my side. There are good days and there are bad days, but with a positive smile on my face I get through them all.” n
See Mike’s short film at www.churcharmy.org.uk/MichaelReeder
How can I help? Please pray that God would bless Mike with many opportunities to share the hope of Jesus Christ.
Shareit! 23
Connecting com
Community café
Back in 2009, Lynne and Peter Bone joined Oaks church plant in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, with the aim of building community on the nearby housing estates. Three years on, they share how God has been at work
Lynne says… Since moving to Skelmersdale, Peter and I have been reaching out to people in the Tanhouse district, which is ranked among the top five per cent of most deprived areas in England in terms of unemployment. Skelmersdale was originally designated a New Town in 1961 but in the 1970s, during the economic downturn, industrial employers left en-masse and migration was stopped. This left the area half-finished with roads that just stop, no hospital or cinema and
24 Shareit!
a limited number of shops. The consequences of this time were a lack of jobs, an increase in crime, drug abuse, debt and poverty. Sadly, not much has changed since then and therefore we have been working hard to build lifeenhancing relationships with people. Through Oaks Church, I help to run a café each Wednesday afternoon at the community centre, where people of all ages can meet and enjoy quality food at low prices. We also provide newspapers, table tennis, crafts, a toddler area and a prayer wall. One lady who struggles with depression says that the café gives her a reason to get out of bed in the
morning and it’s been great to see her join in. I also spend time visiting older people in the nearby sheltered housing. It is a more pastoral role, listening and encouraging, but also gently challenging them to maybe view things differently or try something new. To bring people together, I’ve set up a weekly club called Classic Views where TV series from the past are projected onto a big screen. It has provoked some great discussions and allows people to share stories and memories together. “Doris”, who comes along to Classic Views, is blind and in her 70s. For the past year she has been attending Oaks Church and has facilitated me in setting up a monthly communion service in the sheltered housing. Sadly she developed mental health problems that caused her to be disorientated and forgetful. Through her contact with the church, we have been able to help her seek the medical attention she needs.
faith
munity
Peter says… One of my main focuses over the past three years has been to develop a men’s ministry and this now includes a monthly film and chippy night, and a pool team/fellowship group in the local pub. Through living out the motto, ‘Love people until they ask you why?’ Lynne and I wait for opportunities to arise where we can share our faith and nurture others in their journeys with the ever-loving God. At the moment I’m meeting with a chap called Craig who is part of the pub’s pool team and we are looking at a basic Christianity course. Alex, an 18-year-old lad, and his girlfriend have also started the same course. I’ve also recently become the Wing Chaplain to the Merseyside Air Cadets which has allowed me to offer young people on the estates an organisation that promotes meaning and structure in their lives. The role also allows me to influence how Air Cadet Chaplains are appointed and support the squadrons who do not have one. Integrating all of these different ministries into the wider community is a challenge, but God has blessed us with opportunities. For example at Pentecost last year, as a church we organised a free professional firework display on the estate where the pool team ran the BBQ and the Air Cadets marshalled the event. It went down really well and it was good to see people coming together.
How can I help? Please pray for Lynne and Peter, that God would help them build trusting relationships with the Tanhouse community so the Good News of Jesus Christ can be shared with them.
Shareit! 25
y e l l Va e p o H f o
The Valley of Hope project in South Wales works with ex-offenders, homeless people and those with substance abuse problems. Deputy Manager, Paul Jones, explains how a photography group and music group is helping people look to the future
T
he road back to independent living for many people at the Valley of Hope project is a long and difficult one filled with ups and downs. Therefore, as a team we are committed to journeying with them by offering practical, emotional and spiritual support. As part of our rehabilitation programme, I run a photography group with the aim of teaching people new skills, building their self-esteem, preventing relapse and, of course, having fun at the same time! The project also offers music lessons led by Sue Evans and training in painting and decorating led by myself. I have been a professional photographer for 21 years so it’s been great to use my skills to help others and, since the group was established in 2010, people have had their work featured in a number of high profile exhibitions.
26 Shareit!
These have included exhibitions at The National Assembly of Wales’ Senedd building in Cardiff and at the Muni Arts Centre in Pontypridd. The group was also asked to be the official photographers at the Recovery Cymru Walk 2011 around Cardiff, which saw more than 1,000 former addicts take to the streets to celebrate them regaining control over their lives. In addition to all of this the music group performed in front of the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, at the project’s Christmas meal last year. As you can imagine I am immensely proud of each and every person involved in the photography and music group and it has been a real privilege for Sue and I to help them discover their new potential. n
For more information, please visit www.valleyofhope.co.uk
Ann L
said: “Since joining Valley of Hope almost a year ago, I have come a long way in my journey to alcohol and drug recovery. I have learnt how to budget my money properly, along with running my home efficiently. I can now go out into the community by myself and even go shopping. I am also involved in diversionary activities where I’m learning to play the guitar and about photography. I enjoy both subjects very much. These activities have contributed to rebuilding my confidence, and week by week my self-esteem is getting stronger, along with my problem solving skills. I have learnt to believe in myself all over again.”
action
Stories of fresh starts…
Jon M
said: “I was put in contact with Valley of Hope in 2008 after suffering with drug and alcohol dependency - as a result of this I nearly lost my home and found myself in spiraling debt. Valley of Hope staff have helped me greatly to address issues I couldn’t imagine that I’d have coped with alone. It’s been so good to hear a sympathetic voice at the end of the line, along with not being judged when things go desperately wrong. They’ve helped me get back on my feet and given me friendly advice along with a shoulder to cry on when things became too much to bear. I’ve always had an interest in photography, so when Paul said he was starting a photography group as a diversionary activity, I jumped at the chance. Due to my lifestyle I’ve always found it hard to go outside on my own. The photography class gave me an opportunity to address this head on. I can’t believe how quickly I developed skills to take pictures all on my own. I’m 11 months into the course now and I’m really enjoying every minute, learning more and more as I go along.”
Shareit! 27
e Reflect Reflect and r More than 90 evangelists, trainees and volunteers from Church Army’s Centres of Mission gathered at the Wilson Carlile Centre in Sheffield for a three-day conference – Community in Mission
G
raham Tomlin, the Principal of St Paul’s Theological Centre and Dean of St Mellitus College, spoke at the event looking at the early church period and what can be learnt from its growth in a non-Christian culture. He led three sessions which included “What was the early church like?” “Why did the early church grow?” and “Discipleship in the early church”. The Centre of Mission teams, which are based throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, also spent time discussing their experiences and praying with one another. A candlelit thanksgiving service was held where the teams shared story after story of people coming to faith. On the final day, Mission Consultants Peter and Dorothy Neilson reflected on the Centre of Missions’ development and helped the teams think about their future growth. Afterwards, Evangelist Rob Barker, who is based at the Chester Centre of Mission, said: “I have found the conference to be extremely encouraging and greatly moving. I have been affirmed and challenged – particularly when thinking about how to model the body of Christ and get the
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words
“It has been great to share ideas and experiences”
ejoice! right balance between pioneering and nurturing people.” Evangelist John O’Neill who works at the Lisburn Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland, said: “I have really enjoyed the fellowship during the conference and it has been great to meet up with the other Centres of Mission – sharing ideas and experiences – both good and bad.” The conference was led by Neville Willerton, who is responsible for Church Army’s Centres of Mission. He said: “The Community in Mission conference was a significant time together for Evangelists, Evangelistsin-Training and volunteers. We had an inspirational time celebrating people coming to faith through the Centres of Mission that we have established around the country. Many of the delegates came away from the conference encouraged and inspired to continue in the work of bringing people to a living faith in Jesus Christ.” n
Warwick Gates Centre of Mission team
How can I help? Praise God for the hundreds of people who have heard the gospel thanks to Church Army’s Centres of Mission. Pray that each of them will grow in their faith and that many more will put their trust in Jesus Christ.
For more information, please www.churcharmy.org.uk/com
Shareit! 29
action
Eileen Caple speaks to Hannah Gray about the blessings and challenges of door-to-door ministry
Ask, seek, knock Can you tell us about your work and how it started? When I began training with Church Army in 1977, I spent some time in Liverpool where a group of us were encouraged to try door-todoor ministry as a means of outreach. It was really hard at first knocking on strangers’ doors but a great way to meet lots of people outside the church – particularly if you have limited resources. So it developed from there really and over the years I have used a short multiple choice questionnaire to engage people and to help them think about faith. I encourage other people from the church to join me and we always go out in pairs. We take information leaflets about the church with us and find that these are well received.
You must have knocked on thousands of doors! What have been some of the biggest encouragements recently? Since moving to St Augustine’s Church in Twickenham in 2010, it has been really exciting to see how God has provided us with opportunities. We have been welcomed into many people’s homes and on a few occasions have been able to pray with them. We have also seen several families come along to church, which is really wonderful. Each time we go out, we just hope and pray that people will come to know Jesus and that in some little way something we say may touch their hearts.
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And what are some of the challenges? Sometimes when people ask very difficult questions you can feel you don’t know enough or that you didn’t give them a very good answer. But when this happens I have to remind myself that it is not about human knowledge. It forces me to trust in God to use what I have said because we can’t bring people to him in our own strength.
How can I help? Please pray for Eileen that God will provide her with the words to say in all her conversations so that others come to know the truth about Jesus Christ.
the last word
“Jesus said: I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me ... and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14,15
I
don’t have much experience of sheep. I’ve been a Croydon man all my life, and I have to drive miles to get close to one. Having said that, it’s my friend’s birthday today and, if I get this article written quickly, I’m hoping to get thoroughly acquainted with a sheep at his barbecue. So the opinion I’m about to share may be ill-informed. Sheep are pigignorant. (I also think pigs are sheepignorant, but that’s a subject for another day.) The evidence? Watch sheep deciding which way to go. They follow a leader from among themselves in what appears to be an orderly way. The problem is their leader doesn’t know the way and is as likely to lead them to disaster as security. That’s the context in which Jesus described himself as a good shepherd. He described his society as “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”. Travel back 2,000 years. Picture sheep grazing on a hillside. In the valley is a horseshoe-shaped stone enclosure with a narrow entrance.
It’s evening, so the sheep are in the pen. The shepherd is lying across the entrance. He is a human gate. He is literally laying down his life for the sheep. For those who life has cramped and confined, like sheep in a pen, Jesus is the exit. Out of oppression into freedom. For those who life has frightened and bruised, he is the entrance into the security of the fold. Out of loneliness into protection. This good shepherd knows each of his sheep individually. That’s astonishing to people like me who only want sheep to be intimate once they come in sweater format. But it’s the truth that Church Army Evangelists tell people every day. Each one of the world’s seven billion people is loved by Jesus. Wherever the Bible is translated, the image is made appropriate to the local setting. In South America the sheep become llamas. In the Himalayas they are yaks. In parts of Africa they are goats. And in Croydon? Well, in Croydon they’re lunch. And I’m already 10 minutes late. Excuse me!
By Peter Graystone
Shareit! 31
r e v o c s di The magazine for today’s Christian woman
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8 October
womanalive
Create a
summer
I can’t forget my physical fears: I’m afraid of snakes, heights, ghts, and open-backed staircases. I could go on and on. I’m afraid id of a lot. And yet, the Bible says – God says! – do not be afraid. I once read that we’re told this – not to fear – more than 100 times es in the Bible. According to a colleague of mine, “Fear is addressed ed a lot more frequently than, say, lust or pride.” Interesting. More than some deadly sins. Huh. And yet I am so often afraid. peed dating used to sound aid. Perhaps God understands the like the scariest thing imaginable, deadliness of fear. but after nearly two years, I’ve become pretty blasé The other night when talking about about this, someone told singles events. It seems best me, to approach them simply as “God and fear cannot occupy a fun evening and a chance to chat the same space.” I can’t get that out to new people, with no expectation of my head. I’m not sure whatsoever of meeting Mr Right. it’s right theologically. I mean, if I believe (and I do) that the Still, you can’t help but hope Holy Spirit resides in me and this might be the day you that my body is the temple of God, hit the jackpot. But as I entered the I’m sure God occupies a space back room of a pub for a in me. And so does fear, often enough. Christian speed dating event, my hope ebbed away. You know the So I don’t think the guy is phrase “a face like an unmade bed”? right. I think God and fear Well, this was like walking into can an a ward full of unmade beds. Around 20 scruffy, paunchy, grey, dejected-looking men gazed back at me. Looks aren’t everything but seriously, chaps, if you’re looking for a wife, it wouldn’t hurt to run an iron over your shirt and drag a comb through your hair. The tables were arranged around the room for the ladies to sit at. As we got settled, I chatted to the girl at the next table. It was NiceGirl’s first singles event and she was none too excited occupy the same space. But by the it’s a ridiculous image. Picture prospect. “I feel like I’m in a roomful of my friends’ dads,” it with th me. Think of something that she whispered. “Why don’t they terrifies you. For me, that might warn Christian women that be having to climb open-backed if you don’t bag yourself a husband in stairs with a nest of snakes your 20s, this is where you on my y way to my kids’ new school end up?” I couldn’t disagree. Still, I because God has called me prepared to launch myself to o something new. into the proceedings with enthusiasm. Now picture God next to Here’s how it works. Each it. Occupying the same space. ‘date’ lasts four minutes. Then e. Honestly, it makes me laugh. a bell sounds and the men move Even if you picture fear as giant on to the next table. You tick and d “yes” or “no” mighty and growling and grabbing, on your sheet to indicate if you’d how can it measure up next like to meet the person again. t to God? God! Warm, strong, If you both tick “yes”, you’re a match. open, loving. Hands ready, Between chats, you’re given armss a minute wide and big, eyes smiling. to make notes so you have a fighting chance of remembering who “number 12” was – “Welsh Of course, if your image of beekeeper with Harry Potter God is whacked-out, this might specs”, that gett kind of thing. The organisers tricky. If you picture God as later crunch the numbers and aloof or uncaring, or full of e-mail shrugs you with your matches. and with a “not my problem!” attitude then you’ve got a problem. My 20 ‘dates’ passed in You need to work on your a blur. But one, I’ll never image of God. You need to forget. HaughtyMan fired a list of questions get to know the Big God, the Loving at me. At each answer, he gave God, the Warrior God, the me a disapproving look and HandHolding God, the It-Is-My-Problem openly made notes on his sheet God. You need to know – – even while I was talking! and picture – the God who says these words: “So, Hopefulgirl, 42 September what kind of cook are “When you pass through the you?” demanded waters, I will be with you; HaughtyMan. “Er, well, I’mwomanalive and when you pass through the a vegetarian …” I faltered. rivers, they will not sweep He raised his eyebrows. “But what if I want over you. When you walk through the meat?” he enquired seriously. fire, you will not be burned; A giggle escaped. I couldn’t help it. the “Are you recruiting for a housekeeper?” flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, asked, incredulously. I the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour” HaughtyMan launched into (Isaiah 43:2-4). a lecture about biblical roles Q within marriage, but thankfully the bell went and he had to move on. I winked at NiceGirl as he sat himself down at her table. He clearly thought he was there to assess the merchandise on offer and select himself a wife. Never mind that every woman in the room was out of Read more about how Caryn his league. I doubt I got a “yes” copes with on HaughtyMan’s sheet, but I reckon the ups and downs of life in I’ll get over it. Grumble As I put on my coat, NiceGirl Hallelujah, by Caryn Dahlstrand said, “You know, HopefulGirl, I’m not a lesbian, but you’re the Rivadeneira (Tyndale House nicest person I’ve met this ISBN 978 1 evening.” I laughed and promised to 4143 3801 9 £9.99). We have drop her a line on the Christian 5 copies to dating website we both belong to. You see, give away to readers. For your you DO meet great people chance to at singles events. Unfortunately, win, simply send your name they’re usually women! and address to WA/Grumble, Woman *Some *S details changed to protect the Alive Competitions, innocent (and the guilty) CPO, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BW by 20th October and the first 5 names to be selected on that day will each win a copy of the book. www.christian-dating-uk.co.u k is a free website for all denominations. Click on your county to browse local singles.
guide to a holiday scrapbook The real-life diarymaking of a 30 30-something something Christian woman looking for love
S
Why am I
16 October womanalive
Step 1
Would W like Gather tto summer photos and together create a meetbook …of memories.yourSian Lawton gives
afraid?
A
Know-how
To crea a holiday scra you willteneed pbook :
Archive quality Photographs adhesives 12" x 12" papers Papers for layering Tickets and other memento to add to es your pages Scissors
scrapbook
Lifelines es
A chance conversation with a friend prompted Caryn Rivadeneira to face her fears
V
the I could get t, so I knew all these accountan It was putting people – to an sorted out. And ful business figures bit ts together. came back success ingredien a hugely mes, online and they different You run at the program – it worked, exercise and more were ecstatic actually listened and diet and week and food products “Well I’m the next TV shows, it all begin? thought, boss so that’s in the local results. And I did I’m my own one class but how this, and I started help from lived, with big step enjoying Back in 1971 where we a a really very exciting!” village hall always been rs. That was no ambition your business a few neighbou but I had Then, Has your do you think exciting, one class. caught on and why and very that have my run up success mes to l, I gave r program other than successfu In more classes. particula it was so because ion of things. s and opened did ‘good so well? was a combinat Magazine it loss, we job as a secretary ed by IPC I ran it which was I think as weight approach As well called it, and 1980 I was my business. My yourself ’ as we bought a disaster. most of grooming and they but it was making the ghastly. added exercise. for them, basically thing was Then we running nationally the whole popular. I was very 50 classes was very very marriage failed, unhappy time. I we had aroundand they were most down and By 1980 hire It was a closed it when they my own classes again. around Leicesters bruised and class? well attended. back to running a book The Hip and that first of went 1986 I wrote published in 1988 you start a couple Then in did What made ht and lost which was it really Watchers overweig Thigh Diet successful – and to Weight I’d been to opening I’d been but then hugely went back My stone myself. weight with them, I knew was we So In 1993 a franchise. some , but as plus more. weighed, work. and lost without nationally stronger back again you get about put it all made me of classes club did: element of lessons with IPC what a slimming and there is an a time learnt lots I done and food I’d question of talk about the group. 18 and to do things. the two elements nship in when I was I was how not else companio combined ’ course so anybody I’ve also are dealer, There isn’t ‘good grooming On are quite exercise. a Tupperw they people. and of been I’d also how diet does both because up in front so I knew who used to standing I was a secretary I was married top of that, and, at the time, ran an office
Woman
academic I’m not an but separate. degrees, in taking difficult and and interested teacher and I’m not as an exercise brilliant I’ve qualified ed myself with I do so g that have surround sound. check everythin experts who my books is really into ng? what goes upbringi have a healthy it a healthy Did you consider sickly child I would quite a I think I still have g. I was asthma – upbringin d live I had terrible didn’t think I’d because three child they I spent it. As a old and ht. But eight. ten years beyond when I was we ate hospital active and months in were always weree cakes my parents home. While there – and of at good food eat biscuits fast we didn’t lots of fried and around, didn’t eat now. course we available is readily as food that diet has nation’s think the Do you n just after a lot? I was born was felt changed a doubt. at that Oh without the aftermath of ration eing and r seeing the war I can remembe doubt bt that you no for years. My there was you spent. books and and about what vegetable getabless careful own were the grow our king in working father would be endlessly full-time l-time hobby his he would very which was ss. Life is garden – his business. running outside of tlyy less now. gnificantl significan different we are also s because we lives These days and everyday our or cycling, active in of walking n we’re likely tion drive instead to our destinatio So get k or screen. do desk when we behind a go and sitting lly be actually to or have to to a class, now we gym orr go being g: join the d of activity you somethin instead Wii Fit. So to bee something buy the it has hobby. st like a your lifestyle, life, almost your d nd a and bring into n looking d? ed? sse ses line between obsesse g obs oming Is it a fine and becomin line. I can a fine feeling good, was think it’s when I Yes, I do time in my life with r a d was strugglingwhole remembe and food the with about food obsessed I thought it, the more ghtt about my weight. more I thought been there. And time. The in I have put on, so an eating disorder I weight ds it, I never had while I’ve bodyy understan that everybod a bit of an eating the sense have by food. a way I did in obsessed think the as I was d, with in so far concerne disorder K image is o and OK, Hello As far as so ness like magazine There is advent of so artificial. ent – g is just enhancem everythin g and ing wrinkles much air-brushare made whiter, people and teeth e people’s made fuller ed with , hair is surround disappear er. We’re slimmer. while back, my friend Tracey are made r 9 and I met for lunch to discuss a womanalive October project. While munching on our sandwiches and sipping Diet Cokes, we talked about “big issues” women face. “Fear” came up as one of them. We agreed it was a good one, and then the strangest thing happened. I can’t remember which one of us was first to say, “Well, I mean, I’m not afraid”. But the other joined in, quickly adding, “Oh, me neither. I’m not afraid of anything.” Within moments, Tracey and I had morphed from grown women (each a mother of three!) into 12-year-old boys, posturing, chests out, heads cocked, clucking our tongues as we tried to out “I’m not afraid” the other. It was weird. But it was true. For the most part, I don’t think of myself as a chicken.
I’m not afraid – of much. I can read Stephen With that, my fears move King in the dark, before away from bed, and sleep parenting and right back to soundly. I can speak in myself. I often front of crowds fear that God is calling me without butterflies. I throw to do something my opinion into I don’t think I can do. Or, even arenas where I know I’ll take worse, I fear a beating. I he’ll stay silent and never pipe up and chime in, even call me to when I know anything in particular. Or worse people may disagree. I write yet, that I about things won’t hear – or heed – the that might come back to haunt calling. me (or at I fear fading into the background. least embarrass my kids). I fear insignificance and being forgotten. But then the 12-year-old boys I fear the faded back choices I make on my own. into the grown women when I fear I’ll go one of us right on back to feeling ventured, “Well ... at least so distant from not for myself. I God. I fear that because I’m do get afraid when I think about now a child of the kids ..” divorce, I’m more likely Suddenly, we were both talking to get divorced about the myself. zillions of things we are, in fact, afraid of. I fear I’ll lose my desire to Speaking for myself, I fear that change the we haven’t world. I fear things will get chosen the right school. I fear dark again. I fear we’ll have to someone will stop by unexpectedly move (and change schools) and see and scar my kids how messy my house is. I fear what other for life. I fear that we won’t make enough people think. I fear that I’ll money to provide for our kids. bother people. I fear – sometimes – that I’ll lose my mind.
We’re told not to fear more than 100 times in the Bible
a step-by-step
O
nce upon a time the photograph was a special item that took a long time to take and was a treasured item handed down from ge generation enera nerraat ne to generation. Now, with the aadvent ad adve dv ve en ntt of digital cameras, we have a ttendency te enden nd den n to leave our photos on our cco computers omp mpu and forget that they exist. C Cr Creating re eaa scrapbooks is not a new iinve in invention. nv ve en ent nttiio o Victorian ladies and children wou wo would ulld sit for hours cutting and sticking sscraps sc crraap pss of newspaper, advertising cards, and ‘scr ‘s ‘scr ‘scraps’ c ap pss’’ produced especially for the purpose of cutting of cut uttti ttii out and sticking. S ra Sc Scrapbooks rap today are a combination of ph p photo hot oto albums, journals oto and keepsake book bo book books! okss!! Holiday pictures, family weddings, we w wedding edd din in anniversaries and other special ttiime times mes all deserve to be remembered and tth the he photographs p should be looked at and enjo en enjoyed. o So how about transforming you photos into a yo you your lovely album that yo and further generations yo you can enjoy lo lo looking at! There is a growing trend amongst C Christians to create ‘faith books’. T These are created in the same way as a scrapbook, scra sc rap but carry the theme of a
spiritual journey of growth. Sometimes it is good to go back and see how far you have progressed. With the increase in Christian ‘scrapbookers’, there is now a whole range of Christian scrapbook papers, embellishments and even digital kits for use on the computer that have been produced to help you record your faith in your layouts.
The principle of scrapbooking can be applied to a family or church event. I know of one church which appoints one of a team of scrapbookers to create a page for each special event. All the pages are then put into an album, which lives in the church, so that members and visitors can look back and see all the exciting things that have taken place. Hopefully, once you have completed your first layout you will be inspired to o carry on and ‘scrap’ more of yourr photographs and memories to pass down n to future generations. It’s much better than n leaving them on a computer or in dusty boxes where they remain unseen. Q
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womanalive October 17
First you will need to decide your photos which of you you have prints wish to scrapbook. If ready, you need to make will just a ones you want choice as to which to use. If, however, are stored they on your computer, need to get you will prints made. There are several ways of doing this. either save You can your pictures to disk and take them along to a photo shop you have the or, if equipment, you can print them yourself. Alternatively , some supermarke ts now have special desks or machines where you can get photos printed.
Solutions
Step 4
When you have stuck your photograph s down, it might idea to make be a good a journaling tag to go on the page. Journaling is a great way put additional to information on to the page, such as dates or names of the people in the photograph s! Depending on the colour theme of your page, you may wish to use different colour pen to do your a writing!
young How does a busy God Step mum connect with basis? 5 on a day-to-day Now here comes
the fun part you can start where to embellish the page. Remember this page
Step 2 Lucinda van der Hart
is yours and personal to it is ement you. Place things on offers encouragpage, but don’t stick anything the until you are down totally happy and some practical with the overall look. If you have the space, perhaps leave things laid ideas out on the page for
Now it’s time to get creative decide on and a layout for your scrapbook page. The best way to do this is to place the photos on the background paper in lots of different combinatio to see which ns one you like the best.
Step 3
d ed o tire I’m too Step 6 k, to thin
When you are happy with a layout, attach the photograph s to To protect your photographthe page. to use an archive s, it’s best quality adhesive. When I put a layout layer my photographtogether, I like to s because gives the page it a look. This involvesmore professional sticking the photograph to another piece of card or paper before attaching it x 12" paper. to the 12"
a while, so that as past it you can see if things you walk move or be need to rearranged . Most crafters collect bits and pieces and now is perfect time the to use them. Use anything you have collected think will go that you with tickets, shells, that page: entry buttons, stickers possibilities … the are endless!
ne let allon y ra ray… Finally you need to place your layouts in an album. You can buy special scrapbooks with a plastic covering that you slide your page into. albums to buy have special The best posts that screw enable you to increase size of your the albums very easily!
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run out of h dear, we’ve Lydia – milk,” announced woman under September 43 a bit mum of three childrenalivethe and was feeling boiled child at the time, third ch three – as she also our drinks. a friend (who is – up.” fed up kettle to make Over the past year, written feels very different milk in ones) and I have year on, Rachel A ye felt to having formula – a mum of two little onto how she “Anyone object for mums of babies she wants to hold to but sh born a devotional book their coffee?” when to be able to minister The book was those moments previo previously in order “I want to Soul Food for Mums. like Yolanda – that It was one of a similar place. just outside your situation, other mums in experience out of my feeling sense of a mentally you step If the preso many mums the traditional feel laugh out loud. remem remember that quiet times in time for from God, and what look in on it and ‘God-slot’ with could have known that ssense of distance says. me physically silent become motherhood in my she reading – had out of church,” once children were left o along prayer and Bible severe life would be like experience, Rachel, now that I had have been somewhat Fo Following her Holy to somehow impossible world world, she might from her church, to a twod ‘baby brain’ and that I am mum with a team of others launched a ministry sleep deprivation , surprised. Now has Trinity Brompton, old and eight-month-old called contend with. and-a-half-yearfor the of young children, mum of three pre-schoolit the coffee is par to reach mums of Little Rachel Hughes, formula milk in stands for Mums how she found MOLO (which gather children, explains course. for MOLO is to her relationship parenthood build vision to said, The once Ones). increasingly difficult on As Jennifer Lopez mum. “This ‘spiritually knackered’ she became a your perspective together the space for with God once spiritually not “… totally changes and provide a I was feeling as Christian mothers, of each preschool mums time last year, God. ‘Is everything”. And mum and really encourage To “I felt so cross with our faith. Yolanda, them to connect present. dead,” she says. husband is least affected is to have a children being asked him. ‘My “I always used other without of an I this my lot?’, I two toddlers, said, and read is taking the form spiritual stuff, and and when I sat down this end, MOLO seeing all the exciting kids That is my time of the day worship, teaching after children. but when I had evening of child-free am just looking with my my Bible and prayed, have a relationship very pregnant how to existence.’ I was I just didn’t know with God.”
an a place where If church becomes a real God is no longer encounter with spirituality our day-to-day possibility, then even more important. as mums becomes a pressure, this becoming to But instead of (Psalm an amazing opportunity children can it become that I am God” to weave bath once your box about how “Be still, and know Q Take a long, hot on this verse: think outside the mothers? are, and do, as your home, meditating God into all we Use this as a time getting up 15 minutes worship music. 46:10). put on a CD of Rachel has started and in order to pray, you prepare a meal, Q The next time you and your family. and before her children 51:7 before you his provision for with several friends to clean. Read Psalm to thank God for she also meets God washes us Monday morning up, reflect on how children every her their and Q As you wash Lizzie you, the chaos”. to speak to “… pray through bed, and ask God start. Church’ your child before a mid-week ‘Baby a Bible story with children attend with a craft Q Start reading you read together. Sunday school in a buggy) can child, through what – “a jazzed-up children play with your child the as well as your Then (perhaps prayers time. the park up short ‘arrow’ time and song to the shops or pray.” just focus on sending Q A simple walk while the parents while time. If you’re tired, time with God was become a prayer Today, my main to God. before he a dimmed room of ‘help’ or ‘thanks’ the early I fed my baby in time I Jesus through Often during this captivated by went to sleep. verse of or even just one are parenting phase. reflect on a psalm, it over the of women who Sometimes I learn “There are lots psalm. then a encouragement and spiritual feeding times, desperate for some Lizzie course of a few me, trying to in my church,” it around with – it’s not just friends is to mentally carry my day. for Captivated as I go through as says. Her vision bring it to mind me as I in their identity with me, nourishing encourage others share Jesus God is present inspire them to mothers, and to nourish my child. have to them. said, “You don’t it’s with those around As another mum pray with of young children, you pray, you can “As a mum all the be silent when that proper to hide behind I used to think she sometimes easy noise all around. silence, nappies and poo,” me, my Bible and discussion about intentional prayer was just that prayer a challenge to be freeing to discover says. “It can be was it but non-Christians. with anywhere.” about our friendships share Jesus with I am can take place to of motherhood, But I’m desperate Through this season how to about God – and people.” mum, learning things – that and toys busy, home-based sale of baby clothes a little more creatively So how, as a prayer. A huge meet with him mumbefore with God day-to-day? can invite their could have learned does Lizzie connect to make a to which the MOLOs I don’t think I that, I’m that she has planned. along. And for God. She explains Q friends is also being children came fill us, to spend time with to come and “deliberate choice” “We need God time, I could grateful. need to children’s nap to equip us. We “When it’s the re-envision us, mums do the washing-up community of either go on Facebook, with God and read is create an honest of time pretend that everything or spend a bit incorporates where we don’t “… and says. She also …” says Rachel. my Bible,” she to do lots of OK all the time daily tasks. “I out and feel impassioned am God into her then we can go online when I We have 7 copies News.” listening to preachers the children’s tea. I share the Good For Openshaw Food of for of Soul a member pray, chopping vegetables Lizzie Bassford, and with a friend to Mums, by Lucinda in Manchester my also meet up regularly Community Church identified the need prayer into all van der Hart and also and try to bring mum of two, has Francechildren have for Anna young of friendships.” receiving with that many mums young children, Williams (IVP) to in their faith. Families two For a mum of “I spent encouragement up also a challenge. give away to children make at church is often that I keen pre-school aged years frustrated readers. For your community and, two and a half anymore,” thirds of her church and a chance to win, God in church to mums there, Lizzie couldn’t meet would a name and address to build up the church service simply send your decided to plan says Rachel. “Another in the Woman Alive group of friends for them I would have sat WA/Soul Food, 2012 specifically come and go and Garcia Estate, remember conference for entire time. I Competitions, CPO, can I crèche for the Worthing, West and and other mums. times, God, where Canterbury Road, and name Captivated praying so many sensing by 20th October They chose the the social you. And I kept Sussex BN13 1BW that a group on find you? I need to to be selected on out of the Lizzie created got to find me the first 7 names Facebook, intending God say, ‘you’ve a copy of the faith was networking website But the to see that if my day will each receive for the event. meeting’. I began church do a little publicity with God in a book. grew, and as a consequence reliant on meeting Facebook group faith was in trouble.” a blog – now popular my then writing service, Lizzie started remain also want to womanalive October 27 with mums who
praying at home Creative ideas for are asleep. Enjoy the peace and silence in
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26 October woman
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