Inspire Magazine September 2011 by Steve Bayes

www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

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Issue 62

Stories to lift your spirits

Happy hens help young people find direction God’s call to love justice

How theatre is rebuilding broken lives

PLUS:I Great giveaways,I puzzles, fun and more!I

‘God is good all the time’ Ex-football thug’s journey from anger to grace

Faith rediscovered: why thousands are going Back to Church

September 2011

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ınspıre Stories to lift your spirits

Faith rediscovered

Inspire Awards – the woman behind a drama project starring homeless people

Bits n Pieces – fun, facts and websites to visit Back to Church Sunday – who are you inviting this year? Giving together – sponsor a child and transform your church Inspire Awards 2011 – nominate the unsung heroes who inspire you! The Word – God is interested in social justice, says Rob James A burden shared – helping the bereaved in Edinburgh Hooligan no more – one man’s amazing change of heart Puzzles – test yourself with our crossword, sudoku and word goal

WELCOME to our September issue of Inspire – we hope you find it interesting, challenging and an insight into the way following Jesus is changing people’s lives, day in day out. A number of the stories featured tie in with Back to Church Sunday, as we explore the experiences of many around the UK who returned to church last year, and either rediscovered their faith – or found it for the first time. There are also great examples of the transforming power of God: motivating believers to help homeless people through drama (4-5), enabling young people to make a fresh start and learn new skills (24-25) and turning the life of a football hooligan upside down (20-21). We hope you’ll find stories where God speaks to you, and moves you further on your spiritual journey. And don’t forget: entries for our 2011 Inspire Awards close on 1 September – so get your entries in quick! ‘God is good all God bless the time’

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www.inspiremag

azine.org.uk

Issue 62

Stories to lift your

14 16

spirits

Ex-football thug’s journey from anger to grace

Happy hens help young people find direction

God’s call to love justice

How theatre is rebuilding broken lives

Russ Bravo Editor

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CONTENTS ::

Fait rediscoveredh : why thousands are going Back to Church

PLUS:I Great giveawa ys,I puzzles, fun and more!I

September 2011

TO ORDER INSPIRE You can order a regular copy of Inspire for yourself, or a pack for your church (in bundles of 10) by going to our website – www.inspiremagazine.org.uk and clicking the Order button.

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Inspire is distributed free to around 70,000 every month in churches across the UK (readership 200,000), and is funded by partners, advertising and donations.

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Editor: Russ Bravo :: editor@inspiremagazine.org.uk Assistant editor: Sharon Barnard :: sharonbarnard@cpo.org.uk Designers: Phill Roberts/Nick Cheesman Advertising Sales: Display/Inserts: Paula Taylor paulataylor@cpo.org.uk :: Tel 01903 604342 Recruitment/classified: Denise Walker denisewalker@cpo.org.uk :: Tel 01903 604338 or advertising@inspiremagazine.org.uk Printers: Bishops Printers, Portsmouth Order enquiries: Steve Boyce, Barbara Godfrey subs@cpo.org.uk :: 01903 604348. Order: at www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

Contents © Copyright 2011 Publishers: CPO, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BW :: Tel 01903 264556 Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement Registered in England No. 5298514

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24 Hope on the farm – how hens

are helping young offenders 26 Giveaways – party baskets,

books and a radio toaster are up for grabs 28 Jobs and Classified 31 Woman Alive – don’t miss a great subscription offer from our sister title www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

Drama

ınspıre : : INSPIRE AWARDS

from the street

Manchester-based film producer Lauren Tomlinson is the founder of Acting on Impulse, a unique drama and film project for – and starring – homeless people. SHARON BARNARD reports Derek Nicholl on set for The Invitation Photo: Howard Wilkinson

THE IDEA for a film sprang from Lauren’s experiences helping with a concert for homeless people in Manchester city centre a few years ago. “I spent an evening listening to life stories and hearing about the boredom and aimlessness of life on the streets,” she explains. “Many folk expressed an interest in acting, so I came home and wrote a film script for them.” Since October 2007, Lauren and a team of volunteers have been running Acting on Impulse, a fortnightly acting workshop with homeless people. She says the project offers real hope. For example, one man, Neil, found Acting on Impulse has helped him to regain his confidence and to feel life is worth living again. “We have about 30 people from the homeless

INSPIRE AWARDS ::

with the Methadone programme – and he wants to do more projects like it.” Lauren’s own dream is to make a commercial feature film. “It is really humbling to work with every one of the people involved. Sometimes I forget where they have come from and treat them as professional actors. Then I realise they are going back to hostels or recovery centres and you remember the ongoing battles they have. I feel so proud of what they are achieving.” For the latest film Lauren also enlisted the help of two award-winning actors – Dave Spikey (co-writer/co-star of Phoenix Nights) and Neil Fitzmaurice (Phoenix Nights and The Office).

“I feel so proud of what they are achieving” “We got Dave and Neil involved by simply approaching them! They bought into the heart of the project and wanted to give their time to be involved. It was a huge boost to our actors and for the project. “My church, Altrincham Baptist Church, has supported me since the first day I had the idea back in 2007. People help on set and in fundraising, which makes the production have that extra special family atmosphere. “It also reminds the church of the poor and broken that we have on our own doorstep.” For more information go to www.actingonimpulse.net

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Lauren Tomlinson was nominated for an Inspiring Individual Award by her mother, Sue Tomlinson

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Photo: Steve Hickman

world involved each year,” explains Lauren, “plus a further 20 or so when it comes to the [film] project as we recruit extras.” The extras tend to be drawn from addiction houses or parks where they have been sleeping rough. “In terms of the team, there are about 10 involved in catering, organising workshops and projects and mentoring. Production sees a huge team of crew and volunteers to get it off the ground.” Acting on Impulse’s first short film Humanitas, involving homeless people as cast members, was premiered at The Cornerhouse, Manchester in June 2008 and it received a standing ovation. Since then it has been screened at three film festivals, nominated for a human rights film award, and three of the cast have been signed up by agents. A second film, Under the Tracks, produced by Lauren and directed by her colleague Gary Paton from their media production company Finite Productions, was released in 2009. It follows events in the city over the course of an afternoon and intertwines the lives of young people out for a meal with those of rough sleepers. One weekend in May this year saw Lauren and Gary filming again – this time a comedy short called The Invitation. It’s about different groups from deprived communities trying to get to a wedding. “It has some fantastic human touches,” says Gary, “the main theme being about letting go of the past and embracing what you have in front of you.” Derek Nicholl, who plays the lead in the film, has been homeless for eight years. “He joined Acting on Impulse just before Christmas and at that point barely spoke and did not give eye contact,” explains Lauren. “He said the project has made him happy, and given him the will to keep

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ınspıre : : BITS ’N’PIECES STATS

Web watch

QUIRKY KJV FACTS

The animal most frequently mentioned in the Old Testament is the sheep, followed by the lamb, lion, ox, ram, horse, bullock, ass, goat and camel. The most common name is David, which occurs over a thousand times. The longest name in the Bible, however, is that of Isaiah’s son Mahershalalhashbaz. Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia nibbled a few pages of the Bible whenever he became ill. In December 1913 he ate the entire Book of Kings when convalescing after a stroke, and died. To reproduce the biblical description of Noah’s Flood, one inch of rain would have to fall every second for 40 days without any evaporation.

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As editor of the Cambridge University Press version of the King James Bible, doubtless David Norton knows all these facts. However, he doesn’t mention any of them in The King James Bible: A Short History from Tyndale to Today (Cambridge University Press, £14.99)

More amusing signs In a Paris hotel lift: Please leave your values at the front desk. In the lobby of a Moscow hotel: You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists, and writers are buried daily except Thursday. On the door of a Moscow hotel room: If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it. On the door of a maternity suite: Push. Push. Push. In a Budapest zoo: Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty. On a church door: This is the gate of heaven. Enter ye all by this door. (This door is kept locked because of the draught. Please use side door.)

I really enjoy your magazine and look forward to it being passed out at my local church. I pass it on to a friend in a hospice, so thank you – the name is simple yet so apt. Inspire has most certainly put me back on the correct path to the Lord and faith. Sam Ortley, Port Glasgow Thank you for sending 30 copies of Inspire each month – we enjoy the articles and look forward to the next issue. Peter Ponting, Andover Platinum Fellowship, Hampshire Inspire is an excellent resource and we know many people will have been helped along their way to finding faith by the real life stories contained in it ... thank you for the years you have provided this for us. Maureen Backhouse, Chryston Parish Church, Glasgow

We love Inspire

It’s not always easy to know how to reach out to those who no longer attend church or who have little understanding of what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. www.connect4life.org.uk has resources for the “unconnected, disconnected and reconnected”.

The Crucible course is designed for people called to plant churches, especially in urban areas. See www. urbanexpression.org.uk/ crucible/crucible-course www.pickthebucket.org. uk enables donors to give directly to projects supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged children around the world. Donors can also choose specific items/ programmes and a range of practical ways to help the poor. Developed by Global Care, a Christian international children’s relief and development agency based in the UK.

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ith Christmas fast approaching...

If you are a Mission Organisation why not advertise in our ‘Alternative gifts’ feature? And encourage our readers to give a ‘Gift that does good’ 70 words plus your logo

only £250 plus VAT Contact: Paula Taylor on

01903 604342

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E-mail: paulataylor@cpo.org.uk

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ınspıre : : BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY

o T k c a B

y a d n u S h c r u Ch

h t g n i t i v n i u o y e r a o h W ack to B t u o b a the word inspired by d a e r p s ber, be doing to m e e ’r t u p o e y S r Whateve day (BTCS) on 25 ross the UK c un Church S s from churches a rie these sto

MORE THAN 150,000 people have returned to church since the first Back to Church Sunday in 2004 – enough to fill Wembley Stadium and the Emirates Stadium put together! Now, every September, thousands of churches from all denominations – and tens of thousands of Christians – make an extra special effort to invite a friend,

neighbour or relative to a special service with the visitor very much in mind. “It’s the shortest step in evangelism,” says the Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Rev Paul Bayes, “invite someone you know to something you love: ‘Would you like to come to church with me?’ And year after year, people are responding positively.”

more information about Back to Church Sunday go to • For www.backtochurch.co.uk

BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY::

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Crisps in the cathedral IT WAS joining the toddler group at Portsmouth Cathedral that proved the springboard to bring Bob Diggles back to church. The 34-year-old, who looks after Credence, five, and Coco, two, during the day, turned up to the regular Wednesday afternoon group for the first time – and was immediately invited back to church that Sunday. Both Bob and his wife Jo Preston used to go to church, and had felt the urge to return. So the whole family came to Sunday worship at the cathedral on Back to Church Sunday.

Bob and Jo’s visit coincided with Bishop Christopher’s first Sunday service there. “Another mum had suggested I come to the cathedral toddler group, and my first time there was the week before Back to Church Sunday,” said Bob. “Canon Michael Tristram invited us all to come. I hadn’t been to a Sunday service in a cathedral before, so I thought it would be fun. “We had some trepidation about a Sunday service as you don’t know where the kids 

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ınspıre : : BACK TO CHURCH SUNDAY

go, and whether they’ll start making a noise. But as soon as we came in, we saw a carpeted area with some toys, and we saw another mum from toddler group, and we realised children would be welcome. “Later Jo took them out to the Sunday school. I was left in the service, and I really enjoyed the full choir singing, the calm, the architecture, the candles – and the chance to have some time out to think about things, which you don’t get in the rest of the week. “Afterwards there was wine and nibbles for us and the kids had crisps and chocolate biscuits. It was a step

up from other after-service snacks we remember!” Bob had previously been to church when he was growing up in Yorkshire and still attends when he’s back there. He and Jo were both part of church youth groups and Jo went on to spend a year working with the Christian organisation Youth With A Mission. “We’ll certainly carry on coming to the toddler group and I might try an Evensong without the children to see what that’s like,” said Bob. Story and photo from the Pompey Chimes, the Diocese of Portsmouth’s newspaper.

Harvest welcome “SINCE 2007, we’ve combined BTCS with Harvest,” says Rev John Hayes, Vicar of All Saints and Holy Trinity, Runcorn in Cheshire. “People have been invited through our schools as well as through our after-school clubs and two community projects. Typically, both congregations almost double on Back to Church Sunday. “Our experience is that BTCS on its own simply oney making h All Saints ngregation at n re ild co d ch rch Sunday n Hayes an Rev Mario for the Back to Chu es h ic w d san

swells the congregation on that day. What we’ve learned about inviting and welcoming for BTCS, we now apply to all ‘invitation’ services, like Mothering Sunday, Easter, Remembrance Sunday and Christmas. As a result, people are getting used to coming more often and expecting to enjoy church.” With thanks to Chester Diocesan News.

On att e e pe rs on a y n d ed w h e r ou n g p re g u y ea r own c e rs on s h e s o n a h il d w t o c h a d m n d sa it att e h u rch iss ed i d f ut u n d i n g a n d w c o m re g u ill be St D re. avi l a rly d’s Dio in ce se

Two men with no previous connection to our church (or with each other) just walked in and have been coming ever since! St Mark’s Dukanfield, Cheshire

ht Of the eig six attendees, ey th have said g in m will be co ! in back aga des This inclu r e two form o elders wh en haven’t be ears, y for eight im sl u and a M as w lady who by d e enthrall f o s the claim Jesus! y in Salvation Arm Scotland

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What they said… and did rs on d re wh o h a g e rs o u l a rly d ld wn brou ga s d sa it h h e ht r i d cod t h at 15 w i ll m i n g b rly i e n

-age in Our morning service was all return of the the style, and based around party the the prodigal son. Reflecting on returned, the father gave the son when he for a party church was decorated as if (lots of balloons). en a series of Children were invited to op the things that presents used to symbolise e, forgiveness, God gives us (direction, lov . life, peace and each other) Kirk Shepherd, Church of the Good pe, Doncaster Sandall and Edenthor

One new visitor came up, hugged me, and said: “Thank you!” I had invited her along with her husband, son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter and they all came. I don’t know exactly what she was thankful for, but the joy she experienced was truly visible on her face. Methodist Church in Ireland People who ha d not been in years, people who had neve r been before, al l enjoyed our church servic e, and stayed and chatted afterw ards. Commen ts ranged from: “Don’t know why I’ve left it so long.” “Never been in a plac e like this be fore, but I’ll come again” to “Can we come and have fun again? ” (four-year-old ). URC Southern Sy nod

s, m y

Two were particularly moved by the service. One said: “God really spoke to me”. They turned up next day to our Lunch Club. Baptist Union of Great Britain

Rivers Meeting in Carrick-onShannon, Co Leitrim knew there would not be room in their tiny building for the visitors they wanted to invite, so they arranged an ecumenical celebration in the Catholic hall and 100 people from four diﬀerent churches quadrupled the congregation! The Methodist Church in Ireland We hire d a pitc h in the Square Market alongsid e the fr veg and uit and flower s talls. W a big co e made lourful fabric b attract anner to people t o our s took tu tall and rns in m anning it We cha . tted to sho to their opinions ppers, listened and expe of chur riences ch and gave out invitatio ns with informa all the tion on church es’ servi place on ces tak Back to ing Church Sally Coo Sunday. ke, Churc h Stre Sh

tton,

ropshire

Mike, who ca me back to church last year with his wife, and has come every Sunday since, was our greatest a mbassador this year. Colin, who Mike invited this year, said: “I always wondered what went on in there, but I never thought it was for people like me, but then Mike invited me and I thought, why not? “I must admit I was a bit nervous when I first got in there, but then after a bit I thought, this is OK! We’re all in the one fa mily aren’t we? “Everyone was so friendly and lots of people ca me and talked to me. I’ ll certainly be back!” Canterbury Diocese

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SPONSORING A CHILD

Giving together Entire churches as well as individuals can be transformed by child sponsorship, says Compassion’s JEMIMA LEWIS FIRST and foremost, Compassion exists for the benefit of children who live in extreme poverty. But what about the benefit to sponsors? It feels like we shouldn’t shout about this sort of thing – we feel our giving should be purely sacrificial. But the Bible says that Jesus teaches us to expect “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over” (Luke 6:37). Compassion enables individuals to sponsor children from 26 countries or, alternatively, a congregation can form a ‘Church Partnership’ link with a specific area. For example, a parish in Bradford might commit to children in a slum in Brazil, working all the time through the local church. The result is transformative for both churches. Firstly, everyone in the UK community is given the chance to have ministry to the poor. As David Belfield, Pastor of Today’s Community Church,

Wigan explains: “Not all that long ago, mission was done by just a few people in my church, but now most families are involved.” Secondly, the resulting sense of unity can be radical; a community can experience what the Bible says is like “precious oil poured on the head” (Psalm 133:2). And for leaders concerned that their congregation would put less in the offering basket as a result, Compassion can tell many stories of how tithing actually goes up! One such story is told by Dominic De Souza, Pastor of Letchworth Garden City Church, who says, “Collectively our church members now give tens of thousands each year to the work of Compassion, money that in all honesty we could easily allocate elsewhere. Yet at the same time, I don’t think there’s ever been a time when our church has been more financially

UK churches are learning many lessons

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stable and effective in our local community, and I think there is a direct correspondence between the two. Giving is a supernatural act in Scripture and as we’ve given – and prioritised the poor – it’s come back on us at the local level (and not just financially). I’d love it for every one of our families to be sponsoring a child.” Finally, there’s the benefit of what UK churches stand to learn. Through mutually beneficial relationships, UK churches are receiving at the same time as giving. Not only are churches learning many lessons, such as contentment, gratitude and generosity

in adversity, but they’re also receiving a masterclass in evangelism. As one church pastor remarked after a visit to his partner church in El Salvador: “They know way more than we do about reaching their community with limited resources and in tough circumstances. “They’re already grappling with the same questions that we’ll have to address in the near future: How do you reach the community when you’re not at the centre of your culture?” To find out how your church can get involved with Compassion, visit www.compassionuk.org

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ınspıre : : INSPIRE AWARDS 2011

ınspıre AWARDS 2011

in partnership with the Evangelical Alliance

Wanted: local heroes

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The prizes There’ll be a wall plaque and prize for the winners in each section: £250 (for individuals), £250 of CPO resources (for churches) and £250 of training from the Evangelical Alliance (for projects) – plus a prestigious awards event in Westminster later in the year for the shortlisted entries. How to enter Make your nomination using the form below, and remember – we’re looking for outstanding entries that will prove an inspiration to others! Stories of some of the entrants will be featured in Inspire magazine and the Alliance’s IDEA magazine over the coming months – as well as on our websites – before entries are judged and shortlists drawn up. The winners will be announced at the Awards event in Westminster.

Now get nominating!

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AFTER a year’s break, we’re delighted to relaunch the Inspire Awards, this year organised in partnership with the Evangelical Alliance. Every month we hear great stories about people, churches and projects across the UK making a difference because of their Christian faith. We love to tell these stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things – because they inspire us. And we hope they inspire you, too. In November 2009, we honoured the winners and runnersup in our second Inspire Awards at Westminster, and now we want to hear of your unsung local heroes that make a difference to the lives they touch. You can nominate in three categories: An individual Christian in the UK who is an inspiring role model A UK church making a dynamic impact on its local community A UK-based Christian-run project serving its local area in partnership with the Evangelical Alliance

[You can photocopy this form, or send the information by e-mail to inspireawards@eauk.org]

Nominated individual/church/project (delete as required) Their contact details: Address E-mail Describe the work they do in up to 25 words

Website

Why do they deserve an Inspire Award? Your name

Address

E-mail Postcode Tel Your church Please return this form to Inspire Awards, Evangelical Alliance, 186 Kennington Park Road, SE11 4BT. Closing date for entries is 1 September 2011. Please tick if you would like to receive occasional updates from Inspire and information relating to products and services from the publisher CPO. It is our policy to ensure your details will not be disclosed to third parties.

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A conference for pastors, church leaders, churchworkers, carers, and all those with an interest in older people – either others, or simply themselves. Keynote speaker: John Stevens, Director, F.I.E.C. (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) Workshops: End of Life Issues O Responding to Dementia – The Early Stages O The place of older people in the local church O Advocacy and Protection of Vulnerable adults O Equality Issues and Older People O Responding to Dementia – Positive Thinking in the Church O The Best Care for Caregivers O Bereavement and the Grieving Process.

Date: Wednesday 16th November 2011 Time: 10.30am to 4.00pm Venue: Carrs Lane Church Centre, Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX Book through website www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk or email: conference@pilgrimsfriend.org.uk or tel: 0300 303 1400 or write to: Pilgrims’ Friend Society, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AL

www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

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Organised by the Pilgrims Friend Society, the charity with more than 200 years’ experience in meeting the needs of older Christians.

ınspıre : : THE WORD

Fair play for

We should be committed to liberating people from all forms of injustice, says ROB JAMES

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I HAVE been a radio buff all my life. I can even remember wondering how much time I had left as I hung on every word of President Kennedy’s spine-chilling speech announcing the blockade of Cuba in October 1962! Not surprisingly then, I have heard many a Thought for the Day, sometimes agreeing and on occasion passionately disagreeing with the wide variety of reflections and speculations as I have digested my toast and cereal. I was particularly disappointed with one well-known religious commentator who suggested a little while ago that: “Christianity doesn›t exist to make the world a better place. It’s there to get souls into heaven.” It made me wonder if we read the same Bible! Salvation, for example, means much more than “getting souls into heaven”. Jesus has promised us a new body and a glorious life on a gloriously transformed earth (or “life after life after death” as NT Wright describes it). But just as importantly, I simply can’t see how anyone can fail to see that

THE WORD ::

We should want to see justice flowing from our courts

God is interested in our current lifestyle choices too. The Old Testament Torah reflected God’s longing for social justice, and the prophets would never let their kings forget its importance. Bribery, oppression and favouritism might have characterised their reigns more frequently than generosity, justice and evenhandedness, but they could never say they didn’t know what was expected of them. Take the prophet Micah. Things seemed to be going well for his people, but he saw that the rich and the powerful were using their influence to exploit the weak and enhance their privileged lifestyles. Consequently he didn’t mince his words. God, he said, was more concerned with the way they lived than the way they performed their religious rituals. We can summarise his message in one pithy sentence: “What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Justice speaks of fair play. It means giving everyone a fair deal. It means focusing on people’s basic needs and, where necessary, rectifying the inequities that allow injustice to flourish. It’s not easy to capture the meaning of the Hebrew word hesed. It is often translated as ‘kindness’ but it also carries overtones of mercy or even of steadfast love. In fact it describes God’s attitude towards his people. In other words, God expects us to treat others in the way he treats us. Hesed is not ‘a warm-fuzzy-feeling’ – it’s a way of life that expresses itself in a loving quest for justice.

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Jesus understood this perfectly, which is why he tells us our lives should be shaped by a passionate concern to see God’s righteousness extended throughout the world (see Matthew 6:33). In other words, as well as getting right with God we should want to see justice flowing from our courts and integrity infecting our business life. And, just as importantly, we should be committed to liberating people from all forms of injustice. We should want ‘fair play’ for everyone, and be willing to identify with the underdog wherever and whenever we can. William Booth summed it up nicely in his famous strap line: “Soup, soap and salvation”. I came across a rather shocking story recently. A driver was stopped in Canada because the police noticed that the young child accompanying him was not wearing his seat belt. But this was only half the story because they then discovered that the belt was protecting the man’s crates of beer! But before we criticise that driver for his warped sense of priorities, let’s ask ourselves what Jesus thinks of ours! “He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern” (Mathew 6:33, New Living Translation).

Reading Micah 6

Prayer Lord, we find it so easy to sing your praises but so challenging to seek your Kingdom. Forgive our self-centredness and renew our passion for righteousness and justice wherever we can make a difference. Amen. www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

How a new kind of bereavement support service in Edinburgh is helping people to normalise their feelings of loss. SHARON BARNARD reports

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

a h s n e d r u b A

IT WAS William Purves, a family-run firm of funeral directors, who got the ball rolling. They found that while they were able to point some of their distressed clients to bereavement counsellors or services helping with single issues such as the loss of a child, the general emotional support they really needed wasn’t available. Now in Edinburgh at least, there is the right kind of help on offer in the form of Acorns, a group-based bereavement support service. “Acorns is a simple concept, badly needed in a society finding itself increasingly out of touch with death,” says Tom Gordon, a retired Church of Scotland minister, former hospice

chaplain and an experienced bereavement practitioner who heads up the service. “We don’t have anywhere to put our feelings of loss unless we get a chance to talk to other people. The feelings can be disturbing and people panic, worrying that it’s not going to get better. “Your GP can tell you it’s normal to feel the way you do. But when a group of bereaved people all feeling the same say it’s normal, you listen.” Acorns, which is sponsored by William Purves, was piloted in Edinburgh twice and is now up and running across the city. The six-week long programmes are held in secular venues such as community centres, libraries or function rooms.

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“There is no ‘correct’ way to feel when someone you love passes away”

Each session covers one topic (feelings, money, health, cooking, socialising and the future) and lasts for one and a half hours. It is led by a specialist in that particular area, such as a clinical psychologist or a nutritionist, with plenty of time for discussion, questions and refreshments. “We found that the topic, while important, also becomes a peg on which to hang the general topic of grief and it gives people a chance to share their own concerns in a place of trust,” says Tom. Monique Blair, 63, joined the Acorns pilot programme last October, after the death of her husband Bob in April 2010. “Friends and family have been great but I felt guilty about unburdening myself to them, particularly my two sons because they were dealing with their own grief. And as time passes, people ask: ‘How are you’ and they begin to expect you to say, ‘I’m fine’, not realising that you are still struggling. “The doctor suggested individual counselling and I tried a few sessions but it didn’t help in the way that I’d hoped. It was exhausting to talk about myself, having someone focus on me for an hour and I would cry all the way home on the bus. “The Acorns programme was completely different ... and it has helped me to cope. It made such a change to be surrounded by people who were going through the same thing, albeit at different stages, and who could really understand how crazy it can make you feel.

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Tom Gordon

“I learned that there is no ‘correct’ way to feel when someone you love passes away and everyone experiences grief in their own way.” Some of the people who use the service will have a faith, but many will not – and Tom stresses that Acorns is open, welcoming and respectful to all. “Issues of faith do come up because people who have a faith will turn to it for solace, but sometimes in extreme tragedy they turn to their faith but don’t find solace there – they feel angry or that God has abandoned them. “We meet people where they are, helping them to deal with their emotions as human beings. “We have a range of leaflets available for people to pick up – from MIND to the Family Care Network and churchbased organisations, but we want to offer the service unconditionally. “‘God’s business is done when compassion is offered’ – that is my guiding principle. And when it is, God’s healing touch goes much deeper than we would ever realise.” Tom Gordon is writing an instruction •manual for others wanting to start a group in their area. To find out more about Acorns e-mail Tom at acorns. info@gmail.com or call 0131 208 1882. www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

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MY STORY

angry

I didn’t want to be any more

A former football hooligan explains his amazing change of heart. By SANDIE SHIRLEY RENTON Baker led a double life. A loving, protective father and husband, he also terrorised opposing soccer fans on the terraces. That was until he faced a dramatic challenge at a church funeral: unless his heart was softened, he was on a collision course with hell. From then on there was a new quest to find real peace. Within days Renton bared his soul to a church minister. “I talked to him for four hours about everything I had ever done; as I spoke I felt clean.” That first encounter with God began a life-changing experience that has taken him across the globe to share his faith. “I learnt that my acts of violence were cowardly and love was the way forward – and the real tough guys were those who stood up for their belief and love for Jesus Christ,” says Renton. His life spiralled out of control when his father, an ex-boxer and soldier, died when he was just 14. It made him

bitter and angry. “Once I beat up a cousin when he told me he had a great day fishing with his dad.” Despite the violence as a football hooligan, using baseball bats, knuckle-dusters and ammonia to temporarily blind his victims, he would be concerned for his mother’s welfare as a widow.

“ a w

ry “I learnt that my acts of violence were cowardly”

At 20 Renton was married, and within four years he was the father of three sons. His violence outside the home escalated, causing mental and physical harm to many of his victims. It reached a crisis point when he planned to kill a man for landing his son in hospital. “It was frightening looking back,” he says. “I felt calm and in control as I planned to ambush him with the help of a friend.” He was saved from murder when his friend led his intended victim to a way of escape. It began a new way of thinking for Renton: “For the first time, something was telling me that I did not want to be angry any more.” The turning point came at the funeral of his wife’s grandfather, a former church minister. His wife, Wendy, had turned back to God six months previously and was praying for Renton’s heart to change. “I walked into the church feeling naked and exposed as everyone knew about the things I had done. “Listening to the minister’s words, I heard about this tough man for Jesus who had known God for 72 years. There was a personal challenge when the minister continued: ‘If you cannot be affected by this man’s life you must be so cold and hard-hearted, that you might as well walk into hell now.’” Renton began a life-changing path, but a year later his youngest son asked him to help retrieve £2,000 inheritance money that he had lent to a cocaine addict. For a brief moment Renton’s rage spilled. The police were already at the scene when he was armed with a knife to fight for his son’s rights. Renton was charged with the attempted murder of

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a policeman and his intended victim. “The charges were built up on some very dangerous and false statements and they were eventually dropped to lesser charges at the beginning of my crown court trial,” recalls Renton. Disappointment at his failure became a divine re-appointment. Sitting in a prison cell immediately after the event, he promised God he would never do anything like it again. During the court case the judge ordered a two-year suspended prison sentence rather than send him to jail. “God intervened. I witnessed the power of answered prayer. I should never have had bail, let alone be given my freedom. “God is good all the time – full of grace and mercy. Nothing we can do will stop God loving us,” says Renton whose friend committed his life to God three days after the astonishing court ruling. Today, Renton is a man with a huge heart for God. Building site colleagues refer to him as “the bishop” as he unashamedly shares his faith story. He also takes the platform for his Saviour at prisons, schools and men’s meetings across the UK and travels all over the world as an evangelist for Avanti Ministries and Tough Talk. “This may be my story but it is Jesus’ testimony of grace.” Renton recently began a men’s group at his Luton Christian Fellowship. “It is amazing what God is doing with such a motley crew through the love of Jesus.”

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PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

MY STORY ::

ınspıre : : BRAIN STRAINERS

Crossword CLUES Across 6. Member of a choir (6) 7. Koi____, pond fish (4) 8. Flows from pens (3) 9. Sport requiring a cue (7) 11. Pig-like sound (5) 12. Breathes quickly (5) 15. Tidal mouth of river (7) 17. Knock lightly (3) 19. Zebra’s neck-hair (4) 20. Road with shops (6)

Down 1. One finishing first (6) 2. Truck (abbr) (3) 3. Imposing, large (5) 4. Trapeze artist (7) 5. Soft cheese (4) 10. Wounded (7) 13. Made fun of (6) 14. Push in or down (5) 16. Did the crawl, perhaps (4) 18. Not Mr (3) You’ll find the solution in our Extras section at www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

SuDoku in Japanese means ‘number-solving’.

5 8

2 6

4 2

1 4

1 7

RATING: Easy

Word Goal How many words of four letters or more can you make from the letters shown here? Each must contain the centre letter, all the others can be used only once. Goal: Superb – 22; Excellent – 19; Well Done – 15; Good – 11

You’ll find the solution in our Extras section at www. inspiremagazine. org.uk

Quebec Hall is a Christian Home providing personal care and accommodation for up to 20 older people. The Hall is an attractive Georgian building on the outskirts of Dereham, a market town in Norfolk, which offers a wide range of facilities. Within the grounds, there are 44 bungalows offering sheltered housing. The management and staff of Quebec Hall aim to provide a secure home-from-home atmosphere with personal care and attention. Above

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ENCOURAGEMENT

Roger Hosking runs Highfields Happy Hens in Derbyshire – a farm where many young offenders have been given a hope and a future. ROBERT SCOTT reports

ROGER first stood outside the gates of Buckingham Palace aged 10 and has the photo to prove it. At the age of 68 he returned and had his photo taken again – this time with an MBE for his work with young offenders. It has been a long journey. “My childhood was an awful mess,” says Roger. “I was sent to a special boarding school when I was 11. That didn’t really change me. “It was when I was around 40 that I became a Christian. I decided that God wanted me to spend the rest of my life working with young people who have difficulties in their lives.” Roger Hosking believes his farm can provide an important part of the therapy young offenders need in order to be rehabilitated. At Highfields Happy Hens, young people learn to count, handle money and deal with employees and customers. They also learn about responsibilities and taking pride in producing something that benefits the community. Roger looks back on what he calls “The Incredible Journey” with passion and a sense of pride. “In 2001, we started working for the youth offending service with youngsters who were not old enough to go to prison.

y helpers

“We started with just one boy and now we have up to 30 each week. To our surprise and pride, many of our young people have sat their GCSEs and several have gone on to college.” It hasn’t always been easy for Roger and his wife, Beryl. In 2003, Roger suffered a breakdown. Both the RSPCA and Lion Brand had concerns when assessing their sheds and condemned them. The bank manager and

ENCOURAGEMENT ::

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and a loving husband and father”. He says: “We’ve always said that our hens do a more important job than lay eggs. A hen is a very manageable animal and they love being picked up and stroked. Eggs need to be collected and so angry hands become gentle hands.” Roger’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In late 2010 he was “shocked and embarrassed” to discover he was on the New Year’s Honours List. He is planning to use his MBE to promote the National Care Farming Initiative (NCFI) collaboration between the University of Essex, The Arthur Rank Centre and Harper Adams College in order to promote the practice of care farming throughout the country.

“Eggs need to be collected and so angry hands become gentle hands” accountant informed Roger that the farm would not be viable without the hens and would close down. Although he was struggling, Roger was determined to achieve his goal. He began his recovery. With the help of his suppliers and support from local churches, the necessary funds were raised. In the years that have followed, many young offenders have passed through the gates of the farm. Roger and Beryl have worked alongside each of them, helping some through anger and drug-related problems and to eventually leave the farm as responsible members of society. One of these offenders was David. When he arrived at the farm, he was drinking heavily and stealing cars. After a suicide attempt he sought help. Roger reports that “10 years later David became a Christian

Roger has recently written twice to David Cameron to suggest that his ‘Big Society’ already exists in the NCFI and the Church. For further information visit www. highfieldshappyhens.co.uk or call Roger Hosking on 01283 732083

•

www.inspiremagazine.org.uk

20 great giveaways! Every month in Inspire, we give you the opportunity to bag an inspiring book, CD, DVD, tickets – anything we can lay our hands on to give away. Just fill in the form and tick your preference. You never know, you could be a winner! Following on from her highly acclaimed book Just Because, author and illustrator Rebecca Elliott has written Sometimes (Lion, £5.99), once again featuring her own children Toby and his big sister Clemmie who has a disability. This time Clemmie has to go to hospital and Toby tags along. It’s aimed at children aged three and over to help them face a similar situation – whether staying in hospital or visiting a family member or friend. 6 copies Organising a party at home or at church? Flowtees are ingenious paper baskets that create mini-hot air balloons – great for kids and grown-ups! Float height is easily adjustable using mini-ballast bags and the balloons can also be customised for maximum

impact. Flowtees are for indoor use only, available in packs of five (cone or basket shape) and cost £5 per pack. Available from Flowtees at www.flowtees. co.uk or your local balloon or party shop. 10 packs It’s been out for a while, but Adrian Plass’s book Jesus – Safe, Tender, Extreme (Zondervan, £8.99) offers plenty to encourage those who, like the author himself, want to understand more about the life of Christ. Adrian Plass interweaves verbal snapshots of landmarks and events in his own

life with reflections on those Christian issues that never seem to have an easy answer, but which keep us wondering about how God works. 3 copies Transform your breakfast time with Breville’s two-slice Radio Toaster (£49.99). The appliance has a built-in FM/AM radio with 10 preset radio channels as well as a useful ‘AUX-in’ socket so you can plug in your MP3 player too. It also boasts two variable width bread slots, a removable crumb tray and an illuminated digital display. It has defrost and re-heat settings and you can cancel mid-cycle (further details from www. breville.co.uk). Available from Argos, Amazon and other good retailers. 1 RadioToaster

Title_________________ Name _________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________Postcode _____________________________ Tel ____________________________________E-mail ________________________________ Who do you receive Inspire from? ________________________________________________ My church is _________________________________________________________________ My choice:

■ Sometimes ■ Jesus – Safe, Tender, Extreme

■ Flowtees ■ Radio Toaster

Please return this form to: Inspire Giveaways, CPO, Garcia Estate, Canterbury Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1BW Closing date: 23 September 2011. The editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

■ Please tick if you would like to receive occasional updates from Inspire and information relating to products and services from the publisher, CPO. It is our policy to ensure your details will not be disclosed to third parties.

CLASSIFIEDS ::

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Director of Finance Based at our London Ofﬁce

PILGRIMS’ FRIEND SOCIETY is a progressive organisation with a history of successfully adapting to changing conditions in the UK’s challenging care sector. We beneﬁt from a history that goes back more than 200 years, when The Aged Pilgrims’ Friend Society was formed to meet the needs of elderly Christians. We currently have 13 care schemes in different parts of the country offering residential, dementia and nursing care and various types of sheltered housing. All our schemes are renowned for their Christian ethos and loving care. We also share our expertise and experience with publications, conferences and workshops. HE

By God’s grace we are experiencing expansion and growth, and are looking for a Director of Finance to play a key role as we go forward. The position involves reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with other directors; informing all parts of our operation, including Trustees and our senior management team and all parts of our constituency, including local authorities and suppliers and contractors. If the Lord is calling you, you will: •

be a committed Christian who thinks strategically and works practically, able to lead, inspire and work closely with the Head Ofﬁce ﬁnance team

•

be a professionally qualified accountant, or hold a similar professional finance qualification. You may have a background in the charity, care or housing sector or have a business finance background and the ability to quickly adapt to our sector

•

be based in our London ofﬁce and be prepared to travel to visit our care schemes as necessary.

Our head office team is friendly and supportive, and our offices on Tower Bridge Road are within easy reach of some pleasant lunch-time walks. Most of all, you will have a genuine interest in working with the talents the Lord has given you to benefit His elderly saints. Does this sound like you? Contact: Phil Wainwright Pilgrims’ Friend Society Director of Human Resources 175 Tower Bridge Road London SE1 2AL T: 0300 303 1400 E: info@pilgrimsfriend.org.uk

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The Christian Friendship Fellowship (an organisation providing groups where single people – unmarried, divorced or widowed – can meet for Christian fellowship) is looking to expand in areas where there are no leaders. If you would be interested in volunteering as a leader (subject to a reference and Trustees’ approval) or you would like to become a member, please contact CFF Enquiries, PO Box 16881, Glasgow, G11 9EF; telephone 0141 334 0009; e-mail cffenquiry@aol.com for more information.

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SITUATIONS WANTED

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education, social help to

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SITUATIONS VACANT

Chinnor Congregational Church Oxfordshire, UK Vacancy for a full-time or part-time permanent pastor to join our leadership team. Chinnor Congregational Church offers an attractive employment package with remuneration commensurate with circumstances and experience.

Please submit a letter of introduction and a curriculum vitae before 9th September 2011 to the church secretary Mr P Merrow-Smith, Forty Green Farm Cottage, Forty Green, Bledlow, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, HP27 9PN (admin@chinnor.org.uk).

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We are an independent evangelical church with a growing body of believers and a thriving youth ministry. Our desire is to deepen our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and through His Spirit see a transformation in our lives and in the lives of those living in our community. For details of our activities visit www.chinnor.org.uk.

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TO ADVERTISE CALL 01903 604338

CARE HOME MANAGER – Brighton Our care home in Egremont Place, Brighton, is famous for its loving, family atmosphere, and Christian ethos. It is home to thirty-five elderly Christians – 21 in residential care and 15 in sheltered flats. The building has been extensively refurbished and pleasantly decorated and, with its friendly and well-trained staff team, the home is a happy place to live and work. Our home manager has been with us for several years, but now she is relocating to a different part of the country, and we are looking for the person God is appointing to this important position. If you feel this could be you, you will: O have management, or supervisory experience in a residential setting O be a committed Christian, able to lead devotional times O be able to lead management, care and service teams in the home O have good communication skills O Lead staff and care teams and interact with residents and their relatives as well as local authority and regulatory bodies. DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU? This is a key role, where you will be making a difference to the lives of older people God has entrusted to our care. You will be well supported by our head office team. PLEASE CONTACT: Phil Wainwright, Director of Human Resources Pilgrim Homes, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AL Tel: 0300 303 1400 Fax: 0300 303 1415 Email: hr@pilgrimsfriend.org.uk

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Pilgrim Homes is part of Pilgrims’ Friend Society

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