Magnet issue 92

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No. 92 Winter 2010 £2.50

encouraging, enabling, equipping

Gifts Peter Owen Jones: Living as givers Handmade Christmas Give the gift of peace

www.ourmagnet.co.uk £2.50 ISSN 1 363-0245

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Editorialmagnet Office: Autumn t: 0844 736 2524 e: editorial@ourmagnet.co.uk

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2007

Welcome to Magnet

Business Manager: Lynne Ling t: 0845 250 0509 e: lynne@ourmagnet.co.uk

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Administration Officer: Felicity Shakespeare t: 0844 736 2524 e: felicity@ourmagnet.co.uk Subscriptions: online: ourmagnet.co.uk/subscribe postal: PO Box 10378 Bishop’s Stortford CM23 9FT t: 0844 736 2524 e: felicity@ourmagnet.co.uk Advertising: Please contact Lauren McDonnell t: 01932 246403 e: lauren@roperpenberthy.co.uk Editorial Group: Sue Bloomfield, Kaysea Bonds, Joy Chapman, David Coleman, Tricia Creamer, Jane Dowell, Janet Eldred, Patricia Goacher, Judith Holliman, Lynne Ling, Jacqueline Shirtliff, Joan Sidaway, Sheila Simpson.

Copyright: Every effort has been made to trace copyright. However, we would be glad to hear from any holders of copyright not traced so that due acknowledgement can be made at the earliest opportunity.

Features 4

About Magnet: Magnet nurtures Christian faith in thoughtful, challenging ways, encouraging, enabling and equipping for life. It is an independent Christian resource for men and women. Each issue provides regular features including Bible study, a prayer focus, personal stories, worship material and a focus on world and justice issues.

Magnet is produced by a team of volunteer editors.

Opinions given in articles may not always reflect the views of the team. Authors and photographers own the copyright for their contributions. The Editorial Office is happy to pass on any enquiries.

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Prayer focus

Healing at The Well

This Christmas?

When Christmas isn’t all tinsel and laughter

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Talking Justice Give the gift of peace John Cooper shares with us the work of the International Peacemakers Fund

The gift of friendship Nicola Vidamour shares the depth of companionship to be found with a true friend

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Preaching: making faith relevant

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Worship Opening the box Consider the gifts of the Magi

Bible study The Word moved into the neighbourhood How would it feel if Jesus moved in?

Hannah Bucke, a young lay preacher, reflects on the challenges of sharing her faith

34,42 Resources 15

Rediscovery Looking at the gifts to be found when asylum seekers are enabled to express themselves

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Volunteering

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In touch In your next issue

Grace in return How God has used COPA to bless a community in the Dominican Republic

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Handmade Christmas Suggestions for you to make and bake to whizz up a real festive stir

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Cover image: Three wise men: Alisa Y. Mbinakar www.mixedmedia heritagegallery.com

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Discover a healing centre in Leamington Spa at work today

Magnet Resources is a Body in Association with CTBI (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland) Registered in the UK Company number 6907612 Charity number 1130887

Living as Givers

Regulars

Broadcaster Peter Owen Jones considers Christ’s saying that it is better to give than to receive

Designed by Twenty-Five Educational www.base25.com Tel: 0151 632 1657 Printed by APG www.apgprint.com This publication was produced to ISO14001 Environmental Management System standards. 95% of the waste created during the process was recycled.

Materials used included vegetable oil inks, elemental chlorine free pulp and fibre from Forest Stewardship Council managed forests which have been independently inspected and comply with internationally agreed environmental, social and economic standards.

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For meditation

Legacies: Your gift to the future 7

Your gift to me

Ensuring that something special is left to those we care for.

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Mary and Elizabeth

Me, gifted?

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Picasso: Child with a dove

What do we think of as our special gift, do we use those we have been given to their full?

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The Prayer of St Francis

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Bright colours

Gifts that change lives

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We are people of winter

Bags of fun

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The spirit comes

A light hearted look at some unwanted Christmas presents

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Transform lives

Give ethically

Beware ‘experts’ The importance of local knowledge and co-operation in overseas work

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Contributors Peter Owen Jones Peter dropped out of public school at the age of 16 and went to Australia to make his fortune. Returning to London, he started in advertising as a messenger boy and worked his way up to be creative director. In his late 20s and with a wife and two children, he gave it all up to follow a calling to the Anglican ministry.

Peter now works in three Sussex parishes as a nonstipendary priest.

Nicola Vidamour Nicola is a Methodist Minister currently serving two multi-cultural churches in East London. From 20032009 she was the Associate Pastor of Pskov United Methodist Church in Russia. Nicola is the Russian Editor of ‘The Upper Room’ daily devotional magazine and enjoys working with words, images and music.

Hannah Bucke Hannah is a media studies teacher in an Essex comprehensive school. She will be offering as a candidate for presbyteral ministry this year. She is also in training as a Street Pastor and has a passion for reaching those outside the Church. Hannah lives on a small-holding where she is able to indulge another of her passions, caring for rescue animals.

Stephanie Acher Stephanie has been involved in education for the past 12 years. She has been a teacher of Religious Studies, Philosophy, Critical Thinking and Classics as well as being head of Learning Innovations in a high school.

She has been involved in writing and producing creative worship for a number of years in a variety of contexts, aiding those who are less familiar with traditional church to have an encounter with God.

Anne Hibbert Anne is the Founder and Director of The Well Christian Healing Centre in Royal Leamington Spa. She is an ordained minister in the Church of England.

Prior to the Well, Anne had several itinerant jobs, an evangelist with CPAS, The National Millennium Executive and The Mission and Spirituality Adviser for BRF, often speaking at events throughout the UK.

Adrian Alker Adrian Alker is the Director for Mission Resourcing in the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds. He was previously Vicar of St Marks Church Broomhill Sheffield for twenty years, base for the Centre for Radical Christianity. Adrian is a trustee of the Progressive Christianity Network – PCN Britain.

Editorial Jane Dowell and Judith Holliman In writing this Winter issue we were aware that there are so many different ways of looking at gifts.

Our cover image painted by Alisa Mbinakar takes the distant idea of the three wise men and turns it into a far more contemporary and personable image. In considering the all encompassing media technology today Hannah Bucke explores her calling and what it means to be a preacher. Our worship, whilst reflecting our cover image in looking with a more modern eye at the gifts of the magi, also encapsulates the thinking shared by Peter Owen Jones in ‘Living as givers’, looking at what we really need and what we think we need. Our Bible study flows from these thoughts to consider Jesus present in the neighbourhood.

We also look at our own gifts and consider how we use them and whether we are hiding our lights under bushels! Whilst being challenged to think about these issues we turn to a more hands on approach to Christmas with a few ‘how to do’ hints and suggestions – let us know how you get on. It has been interesting to look at different projects around the world and hear of their impact on local communities.

For your contemplation we have included a full page image painted by Picasso when he was a young man.

This work reveals an extraordinary creative talent from which his painting developed, giving us those works of art that he is so famous for today.

This bumper Christmas issue (48 pages instead of the usual 40) has been a challenging and enjoyable issue to collate and one that we hope will bring you much pleasure and a pause for thought. We welcome your thoughts and feedback and would be delighted to hear your views on this issue. Please send any thoughts to felicity@ourmagnet.co.uk

Talking Magnet Call 0844 736 2524 or email felicity@ourmagnet.co.uk to request an application form for Talking Magnet on cassette tape. This service is free of charge to those who are registered blind or partially sighted. Talking Magnet is produced as a project by the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent District of the Methodist Church.

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Living

as givers

ADRIAN WORSFOLD, FROM HIS BLOG 'THE PLURALIST'

Following his time filming for the BBC2 programme Extreme Pilgrim, Peter Owen Jones shares with us some of his thoughts on the public perception of need and greed.

if we all stopped spending our society would cease to function as it does.

L

AST YEAR I was invited by the BBC to spend some time living without money. We were in the teeth of the credit crunch and it felt as if a small window had finally opened; that a crack had appeared in our all-consuming consumer society. In the West, we live in a world where we are encouraged to acquire as much as possible; our system is based on all of us continuing to spend money. A recession is literally a recess, a space within what we are encouraged to believe is the natural process of continuing to spend. This is why in recessions governments in the West, at least, are keen to get us all out there spending again. It is the act of spending money that keeps the system going; if we all stopped spending our society would cease to function as it does. The other assumption made by all of us is that the more you have, the more you have to give. While living without money, I learned that this simply is not the case. It is as if none want to face the key reality of wealth, which is that you won't be rich if you give your wealth away.

Christ said it is better to give than to receive. In terms of living, he was trying to enlighten us to the point where we all live as givers. That one single change would transform our world. To give means also that you reach a point of heightened awareness where you are literally tuned in to the needs of others.

This conscious state is a very different way of being from just being mindful of your own needs, your own greeds, your own creeds.

Put simply, you are looking out rather than looking in. You are engaging with the rest of humanity, the community of life that is the very context of our existence.

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HOW TO LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE © BBC

magnet Winter 2010

But what about receiving? Living without money meant I was dependent upon the support of others and the more I was given, the more I began to realise how little I had understood about receiving. I mostly received basic things like food and petrol. The support was more of the unspoken kind which made an incredible difference to my sense of security.

Receiving is so very different from ‘getting’. Our financial model is failing us in so many ways and perhaps now we are beginning to realise just how much it has leeched our humanity. First of all there appears to be an imbalance between the giver and the receiver.

That receiving has somehow come to symbolise the power of the giver. That giving in the context of the financial dictatorship we all now live under almost reinforces the notion of the giver as being more powerful than the receiver.

But really what is taking place is an act of blessing. If we can truly bless those from whom we receive, far from being a one way road, both giving and receiving become a communion. Receiving means we engage, we take an active part in an act of communion. When we recognise the needs of others what we are doing is placing ourselves alongside them. By recognising the vulnerable, we do not in fact become powerful – we become vulnerable.

Our religious festivals have been completely perverted. This mutual communion between the giver and the receiver has been utterly diminished by an overblown emphasis on getting rather than receiving. 'What did you get for Christmas?' 'Did you get any nice presents on Mother's Day?' We 'get' a job, we 'get' paid, we 'get' the groceries. I'm not sure we like to receive any more because perhaps it asks much more of us. It asks us to engage in an act of communion. Once we have given up on receiving, we are easy prey to those who would have us believe (and there are so many of

them) that what we have got from the shops, from the undone presents, is in some way a measure of love and a measure of worth.

Once we believe that we become prisoners of that belief.

The wonderful thing about receiving is that it costs nothing and it is that communion between the giver and the receiver that is at the heart of creation. The butterfly receives from the flower; the flower receives from the butterfly. The trees receive carbon dioxide, the land receives rain and summer receives spring. Saint Francis of Assisi gave up money early on in

The wonderful thing about receiving is that it costs nothing and it is that communion between the giver and the receiver that is at the heart of creation. his life. Perhaps more than anyone, he expressed this great act of communion between the receiver and the giver in the Canticle of the Sun. He found great grace in the act of receiving. He became aware of just how much all of us receive all the time and, when it came to his end, he did not so much die as receive death as a gift from God. In that sense, we are all received into prayer, into communion.

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prayer handbook 2011 Methodist Women in Britain*

Passion Road: prayer and the way to peace

still praying OUT NOW • ONLY £5.00

Friday 15 – Sunday 17 April 2011 For this, our first MWiB Connexional residential conference, we will be looking at the relationship between prayer and the work that needs to be done to create more peaceful communities, drawing on the experience of women in places such as Northern Ireland. All accommodation in en-suite rooms in Lakeside.

Further information and booking forms from Margaret Williams, MWiB Administrator email: admin@mwib.org.uk or telephone 01509 828 020 (Tue, Wed, Fri 9am-1pm) *Women’s Network and the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, Britain and Ireland, are now working together under the title Methodist Women in Britain.

Leading worship, but struggling for ideas? Have children in worship, but not sure what you can do? Want to use projection, but short of resources?

Then take a look at IDEAS Produced by the Family Friendly Churches Trust each week, IDEAS offers a multitude of resources linked to the lectionary. As well as the readings themselves, there are sermon notes, children’s talks, prayers, suggested hymns and video files. Much of this material is provided as PowerPoint files, so that you can easily construct your own presentations.

www.ffctideas.org.uk “Just a quick thank you for all the wonderful resources you're providing through IDEAS. I especially appreciate the videos which can serve as an introduction to worship. I also use them for my own times of worship” – Jeanette Daly, Sowerby.

We are offering Magnet readers a free trial of December’s IDEAS: www.ffctideas.org.uk/Magnet.php

available from: URC Bookshop, 86 Tavistock Place London WC1H 9RT or online at http://books.urc.org.uk/ telephone: 020 7916 8629 email: bookshop@urc.org.uk

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Lord God I gladly receive this day from you, it is your gift to me.

I look intently.

Beyond the world of men and women, I see a beauty that is for me, and I am blessed.

I listen deeply.

Behind the noise that crowds in and drowns out, I hear a gentle silence that is for me, and I am blessed.

May all I do this day, all I speak, and all I think, be acceptable to you.

May I deal gently with those I meet, just as you have dealt gently with me.

Lord God, I freely offer this day into your care, it is my gift to you.

Amen.

magnet • words: Š Revd Dr Philip Bee, 1996. Used by kind permission of the author; image: David Coleman

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ISTOCK

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The well, a place of encounter with God

Healing at the well Anne Hibbert explains the vision and purpose of The Well Healing Centre in Leamington Spa.

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N JUNE 2002, signed off work with laryngitis, I was in a friend’s garden. It was there that I heard what I believe was God speaking to me. I felt that God wanted me to set up a healing centre in Leamington Spa, a town which had previously had such a reputation of possessing healing waters, and that it should be called The Well.

I was not in a healing ministry at the time but after consultation with local church leaders in December 2002 I shared the idea with more than 200 people at a town-wide prayer meeting. Momentum grew.

The Well became a charity in 2003 and that summer the first training course was run for 58 local Christians from 25 different churches. In February 2004 The Well opened its doors for weekly ministry to people of all faiths and none.

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We see The Well as a place of encounter with God through prayer – a safe place where we ask God to bring healing into people’s lives – and where we see people’s lives transformed through their encounter with God. We have been able to grow through the support of a wonderful team of volunteers who have also heard the call to heal the sick. We run our main prayer sessions at the Pump Rooms and also offer soaking prayer at St Peter’s Church. This involves prayer sessions where people can lie and listen to soothing music in comfort as they attempt to leave behind the worries of the day and to concentrate on being alone and in communion with God. We run quiet days and training courses here and we take the Travelling Well out to churches around the UK. We have very clear operating policies and recruitment practices in place. People join our team after doing our public training courses as a first step – but we believe all Christians have the gift of healing and can be involved in healing the sick. We have now fulfilled more than 7,500 prayer appointments for people from around the area and some from much further afield.

On some Wednesday mornings we have a painting watchman called Gill Buick who produces pictures for those people who are receiving prayer. These paintings are then given to the people that Gill felt inspired to paint for.

not to stop taking their medicine as a result of visiting The Well.

In 2010 we have focused on inner healing. Our training started with the understanding that humans are created three in one: Spirit, Soul and Body, set out so clearly in 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Our experience has broadly been in line with the suggestion that 70 per cent of people who go to their doctor with a physical problem have an underlying emotional or spiritual need. We see so many amazing things. We hear of pain relieved, of complete physical healings where doctors can offer no explanation.

We see people with deep inner needs being healed and able to walk tall and face life again.

Here are some snippets from people who have experienced ministry at The Well: “When my father died extremely unexpectedly I went into a place of extreme shock. This was compounded by seeing him in the hospital mortuary and then by a supremely difficult funeral involving a very diverse family situation. I went to see Anne at The Well to try and find some peace. I was able to speak about many issues surrounding my father and

Our training started with the understanding that humans are created three in one: Spirit, Soul and Body, set out so clearly in 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

to start to put down the shock and pain and begin to deal with his death.

I felt so much better for the time I spent there.

The inner part of me started the long process of healing and I felt more able to cope.”

“As a widow of only seven months, I was finding living alone quite unbearable. The prayer and counselling I received at The Well seemed to bandage up my wounded, vulnerable self and give me a protective suit of armour. A certain tranquillity descended on me and the terrors of solitude melted away.”

“The Well gave me a lot of peace and hope.”

“I was prayed over – there was something special about receiving prayer in an unrushed, unhurried way with no one else around.”

We wholeheartedly believe in God’s gift of medicine. God creates the talents and gifts which are given to men and women to make people better, so we see ourselves working in partnership with the medical profession. On our welcome form we ask people to agree to continue to see their doctor/counsellor and

These paintings are then given to the people that the artist has been inspired to paint for.

GILL BUICK

ISTOCK

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the gift of

friendship Sometimes friendships can begin in the most unlikely circumstances. Nicola Vidamour writes for us here about one such occasion.

W

HEN I WAS CANDIDATING for the Methodist ministry, the residential panel was at Queen’s College in Birmingham.

I was allocated a room which was normally inhabited by one of the students and her CDs, books and pictures were still there. I immediately felt a connection with this person whose room I was in.

MONICA THORNTON

She follows her heart, listens to her soul, nurtures her body and stimulates her mind.

Soon after I started training at Queen’s myself, she and I met. I told her that I had stayed in her room and had felt myself so at home there. We became very close friends and I am godmother to one of her children. My friend is called Magdalen. She is an Anglican priest and an artist.

Magdalen wanted to give me a picture for my ordination and asked me to choose the biblical character or story which I would like her to paint. I told her that I wanted Mary

and Elizabeth. I feel that my relationship with Magdalen is like the relationship which Mary had with Elizabeth. Magdalen is a role model for me. She is the kind of priest or minister I long to be. She has the courage to take risks. She is in touch with her own passions and emotions and enables others to express theirs. She believes in being ‘real’ even when this is costly. She follows her heart, listens to her soul, nurtures her body and stimulates her mind. Her relationship with her husband and children also deeply moves me.

Magdalen is the person I turn to when something happens in my life which I need to share. I know that whatever I say to her will find an echo in her experience. It is as if “the child leaps in her womb” (Luke 1:41) in response to that which is stirring within me.

Magdalen will be ready to dance for joy with me when I have something to celebrate – but she will also feel a surge of pain at the core of her being when I ring her up in floods of tears.

Magdalen’s painting (opposite) illustrates the connection between the two women. They flow into one another. They are held together. They are both in touch with what is going on inside the other. This is an illustration of the gift of friendship – that sharing and recognition which leads us closer to one another and to the source of life deep within us.

She believes in being ‘real’ even when this is costly.

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Mary and Elizabeth As we greet one another on the threshold, something moves within us both.

The protective glass is broken.

We see face to face the friend we have prayed for.

We recognise in her voice a cry we have already heard in our heart.

magnet • words: Š Nicola Vidamour. Used by kind permission of the author; image: Magdalen Smith On the threshold

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JAY GREASLEY

issue 92

preaching: making faith relevant Hannah Bucke, a young lay preacher new to preaching, reflects on the challenges of sharing her faith with her family and friends every day as well as with church congregations on Sundays

“P

I DON’T SEE THE to share belief. It is such a personal thing” commented one of my friends on the social networking site Facebook after I had posted a sermon there for the first time. The sermon in question was about the sending out of the 72 and my friend also ERSONALLY

NEED

I often find myself questioning the role of the preacher both in the Church and in the wider world.

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astutely noted that its message was clearly intended for those within the Church rather than those outside. As someone relatively new to preaching and as one of the socalled ‘missing generation’ (25–40 year olds), I often find myself questioning the role of the preacher both in the Church and in the wider world. Are preachers mainly preaching to the converted in Sunday worship and if so what purpose does this serve? What about the people outside the Church and those in the missing

generation? Does the preacher have a special role in trying to engage them?

I cannot imagine preaching to be anything other than a gift from God. Before a very powerful Holy Spirit experience about three years ago, I can think of nothing that would have persuaded me to enter a pulpit and preach. Since this divine encounter, however, it has been very clear that this was exactly what God was calling me to do. Just as I see preaching as a gift from God, I see each service and sermon as a gift from God also.

Without the inspiration that comes from God through the Holy Spirit the blank sheet of paper at the beginning of my service preparation would never be filled!

So if God is still calling people to preach and inspiring our message, it follows that preaching still has an important function.

For me the sermon is central to an act of worship both as a preacher

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and as a member of the congregation. From the pew it is where I look to have the Bible illuminated and where I seek inspiration, challenge and hope.

From the pulpit it is where I try to offer the congregation what I believe God wants to say to them in a way that combines a message of love with one that challenges.

Sometimes I will also offer people something of my own experience of Christian living, with its many failures and occasional successes.

Another characteristic I regard as important in preaching is that of being culturally relevant. Bringing experiences, issues, language and illustrations from the world into church is a vital part of making faith relevant to people of all ages.

As a teacher of Media Studies in a secondary school, I have to keep up to date with popular culture and current events, so I find the ‘world into church’ part comes relatively easy in my preaching. Having said that, God doesn’t like us to stick to the things we find easy. The question I feel God is challenging me with at the moment is less about bringing the world into church and more about taking my faith out into the world.

As Christians we are all called to go and tell the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it. Hand on heart, this is not something I have always found easy. Many of my family, friends and colleagues are not Christians and in the past I have been reluctant even to talk to the people I am closest to about my faith. Now I feel God is encouraging me to

JAY GREASLEY

DAVID COLEMAN

magnet Winter 2010

Sharing what we love and value

take risks and explore opportunities to share my faith with people outside the church. Talking to friends at work or in the pub about the topic of my next sermon has proved to be particularly fruitful; on a recent night out I asked one friend if she would mind me using a story about her to illustrate a point in the sermon I was preparing. Not only did this give me the opportunity to talk about the message I was going to preach on, it prompted another friend in the group to ask how I could use each of them in a sermon. What followed was a conversation in which we all shared what we loved and valued most about each other.

There is no doubt in my mind that God was at work in that conversation.

Talking to friends at work or in the pub about the topic of my next sermon has proved to be particularly fruitful

I began with a comment from a Facebook post. From my first experiment of sharing a sermon in this way, I was challenged by someone outside the church to think about whether my Sunday sermon has any relevance beyond its original context. I was given the chance to answer my friend’s question about why Christians must tell others what we believe and crucially I was able to tell her about that Good News. Her response?

“Thank you – that has really made me think.” Praise God! It’s a good place to start.

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PANDORA (FLAME FRACTAL) © WILL DUDZIAK

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This Christmas?

Local preacher Mal Pratt reminds us that Jesus came into a damaged world

I

– this Christmas was sure to be the occasion when my boy-friend of four years was going to propose; I was certain that the promised ‘special Christmas gift’ would be an engagement ring! Except that it wasn’t. His gift was a one metre high toy panda, subsequently named Oscar. The disappointment wasn’t simply the lack of an engagement ring. What hurt more was that he gave a similar bear to his toddler niece.

What was even worse was that he should have known me better; I was no collector of stuffed bears.

That was, at the time, my worst Christmas gift ever.

WAS EIGHTEEN

When we step back from the bustle and look at the tradition that is Christmas, we may picture a family time, a giving time, a joyful time; all in all a time of laughter and sharing and celebration. Too often the reality is a pretty but apparently empty box.

Anticipation of a family event means nothing where the stress of relationship is barely held in balance; where the empty place at table leaves a bitter emptiness; where there is no family.

Anticipation of a giving time means nothing where there is nothing to give; where finances can’t take the extra expense; where the only giving is of things rather than self.

Anticipation of a joyful time means nothing where every nativity card is a reminder of an empty cradle; where there is no shelter; where there is no-one to share life’s big events.

In fact perhaps that pretty, empty box has ‘To Pandora’ written on the label. In the ancient tale Pandora is

the very picture of a curious person, impatient to know what is in store. Her opening of the secret container releases all sorts of troubles into the world, the same sort of troubles that can make our Christmases a time to avoid. In many ways, it is not a tale to modern taste, but it is one that has given literature, art and popular culture an apt example of human readiness to allow free rein to bad things, while keeping Hope under lock and key. In most versions of the story, indeed, Hope is left behind, trapped in the box.

Any joyful, family or giving anticipation of this Christmas may seem to be empty to the bereaved, the childless, the lonely, the financially struggling, the outsider, the abused or the unloved. Hope, the Hope that is Jesus Christ, is always there awaiting release – maybe this Christmas, it will be!

This Christmas!

For consideration • Where is Hope? Which secret hiding place? In what hidden cupboard? Beneath how many wrappings?

• Beside a crowded inn, within a stable, Hope is held in an ancient cradle and wrapped in human form.

• Beside our crowded lives, within our daily round, Hope is held in shared agonies, shared grief and shared love, wrapped in God’s overwhelming grace.

• The Christ child is our Hope.

When shall Hope be set free?

Maybe this Christmas? May it be!

Pray Precious gift of Hope – Christ Child unseen by tear-misted eyes – may it be that your joy of new life is freed into the hearts of the lonely, the lost, the loveless at this Christmas time.

By the way, I was glad there was no engagement ring. I met my husband-to-be just after that Christmas!

XXX

prayer focus

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A

LARGE CHURCH HALL in the city of Leicester becomes a centre for women and children asylum seekers once a week, when they are able to collect gifts of food and toiletries. They also take the time to sit and chat over refreshments while their children play and socialise. The warmth and friendship they experience is as important to them as the material items they take away.

Most of these people have been through times of trauma and suffering both physically and emotionally. In their struggle for survival and refuge, their gifts and talents often lie forgotten, gathering dust.

MARK HOWARD

A young Chinese woman discovered boxes of wool collected from friends and donors. With a beaming smile on her face she held up a large ball of white wool asking “Is it all right if I have this?”

Upon receiving the reply that of course it was fine and that there were also knitting needles in the box, the smile became even brighter as she said “I can knit. I know how to do it”. This sounds such a simple moment in someone’s life but for that young woman it represented a passing over from one form of living to another, from merely existing in life to living a life. She had been through the most

Rediscovery Magnet editor Joy Chapman tells stories of hope from the Welcome Project for people seeking refuge in Leicester difficult of times and was now trying to supplement her means of survival by accepting our gifts of toiletries and food and the friendship time together. Life in its fullest sense is much more than mere survival. It is a celebration of being with richness added. For this young woman, a skill which had lain dormant through trying times was now being given new life. She had a gift which at last she was able to use again.

Another young woman had been forced to flee her country because of political unrest, having known a previous lifestyle of comfort with some status. Imagine her feelings now that all that had been swept away and she and her family were seeking a new way forward. She made it known that she could sew and was soon able to prove it by making items which demonstrated her considerable skill. She is beginning to use her skills again and is receiving a sense of

achievement and worth. This is a time of renewal for her.

Gifts enhance people’s lives and become particularly valuable at certain times. One occasion which comes vividly to mind is when the young women gathered together and recalled the songs of their homeland – both traditional and modern. Entertaining each other with these melodies in their own language reinforced their sense of identity and togetherness when it was most needed.

A young married woman living with her husband and two young children painstakingly went through the whole process of applying for asylum, having to wait through a long time of various ups and downs to hear that she had eventually been granted status. She had been patient and cheerful through that difficult period and had at last achieved the longed for result. Her continued cheerfulness and hope was a gift to her family.

…a skill which had lain dormant through trying times was now being given new life.

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John Cooper from the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) discusses the impact of the International Peacemakers Fund

I

F YOU WERE OFFERED THE CHANCE to give the gift of peace would you do it? For communities trapped in a cycle of violent conflict, the International Peacemakers Fund provides that very opportunity.

Because of the generosity of individuals and church congregations around the UK, the fund is able to support courageous peacemaking around the world.

The fund, and the work it supports, is the latest way the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) is exploring its witness of peace and non-violence to the wider world. Founded in 1914, FoR has always provided an alternative to a narrative of war by exploring what a pacifist theology has to say about current events.

The work includes campaigning against the causes of violent conflict, training young people in non-violence, and supporting denominational peace groups as they explore what message they take to their respective congregations.

in Kenya…

The gift of peace for young people in Kenya. One life changed was that of Felix Kimathi, who found the gift of peace through the chance to be trained in non-violent social change. He attended university in Nairobi and was caught up in violent conflict after the Kenyan elections in 2007. Through research and training he was able to explore how non-violence can bring about lasting social change.

Reflecting afterwards about the impact of the training, he said: “You have ignited a spark in me, instilled a skill in me and I am charged and ready to act in a non-violent way”.

Earlier on this year I had the pleasure of meeting with Rev Felicien Nemeyimana, whose peace-building in Kenya enabled Felix to explore an alternative way to bring about change. During our discussions he said “Thank you to those who have supported peace work, your resources have not been lost, you have invested in something that will last forever... peace is the pillar of society and you have chosen to support this”.

CHILD WITH A DOVE, 1901 (OIL ON CANVAS) BY PICASSO, PABLO (1881-1973) NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON, UK/ THE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY © SUCCESSION PICASSO/DACS, LONDON 2010

Give the gift of peace DAVID COLEMAN

talking justice

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CHILD WITH A DOVE, 1901 (OIL ON CANVAS) BY PICASSO, PABLO (1881-1973) NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON, UK/ THE BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY © SUCCESSION PICASSO/DACS, LONDON 2010

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in Bethlehem‌ Bethlehem is a city caught in a constant cycle of violence. The International Peacemakers Fund has been key to delivering the gift of peace to young people through support for the courageous Wi'am centre.

Young people meeting with Zoughbi Zoughbi

‌in Colombia For the village community of San Jose de Apartado, the gift of peace was a monument providing the chance to remember and reconcile.

The village is situated in the Uraba region of Colombia, a key battle ground in the forty year old civil war. Over the last two decades the community has been attacked by paramilitaries, and responded by declaring itself a peace community, meaning its members would play no part in the war. Whilst the commitment of the community has been strained at times, the value of the memorial has not. The community explained that "The memorial becomes something intrinsic in our daily life. With it we do not lose our sense of community, and in it we remember our hope for justice. It is the motor of our common life." The changing shape of the community brings strain and stresses yet its continued commitment to peace inspired American Quakers to nominate the community for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

Based in Bethlehem, the centre acts as a beacon of hope rooted in the Palestinian community. It sees its calling as addressing injustices rather than avenging them; dignifying persons on both sides of the conflict; promoting human rights and advocating peace among all people. The fund has supported the development of the youth project by providing support for delivery of a programme on non-violent activism that enables young people to lift their voices and dignity, without lifting fists or weapons.

Reflecting upon the success of the work, Zoughbi Zoughbi, founder of the centre and recent nominee for the World Vision International Peace Prize, suggested that the wide-reaching effects of the work are about the importance of grass-roots activity in the communities affected, spreading dignity and hope "We are like an olive tree, with its roots deeply rooted in the ground, and branches that reach out to the world. Our words produce more than sound, they walk tall to four corners of the earth".

Further information: The Fellowship of Reconciliation England Peace House 19 Paradise Street Oxford OX1 1LD www.for.org.uk/ipf tel: +44 (0)1865 250781

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This Christmas, consider if you and any worshipping community you are part of can celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace through prayer and support for the courageous peacemakers throughout the world.

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International Peacemakers Fund supporting practical peacemaking

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It takes cour courage rage and support to bu build ild peace in our violent world. world An estimated 3 35 5 people die each hour becaus se of violent conflict. W tthere e is a 40% chance of o it re estarting within a because When hen the violence ends ther restarting We deserves decade. W e believe everyone dese erves a chance of lasting g peace.

The Inter nattional Peacemakers Fun nd supports grass-r oots practical peacemakers transfor m the International Fund grass-roots transform communitie ound them thr ough innovative and ef ffectiv f ve means. Because of ou ur support stories of communitiess aro around through effective our hope erupt ar ound the world, beca ause of donations like yo ours another glimpse off peace is possible. around because yours

Pl Please a accept t my enclosed l d donation d ti in i suppo support ortt off practical ti l peac peacemaking: cemaking: ki £10

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information Please send d me further infor mation on Establishing a rregular egular donation d to the Fund Supporting the Fund att my place of worship

donations made in sup pport of the Inter p pp national support International Peacemakers Fund. I have paid iincome ncome tax/capital gains tax equal to that being rreclaimed d will update you should my eclaimed and nge. addr ess or tax circumstances circumstances cha address change.

Please send this for form, m, and your donation, to International Peacemakers Inter national Peacemaker rs Fund Fellowship of Reconciliation Reconciliatiion FREEPOST PEACEMAKER R FPN 3264 Street, 19 Paradise P di Str S eet, Oxford, Oxfor d, OX1 1LD

Fellowship of Reco Reconcilation oncilation covers the cost of administration and fundrais fundraising. ing.

Eve Every ery penny you donate goes dir directly ectly to support courago couragous us practical peacemakers ar around round the globe.

The Inter International national Peacemaker Peacemakers rs Fund is run by Fellowship of Reconciliation. Register Registered ed Charity Number 207822

www www.for.org.uk/ipf .forr..org.uk/ipf

Peace House: 19 Parad Paradise dise Str Street: eet: Oxfor Oxford: d: OX1 1LD

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Grace in return Two people with a shared passion write about their work in the Dominican Republic Jeanne Bergin shares her experiences of working with Community Partners

school. Here I met Rosalba for the first time. We worked and played with the children and we decorated classrooms. At the end of the two weeks I knew I would go back. My heart had been warmed by the communities and I felt I had skills I could use.

A

I accepted an invitation to join a work group to go to the Dominican Republic to work with Community Partners (COPA) during my summer holidays. I was supported by my chapel and AMY ENDELSTEIN

FEW YEARS AGO

Two years later I went back as an Education Advisor

The Dominican Republic is the eastern two-thirds of Dominican Republic the island of Hispaniola (shared with Haiti).

Hispaniola lies between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. An island of rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed, it lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and is subject to severe storms from June to October with occasional flooding and periodic droughts.

Two years later I went back as an Education Advisor. Working as part of the COPA team was rewarding, inspiring, enjoyable and hard work.

Education in the DR is not fun for most children. It is ‘talk and chalk’ in dull classrooms. I worked closely with the staff from the two COPA schools, organising hands on training sessions to improve their understanding and knowledge of education, making education fun.

Their expressions, squeals and willingness to be involved when learning new ways of teaching were rewarding. They needed to experience things for themselves before they could pass on new experiences to their students. One of the heads and the reception class teacher confidently shared

The Dominicans taught me how happy you can be with very little. what they had learned with teachers in the local area who liked hearing of new ideas that were being put into practice. There was an awareness that these COPA teachers were better trained.

Since coming home I have shared my experiences with groups within churches and education. There are many people in the world today who are happy to leave their families and give up home comforts of running water and constant electricity to help the less fortunate. Our love for God makes it easier for us to do this. The Dominicans taught me how happy you can be with very little.

COPA in Spanish means ‘cup’ COPA has vacancies for an Education Advisor and a Health Administrator. For more information see www.copa.org.uk

Atlantic Ocean

Montecristi Dajabón Santiago

San Francisco de Macorís

La Vega

HAITI

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

SANTO San Pedro DOMINGO de Macorís Haina

Barahona Pedernales

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Caribbean Sea

Boca Chica

Higüey

La Romana

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AMY ENDELSTEIN

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Rosalba Perez Perez writes about her education in the Dominican Republic

B

ORN IN LA

HOYA, a small village near Barahona in the southwest of the Dominican Republic, my early years at school were a disaster. There was no proper school in my village, just a bare room with no books and a teacher who often didn’t come. There was no order or organisation and by the age of eight I had only completed the first grade.

In 1992 everything changed for me. Community Partners (COPA) arrived in La Hoya and worked with the community to build a beautiful new school. Whereas previously 40 children came to school now there were 400. I studied in the school from the day it opened until I reached the eighth grade. I loved it.

Those were the best years of my education. I couldn’t believe that a school like this was possible in our poor community.

Later I went to the high school in Barahona where I studied four more years before going to university. Those years in high school came as a shock to me as it was a public high school directed by the government. It wasn’t very well organised and was very different from a COPA school.

However I was blessed again and I gained a place in university.

As I saw how God had used Community Partners to bless my community I desired to study for a career in which God could use me to help others. I decided to study psychology. It was very different being separated from my family, friends and church in La Hoya but God had promised to be with me wherever I went. To get my degree I needed to make a great effort, be brave and fight for my dream to

In my heart I knew I could use my gifts in my own village…

become a psychologist. Finally in 2007 I graduated with the highest honours. God had helped me to achieve that goal, but I wondered how I could be of service. What was I going to do after university?

How was God going to use me and what I had learned?

Throughout my training I prayed for guidance about my future. I realised it was God’s will for me to return to my own community in the village of La Hoya. When I was offered a post as Educational Psychologist by COPA in their school in nearby Bombita I knew this was confirmation that I was wanted back with my own people.

I had a gift and a passion to work with children and young adults.

My family and friends couldn’t understand how I could leave the capital Santo Domingo, where I had so many better prospects and return to a village where there were no opportunities. In my heart I knew I could use my gifts in my own village even if it contradicted what everyone else believed.

I started working in the school in Bombita as a psychologist helping the children with their problems.

Out of school the activity I am most passionate about is my volunteer work with the young adults in my

I couldn’t believe that a school like this was possible in our poor community. home village. We share God’s word and at the same time talk about social issues that affect each of them in their daily lives. I am happy that I can see the fruit in those youth groups and see how God is blessing their lives. Today, some of these young adults have come to know Christ and believe in him.

Their lives have been turned around. We have built our own church and some of them are even helping other churches with their young people!

COPA’s gift has been a channel of blessings in my life. I have come to see God’s love for the needy and it has been a motivator in my own life. May I give grace in return for all the grace that I have received!

Translated by Amy Endlestein, COPA Health Administrator

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Opening the box Stephanie Acher

Box 1: Gold – The Grace of God Contents: • a gold chocolate coin for each person.

Exploring: • the gift of Grace • the sense of taste • our present preoccupations/greed • our interactions with creation Leader:

Introduction for leaders This worship is meditative in tone and asks people to reconsider the gifts brought by the Magi to Jesus and the gifts given to us by God, in a new and tactile way.

It is fluid in format and thus does not require an order of service. The aim is to use all our senses at times during this service although the sense of hearing is explored throughout. Three boxes are needed to facilitate the worship, with ribbons to untie as the worship progresses.

The worship space could have dimmed lighting or be candle lit with an informal seating arrangement. One scenario might be to use a variety of cushions or seats in the round with the three gift boxes in the centre.

Background music to be played as people arrive and settle: In the bleak mid-winter.

Visual Words: The story of the Magi bringing gifts to Jesus could be shown on a screen or given out to people as they arrive, to read and think about as they listen to the music.

Leader:

The story of the Magi bearing symbolic gifts to the infant Jesus has been celebrated in drama, song and story across the world for many years. Many of us, therefore, will be familiar with it.

This relates to the beginning of Jesus’ life, before his death and resurrection.

Now that we have received all that God has for us, what gifts might we offer back to God today?

The first of the gifts offered to the infant Jesus was gold; material wealth. For Jesus it symbolised his sovereignty. However, how do we use material wealth? How do we interact with creation?

Come forward and collect a golden coin from the box. As you open and eat the chocolate consider the words on the screen/paper. Think honestly about the ways in which you misuse God’s gifts and are affected by greed, jealousy and preoccupation with material things.

Visual Words: Preferably a screen with words and phrases flashing up and fading as the next one arrives. It might be good to include images to accompany them. If no screen is available print the words on a piece of paper to be given out with the chocolate coin. Phrases should include ideas familiar to all those present, mixed in with basic necessities for life, such as air to breathe.

For example: Buy it, Covet it, Desire it, Water to drink, You deserve it, Ebay it, Sell it, Air to breathe, Browse there, Consume it, Advertise it, Discuss it, Food to eat, Save for it, Wrap it, Consider it, Shop for it, Warmth to sleep, Improve it, Want it, Compare it, Shelter, Polish it, Collect it, Crave it, Throw it out, Light to see, Eat it, Save it, Need it, Obsess over it, Worship it.

Music:

U2 Grace or appropriate substitute.

Leader:

God gives graciously to us. We receive from him without doing anything to deserve it.

As you listen to the lyrics of this song, think how you might give God the gift of reflecting his gracious giving back to him.

Consider how you might recycle your intentions and approach to creation. Think of actual examples where you can find goodness and beauty in all of God’s creation and act with Grace in your everyday lives.

When you are ready, come and put back in the box the wrapper from your coin as your symbolic gift of gracious gold for God.

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Box 2: Frankincense – God’s forgiveness Contents: • skin balm or cream in travel size pots or several large pots or tubes.

Exploring: • the gift of forgiveness • the sense of touch and smell • our past • our relationship with ourselves Leader:

Frankincense has medicinal, soothing, calming, warming and above all restorative properties. It was used by ancient peoples to treat depression and burned by some as they prayed, for they believed it carried their prayers to heaven. This gift of the Magi is said to symbolise Jesus’ priesthood.

Box 3: Myrrh – God’s Love Contents: • a candle/tea light, matches, paper and pen for each person. The Prayer of St Francis, either as a handout or on the screen (middle page of this issue). A metal plate or suitable alternative would be useful if you wish to burn the letters. A place needs to be set aside for the candles to be safely placed.

Exploring: • the gift of Love • the sense of sight • our future • our relationship with others Leader:

Jesus taught us about forgiveness in many ways, most dramatically healing physical illness as he forgave sins. He soothed people’s pain and restored their lives.

God gave us the gift of love to heal our wounds and act as a spiritual antiinflammatory. Read St Francis’ prayer of peace. As you do so, consider all the times when love has been the answer, yet you have withheld it.

Visual words / clip: Either put up on the screen a clip from A Christmas Carol of the Ghost of Christmas Past visiting Scrooge or use lyrics U2 White as snow or another reference to forgiving self/the past.

Leader:

Consider on a wider scale the situations in the world where no love has meant devastation, lack of community and bitterness.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to fully embrace God’s gift of forgiving others without first forgiving ourselves.

God loves us all and in his grace and mercy forgives us. As you consider this and listen to the song lyrics (or watch the film clip) collect some balm/cream from gift box 2.

Use the rough skin on your heels, hands or elbows to experience the soothing, warming and smoothing sensation of restoration.

The word Myrrh means bitterness in Arabic.

The gift of myrrh from the Magi is often understood to signify the death of Jesus.

This act of sacrifice is an act of immense love. Myrrh has antiseptic, antiinflammatory properties. It has been used to heal wounds and bruises for centuries.

Music:

U2 Magnificent or a suitable alternative.

Leader:

From gift box 3 collect a candle and pen and paper. By the light of your candle write a love letter to God. Think specifically about how you will reflect God’s love back in the future. How will you give God the gift of love?

Consider God’s forgiveness of your past and decide upon an active way of reflecting back that forgiveness as a gift for God. How can you offer forgiveness tomorrow and the next day….?

Consider Jesus’ words that whatever you do for the least on earth, you do for God in heaven. When you have finished, place your folded letter back in the third box and put your candle somewhere around the three boxes.

Ideally the letters should be placed in a metal container and burned for these love letters to symbolically go to God! Leader:

May the Grace, Forgiveness and Love of God be with you always.

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The Prayer of St Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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magnet • words: attributed to St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226); image: silverjohn/istock

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The Word moved into the neighbourhood Adrian Alker

A

T CHRISTMAS the opening fourteen verses of John’s Gospel will be read at church services throughout the world: ‘In the beginning was the Word…’ In the Bible version called The Message this opening passage from John ends in verse 14 with the translation: ‘the Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood’. I like that

phrase – Jesus moving into the neighbourhood. Last Christmas was the first one in our new home and we invited the neighbours around for drinks. There was the usual raised eyebrow when some folk discovered I was a cleric, but imagine what it might be like if Jesus moved into the neighbourhood!

DAVID COLEMAN

bible study

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God’s gift to us is both word and flesh, the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ. Let us think about the gifting of the Word and the gifting of Jesus into our neighbourhoods.

2011 sees the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible. The Bible never ceases to be of significance. Many families still possess family bibles, recording the significant life events for that family. So much of our Western culture – its art and music and literature – is derived from the Bible. People are asked to swear on the Bible as a kind of touchstone of morality. We talk of being Biblebased as a sure sign of quality!

Yet we also know that the Bible and other holy books have become instruments of oppression, sources of division. Bishop Jack Spong speaks of the ‘sins of scripture’ which have stirred up bigotry against gay people or women, have led to violence against children and a disregard for the environment1.

Professor Adrian Thatcher alerts us to the ‘savage text’ when the Bible is used by fundamentalist Christians to attack any development in the Church or society at large which is considered inconsistent with the Word of God, understood quite literally in the texts of the Bible2.

Out there… people share the stuff of life

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However, for Christians the Word of God is not a written text but the living person of Jesus Christ, whose

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I love Christmas. I love the giving and receiving of gifts. As a parish priest, I loved the great privilege of seeing the expectant faces of children as the crib was blessed and the hour fast approached when they would receive their gifts! I loved standing in an empty church an hour before the midnight mass, when all was ready and prepared for the hundreds of people who would shortly enter to receive the gift of bread and wine, reminders of the gift of God’s outpouring love in Christ.

The Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons give us the opportunity to reflect upon a world where Jesus the Word made flesh moved into our neighbourhood.

Jesus has shown us how to live as sisters and brothers, in lives of service, seeking peace and justice for all. In the life of Jesus we see that love was breaking out all over the place, challenging the hard hearted, the warmongerers, the abusers, the profiteers. And Jesus challenged those who saw religion as a set of hard and fast rules. You were either ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the religious club. Religion, as Karen Armstrong reminds us, is primarily lived and not learnt3. Words can take us only so far. Creeds and doctrines attempt to explain and describe, but a religious faith is about a transformational experience not the primacy of belief.

Church communities can, as the body of Christ, offer that gift of love in action. Every church is set in a neighbourhood. Out there on the housing estate, in the pub, in

school and at work, in the dole queue and at the shops people share the stuff of life – its joys, challenges, hurts and sorrows. As Christians we don’t take God to them. Christ is already there, incarnated, the Word made flesh, experienced in love and compassion.

1

Jack Spong (2005) The Sins of Scripture San Francisco: HarperOne

2

Professor Adrian Thatcher May 2010 University of Exeter

3

Karen Armstrong (2009) The Case for God, Bodley Head

Further resource: Mission is about discovering this Christ and joining in! Or as Sydney Carter once wrote “So shut the Bible up and show me how…The Christ you talk about is living now.”

The Message The Bible in contemporary language by Eugene H. Peterson

Well I don’t want the Bible to be shut up, not least in 2011. Rather let us open the book and discover its sacramental power to convey to us the Word made flesh and blood in Jesus and see that Word alive in the neighbourhood!

MARK HOWARD

life and death and resurrection become the key for a truly Christian interpretation of the Bible. Without the Bible we would not know what Jesus did and said.

We see through the pages of scripture how the human perceptions of God developed from the tribal war-god of the early Hebrew tribes to the God of unlimited love who was seen in Jesus.

Thoughts for reflection and discussion • St John’s gospel speaks of the Word ‘dwelling amongst us’. If Christ moved into your neighbourhood what might delight his heart and what would cause him grief?

• Are there any bibles in your home which have associations with certain people who gave them to you or certain occasions in your life? Did those people or times influence your Christian growth?

• There is a prayer which invites us to be thankful for the gift of God’s holy word. Are there certain passages of scripture which have indeed been ‘a light upon your path’? Why were these passages particularly helpful?

• At times Christians have been described as ‘People of a Book’ and as ‘Followers of the Way’. Is there a danger in so idolising the Bible that quoting its texts might prevent us from walking in the way of Christ? Are there indeed any ‘killing texts’ in your judgement?

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Handmade Christmas One of our editors has happy memories associated with this recipe passed down from her maternal grandmother. These traditional German biscuits are used to decorate the Christmas tree. This makes a lot of biscuits – plenty to give away to friends!

Ingredients 4oz butter 3 oz demerara sugar 7oz black treacle 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 /2 tsp mixed spice 3 /4 tbs bicarbonate of soda 1 egg 1 lb 2oz plain flour

JUDITH HOLLIMAN

Cut up butter roughly in bowl. Put sugar, treacle and spices in a pan and heat to boiling point, add bicarbonate of soda and immediately pour hot mixture into bowl with the butter. Stir until butter is melted, then beat in egg and blend in flour. Knead the mixture into a dough. Roll out small amounts between two sheets of waxed paper or baking parchment (roll thinly as they will rise). Cut out Christmas shapes with biscuit cutters.

Bake at 170ºC for about ten minutes. Poke a hole in each biscuit with a skewer as soon they are out of oven.

When cool, ice around the edges with royal icing, thread with red ribbon and hang on the tree.

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If you have a special recipe, perhaps tried and tested through the generations, email it to us for our website.

Chrismons Why not consider a Chrismon tree at home or in your church?

Chrismons are home made Christian symbol decorations such as the fish, cross, Celtic cross, the Greek letters X and P superimposed on each other (the first two letters in the name Christ – Xpistos), a shepherds crook, star, crown, crown of thorns. These ancient Christian designs come in various colours, but Chrismons are always white with gold decorations of beads, ribbon, glitter and so on.

For more ideas go to www.umcs.org/chrismons SYLVIA JONES

Pepper Kaker

This year editors Jacqueline, Tricia and Judith thought you might like some ideas of a few things you could make yourself.

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Bright colours formed in simple shapes framing life’s joyful picture.

Sticky fingers, itching to touch to reach new things.

Fishing for the treasure of living with the exuberance of childhood’s freedom.

Instinctively knowing God, in creation and in people.

Giggling with generous laughter and buoyant with the knowledge of God’s blessing.

magnet • words: Michaela A Youngson from Making the colours sing. Used by kind permission of the author.

Michaela’s books are available from www.ourmagnet.co.uk/shop; image: istock

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Why not: Make your own Christmas cards so that those special relatives and friends can receive something made with thought and care rather than printed cards and round robins. If you are a parent or grandparent you can enlist a child’s help and get into the spirit of Christmas in a very messy way.

The second focuses on Jesus and the gift of Christmas. We added a Bible verse inside the card as a reminder of why we send cards at Christmas. The box was made with old paper and the stars stuck on to

form glittering arcs of fun coming from the box and are highlighted by chalk. Why not send a beautiful card that you are proud of and we will upload a selection on to our website for everyone to enjoy?

Here are two examples, but I am sure that you will come up with many more. The first card is made using my son’s hands and foot to form Rudolf and then adding in a red nose and eyes. We had great fun doing this.

Other ideas to consider • scan images of family, print them on to table cloths,pillow cases and place mats… www.about.com • make ornaments from an old jigsaw puzzle www.familycrafts.about.com • make a tape of children/family/ yourself playing music or singing carols, reading stories or poetry…

• knit or sew something beautiful and useful – hats, scarves and gloves, or Christmas star-spangled place mats…

• gift-wrap a promise – an evening’s babysitting, a car wash, an afternoon of gardening or ironing …

• make your own Christmas wrapping paper: re-use printer paper or tissue packaging paper, cover with potato prints, finger prints, Christmas stamps, old bits of last year’s wrapping paper…

Going Green A good website for green toys and green recycled gifts from all over the world is www.thedailygreen.com (go to living green then green gifts) Hold a Christmas ‘50’ party/event. Everything eaten or brought for the party must come from no further away than 50 miles.

Recycling Christmas Use left over wrapping paper as: • shelf wrap (cheer yourself up unexpectedly seeing a Santa) • cut into small stationery pads (cheer a friend by sending a letter written on Christmas paper – in July) • packing china (colour side out) • for kids to draw on (colour side down) • cleaning windows • origami

Take your tree to be woodchipped for garden mulching – check when and where with your local council.

Why not share your ideas with us – email felicity@ourmagnet.co.uk

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issue 92

issue 92

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DAVID COLEMAN

magnet Winter 2010

Legacies: your gift to the future Although many of us associate legacies with tangible inheritance, Magnet editor Janet Eldred discovers that both material and spiritual legacies can be our gift to the future.

“W

have been left to me?

What might be my legacy to my children, my church, and my community? How do I go about ensuring that something special and meaningful is left to those I care about?”

HAT LEGACIES

Questions such as these often arise in connection with major life events, such as births and deaths.

Legacies help us form a link

A legacy can also be a means of saying ‘thank you’ to an institution, such as a church or school, that contributed to our formation.

32

between generations and thereby place ourselves on the timelines of family and community.

The legal definition of a legacy is money or property that you receive from someone after they die, often left by a will. These sorts of legacies are tangible (think of the special ornaments, jewellery, and paintings brought to the experts on the Antiques Roadshow!) Yet, legacies have a broader meaning. Cultural legacies, such as the language, art, and artefacts handed down from generations before, form a part of our collective history (for example, Britten’s compositions, Turner’s art, Brunel’s engineering works, Shakespeare’s plays).

Within Christianity, Jesus’ legacy includes his parables and his prioritising of justice, showing us that legacies can also be spiritual and instructive. Our own spiritual legacies capture wisdom from life experience and allow us to express the traditions, beliefs, and principles that we would like to impart to our family and friends.

What motivates someone to leave a family legacy? It can be as straightforward as the desire to preserve an emotional bond.

Magnet reader Christiane Rolls tells a poignant story from her life. Her mother brought her to England from Germany at age four, after the war. They had only a few small items from their previous life and Christiane had hoped after her mother’s death to have something to link her to her mother, the only blood relation she’d ever known.

“When my mother died some years ago, she left all of her possessions to my stepfather, who had adopted me as a child,” says Christiane. “At the time, it didn’t seem right to ask him for a memento of my mother,

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magnet Winter 2010

Although these items, including a small china polar bear, did eventually come to her after her stepfather’s death a few years ago, the uncertainty of that in the immediate aftermath of her mother’s death led Christiane to determine that her own children had specific items to inherit from her. “I’ve designated a cello, a clock, and a mahjong set respectively for each child,” Christiane reveals. “As I had wished for myself, these items will serve as a visual reminder of their mother, and they will have them without delay.”

Receiving such a family legacy can have additional meaning. Margaret Kirk, a retired Unitarian minister, discovered her father’s boyhood diaries when sorting through his belongings many years after his death.

“The diaries are from 1917–18,” says Margaret, “written when he was a boy of 14 and 15. They are an extraordinary mixture of the minutiae of daily living, irksome duties to satisfy his father, delight with discoveries (beetles, flowers, growing tomatoes) – all interwoven with reflections on the progress of the war. They helped me to understand my father more fully and to enter into his world when he was trying to make sense of it.

All of that feels very precious.”

A legacy can also be a means of saying “thank you” to an institution, such as a church or school, that contributed to our formation. By leaving a monetary legacy, we can help ensure that institution’s future for others’ benefit. Diana Robinson, a patient advocate, recollects her late husband’s wishes.

“John valued his involvement in his chapel very much,” Diana recalls, “and so it was no surprise that he wished to remember it in his will and in the collection at his funeral service. The needs at that time

were for funding roof repairs and a replacement instrument for the organ, so that is where his legacy was directed.”

Charities as well as individual churches benefit from legacies.

Alison Knight is a regional legacy officer for Christian Aid. “It’s my job to let our supporters know how important legacies are to Christian Aid – about ten per cent of our income,” she says. “A legacy to a charity can change not just one life, but generations.”

“For example,” Alison continues, “funds to provide a sub-surface dam in a drought-ridden area enables a community to access clean water for their families, their livestock and their crops. Their health and diet improves, they can sell surplus produce to provide an income, which in turn pays for education for their children and the next generation can look forward to a more secure future.”

Importantly, legacies do not have to be a great amount of money. “Any amount, even just a few pounds, is welcomed by the church or good cause you choose,” Alison says.

How can churches overcome a natural reticence about discussing giving in general and legacies in particular?

“My colleagues and I are always pleased to come to your church and make a joint presentation with local leadership,” Alison adds.

“Lay people who live and worship among their friends and neighbours and who are not professional fundraisers may not feel comfortable discussing legacies with them, whereas we are one step removed. Also, many people who remember Christian Aid will also include a gift for their church in their will, so it benefits both the church and the charity to work together.”

Taking it further Think about what your legacy or legacies might be. What might you leave and to whom (to family, to community, to church)?

Write down or record family stories, prayers, or mealtime blessings, a recipe, or a secret for growing perfect roses.

Could you run a workshop at your church or community centre on leaving a spiritual legacy? Would you run a separate event for leaving a monetary legacy? Who could you invite to speak at either event?

Finally, be sure to keep your will up-to-date, and review it every few years so that it reflects your circumstances and your wishes.

And when you do that review, consider leaving a legacy.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM: • Will Aid www.willaid.org.uk • Christian Aid Alison Knight 0121 288 3419; email: aknight@christian-aid.org www.christianaid.org.uk/give/ legacy_donations/leave-a-legacy.aspx • Christian Legacy www.christianlegacy.org.uk • Remember a Charity in Your Will www.rememberacharity.org.uk

Our own spiritual legacies capture wisdom from life experience and allow us to express the traditions, beliefs, and principles that we would like to impart to our family and friends.

JANE DOWELL

although I keenly felt the need to have something that was hers.”

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Resources…

Francis, the Saint of Assisi

All reviews are written by Sheila Simpson

A Novel Joan Mueller New City Press £14.95 ISBN 9781565483323

Walking the Labyrinth A Spiritual and Practical Guide Sally Welch Canterbury Press (2010) £8.99 ISBN 9781848250031 This comprehensive guide to the history, the spiritual dimension and the making of labyrinths excites and convinces of their usefulness in all kinds of worship.

Baptisms, marriages, bereavement services, confession with adults and children are all highlighted. There is advice on the different shapes, the different sorts of materials, how to conduct a labyrinth day and how to prepare those who wish to use them. I am particularly drawn to the liturgies included for use during Advent and Lent and also the suggestions for use by children perhaps in a school playground. What I find a bit daunting is the actual construction. Sally Welch endeavours to make this sound very possible and devotes a whole chapter to diagrams, instructions and good hints obviously gained by experience. I would suggest that this vital chapter needs very careful consideration and planning in order to make the enterprise successful. Without a doubt, labyrinth walking is a liberating spiritual experience and certainly worth considering. She also suggests finger labyrinths!

Francis Bernardone grew up in perilous times when as the son of a successful though ruthless merchant of Assisi he was expected to defend and uphold the family name at all times, especially in the continuing battle with the nearest city state of Perugia. Joan Mueller vividly brings to life the atmosphere of the times, which explains the desire for another way of living which first shows itself in Francis’ heart and spreads to friends both male and female, the most prominent being Clare of the powerful Offreduccio family. Their desire was to give up possessions to follow Christ and to live in peace and helpfulness, all at odds with the previous generation. The childhood stories of giving away his cloak and being at one with nature all appear in the narrative but the trials of being different are brought to the fore. A good read for a winter’s evening!

Praise and Blame CD of songs Tom Jones Universal/Island ASIN B003LDKIVO Amazon £8.95 plus delivery or £7.49 MP3 Download When Tom Jones brought out this CD in July 2010 it divided his fans and appalled his recording company but amazed many with talk of a top ten place in the charts. I have been listening intently for some time now and find the songs, written by the likes of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and John Lee Hooker, a fixture in my mind. The opening song, the challenging “What good am I?” sung to a simple pared down accompaniment reveals the gravelly texture of Tom’s voice at its best. There follow songs of confession, temptation and hope written in gospel, blues and rock styles which inspire and appeal. “Strange Things” reminds us that “Jesus is the light”. The triumphant “Don’t Knock” and “Ain’t no grave” reflects thoughts of immortality. This CD with its spiritual themes is readily accessible and very enjoyable.

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The Promise of Advent A Worship Resource plus Poster Set Stella Bristow and He Qi Magnet Resources £14.99 plus £2.99 p&p www.ourmagnet.co.uk/shop tel: 0844 736 2524 Each of the A2 posters which accompany this worship resource hits the eye with colour, tenderness and gentle humour and would enhance the Christmas period. Stella Bristow was given the brief to highlight the United Nations Millennium Development Goals which she has woven expertly into the Advent themes. All the elements of worship are included with ideas for displays and music which can be totally adopted or borrowed as desired. Simple dramatic readings add to the effect. It is possible to download the posters from the Magnet website. A really excellent resource for a busy time of the year!

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magnet-ise your friends this Christmas

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es Cen peac orl rd lati od. osp r o ro o ke wi e th ith Full

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Praying for Chile www.wwdp-natcomm.org e: office@wwdp-natcomm.org; t: 01892 541411

March, April & October Monday-Saturday 10.30am-3.30pm Sunday 2pm-4.30pm

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MARK HOWARD

issue 92

A man who rescued a young lad from drowning said it wasn’t just down to his ears (hearing the lad shout for help), his eyes (seeing him waving), his legs (running to the lakeside) his whole body working together was needed to rescue the boy.

Consider this story in the light of 1 Corinthians 12.

often our passions are a good indicator of what we are good at.

However it is experience that shows whether we truly are gifted in a particular area. If we are using our gifts – taking whatever opportunity is available – we give others the chance to comment. Of course we must weigh their comment, paying most attention to those we respect.

For Christians this will all be done in a prayerful spirit. In the film Chariots of Fire Eric Liddell tells his sister that when he runs he ‘feels God’s pleasure’. For him this was confirmation that he should be competing in the Olympics.

Me, gifted?

Vocational discernment has been a part of Anglican minister Amanda Rylands’ parish work and latterly as Vocations Adviser in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and Diocesan Director of Ordinands for Exeter.

O

aspect of God; this is cause for right humility and justified pride. When we see our strengths as gifts from God, we have no reason to be boastful or embarrassed about acknowledging them.

The problem is that we compare ourselves with others. We feel overshadowed or think we are more gifted than those around us!

Yet we have been made in the image of the Creator, so it follows that everyone will reflect some

How do I know what gifts I have?

Discovering or discerning our gifts comes through listening to ourselves, to others and of course to God. Listening to ourselves might mean asking what energises us or makes us feel most human. It might mean doing a gifts exercise1. We may be inspired by seeing someone else exercising a similar gift. Very

F COURSE ALL OF US HAVE GIFTS,

but somehow we think we don’t have any significant gifts or we shy away from acknowledging a gift in case someone else rubbishes it!

Sometimes all we can do is pray and be patient…

36

My gifts are not being used!

There are times in our lives when we do not feel that we are using all or certainly our best gifts. At such times we need to ask why. Are we missing an opportunity? Are we afraid to take the risk? Then we are in danger of losing that gift. It certainly will not grow. Like an unused muscle, an undeveloped gift will shrivel. Jesus understood this when he told the parable of the gold coins – read Luke 19:11–26.

Have we misread what is needed?

Sometimes all we can do is pray and be patient, recognising that using our gifts is not simply about self-fulfilment, but about service.

God has a mission and we are invited to share in it. Once we consider our own gifts in the light of the needs around us, we are in a better position to offer our talents in God’s service.

1

Gifting exercise www.cofe.anglican.org Go to Vocations, Gifts and Calling>What are your gifts?

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We are people of winter, a people of faith, who wait through the long cold nights, who hold on when hoping seems in vain, but above all we are people who hope, who dream of a better world, who celebrate glimpses of God’s Shalom, embraced by one whose love will not let us go.

magnet • words: © Clare McBeath and Tim Presswood. Extract taken from Winter Eucharist in Clare McBeath and Tim Presswood, Crumbs of Hope: Prayers from the City, Inspire, Methodist Publishing House, 2006, page 159, used with kind permission; image: Jeff Lindsay

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magnet Winter 2010

Give ethically Loans that change lives Magnet editor Jacqueline Shirtliff writes about Kiva

L

AST CHRISTMAS I RECEIVED AN ‘ALTERNATIVE GIFT’. I have to admit to being a bit disappointed in the past with presents like these, because I’d actually love to have the goat myself to keep in my back garden!

However, this was something a bit different.

KIVA.ORG

My gift was a voucher for an organisation called Kiva, which would enable me to loan an amount to someone trying to set

38

up a small business somewhere in the world. All I had to do to set the gift certificate in motion was to search Kiva’s website and choose where I wanted to invest my money. Loans from myself and others would accumulate, until the entrepreneur had enough money to fund their business.

My choice was huge. Would I elect for Elva from Peru who wants a loan to buy sacks of fertilizer to improve her crop of coffee and pineapples? Or Doris from Honduras who needs to buy more milk to keep up with customer demand for her dairy products? Or Banard, a timber salesman from Kenya, who is requesting a loan to purchase an additional stock of timber to sell?

Kiva has its headquarters in San Francisco and is a non-profitmaking organisation named after the Swahili word for ‘unity’ or ‘agreement’. Since November 2005

a total of $147,370,975 has been loaned and in the week of writing $1,257,850 was lent and 3952 entrepreneurs were funded.

Kiva works by partnering with existing microfinance institutions around the world, known as Field Partners, who give the loans when they are needed and collect stories, pictures and loan details for Kiva.

Lenders then browse the requests online and can fund as little as $25, or the entire loan if they wish! Kiva pays back the money to the Field Partners, who also collect repayments and any interest due.

Finally Kiva repays the lender, who can choose to re-lend to another entrepreneur, donate their funds to Kiva to cover expenses, or withdraw their funds.

So it seems that my alternative gift could last forever. Since January, I’ve made one loan with my gift certificate, which has been repaid and re-invested and I’m looking forward to choosing which entrepreneur to back when my current loan is repaid. www.kiva.org

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magnet Winter 2010

Hang ethics on the Christmas tree Peter Collins, Traidcraft’s Church Relations Manager, introduces Gifts for Life

S

It cost only £8 to teach Sophia how to make good quality products that are popular with the customers in her milk bar in Kenya – and for Sophia that means food on the family table, healthcare and an education for her sons.

We work with many gifted people who despite living in poverty are using their skills to build a better life for themselves and their families. But however skilled they are, many simply can't get their products to market, or lack the bargaining power to negotiate fair terms of trade.

Further ideas: • Gifts for life: The Leprosy Mission www.leprosymission.org.uk tel.01733 370505 • Present Aid Christian Aid www.presentaid.org tel. 020 7620 4444

Peanuts and piglets make perfect presents this Christmas time

M

www.traidcraft.org.uk/ internationaldevelopment

Josphine takes her son, Tumpes, with her when she sees to her livestock

And £75 means Dulal Miah in Bangladesh can feed his family and educate his children, thanks to training in better fish-farming techniques.

RDF has just launched its all-new range of Extraordinary Gifts for Christmas. The collection includes piglets that will help school leavers in Cameroon to find employment and peanuts that will enable a food production group in Zambia to make a tasty profit.

MRDF’s Anna Rogers said: ‘Extraordinary Gifts make ideal presents - and with gifts starting at just £8 you can make a positive difference without breaking the bank. Each gift comes from our ongoing work with our overseas partners, who know how best to meet the needs of their

Gifts For Life create opportunities for the poor in the developing world to use their skills to work their way out of poverty and for supporters in the UK to help build a fairer, more caring world.

TRAICRAFT/RICHARD ELSE

TUCK FOR AN UNUSUAL GIFT IDEA this Christmas? How about giving hope and opportunity to an individual, a family or even a whole community?

Difficult to gift wrap and put under the tree, it's true, but gifts like those in the Gifts For Life range from Traidcraft Exchange (the charity arm of the Christian fair trade organisation) help to transform the lives of millions across Africa and Asia.

communities. All our projects are sustainable and aim to help people work their way out of poverty.’

Each gift comes with a colourful bookmark and a card that can be given to the gift recipient, so they can appreciate the long-term impact of their present on someone in one of the poorest communities in the world. For larger gifts, it’s also possible to request a CD-ROM with a presentation illustrating how the gift will make a difference. This is ideal for showing to a church or family group which has bought or received an Extraordinary Gift.

Extraordinary Gifts can be bought online from www.mrdf.org.uk, or by

calling 020 7467 5132 to request a catalogue.

MRDF makes small miracles possible for people living in the world’s poorest communities.

For more information, contact Anna Rogers on 020 7467 5215 or email rogersa@methodistchurch.org.uk

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BY KIND PERMISSION OF TESCO; MONTAGE BY DAVID COLEMAN

magnet Winter 2010

…a gift that leaves you stunned into silence…

with the best intentions. My beloved grandmother always gave my very slight husband grey, M&S y-fronts in XL for each birthday and Christmas. We could all have fitted into them. A great tradition now much missed.

But what is it about me, I wonder, that provokes in people a need to buy me a wash bag? What puts the thought ‘wash bag’ into someone’s head? I have small ones, big ones, roll up ones, ones for bottles, ones for make-up, red ones, black ones, patent ones, flowery ones, drawstrings and velcro strap ones.

Bags of fun Oh no not another wash bag! Editor Judith Holliman practices her surprised face.

D

O YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR RANGE OF FACES?

The surprised face when you get the secret present from one child that the other child has already told you about? Or the shocked face when the bush that has legs turns out to have a child in it, waiting to say boo! Or perhaps the look of delight when you open a gift that leaves you stunned into silence. I have that one down to a fine art. It is perhaps the years of practice I have had.

40

On the first year of my marriage I was given a book on molecular chemistry which soon found its way to my husband’s work, oh and a new fridge – delightful. I learned really quickly not to rely on cryptic messages but to be direct to the point of bluntness. “I’ve bought my present dear, it’s in the wardrobe under your t-shirts” seems to work.

If only all people were dealt with that easily. I am sure you know what I mean. Each person I know has the story of something received

I have to say my ‘delightful surprise’ face has lost somewhat of its brightness and my “Oh lovely – a wash bag” causes howls of laughter from my daughter (yes she’s at that age, pity me). I am on first name terms with the lady in the charity shop, even she says “Oh not another one surely”. I do wash frequently, I do use make-up but when I buy it I often get a free gift for my custom and yes, you’ve guessed it, a wash bag.

I try to find within myself deep gratitude to those people that are kind enough to give me any present even if it’s a wash bag but it doesn’t work at all, I just think, no please, not another (whilst practising my best version of the delighted surprise face, of course) But this year my revenge was so sweet, my husband got a birthday present from his mother-in-law, shorts, and when I say shorts I mean short shorts and they were beige! I must say he really needs to work on his delighted surprise face!

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The Spirit Comes Generously, Giving good gifts (Like the Father) The Spirit comes.

Gently, Healing and restoring (Like Jesus) The Spirit comes.

Effectively, Breaking down barriers (Like strong winds) The Spirit comes.

Artistically, Drawing out fruits of goodness (Like the Creator) The Spirit comes.

Incisively, Cleansing and refining (Like bright flames of fire) The Spirit comes.

Quietly, Reconciling and peacemaking (Like a silently flying dove) The Spirit comes.

magnet • words: © Alison Pepper. Used by kind permission of the author; image: Candlemas © Jackie Marshall

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Resources…

For All That Has Been, Thanks:

The Road to Bethlehem

Growing a Sense of Gratitude Rowan Williams & Joan Chittister OSB Canterbury Press (2010) £14.99 ISBN 9781848250178

Children’s story and DVD Louise Cross CWR (2010) £7.99 ISBN 9781853455650

The contents page clearly shows the division of labour between these two authors but there is a seamless quality to the idea of thanks or ‘alleluia’ as they insist on raising thanks to God in all instances, mostly when it is very hard. This is a book of thoughtful reflections asking timeless questions.

Where is God in the realm of doubt and division and conflict? What does it mean to be a sinner or a saint? Can an ‘alleluia’ be exclaimed amid all the awfulness of life? Having defined the spiritual dilemma, the authors expose us to the possibilities of what we could become by opening up the ‘alleluia’ channel. But there are the sticky areas which do not naturally fall into the thankful arena: death, fear of the future, terminal illness and natural disasters. Although not produced in the usual format for discussion groups, it contains such a wealth of material, it could easily be adapted.

Louise Cross has written and illustrated a delightfully funny account of the Christmas story for young children which with the accompanying DVD will introduce all the biblical characters and amuse. Mary is definitely pregnant but pragmatic enough to include a pencil to sign the census. Bethlehem is so full of donkeys that a jam occurs and the stinky stable is full of donkey poo. Hands on Joseph wraps up the baby Jesus and consults Mary about the baby’s name. Louise also narrates the story on the DVD with some very posh Kings and North Country shepherds. A lovely gift sure to be enjoyed by young and old.

Words for Advent

All That Matters

Bible Readings on the Theme of Our Time Edited by Nicola Slee IBRA (2010) £3.99 ISBN 9781905893430

Collected scripts from Radio 4’s “Thought for the Day”: Volume 2 John L Bell Wild Goose Publications £13.50 ISBN 9781849520706

A retired United Reformed missionary, a palliative care doctor, an Anglican priest from Manchester and a poet take us through the four weeks of Advent readings on the theme of time. This cross section of writers gives an appealing variety of responses to the God who doesn’t work “in linear time”. Each day ends with a prayer for social justice and compassion found in the Kingdom of God. For personal use there is much to think about and for group use there is good practical setting up advice.

John Bell, hymn writer and member of the Wild Goose resource group of the Iona Community, has a Scottish bluntness which I as a Scot relate to and this collection reveals much about the Scots and much about the last three years when these were broadcast. He has the uncanny ability to reflect what is actually happening at that moment, whether in the UK or abroad, and naturally bringing Jesus into it. Some personal anecdotes are recounted, such as the meeting with three young men in Vietnam who wanted to practise their English and ended poignantly listening to each other sing of their countries. Included also are three lectures: “Indebting the future” on money, Christian accountability and use, “The Love of God and Global Warming” or how the care of the earth became a faith issue and “The beast that is in us” or slavery then and now. All three were delivered recently and urge people of faith to be involved in these issues of today.

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Transform lives with intangible gifts.

magnet • words: © Patricia A Goacher. Used by permission; image: Chut combines looking after Lanh and her other two children with weaving, for Mail Handicrafts, Vietnam, which she is able to do in her home. © Traidcraft/Richard Else

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Daily Bible Reading notes for 2011 from IBRA Best Bible reading money can buy!

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Winter 2010

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Mouse cheese knives (pair) This set of two charming mouse-shaped knives in stainless steel is now a Created best-selling classic. L21cm and 17cm. A great pairing with our cat cheese-board available online. Created in India.

2120416 £9.00 Symbols bag chain Declare your faith on your bag, phone or keyring with this beaded flip-clasp chain with fish, dove and cross motifs. L13cm.

Created in South Africa.

Blue 1050711B £7.50 Golden 1050711G £7.50 Green 1050711 £7.50

Friendship dish Outstretched arms envelop this small dish, suitable for use as a chunky candlestand or as a dish for sharing treats and sweets. Dia14cm, H6cm. Created in India.

Bright-polished finish 2121062 £8.50 Antique-copper finish 2120836 £8.50 Stacking monkeys Absorbing fun trying to balance the monkeys to create pyramids and towers - we know, we've tried it!

Supplied in a cotton bag.

Age 3+. Each piece H5cm.

Created in Sri Lanka.

Holding cross A palm-sized smooth rubberwood cross for use as a meditative prayer aid.

H10cm. Created in Thailand.

2141003 £8.00

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Retablo nativity

Cow-face trivet

Exquisitely painted tiny figures make up a manger scene and watchful shepherds in this double-sided hanging decoration. W4cm, H3cm. Created in Peru.

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Created in Thailand.

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See more products and order online at

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Fixed delivery charge of £4.50 for phone orders, £2.50 for web orders.

We are Christians passionate about the local church bringing justice and transforming lives - overcoming global poverty

PARTICIPATE IN A FAIRER WORLD AS YOU SHOP Created is a trading name of Tearfund, 100 Church Road, Teddington, TW11 8QE. Registered charity number 265464 (England and Wales) and SC037624 (Scotland)

BE PART OF A MIRACLE

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magnet Winter 2010

Lynne Ling writes about the ethos that underpins Magnet

F

in 1987, Magnet’s role in encouraging, enabling and equipping people has been central, and we incorporated this concept into the charity objectives defined last year: The advancement of the Christian faith, in particular but not exclusively by: • encouraging, resourcing and affirming individuals and groups in their journey of Christian faith; • inspiring individuals and groups to bring faith into action on issues of social responsibility; and • providing opportunities for skills development and confidencebuilding through volunteering.

ROM ITS BEGINNING

The use of volunteers working collaboratively to edit each issue of the magazine is a prime example of

this principle in practice. On joining the group, the trainee editor offers the skills he or she brings, not necessarily in publishing, and starts on a six year commitment to a process of learning and development. Initially he or she will work alongside an experienced editor. Judith who joined the team in February of this year is working on this issue with Jane who has six years under her belt.

Judith says of the experience: I am really looking forward to seeing my first issue in print having watched it grow from a blank page. It is good to be part of the newly formed team of trustees and editors and I feel really excited about its potential for the future as we all develop.

And Jane’s verdict is: Working with the Magnet team has been one of the most exciting and challenging opportunities in my life. It is good to share ideas, work alongside others, realise that between us we have so many different skills, ideas and even

– dare I say it – theological perspectives, that working cooperatively can produce the very best as I believe Magnet is.

The principle also extends to you the reader, as we seek to encourage, resource and affirm you in your journey of Christian faith, and to inspire you to bring your faith into action.

Magnet provides invaluable resources for you to use in your own personal thinking and action, and also in roles where you have responsibilities for others – in preaching, leading worship, house groups and Bible studies, and in pastoral care.

Why not take a fresh look back through this issue and think about what you can use, when and where, then please let us know what has worked particularly well so that we can share your experience with others.

JANE DOWELL

Volunteering!

Beware ‘experts’ Cathy Gale, who until recently ministered in the Jamaica District, looks at the importance of local knowledge and co-operation in overseas work.

I

N THE TWENTY YEARS of my involvement in the Caribbean, I saw many work teams coming to assist with various church projects ranging from erecting or repairing buildings to running Vacation Bible Schools. Much of what the helpers did would not have been achieved without their financial as well as physical help. A by-product of the interactions was the building up of mutual respect and the forging of lasting friendships.

So, overseas work team trips can achieve much. However, many teams go to developing countries with a number of ‘experts’ – persons who, in their own environment, know something about building, medical care,

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whatever. The problem is that the expertise does not always make a smooth translation to the new culture and environment. The ‘experts’ in these areas are local people, not always formally certified, but with the ground knowledge and common sense that cannot be achieved in a short visit.

I have seen windows installed that were not right for the tropics and other buildings built in such a way that they did not take advantage of the natural wind directions. I have seen people receive surgery performed by foreign doctors, but then receive no proper aftercare as the necessary relationships with local health care services had not been forged.

Please don’t read into what I’m saying a suggestion that the recipients of help from foreign work teams are ungrateful. They are not – quite the opposite, in fact. I simply suggest that real development, real Christian interaction is achieved when we acknowledged that expertise comes in many forms. In God’s economy, giving and receiving is two way and not one directional and models the kind of mutual respect God would have us show the world.

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magnet Winter 2010

intouch

We would love to hear from you, from features that you’ve particularly enjoyed or that have struck a chord with you, to things you’d like to see in the magazine. If you know of a special event you think others should hear about, please contact: Lynne Ling on 0845 250 0509, PO BOX 10378, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 9FT. Deadline for dates for the Spring Magnet (available in February) is 3 December.

M91 Survival

Equipping, calling, going

Congratulations! how brave you were to tackle such a theme and how skillfully you did it! thank you!

Mary Jefferson

Inspiring a prophetic church to build a better world Theme – Word into Flesh 28 April – 2 May Llandudno Regional events for all the family in the Midlands and the South West www.ecgevent.org.uk

I am quietly thrilled (with the issue). I am very satisfied with the way the Prayer focus has been displayed and I have been proud to show the copy round at my work (Combat Stress). Well done everyone. It has given me a great deal of pleasure to contribute. Thank you.

Beth Jordan, writer of the prayer focus

Christian Aid Week 2011 15-21 May www.christianaid.org.uk

The Survival issue was one of the most challenging, with a great variety of perspectives on the topic, each article giving a sense of expertise in its field, all with very sensitive and liberal approach. For me the articles achieved a high standard and gave a very varied and therefore readable reflection on survival.

Stuart Veitch, Trustee

12th WFMUCW Assembly 2011

NB The address for the Christian survivors for sexual abuse (issue 91 page 8) is now: CSSA, PO Box 951, Northampton NN7 9AS See advert page 35

Greenbelt 2011

Year of the Bible 2011 2011 marks the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible – celebrating the Bible in English. A number of events and projects have been finalised for 2011 and details placed on the website: www.2011trust.org/events-2011

Bambelela – Christ is our Hope 10 –15 August Indaba Hotel and Conference Centre, Fourways, Johannesburg, South Africa www.wfmucw.org email: kathleen.pearson1000@ntlworld.com

A family friendly celebration 30 August Our 37-year history is firmly rooted within a Christian tradition which is world-affirming, politically and culturally engaged www.greenbelt.org.uk

August at the Edinburgh Festival The Festival of Spirituality www.festivalofspirituality.org.uk

ISTOCK

In your next issue of magnet…

The spring issue of Magnet will explore vocation in its widest sense, both inside and outside the church. Paid work, church jobs, volunteering, being the perfect mum (or dad or grandma …), keeping fit and healthy... it's an endless list of what we have to fit into life.

We will look at the choices we make, trying to get the balance right between work and play. We ask – what is the relationship between work and vocation? What about those who are unable to work? We seek inspiration from people who are living out their faith in the workplace and hear stories from those living in different types of community, and those ‘working’ as volunteers in different settings.

We also include worship for Vocations Sunday; meditation pages; and the first in a new series of extended Bible studies based on the Millennium Development Goals.

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A RICH RESOURCE OF PRAYERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Available August 2010 Standard and large print editions

£3.00 plus p&p To order, contact Methodist Publishing: 01733 235962 or www.methodistpublishing.org.uk

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