Dear Friends,
The Lunky hole and Psalm 23
Can you guess what links these two together? It helps if you know what a "Lunky hole" is! Scottish "stane dykers"(stone wall builders) used to create a special hole (the Lunky hole) at the base of a wall, just large enough to allow a sheep to pass through into an enclosed pen or field. The shepherd would ensure all his flock passed through the lunky hole before closing it with small boulders or perhaps lying across the opening himself. By these means he ensured the flock were safe and protected from wild animals or robbers.
Throughout the Bible there are many references to the shepherd and his sheep (see John 10). The lovely twenty-third Psalm starts with "The Lord is my shepherd". David sees God as a caring shepherd and a dependable guide and our humble beings as his sheep. As the sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection, so we need dependence on and obedience to God.
Keeping our flock together - pastoral care - is something we can all do to help our Church (Church = Us!) here in Turvey. A recent article on the growth/decline of Churches has the following "Ten Commandments for Church growth" and I feel they are worth printing here. Number one is something we’ve highlighted in our pastoral care group report to the PCC!
1. Don’t just have a welcome mat: Be welcoming.
2. Get the building to say "Hello!"
3. Worship like you really mean it.
4. Make everybody feel important.
5. Make the kids happy and they’ll bring their parents along.
6. Act generally as though you expect "outsiders" to come in.
7. Preach about things people talk about.
8. Take the Bible more seriously than you take yourself.
9. Talk about God as though He’s turned up.
10. Make Jesus a mid-week Man.
(By Joel Edwards, Director General of the Evangelical Alliance)
P.S.
How often do we put to use the longest word* in the English Dictionary especially with strangers in our midst?* "Smiles" There’s a mile between the "S" and "s"!!
David Seaton
Church Electoral Roll
This year we have to produce a new Church Electoral Roll to be ready for the Annual Parochial Church meeting in April. A notice to this effect will be displayed in the porch. New forms will be available from 10th February on the tithe table at the rear of the church. Please hand in your form to one of the Churchwardens or a sidesman. The closing date is Sunday 24th March. Eligibility for church membership is shown on the form. The new roll will be placed at the rear of the church from 7th April for any corrections to be made.
The PCC will be grateful if all currently eligible members and those who wish to join would please complete a form.
Lent Bible Study
Twenty people from All Saints and Turvey Abbey met for an hour for three evenings last Advent to consider one of the Bible readings for the following Sunday's service. This was appreciated by those who came, and we intend to do the same for the five weeks of Lent starting in the week beginning on February 17th. If there are enough people who want to come, we may have one group in the early evening (7pm to 8pm) and another at a convenient time earlier in the day.
If you would like to participate in one of these groups please let either Canon Martin Reardon (888992) or David Seaton (720015) know as soon as possible, and not later than February 10th. You will be notified of the time, day and place of meeting.
Coffee Mornings
We are planning to hold regular coffee mornings in different homes throughout the year. We need volunteers to act as hosts for these events. If you would be interested in doing this please contact Anne Claypole White.
Christingle and Toy Service
"Christian Family Care" have written to thank everyone for the gifts of toys, most gratefully accepted and given out over the Christmas period. These toys are given to children who would not otherwise enjoy such presents.
Mothers' Union
During Advent the Mothers' Union had a crib touring Turvey. The crib stayed with each family for a day with a brief handing over ceremony to the next hosts. All who participated enjoyed the experience. On Christmas Eve Kate and Tom Brewster carried the crib down the Nave at the start of the Crib service.
The next Mothers' Union meeting is on Thursday 21st February at 2:45pm in the Manor Room, a talk on Christian Family Care by Mrs. Gill Chidgey.