Dear Friends,

It is almost Pentecost – that wonderful day of thanksgiving for the gift of the Holy Spirit, first poured out on Jesus’ disciples empowering them to spread his word throughout the entire world. At Pentecost two years ago we were on holiday in Brittany and decided to seek out the English Chaplaincy there. We arrived just as the guitars started to play ‘Happy Birthday Dear Church’. Although this isn’t quite my style, it was a good reminder that this Sunday, sometimes called Whitsuntide, is kept as the Birthday of the Christian Church. It was good to be able to celebrate with other English-speaking people even though we were abroad.

English Chaplaincies abroad are interesting places. When Rob, my husband worked in France, we worshipped regularly at the English Chaplaincy in Luxembourg. The services were those of the Anglican tradition, but the congregation was made up of Anglicans, Roman Catholics, United Reformists, Baptists, and Methodists – in fact anyone who was comfortable worshipping in English. In Luxembourg this often included Dutch, Germans, Swedes, Norwegians and many other nationalities. It was a true reminder of what the Christian Church should be. It did, however, require some tolerance and understanding of other people’s needs and thoughts.

Last month, five of us from Turvey went to a conference in St. Alban’s Abbey entitled ‘May they all be one, but how?’ We were just five amongst about nine hundred people of all Christian denominations seeking a way to represent to the world what unites us, rather than what divides. It was good to be there because some groups, especially within our own tradition, often choose to concentrate on trying to prove that their interpretation of Our Lord’s Gospel is the right one at the expense of all others, and this saddens me. Their debates spill out into the press with the result that the Church ends up looking like a battleground! At the conference, the Archbishop of Canterbury talked of the attractiveness of unity: if we, as members of the Christian Church, are to have any impact in the world, we must stop fighting amongst ourselves instead of working for God in the world, the work for which the Holy Spirit equips us.

This is not to say that we shouldn’t continue to seek the mind of God on sensitive matters such as women Bishops and homosexual priests: such sensitive issues are bound to evoke both strong and hurt feelings. But we must try to face these issues in an adult and loving way, not in a state of confrontational and threatened hysteria which is afraid of open debate and which reduces the Church’s impact amongst those who see it increasingly as a squabbling irrelevance. Then perhaps the Church, as the body of those who love and serve Christ, can get on with the really important job of serving him in the world. There are many places where we are badly needed!

Yours in Christ

Jo.

The Church throughout the world and all Christian people

David Hunter to be Priest in Charge of Stevington

Robert and Caroline Evens, as they prepare to move to Wymington and Podington with Farndish

Malcolm Lesiter, Archdeacon of Bedford, on his retirement at the end of this month, and Caroline, his wife.

Luke Machan and Kerrie Waller to be married at Turvey on 21^st June

It was good to see so many people at the Annual Parochial Meeting when Bruce Deacon, our architect, made an excellent presentation about what needs doing to the roof. The PCC has decided that we must go forward in faith and start work as soon as we can before more damage occurs. There is a real chance that the wet will begin to seep into the walls and we shall have an even bigger problem. We do not yet have nearly enough money! PLEASE give some thought about how we might preserve our beautiful Church – and about how we might involve others in the village who love the building and want to use it for their weddings and baptisms even if they do not come regularly.

The next coffee morning will be at the home of Jim and Margaret Lacey, 7 Manor Close Carlton at 10.15a.m. on Saturday 14th June. There will be a bring-and-buy, cakes, plant stall and a raffle, contributions for which will be very welcome. If you need transport please contact Anne Claypole White (881661). Thank you to Dawn Riddle and everyone who helped with and supported the May coffee morning, which raised £210 towards Church Funds.

We still need extra volunteers for the altar and Lady Chapel flowers. If you would like to help, please sign the rota in the church porch. You do not need to be an expert flower arranger! It is sensible to commit yourself for two weeks at a time, as flowers last well in church.

Mothers’ Union

The annual Garden Party will be held on 19^th June starting at 2:30 p.m. at 7, The Green – by kind invitation of Paul and Rosemary Gentry.

Meetings at 2:30 p.m. on 7^th July in Church as usual, and on 4^th August on Turvey Rec. (weather permitting!).