As Christians we are encouraged to give to those less fortunate than ourselves. We are also encouraged to give support to the work of the Church. In times gone by it was customary to pay tithes or tenths, literally a tenth of all one’s income to the Church. Some Churches still suggest that people pay a tenth of their income, after tax, to support the work of Christian Mission here at home and in the wider world. And it is a sad fact that without regular giving from its members the Church in this country would not survive in the way we know, and hopefully, love!

But that does not really answer the question, how do we decide which charities to support? I can only tell you what I do and hopefully it will help. First of all I have decided what proportion of my income I want to give away for charitable work. Then I have thought carefully about what concerns me most – this is the really hard bit because there are so many totally worthwhile causes. I also try to see who spends money most efficiently – and, of course, which groups are bona fide charities doing what they say they are doing! I then share out the available money, paying by standing order each month, to my chosen charities. I also keep back some money so that I can respond to emergency appeals or perhaps make a one off gift to a different group.

I am afraid that all other requests go into the shredder for recycling! I will never be coerced into giving money over the telephone, even if the caller represents some highly respectable international group; I also always make it clear it will not be worth their while to call me again. Having done all that, I just have to hope and pray that I have made the right decisions and try not to feel guilty!

It is a comforting thought that we will all favour different charities – some prefer to give to the developing world, some to children’s work, some to support animal welfare and still others to those protecting the environment - and so on – so in the end every charity gets a share of the money that is given.

There are other ways to help too. Our time is perhaps one of the most generous gifts we can give. Working for a day or half a day in a charity shop or office, for example, or using any specialist knowledge or skills we may have to help in a practical way. Organising, or delivering and collecting, for annual street collections, or helping to run and support things like our Frugal Lunch for Christian Aid. Finally, never underestimate the power of prayer. If we have such limited means that financial giving is difficult, if our spirits are willing but our bodies a bit old and worn for physical activity, prayer never fails and can be done from anywhere. Then trust God. Alone we can never save the world, however much we may want to! But if each of us does what we can, God can work with that and solutions will come.

Yours in Christ

Jo

The people of China and Burma and all suffering from natural or man made disaster

Those who work in charitable organisations

Those opening their gardens in Turvey this month for the work of the Red Cross.

A good way to support a charity and have a most enjoyable afternoon is to visit gardens in Turvey on Sunday 8th June. A number of gardens, which are usually private, will be open to support the work of the Red Cross. If you have not done this before it is great fun and a really good way to use the entertainment budget in a worthwhile cause! There is a fixed entry fee to include all the gardens; usually payable at the first one you visit. You will be given a map with the location of all gardens that are open and the rest is up to you!

An extremely wet and miserable Bank Holiday Monday was infinitely improved by the brain wave and hard work of three members of our congregation. Gill Betts, Pat Cartwright and Anne Claypole White saw an opportunity to use the new kitchen facilities in church to provide a service to those visiting the village and Turvey House – and to make some money for the church. They served cream teas from 3.00pm until 5.30pm – and jolly good they were too. There was a choice of tea, or freshly made coffee, scones with cream and jam and a delicious selection of cakes and pies – all provided at very little cost to the consumer. Trade was brisk! People just visiting the village and local members of the parish enjoyed taking tea at several prettily decorated tables; one man who was visiting from Wiltshire awarded them almost full marks – it seemed to me they only missed ten out of ten because they didn’t charge enough – I have yet to work out the logic of that one! One of the nicest parts of the afternoon was the opportunity to chat to all sorts of different people – and some huge co-incidences emerged as mutual friends or common birthplaces were found. It is planned to serve teas again at intervals throughout the summer, usually to coincide with the opening of Turvey House.

There will be one special day, however, when we hope that as many members of the parish as possible will come to tea and when we hope to entertain the community from Turvey Abbey. That will be the day when we dedicate our new facilities and give thanks for those whose generous giving made the work possible. Chief amongst these was Ruth Reardon, whose most generous gift in memory of Martin inspired us to get the work started. At the moment of going to press the exact date is not known but it will be late July or early August.

The next coffee morning will be at 10:15 on Saturday 14th June at Lace Cottage, 3 Newton Lane, by kind invitation of Matthew and Sarah Beecham. There will be a raffle and bring-and-buy stall for which contributions would be very welcome. Last months coffee morning raised £178 towards church funds. Many thanks to Dawn Riddle for hosting the event and to everyone who helped with and supported it.

Thank you God for sunshine,

Thank you God for Spring,

Thank you God for sending

Every lovely thing.

I am as my creator made me, and since he is satisfied so am I.

Minnie Smith

I just want you to know you are in my thoughts. I trust the Lord will bless you and give you a very special day.

Don’t forget your umbrella, I might water the plants today.

God

On Sunday 18th May, we enjoyed our annual ‘Frugal Lunch’ in support of Christian Aid held in Church after the morning service.  People gave most generously, raising the sum of £300 (or £375 including Gift Aid).  Many thanks to all those who so kindly donated food or served on the day and to those who supported the event. It was a lot of fun with the children picnicking outside in the Church grounds and we adults in the cool of the beautiful Church building.  We were also fortunate to have the company of Peter West, former Christian Aid worker (and wife, Mary), who gave a most interesting talk during the service.

A little boy was overheard praying: Lord if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it. I’m, having a real good time like I am.

Anne was born in the village of Newton St Loe, near Bath. She says that she spent an idyllic and happy childhood there in the years before the outbreak of war. Her father was clerk of works to Earl Temple of Stowe. She was very close to her brother and the two of them had the free run of the estate where they lived. Sadly he died at the age of forty three. She attended school in Bath and travelled there by tram! When her father retired (he was an elderly parent) the family moved to Bath while they searched for a more permanent home.

In 1941, the family moved to Westwood, a village in Wiltshire. Anne continued to go to school in Bath, but this time by train. If there have been a bad air raid on Bristol, the train could be as much as two hours late! It was a relief to go to Trowbridge Girls High School which just meant a four mile cycle ride each day! In 1949 she went to Nottingham University to study Geography and stayed on another year after graduating to do teaching training. She had always wanted to teach and went back to her old school where she taught for the next three years.

Anne grew up with Douglas, who was to become her husband. Their two families moved to Westwood at the same time. They were virtually neighbours and the two families became friends. Anne and Douglas became engaged while Douglas was finishing his National Service, but were not married until 1953 when both had completed their studies. Douglas was articled to a firm of Chartered Accountants in Bath, and they started married life in a flat in the Royal Crescent, Bath (lucky couple)!

They moved to Bedfordshire in 1957, when Douglas joined a firm of accountants as junior partner. As a family they integrated fully into village life in Turvey. They attended church, where later both their daughters, Susan and Barbara sang in the choir and rang the bells. Anne joined the Young Wives group which met in The Rectory once a month. Enid and Mabel used to run the crèche in the kitchen and the mums met in the dining room. Anne said Turvey was very different in those early days—everyone knew everyone else. There were seven shops, including even a haberdashery! The post office was opposite the Three Fishes. Sadly time moves on.

After thirteen years as a housewife, Anne decided to go back to teaching and took a part time post teaching at St Andrew’s school in Bedford. This involved some intensive preparation after such a long gap. Geography had changed considerably during that time. She agreed to go to the school for a year but ended up staying for the next fifteen! She says she loved the challenge of teaching mixed ability classes and found it much more rewarding than her previous experience with sixth form students. After her retirement she served on the board of governors for five years.

The big change in Anne’s life came when Douglas decided to join the St Alban’s Ministerial Training Scheme. She had never visualised herself as a vicar’s wife! Douglas was ordained in 1980. He served as curate to Sharnbrook, Souldrop and Knotting for two years before being appointed as priest-in-charge to Felmersham where he served for sixteen years until he retired in 1998. At first Anne found it hard to transfer her loyalties from Turvey to Felmersham but was soon accepted and enjoyed the new role and it was a wrench to lose the close ties with Felmersham when Douglas retired, but she was soon fully involved in Turvey again.

Anne loves gardening and finds it therapeutic, she also likes walking, but it has to be with a dog. She can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a dog in the house. She is an avid reader, is a member of the PCC , organises church flowers and coffee mornings and swims when the weather permits. As if that is not enough she has 3 grandsons aged 13—19 although she does not see one of them very often as her daughter Barbara now lives in America.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

There is a deep hole in your being, like and abyss. You will never succeed in filling that hole, because your needs are inexhaustible. You have to work around it so that gradually the abyss closes. Since the hole is so enormous and your anguish so deep, you will always be tempted to flee from it. There are two extremes to avoid: being completely absorbed in your pain and being distracted by so many things that you stay far away from the wound that you want to heal.

Submitted by Betty Hewett

God our heavenly father; make the door of our parish church wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship and a Father’s care, and narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and lack of love; here may the tempted find help, the sorrowing receive comfort, the careless be awakened to repentance, and the penitent be assured of your mercy; and here may all your children renew their strength and go on their way in hope and joy.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord

This is a question that I often hear

and I suppose that to me it is so very clear

but to help you find out, from A - Z

I’ve listed some assets just from my head.

There are many to choose from A - D

from Asian History, its use clear to see

and its value with children, who learn from their ride

and gain new achievements they display with great pride.

The most economical animal, its cost is so low

that in every poor country they’re kept on the go

helping the poorest, their dung provides fuel

and they carry their goods and their children to school.

As guard dogs down under they protect the sheep,

from wild dogs and snakes, at the sound of a bleat

They tackle the problem, with kicks and with teeth,

and protect their charges, their lambs safe beneath.

In China their main use is producing fine milk

for children, and producing soap, smooth, soft as silk

In Africa it’s traction, pulling great carts

with loads so enormous, it just breaks your heart.

In war they have proved a great help to man

carrying bombs and sidewinders, is this in God’s plan?

But gentle and patient, poor women can use them

overseas where they often work harder than men.

To me, he has helped man the most on the earth

so why so derided, abused in his work

My job is to champion, the donkey my friends

and this I will do, until my life ends.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs, his bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours of their wives, families, homes, jobs and their involvement in the military service. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for these one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by, although the other man couldn’t hear the band he could see it in his minds eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed until one morning the nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take his body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly and painfully he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed, only to find it faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate to describe such wonderful things outside his window. The nurse replied that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you". There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

Submitted by Cindy woods