Has it ever occurred to you how many journeys there are in the Bible? In the book of Genesis Abram is called by God to leave his home and to go to ‘a land that I will show you’ – He becomes Abraham and founder of faiths. Moses is called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt; they wander in the desert for many years until God leads them to the Promised Land. In the New Testament, Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus, and Jesus himself journeys to Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Acts of the Apostles is full of journeys as the disciples and Paul seek to spread the gospel of Our Lord amongst the Jews and the Gentiles. All these journeys prelude a change – a moving forward in our understanding of God’s purpose for his people. There are many other notable journeys too – usually involving a personal change or growth of understanding – like the meeting on the road to Emmaus. Even Jesus himself had his understanding deepened as a result of encounters on his journeys, particularly in his meeting with the Syrophoenician woman after travelling to Tyre – you may read the account in St Mark’s gospel chapter 7 verses 35-30; St Matthew has the story in verses 21-28 of chapter 15.

It is no wonder that the Christian life is often referred to as a journey, a moving on, hopefully a moving forward that usually involves growth and sometimes change. As with many of the stories in the Bible, the journey is not always comfortable and it may be difficult at first for some to adapt to their changed circumstances; but true faith involves going out into the unknown and trusting God to lead us in the right way.

We at All Saints are about to move forward, to journey into the unknown – there will be some who are rejoicing in the adventure and some who would prefer to stay safely where we are! The PCC has decided to make the Family Eucharist, which has been held for two years now on the fourth Sunday of the month, the main service of the day. So that, as from this month, there will not be a service of Matins at 11.00am. In fact, there will be no service at all at 11.00am, the Family Eucharist will be held, as usual on the fourth Sunday at 9.45 and will be followed by coffee. Initially this is to be for a trial period of six months.

I think it is a hugely exciting opportunity for the whole of the church family to come together at least once a month. Since it began, this service has grown and grown in popularity and for the last year has had a higher attendance than any other service (apart from festivals). We began in the Lady Chapel with a small electronic organ, but we outgrew the Lady Chapel and the organ some time ago! I hope this decision by the PCC will take us on to a new stage in our growth as the family of Christ in this place.

In the evening of the fourth Sunday, we shall have choral evensong, which we hope will enrich the worshipping experience of the steady group of people who prefer to come to church in the evening. We also hope that this may attract new people. Many non-regular church goers remember with nostalgia and joy their times at evensong as children and young people; we hope we may tempt them to journey back to Christ.

Yours in Christ

Jo

Our farmers, particularly those who farm here in the parish

All newcomers to the village

Ascension Day is a very important day in the church’s calendar. We at All Saints are again hosting a Deanery service for those who live in this part of our Deanery. We hope to have choir members from other parishes to augment our own choir. Last year we had a wonderful celebration, do put the date in your diary and try to join us. The service begins at 8.00pm.

Last month's coffee morning raised £307 towards church funds. A big thank you to Dewi and Nancy Waters for hosting a very enjoyable event in what to many of you was a previously unknown corner of Turvey, and to everyone who helped with and supported it.

Thank you to everyone who donated the lilies and other flowers which filled the church so beautifully on Easter day and to the dedicated band of helpers who arranged them all, not forgetting those who supplied coffee and cleared up!

The next meeting is on Thursday 18^th May at 2:30pm in the Manor Room. Betty Hewett will give a talk entitled "A week with the Donkey".

A belated thanks to all who supported Fairtrade Fortnight. If you are arranging tea or coffee at Church functions and would like to order some of the Fairtrade biscuits please contact David Seaton (720015) at least 2 to 3 weeks beforehand

SEE Round. We did not receive last month’s "SEE Round" magazines in time to distribute with our newsletter. Hopefully you should receive two issues this time.