Newsletter, November 2010
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From the Rectory

What do Northampton Crown Court, the Higher Education Funding budget proposals and Alfred the Great have in common? Maybe I have an untidy mind but these three rather disparate things have come together in my thinking recently.

I was privileged to spend a day on the Bench with a County Court Judge in Northampton in the summer. It was fascinating – not least for the succession of young men who, having little in their lives but a wall to wall diet of television, had taken to robbery at knife point. One freely admitted it gave him ‘a kick’. Some of these young men were still in their teens, but not far short of the age of Alfred when he became King of the West Saxons in the year 849 at the age of twenty-two. Whether or not he was a competent cook, he was a more than competent king who effectively brought to an end the constant threat of Danish domination in Britain, established peace and set about bringing stability to both state and church. He gave half his income to the establishment of religious houses which, as well as care for the poor, the sick and travellers, became Christian centres of education. Alfred obviously found his niche in life!

Which brings me to the Higher Education budget - I am at risk of sounding elitist here, but the reality is the exact opposite. I have long been of the opinion that we do many young people no service whatsoever by insisting that the only route to success is to go to University. (I am sufficiently pedantic to loathe the abbreviation ‘Uni’ so will not use it here!) Of course, I think it is vital to offer education of the highest possible standard to all young people, regardless of whether they are ‘rich or ‘poor’ – anyway, those terms are relative and have much more attached to them than the possession of material wealth. I also think it vital that we view University as a place for those who love learning – and that a degree in Ancient Greek with Sanskrit is as valuable to society as a so-called vocational degree like medicine. But it doesn’t make those who achieve these qualifications any better than those who leave school at sixteen and work hard in a job or apprenticeship that suits their talents and interests.

There is another problem too. Some degrees are valuable currency in the job market – many are not -so why are we encouraging our young people to put themselves in debt to do something that may not be much use at the end? If it is about three years away from home learning to ‘grow up’ I can think of many more schemes that would benefit the young and society! It may be, for example, that Community Service would benefit some of the disaffected young men that I saw in court that day – if it were not called that and were not seen as some sort of punishment. I may be naive but I think we all value being told that we are good and useful and valuable to our friends and family and to society as a whole.

I wonder how effective Alfred would have been after three years at University learning about Kingship and then taking a Masters in Battle Tactics? It seems to me that the secret of his success was that he was ‘fit for purpose’ He was lucky to be in a role that he fitted – and surely this is the most important thing of all. It is not the nature of the role that counts but how we carry it out. As George Herbert says

‘Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws

makes that and the action fine’

Alfred evolved a legal code based on common sense and Christian values – and in God’s eyes all are equal in value.

Yours in Christ

Jo

All young people who have no aim in life

All young people in training schemes or at university

All who administer the law

When pride comes, then come disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

On 20th November at 2.00pm a team from All Saints will be swimming in the Rotary Swimathon at Bedford School Pool. All the money raised will go to St John’s Hospice. They need your support! You can come along to the pool to cheer them on – they swim as a relay for fifty minutes – or you can offer to sponsor them.

Our swimmers are

Vanessa Elliott, Sandra Nightingale, Rob Spray, Lucy Taylor and Abi (A friend of Lucy)

We wish them luck and thank them for swimming on our behalf – many of our parish, sadly, have reason to be grateful for the work of St John’s so it is good to be able to support them.

If I don’t pray today Lord, you will notice, if I don’t pray tomorrow, I will notice, if I don’t pray this week, everyone will notice. Lord Jesus, give me the will to spend time with you today and every day this month.

Thank you to all who gave so generously for our Harvest this year – and to those who bought Harvest boxes. We are able to send £400.00 to the Bishop’s Harvest for the Hungry appeal.

Most people who bought boxes chose for them to be donated to BECHAR and I had the following letter of thanks

‘On behalf of the guests, volunteers and staff at the Prebend Day Centre I would like to thank you and your congregation for your gifts this harvest time.

We strive to maintain the level of services needed to help the less fortunate of Bedford, during these difficult financial times. The Day Centre continues to offer both hospitality and support to all our visitors, including a range of professional services with a view to reducing street homelessness.

With the support offered by generous people like you we are able to continue offering free lunches at the weekends for all our guests, and free soup and rolls every weekday afternoon. No person attending the Day Centre, with or without money in their pockets will leave hungry.

Your donations really do make a difference, and we cannot thank you enough for your continued support.’

The Day Centre is actually open 365 days of the year providing on weekdays, breakfast, lunch and free afternoon soup and at weekends a free hot meal. There is also a clothing bank, laundry and shower facilities a games room and TV lounge and a medical room. Guests are also helped with a range of specialist services. As well as food, items of clothing and toiletries are always needed and welcome. If you would like to volunteer to help, please ‘phone 01234 365955 and ask for a volunteer form.

Remember that a successful marriage depends on two things: finding the right person and being the right person.

Advent Sunday

28th November at 6.00pm

Don’t forget to choose your favourite hymn and put it in the box on the Tithe Table by 21st November.

Loving Lord,

We thank you for your love so freely given to us all.

We pray for families around the World.

Bless the work of the Mother’s Union

as we seek to share your love

through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage

and family life.

Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship,

and in love and service reach out as your hands across the World.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

Coffee Morning

The next coffee morning will be at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, 11th November at 3 The Green, Turvey, by kind invitation of Russell and Glen de Ville. There will be a bring-and-buy, for which contributions, especially of cakes and produce, would be very welcome. Last months very enjoyable coffee morning raised £202 towards church funds. A big thank you to David and Sandra Nightingale for hosting the event and to everyone who helped with and supported it. We are now planning next year’s programme, if you would like to host a coffee morning, Anne Claypole White (881661) would hear delighted to hear from you soon!

Loving God, the birth of your Son Jesus Christ brought great joy to Mary and Joseph. We give thanks to you for everyone whose birthday we celebrate this month. May they ever grow in your faith, hope and love. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

4th December: Church Christmas Market in the Village Hall 10:15—12:30. Please come and support us, there will be lots of your favourite stalls. Donations of books, home made cakes and preserves would be especially welcome. As usual there will be a fantastic light lunch served along with teas and coffee. For more information please contact Celia Hanbury on 01234 881621.