IN FOCUS
March 2007
At the time of writing it is a glorious day - brilliant sunshine, clear blue skies and it is warm – what more could one want! You would think spring had already arrived, but it is still only mid-February. Birds and plants must wonder what is going on, they don’t know where they are with the extremes of weather we are experiencing at the moment – one day it is spring-like and then the next it can be quite wintry.
As the days lengthen and we have more spring-like days, it does make one feel so much better, looking forward to Mother Nature taking on her new role when she wakes up from her wintry sleep, although with climate change, spring does appear to be arriving earlier. Daffodils have already been seen in flower, the snowdrops and crocus are in bloom and the birds are singing merrily. I suppose they could be wondering whether or not to start building their nests!
The change of season also brings us a change in our Christian calendar. We have now entered the period of Lent, the most important time in our Church year: a time of great sadness and joy; a time of reflection; a time when we think of the agonies our Lord suffered for our sakes; his betrayal and denial. He was abused and suffered much pain and sacrificed his life for us. It is time for us to prepare ourselves for the joy of Easter Day and our Lord’s triumph over death.
There are events during Lent, which we have previously publicised, which we can attend to help prepare us for Easter. One is the Lent Study course at the Anglican Cathedral (more details inside). Another is the Passion Play which is being performed again around the city centre on 31st March. This is a very visible way of sharing our faith and something of the Easter message with the people of Sheffield. Come and be a part of this witness.
Anne Judge
Lent Course
This year the ecumenical Lent Course will take place at the Cathedral in the new conference facilities and will meet on three consecutive Wednesday evenings, 7th, 14th and 21st March, at 7.30pm (please note the starting time). At each session we will watch a specially-chosen thought-provoking film followed by a discussion and this series will be led by Will Lamb and Ian Maher, chaplains at the two universities in Sheffield.
Bob
Services in March
Bob will be conducting all the services in March with the exception of the morning service of the 18th which will be conducted by Revd Antony Tomlinson while Bob conducts the communion service at Kimberworth Road URC.
On the 11th March Anne Dale will preach the sermon as part of her TLS “Gateways into Worship” course.
We welcome friends from the Victoria Hall Methodist Church to our evening communion service on the 18th as part of the pattern of services which have been planned while their minister Revd Noel Irwin is on sabbatical.
Bob
Easter Services
Sunday April 1st is Palm Sunday and following our morning service we are asked to join in the ecumenical service outside the Town Hall at 12noon where we are responsible for planning and leading the worship.
On Maundy Thursday 5th April the joint service will take place at the Victoria Hall at 7.30pm where the service will be led jointly by Revd Inderjit Bhogal, Deacon Janet Stafford and myself.
On Good Friday 6th April the joint service will take place at Central at 11am where I will lead worship.
Easter Day will start at 9am with a short communion service led by me and, after breakfast, our service at 10.45am will be conducted by Miss Anne Dale.
Sheffield Youth Orchester Concert
Saturday 24th March. This is an opportunity to come and enjoy some music and encourage young musicians. It is good for them to play to an audience and hear applause for their music-making. There is no charge for tickets, but a collection will be taken.
Bob
Passion Play - March 31st
Following the great success of the Passion Play last year we are once more excited to be involved in this year’s play which will start in the Tudor Gardens at 2pm and will follow the same route as last year to end up outside the Cathedral for the crucifixion and resurrection. We need to provide at least 6 stewards and also for a team to provide a light lunch for the actors and light refreshments after the play for those who wish to come back for fellowship. If you can help in any capacity please contact Elaine.
Please publicise this event everywhere you can – let’s make it a very visual and significant part of the life of Sheffield as part of the Easter Christian activities.Bob
Monday Morning Prayer for the Week
These are the people and organisations that we have prayed for in our sessions so far.
| 4 Feb 2007 |
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| 12 Feb 2007 |
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| 19 Feb 2007 |
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| 26 Feb 2007 |
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Third Thursday Talks
The second of this series took place on 15th February when Craig Barnett came to share with us his vision for Sheffield becoming a City of Sanctuary for refugees and asylum seekers and encouraged us all to consider if we could join this growing movement to welcome refugees whom we meet and to treat them with dignity and respect. We had a first-class presentation by someone who is passionate about the cause but calm and patient in the way he presented it to us. He handled all the questions with sensitivity and understanding and left us with the feeling that this was something we must spend time in discussion and discernment to see if we could sign up to this movement.
I am very encouraged by the quality of the events we have so far hosted and look forward to those we now have scheduled for the next two months.
On Thursday 15th March our guest speaker will be Ian Maher, Chaplain at the Multi-Faith Centre of Sheffield Hallam University, and he will share with us aspects of his work in this capacity. On Thursday 19th April our guest speaker will be Briony Broome, who will address us on the work of SCCCC.
These talks start at 7pm but for those who arrive anytime after 6.45pm there is a cup of tea or coffee available.
Please come along and discover some of the exciting things which are happening in Sheffield.
Bob
Third Thursday Talk - Sheffield as City of Sanctuary
On the 15 February, a small group of people met to hear a talk by Craig Barnett, the Head of Sheffield City of Sanctuary. Craig is a young man with family responsibilities who voluntarily gives of his time to promote this new initiative. His dedication and deep concern for the asylum seekers in our midst is an inspiration and I was particularly impressed by the calm manner he used to deal with many probing questions.
Craig quickly outlined the current situation for refugees in Britain. Over recent years legislation has made their existence nearly impossible. They find themselves destitute with no legal way of surviving and usually unable to access medical care for chronic sickness including Aids and cancer. Asylum seekers cannot marry, even among themselves, and are losing their right to legal aid so that most appeals for asylum are doomed to failure. At any time men, women and children can be picked up and locked in detention centres, then released and re-imprisoned. Suicide rates are increasing.
A prolonged media campaign has existed for several years to scapegoat asylum seekers and in many parts of the country they are harassed, with children too terrified to play outside. There have always been refugees and this acute problem arose when numbers increased about 5 years ago. Although numbers have now fallen, in many places abuse and distrust continue.
Cities of Sanctuary have always existed and in biblical times there were six such places. Sheffield is a friendly and welcoming place. To establish Sheffield as a City of Sanctuary would mean that it would be recognised as a place where asylum seekers would find hospitality and a place of safety. So far 58 local organisations have signed up to Sheffield as a City of Sanctuary, including all churches and faiths. Many have put up posters of welcome. A project is being set up to help asylum seekers use the internet so that they can build their own legal cases. At present one Labour Councillor is supporting the initiative but there is a long way to go before the City Council is properly engaged.
What would this mean for us? Here at Central URC we provide a venue for members of ASSIST to meet and discuss the cases of individual asylumBob
Letter from Madascar
Hi,
It's been a while since I last wrote so it's time to update you all on what's been going on.
Last time I mentioned that Kerry and I were to start helping out Pastor Helivao at her development centre. That's happened with us going every Monday night to a church in the centre of the city to help with a service for street people.
The service begins at around half past six with the kids. A student pastor (all students must do this as part of their training) gets them quiet - which is a job in itself - then leads them in song and prayer. While this is going on the rest of us are dishing rice and sauce into bowls. When the prayers have been said then the food is dished out. The kids have to sit quietly and eat their dinner and then they can leave. The people are pretty strict with the kids but they have to be to get any order. Two kids were pulled out for not praying with the rest of them a couple of weeks ago.When the kids have finished then the process is repeated for the adults but as a full(ish) church service. There are hymns, prayers and a sermon. While this is happening we're busy washing up and dishing out more food which is then handed out.
It's quite a motley crew of worshippers on a Monday from young mothers to old gents. All of them are in shabby clothes and a fair few smell of the demon rum. All-in-all a great bunch to preach my first Malagasy sermon to!
One week the pastor didn't turn up and so I had to fill the void. I preached on the healing of the leper in Matthew 8 which thankfully had an easily rememberable verse in it. So with the help of the Holy Spirit, I managed to preach to them in their own language. One man even gave me a clap at one point which is more than has ever happened in the UK(!) It was a great experience and I hope God used me in some little way.
We're both a lot busier now and Kerry's preparing for a photo and fashion exhibition next Saturday.
Your prayers are needed for Kerry because she's going home in March to find a job.
And keep praying for Akany Avoko, which seems to be having a lot of problems
recently and not just because we're staying there.
Take care all of you,
God bless,
Phil
Summer Concert
The Escafeld choir is holding a concert on 14th July 2007. All proceeds will be shared between the choir and ASSIST. Please put this date in your diary and tickets will be available nearer the time.
Family Outing to the Deep
This will take place on 12th May 2007. We have organised a coach to pick us up at church take us to The Deep and bring us home again. The Deep is a lovely day out; you walk along tunnels and see fish of all shapes and sizes swimming around you. The Deep is a charitable public aquarium dedicated to increasing people’s enjoyment and understanding of the World’s oceans. It first opened its doors in March 2002 and so far has welcomed over 2 million visitors from the UK and abroad. There is a café and also a picnic area if you would like to bring sandwiches. The price will be £15 each for adults and £6 for children, which covers the bus and entry. I will put a list on the notice board for anyone who would like to go and I will let you have a ticket when they are available.
Toiletries for ASSIST
Hilary has already appealed to us on behalf of ASSIST. Surviving on £20 a week is virtually impossible. By donating basic toiletries we can help asylum seekers in our city to maintain their self respect. As someone who regularly meets and talks with those who come here on a Wednesday I would like to ask you to consider donating toiletry items on a regular basis. We could then put together a small package for individuals whose need is greatest. If you decide to contribute, please consider the separate needs of men and women. We would also welcome financial donations to buy more specialist shampoos as many refugees are from Africa. Hilary and I will organise distribution of all items and in 3 months time will write again about what we have achieved.
Shirley Newman
Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark
Don’t miss the boat.
Remember we are all in the same boat.
Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Build your future on high ground.
For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
When you’re stressed, float a while.
Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.
Always listen to advice – it might be worth taking.
No matter the storm, when you are with God, there is always a rainbow waiting.
Prayer Focus
Week One
We are now in the second week of Fairtrade Fortnight. I have read several interesting and challenging articles in newspapers over the past week which have tried to challenge people to think ‘fair trade’. Hopefully, this will make more people look for the symbol that we now recognise, and buy fairly traded goods rather than just look for the cheapest option. Continue to focus on the growers; those who buy to market the goods; and all of us who can make the difference for families in the Third World.
Week Two
Monday, 12th March has been chosen as a Global Day of Prayer for Burma. What little information that comes out from that country tells us of a lack both of openness in society and religious freedom. Pray for those who suffer under this regime and who struggle to make Burma a democratic country.
( website - www.prayforburma.org)
Week Three
This is Mothering Sunday, when we think about mothers both in particular and in general. Pray for all those mothers in the world bringing up children, nurturing them and hoping to watch them grow to adulthood, and knowing that this might not happen because of the conditions that they live in. There are so many countries where life span is too short, through hunger and bad living conditions. Think about such places.
Week Four
This is the Bi-centenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British colonies. Sadly that does not mean that slavery no longer exists. As has become all too apparent recently, it is still very much alive and making rich those who are the traffickers. Pray for Ian Craigie and those who work with him to end this dreadful exploitation of human beings.
On Saturday the Passion Play will be performed in the city centre. This is the most wonderful opportunity we have for sharing our faith with others. Pray that it may touch hearts and minds of those who watch, that it might remind them of things they have forgotten or tell them of things they never knew – that Jesus died for us.
Do come and be a part of this witness – if you can, volunteer to do a job that day!
