Month: April 2020

a collage image of 4 photos showing shepherds digging sheep out of big snow drifts

Friday Connection – 1st May 2020

Welcome to our Seventh Friday Connection – 1st May 2020

Dear Friends we hope you are all well and feeling at peace in this strange time. Perhaps you have been able to do jobs that have been waiting for a while; maybe you have found a new hobby or craft; you may have been able to think and meditate on your life as a Christian and read your Bible more and dig deeper into God’s word to us.

When we lived and worked in Derbyshire in the 1970’s we had a very bad late fall of snow, just after the sheep had all had their lambs – there were drifts four feet deep in the whole valley that was Edale. For almost 48 hours without stopping only for food and a short rest, the shepherds in the valley kept searching and digging until every one of their sheep and lambs had been accounted for. The most distressing sight was a pile of lambs in a farm yard, all had perished but the most poignant sight was the efforts of those shepherds tirelessly searching until ALL had been found.

3 sheep lay in the foreground where snow has been cleared, and a man's legs can be seen sticking out of the snowdrift behind them

Project that into one of the readings for today – John 10 verses 1-10, the parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus never stops searching and finding those folk who have lost their way in life – often through their own misguided efforts and ideas. And when we are feeling lost, in times of questioning and sometimes doubt or fear, Jesus always calls us back to himself, to receive the love, life and assurance that only he can give: “I have come that you will have life in all its fullness.”

The picture of God as our shepherd is written throughout the whole of the Bible. One of the other readings for Sunday is Psalm 23 which we probably all know by heart and which brings strength and comfort to many. It is so wonderful to know that Jesus wants us to have that fullness of life and that Gods unquestioning love for us is shown in so many verses. Although it is not one of the week’s readings Isaiah 43 tells us ‘I have called you by name, you are mine, do not be afraid. You are precious to me and I love you’. If a shepherd cares for his sheep with great care and devotion, how much more does Jesus love and care for each of us. Also in Isaiah 40 verse 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart…

What wonderful readings for the week, full of peace, encouragement and love.

And I will trust in You alone, And I will trust in You alone,
For your endless mercy follows me,
Your goodness will lead me home.
© Stuart Townend (click on the link to hear the song).

These are the four readings for the week if you would like to study them all:
Acts 2:42-47 • Psalm 23 •1 Peter 2:19-25 • John 10:1-10

With our love and prayers Terry and Irene

a close up of someone's hand holding a pen over a Bible page, with a notebook underneath

Resources for Sunday 26th April 2020

As the churches are currently closed due to COVID-19, there are lots of resources being made freely available for people to continue to worship from home. We hope that the following will help you at this challenging time.

Don’t forget that Young Spirits will also be uploading a video onto our Facebook Page each week, if you want to join them in working their way through the Bible one book at a time. There’s also the Sunday Service on Radio 4 service which begins just after 8am and Songs of Praise is on television.

a grassy path beside a field, with the sun shining on a clear day

Friday Connection – 24th April 2020

Welcome to our Sixth Friday Connection – 24th April 2020

Dear Friends it is good to meet together each week in this ‘connection’. As Christians we need to meet together to study the word of God and this week one of the readings we are looking at is Luke 24: 13-35, the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus.

As we walk along the Christian road we do not know what lies ahead. When we get to the end of the track will we turn left or right? Is there a bend in the road and what is beyond? Is there a hill to climb and what will be seen when we get to the top? Will it be a hard journey or a gentle stroll? Will we meet friends on the way? When we reach our destination will there be a reunion with family and friends and will they have a welcome meal waiting for us?

During the first meal in the Bible in Genesis 3 verses 6 & 7, the woman took some fruit and ate it. She gave some to her husband, and he ate it; then their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked. Death itself was traced to that moment of rebellion– the whole  creation is subjected to decay, futility and sorrow.

Luke, echoes that story, in the first meal of the new creation in Jesus – “He took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, then the eyes of both were opened and they recognised him” – Luke 24 verse 31. Death itself is defeated, God’s new creation, brimming over with life and joy and new possibility, has burst into the world of sorrow. The risen Jesus is the sign of this new world. Jesus has gone through death and entered a new world, a world of new and deathless creation.

I wonder if the disciples travelling on the Emmaus Road with that stranger noticed what sort of road they were travelling – was it stony, hilly, a hard climb? I think nothing about the road they were journeying would have been noticed or mattered as they listened to that stranger explaining the scriptures to them, the how, the why and the importance of Jesus and his life, death and resurrection . Can you remember when you first listened to or read this portion of scripture? Did your heart burn and did your imagination run riot as the experience of those disciples, not named and not the ones we know from the bible passages echoed in your life? We are not named in the Bible, though God knows each one of us intimately.

The travellers’ eyes, hearts and minds were opened as Jesus shared a meal with them and broke the bread and suddenly, at the breaking of bread, they knew with whom they had been travelling, that Christ had risen. Their real experience meant they had to turn around and rush back to tell the others what a miracle had happened. Their wonderful experience helps us to believe all that the Bible offers us through Jesus.

We are invited to listen to the exposition of the Bible, to have our hearts burning within us as fresh truth comes out from the pages. Only when we see the Old Testament reaching its climax in Jesus will we understand it.

We too are invited to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread. This is the central symbolic action of all Jesus’ people. Scripture and sacrament go together – we find Jesus in the Bible, in worship, but especially now walking alongside us on our road through life.

With our love and prayers, Terry and Irene

overhead shot of a child holding a cut out paper heart

Don’t Foster Misconceptions About Fostering | Guest Post by Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service

We’ve been asked by the Lincolnshire County Council Fostering Service if we could share this information with you, in case you or somebody you know may be in a position to consider fostering.

According to the UK’s leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, it is estimated that a further 7,220 foster families are needed nationally in the next 12 months alone to care for the increasing number of children coming into care.

This picture is mirrored locally with Lincolnshire Fostering Service actively recruiting foster carers across the county.

Foster carers are needed from all walks of life to meet the diverse needs of the children in their care. Therefore, you can be a foster carer regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status or religion.

Despite this, there are many myths about who can become a foster carer which prevent people from enquiring as they feel they won’t be suitable for one reason or another. Here are some myths that a lot of people think stop them from becoming foster carers and the actual truth.

I can’t foster because I work / am unemployed / on a low income.
Whatever your employment status, this is not a barrier to foster. Lincolnshire Fostering Service has foster carers who work full time, some who work part time and some who foster full time instead. There are different types of fostering you can do which can fit around your lifestyle. For example, if you work full time and would love to foster too, Lincolnshire Fostering Service is actively recruiting respite carers who can offer at least 2 weekends a month as well as time during the school holidays.

Only people from particular backgrounds can be foster carers.
All children have different needs, and so foster carers from all different backgrounds and religions are needed to help care for them. Lincolnshire Fostering Service tries to place children with foster carers who are most likely to be meet their needs including any religion or cultural identity. Training around ‘Equality and Diversity’ is also provided to help foster carers provide the most appropriate care for children.

I can’t foster because I’m in a same-sex relationship.
Your sexuality does not preclude you from being a foster carer – what’s important is that you can safely care for a child who may have suffered neglect and abuse. Lincolnshire Fostering Service welcomes enquiries from LGBT+ applicants and has successfully approved a number of same-sex foster carers.

Only people who are married or living together can foster.
Single? No problem! The important thing is that you have a range of life skills and that you think about what support network you have around you in terms of friends and family who can support you with your role as a foster carer.

I’m too old to foster.
It may surprise you to learn that there is no upper age limit to becoming a foster carer. Lincolnshire Fostering Service has carers of all ages, some in their 20s and some in their 80s! As long as you over 21 years of age, are fit and well enough to look after the children in your care, and have a genuine desire to make a real positive difference to children’s lives Lincolnshire Fostering Service would love to hear from you!

I can’t foster because I’m a single male.
Many people believe that men can’t foster but this just isn’t true. Both men and women can make great foster carers as each individual brings their own skills and experiences to the role. Lincolnshire Fostering Service has a number of single male carers who have made a real positive difference to the lives of the children in their care.

If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time to find out more. Apply online today at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/fostering or call 01522 554114 for more information.

open Bible with a cup of coffee

Resources for Sunday 19th April 2020

As the churches are currently closed due to COVID-19, there are lots of resources being made freely available for people to continue to worship from home. We hope that the following will help you at this challenging time.

Don’t forget that Young Spirits will also be uploading a video onto our Facebook Page each week, if you want to join them in working their way through the Bible one book at a time. There’s also the Sunday Service on Radio 4 service which begins just after 8am and Songs of Praise is on television.

a BIble laying open in the sunlight, with John 20:31 written across the top "these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

Friday Connection – 17th April 2020

Welcome to our Fifth Friday Connection – 17th April 2020

As we join together again it is difficult to believe that the coming Sunday will be the fifth Sunday we have been unable to worship together physically. Despite the situation we are still able to speak to each other by telephone and other electronic means and, of course, through our prayers for each other, the situation and our world as all countries work hard to combat this virus.

Are you contagious? Hopefully not with the virus or any other illness but with the Christian Spirit. For us as Christians we need to be contagious so that others can catch the Spirit and know how much God loves them.

The Gospel readings for Sunday are from John 20:19-31 and the Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47. As we read these portions of scripture we see how the apostles reacted to the resurrection of our Lord and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

In the reading from John we see that the disciples were locked away and afraid. Although we are locked away and some of us may be wary of how life is going to return to some normality, we know that in God’s plan we are safe. After his resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples and said to them “Peace be with you” and emphasised that by repetition. Even when Thomas doubted because he wasn’t with the disciples at Christ’s first appearance, Jesus came and again reassured him. John tell us of these incidents and says to us today …these things are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in His name.

In the Acts of the Apostles we learn how the apostles lived and how they shared their faith so much so that “…every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.”. In this exceptional time when we are separated from each other we still have opportunities to dispense our faith, maybe by encouraging each other in our church family but also by being able to speak to friends who aren’t believers and showing God’s love in our care and concern.

You may be eating your meals alone, or with one other or with a family. The disciples “…ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God…”. Meals may have become more of an important and enjoyable part of your day as other activities have become curtailed. Thankfulness is part of a Christian life so rejoice in every day, the weather, the jobs that you’ve been able to do because of the lockdown and the food we eat to keep us healthy. While we offer our thanks to God, remember those parts of the world where health services and food are scarce. Consider what we can do to help. There are so many ways and things we have to be thankful for, even in this different and difficult situation.

As you pray each day remember that Jesus is the Christ and through belief in Him we have life in all its fullness. Jesus still leaves his peace with all who believe. Easter is a daily celebration for all his followers.

We send our love and prayers
Terry and Irene

three crosses in the distance as seen through an open tomb door, with the sun rising

Resources for Sunday 12th April – Easter Sunday

As the churches are currently closed due to COVID-19, there are lots of resources being made freely available for people to continue to worship from home. We hope that the following will help you at this challenging time.

Don’t forget that Young Spirits will also be uploading a video onto our Facebook Page each week, if you want to join them in working their way through the Bible one book at a time. There’s also the Sunday Service on Radio 4 service which begins just after 8am and Songs of Praise is on television.