On Monday 28^th July a large group of very excited children, and slightly apprehensive leaders will be gathering for the start of Holiday Club week at Holyrood school. Please pray for us.

The theme this year is Space. An adventure where imagination can run wild, where children’s minds will take them to incredible places, unencumbered by the restraints that get in the way of an adult mind. 

They will be able to see things, and dream up thoughts we have long put behind us. Sadly.

In good old Star Trek words, they will go where no one has been before.

In amongst the space adventures, we will all have a travelling companion alongside us in Jesus, the children will be learning about his life and what he gives to us, they will hear the words of Jesus without preconception but just as they are.

While we were preparing for worship this week, we looked at this story of Jesus

In Matthew 19 v 13-15 we read: One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: “Let the children alone, don’t prevent them from coming to me. God’s kingdom is made up of people like these.” After laying hands on them, he left.    ( The Message)

Do we as adults allow our intellect to get in the way, have we lost some of the wonder of a vivid imagination which is free and can take us to new places? Your answer might be yes or no or undecided. Where could we go if we just allow ourselves to receive the love of God through his Son

In these months of summer when there should be a little sun, if we are lucky, allow yourself a small privilege.  Accept the words that Jesus speaks and you find hard to fathom, for the face value, allow the Holy Spirit to do the work of consideration, pondering and trying to make sense. Jesus valued everyone of all ages as children of the heavenly Father. Join us and become spacemen for a week…or more.

 Rev Georgina

John  Writes  ………

 As most of you will know, I had the opportunity to go to France recently to visit some of the places that were significant 80 years ago when the allied forces arrived in force on D day. The liberation of Europe was in the hands of these brave men supported by equally brave women.

As a result of their actions we have the privilege of living in a country that has a huge amount of freedoms and a democratic electoral system. Granted it may not be perfect but I think that it is a sight better than the alternatives that we see in other countries around the world.

We now have our general election coming up with a choice of candidates holding a range of political views. I would encourage each of you to exercise your right to vote, which was won by the sacrifice of so many all those years ago.

There seems to be a such lot of negativity and complacency when it comes to our politicians, but it is so important that we each have our say and vote for the person or party that we feel best represents a positive way forward, for our community, our country and our world.

If I was voting for a great leader I would be looking for someone who is honest, wise, peaceful and loving. Someone with a track record of positive and effective leadership. Someone who was spiritual by nature.

The good news is that we already have that leader in the form of Jesus Christ! So let us pray that whoever wins at the next election displays at least some of these attributes.

I was recently at a clergy day and listened to an excellent speaker who debunked a lot of the negative press that we hear about Christianity.

A survey has been undertaken by a recognised company which was first carried out in 2015, this had been repeated in 2022 and the plan is to repeat this every 5 years (obviously the pandemic got in the way in 2020). The results that came from this are really encouraging with non-Christians having a very positive view of practising Christians.

The most important thing that I got from this seminar, is that for too long negative press and TV coverage of Christianity has worn us down into believing that our faith is in a rapid downward spiral. Nothing is further from the truth, with young people particularly open to explore what the Christian faith is all about. We have such good news to share and these statistics should give us confidence to do so. It seems that there are a huge number of people out there just waiting to be invited to find out more.

So, let us step out in confidence prepared to share our story of faith, knowing that the Good News that we have is Good News for everyone, and that so many people are searching for something deeper in their lives.

If you would like to know more about the Talking Jesus report 2022 you can find this at talkingjesus.org or speak to me or Revd. Georgina.

With every blessing

John

On the evening of Thursday 6^th June 2024 Ringing out for Peace for the 80^th anniversary of the D-Day landings took place at St. Mary’s Church, Chard, by their team of bell ringers and visitors at 6.30pm. Rounds and call changes were rung on the bells to mark this special occasion.

If anyone would like to join St Mary’s bell ringing team, you will be welcome, either as an existing bell ringer or if you would like to learn. Please contact the Bell Ringing Secretary on 01460 63496 who will be pleased to hear from you and can give you further information.