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Q). When a local primary school needs new governors, where do they turn? A). MBC

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Right now ACE – that’s Allerton Church of England Primary School is seeking to recruit some new governors. And looking back in time, and realising how obliging we all are it made sense to school head Helen Stott and chair of governors Anna Ladd to turn to MBC for help. 

The school pre Covid had five of our members going in at least once a week to sit alongside and help some of its seven hundred plus pupils with reading, maths and even leading assemblies. On top of that there are some brilliant trips – Ilkley Literary Festival, The Deep in Hull, the Royal Shakespeare theatre in Stratford, Harlow Carr etc. etc. which over the years many of us have been on. 

Sadly Covid put a halt to all that and currently there’s only John Sherbourne left on the books who serving as a co-opted governor on the main board also looks after some KS2 Assemblies sits on the welfare team and also handles complaints.

Geographically ACE is actually the nearest Primary school to MBC sitting immediately behind the King Lane Park and Ride on Lingfield Approach, and with us turning our minds to our VISION I just wondered if this appeal might not be a reminder (i.e. a prompt from God) that we need to focus our minds beyond our doors and be a church that in terms of community involvement rolls up its sleeves and gets stuck in. 

You can find out much about ACE in general (including joining in a guided online tour) by visiting the school website www.allertonceprimary.com or for a more focussed view of the work of a governor at www.allertonceprimary.com/governors/

Alternatively email Anna direct (anna.ladd@allertonceprimary.com) and set up a meeting.   

Lent 2022 – look, listen and act

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Please take a look/listen to what the Church Of England is doing over Lent, exploring the theme of Embracing Justice.
 
Some great material in there for adults and children alike.
 
Please take a look/listen to what the Church Of England is doing over Lent, exploring the theme of Embracing Justice.
 
Some great material in there for adults and children alike.
 

Straining at the oars – Jane Coates

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Directly after this, Jesus made his disciples get aboard the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake, while he himself sent the crowds home. And when he had sent them all on their way, he went off to the hillside to pray. When it grew late, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was by himself on land. He saw them straining at the oars, for the wind was dead against them. And in the small hours he went towards them, walking on the waters of the lake, intending to come alongside them. But when they saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost, and screamed out. For they all saw him, and they were absolutely terrified. But Jesus at once spoke quietly to them, “It’s all right, it is I myself; don’t be afraid!” And he climbed aboard the boat with them, and the wind dropped. But they were scared out of their wits. They had not had the sense to learn the lesson of the loaves. Even that miracle had not opened their eyes to see who he was. Mark 6 v 45-52 

After the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus instructed the disciples to make the return journey of about six miles, back by boat, from Bethsaida to Capernaum. But the weather turned against them. These hardy sailors were struggling against fierce wind and storm, were now in the middle of the lake, were in serious trouble, and making no progress. They were straining at the oars, fighting against a direct head wind, but making no advance. It would be a terrifying situation, rowing like crazy in the pitch black, making no headway or progress. Their muscles would strain and ache with the monumental effort of pulling on the oars. 

From high up on the hillside, Jesus saw their struggles. He saw and came down to them, walking on the water. Jesus spoke peace to them.” I Am “is here. Do not fear. Jesus climbed on to the boat with them and the wind dropped. 

We are often in situations where we feel that we are not making any headway. We are working impossibly hard, ‘straining at the oars’ and getting no further forward. We are up against it! We are fighting against the current and the tide. It may be that we need to lay down our oars. But as Jesus did with the disciples, Jesus sees our struggle, Jesus comes alongside, Jesus speaks quietly to us with words of peace and encouragement, and Jesus gets on board. Jesus may not come straight away, and He may turn up in surprising and unexpected ways- but He will come. It would be lovely if there were calm waters all the time, but this is not our reality. Be prepared for the storms, for they will surely come. 

God’s wisdom is so deep, God’s power so immense,
    who could take him on and come out in one piece?
He moves mountains before they know what’s happened,
    flips them on their heads on a whim.
He gives the earth a good shaking up,
    rocks it down to its very foundations.
He tells the sun, ‘Don’t shine,’ and it doesn’t;
    he pulls the blinds on the stars.
All by himself he stretches out the heavens
    and strides on the waves of the sea.
He designed the Big Dipper and Orion,
    the Pleiades and Alpha Centauri.
We’ll never comprehend all the great things he does;
    his miracle-surprises can’t be counted.
Somehow, though he moves right in front of me, I don’t see him;
    quietly but surely he’s active, and I miss it. Job 9 

PRAY 

In our world, we are often straining against the world’s ways, culture and trends. Many things are against us. Jesus, come alongside and come on board. We need your peace and presence. 

There are things that we cannot understand, and which are too painful to watch- the war in Ukraine, the suffering in your world. But You see and we ask you to come near. 

Sometimes our struggles and hardships may be of our own making. We need to put down our oars. 

Sometimes our projects and missions are not the ones that you intend for us. We need to put down our oars. 

Sometimes life is just a struggle, we are  ‘up against’ it all of the time and we are straining at the oars. Help us to let go of the controls.  

Open our eyes to who you are. Amen 

In quavering faith, we act with hope against hope.  By Haddon Willmer

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Today, 28 February, sees a welcome but risky scaling down of Covid restrictions, while the shame of vaccine inequity remains.  A high income country vaccinates 70% of its people by increasing health care spending by 0.8%, while a low income country faces a 56.6% raise – and still we put arms of self-pity around ourselves.  (Global Dashboard for vaccine equity.)

Just about now, emails arrive telling us domestic fuel will be more expensive from 4 April – 50% will be manageable for some, devastating for many. 

Tomorrow, the latest climate report (Climate crisis | The Guardian) will appear, more urgent than ever.  But it is likely to be hidden from view by murderous carbonizing war.  

By the time you read this, things may be far worse for Ukraine, for its people, and for all of us, including the Russian people.  Putin blows a nuclear cloud over the earth.  May I talk about anything else in a situation which has turned a comedian into an inspiring fighting president?  

Let me borrow from Josep Borrell in the Guardian: 

With this war on Ukraine, the world will never be the same again. It is now, more than ever, the time for societies and alliances to come together to build our future on trust, justice and freedom. It is the moment to stand up and to speak out. Might does not make right. Never did. Never will. 

Let me listen again to Sunday worship from St Martin in the Fields (Sunday Worship – A prayer for Ukraine – BBC Sounds).  

Orthodox Biship Ihor of Kharkiv was quoted:  

“We must always remain Christians—calm, thoughtful, responsible, sensitive to the needs of others, capable of analyzing information and of clearly discerning one’s place and one’s calling in the endless struggle between good and evil.” 

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said,

‘We do not understand the way of the Lord, but we trust in the promise that Jesus has left us, a road that is not paved with roses, but involves hardship and challenges. He told us that “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” Our Lord did not run from His Calvary…. We continue to pray for peace, but we must also pray for victory–not only a military victory, but especially a spiritual victory. Ironically, Russia will only be saved if President Putin is defeated. We pray for our enemies, that they be enlightened by the truth of the Gospel, that their eyes are opened to the horror they have inflicted and continue to inflict.’

And with our enemies, we pray for ourselves, for we all, in some way and another fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23).  And in quavering faith, we act with hope against hope. 

Sundays with Jesus. Including Sunday 6th March

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Dear friends 

A couple of weeks ago we started looking at what we can learn about Jesus through the book of Mark.  We will be continuing this until Easter…here is a quick summary…

Sunday 13th February                 Jesus the healer 

I believe…. help my unbelief (Mark 8.24). What happens when you believe but things seem to challenge what we believe? 

Sunday 20th February                 Its love, actually…  

What are you near to? Is love central? How did Jesus’ love with all His heart?  (Mark 12.28-34) 

Sunday 27th February                 Jesus went about doing good 

Mark 6.30-44 “You give them something to eat” 

Sunday 6th March            Jesus and the mind (café church with drinks and breakfast pastries) 

What stories do we tell? What’s in our conversations? (Mark 5 1-20, Mark 4) 

Sunday 13th March                     Jesus forgives 

How do we truly forgive? What is forgiveness? (Mark 2:1-12) 

Sunday 20th March                     Jesus worked alongside others (with opportunity to take communion)  

How do we work alongside Jesus and others? What mission are you on? (Mark 3:7-19)   

Sunday 27th March                     Jesus knew who He was  

Who do you say Jesus is? How important is it to know who we are? (Mark 8:27-30)  

It’s Mothering Sunday so there will be opportunity to remember all those who have been a mum or who have been special to us  

Sunday 3rd April                Who are we following? (café church with drinks and breakfast pastries)  

What or who do we follow today? More glimpses into what the kingdom of God is like…We also welcome Bethan Stevens from Compassion UK to share some of her stories (Mark 10: 17-31)  

Sunday 10th April            Palm Sunday (Mark 11: 1-11)    

Sunday 17th April             Easter Sunday Celebration (Mark 16)  (with opportunity to take communion)

We aim to be around an hour and to make them as accessible as we can with the people we have. All services will be available on youtube as long as we have the people and tech to support it.  There will be a practical, creative element to the services for children or for those who want to interact in this way as long as we have volunteers to support/help lead it. On the second, third and fourth Sundays this element will take place during the talk and on the first Sunday it will vary as to whether it’s something you can do at your ‘café’ table or pick up. The room, next door to the main room known as the Sanctuary, will always have some resources in. We just ask that you leave it as you‘d like to find it.  

Do get in touch with me or send a message to Kate or chat with the leadership team if one week you want to pray, do the reading, support an activity, be involved in sung worship, learn some tech, share a testimony or something else.  Our prayer is that we don’t only know about Jesus but that we develop a living relationship with Him so that we can be transformed and help transform our world.

Look out for other things linked to church on the run up to Easter Sunday but if you feel God is speaking to you about something or you would like to do something then do get in touch.  Our Sundays are part of a conversation together with God and we look to hear what He is putting on our hearts for us and for others. 

We could do with a hand in setting up café church this week so if you can help can you let me know please? 

Finally can I leave you with these words from Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

God bless

Shelley

Getting to know you – Rachel Beedle checks in to Lunch Club

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Last Wednesday Rachel Beedle officially started work as MBC’s Senior’s Worker. Having said that, Rachel had already spent a number of Wednesdays feeling her way into the job by taking on a watching brief as John Hornby and the team (front of house, in the kitchen and behind the wheel)  prepared the way. 

When both Rachel and I get time to pause for breath I’ll sit down with her and bring you lots more detail. In the meantime enjoy the pictures and please keep this vital and much appreciated part of our ministry in your thoughts and prayers. 

Pray for Ukraine, an appeal from BMS World Mission

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During our service on Sunday 27th of February we showed a PowerPoint presentation that BMS World Mission had sent to us regarding the situation in Ukraine. You can watch it again by following this link to the NMS website.

https://www.bmsworldmission.org/news/pray-for-ukraine/

 

Lessons from a leather cushion

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Jesus Calms the Storm 

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4 v35-41 

I love this account in Mark’s gospel as it clearly shows the very human side of Jesus. The crowds had been with Him all day and Jesus had delivered a full teaching programme to His disciples and the crowds who were thronging around Him. Jesus had taught the lessons of the new kingdom and His parables and by late afternoon He would have been drained and exhausted. Had He gone on to the shore from the borrowed boat the crowd would have followed Him and so at His request they launched the boat out on to the lake. But even then, a little flotilla of small boats attempted to follow. There was to be no respite for the weary Jesus. He needed time to be away from the crowd, to find a little solitude, peace, and rest. Mark tells us that Jesus was asleep on a cushion in the stern of the boat. The stern of the boat had a wooden bench with perhaps a leather cushion placed on it where a boatman could take a rest or even sleep for a while. It was here that Jesus was fast asleep. 

I love the reality and the personal touch of the details that Mark adds to the account. Jesus is weary and sleeps. Sometimes for us too, being with the crowd, no matter how wonderful, can be draining and it is not wrong to want to be in a quiet, solitary place. We all need rest, recovery, and recuperation at times.  

The boats were heading towards the Gentile lands of the Gadarenes on the other side of the lake. A sudden and violent storm appeared which threatened to overwhelm and endanger the boat. Storms were common on the lake and the experienced sailors would be used to handling their boats in the many different weather conditions, squalls, and storms. But this storm was different- fierce and frightening and the waves threatened to capsize the boat. They had never seen anything like this before. The wind was a tempest and the raging waves large enough to overwhelm and sink the boat. The sailors feared for their lives. And yet in the storm, Jesus remained asleep on a cushion in the stern of the tossing boat. 

The sailors had done all that they could to stabilize the boat and feared shipwreck and loss of life, and so finally, in desperation, they woke up the sleeping saviour and called out, “save us Lord, we are dying.” 

There was panic, alarm, fear, distress, and manic activity to deal with the emergency but Jesus calmly took control of the situation. In His calm voice and with quiet authority, He ordered peace to the wind and stillness to the waves and the storm immediately disappeared and all was calm. Jesus then challenged His disciples. Surely you should realize that because I am with you then no harm will come to you. The boat could not be lost while ever Jesus was with them. His followers only then began to realize the nature and the power of this Jesus. “Who then is this that the wind and the waves obey Him?” The sudden calmness and stillness were perhaps just as alarming as the storm had been. 

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven. 

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalm 107 v 23-29 

Sometimes we may wonder where Jesus is when we are going through the mill and dealing with tough situations or when we hear of frightening things happening in our world. It may seem as if Jesus is not aware of our distress and inactive or that He is even sleeping. But He is there. He is always there. Call out to Him. The simplest of prayers will do-Help! 

Wake up, Lord! Why are you asleep?
Rouse yourself Don’t reject us forever! 

Why are you hiding from us?
Don’t forget our suffering and trouble! 

We fall crushed to the ground;
we lie defeated in the dust.
Come to our aid!
Because of your constant love save us! 

Psalm 44 v 23-24 GNT 

When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace; you alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe. Psalm 4 v 8 

PRAY 

Lord I am weary. I am overwhelmed and my energy is low. I need your rest. I need your resources. 

This world is sometimes a disturbing and a frightening place. The world news is distressing. Yet I know that you are there. We need your voice to bring peace and stillness to a troubled world. 

We are troubled by what is happening in Ukraine and we cry out, “Help, Lord.” We pray for your peace. 

Amen

Jane Coates 

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