Hello everyone,

Christine and I went into voluntary isolation on the 16^th March. This past weekend took us over 40 days and nights.

Jesus faced his 40 days and nights wilderness period alone and overcame by giving every trial he faced to his Father in Heaven. 

We still can’t believe it, that our world turned on its head so quickly, so unexpectedly.

One moment, everything normal, proceeding much as it had always done before, and the next, chaos and confusion, everything overturned in an instant – institutions teetering on the brink, certainties crumbling into dust, lives descending into mayhem.

People have reached the stage where they are asking when will it end, when will this nightmare be over?

We were told things would get worse before they could get better; that the death toll would rise and the number of those infected continue to climb, despite every measure being taken to prevent it.  We are promised also that, eventually, this disease will peak, and that we can then slowly start picking up the pieces of our lives again.

As Christians we have been praying and showing compassion both in word and deed for family, friends and neighbours. We give thanks to God for the support Christine and I have received.

We thank God for the number of you joining with us at 11.00am each day. (or anytime for those who find 11am not possible.)  The temptation is to feel that our prayers are inadequate.  So we share with you another prayer for the coming week. You might like to add this prayer to the others you received.

When our prayers feel so inadequate

They feel so inadequate, our prayers, Lord, so small a response to so great a crisis. Even if we could find the words we seek to sum up our concern, express our fears, articulate our needs and entrust into your care the many we know to be at risk, even then, our efforts would seem lacking.

But we can’t get anywhere near that, our entreaties to you being muddled, halting, confused, disjointed. We do not know what to say or how to say it; what to pray or how to pray it, and we are left feeling we have failed ourselves, you and others.

Do not let that deter us, Lord. Teach us that you heed not only the words of our lips but also the thoughts of the heart, prayer not being an exam we must pass but an opportunity to embrace.

Help us, then, simply to share with you, as best we can, what we are feeling, so committing ourselves, our loved ones, and the world beyond, sincerely into your keeping. Amen.

Keep Safe.  Keep praying and like Jesus taking all your requests to God our Father.

Peter

Hello everyone

Nick Fawcett served as a Baptist minister for thirteen years, and as a chaplain with the national charity Toc H for three, before deciding to focus on a writing ministry, backed up by editing, both of which he continues with today, despite wrestling with myeloma, an incurable cancer of the blood, that places him in the highest possible risk category during the current coronavirus crisis.  Like so many, he will be isolated at home to protect his health. His aim, increasingly, is to write material free of religious jargon that reaches out to people of all faiths and none.

Here in Meltham over many years now Christine and I have found his material both inspirational and easy to follow.

His response to the pandemic was to write a book of prayers ‘For a Time Such As This’

He asks are you struggling to pray at the moment? I am. You want to bring your fears before God. You want to commit yourself and your loved ones into his keeping. You want to pray for the innumerable people facing unimaginable difficulties and hardship at this time due to the pandemic that has descended so swiftly upon us. But prayer doesn’t come easily. We feel almost numbed, almost lost for words, almost as though our own little concerns (however huge they may feel to us personally) are relatively trivial in relation to the scale of the crisis now facing the world. Yet we need to pray, today, more than ever. Not that prayer will guarantee our safety or that of our loved ones, or that it will miraculously put everything right, but we need simply to seek help and strength to get through whatever the months ahead may bring.

I suggest that we start by asking God what to pray for and then continue by using the prayers of intercession. 

PRAYERS

When you’re struggling to know what to pray for

Lord, what can I pray for?    What should I say?

I’m frightened, troubled, confused, –  everything in life having been turned inside out and upside down.

Whatever words I use in prayer seem inadequate, hollow, even trite.

Help me, hold me, hear me, and at this troubled time, encircle all – myself, my loved ones, the wider world – in the warm embrace of your love. Amen.

Intercession for those struggling with the crisis, both near and far

Reach out today, Lord, to the frightened, anxious about themselves or their loved ones.

Hold them and help them.

Reach out to the isolated, the lonely, the vulnerable

Hold them and help them.

Reach out to the sick, those wrestling with the symptoms of coronavirus, those whose situation is complicated by underlying health conditions.

Hold them and help them.

Reach out to those ministering to the afflicted, offering support, comfort and treatment as best they can, but hampered by limited resources and the scale of the crisis.

Hold them and help them.

Reach out to the bereaved, those already mourning family and friends, their love and companionship snatched away.

Hold them and help them.

Reach out to those affected financially – those who have lost jobs and livelihoods, the future they took for granted now under threat.

Hold them and help them.

Reach out to the countries of our world most affected – Italy, France, Spain, Iran, China, Russia, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom – and the many places elsewhere in the world seeing an increase in infections, and facing imminent catastrophe in turn.

Hold them and help them.

Reach out, Lord, to a world in need, a world teetering on the edge of chaos, on the brink of disaster.

Hold us and help us all. Amen.

For all whose lives have been turned upside down by this crisis

I’m not praying for me today, Lord, but for others: young people meant soon to be taking exams, their future now in doubt;

Carers looking after loved ones, striving to keep safe those at risk;

Those suddenly finding themselves out of work, financial pressures added to fears over health;

Owners of small businesses, cafes, shops, bars and restaurants among many others, faced by the prospect of their livelihood collapsing in ruins, what had seemed a wise investment now a millstone around their neck;

Clergy, counsellors and chaplains, seeking to give succour and support to those reeling from recent events;

GPs, nurses, doctors, consultants, NHS staff, increasingly overwhelmed by massive pressures yet with limited resources to meet them;

Politicians and leaders in this country and beyond, trying to work out the best way forward – a way of safeguarding life as effectively as possible, while also limiting potentially devastating economic consequences for all.

Give help, Lord; give strength; guidance; wisdom.

In our hurting world, bring hope and healing, love and life. Amen.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Keep Safe.  Keep praying

Peter

Ladies Speaker and Supper Evening 7pm, Friday 27th March – St James’, Meltham Mills

Supper will be served from 7pm. Bolster Moor M&P pies with peas with a lighter vegetarian option available. Soft drinks provided. BYOB if you would like wine with your meal. Desserts and coffee will be served following the speaker.

Our guest speaker will be an old friend, Corrine Scandling. Her life has been full and varied, ranging from beginning as a very reluctant scholar to being a guest at Buckingham Palace. She has been recognised for her work in Further Education and it promises to be a fascinating evening.

These evenings are very popular and a good opportunity to bring along someone who may appreciate a nice evening out in good company. There is no charge but a small donation towards the cost is always appreciated.

We look forward to seeing you soon, Jenny Mathers Tel: 850839

The next Oasis Quiet Day at St James will be on Wednesday 25th March beginning at 10.30am. Coffee will be available from 10am. Please bring a packed lunch if you wish to stay all day. The day will be ended by 3pm.

If you haven’t been before, don’t worry. The time is for you to spend just as you like. Read a book? Sit and think? Pray? Draw? Write? Go for a walk? Do some craft? After a short reflective act of worship taking no more than 15mins, the time is just for you to spend in a safe, quiet space. Nothing is asked of you – no questions, no discussion, no singing, no rules, no expectations, no pressure – just relax and be at peace.

More information from Jenny 01484 850839

It looks like it is going to be fine on Sunday, so we are hoping for lots of people at ‘Carols in the Park’.  Please can as many people as possible provide some mince pies.  Thank you. 

I’ve just found out that the Meltham Shoebox Project kindly donated the funds from their stall to ‘Crisis’ for which we are very grateful. 

Thank you to everyone who supported the ‘Crisis’ coffee morning. You helped to raise £3,692 for ‘Crisis’ as well as funds for the Welcome Centre, the Meltham Shoebox Project and the Bloodwise charity.

Wednesday 2nd October 

10.30am -3pm at St James’

The day will give you a safe, quiet space in which to relax, pray, feel ‘in the presence ‘ and generally have a ‘day off’ away from normal routine. 

Some inspiring words, music and images to guide your thoughts, but mainly…silence. A time to read, pray, meditate, think, go for a walk, whatever you feel in need of to help you relax and find refreshment in a Holy Place.

More details will be in October’s Magazine or from Christine Woods (852268) or Jenny Mathers (850839).

Adrian Scott is a poet, writer and amateur photographer who lives in the Rivelin Valley, Sheffield. He has written three books of poetry, one of prose, and has edited a collection of poetry by the two writing groups he facilitates.

Be attentive to the ordinary so that you can connect to a deeper sense of the sacred in your life’s journey. The tools of the retreat – writing, discussion, listening and silence – will help us to make sense of all that goes on within.

At St James’ Church, Meltham Mills, Holmfirth, HD9 4AL 7th September 2019 10.00 am to 4.00 pm The day includes a soup lunch, refreshments and cake. A suggested donation of between £5 and £10 to cover costs would be appreciated.

To book a place, please contact: Bethan Aspland (Email: bethan.lucy.aspland@outlook.com; Tel: 07963 876309) or Liz Ryan (Email: elizabeth.a.ryan@gmail.com; Tel: 07776 338724) Don’t forget to mention any dietary requirements.