Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord,
for you are with me.
Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.
Psalm 23 v 4
Good News Bible
Prayer for Dark Times
God, we pray for healing and comfort for anyone dealing with physical or mental pain.
We pray that they find refuge in You in the midst of their pain.
May You continue to give them the strength to keep going.
To push through those dark moments and know You are with them every step of the way
Sopha Rush via Insta.
Our Minister, Rev Philip Peacock
The Lectionary for the next three weeks click here
Love & Grace
When was the last time that you did some colouring in? You may not be able to remember. You may have done some with a child or a grandchild. You may have applied yourself to some for your own benefit – because these days it is acknowledged that it can be a means of self-care, reducing, for example, stress and anxiety. The reason for this lies in the fact that it is a repetitive activity which requires attention to detail. When you are focused on the colouring, your attention is taken away from yourself and the things that are stressing you out or making you feel anxious. When someone is colouring in, the aim is to keep within the lines. However, there is the possibility that the crayoning goes outside the defined sections. So, the end result is not as exact as it could be.
This year during Lent, the Methodist Church has been running a campaign with the title Unbounded Love and the strap-line God's love doesn't stay in the lines. The phrase ‘unbounded love’ comes from Charles Wesley's well-known hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. It talks about Jesus as ‘unbounded love’ – love that cannot be restricted, which is at work in our lives and in our world to set us free and overcome all that is harmful and not good. The image for the campaign, which is shown, has, alongside the words ‘God’s love doesn’t stay in the lines’, a heart which is crayoned in, with the colour also crayoned beyond the boundaries of that heart.
This idea of love which doesn’t stay in the lines, perhaps sits well with the Methodist logo of the Orb and Cross, which is also shown. On the Methodist Church’s national website, the symbolism is explained as follows: ‘The Orb represents the world. The colour red, the traditional colour of Pentecost, may be taken to symbolise the Methodist conviction that through the power of the Holy Spirit, all humanity may be saved. The Orb is charged with a radiant Cross, which, like the field it is set on, is white, celebrating the glory of the risen Saviour. There is no boundary to the arms of the cross, just as there are no limits to the grace of God.’ So, the Orb and Cross represent limitless grace which also cannot be confined.
In their song, In Christ Alone, Stuart Townend and Keith Getty write: ‘Then bursting forth, in glorious day, up from the grave [Christ] rose again!’ The grave could not hold Christ in. His unbounded love and limitless grace burst forth on Easter Day. God’s love and grace don’t stay in the lines. They can burst forth anywhere, at any time and for anyone. Have you experienced God’s love and grace: love which is unconditional; grace which gives you what you do not deserve? If so, give thanks to God. If not, why not open your heart to God to receive these gifts and see what difference they make in your life?
When was the last time you did some colouring in? I think, for me, it was 22nd December 2023. I was very careful to keep within the lines then. Maybe next time I will be less concerned to do so. Then I may be able to reflect more on the unbounded love of Jesus and the limitless grace of God.
May you know God’s love and grace at work in your life.
PIES
Jackie is now making little pies again – choose chicken or minced beef as before. Sadly, the price must increase to £2.50 and she will have to put the 50p into her housekeeping! As the Magdalene Fund now looks quite healthy, thanks to you, the pie proceeds will go to our regular Charities.
Ukraine Appeal
Just a quick update from my side...
Pam is back in the UK but has been working closely with a Ukrainian friend Tata.
After thinking hard about the money you've all just donated..Ive made a decision to give it via Tata to a family who, having lost their home a year ago had been roaming from this place to that.. sleeping in garages looking for work but finding nothing...
When they arrived at Tatas village they were all filthy with no good clothes on the backs..all in a real state..but now they are moving forward and the man will help look after animals and get a very small salary along with a rent free place to stay...
They're in need of many things as the house was almost empty..so we will help them..
Chris x
Please contact Chris Rowe if you would like further details,
As many of you are aware, Ben’s Centre is a small local charity serving vulnerable people who have issues with drink and may be sleeping rough. The Centre offers food and a safe environment where people can shower, obtain clothes and get advice according to their needs.
Ben’s is always short of men’s socks, underwear, scarves, hats, gloves, not forgetting the essential supplies of coffee, tea, and sugar. So, for the price of a new pack of socks and underwear, or a donation of any unwanted warm clothing, you could really make a difference especially as the colder weather approaches.
If you require any more information, please speak to Richard/Kathryn Warren or Alan Brailey.
Your donated clothing or food items may be placed in the collection bin which may be found outside
Room no 1.
Thank you
Sue Cox
Church Memories
Dear Banner Cross Members and Friends
Please email me your memories as a word document or just in an email is ok too, at christinearowe@outlook.com (Note the ‘a’ in the middle of my e-address if you’re not copying and pasting)
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Books
There are lots of books on the shelves in the church building.
On the bookshelves at the back of the Coffee Lounge - on the right as you are looking at the back wall - are paperback books. These are mostly, but not exclusively, novels, and are for sale at a minimum donation of £1. The proceeds from donations go to our church charities. ‘New’ books appear on a regular basis so keep looking if you are a bookworm. There are also a few hardbacks on the bottom shelf.
There are also some ‘Christian’ books of all types which, I suggest, can be borrowed as well as bought. These can be found on the bookshelves on the left.
In Room 5, there are also bookshelves full of ‘Christian’ books which you can borrow. Ask a member of the Leadership Team, or me, if you would like to look at these.
Thank you to those who have donated books. I hope you will browse the shelves and purchase a book or two. Happy reading!
Alison
Holy Habits
Link to Holy Habits previous articles
We have agreed to support Magdelene over the next 4 years whilst she attends the University of Makeni.
Letter from Magdalene Sept 2021
Update from Magdalene September 2022
Update from Magdalene September2023
Link to current Rota scroll to end
The Noticeboard in the Coffee Lounge
Information is pinned onto the noticeboard in the Coffee Lounge. You will find the
following:
- Notices, including Services and ‘Save the Dates’ - prepared fortnightly. Plus,
wallet of copies to be taken.
- rotas for Welcome and Worship – to amend by hand when appropriate
- current Banner Cross Preaching Plan plus wallet of copies to be taken.
- Eco-Gardens information
- a large poster about our Community Coffee Mornings on Mondays
- Saturday Coffee Morning rota
- Info about and from Magdalene
- Wi-fi information
Near the bookshelves, there are also leaflets and so on from other churches in
the Circuit.
Alison
Eco Garden Group
Link to Eco Garden Summer Update
Link to previous Wild Garden Updates
The Worship Cloud
Dear Reader,
We are asking for News of our Church Family, and others known to us. Please get in touch with Tim Wilson or Alison Russell if you have any news to share, but always get permission from those involved for the news to go onto the church website and to be distributed to those who are not online.
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Poetry
All poetry previously displayed on this page is available to view via the link below
United Reform Church have produced some excellent guides including Zoom Meetings
Link to forthcoming Eco Church events
For news & articles from the wider circuit
Charities
The Archer Project is in need of a continuing supply of Pot Noodles, tinned fish or fruit with ring pulls and breakfast cereals. Don’t forget to support the Food Bank with an extra item when you do your shopping. Please donate unwanted clean clothing/shoes/blankets/sleeping bags to Ben’s Centre via Alan Brailey.
Thank you for your continued support to all these charities.