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Identity, Acceptance and Self-fulfilment -Jonathan Calow (December 2000 edition of Mustard Seed) A number of St Thomas' most active members have gone away from Chesterfield to be students. Jonathan Calow is one such, studying German and Theology at Leeds University. Mustard Seed caught up with him -to try to find out what it is like seeking to be a Christian and a student at the same time. "Great but difficult," he replied. "I value the freedom Jesus gives, freedom from the pressure to conform. Many people here think that there is only one way to live the student life, but Christians aren't bound by that. I'm amazed at how open people are to the gospel message, though. Our generation actually takes time to think about spiritual matters and people are often prepared to talk about Jesus sensibly and to listen to what we have to say." Why is Jonathan a Christian? "I became a Christian because I saw the life that Jesus offers and wanted my share in it. I remain a Christian because I have discovered a life and a freedom which nothing else can give me." It started at a St Thomas' Summer Club when he was still at Junior School but it has only been in the last three years that "my faith has really been a living part of my life. Before then my spiritual engine (sorry for the poor analogy) wasn't firing on all three cylinders of the Trinity. Once I had been introduced to the Holy Spirit and He was in balance with Jesus and the Father, then things really took off. My faith became so real and became the centre of my life." How would Jonathan summarise what his faith meant to him? It's what he says he can't get from the world: identity, acceptance, self-fulfilment, joy and peace for starters. And what about the future? "For myself, I'm exploring a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. For the church, I feel God is calling us to be radical, bold and fearless for the Gospel. We need to reach out to people and meet them where they are at without compromising the truth." This is My Story -Claire Redhead (April 2001 edition of the Church Magazine) Claire Redhead describes how her relationship with God has been developing in the face of much testing. I started attending St Thomas' in 1986 after I had been to a family service. I had been brought up with a Congregational background and had lapsed in my teens. I decided to attend church because, although I was happily married to Charlie and had two little girls Kay and Mary, and life was going well, I had begun to question life, and how one day I would die, or someone close to me. If that was the case, then what was this all about? Having felt welcome at St Thomas' and speaking to other members of the congregation I soon realised that all these questions could be answered if I got to know God and talked to other people who knew Him. I joined the confirmation group and soon my Christian life became an important part of my life. Sadly, in November 1991, tragedy did strike us. Charlie (39) was killed in an accident at his work. We were all devastated and it was a dreadful time in our lives. In the days afterwards my faith was my lifeline and I turned to God to uphold us. With two daughters 11 and 13 to comfort I was glad I could feel strong, helped of course by God and wonderful friends. However, grief throws so many emotions at us and my faith was really tested. Logic and faith went out of the window. After feeling grateful to have a strong faith to turn to I began to feel angry and let down, not just for myself but for Charlie who had missed so much of his life and seeing his daughters grow up, and for the girls to be left without their Dad. What good had it done us? Of course being a Christian doesn't make us immune to death, but I can say that 10 years later! For a long time I turned away from God, and St Thomas'. I felt my faith had gone for good, and tried to get on with my life. However, there were some blessings in the form of two more daughters, Chloe and Amy. Through this time I would be thanking God for each new gift and yet declaring I didn't really have much time for God. I seemed to want it both ways. I became very aware that no matter how hard I tried to get away, God was going to hold on tight. He had started something He was going to finish! I began to pray with more feeling, to listen and to stop feeling so angry. I was soon feeling a need to rebuild my faith, but it wasn't enough on my own as I missed my church life and the friends I had at St Thomas'. I also wanted to bring my younger daughters along so they could learn about Jesus and get to know other Christians. Chloe is a regular attender at 6.30pm, and is enjoying it very much. I have such reassurance that, since being tested by such a sad event, God will never leave me or give up on me throughout my life, and even though in the future I will be faced with testing times, God will be there. That feels very good. The words of Psalm 121, were and are a comfort to me, and sum up how I feel. Psalm 121 I raise my eyes toward the hills. Whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; your Keeper will never slumber nor sleep. Behold, the Keeper of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your Keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm; He will preserve your soul. The Lord will shield your going out and your coming in from now on for evermore. Claire Redhead Round the world searching -Chris McHale (July 2001 edition of Mustard Seed) Chris Mc Hale is going to the Falkland Islands on a short-term catering contract with the Army. He is remarkably fit and looks to be 35 to 40. In fact he claims to be 50. He is always exploring, always on the move. Chris has been with the Territorial Army for years. He has travelled with them to Canada, Kenya, Hong Kong, Brunei, Germany, Denmark, Jersey and various other places too. After his initial training, he learned his catering skills in the regular Army - and managed to be attached to the Parachute Regiment at the same time. Things haven't been easy for Chris, in recent years. "In a short space of time, I seemed to lose everything" he says. "My father died, my marriage broke up, I lost my family (although they're still very, very special to me), I lost my job and I lost lots of friends. I've had a lot to contend with". How has he been able to cope? "The only way I've been able to cope has been finding what we call Salvation through Jesus", he says. At the end of his life, his father had seemed to turn more to God and it made an impression on Chris. "I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and I found it helpful to go into churches. I went into a number of different ones and tried to pray. I started going to some services too. I guess I was hedging my bets. I didn't have a real relationship with God, but I needed to explore spirituality and faith. I knew they had something to offer, but I didn't know what." When attending St Thomas', Chris heard about the Alpha Course. He joined one and found it a tremendous help. "It was great to be able to sit down and do some hard talking about things that really mattered. Old hang ups about religions were thrashed out, Christian and non-Christian alike. Chris now admits to being a committed Christian. “I have found a real confidence - but not in a brash sense. I know that I will be guided to sort things out. With God's help, I'll overcome problems. Nothing is insurmountable. Anything is achievable now.” He wants others to find this too. "There are many people who are wounded like I have been. I want them to realise that God has a wonderful loving, caring, healing side. I just used to think of the retribution side of Him. Don't lose heart. There are lots of people out there who can help you. Give Christianity a chance, work on forgiveness, force out hate and replace it with the love of Jesus. You'll be surprised at what the outcome will be." Chris McHale A look back to last year's [2001] motto - Chris McHale (February 2002 edition of the magazine) Jesus said "Follow Me" Luke 9:59 For almost twenty years I had longed to serve in the Falkland Islands. If any body had asked me before that time, "where are the Falklands?" I would have probably said, off the coast of Scotland, but the Argentine invasion of 1982 changed all that. Squadron Leader, Padre Ken Wilson and I were locked in a Christian embrace in the middle of the departure lounge at Mount Pleasant Airport. To onlookers it could have been father and son, but to us we were brothers, kindred spirits. He knew the pain that I was going through, both physically and mentally for I was leaving the Island with a suspected slipped disk in my lower spine, after serving only three months of a six months engagement. The people that I had come to know and love on the Island meant so much to me, but now it was time to leave. I felt gutted, and cheated out of something, but a voice inside said, " Follow Me ... ... Well done... you have achieved what you came to do, now multiply that love a thousand times and share it with others, in my name ". Chris McHale (who had to return early from a short-term catering contract in the Falkland Islands with the Army.) Local couple, Phil and Rachel Michell, tell us why Christmas is "'Good News" (Christmas 2002 edition of Mustard Seed) Phil and Rachel are members of St Thomas' and are among a growing number of people in their twenties and thirties who are convinced there is more to the Christmas story than meets the eye. "We moved to Chesterfield two years ago. It was like coming home because we first met at Cliff College in Calver, and with my family living in Sheffield this seemed the obvious place for us to settle once we had decided to move away from London", says Rachel. "Finding St Thomas' Church was important to us", she continues," as we were looking for a church which is friendly with a modern outlook. St Thomas' has a real family feel about it, and we have found people there our own age and with similar interests." Phil, a local driving instructor, takes up the story; "we also wanted to be able to find out more about the Bible and Christian teaching on issues facing all of us in an increasingly uncertain world." The Michell's are no strangers to uncertainty and change, having moved house, changed jobs, and also changed careers. They have also had their share of sadness and have suffered ill health. Through all of this though they maintain that their faith in God has not wavered. As Rachel puts it "being a Christian does not make us immune from life's ups and downs, but for me I know I can trust God no matter what. I have experienced a peace and joy that I have not known before, and also a sense of security in knowing God". Rachel's use of the words such as "joy" and "peace" both "christmassy" words, mean that for her and Phil, they are planning to enjoy Christmas time as the annual reminder of God's immense love for people. As Phil says, "I get more and more frustrated with the commercialism of Christmas and how little it has to offer, when compared with how much God has to offer us! The story of Christmas, of God becoming a baby is just so amazing, you couldn't make it up! God, the creator, becomes part of His creation so that we can relate to Him in a new way." And relating to God is something Phil and Rachel say they both experience in their daily life, at home and at work. Helped by doing an Alpha course, they are now involved in helping to run it with others from St Thomas', so that local people are able to explore different aspects of the Christian faith for themselves. Both Phil and Rachel are sure that they can know and trust Jesus Christ, the one after whom Christmas is named. This certainty in such an uncertain world is what makes Christmas such "Good News" for them. Interview with Brandon Brewer -visitor from USA (April 2003 edition of the Church Magazine) We welcomed Brandon to our Church in January, when he arrived from the Church of the Good Shepherd in Federal Way, Seattle, USA where he had been working as Assistant Youth Leader with our friend and former Curate, Petra Owen. Brandon has spent 10 weeks with us, working primarily with Neil Roper and the children and young people in the church and also in our local schools. “It has been really great being able to go into schools and talk openly about God and faith, as we are not allowed to do this by law in America”, Brandon told Ploughshare. “I was really impressed with the new lunch time group running in Brookfield School where the kids there have some great discussions about God”. It’s not all been work though – Brandon has also enjoyed time in Scotland, visiting both Edinburgh and Glasgow, not to mention a day trip to Paris (!) and some time in London. He particularly loves the countryside, and his day in Bakewell stands out as a highlight. “My journey here has also had an effect on my journey with God,” he went on,”as when I arrived I felt really jet-lagged and wondered why I was here! I had to pray and ask God for His help to get me through – and He has. I realise that God can help me, that he shows me the things he wants me to stop doing as well as those things he wants me to do”. When asked what things he will take back with him to the USA, Brandon immediately mentioned his new found skill in balloon modelling, and in craft activities, and how to use these when talking with children and young people. He has also learnt a new song which has become very special to him – “Men of Faith rise up and sing” is one he will be humming on his way back to Seattle, and maybe he’ll teach it to some young people there. By the time you receive this edition of Ploughshare, Brandon will be back in the USA, having flown home on March 22nd. Before he left he was asked to give a message for our young people here in Chesterfield, and his reply was: “Live life to the full and put your faith in God – He’ll always be there for you”. A big thank you to Yvetta Jacques for the accommodation and hospitality she offered Brandon during his stay, and to everyone else who spent time with him – it was much appreciated. Charlotte Bird's Visit to the Cameroon (October 2003 edition of the Church Magazine) Bamenda 17.8.03 Beloved Brethren in Christ Accept warm Christian greetings from us your brothers and sisters from the warm heart of Africa-Cameroon. We trust all is well with you despite the serious wave of heat that moves northward from us here in Africa. We are also keeping well, sustained by the power of our God. We send this letter on a dual basis, firstly as the family that hosted Charlotte and secondly as members of the church of Christ in Cameroon. May we say thank you all for allowing Charlotte to come, visit and encourage us out here. As she returns we want to say we were deeply touched by her visit, and the fact that though she is so young yet she dared to come to Africa all on her own. This was for us a challenge and a step of faith. Our youths were deeply moved by such courage and boldness. Charlotte’s presence in our family and church was a blessing in many ways. She shared with our youths as a group and at an individual level, visiting and going places with different young sisters... As a family she was a real role model to our three girls and two other children who had recently come to stay with us. Only this evening my girls told me as I put them to bed that they were very sad that Charlotte was going away. They also asked me if she will come back again. Well it is up to you, our brethren, her family and herself to consider this question of our little ones. Charlotte has affected us as a family especially for the way she has fitted in. Having lived with an African couple in ministry she will share with you first hand the challenge a couple in ministry faces in Africa. It is our prayer that you will add us to your missionary prayer list. We truly solicit your prayers. There is much more we could say about your missionary school girl Charlotte. Another important thing we noticed about her is her high sensitivity about spiritual issues. She has a deep conviction about spiritual truth. She was also very sensitive to those in deep pain and emotional need. In a few words you have a missionary in preparation if the Lord requires. Once again thank you all for supporting her in your prayers and also for keeping in touch with her when she had her first malarial attack. She is well now and glad to join you all back in England. May the Lord bless you all richly. Yours in love Daniel and Rose Mbiwan and children Suzanne Newson (August 2004 edition of the Church Magazine)
Obviously, one thing that has remained unchanging in my life is God. I have experienced first hand that no matter what, God is always there, and he is always faithful, whether we can see him or not. The church I joined over here is the same one that I fell in love with on my first visit to New Zealand. City Impact Church is one of the largest in the country, with 2,500 members attending regularly. Children’s Church alone is some 600 strong, with Youth not far behind with 400 members who are all passionate about God. I tell you these numbers just to give you an idea of the fruit that City Impact is producing. To be part of such a noncompromising church that is bold and unashamed of the gospel is a huge privilege. Seeing the numbers of people who respond to Christ every Sunday is so cool, especially when I know that they will receive great discipleship through the training and life-skills courses that have been written specifically for the purpose! I worked out the other day that in a period of less than a year, I had moved house 6 times, which is no mean feat for the girl who had lived in the same Chatsworth Road house since the age of one! But I’m not complaining! I love the fact that I live right next to the beach and that I can go there any time I want, not just during Spring Harvest. I love the freedom and opportunities New Zealand offers and I love the fact that I stand out due to my fair skin and ‘quaint English accent’ (although if you heard me speak you’d probably think I’ve gone all Kiwi!) I love learning my husband’s culture. Throughout our relationship, Gavin and I have felt as though God has fast-tracked our learning of everything that he wants to teach us. Being married at 20 seems pretty crazy, but one thing’s for sure, it’ll make you grow as a person – because you’ve got no choice! When I find things hard and struggle with learning new things, I know that God is building and refining my character and trust that He not only knows the best for me, but that He has “plans to prosper and not to harm” me. I look forward to the day when I can use my experiences to help someone else in need. It’s incredible to me what God can do with a person. He has opened up so many opportunities here for me, even in the last few months and weeks. My current job at a University business incubator is a real God-send, as it is opening up many doors within the media industry that I would like to excel in, and also gives me the option of studying for free some time in the future. Even though I miss the people and places I love in England, I choose not to dwell on my loss and instead focus on the abundance that I have gained. I know God is asking me to bloom where I am planted. Suzanne Newson -former member of St Thomas' You can have your cake and eat it….An interview with David Hardy (Easter 2005 edition of Spotlight) Tell us a little about yourself. I have lived in Chesterfield all my life. I was raised at Holmewood and now live in Ashgate with my wife, Sarah, and two boys, Jacob aged five and Joseph two. I'm an area sales manager for an importer/distribitor of photographic goods. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time and why? When spare time happens I enjoy walking and photography. I also read as much as possible - Terry Pratchett and Tom Clancy are my two favoured authors at the moment and I'm a big fan of 'Lord of the Rings'. TV I find a little repetitive but I do enjoy Inspector Morse, thrillers and fact based documentries. I also enjoy good comedies. I enjoy films when time allows -I'm usually a sucker for all the action special effects. Films should be about total escapism or move you in some way. What sort of holidays do you enjoy most and why? Family! Even so we do prefer to get away from the masses. That will change to some degree this year as Jacob is at school and we are tied to their holidays. How long have you been coming to St Thomas'? Six years. Who first brought you to St Thomas'? My wife. I love Christmas so went to St Thomas' carol concert and just found it right. Would you say you were a Christian when you first came to St Thomas'? I believed but couldn't say I was a Christian. There were many things I didn't appreciate or understand about the faith, so while I may have professed to be a Christian I know I wasn't. How long have you been a Christian? Can you tell us how you became a Christian? As I said previously, I have always believed in God and in Christ. But as to understanding Christian beliefs and relating them to my own failings and sin, then I have been a Christian since May 2000 when I was confirmed. I think it is near impossible to say how I became a Christian; but through attendance at St Thomas' and then joining the Alpha course prior to my confirmation, I realised what was missing in my own life and it was then I knew I must make a commitment to God. How do you find your Christian Faith helps you in your job/day to day life? I do a lot of driving and when things get a little tense then remembering God and offering a prayer really does help to calm things down. Is there a verse in the Bible you would like to share with us? Why? John 3:16 'God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not die but will have eternal life.' Can anyone show greater love? We shall soon be celebrating Easter. What does Easter mean to you? Easter is really the meaning of Christianity. Without Easter then what would we have? We would still have God but not that ultimate sacrifice. Not the forgiveness of sin and we would not be able to experience the meaning behind John 3:16. Easter, and the meaning, really is a case of having your cake and eating it! God -Tiny and Helpless -interview with Scott and Emma Atkinson (Spotlight December 2005) Tell us a little about yourselves. We are Scott and Emma Atkinson -we have lived in Chesterfield since we got married in July 2002. We are both 30 and have two wonderful boys, Sam (2) and Ben (1). Scott works for Thorntons in marketing as a Retail Environment Manager. Emma is a full time mum but manages to squeeze in some voluntary work for SureStart as a breastfeeding supporter. How long have you been coming to St Thomas'? Just over 4 years. What first brought you to St Thomas'? When we got engaged we were both really keen to start attending and exploring church. We wanted a church wedding, but didn't just want to use it as a convenient location. Emma's parents new the previous Rector and when we said we wanted to start going to church they suggested we give St Thomas' a try! How long have you each been a Christian? Can you tell us how you each became Christians? Scott -I have always been around Christian churches while growing up but didn't make a commitment to God until March 2004. After much searching and questioning I was given a short story called 'The Room of Files' by a good friend of mine. The moment I read it I was struck by a real truth and instantly made a commitment. Emma -I became a Christian at a Billy Graham rally in 1983. But during a difficult time a teenager I drifted away from the church and pushed God away. After more than a decade 'in the wilderness' I recommitted my life to Jesus in august 2002. Can you remember your feelings as you were preparing for Christmas last year? We were expecting a baby due on Christmas Day so it was rather exciting and rather poignant -but also a bit nerve wracking wondering what it would be like with two children!. Ben actually arrived ten days early and we brought Ben out for the first time to church on Christmas morning which was so special. Could you share with us why Christmas is special to both of you? Emma -It just blows my mind that God -the creator of the universe -would choose to come to earth as a tiny, helpless, dependent baby. He must really love us. Remembering that Jesus has experienced the reality of human life from babyhood helps me to remember that he really knows and carers about what we are going through. Scott -I couldn't agree more and it is so important to remember the reason for the season, but I do look forward to my presents and Christmas dinner -especially little sausages wrapped in bacon. Just like baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes in the manager! Christmas is a magical time for me and I love spending it with my family. It just wouldn't be the same without them. People and Jesus -The Benson Family (April 2006 edition of the Church Magazine) When I first met Sian in 1991 we were both just starting university in Coventry and she was already a committed Christian. Having been brought up in a Christian family she would say that she cannot remember a time when she didn't believe that Jesus was her saviour. For me the route to faith took a little longer. Sian was keen that I should investigate the Christian faith. As it was so important to her I agreed to go along to church and Christian Union with her on occasions. Both places scared me. It was immediately obvious to me that there is a God, an awesome, powerful God, but I didn't know him as the Christians in these places seemed to and I certainly didn't understand their worship - that scared me. I didn't go to church or Christian Union many times as I felt like a fish out of water but I did start reading some bible reading notes that helped me to understand the basics of the Christian faith. I still however wasn't ready to accept that I needed Jesus in my life. That caused problems for Sian, as she didn't feel she should commit herself to a serious relationship with a non- Christian, and when we left Coventry in 1994 we agreed to go our separate ways. I continued to read the bible and started attending a church back home in Carlisle. This time I felt more at home. Maybe it was the church I went to, maybe it was because the time was right, or maybe it was because I wanted to find out about Jesus for myself, not because Sian wanted me to. I don't know, but I definitely began to understand my need for a saviour. When I moved down to Chesterfield in February 1995 (agreeing to go our separate ways didn't last long!) I probably still would not have professed to be a Christian, but I was happy to come along to St Thomas' and to join in the "20 something" group. Over the coming months I grew in my knowledge and love of God and eventually felt ready in March 1996 to confirm my baptism vows and publicly declare myself a Christian. Now 10 years on what does Jesus mean to me? Well the same as He did back then I guess. He's my Saviour and my friend. He is the one I can depend on for all things. Whether life is going well or things are a struggle he is there in the middle of it all with me. That's not to say my faith is perfect - is anybody's? I have my ups and downs and I still question the meaning of life from time to time, but on the whole I try to accept that God is in control. How does my faith affect my work? I work as a Housing Regeneration Manager for Rotherham Borough Council and I often come into contact with members of the public who are either extremely distressed or angry about the schemes of work that are being proposed. As a Christian I try to remember that everyone is precious to God and I try to treat them as such. Although I am unable to share my faith openly very often I hope that my actions speak louder. I guess in a nutshell I strive to be Christ like - but I am definitely a "work in progress". For Sian and I an even bigger challenge than being a 'Christian at work' is 'being a Christian at home'. With 3 children there is never a dull moment, and if I used to think striving to be Christ like 8 hours a day was hard enough, then striving to be Christ like 24/7 in order to bring Jesus into the centre of our children's lives is another thing altogether. Going out to work full time I often think I've got it easier than Sian. We both consider Jill, David and James to be a blessing and we are acutely aware of how much they depend on us. If we don't tell them about Jesus, who will? So we do try to pray regularly with and for our children and to talk openly about Jesus and our faith. We attempt to love, discipline and nurture our children in the way Jesus would. But when you've overslept and have got 30 minutes to get 3 children out of the house for school, one child refuses to eat their breakfast, one starts a fight with a sibling and one continues to play despite 4 requests to put shoes and coat on and then speaks to you in a way you're quite certain you would never have spoken to your mother - Well, what would Jesus do? Sian's fairly certain it wouldn't be what she would do! We know we fail often as Christian parents but it's comforting to know that Jesus knows our weaknesses and failings and accepts us nonetheless. Paul Benson Pat Simpson, A Clergyman's Wife (June 2006 edition of the Church Magazine)
There are some people who think that children of the clergy are or should be perfect; my family although lovely were not perfect. I will not go into some of the things they got up to, sufficient to say we were the talk of the church on a few occasions. Sometimes I found it difficult to cope with people’s attitudes, but God is good and helped me through some hard times. Alex then decided to become a full time Minister as doing two jobs was becoming very hard. So we moved to North Kensington – by then two sons were married and the other two were young adults. Lives changed once again. I still found it very difficult sharing my husband with so many people but again God was good and found me many good friends who I still have today. God has been with me every step of the way, but sometimes I think he must have despaired of me but he never gave up on me. It is in looking back that I can see how God has been with me all of the way and has at this present time put us in a delightful place, with a loving, caring church and at the present time my cup runneth over. Pat Simpson What Christmas Means to Me -Marion Smith (Spotlight December 2006) I look back on my earliest memories of Christmas - a young child in the early 1930's. I was brought up on a farm in Nottinghamshire - and this was the time of the Depression. I realise now that my parents must have found Christmas time a problem financially. But we had aunts and uncles staying over several days, plenty of food, presents and lots of fun. And what excitement for my sister and me as Christmas Eve arrived - that anticipation as we went to bed and couldn't sleep! But sleep we must if Santa Claus was to come. Christmas morning held such joy with a stocking at the end of the bed, a new penny and an orange in the toe. Those I remember, but what else escapes me. We went to the little village chapel for a joyous morn ing service. There was something different about everything on Christmas Day, as if the world itself held its breath- it was magical. Time has moved on, Christmases have come and gone and nowadays they certainly come round more quickly! Something of the special feel of Christmas remains. There is something almost tangible, something in the air. But not now, except in a much lesser degree, the excitement and anticipation of presents and all the outward trimmings. The "trappings" can get in the way of the incredible truth that was revealed at Christmas. I am continually amazed at what God did at that particular point in time and at that particular place on earth. Spirit God becoming human, God the Father's initiative through His Son. "And why?" I ask myself. We sing of the "good tidings of great joy" at that first Christmas, but that good news is also for here and now, for you and for me. God loves us and longs for us to respond in answering love and Jesus has come to clear away those barriers that separate us from our Heavenly Father. Christmas....Emmanuel God with us. A turning point in history. A turning point for our lives. I can't help but say "Praise God!". Marion Smith The Journey of an Ordinary Christian -Richard Banks (February 2007 edition of the Church Magazine) Richard Banks and his wife Dorothy are long standing members of St Peter’s Church.
I started work at fourteen and served a seven year apprenticeship at Horwich Locomotive Works. I enjoyed playing cricket, football and athletics, indeed any sport with a competitive element. I graduated to chorister and server at St Katherine’s Church. I joined the Anglican Young People’s Association when I was nineteen years old. National Service My army service started with the R.E.M.E in September 1952. I passed out as a Vehicle Mechanic and spent the rest of my service in Germany, leaving the army in September 1954. Marriage After leaving the army I married Dorothy who was, and is, and always will be, the love of my life. We have always been active members of the church in whichever place my work took us to. A new job The last 27 years of my working life was as a Technical Civil Servant involved in training; the last eight years as a Senior Technical Officer for the Employment Rehabilitation Service. During this time I was an active member of the Manpower Services Commission’s Christian Fellowship. One very special occasion for me was to lead our Services’ intercessions at Sheffield Cathedral. Retirement I retired in August 1991. The freedom this has given me enables Dorothy and I to enjoy holidays whenever we choose. We can devote more time to church duties as well as outdoor pursuits such as gardening and walking. Journey’s end I never cease to reflect on how fortunate I have been in every passing phase of my life. I share my love of God with Dorothy and both of us love to worship at St Peter’s with our friends. Whatever the future holds, we will meet every occasion with out trust firmly based in God’s mercy and sure in the knowledge that Jesus will never forsake us. Richard Banks Coming Back to St Thomas' (Easter 2007 edition of the Spotlight) Having been a part of St Thomas' CYFA group more than fifteen years ago, I'm back! I used to be a regular at the 6.30 service and CYFA at 1 Rhodesia Road before leaving Chesterfield to go off to university. Over the years I have been slowly making my way back via Newcastle, Liverpool, London (and Wirksworth!), not to mention a bit of globetrotting. On my travels I have acquired a wonderful husband (Bryan) and a beautiful daughter (Elizabeth) and we moved back to Chesterfield to be near family in November 2005. When we decided to have our little one baptised, St Thomas' was the obvious place. It's great to be back and slowly get to know people. There has been such a warm welcome that we've felt comfortable very quickly. The beginning of last year was not a good time for me, really; we'd just moved house and Elizabeth and I had no `social life'; I was far from confident at going places with a small person - it was wonderful to find a lively Church service on a Sunday morning where no-one seemed to mind if Lizzie was loud! I discovered Totzone and it was such a relief to find warm, friendly peo¬ple, both helpers and other Mums. I think we've only missed one session since we started coming! Elizabeth loves it and so do I. We're expecting another baby in March and I'm sure that Totzone will be a sanity saver once again. In the summer I joined a weekly House Group, which has been a great support to me. I look forward to it. As they all do, last year has had its ups and downs, but it ended on a far more positive note than that on which it started. I don't doubt that God has worked through St Thomas'. I feel blessed that I've found St. Thomas' again. It has made a real difference. Helen Murray Ian (Hoare) and Katie are Getting Married (April 2007 edition of the Church Magazine)
Ian and Katie are Married (Jne 2007 edition of the Church Magazine)
Congratulation to Bernard and Joyce Adams on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary (December 2007 edition of the Church Magazine)
-Mark Hoare, Editor Steven Willis Baptised by Full Immersion (December 2007 edition of the Church Magazine) Pictures here Ben Widdowson Receives his Queen Scout Award (February 2008 edition of the Church Magazine)
Throughout his time at 3rd Brampton the Group has enjoyed a close affiliation with St Thomas' Church. When in Cubs, Ben attended the monthly Church parades and the annual Remembrance Sunday Service. As a Scout, and now as a leader, he vividly recall the experience of preparing for camp and the removal of all the camping equipment down the narrow staircase from the tower! For his Queen Scout Award, he undertook two week long expeditions, one around the Dark Peak area in Derbyshire and the other to the Cairngorm region in Scotland. He has also undertaken community service projects, physical recreation activities, developed his electrical skills and explored his own faith. Ben was confirmed at St John's in 2007. Ben says that Scouting has opened up many opportunities. He has met some truly amazing people and forged many lasting friendship which he would not have made if he had not joined the Scouts. Today, the Scouts which Ben leads take part in activities that encourage team work and build individual confidences around the Scout promise which Baden Powell introduced in 1907. In Conversation with Kathryn Shemwell (February 2008 edition of the Church Magazine)
Congratulations! You have two children. Kathryn Yes, Gregg who is twenty two and Pippa nineteen. Editor How did you first get interested in line dancing? Kathryn About twelve years ago I saw an ad in the local paper and thought I’d try it. The class was being held at the Assembly Rooms in the Market Hall. I hadn’t a clue what to expect, so I stood in the back row. However I soon discovered there is no ‘back row’ in line dancing as the dance sequences are repeated on each wall! Everyone else in the room clearly knew what they were doing so I felt rather out of my depth. However, a very kind group of dancers gave me details of a beginners’ class. I went along and was instantly hooked! Editor Do you need any aptitude for line dancing? I have tried it and I can’t seem to keep up with the steps. Kathryn It’s so important to listen to the instructions. Having a sense of beat and timing also helps. I’ve done piano exams to Grade IV so identifying rhythm and tempo is easy for me. But as with anything new, perseverance and patience are very important. Editor So you started line dancing regularly and obviously got quite good at it. What made you set up your own classes and become a line dance instructor? Kathryn After my A levels I worked for Midland Bank in Head Office Finance departments in Southend, London and Sheffield, then in local government finance. When the children started school, I became Practice Manager and Fund Manager for a consortium of doctors’ surgeries. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, about ten years ago, during a reorganisation I was made redundant. I took a few years off working to be a fulltime housewife and mum. When I considered my options I really felt called to teach line dancing. I knew God never wastes any of our experiences: in five years I’d become quite a proficient line dancer, I’d got musical training and my financial experience would help me run the business side. So I did my British Western Dance Academy line dancing instructor training in 2000, and the rest, as they say, is history. Editor I know you have led line dancing at St Thomas’. Kathryn Yes, I’ve done it for the Summer Rendezvous three times and for the young adults and children. I’ve also done line dance social events in local junior and senior schools, youth clubs, Brownies, Guides and Scouts, and in other churches locally and further afield. Editor When did you become a Christian? Kathryn It would be nice to give a time and date! However, I didn’t have a ‘Road to Damascus’ experience…it was more a gradual thing. I was taken to church as a child and went to a Sunday school at RAF Halton. I remember being baffled by the Bible -the King James version! Nevertheless I was particularly moved by a song ‘I Will Make You Fishers of Men If You Follow Me’. At 13 years old I was confirmed, although I don’t really remember if I truly understood what it meant. Through my teenage years and early 20’s I only went to church for weddings, christenings, funerals and at Christmas. When Gregg was born in 1985, I experienced an overwhelming desire to thank God for him. Steve and I started coming to the monthly family service, then later, coming as a family to the 9:09 service. It was a real revelation (pun intended!) to find the Bible was printed in modern English -the NIV. I still have the King James version which I received at my confirmation, along with my NIV, CEV, Good News, and Youth bibles -all of which I use. Having a Bible ‘that reaches the parts other Bibles cannot reach’ has been very important to me on my journey with Jesus. Editor Have you any favourite Bible verses? Kathryn Two of my favourite Bible verses are John 14v 2-3 ‘In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.’ These verses, for me, take away any fear of death, because Jesus will be there to receive me when I draw my last breath. I often wonder what my ‘prepared’ room will be like as I’ve never had a room of my own let alone one prepared especially for me! Editor Do you bring your Christian life into your line dancing? Kathryn For some dances I use songs with Christian lyrics. At the moment I am using ‘I Found Jesus on the Jailhouse Floor’ by George Strait and ‘Silver and Gold’ by Dolly Parton. The lyrics of the latter say that the silver and gold will not last, we need something more in our lives. Chris DeBurgh’s song ‘Be Strong’ declares his faith for ‘the One who died upon the cross’, and has a very popular dance choreographed to it. A surprising number of country singers are Christians. Editor Are there similarities between the Christian life and line dancing? Kathryn Yes, I think there are. Although everyone is an individual, to line dance properly everyone has to follow the choreographer’s scripted sequence of steps and the instructor’s call. Similarly Christians aim to follow the example and teachings of Jesus, listening carefully to sermons! Beginners and advanced dancers have to try hard to be in step. They aim to do their best according to their experience. Effective Christianity is similar. We have to be in step and do our best wherever we are on our Christian journey. We have a common aim, to proclaim Christ as our Saviour. In our Christian life we make mistakes but are forgiven. Similarly in line dancing we also make mistakes, although we call them variations! Editor Thank you Kathryn for sharing this with us. Maybe I’ll have another go at line dancing. If you want to find out more about line dancing contact Kathryn. The Wedding of Robin Dawson and Val Cory (April 2008 edition of the Church Magazine)
The newlyweds returned down the aisle to a Bach solo played by on the ‘cello, drawing to a close a musically inspiring ceremony. Music greeted Robin’s and Val ‘s entrance to the informal celebration at the YMCA immediately after the wedding ceremony. A harpist played in the background while friends of the happy couple mingled with parishioners from St Andrew’s, and more volunteers from the parish helped the regular staff to serve sparkling wine and cake. Robin took the opportunity to tell the story of his and Val’s friendship and of how they have between them gathered friends from Liverpool, Chesterfield, Birmingham, Tamworth, Tanzania and Afghanistan, many of whom were present on the day. The happy couple were cheered off on honeymoon following an evening meal with around fifty members of family and friends at an Italian restaurant. Rice was thrown as Robin and Val set off on foot to Surbiton Station to begin their train trip to Dubrovnik via Paris and Venice. Following the publication of the original article in the St Andrew’s Magazine Robin commented: “I am particularly grateful for the description of Val's dress, firstly because I hardly noticed it, being rather pre-occupied in looking her in the eye, and secondly because I am not very good at describing ladies clothes anyway!” |
