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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!” My Faith -Chantal Cooney (June 2008 edition of the Church Magazine) Chantal has been a member of St Thomas’ for a number of years. She works as a nurse at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Chantal tells us a bit about herself, how she came to faith and what her faith means to her.
During these stays I met Rene, my colleague’s brother who told me about Jesus. Although I had been brought up in the Catholic Church I had never really understood Christianity or what Jesus had done. Going to church had just been a tradition. Rene’s wife had left him some time ago and Rene had started to drink heavily and became an alcoholic. (Rum is very cheap in Mauritius!) Rene reached a low point in his life and became a real burden to his family. However, it was in this dark period that Rene turned to Jesus for help. Rene’s life was transformed. Instead of being a burden he became a help to his family. I was really attracted by the love that Rene had for God and for others. He also had an inner peace and joy that was evident in his behaviour. His family were able to confirm to me how becoming a Christian had completely changed Rene’s life and he was no longer drinking. I started to attend an Assemblies of God Church with Rene and I heard the Gospel, the “Good News”. I surrendered my life to Jesus -although it took a while to understand all the steps of salvation; seeing myself as a sinner, believing that Jesus suffered on the cross to take away my sin and repenting and receiving forgiveness. Even though my understanding of the Gospel was a process, I knew in my heart that the step I had taken meant that I belonged to God. I was His child and he loved me. The feeling of emptiness in my life disappeared; I had found what was missing. Not long afterwards, I was visiting an old school friend who lived in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius. We were just strolling around the streets as friends do when we happened to pass a Government building. She said: “Look, the British are looking for young people to train as nurses in the England. You have ‘O’ level English, why don’t you put your name down?” I have to say I was quite excited by the idea. I went in, signed some papers, and three months later a letter arrived in my village offering me a post to train as an enrolled nurse at a hospital near Hastings on the south coast of England. I arrived in England in 1976. It was the first time I had left Mauritius and it was a very hard time for me. England was so different from home and so far from home. My ‘O’ level in English was not much use and I found speaking the language very difficult. I felt lonely, isolated and extremely homesick. I think in those first few months, if I had had the money for my return fare I would have gone back to my village. But I had very little money, so I had to stick it out. I am really thankful to God that He put people in place to help me through this difficult time and to help me grow in my faith. I have had my ups and downs during my life in England. I have been blessed with a happy marriage to Peter and three beautiful children, Esme, Camille and Lewis. The death of my father on Boxing Day 2003 was a great sadness. I can truly say that God is faithful and He helps me in all aspects of my life. He is helping me to receive more of His love and helping me to love Him more. He is helping me to grow in loving my neighbours as myself and to trust him through the trials and hardships of life. Giving my life to Jesus was the best and most important decision of my life. Chantal Cooney Andy, Liz and Olivia Goodacre –are bound for South (East) Australia on 5th August (August 2008 edition of the Church Magazine) Andy, Liz and their ten month old daughter, Olivia, are at present living out of suitcases between continents!
During the last three years in Germany, Andy has not only worked with the students and young adults in Marburg but has also taken leadership of the Lausanne European Younger Leaders network encouraging and supporting younger Christian leaders across Europe. He is really encouraged to be able to hand over this work to a new team of people who are very eager to take it forward. Andy’s involvement in the worldwide Lausanne Movement will continue in Australia. Alongside his work in Germany, Andy has now completed two years ordination training through St. John’s College, Nottingham. He was ordained by the bishop at a service in Guildford Cathedral on 29th June this year. This was a very special day for us all. Initially he and Liz had hoped to be able to continue their ministry in Europe, with Andy serving a curacy within the diocese of Europe. However this proved not to be, and just as they were expecting to return to the UK, Andy received an invitation to become curate of St. Matthew’s Church, East Geelong in the diocese of Melbourne in Australia. What a surprise! Andy had first met the vicar at a Lausanne conference in Thailand in 2004! Having said their farewells to all their friends in Germany and a temporary goodbye to all their belongings which are now in transit to Australia, Andy, Liz and Olivia will fly out to Australia on 5th August. Andy’s curacy will be for four years and he will effectively be the assistant leader of the church, working closely with the vicar on the overall leadership of the church which is becoming ever more missional and community focused. Initially, Andy will have particular responsibility for developing and overseeing ministry and mission among youth and young adults. As time goes on he hopes to develop work with the local schools, colleges and the university. They will be living right next to the church which means that all three of them will have opportunity to be part of the local community and Liz and Olivia will be able to be involved in church as well. Please do pray for them as they begin this next stage of their journey with God. As parents we often smile when we remember how they chose to have the tiers of their wedding cake in the shape of suitcases! Andy has now updated his website so you can always keep in touch via www.lifeincolour.com If you would like to receive their newsletters please contact John on john.goodacre@lineone.net or phone 566294. If you would like to find out more about their new church then go to www.stmatthews.org.au John and Barbara Goodacre Farewell from Phil and Rachel Michell (August 2008 edition of the Church Magazine) Phil Michell has been the Mission and Ministry Team member with responsibility for our children’s and youth work. Phil looks back on his and Rachel’s time at St Thomas’.
In some ways we will be really sad to leave St Thomas’–particularly now that we have a new Rector–but we’re also very excited to see what the future will hold as I go to college and then onto a curacy afterwards. One of the best things we can do for each other is to encourage one another. As St Thomas’ moves forward with a new Rector and a new building(!) my prayer is that everyone will move forwards in their relationship with God as they continue to build each other up and encourage each another. From the Editor: Phil is going to Trinity Theological College in Bristol to train as an ‘Ordinand’. At the end of the course he will be ordained a ‘Deacon’ in the Church of England and after one year as a Curate he will then be ordained a ‘Priest’ (Vicar) in the Church of England. On behalf of all Ploughshare readers may I thank you and Rachel for all you have done over the last six years –including the patience and perseverance you have shown in getting certain members of St Thomas’ through their driving test! Gareth Simmonds –Worship Intern in Oxford (August 2008 edition of the Church Magazine)
I will be living in a house just round the corner from the church, along with the other interns. The house is already owned by the church which is good because I don’t have to go looking for somewhere to live. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated as this is a big step in my life. I am very much excited about the year but it is still very daunting to think I will be moving out in just a couple of months! Gareth Simmonds Josh Wheeler -working for Youth For Christ in Northern Ireland (August 2008 edition of the Church Magazine)
If you wish to receive regular updates and prayer requests get in touch with me as I would really appreciate as much spiritual support as possible. Josh Wheeler Allan Kitchen -“Has My Life Been Influenced By God?” (October 2008 edition of the Church Magazine)
God gets me back on track I suppose that during my early teenage years I was like many others of my age group and rebelled against religion having been forced by my parents to attend Sunday school. The second half of my teenage years was spent studying and there was no time for religion. In the mid seventies a strange thing happened. I dreamt on three separate nights that I was neglecting my duties as a parent to bring up my children in the Christian faith. It was very similar to the happenings to Eli recorded in 1 Samuel. My children were aged around 10 and 12 years and after much thought we started as a family to attend evensong at Wingerworth Parish Church. Eventually my children were enrolled in confirmation classes. At the same time I was persuaded by the Rector, Geoffrey Marlow, that I should attend adult confirmation classes with a view to the confirmation of me and our children at the same ceremony. Jillian had been confirmed as a teenager here at St Thomas’. God sets the first tasks Following my confirmation things started to happen. I was elected a sidesperson and then Church Warden, a role I undertook for four years. At this time Wingerworth Church had purchased an old organ from a church in Sheffield and I was soon co-opted to help with its removal and its re-installation at Wingerworth. The period from the mid 1970’s to the mid 1980’s was a happy time for us all. We were regular attendees at Wingerworth and were involved in many church activities. As a Church Warden I had an active role in the appointment of a new rector to replace Geoffrey Marlow. The dark years The latter part of the 1980’s and the 1990’s was a difficult period for me but I always had faith that with God’s help I would come through it. Both of my parents died and their loss affected me in many ways. I felt rather neglected and lost my appetite for religion. Around 1984 we decided to return to my birthplace and eventually bought a house in Walton. We began attending St John’s on a spasmodic basis and later St Thomas’. God finds some more tasks Not long after our return to Walton I was asked by Christopher Frith if I would help out at St John’s Walton. This I did and undertook the assistant Church Warden duties with Ken Waddington. The big decision - freedom In 1994 I was offered the chance to take early retirement from my employer and after careful consideration I accepted. The next five years started off on a high note; at last we could do what we wanted and live our lives as wished. During this time Jillian and I pursued our love of hill walking in Derbyshire and the Lake District. Our finest holiday was a visit to the Outer Hebrides. My faith is tested Suddenly in 1996 Jillian was diagnosed with breast cancer. We were both devastated at the news and our faith was again tested as we struggled with “why you?” and “why me?” Following surgery and medication she was declared clear but in September 1998 it was confirmed that the breast cancer had returned and in April 1999 Jillian lost her battle. What now Following Jillian’s death I realized that I had to get on with the rest of my life and became a regular attendee at the 9 o’clock service at St Thomas’. I was now at an all time low and I am sure it is only my faith that kept me going. A second blow but a successful outcome In the midst of all of this I was diagnosed in1998 as suffering with Parkinson’s disease. I had to accept the fact and try to live a near normal life as possible. Fortunately the medication I take is very successful in controlling the illness. I am an active member of the Parkinson’s group at Walton hospital and have visited Parkinson’s disease sufferers in their homes to help them cope with it. God sets another task In June 1999 I was persuaded by Christopher Frith to assist him to prepare the rotas for the 9 o’clock services at St Thomas’. With the help and support of Angie McGovern, Pam Brimelow, Gill and Martin Bailey and Sue Ward I took on this task and the process has been rationalized. It is with deep regret it has now been necessary for me to reduce my involvement in the rota preparation. And finally I am a keen walker, a clock restorer and family history researcher. I thank God for the many skills that I have been given to pursue my activities. At the time of these happenings I accepted them as one of those things. However when I look back it is apparent that God has been at work and I can say “Yes, my life has been influenced by God”. Allan Kitchen David Oldale -My Christian Journey of Life (December 2008 edition of the Church Magazine) David and his wife Pam are longstanding members of St Thomas’. This is an abridged version of the testimony David gave at ‘Rendezvous’.
Another thing I remember was the time when a number of us were to present a short drama in the service and for some reason I failed to learn my words. I have to confess that my prayers on this occasion were answered as several members of the cast were taken ill and at the last minute the drama was cancelled! I used to love the Church Anniversary when we sang and worshipped in celebration. I also have to confess that, for us lads, the fact that there were a few pretty girls around added to the fun! This may have been because I went to a boys' school in Sheffield! At that school we had assembly every morning and I can still recall singing number 701 in ‘Songs of Praise’, the last hymn in the book - `Ye Holy Angels bright' and for that reason it is still one of my favourites. So my school days were happy and comfortable but it built into me a strengthening faith. I thank my parents, grandparents and the Lord for that. I left school at seventeen and became an articled clerk to a firm of accountants in the City of London. By this time, 1952, my mother's parents had retired south to Leatherhead in Surrey, and I spent the next five years studying in the evenings and living with my grandparents. I became a member of their Methodist church and learnt more about the bible as it continued to sign the path of life for me. I qualified in 1957 and in 1958 her Majesty caught up with me for National Service and I joined the RAF. The first two months were quite a culture shock! Square bashing, being yelled at by NCOs, living twenty in a room with a whole variety of fellow airman was not easy. What did I do? I joined the camp's ecumenical church group and together we prayed and soon our problems disappeared and I thoroughly enjoyed my two years service. During the early days a few of us spent a weekend at a retreat in Conway, North Wales - a really uplifting spiritual time. In 1960 I was demobbed and spent a couple of years back in London sharing accommodation first with my brothers then with an RAF friend. I have to admit I drifted away from church attendance. But early in 1963, I decided I wanted to return north. My parents had started attending St John's in Dronfield and I remember being part of their stewardship campaign, visiting local families to seek their commitment to giving money and talents. Very soon however, we moved to Sheffield; Pam and I were engaged and we shifted our allegiance to her nearest church, St Swithin's in Holmesfield where in September 1964 we were married. Later that year we moved to Dunston and in the next few years we were blessed with two children, Sue and Andrew. We introduced them to Sunday school at Newbold Church but I have to confess we were not very regular in our worship there. 1971 was an eventful year. First Pam's father and then my father died and in December we moved into our new house in Brampton, where we still live. A few years later, Andrew, who was attending Old Hall Junior School was recruited by a certain Reverend Vyvyan Watts-Jones into the choir at St Thomas'. We started attending here and I found myself becoming involved in the worship and the administration and by the end of the seventies I was a churchwarden. I remember that my first three year term as churchwarden was extended because there was an interregnum between Vyvyan leaving and Christopher Frith joining, My day job involved working for an American firm based in Dronfield and Sheffield and included a fair amount of overseas travel, mainly to America. Whilst abroad, I would usually attend local services. In America this sometimes meantgetting early to church in order to get a seat. Once in Zambia I attended a marvelous outside gathering of hundreds of people of all ages all wearing their Sunday best. Back at home, I became interested in Industrial Mission and was able to organise regular visits by local clergy to our company. This was appreciated by people I never expected to want to share their problems with church leaders. It is so easy for us to make false judgements. I was able to take early retirement in 1993 and, since then, I have been able to serve the Lord in a few small ways. In particular with the elderly, by regular visits with a team from St Thomas’ and St Peter's to the residential homes in the parish, and with St John's and St Peter's in the Wednesday Lunch Plus project at St John's (which has now run its course.) I am now also part of the team that organises the Rendezvous events. It would be easy, I suppose, to get immersed in everything church but I have chosen rightly or wrongly to put a lot of effort into voluntary helping a number of charities (probably about fifteen currently, to a small or larger extent) by offering and using the talents which the Lord gave me on that Whit Monday many years ago. I would like to end with verses from two of my favourite hymns. This one we sang at our wedding: Father hear the prayer we offer Not for ease that prayer shall be But that we may, forever Live our lives courageously. And the second from a favourite hymn of mine that we used to sing at the end of evening service so many years ago. It really helps me to appreciate the great God who rules over all: So be it, Lord: thy throne shall never, Like earth's proud empires, pass away. Thy Kingdom stands, and grows forever, Till all thy creatures own thy sway. David Oldale I think David has been a little modest in telling us what he has done for St Thomas’. He has spent many hours on church ‘business’ –including managing the churches finances in conjunction with Phil Johnson –Editor. Betty Frost -God in my Life (February 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) Betty, together with husband David and their four children Dylan, Lucas, Alex and Zoe have been members of St Thomas’ for a number of years. Betty writes a bit about herself and how she has seen God working in her life.
A few months later, one of my sisters invited me to a youth summer camp where at first I felt at odds with the charismatic worshipping style. One night, however, having been told about Baptism in the Spirit, I decided to ask for prayer. Nothing was ever the same after that. Up until then I had believed in God, but suddenly Jesus became a real person and that affected every aspect of my life as if everything had a new, deeper meaning. More than twenty years later, I still live off that moment. I went back to school all fired up and came crashing down a few months later. Taizé rescued me as I joined the 15,000 young people in Barcelona for Taizé’s annual European meeting; one of the most joyful experiences of my life. I was ready to talk about my faith to anybody after that! Taizé was my first experience of ecumenism. I also loved the international dimension: prayers and songs translated into several languages. That strong feeling of being one while so diverse felt like a taste of heaven. I suppose all these things were a good preparation for meeting David (my future husband!) I had started an English degree without a great deal of conviction (then, any degree would do to train as a teacher). I met David at the Catholic chaplaincy in Toulouse, a lively friendly place. Although we were at the same university the odds of meeting him among the 10,000 students were not very high. Believe it or not, our first conversation was about the merits of Anglicanism versus Catholicism. After that, the emphasis shifted a bit. We got married two years later and, after some time in France when I qualified as a primary teacher, we went to study in Bangor, to become language teachers. Anglesey is a wonderful place, but we struggled spiritually as we never really found a church where we felt comfortable. In 1994, we went to Nigeria to work for VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas), a charity working in the developing world, for two years. This was a steep learning curve and we had many health problems along the way, but it was an extremely enriching experience. The day to day problems with food, water supply and electricity taught us not to take things for granted and to be grateful when we had something. Being driven along the dangerous roads in derelict and sometimes very fast taxis definitely strengthened our trust in God! All that paring down helped force us to generally relinquish control and depend on Him more. Once more, we struggled to find a church (although there were very many)! It was either a three hour service with lots of shouting (including a one hour sermon!) or a Catholic service in Yoruba, the local language. But our faith was nourished by seeing the way people lived simple lives with the bare essentials and yet were so happy and close to God. Muslims or Christians, their sense of God was very strong and often when I would thank somebody for their help, they would reply: “Thank God.” In Africa, we also learnt what hospitality truly means. We returned to the UK changed forever and leaving some very dear friends behind. We lived near Buxton in a small village where Dylan and Lucas were born. However I felt quite isolated and David had a long commute to Chesterfield. It was another period of spiritual dryness as we attended a church that was very set in its ways and where there were no young families. Still, we went because of God, even when we didn’t feel like it. We decided to move and having bought a house in Brampton, gave St Thomas’ a visit. It was love at first sight! At last, a lively church, where we were made welcome, with lots of children and people across the whole age range, and good sermons! After Alex was born I realised, upon stumbling upon an article, that I was suffering from post-natal depression. This was a harrowing but, in hindsight, valuable experience as having been down there made me more empathic to any sort of suffering. In the summer we did a retreat for families in Belgium that really helped us. The year after, having been moved by the selfless love and dedication of the volunteers looking after the children, we decided to become helpers. At the end of the week I left feeling a bit cheated and not as blessed as the previous year. However God’s blessings actually unfolded throughout the following year; first through the birth of Zoe, then through his constant providence at a time when we were often struggling financially. Regularly, when we needed something, somebody (not always from church, because the Spirit flows freely!) would turn up and offer it without having been told anything. It still happens now, and we really feel God is looking after us. Although He promises this in His Word, it never ceases to amaze me. During the second retreat, we had quite a lot of questions regarding our future and someone prayed that we would find a group of people to support us. We had already thought of joining a house group and the following September, we did. Since then, we have felt even more part of the St Thomas’ family, discovering real fellowship and support through prayer. This group, and the Mothers’ Prayers Group I belong to, gave me the strength to have the fourth child I was wanting but I dreaded another period of post-natal depression. Visiting the nursing homes once a month with other members of St Thomas’ also nourishes me spiritually and reminds me that God truly reveals himself when we are poor and vulnerable. Some of the people can only communicate with their eyes, and yet they say a lot. I am always moved by that experience and seeing how they suddenly seem transfigured upon seeing Zoe. Matt recently asked us if we would consider becoming leaders of our house group. Although we didn’t feel up to the task (especially having to take over from the Wheelers!) we have accepted, trusting in the grace of God that is, as you know, amazing! Please pray for us at the start of this new chapter of our life. Betty Frost Betty de merci pour votre patience quand je pratique mon français sur vous! -Editor Eric Fogg -Farewell (February 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) As was mentioned in the last edition of Ploughshare, the beginning of December 2008 saw the departure of one of our regular worshippers, Eric Fogg to pastures new. Allan Kitchen has written a short tribute to Eric.
I also used to see Eric on the Brampton Workers Special Bus. Chesterfield Transport ran buses for those employed at Bryan Donkin and Chesterfield Tube and we often caught the same bus. At this time I think it is fair to say that I ‘knew of’ Eric rather than knowing him. He always stood out in the crowd, sprightly and well dressed. In 1963 I married Jillian and we went to live in Wingerworth and so my trips on the Brampton Bus ceased. I still saw Eric from my office window arriving at, or leaving work. He was always the same; immaculate and sprightly. In 1969 I went to work for British Rail in Derby and my sightings of Eric ceased. My next meeting with Eric was at St Thomas' in the late 1980s. He and his wife Connie were serving tea and coffee after the evening service. I recognised Eric and was impressed by his and Connie’s caring. After the loss of both of our wives Eric and I became close friends and we both went regularly to Rendezvous at St Thomas’. Following my talk on genealogy at the Summer Rendezvous I set about helping Eric discover his ancestry. He is a true Derbyshire thoroughbred and his links go back to Edensor and Bakewell. Eric attended Holy Communion at St Thomas' on the Sunday before his departure and everyone present joined in prayer to bless him in his new home. I know that I speak for everybody at St Thomas’ when I say we wish him well and hope that he continues to be that sprightly person that we have all come to love and respect. God bless you Eric. Allan Kitchen Run the Race –Mark Torkington (April 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) Mark gives his testimony and tells us why he is running the London Marathon on 26 April this year.
At university (St Andrews) one of my best friends was a Christian, and again with the benefit of hindsight, I now realise that his (very natural and often under-stated) witness was very influential. He lent me a few Christian books which I found incredibly exciting –it was like discovering a whole new world. At his wedding in a castle in Scotland, I recall his speech; he talked about Jesus as his best friend and the most important part of his life. It was the first time that I realised that it was possible to ‘know’ Jesus as a person. I trained to be a GP in the Lake District and met and married Jacqui during this time. Jacqui is not a Christian – though I still contend that her natural self is often much more ‘christian’ than mine. When our first child, Richard, was born I very much wanted him to be christened and we both attended the local baptism course. This reinforced (and reminded) me of the pivotal importance of God in my life – though I have to confess that more pressing and material matters often pushed God to the peripheries. We moved to Chesterfield in 1993 when I joined a general practice surgery in Brimington. Michael and then Katie were born, and I ensured that both children were christened –at St Thomas’. Christopher Frith was Rector and he invited me to attend the Alpha course at St John’s. I thoroughly enjoyed this course and for the first time in my life I had regular contact with a church and the benefit of Christian fellowship and love. By the end of the course I gave my life to Christ, and was confirmed soon afterwards. Jacqui attended a subsequent Alpha course –at my request –but has never (yet) discovered the importance of Jesus in her life. I continue to work as a full time GP in Brimington and am now involved increasingly in the education of younger doctors. Medicine can sometimes be rather mundane but is often about serious or ‘life and death’ matters and I find that my Christian faith helps enormously. I believe that it helps me cope better and to care more. My younger sister Mandy was killed two years ago in a road accident. She was the innocent victim of a speeding police van. Mandy came to Christ in her late teens and had become a very active Christian in her last few years, especially where she worked, in the physiotherapy department at Wythenshawe hospital. On the night of her death she had taken several work-mates to the final meeting of the Alpha course at her regular church. Mandy had just dropped her friends off and was driving home when she was killed. Her premature death has caused a great deal of sadness and yet I recognize that God has been at work in increasing our dependence on his grace. My parents have come to faith since Mandy’s death and I know that she would have willingly given up her life in order to bring this about. My parents spend a lot of time now involved in charity work in South Africa and they do this in memory of Mandy. Jesus has become central to their lives and I can see God working through them. I continue to pray for my brother and other two sisters that they may also come to know God in their lives. Mandy was a regular supporter of Oxfam and since she died I have taken over her monthly donation. I decided that I wished to do something significant as a testimony to Mandy’s life. I believe that God has led me to enter this year’s London Marathon, running on behalf of Oxfam and attempting to raise £2000. Anyone who would like to support this endeavor can speak to me in person or sponsor me on my web-page, at:- www.justgiving.com/marktorkington What have been the main lessons of my Christian journey? -God is real, and He loves each one of us dearly. -We do not deserve his mercy but we are forgiven through his grace. -Jesus is the Son of God and has paid the price of our sins; we are clothed in righteousness earned by the blood of Christ. -We need to work in partnership with God and allow him to work through our lives –Mandy’s prayer was that God would use her as a channel of his love. -It is easy to be tempted and to be distracted away from God; and we can readily slip into selfishness and sin. -We must constantly guard our mind, heart and soul and confess when we sin and seek forgiveness, and truly repent of our self-centered ways. -God’s Holy Spirit can free us from the slavery of sin. -Christian living is tough; it is a daily (minute by minute) commitment. -We are not protected from pain and suffering, but by the Grace of God we are helped through dark times, and we know we are destined to eternity in the presence of God, with no more tears or pain. -We need regular fellowship and support from other Christians in order to share God’s love and help us keep our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. -The peace of God surpasses all expectations. -The victory of God has already been achieved –Satan is defeated. -If we have the love of God in our hearts we will obey him and nothing is impossible. I conclude with this Bible verse: Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) God Disciplines His Sons Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Mark Torkington Julie Lomas is on a Journey (April 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) Julie Lomas is on a journey to become a Church of England Reader. At an 11am service in February –the Sunday of the evening Confirmation Service at which Julie was confirmed, she told us briefly what this entailed and why she was doing it.
I am now going forward on this journey to gain experience, some training and teaching, and to do things that I have not done before. If I manage to complete the journey it should lead me to being licensed as a lay minister in 2010. But what is most important for me is that I walk closely with God and follow him where he leads me. You can listen to Julie speaking here Readers are unpaid lay people in the Church of England, from all walks of life, who are called by God, theologically trained and licensed by the Church to preach, teach, lead worship and assist in pastoral, evangelistic and liturgical work. Ran the Race –Mark Torkington (June 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) In last month’s magazine Mark Torkington gave his testimony and told us why he was running in this year’s London Marathon. The article was entitled ‘Run the Race’. He now writes…
Read Mark’s testimony in the April/May 2009 edition Sermons with your Cornflakes –Kathryn Shemwell (June 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) A number of people listen to the sermons and other recordings on the church website. As well as our church family members we know of people who listen in different parts of the UK and in other countries including Nigeria and Bulgaria. Kathryn Shemwell tells us why she listens and encourages others to listen. Over the last 12 months God has been gently drawing me closer to Him. During this time I’ve become quite a prayer fanatic taking the command to “pray at all times” to the extreme! I also found the energy to attend the Lent course (and read Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline). Amazing really –I’m usually exhausted by Wednesday night! Responding to Richard Foster’s suggestion of a ‘media –fast’, I’ve found myself deliberately NOT reading the newspaper every day, not watching the TV news every day, and not having the radio on as often as I did. To fill these gaps, I’ve been listening to the podcasts on the web site: st-thomas-brampton.org/podcast index.html This habit then started a ‘competition’ between Pippa, my daughter, and me about who had heard the best sermon! Instead of putting the TV on I’d listen to the 6pm sermons. I’ve also listened to several testimonies. Whilst doing the ironing I’ve listened to some of the 9am sermons, and revisited some of the 11am sermons I heard in church. It’s quite scary to think how much I ‘forget’ between listening in church on Sunday and listening again on-line a few days later! A couple of times I’ve even chosen to switch on the computer rather than the radio in the morning and listen while I’m having breakfast! The Bible readings are also online and I recommend listening to them before listening to the sermon. The value I've found in listening a 2nd or 3rd time on line is that I have the space and time to reflect on how God wants me to respond to what's being said which I guess is the very purpose of a sermon. At St Thomas’ we have been richly blessed with gifted, inspiring, encouraging and challenging preachers whose words are definitely worth a second (or third) hearing! Who won the ‘competition’ for hearing the best sermon? We had to declare a draw … regardless of which service you attend, a high quality spiritual feast is on the menu! Kathryn Shemwell All the sermons since Easter 2006 are recorded. They are indexed by date, sermon series and relevant Bible passages. There are nearly eighty testimonies recorded and various other series including ‘A Bird’s Eye View of the Bible’. Main idex page is here. Pat Lawley is Going Down Under -emigrating to New Zealand (August 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) The editor speaks to Pat a few weeks before she is due to emigrate to New Zealand.
Pat: It is a coastal city about the same size as Chesterfield. It is called the ‘Art Deco’ centre of the world. There was an earthquake there in 1931 and it was rebuilt in that style. Editor: What will you miss most about England? Pat: Family, friends, the countryside and the history that is all around us. Editor: Tell me a bit about your walk with God. Pat: My father was a local Methodist preacher, so I went to church as a child. I stopped going in my teens but started to come back to God in my mid thirties. I was going through a tough time and was supported by someone who encouraged me to put my trust in Jesus. I was living in Basingstoke then and started going to church again. Twenty four years ago, we moved to Chesterfield and about fifteen years ago I started coming to St Thomas’. Editor: Why did you choose St Thomas’? Pat: Because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Christopher Frith was the rector at the time and I was impressed by his preaching and the spiritual guidance he gave. Editor: Why is God important to you now? Pat: He is an integral part of my life and I trust him to be there both now and in the future. Editor: Thank you Pat, may God bless you in this exciting stage of your life. Where do I come from? -Paula Simons (October 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) Paula tells us about her upbringing and why Jesus is so important in her life and ours.
I can’t say I have any affinity for the Gibraltarian community in Britain, since no one really wanted me permanently in their family. It wasn’t until my mum was finally given the drug lithium when I was five years old that we spent extended time together as a family. She married an Englishman when I was six and it’s from him that I get my sense of identity as a British person, (although Gibraltar is a British enclave). Going to a Catholic school gave me a solid foundation in matters of faith, but I always loved Jesus and believed in Him being with me everyday. My mother’s mother was Spanish, from the border town of La Linea, and my mother’s father was Gibraltarian from Italian descendants. These descendants were refugees fleeing religious persecution in Genoa. My grandmother’s family were torn apart by the Spanish civil war. Of the five siblings one brother was a member of Franco’s police and another Red/ Communist activist. The tragedy is that Enrique (the Red) died at the hands of his brother’s colleagues in the police station whilst he (Paco) was in the building. This split the siblings for decades, Enrique’s family fleeing to Gibraltar. Reconciliation came at my twenty first birthday party in Spain when the feuding stopped. The border had just been opened after Franco’s death. The wife, daughter and grand daughters of the murdered brother Enrique crossed into La Linea and met the police inspector brother, Hose, at the house of the younger brother Paco. My Grandmother, Magdalena, had died when I was four months old but the remaining sister Herminia, who had not seen her brother Paco since Enrique’s death came and was in floods of tears. This was the first time the remaining three siblings had got together since the 1930’s. So when people say to me “where do you come from” I prefer to say “Chesterfield; well ok, before that Gloucestershire, but I was born in London.” The rest is so traumatic I don’t want to have to explain because it’s not my life. Where does God come into this? I believe as a Christian I have a new family, God’s family, you. Brampton is my home now, St Thomas’ church people are my brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles. I can’t go back, there is nothing for me in Gibraltar, just a bunch of relatives I’ve seen a couple of times in my life, who speak gibberish as far as I can make out (Spanglish… about as understandable as Creole is to a Welshman). I am an embarrassment to my cousins as I was born out of wedlock and worse my father can’t be traced. I think what happened to all my family in the past is like a curse and God’s hand has intervened to break the cycle of pain. As a new Christian (aged eighteen) I was prayed for in a very powerful way. The Holy Spirit well and truly zapped me, and my spiritual mother (a Caribbean Pentecostal) asked God to cut the ties to the past. There was a lot of spiritual warfare done by various folks at Ichthus Christian Fellowship (where I first worshiped as a new Christian) and I was filled with The Spirit, spoke in tongues, devoted myself to the work of the Kingdom of God and lived by faith. I don’t know why God chose to save me; I was on the self destruct path after many years of emotional and physical abuse at home. I had a secret termination whilst still at school and had tried to turn to the catholic priest, only to be turned away for committing an unforgivable sin. I moved to London and just about managed to avoid hard drugs. Desperate for care and love I put myself in some very dangerous situations, but God looked after me. I believe in the spiritual realm, that things are not just as we see them. If you’ve seen the film The Matrix, this paints a good analogy to the real world (of spiritual matters) and the dream world (of life on earth). We are either on God’s side or the devil’s. If you don’t put your faith in Jesus and come to God through Him, you are stuck on the wrong side of the gates. There is no entry except by the ticket given to us at huge expense by the death of God’s own son. Jesus died for all of us because we can’t make it on our own. He will take away our sin. I have sinned big time and realise the value of this gift. Jesus pointed out that even one bad thought is enough to stop us getting through the gate. You can only get through to God’s side if you have no sin. Why is sin such a big deal? Because it is the opposite of God. God is pure love, like a pure white sheet of paper even the smallest dot of ink shows up. God cannot not be God, He cannot not be a pure loving God, He cannot not be a pure white sheet of paper. No sin, no stain, no impurity can come into contact with God. He will burn it up, He will cast it out, He will get rid of anything that spoils the purity of His Holiness. Jesus is the only man that ever lived that has no sin, that does no wrong, that is as pure as God. Do you know how much you need Jesus? As much as you have sinned. I really need Jesus a lot to take away my sins, for past wrongs and for today’s and tomorrow’s. Paula Simons Shirley Witham (December 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) Shirley is the Organist at St Peter's.
Having made her mark playing Jerusalem to open the Walton Women’s Institute meetings, Shirley was invited, in 1981, to help out with the Sunday services at St John’s. Four years later under our then Rector Christopher Frith’s guidance, a second-hand Hammond organ was bought to replace a very old piano. Shirley accepted the offer of four free lessons, which came with the purchase of the organ. Up to that point she had never played the instrument. In addition to the Sunday services, she played at many weddings becoming well practised in what Christopher referred to as the ‘ordinary ins and outs’; the wedding marches of Wagner and Mendelssohn. In January 1994, a couple of years after she and husband Roy moved from Somersall to Holymoorside, Shirley started playing for services at St Peter’s. She has favourite hymns, both traditional and modern, including, The King of Love My Shepherd Is, O Lord My God, How Great Thou Art, Thine Be the Glory (played to the tune Maccabeus), Shine Jesus, Shine and Make Me a Channel of Your Peace. Among her favourite contemporary hymn writers she places Timothy Dudley Smith very highly, for both his words and music and likes some, but not all, of Graham Kendrick’s work. “One of the challenges of the modern hymns is that there is often a good deal of accompaniment, a lot of music between the words that presents a challenge for those who don’t read music. Traditional hymns, on the other hand, offer one syllable for one note, which makes it easier to get into.” Shirley chose as her favourite song, Nat ‘King’ Cole’s Stardust, the one she would save if her Desert Island Discs were about to be washed away. She’s recently enjoyed Alan Titchmarsh’s Nobbut a Lad, about his childhood in Ilkley, an area close to where she and Roy were brought up, and Julie Walters’s autobiography, That’s Another Story. Shirley outlined what is involved in being a church organist. It includes choosing the hymns for the Sunday morning services, always easier at Advent, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost than in the long season after Trinity. Her choice is influenced by the Bible readings, which she researches before each service and often after consultation with the Minister. Then there are weddings and funerals, which present their own challenges and rewards. Shirley also has a group of singers at St Peter’s who meet on Tuesday afternoons to practise new hymns and help provide a lead at Sunday services. Finally, asked what she enjoys about being a church organist, Shirley said she was pleased she “had the confidence to do it and the confidence has grown”. She paid tribute to her husband’s support throughout the nearly thirty years she has played at the two churches and spoke of being very privileged to do so. For our part St Peter’s continues to be very fortunate in having Shirley who makes such a massive contribution to our worship. Jake Howe and Hannah Willis' Wedding (December 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) Jake Howe and Hannah Willis were married at St Thomas’ on 7 November 2009. It was a truly uplifting service taken by the Rector, the Rev Matt Barnes. The service was a mixture of traditional and contemporary, with Philip Herrick leading on the organ and piano, ably assisted by Gaz Simmonds and the band. The readings were by Kat Witham and Jenny Ward and Tim Wheeler led the prayers. The sermon was delivered by the Rector. The bride was given away by her father, Paul. Chris Witham was the Best Man and the bridesmaids were Gemma Machin, Rachel Thomas and Nicola Bates. After tea and cakes in church for everyone, the bride and groom left in a Land Rover (a Defender no less) for the main reception at Cressbrook Hall. After the speeches there was a hog roast. Entertainment included singing and music by the duo 'Keeping up with the Joneses' and Hannah herself, who sang two songs. The reception was rounded off by a spectacular firework display before the bride and groom left for their honeymoon in the Lake District. See pictures here Engagements (December 2009 edition of the Church Magazine) Congratulations We offer our congratulations to Steve Willis and Gemma Machin and Angela Gregory and Paul Wright who have announced their engagements recently. We pray that God will bless the rest of their lives together. |
