Intercessions 25/12/08

On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy God
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the word of God, let us pray with thankful hearts.
Good and gracious Lord, as we meet together to worship you, we pray that you will grant us a glimpse of your glory so that we may rejoice in your presence and abide in your peace.Lord Jesus, we remember at this time that you came to disturb the world, and to turn the lives of humankind to God. You brought love to those who were unloved, hope to those who had nothing to look forward to, peace to those who were full of anxious daily cares. The bells and lights and presents and decorations in church and in our homes, express our thanks to you, lord, for coming into the world in person.We pray that you will come into our lives at this time to turn us all again to you: to help to see ourselves as we really are and to remove from each one of us all that is unworthy so that we may truly share in your kingdom as we invite you to join us in all the festivities and know the joy of your loving presence.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodLord Jesus, we pray that you will prepare us for your coming into the world:that in these difficult economic times you will drive away despair from our politics that you will revive our dreams of justice and restore our passion for what is right, good and true.May your love motivate our care for this neighbourhood and for the wider community and help us all to play a part in helping to overcome the social ills that drag so many into despair.
We pray that your love will inspire our citizenship so that it rises above the mediocre.Too often we have been silent and missed opportunities to share with others the message of love which you brought into the world and we ask that you will give us all an unquestioning faith, the deep faith of Mary and show us a new way to live, so that, with your forgiveness and with an awareness of your presence, we can truly claim to follow you in thought and word and deed.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodLoving Father we pray for those whom we love, our families and friends, special people you have given to us wherever they may be – for those with whom we hope to share this special time , and particularly those from whom we will be apart. We thank you that neither time nor space can cut us off from the love we have in each other and in you.As the excitement of Christmas builds we give you thanks for children. In their enjoyment of this time may they experience the deep joys that you want for all your children and may your love shine in their hearts. We ask that you will bless children everywhere, especially those in need. Guide and bless all who care for them: parents, child minders, staff in care homes, doctors and nurses. May they all count it a privilege to care for the young people you have committed to them. Where there is deep trauma and suffering we pray that there will be special bonds of love which will help in the process of healing. Lord Jesus, we pray that you will keep close to you those children for whom Christmas is a time of despair and not joy:for those in povertyfor the abused and neglectedfor those whose Christmas will be devastated by violence and bitterness.We pray that you will flood their lives with your love so that they know they are not alone: that in all their sorrows you will be by their side.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodLord Jesus, we pray that you will give us eyes to search the face of the stranger and there see your face. Give us the sensitivity to hear the doubt and hesitation and with that person share their confusions and concerns. There are those whom we know who are ill at this time; in despair or struggling to handle their pain. We pray for them now for you come to us in them and you ask for our love. We give that now as we name them and love them in our hearts………….
NAMES FROM PEW SHEET
What we have promised in love and prayer let us never forget to do.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodFather, into your hands we commend all those who have died and those mourning the loss of loved ones.
ESPECIALLY we remember (IF NEEDED)On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodJesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which no darkness can quench. We remember before God all those who have died may they celMay they rest in your peace and glory and share your risen life.On this Christmas Day we want to say Thank you, holy GodIn our service this morning we have seen how the candles remind us of the joy that came into the world through Jesus Christ. We know that when this season is over the candles will burn low and die out but we rejoice that your true light can never be extinguished from our lives. As our thoughts turn towards Bethlehem grant to each one of us your spirit of love that we may worship as the shepherds did. Let us be open to your coming so that you will truly be born into our hearts. Be with us now and with all who worship you at this time wherever they may be. Help us all to show our gratitude by loving you and those around us – not only at Christmas but every day of our lives.Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, Our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

LOTR

Still awaiting the Perry and Victrix models - they have been dispatched.

The latest models to the collection;

Warhammer LOTR - Mordor / Isengard Troll & Witch King on Fell Beast

Magnificent, can't wait to get these built and painted, hopefully some progress pictures later on.

New 28mm Models

(Victrix) Waterloo Bristish Infantry & (Perry) Napoleonic French Line

Usually I concentrate on 1/72 soft plastic models but these new ones are 28mm hard plastic models, I'm curious to see how they compare with each other, can I be turned to the new 28mm figures?

Above are the two sets currently on there way to me, as usual they are from the Napoleonic era. I'm hoping for them to be here before Christmas so I can get started on them, I imagine they will take some time to paint, I'll be putting images of the progress of them on this site.

I'll also be updating the 1/72 model images over the next few weeks - time permitting (and wife of course).

Euthanasia - Craig Ewert taking his own life

Another hard hitting documentary shown on BSKYB Real Lives Tuesday 10th Dec 9pm

Craig Ewert suffers from incurable motor neurone disease and his body is completely paralysed. This documentary shows Craig taking a cocktail of drugs and switching off his own ventilation machine. 45 minutes later he was dead.

This will no doubt raise the issue of Euthanasia here in Britain.

If I was to become so seriously ill and be in so much pain what would I do as a Christian? Is it comprehensible to think that I could take my own life or ask someone to do it for me? My view is that life is given to us by God, we are created in God's image. Life, birth and death are processes that God has created so we should respect them. So no one has the authority to take a life even if that person wants to die. Life is a gift from God that we cannot treat as a possession of our own to keep or throw away as we please.

On investigation I found there have been several suicides in the Bible, Judas Iscariot who took his own life after betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3-5). In the Old Testament King Saul (I Samuel 31:4) and David's counselor, Ahitophel (II Samuel 17:23), both of these required assistance and this could be described as euthanasia.

However there was nothing in the Bible that agrees or disagrees with these deaths.

There is further evidence in the commandments that God gave us as a law to follow, the fifth commandment states "thou shalt not kill" This also relates to abortion, suicide as well as murder as we understand it.

For Christians I think it is quite straight forward, we must take God's views into account, they are paramount. As Christians we accept medicine as part of God's will for us as humans and God works along with nature and human activity and if we use medicine in the image of God it must have no role in terminating life.

What about the pain and suffering why should we have to endure that? As a Christian Sin is far worse than pain. In fact pain can have a spiritually beneficial effect if you treat it as a challenge and spiritually overcome it with the grace of God. Not letting the pain make you bitter and selfish and loving others through your pain despite it. This doesn't mean pain should be sought or that it should not be treated, that would not be commonsense, but it does mean as a Christian we should not run from pain by dying.

Also as a Christian being handicapped is not the terrible problem, the handicapped can also love, love God, love their neighbour just as well as able bodied and are not inferior to others. I also believe that if you become ill or handicapped it is part of your life course and we should accept it, if it cannot be healed.

Whether euthanasia should be illegal is another matter. It is a political matter and there is a case for allowing euthanasia for those who believe in it. There are dangers though, human error, Public officials cannot be trusted not to get confused elderly folk to sign a form permitting euthanasia, unscrupulous families who would concur with them. A real danger that what was voluntary becomes compulsory, as people decide that it is socially responsible for people with certain conditions to die. Banning euthanasia is a defence against vulnerable people, but it also infringes freedom of conscience.

CTiS - Coffee for the Congo

Coffee Morning to help raise funds for the Congo
St Ann's Social Club, Barton Rd, Stretford.
10am to 12 noon Saturday 13th December

Why do we need to raise funds for the Congo?

Many families have been displaced due to the conflict,

Homes have be burnt down.

Youngsters taking up arms.

Not enough medical facilities to care for everyone.

Please support this coffee morning for the people of Congo.

Bus Shelter Nativity

Church ad agency, Churches Advertising Network, is to reveal a commissioned oil painting of the nativity by an internationally acclaimed artist as part of a campaign to promote awareness of the nativity story at Christmas.
The painting, by Royal Academy Gold medal winner, Andrew Gadd, depicts the holy family, with halos, in a fictional bus shelter. The shepherds and wise men are replaced with fellow passengers waiting for a bus. Some are watching the nativity intently; others appear oblivious and are checking the bus timetable or flagging down a bus.

Posters are available for free download from this site http://www.manchester.anglican.org/upload/userfiles/file/pdf/Comms/Key%20events/finalNativity1.pdf

Advent Commitment - Updates

You will remember from a previous post I was talking about commitment through Advent - doing something that you would not normally do.

Homeless Shoebox Appeal - Update

I have 8 shoeboxes on the go all getting pretty full now. Members at church have been good and supplied all sorts of things, hats, scarves, small gifts, chocolates, toiletries and cup a soups. Another week or so to go and I can get them distributed. let's see if we can get some more.

Stockdales Volunteering - Update

Several people went down last week and helped brew up for the residents, the leaders were very grateful for the help and this allowed them to concentrate on the baking - those were fantastic mince pies :o)

Sponsor a child - I have been toying with this idea for a while and I have been looking for a suitable project that ticks my boxes, providing for the direct community as well as the child and allowing some interaction with the child and their family so a relationship can be established and who knows maybe more good can happen. I think I may have found the right one Action Aid http://www.actionaid.org.uk/100044/sponsor_a_child_today.html
I saw the video with Sally Whitaker (Sally from Coronation St) in on the link above and this swayed my decision, so I have sent off for some additional information. This is not commitment just for Advent but for the foreseeable future.

Ben - The Diary of a Drug Addict 2

Did you watch it? Harrowing wasn't it? If you missed it check out Sky listings they usually repeat loads of programmes.

It made me feel both sick and upsetting to watch Ben inject himself in the groin, to see his family suffering and to see Ben suffering the effects of heroin, 2 min's into the fix and then 20 minutes into the fix. This program should be watched by all young people to show them the effects of drugs on their lives and those around them.
Ben seemed such a nice person, well thought of and loved very much, but still he turned to drugs. In my experience of drug addicts, I have known a couple, even if they want to give up they can't. Once heroin has a hold on you the only way to stop is to die. It doesn't matter how many time you detox, visit hospital with infections you will carry on. This is exactly what happened to Ben.

Heroin is evil, Ben died of a brain hemorrhage when attending hospital to try and detox at the age of 34. Ben tried to detox several times and always returned to heroin. Half his life was spent taking drugs.

The programme was very moving, to watch unconditional love for a child even though he was an addict and caused problems at every family event - Christmas and birthdays all ended up with Ben issues. His father was devastated and could not bare to see Ben as this ill, dying, drug addict. His father even took Ben to by drugs.

I'm not sure how I would react to my child being involved in drugs and ending up like Ben - would I purchase drugs for my child? I'd say no now but when they are in so much pain , loosing it, manipulating every situation, pulling on our heart strings I know I would have to help ease the suffering.

Love the addict not the addiction.

All over the world, so many tragedies

Homelessness in the UK, War in Iraq, Congo and Afganistan, Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma), Bangladesh Cyclone, Cholera in Zimbabwe, drug addicts the world over, street kids in Brazil, Dafur & Chad crisis, South Asia Tsunami

The images speak for themselves..................

Our Christmas Tree

Christmas is fast approaching and for the first time in years we are organised, we are not building, we are not decorating and we are not fitting a kitchen. This year we will be taking it easy, that is if preparing for 13 people for Christmas dinner is classed as easy. Boxing day I have a special treat instore for everyone..... Trivial Pursuits evening with food and drink, should be a laugh. Rebecca wants a BBQ as well :o) We are putting up the Christmas decorations, hopefully some pictures will be published.

BEN: DIARY OF A DRUG ADDICT

Sky One Monday 9pm

"Extraordinarily powerful" Sunday Times.

Radio Times said this film is an "unrelentingly grim documentary which presents a horrific reality".

Time Out said "A bleak depiction of a heroin addicts death, as Sky1 makes a welcome foray into serious documentary making".

Filmmaker Olly Lambert’s unflinching film about the last two years of a 14 year heroin addiction.

I will be watching this documentary, I'm hoping to understand why a bright schoolboy from a loving, middle-class family raised in a quiet, picturesque village, he was a Boy Scout, loved cricket, played in the school orchestra and looked forward to the annual family holiday. But despite his privileged start in life Ben found himself on the road to ruin, injecting heroin up to four times a day.

Can this film be a warning to others not yet on this path? Ben's film is being shown in schools in Stafford as a pilot scheme, lets see what happens in the future and whether this type of reality tv earns a place on the screen.

His mum said. “What I really wanted more than anything was to educate the authorities – the probation service, the police, the hospitals Ben went to,” she says. “Because I feel that heroin addicts don’t have any face in society. They’re counted as the lowest of the low.”

Family Christmas Trivial Pursuits - Not that we're competitive

John - Homeless 2

John has been back from his journey to Birmingham for a few weeks now. He is staying with a friend sometimes and on the street other nights. His friend is also taking drugs and is an alcoholic. Staying with somebody in a similar situation isn't the best way to try to become clean.
He has a chance of staying at a more permanent place over Christmas, I hope this will happen soon, the nights are cold and worse weather is promised.
I'm not putting this down as a failure, that we as a church failed John in getting him treated and in a home. It has been a challenging experience and lessons have been learnt. Letting John stay in his tent, providing food and drink each day made John comfortable, condoned his drug and alcohol misuse. It's a dilemma, do you help or not. We are told to help, Matthew 25 35-40 tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide a drink for the thirsty. Yet when you do this your not actually helping so this get's me thinking even more - How would Jesus actually help substance users?

Then the help arrived in the post, a newsletter from MCM with a two page spread on how Jesus would help drug users. I could have done with this a few weeks ago.
What is your image of a drug user? Someone injecting heroin or someone slipping a pill in their mouth.

Some stats for you;

40,000 people are addicted to "over the counter" drugs
250,000-300,000 problem drug users in England and Wales
Cocaine addiction has tripled in last 10 years
300,000 children have parents with serious drug problems
On average a heroin addict commits 432 crimes a year
40% of 16-24 year olds have used cannabis
In the UK 40,000 heroin users are taking methadone

So what would Jesus do and us do in turn?

Accept people for who they are, not what drug they use.
Work with drug and alcohol agencies.Be honest.
Set boundaries that you are comfortable with.
Cast your cares upon him, for he cares for you (1Peter 5:7)

Show John he is valued, support John in getting him to appointments, reminding him they are coming up, be open about expectations and perceptions, set boundaries on your time, money, possessions and relationships.

The work can be emotionally draining, the boundaries are there to protect you and help them.Pray tell God your needs with thankfulness.

I believe this is what I and Helen did and will keep doing. Just because John isn't staying in his tent doesn't mean he isn't supported.Another thing, the person also has to want to change and if they don't all you can do is keep doing the things above frustrating as it may be.

One day John will sort himself out....

Things I want to do before I die...

1. Raise my children to be good people
2. Visit some really cool places - Experience the culture of India, Climb to Everest Base Camp, Visit Tibeten Monks, Experience China (Visit the wall) (on a motorbike)
3. Serve a mission in Africa
4. Establish the perfect daily system and live it; thrive with it, to achieve everything I need to do 5. Expand my comfort zone
6. Discern my vocation
7. Get really good at talking with and listening to (actually listen and hear) others
8. Be remembered for someting great (Ok may be after I die)

Christingle & Toy Service

This year we are celebrating 40 years since The Children's Society introduced Christingle services to The Church of England. Join in the celebration and hold a Christingle of your own or

join us for a special candlelit celebration on;

Sunday 14th December. Create a Christingle from 3pm & Service from 4pm
All Saints' Church Barton Rd Stretford

Christingle - the service for children that welcomes the whole community

It is a wonderful opportunity to bring together children, family and friends, forge stronger links between churches, local schools and youth groups and together celebrate the Christmas message.

Bring a toy for local children who may not be with their families during this special time.
(please make sure that your present is wrapped and states Boy/Girl and Age on the label)

All presents will be distributed by Trafford Social Services

For more information
http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what_you_can_do/fundraising_appeals/christingle/what_is_christingle/7656.html

Joys, Obsessions and Fears

Joys:
1. Jackie
2. Kids
3. Family life – around the table
4. Special occasions – Christmas, Birthdays etc as long as it's not mine.

Obsessions:
1. Books – I always need more book space
2. Music – I must have every genre in my collection
3. Food – Chinese, Italian, Indian I have all the menu’s
4. Whatever I happen to be obsessed with at the moment . . . right now I think it might be homelessness, model projects, discerning my vocation, church life, North Trafford Athletic and putting the christmas tree up (Don't touch it!!!)

Fears:
1. Something horrible happening to Jackie, the kids & family
2. Scary films
3. Pot dolls (with or without eyes) – you know the ones.

One Size Fits All

Something I read.

We can look at the different churches and we see similarities with our own. For most people in the parish community church is irrelevant, people politely or otherwise push church aside, for those involved in church it's frustrating, prayer is diheartening and outreach wasn't working or there just isn't any. Does it sound familiar?

Statistics also paint a drepressing picture. Back in 1979 about 12 per cent of the entire population could be found in church on a Sunday. By 2005 this had plummeted to 6.3 per cent*. According to the Daily Telegraph around 10 churches in the UK close every week. If these trends continue, by 2004 there will be just 2 per cent of the population attending church on a Sunday - half the number attend mosque on a Friday - and the average age of the church member will be 64.

It's not all disastrous news, by any means. It's merely discouraging an inconvinient truth.

I believe there is hope and we have the answers in our churches.

Usually we would look to different programmes or initiatives to be more effective, we look for the one size fits all, the latest tried and tested technique. We think if we find the right gifted people, the new powerful initiative, then things will move forward.

This kind of thinking falls short, our church is awash with evangelistic gift and potential

* Dr Peter Brierley (ed) Pulling out of the Nosedive and Religious Trends No6 2007

It's true.....

All Saints Shoebox Appeal

All Saints’ Christmas Shoebox Appeal for Homeless People

Please help by donating

Toiletries
(Deodorant, Shaving Gel, Soap, Flannels, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes etc)
Unisex Socks, Woolly Hats, Gloves & Scarves
Bars of Chocolate
Biscuits
Cup a Soups

Matthew 25 35-40

There are over 200 people homeless in our parish, not all are on the streets. If you are under 16 the council has a duty to provide accomodation however if your are between 17 and 100 male or female you do not qualify for help. There are no facilities for these people to find a nights peace and warmth anywhere in Trafford. It may not be much but the little we can do is very much appreciated.

CTiS Advent Service

Advent is a time for reflection, a time of preparation in readiness for Christmas.
Usually I use a series of readings to help me prepare but this year the theme is different. Our recent CTiS (Churches Together in Stretford) Advent service was based on "from darkness to light" , stories from The Boaz Trust (http://boaztrust.org.uk/ Asylum Seekers), Tearfund (http://www.tearfund.org/ Victims of HIV/Aids), Shoebox Appeal and Cafod (http://www.cafod.org.uk/). The service was very thought provoking and it made you want to commit to something more that involved other people. Fill a shoebox, sponsor a child, learn about aids, presents that help people in far off places.
I have tried to encourage others to support something they would not normally do such as volunteer for projects. Several people have come forward to help with brewing up for the residents of Stockdales (http://www.stockdales.org.uk/) when they have their community evening in the hall, the leaders appreciate this as it gives them one less thing to worry about. Raising of awareness of homelessness and the issues we have in Trafford, encouraging people to supply gifts - hats, scarves, gloves, chocolate for the person via our own shoebox appeal, bring toys to the Christingle & Toy Service, these will be distributed by Trafford Social Services to children and encourage others to do the same.
What else can we do?
We can sit here doing nothing and if everybody did nothing where would we be?
We can move out of our warm houses, we can share a meal, we can invite someone round, we can volunteer to help.
Let us all do something we would not normally do, see the benefit to others this Advent.

Reflect on Matthew 25:35-40