FROM ST GILES’ CLERGY
The last time I wrote in ICN I had just been prevented from going to Uganda as part of the CLICK Rukiga project because of the eruption of a volcano in Iceland. (Whatever did happen to that volcano?!) Well, as you read this I will be packing again, hoping to fly out to Rukiga in Uganda on 5th September with the URC’s Wendy Williams and Mike Whitlam from St. Giles’. Our aim is to find out how our fundraising has been used so far in the area and to look at what other needs we might be able to support and nurture and how we can improve our links through the internet and e-mails and so on. We will certainly report on our findings through ICN when we get back.
As a community in Ickenham, we have chosen to give long term support to the area of Rukiga; but you only have to look at the news on television to realise that there is a constant need of support for fellow human beings as natural disasters hit without warning.
The floods in Pakistan have been described by the General Secretary of the United Nations as the worst humanitarian disaster ever known, affecting over 20 million people who have lost everything they ever had. I cannot imagine what it must be like after disaster strikes to realise that you have nothing – no house, no possessions, no livestock, no food, no work – absolutely nothing except the clothes that you stand in. But trust in a loving God is a good place to start when disaster happens.
When Jesus first sent out the twelve disciples on their own, to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick, he told them to take nothing with them - no staff, no money, no bag, no food, no extra tunic. They were to rely on the generosity of those whom they met on the way. (See Luke 9:1-6).
Later in his ministry he told his disciples not to worry about what they would eat or wear, saying that life is more than food and the body more than clothes. Seek the kingdom of God and these things will be given to you. (Luke 12:22-34).
When we truly observe the commandment to ‘Love your neighbour’, all that is written in the verses outlined here falls into place, and those who have much really do provide for those who have little.
No doubt, when I return from Rukiga, there will be new projects identified through which we can support our friends in that area of Uganda over a period of time. However, the people of Pakistan need our help now and the best way to contribute is through the Disasters Emergency Committee. You can find more about this by going to the website at http://www.dec.org.uk/
Ken Tombs
FROM THE URC MINISTER
The beautifully built cake creation was wrecked by a jealous visitor. What a horrifying showstopper on the first day of Holiday Club! I revelled in the privilege (a dubious one? – not at all!) of smashing the cake in order to ask the question: how do you think God feels about creation being messed up?
“Really, really sad”, came the answer. Yes indeed, yet God still loved people so much that he had a plan to deal with the situation. And more showstoppers in the plan arrested our attention as the Holiday Week progressed.
Little David, facing huge Goliath, trusted God and was able to save his people. Daniel, facing death in the lion’s den for daring to worship God instead of the Emperor, was saved in a way which drew more people to faith (even the floundering lion tamer) and transformed their future.
Jesus’ birth was celebrated by X-factor groups of shepherds and angels – Jesus born to bring the climax of God’s plan to save all people. And the showstopping moment at the end of the week? Ken, packed and ready to go to heaven displayed an empty suitcase! We can neither take anything with us nor buy our way into heaven, but depend entirely on God’s grace for life on the journey and at the destination.
Holiday Club was so much fun, as was evident from the buzz in the morning age-groups on the theme, and the afternoon craft groups, sports and outings. The organisation whirred with what seemed like its customary clockwork under the new coordinating team of Sarah, Gayle and Terry. But the successful enterprise depended as always on the devotion, energy, creativity and team work of coordinators, leaders and helpers, children, parents, other relatives and friends. All are grateful to each other – and we thank God for his plan!
In the middle of this month of September a showstopping moment for Britain is due to be the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. Two days of the four-day visit will be in London. Details can be seen on the official website http://thepapalvisit.org.uk. Not many of us may be able to attend the events, but it will be an opportunity for conversations about faith and about Christian witness and responsibilities in society, and a special time of celebration for and with the Catholics in our community.
Let us rejoice that God is continuing his plan of salvation through Jesus and reaching people in so many different ways.
Bernie
FROM THE CHURCHES’ REGISTERS
Baptisms at St Giles’
June 27th Noah Benjamin McArtney-Roberts
July 11th Katie Louise Gardner
July 25th Alfie Roy Clark
Jake Sydney Robinson
Aug 8th Jake George Lambert
Wedding at St Giles’
Aug 14th Andrew Jason Campbell and Elizabeth Anne Collins
Cremations at Breakspear Crematorium
July 12th Hubert Ross, aged 98 (after service at St Giles’)
July 14th Patricia Lloyd, aged 68
July 21st Colin Kershaw, aged 83 (after service at St Giles’)
July 22nd Margaret Drew, aged 70
July 27th Fred Fletcher, aged 92 (followed by service at St Giles’)
Cremation at Chilterns Crematorium
Aug 5th Vera Avery, aged 93
