From the Vicar...
Each issue of the Trumpet magazine features an article from the vicar. You can read the latest here...
April/May 2012
Going the extra mile?
I think I might be having a mid-life crisis! A few weeks ago I found myself filled with an uncontrollable urge to start running. A couple of days later, and I had committed myself to running the Edinburgh Marathon. It’s foolish, I know. It will be painful, and may well end in tears, I am sure... but on the positive side, it’s cheaper than a sports car, and it goes down better with the bishop than other mid-life crisis options! Actually, I have been inspired to start running in order to support Christian Aid.
There are certain myths about Christian Aid:
1. Some argue that much of the money we give to such charities fails to reach the people who need it.
In fact, a great deal of Christian Aid’s work overseas is done through partner agencies on the ground who can
target resources exactly where they are needed and make sure that help is given in an entirely appropriate way.
2. Others believe that Christian Aid only helps Christians.
This is untrue. Whilst Christian Aid is supported by many churches, and takes as its inspiration the self-giving
love of Jesus Christ, help and aid is given to people who most need it, regardless of their beliefs.
Nevertheless, along with other charities, in Trumpington, we have found that it is increasingly difficult (and culturally awkward) to go door-to-door collecting for Christian Aid.
Instead, we plan to deliver envelopes to every house, and these envelopes can then be returned to the Church,
to other local addresses, or nationally to a postal address.
We do not want Christian Aid’s important work to be forgotten though. The new church youth group (M&Ms) have already raised £151.50 for the charity by car washing and in May they are planning a sponsored sleepover in the church. We plan to have a Big Curry Night too, where all proceeds will go to Christian Aid. And I’ll be lacing on my trainers to run 26.2 miles in Edinburgh. If you’d like to sponsor me, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Andy-Chrich0
This year in particular, as I run, I’ll be remembering an amazing woman called Liz Trevor. Liz sadly died of cancer last year. In my previous parish she was an inspiration to many. The sort of person who quietly, in the background and with no fuss whatsoever, pitched in to help and support an amazing number of people. Everyone felt better and reassured to know that Liz was around. She was also a tireless supporter of Christian Aid – even taking to the streets in her late 70s to protest at the G8 summit about climate change and its impact on the world’s most vulnerable people.
So when it gets tough in the marathon, I will try and remember Liz, and the lives of the countless people trapped in poverty she encouraged us to support.
February/March 2012
Being the Church...
The world's most famous cartoon family, The Simpsons, arrive back home on a Sunday morning glad to finally be done with church for the day, and immediately change into their everyday clothes.
'Hey, calm down,' says Marge, 'You're wrinkling your church clothes.'
'Who cares?', replies Homer,'This is the best part of the week.'
'Yes!' adds Lisa, 'It's the longest possible time before more church!'
'Church shouldn't be a chore', retorts Marge,'It should help you in your daily life.'
'It should but it doesn't,' says Homer, 'Now, who's going with Daddy to the dump?'
So what is the Church about, and why do we bother being part of it?
The church exists to help people do two simple things:
1. To love the God that we have been shown through Jesus Christ; and
2. To make known the love of God in a lifestyle of loving service.
As soon as we spell this out, we run the risk of being victim to Homer's criticism, 'It should but it doesn't', but if we know what we are aiming for, it is a good start.
For as long as I can remember, people have said to me, 'You don't have to go to church to be a Christian.' They have a point, but it does appear that God calls us to be together, to be best able to love him and to love our neighbour. There will always be examples that we can point to where churches have not been these sorts of places, but again, if we know what we are aiming for, it is a good start. And what if, though we may feel we do not 'need' church, the church needs us to be what God calls it to be in the community?
Many different people and many different ways of taking part
In the Trumpet magazine, alongside some interesting articles about groups and events in the community, you will also find all sorts of ways of taking part in the life of Trumpington Church.
We continue to work hard to make Trumpington Church a place that offers good things for children and young people, as well as being a place where parents find it easy to bring their children. One particular thing to note this month is the new Third Sunday Service. At 10am each Third Sunday in the month, we have a short service (45 minutes) without Communion, which we hope offers engaging and creative ways for people of all ages to enjoy worshipping God together. Why not give it a try?
All services for Febuary and March are reproduced on pages 12 and 13 of the Trumpet magazine.
For those who are looking to explore the Christian faith, or to refresh themselves in the basics of the Christian faith, a new course called Start begins in February.
For anyone wanting to go deeper this Lent, we have a fantastic programme of speakers on Wednesday evenings looking at the Apostles' Creed.
The programme of enjoyable social events continues, as do the home groups and opportunities to sing in the Choirs.
It was fantastic to see Trumpington Church very, very full over Christmas. Thank you to all who came along. If you would like to be part of what the church is doing through the rest of the year, we would love to see you.
Andy
