CiA News – March 2017

__________________________________________________________The winter issue of Christian Focus is now available on the CiA website. Articles in this issue include: Celebrating 20 years of 35 Ock Street, 150 t h celebrations at St Michael’s, Advent, Host Abingdon – progress, LAMPS, Christmas services in Abingdon, TAB, Updating and revising ‘A diary of private prayer’, Young hope, St Teresa of Calcutta, as well as poems and a survey about Christian Focus to help the editors plan for the future. Please do fill this out.

WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON

Christian Aid New Year Walk, 2 January 2017The walk this year took place on a beautiful morning, cold, crisp and sunny. About 80 walkers took part and enjoyed the chance to walk via Sunningwell up to Boars Hill before descending to Bayworth for very welcome refreshments at Bayworth Baptist Chapel. Donations raised over £420. Once sponsorship money is collected and banked, the total raised for Christian Aid should be over £1000. Many thanks to everyone who

came to walk and who helped with refreshments - it was a good, healthy way to start the year.

Christian Aid Collection, Tesco, 11 February 2017The local Christian Aid Committee was very grateful to all the members of churches in Abingdon who braved a very cold day to collect at Tesco, Marcham Road, for the work of Christian Aid. A total of £254.83 was raised which will go towards meeting the needs of the some of the poorest people in the world.

WHAT’S COMING UPCiA AGMThis will be taking place on 23 February 2017 at The Salvation Army on West St Helen Street at 7.45 pm. All welcome to come along and hear about the work the CiA and its task groups have been doing over the past year. There will also be a presentation by the Abingdon Street Pastors.

Silent reflectionsSt Michael and All Angels Church, Park Road, 7.30 - 9.00 pm, last Tuesday of the month (except December): 28 Feb 2017 28 Mar 25 Apr 30 May 27 JuneEnjoy prayerful activities in the quiet of the sanctuary with the option of coming together to share your journey at the end of the session. All welcome.

Marriage CourseThis weekly seven-session course will be starting on Tuesday 28 Feb 2017, 7.30 pm, at Christ Church, Abingdon. It is a practical course for any couple, regardless of how long you’ve been married. The cost is £49 per couple (please speak to the office if finance is a problem). Booking forms are available from the welcome desk or the church office. Places limited to 13 couples with a waiting list. For further details, contact Bill & Rosemary Buchan, or Paul & Karen Brombley, via the Church Office at office@cca.uk.net.

Back to 35, Abingdon Baptist Church Hall, Ock Street

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These meetings, a joint venture between Age UK Oxfordshire and 35 Ock Street, provide an opportunity for conversation, activities, support and fellowship for the over-50s with tea and cake as well. They take place on the first and third Thursday mornings, 10.30 – 11.30 am. Forthcoming meetings are as follows: 2 March – Bicester and surrounding areas 16 March – Trading Standards 6 April – Spring quiz 20 April – Seated exercise classFor further information, please contact David Lovegrove on 01235 533373.

Women’s World Day of Prayer Men, women and young people are invited to a service prepared by Christian women of the Philippines for the Women’s World Day of Prayer on Friday 3 March 2017 at Abingdon Baptist Church (35 Ock Street), 10.30 am with crèche and 7.30 pm. There will be a collection in aid of worldwide Christian charities.

Loving God, caring for creation: An afternoon with Ruth ValerioJoin with Christians from around our area to: enjoy a scrumptious tea... share stories of caring for creation... hear acclaimed author/speaker Ruth Valerio talk about how she came to see the gospel as good news for all creation… on Saturday 4 March 2017, 2.30 - 5 pm at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford OX1 2DH. Free - all welcome. Registration essential. To register, go to www.oxford.anglican.org/environment or www.ccow.org.uk or ring 01235 851763.

Christian Aid Evening - The GambiaEveryone is invited to come and find out more about a country that has been in the news lately on Saturday 4 March 2017 at 7.30 pm at All Saints Methodist Church, Appleford Drive. Katie Doney, of St Nicolas Church, will be talking about 'Teaching and Learning in The Gambia: Reflections on working with young children in The Gambia and in the UK'. Light refreshments will be served and donations will be invited for the work of Christian Aid worldwide.

CiA Lent Lectures 2017The Church in Abingdon is pleased to announce that David Cole will be the guest speaker for the Lent Lectures in March/April 2017. These lectures will take place on Mondays, 8-9 pm, at The Salvation Army in West St Helen Street (opposite the Co-op) on the following dates:

Mon 6 March 2017: Celtic Christianity – an introduction of history and for today (including New Monasticism) Mon 13 March: Care for Creation – a work of the cross Mon 20 - break Mon 27 March: Christus Victor – a work of the cross Mon 3 April: Mystical Union – a work of the cross

This series of devotional lectures will be based on David's latest book 40 Days with the Celtic Saints, so obviously will have a Celtic flavor and will include stories from the lives of the saints. The life stories of the Celtic saints are inspirational. They demonstrate great and unassuming faith, often in the face of insurmountable difficulties. In 40 Days with the Celtic Saints, David draws us to relate our own life journey and developing relationship with God into the life story of the Celtic saint of the day. A corresponding biblical text and blessing encourages and motivates us to transform our lives for today's world in the light of such historic faith.

David, having previously been a full-time church minister, is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader. He is also founder of Waymark Ministries which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message. More info at waymarkministries.com.

Copies of David’s book will be available to buy on the nights or you can pre-order via Debra McKnight (CiA Administrator - dhmcknight@aol.com) at £7.99

The Abingdon Progressive Christianity Network GroupThe next meeting will be on: Tuesday 7 March 2017, 7.30 pm, in St Peter’s Church Room, Drayton, OX14 4JS

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The topic for discussion will be ‘What do we want in 21st century Christian ministry?’ All welcome. For more information, or the document for discussion, contact cliff.marshall@pcnbritain.org.uk or 01235 530480.

St Helen’s Church concertThe Hermitage Ensemble from St Petersburg will be giving a concert of Russian choral music (both sacred and secular) at St Helen's Church at 7.30 pm on Saturday 11 March 2017. Tickets (£10 or £8 concessions) are available from St Helen’s Parish Office on 01235 520144 or at administrator@sthelens-abingdon.org.uk. Refreshments will be available.

Abingdon ‘Communi-tea’ Drop-inThe Drop-in is a welcoming environment for all, and an opportunity to connect with others in the surrounding area with a brew. It is hosted by Abingdon MoreinCommon group (Abingdonmoreincommon@gmail.com) and Host Abingdon (http://hostabingdon.org/). It takes place on the second Saturday of the month at 10-12noon at St Ethelwolds House, 30 East St Helen St, Abingdon OX14 5EB:

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The Big Sing with John BellCome and join in an evening of singing led by John Bell of the Iona community and BBC4’s Thought for the Day on Sat 25 March 2017, 7.30 – 9.30 pm at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford OX1 2DH. Tickets £7.50 (adults), £5 (students/under 18s) from www.ticketsoxford.com or from 01865 305305 or on the door.

Experience EasterIt took just 10 days for local schools to book 350 children into this year's Experience Easter event at Trinity. They will be coming on Thursday 30 and Friday 31 March 2017 to hear the Easter story in a very special way and to think how Jesus' experiences relate to their own lives.

Would you like to contribute or get involved? You don't need theological expertise: On Monday 27 March, we'll be moving furniture and screens On Tuesday 28 March, artistic folk are needed to construct the tableaux.Before then, volunteers can help by collecting props from various churches and preparing materials for craft activities. Or perhaps you would like to join our storytellers? They're a friendly, ecumenical team, training is provided and fulfilment guaranteed. If you think you can help, or would like to know more, please contact Rosemary Perrow, trinitylearning@gmail.com

Experience Easter with Abingdon Gospel Choir: Thursday 30 March, 8 pm, Trinity Church. Numbers limited - look out for posters giving details of how to get your ticket.

Abingdon Mothers UnionNext meeting at St Helen’s Church Parish Centre Hall on Tuesday 4 April 2017 from 10.30 am to 12 noon. Speaker: Sue Robbins on ‘Street Pastors’.

Church Twinning Saint Niklaas, our twinned twin in Belgium, is celebrating 800 years of being a city in 2017. We are invited to visit from Thurs 1 to Mon 5 June 2017, over Pentecost. Accommodation will be provided with friendly host families (or hotels by private arrangement) and there will be a Christian-based programme of events and trips, possibly travel by minibus. As well as an inexpensive and interesting holiday, the visit extends truly ecumenical friendship and discussion. Flemish is not necessary. If interested, please contact Eileen Bontempelli at epkbontempelli@gmail.com. Numbers are limited.

Community Chaplains - Great Western Park – The Methodist Church

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The Wantage and Abingdon Methodist Circuit invite applications for two part-time posts (12 h/wk each) for Community Chaplains to Great Western Park. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative and focused expression of ministry, based at the new housing development at Great Western Park in Didcot, where 3300 new homes are being built, with about half of them now occupied. The successful applicants will be a Christian presence and act as chaplains to those who live, work and play on this growing housing development. The chaplains will be supported by the Methodist Church and will use a converted motor home as a mobile base. For further details and an application pack, please contact either: Revd Katherine Pickering (01235) 813242 katherine.pickering@methodist.org.uk or Revd Keith Underhill (01235) 763321 keith.underhill@methodist.org.uk Closing date for applications is 12 Noon 17 March 2017. Shortlisting will take place on 22 March 2017. Interviews will be held on 30 March 2017.

Fresh VisionFresh Vision is a discussion group for those who wish to explore ideas about Christianity in an open, liberal and non-dogmatic setting. We meet on the last Wednesday of the month 7.30 – 9 pm in the Garden Room at St Ethelwold’s House, 30 East St Helen Street, Abingdon. Everyone is very welcome. For further information, contact Liz Domoney at freshvision2@outlook.com.

Trinity Evergreen Club, Trinity Church, Conduit RoadMeetings have changed from the first Monday in the month to the third Monday at Trinity Church. Although mainly for senior people, it is open to anyone. Meetings start at 2 pm, with a varied programme and refreshments. Transport can usually be provided. For further information, contact Rita Gilbert on 01235 528837.

Meeting God in the silenceThis group meets on the first Monday evening of the month in The Barn at Christ Church, Northcourt Road, 7.30 for 8 pm and every third Tuesday morning at Christ Church at 9.30 for 10 am. For more information, contact Sarah Turner on 01235 521433.

Nourishment in Christ – St Nicolas’ ChurchThis new informal and reflective service takes place monthly on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30 pm. All welcome with refreshments from 7 pm.

Cake & Conversation – St Edmunds ChurchThis friendly, informal session for anyone whose first language is not English takes place every Wednesday during term time from 9.30 to 11 am at St Edmund’s Parish Centre (entrance in Oxford Road). For further information, please contact Ann Corbett (01235 559471) or Anne Dodd (01235 525997), otherwise just come along.

Abingdon gospel choir and music group Do you like gospel music and would you like to sing it? Then maybe our music group is for you – we have some 20 members, who have been meeting weekly since the groups began in October 2013 on Thursdays at Trinity Church, Conduit Road, 8.00 - 9.30 pm. Singers of all standards are welcome. For further information, contact Ian Miles on 07788 715873 or at music@iangenuity.org.

Abingdon circle dance groupThis groups meets on Thursday mornings from 11 am to 12 noon at St Michael’s Church, dancing traditional folk dances and modern steps in a circle, to a variety of music from around the world, some lively, some joyous and celebratory, and some more meditative. All dances are demonstrated and then broken down into smaller stages for teaching. No prior experience/partner needed. For more information, contact Mary on 01235 520608 or at marywilliamsox14@gmail.com. NB: no circle dancing on 24 March.

 The Archway FoundationSince 2008, The Archway Foundation has been developing its service in Abingdon and surrounding areas by providing social evenings and other special events, a befriending service for those who are unable to get out, as well as offering volunteering opportunities through driving, befriending or helping at social events. Social evenings are held at Abingdon Baptist Church Hall from 7.30 to 9 pm on the 2nd and 4th Fridays. Daytime socials also take place. For

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more information, contact Joy Dadswell on 07718 769103 or at joy@archwayfoundation.org.uk.

ONE HOUR A FORTNIGHT is all you need to make a difference. YOU could be just the person to bring much needed company by volunteering to become an Archway befriender. Training and support will be given. For further information, visit www.archwayfoundation.org.uk (online application form available) or contact Conrad at the Archway office on 01865 790552.

Abingdon Emergency Foodbank (Christ Church) Thank you so much for your continuing support of the Foodbank. Please deliver your donations to Christ Church, Northcourt Road, weekdays 9 am – 4 pm, or drop off your donations at the collection point in Waitrose. For further information, contact: Sarah Fry or Hilary Beale on 01235 539172 or at foodbank@cca.uk.net. 

Abingdon Street PastorsFor more information on how to get involved with Abingdon Street Pastors, either as a street pastor or a prayer pastor, contact streetpastorsabingdon@gmail.com.

The Abingdon BridgeInfineum UK Ltd, based at Milton Hill, has adopted The Abingdon Bridge (TAB) as their Charity of The Year for 2017.This is a most significant boost to TAB’s fundraising efforts this year since all funds raised by the colleagues (employees) at Infineum will be matched by the Company. Already, Natalie Berkeley, one of the colleagues has registered to enter the Coventry Half Marathon in March to raise funds for TAB and has opened a Just Giving page at http://www.justgiving.com/Natalie-Berkeley2. If you or your friends are considering making a donation to TAB in the near future this is an excellent way of ‘doubling your donation’ as well as adding Gift Aid if you are eligible.

Christ’s Hospital, Abingdon – Grants availableOne-off grants are available from this body. For conditions, provisos and an application form, contact Mrs Christine Day on 01235 526487.

CHRISTIAN FORUM COLUMN Could you help by writing a one-off article (350 words) for the weekly Christian Forum column appearing in the Abingdon Herald newspaper or join our circle of writers that submit one article per year? Articles do not have to be original - they can have appeared in a church newsletter or similar – but need to have a Christian message. If you are interested or would like to know more, contact Debra Mcknight, the CiA Administrator, on 07896 860381.

The CiA News is circulated by the Church in Abingdon to member churches within Abingdon to promote church activities and groups, news and any other information that may be of interest to CiA news readers. If you would like to submit news or receivethe news by email, please contact Debra Mcknight. The deadline for publication is the 15 th of the month previous to publication. For more information about the Church in Abingdon, go to www.church-in-abingdon.org.uk.

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