Ministry Team

Team Rector: - Revd. Jeff Finch 01995 640269

Team Vicar: - Revd. Steve Cooper 01772 865274

Curate: - Revd. Margaret Sherdley 01772 691101

Reader: - Delphine Burn 01772 865487

Diane Maguire Pastoral assistant -

Lay Officers Churchwardens Mr. David Maddocks 01772 865459

Mr. Joe Birkby 01772 865521

PCC Secretary Mrs. Leslie Sumner 01995 640008

PCC Treasurer Mr. Glenn Ingram

Times of Services

Sunday 8-30 am Said Eucharist

11 am Sung Parish/Family Eucharist (Families welcome, Sunday Club for youngsters meets during the service)

6-30 pm 1st

Sunday of month Evensong at Bilsborrow 6-30 pm

2nd

Sunday of month Evensong at Goosnargh 6-30 pm

4th

Sunday of month Holy Communion, Bilsborrow 6-30 pm

1stand 3

rd Sunday, Fellside Youth Group meet in School 5-7pm

Thursday 10 am Holy Communion (In Bushell House)

Friday 9 am Oliverson’s School Worship

(Last Friday in month during Term time)

Occasional Offices For information about the arranging of Baptisms Weddings and Funerals

please contact a member of the Ministry Team

www.fellside.org.uk

Saint Mary the Virgin, Goosnargh Newsletter

October 2013

A Member of the Fellside Group of Parishes This month’s front cover is the delicious cake decorated by the Sunday Club in honour of

our Patronal Festival on the 8th September.

Principal Lectionary readings for October 2013 (Read at 8-30 and 11am Eucharist.)

**Indicates that alternative readings are available for that date and may be chosen

Lay Rota Oct Intercessions Chalice assistant Sunday Club

6 Wendy Evans James Hide

Elaine Duckett

Dean Warren Jane Williamson. Susan

Parkinson.

13 Elaine Duckett Rodney Swarbrick

Andrea Mellor

Jackie Parker. Glenn Ingram. Nicola

Taylor.

30 Andrea Mellor Glenn Ingram

Catherine Fish

Jenny Littlehales. Helen Littlehales. Karen

Hodgson.

27 Lindy King Rebecca Ingram

Alan Gornall

Sam Warren. Andrea Mellor. Jane Sims.

Side person’s Rota (and Chalice at 8.30am service) Oct 8-30am 11am 6-30 pm 6 S. Elcomb, David Maddocks Barbara Johnson, Sheila Birkby

13 M. Rooney, Sian Elcomb Glenn Ingram Barry Darlington Mike Smalley

30 M. Rooney, Delphine Burn Jane Williamson Elaine Duckett

27 R. Dewhurst Maureen Rooney Bill Huck, Freda Parker

Coffee at 11am Service – Oct 6 13 20 27

S. Birkby,

L. King

B. Watson

B. Huck,

R. Ingram,

B. Johnson

L. King,

S. Keane,

I. Kings

R. Ingram.

B. Johnson.

L. King

Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Gospel 6th Oct, Trinity 19 Habakkuk 1.1-4;2.1-4 2 Timothy 1.1-14 Luke 17.5-10 Zoe Shepherd Helen Littlehales 13th Oct, Trinity 20 2 Kings 5.1-3,7-15c 2 Timothy 2.8-15 Luke 17.11-19 Jane Sims Helen Sant 20th Oct, Trinity 21 Genesis 32.22-31 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5 Luke 18.1-8 Dean Warren Alan Wheatley 27th Oct Last after Trinity Hebrews 12.18-end 2 Timothy 4.6-8,16-18 Luke 18.9-14 Barry Darlington Allison Cottam

October Diary

Further ahead Sun 3

rd Nov 3-30pm Fellside Youth Group

Tues 5th

Nov 2pm/7-30pm Autumn Study Group - Bilsborrow

Thurs 7th

Nov 7-30 pm Mother’s Union meet in Village Hall

Sun 10th

Nov 3-30 pm Fellside Youth Group

Tues 12th

Nov 2pm/7-30pm Autumn Study Group - Goosnargh

Thurs 14th 7-30 pm Fellside Team Council - Barton

Un 17th

Nov 3-30pm Fellside Youth Group

Tues 19th

Nov 2pm/7-30pm Autumn Study Group - Whitechapel

Wed 20th

Nov 7-30 pm PCC meet in Church

FROM THE PARISH REGISTER Baptisms 15th September Isla Grace Payne Lucie Mae Gornall

Any good at Math’s??

A Mother had taken his small son to church. The boy listened attentively without saying

a word until the Vicar announced: “We will now sing hymn two hundred and twenty-

two: ‘Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand’, two hundred and twenty-two”

Alarmed the little boy nudged his father. “Do we have to work this out?”

Thurs 3rd 7-30 pm Mother’s Union meet in Village Hall

Fri 4th

Oct 7-30 pm Harvest Barn Dance Village Hall 7-30pm Village Hall

Sun 6th

October 11am All age Eucharist with Baptism

Sun 6th

October 3-30pm Fellside Youth Group in School

Wed 9th

7-30 pm Deanery Synod Barton

Thurs 10th 2pm/7-30pm Autumn Study Group - Bleasdale

Wed 16th 7-30 pm Fabric Committee meet in Church

Thurs 17th 2pm/7-30pm Autumn Study Group - Whitechapel

Sun 13th 11am All age service for Pastoral Care Sunday

Sun 13th

2pm Lancashire Lady Farmers service at Barton

Sun 20th 11am All age Eucharist with Baptism

Sun 20th 3-30pm Fellside Youth Group in School

Thurs 24th 2pm/7-30pm Autumn Study Group - Whitechapel

HARVEST BARN DANCE

Fun for all the family in the Village Hall

Music by Union Street Ceilidh Band

Friday 4th October

7-30 – 11pm Tickets £9 Family ticket £25

Price includes Hot – Pot Supper

Bar Raffle

Fellside Website

The Fellside Team website can be found at:

www.fellside.btck.co.uk

Gordon File, is now updating this for us.

Please contact him to add new information:

gordon.file@btinternet.com

Lonely hearts?? An advert appeared in the student newspaper of the university “Sweet little old lady wishes to correspond with university student – seeks six-footer with brown eyes answering to initials J.A.D” Signed……. His Mother!

A Letter from the Team Vicar

Dear Friends,

Sometimes life gets broken. It may be ill health or the stresses and strains of

daily living; it may be the loss of a job or the break-up of a marriage; it may be

that someone we love dies. Whatever it is, life gets broken.

Often we ask God ‘Why?’ or blame God for failing to stop it; or even for causing

it – there must be a reason ……………. Sometimes there is, sometimes there

isn’t, but blaming God as though he should be some kind of cosmic cotton wool

wrap protecting us from harm is to misunderstand both God and the universe

of which he has made us part. Birth and death are all part of the natural

rhythms of life, just as stress, strain and even break-down are part of the way

the universe is created and evolves.

So where do we find God? Often it is right in the middle of the places of stress

and strain, at the times when life seems to come apart, that with hindsight we

often see God most powerfully at work in our lives. It may not feel like it while

we are in the midst of it all, but it’s happening none the less. And when we look

back and see where God is at work, it is not in protecting us from the difficult

times, but walking with us, supporting us through the dark times to

resurrection.

In Japan there is a wonderful art called (in English) ‘Kintsukuroi’. This is the

repair of a broken piece of china using gold or silver lacquer. It is considered

that the repaired piece is more beautiful than the original

God Bless,

Revd Stephen Cooper

Can you paint?? We are not asking for a Rembrandt, Van Gogh or Picasso! -- Just someone who would like to paint the Churchyard shed. Brushes and materials supplied. If you would like to help keep the churchyard green please see the wardens.

Safety in the Churchyard Visitors to the Churchyard may have noticed that a number of leaning headstones have recently been laid flat. This is an outcome of the recent Churchyard inspection following which, on the instruction of the Archdeacon, any headstone which may become hazardous should be laid flat. Another cause for concern is the use of glass vases. These are easily broken and can become a hazard.

“In days gone by……” During the recent service to celebrate the Patronal Festival we were reminded of some of the developments which have had an influence on the church over the years.

Here are just a few of the entries and key events recorded in the Minutes book.

1490 The first PCC and Church Wardens were appointed – known as the “Twenty four sworn men”

1625 The Select Vestry” met to hear complaints and to collect fourteen shillings and four pence from every man’s land in the Township.

1635 The charge for burial in the Churchyard was 2d.

1701 A limit of 2s was put on the fees for Churchwardens entertaining visiting ministers. – As this had got out of hand!

1737 The Revd. W. Whitehead was deemed “not to preach lengthily enough”

1803 The Church fees for a wedding by banns was set at 6d

1816 saw the beginning of the Sunday school

1833 Thanks were given to Messrs Oliverson of London for building a Girls Schoolroom and Schoolmasters hoses

Autumn Spirituality Groups As last year, we are planning a study series for the Autumn which will travel around the different churches in the Team based on the idea of What Would Jesus Do? in pastoral situations. We all find ourselves meeting and visiting people who are sick or in hospital, people who are struggling with life, people who are bereaved, and in so many more situations. We might not be able to do miracles, but the way that Jesus worked with people is instructive, and we can learn from his ways of doing things.

We will be meeting each day at 2.00pm and 7.30pm as follows: Thursday 10th October Bleasdale Thursday 17th October Barton Thursday 24th October Whitechapel Tuesday 5th November Bilsborrow Tuesday 12th November Goosnargh Tuesday 19th November Whitechapel

Service of Light We will be holding our annual Service of Light for All Saints / All Souls on Sunday 3rd November, 6.30pm, at Bilsborrow. In this quiet reflective service we remember before God those we have loved who have died, and whose memories we treasure. If you would find this helpful, or you know someone who you might invite, please put this in your diary and join us.

October Pastoral Report ‘What is this life if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare’ by

William Henry Davies, is a magnificent poem and is so relevant today in a

time where everyone is so busy. Time is a rare commodity but so

important in the realm of Pastoral Care. To have the time to listen and

the ability to hear what people are saying is crucial to the well-being of

the person talking. So often when we are listening we are thinking “Oh

yes, my ex neighbour suffered from that” when all the talker wants is

someone to listen not compare. Troubles shared are troubles halved they

say but not if more troubles are heaped on top. Happy listening,

Delphine

Pint (or even a G&T) & Ponder The next Pint & Ponder will be on Wednesday 2nd October, 7.30pm at the Boar’s Head PH on the A6, next to St Lawrence Church. This is an opportunity to get together, to have a chat, and even to bring God into our discussions, if that’s not too risky. Come and join us.

Bishop Julian’s Consecration & Inauguration Bishop Julian is being Consecrated in York Minster on Thursday 10th October and Inaugurated at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday 19th October. Please keep him in your prayers as he takes on the responsibility of leading our Diocese. He will be touring the Deaneries between his Consecration and Inauguration to pray around the Diocese. We will let you know where and when as soon as that information becomes available. It would be great to have a good representation from the Fellside Team Parishes at this. The power of Prayer?? As my five-year-old son and I were heading to McDonald's one day, we passed a car accident. Usually when we see something terrible like that, we say a prayer for whoever might be hurt, so I pointed and said to my son, "We should pray." An instant later a fervent prayer was heard in the back seat. "Dear God, please don't let those cars block the entrance to McDonald's

Fellside Team Youth Club

Sun 6Sun 6Sun 6Sun 6thththth Oct: 3.30pm Oct: 3.30pm Oct: 3.30pm Oct: 3.30pm ---- Sweet Sweet Sweet Sweet----MakingMakingMakingMaking

Sun 20Sun 20Sun 20Sun 20thththth Oct: 3.30pm Oct: 3.30pm Oct: 3.30pm Oct: 3.30pm –––– Applefe Applefe Applefe Applefestststst both at Goosnargh Oliverson’sboth at Goosnargh Oliverson’sboth at Goosnargh Oliverson’sboth at Goosnargh Oliverson’s

Mothers Union News On September 5 at our meeting in the village hall, we welcomed Sara Collinge to tell us about how she became a florist after owning and running the Carmen Rose Tea shop in Ribchester. An interesting and light-hearted story illustrated by slides which kept us all interested and amused. Not all her quirky creations were appreciated by the judges at some flower shows, but her many successes include two trophies at the Southport Flower Show and a silver medal at Chelsea in the Florist of the Year (U K) final. 2 Oct Diocesan Lunch at Mitton Fold. 12.00 – 12.30 3 Oct Meeting at 7.30pm in the village hall. Harriet Roberts from

“Child Action North-West” will be speaking about Buried Treasures of James Dixon. There will also be a Bring & Buy at this meeting.

17 Oct Community Lunch in school 23 Oct “Bit of a Do” Lunch. 12.00 for 12.30pm at Elswick village hall. 7 Nov Meeting at 7.30 pm in the village hall. Canon Ron Greenwood

– this year’s title is “Experiences and Quotations of Food and Drink, both Earthly and Heavenly” This is an open evening, everyone welcome. Cost - £3.00. Please bring any unwanted gifts to this or to the November meeting so that they can be distributed to young carers.

COFFEE IN CHURCH First Sunday in month

(1 PINT OF HOT MILK IN FLASK AT 10.30)

October Mrs S Birkby Mrs L King Mrs B Watson

November Mrs I Pinder Mrs C Kennedy Mrs E Shepherd

MONTHLY MEETINGS – TEA ROTA

October Mrs J Houghton Mrs M Rooney Mrs S Parkinson

November Mrs C Lees Mrs J Ewart Mrs L King

OBLATIONS – FIRST SUNDAY IN MONTH

October Mrs S Birkby Mrs L King

November Mrs P Dean Mrs L Christopherson

St. Mary’s Drakes Cup August 2013

Ladies victorious - Yet again! Jim Ewart reports. Once again the Drakes Cup took place in the form of a Games and Quiz night. 40 Ladies and Gents contested the various trophies. The evening’s programme consisted of:

A bingo card, General knowledge question sheet, Where am I? Picture quiz, Games of Beatle,

Games of Whist and / or Dominoes

The Winners! BINGO: Rachel Cooper, Jean Middleton, Amy Cooper

Best overall individual Score LADIES: Sue Darlington MEN: Peter Rooney

Beryl Tuley Trophy’s highest scoring Ladies and Men’s team Men’s team: Dennis Procter, Lawrence Ibison, Peter Rooney. Ladies team: Sue Darlington, Margaret Cowburn

At the end of an enjoyable evening the ladies and men’s games points were totalled to determine the winner and once again the ladies proved victorious. The Drakes Cup was presented by Rev. Steven Cooper to

Maureen Rooney who received it on behalf of the Ladies

The raffle, organised by the Mothers Union, in aid of The World Emergency Relief Fund raised £ 70

Some wise words? - One reason why a dog is such a lovable creature is that his tail wags instead of his tongue - Anyone who thinks talk is cheap never argued with a traffic warden

- The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time,

but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Prayer Corners Each church in the Fellside Team has a Prayer Corner where you can

write down and leave a prayer request. Those reading it will join you in

your prayer. These prayers are also offered as part of our Sunday

worship.

Prayer Cards If you are going visiting someone who is sick,

housebound or in hospital, why not take a Prayer

Card to give them. You’ll find them in a rack at the

back of church.

Prayer Chain

For urgent prayer requests, please call:

Barton: Alma Hort 01772 864677 Brenda Knowles 01772 690319 Bilsborrow: Val Eland 01772 724963 David Hodgkinson 01995 603641 Bleasdale: Betty Berry 01995 602041 Mary Beswick 01995 605628 Goosnargh: Linda Christopherson 01995 640041 David Maddocks 01772 865459 Whitechapel: Barbara Scambler 01772 783925 Mary Curwen 01995 603644

Daily Prayer A reminder that Daily Prayer takes place each weekday around the Team, and you are welcome to join us. It is at 7.45am as follows:

Monday Bleasdale Tuesday Bilsborrow Wednesday Goosnargh Thursday Barton Friday Whitechapel

Oct 26th Cedd (Abt Lastingham, Bp E. Saxons, 664) 2 Timothy 3.1-17 When Paul was writing to Timothy, he clearly though that Jesus’ return in glory was imminent. In uncertain times he was reminded to ‘hold on to what you have been taught and know to be true’. And if he was ever unsure, he was to turn to Scripture which, through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration will always be our guide.

Oct 27th LAST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY (Bible Sunday) Ecclesiasticus 35.12-17 2 Timothy 4.6-8, 16-18 Luke 18.9-14 ‘The prayer of the humble person pierces the heavens’, so said the writer of Ecclesiasticus. ‘God have mercy on me a sinner’ said the tax collector, the social and religious outcast. But it was he to whom God listened, he who God forgave.

Oct 28th SIMON AND JUDE, APOSTLES Isaiah 28.14-16 Ephesians 2.19-22 John 15.17-27 ‘You are no longer strangers or foreigners, but are fellow citizens with the holy people of God and part of God’s household’. This isn’t our doing but is God’s, through his Holy Spirit. And she gives us the strength and the power to hold on to God whatever may the world might throw at us.

Oct 29th James Hannington (Missionary & Martyr 1885) 2 Timothy 4.1-22 As always, Paul’s letter ends with greetings and a real sense that this isn’t just some impersonal organisation, but rather that it is a real community which, despite the inevitable tensions when people work together, is seeking to live as Jesus followers.

Oct 30th Titus 1.1-16 Titus was another whom Paul had left behind to build up a church he’d founded, this time in Crete, spread out across the island. He gives practical advice about appointing leaders and standing up to those trying to subvert the Gospel message. Interestingly for one who is said to only be concerned with what we believe, here he says that what we do is the best marker for our faith.

Oct 31st Martin Luther (Reformer, 1546) Titus 2.1-15 Again it’s the practical stuff about what helps community work that comes to the fore. Compared to then our culture is much changed; society is shaped very differently. What remains true, though, is that those whose lives are shaped by Christ will be cross-shaped, marked by service and self-giving love.

October Bible Readings

In October we finish our journey into Mark’s Gospel travelling from crucifixion to resurrection. We then visit some of Paul’s letters: Philippians, 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus as we continue to reflect on our Christian calling. Please use these readings if they will help you with your own spiritual journey.

Oct 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (Social Reformer, 1885) Mark 15.16-32 Again this amazing sense of passivity in Jesus as he is crowned with thorns, mocked, walking to his death, crucifixion and further mocking. It is as if God the Son is of choice absorbing all that humankind can do to him – even kill him, rather than respond. Why?

Oct 2nd Mark 15.33-41 Other Gospels have Jesus in conversation with his fellow crucifixionees; saying ‘Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing’; etc. For Mark it is ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ A real sense of desolation – Jesus, God the Son is dead.

Oct 3rd George Bell (Bp Chichester, Peacemaker, 1958) Mark 15.42-47 Joseph of Arimethea (the secret follower) and the women (who in those days were second-class citizens), even the Centurion, were those who played their part in Jesus’ burial. And what of the Disciples?

Oct 4th Francis of Assisi (Founded Franciscans, 1226) Mark 16.1-8 This is the end of the earliest copies of Mark’s Gospel. Bold and simple, the words to the women ‘He is risen’. No Disciples, they come later; no meeting with the Risen Lord; just a group of women running away frightened – and a message ........

Oct 5th Mark 16.9-20 The second ending of Mark seems to have been added because the original was too abrupt; had too little hope. So we get Jesus meeting with the Disciples; showing them he’s alive; commissioning them to spread the Gospel; and finally, the Ascension.

Oct 6th NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Habakkuk 1.1-4, 2.1-4 2 Timothy 1.1-14 Luke 17.5-10 ‘Fan into flame the gift of God that you possess through the laying on of hands’. At our Confirmation the Bishop prayed that we might be filled with the Spirit of God. In Communion, as we meet with God, that gift is renewed. If it’s not burning bright, or maybe if we don’t even recognise what that gift is, then we need to pray that God will renew and restore us, empower us by his Spirit for our Gospel commission.

Oct 7th Philippians 1.1-11 Paul is a great encourager. Here he highlights the partnership he has with the church in Philippi in his Gospel work. His longing is that they grow deeper and deeper in their love for God and their understanding of him. That is quite an ambition, both for ourselves and for other Christians.

Oct 8th Alexander Forbes (Bp Brechin, 1875) Philippians 1.12-30 ‘For me to live is Christ, to die is gain’. Paul is in prison for the Gospel – again. For him it is of little consequence, just another opportunity to tell people about Jesus and to encourage the Church. And if he’s killed, he’s with the Lord. Win! – Win!

Oct 9th Robert Grosseteste (Bp Lincoln, 1253) Philippians 2.1-13 Here we have that wonderful early Christian hymn which gets echoed in the our more modern hymn, ‘At the name of Jesus’. It speaks of Jesus, the Servant King who laid aside his majesty to show us the full extent of God’s love – and we should follow him.

Oct 10th Paulinus (Bp York, Missionary, 644) Philippians 2.14-30 Paul talks about ‘work[ing] out our salvation in fear and trembling’; of having ‘run the race and toiled so hard’. He never pretends that this Christian journey will be simple or easy – but elsewhere, he clearly also enjoys and revels in the times it all goes well.

Oct 11th James the Deacon(Paulinus’ assistant, 7C) Philippians 3.1-4.1 ‘All that I once held dear I count as loss .... because of the supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus’. And this after Paul has listed all those things which would have counted for something in the social strata of Jewish life. He doesn’t mince his words.

Oct 12th Wilfrid of Ripon(Bp, Missionary, 709) Philippians 4.2-23 ‘Always be joyful in the Lord’. It’s easy to be joyful when things are going well, but considering the troubles in which Paul often found himself, perhaps we need to reassess what we mean by joy. CS Lewis titled the book he wrote about his wife’s death, ‘Surprised by Joy’. It’s a moving testimony about joy found in unexpected places.

Oct 13th TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY 2 Kings 5.1-3,7-15 2 Timothy 2.8-15 Luke 17.11-19 Naaman is healed by God through the hands of Elijah; the 10 lepers are healed by Jesus. God’s mercy is freely given, but Elisha’s servant Gehazi wants to make a profit from it, while 9 of the lepers Jesus heals can’t even say ‘Thank You’. Strange world!

Oct 14th Esther John (Missionary & Martyr, 1960) 1 Timothy 1.1-17 When writing to the young Timothy to encourage him in his task of leading the church in Ephesus after Paul has left, Paul focuses not on his strengths but on the Grace of God which makes al things possible, regardless of our weaknesses. Good to learn.

Oct 15th Teresa of Avila (Teacher & Religious, 1582) 1 Timothy 1.18-2.15 There is an interesting dichotomy in the New Testament, between the Church standing out for God and the ways of God where people or the state stands against these, yet at the same time praying for rulers and those in authority that they may rule justly and well.

Oct 16th Ridley & Latimer (Reformation martyrs, 1555) 1 Timothy 3.1-16 Church leaders need to be chosen for their spiritual gifts and for the consistent way these are worked out in their lives and the life of their families. Management, financial or political skills are not in the list.

Oct 17th Ignatius (Bp Antioch, Martyr, 107) 1 Timothy 4.1-16 We focus on two important elements of the spiritual life; firstly the need to train, to seek to build it up – this isn’t about doing more things, but about being more attentive to God in all that we do. The second is that age is no barrier to spiritual wisdom. The Rule of Benedict says the youngest should be listened to first as they often hear God clearest.

Oct 18th LUKE THE EVANGELIST Isaiah 35.3-6 2 Timothy 4.5-17 Luke 10.1-9 Tradition has it that Luke was a doctor, who became a Christian and fellow traveller with Paul on his missionary journies. He is the writer of both the Gospel of Luke and of the Acts of the Apostles. In him the two roles are married together as a Physician of Souls.

Oct 19th Henry Martyn (Missionary: India & Persia, 1812) 1 Timothy 5.1-25 The Church in Ephesus cut across the city’s social strata, as churches still usually do. It cared for its members in need, but at the same time sought to avoid exploitation, hence Paul’s guidance about widows. Pastoral care: the church’s work then and now. .

Oct 20th TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY Genesis 32.22-31 2 Timothy 3.14-4.5 Luke 18.1-8 Life rarely seems simple and straight-forward. Often we find ourselves in places where we are uncertain about what is right and what God would have us be and do. Wrestling with God à la Jacob is often what it seems like, but persistence is good – blessed even.

Oct 21st 1 Timothy 6.1-10 Christians always need to measure themselves against Christ. While humility, that genuine understanding of both our strengths and weaknesses, should be inevitable, Jesus is always more interested in where people are going that where they’ve been.

Oct 22nd 1 Timothy 6.11-21 There are times in life when it is easy to wonder what all this God business is for, to question whether it matters. It is in the desert that we need our compass more than ever as we lose our familiar land-marks. Paul urges Timothy to stay true to his – Jesus.

Oct 23rd James of Jerusalem (Bp, Martyr, c62) 2 Timothy 1.1-14 At the beginning of the month this was our Sunday reading; the message: ‘Fan into flame the gift of God that you possess’. How is that prayer for the Holy Spirit’s inspiration going? Remember last Sunday’s readings – persistence pays off!

Oct 24th 2 Timothy 1.15-2.13 Paul uses a kaleidoscope of images as he encourages Timothy in his leadership of the church in Ephesus. All require perseverance and commitment. The reading concludes with one of the earliest statements of our relationship with God – a creed.

Oct 25th Crispin and Crispinian (Martyrs, 287) 2 Timothy 2.14-26 The early church operated in a whirl of different religious and philosophical ideas. Paul was adept at using them as a launch pad for mission, but care must be taken not to be side-tracked by those things which lead us away from God. It’s no different today.