PloughshareVolume 24 Number 1 February March 2016

60p per copy£3 per yearOnline: www.st-thomas-brampton.orgFacebook:www.facebook.com/stthomasbramptonEmail:admin@st-thomas-brampton.org

He sent me so that you can see againand be filled by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9 vs 17

Pattern of Sunday Services

There are a variety of services each Sunday in both ourchurches.Please note that changes may occasionally occur at short notice.For the latest up to date information please check the weeklynotice sheet or look on line at:www.st-thomas-brampton.org/diary.html

St Thomas’Sermon themes and readings are available in church orat www.st-thomas-brampton.org/services.html

Recordings of the sermons and readings are available atwww.st-thomas-brampton.org/podcast index.html

For those who enjoy tradition: A service of Parish Communion

9.30am- Using 'Common Worship' and accompanied by the organ.

Once a month Morning Prayer

For those with families: Service of the Word

11.00am- An informal service that’s ‘family friendly’. Sung worship led by the band. There are activities for Children 0-12 years.

Once a month Holy Communion

For those looking for something more: Evening Worship

6.00pm- A relaxed service with in-depth teaching and extended worship led by the music team. Once a month Holy Communion

7.45pm to 9.30pm- Youth Group for 14-18 year olds

FOR EASTER SERVICES SEE PAGE 21

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Rector’s letterQuestion, what do the Rector and a deep sea diver both have in common?The answer is the London Marathon! Just in case you didn’t know Lloyd Scottran in the 2002 London Marathon wearing a 130lb deep sea diving suit, hebroke the world record for the slowest marathon time ever recordedcompleting the course in six days. I’m hoping to run the 2016 LondonMarathon in April, I’ll not be wearing a diving suit but there’s every chance I’llbe challenging Lloyd for his record! Why am I doing this? Well, the answer isthat I’m passionate about supporting disadvantaged children and so it’s myprivilege to take up a charity place on behalf of the Children’s Society and runto raise money for this very worthy cause.

The Children’s Society was originally the Church of England’s children’scharity. It still works in very close partnership with the CofE and is an amazingorganisation. The Children’s Society worked with over 34,000 vulnerablechildren and young people last year, whilst their campaigns brought life-changing support to more than 1.8 million. The Children’s Society reaches outto the most vulnerable in our nation and works actively to stop child abuse,sexual exploitation and neglect.As I’m pounding the streets of Chesterfield why don’t you consider how youcan get involved and support me? The obvious answer is you can give money– I’ve set myself a target of raising £2,000, currently I’m only about 25% ofthe way there so plenty of work to do before the 24th April. You can givethrough my Just Giving page (www.justgiving.com/Matthew-Barnes11) or bysimply texting CHSO50 £your amount to 70070. Alternatively you can dropyour donation into the Parish Office in an envelope marked “RECTOR’S RUN”.

I’ll be organising various events and activities that I do hope you’ll be able tosupport – these include a  ‘Guess my finish time’ competition (the top prizewill be the (unwashed) socks that I ran the marathon in, but there will beother more desirable prizes too for second and third places)! If you can makea cake for my cake stalls, offer a raffle prize or come along to one of my otherevents then please let me know – if you organise a group and you think Imight make an interesting speaker then do invite me, I’d love to come.

Thank you so much in advance for your encouragement and support – at theend of the day it’s about helping those who need our help the most –something that’s as close to your heart as it is to mine.

Revd. Canon Matthew Barnes.

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The Christmas tree festival 4-6th December 2015Marie Witham

The Christmas Tree Festival began atSt Thomas’ four years ago, with 32trees; last year we had 49 trees –representing local businesses, charitiesand groups at St Thomas’.

Over the three public days and theschools day we had 1,300 visitors.Many thanks to Jane Simmonds forbeing the guiding light and instigatorof the festival also thanks to all thevolunteers who were available to talkto people in Church, offerrefreshments etc.

We had many positive comments.

“Thank you for organising anotherlovely community festival. Fabuloustrees. Happy Christmas. “

“My favourite tree is the Old Hallone because it is my school. All theothers are beautiful too. “

“Fantastic display and welcome”

“The church looks amazing! Aperfect start to our Christmasseason. Thank you”

“Wonderfully imaginative andinnovative. Outstandingly brilliant.”

Pictures from previous events canbe seen on the website

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But what is a Christmas Tree festival?

In theory a lot of trees in one room! In reality a time where the wholecommunity comes together, groups, schools and businesses alike participateby owning and decorating a Christmas Tree; demonstrating, under one roof,the diversity of talents and services we have on our doorstep. We alsoremember our neighbours across the globe.

I asked Jane Simmonds what her motivation was to bring a Chtistmas treefestival to St Thomas’. Jane replied “I used to work throughout the Midlands,and in the Leicestershire area in particular, I came across many ChristmasTree Festivals. Working for a charity, meant that I appreciated theopportunity to provide and decorate trees to depict the charity appeals I wasinvolved with. But I soon realised how wonderful the event was as acommunity event - appreciated by so many people, for so many differentreasons. We live in such a ‘busy’ time. If nothing else, families coming alongto see the trees are taking ‘time out’ of their busy lives; enjoying a freeactivity - and more importantly enjoying some quality time together. Whatbetter reason could there be to provide an event that appeals to all ages,whilst encouraging businesses, community groups, local schools and thechurch to come together and celebrate such a ‘Wonderful Time of the Year’!”

I have visited the festival previously and always enjoyed the spectacle but thisyear I was able to be much more involved in setting up and being in churchwhen visitors came. It was truly eye opening. I had some interestingconversations about the groups and a more thorough understanding of thetrees and the people behind them. I certainly learned a lot about what goeson in our neighbourhood. We tend to whizz up and down Chatsworth Roadand through Brampton in cars we do not always see what is there. Manytimes I heard people say – “oh where is that? I didn’t know they were there”We should be encouraging local businesses and re-building a sense ofcommunity and I think the festival comes some way to doing this in a fun, butalso awe inspiring way.

It does open up conversations about what goes on at St T’s – groups thatpeople can relate to and perhaps become involved if they are not surewhether they have a faith but wish to explore. A good outreach tool andgood that people felt welcomed – that people involved in the church are justlike them – with concerns and worries BUT who have a rock to cling to and asupport that is as vital as breathing.

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Meditation article – Appeared in the World Community for ChristianMeditation, (WCCM), Winter News Letter(www.christianmeditation.org.uk)

Reflections on a training day in the Diocese ofDerby

In September I attended a training day on Christian Meditation at StOswald’s, Ashbourne led by a team from the WCCM and organised bythe Rev. Canon Alan Harper. I was excited to attend as I have beenmeditating with the WCCM for the last five years and a year ago starteda new meditation group in Holymoorside, Chesterfield. The practice hasallowed the spirit of God to work more closely in and through my lifeand I am so thankful to have discovered meditation. The day wasinspiring and had a depth and quality to the teaching that impressedthe group I attended with, who being new to the wider work of theWCCM, gained much more than they expected.

The Bishop of Derby, the Rt Revd Dr Alastair Redfern, set the sceneusing Acts 12 to paint the picture of a violent and controlling society into which we are imprisoned by our human need to have and possess.Posing the question: “how do we handle the instinct to have andconsume?”, he pointed us in the direction of the spiritual journey andmeditation as a vehicle for that journey, where we can learn to be still,learn acceptance of what is and who we are, and recognise the ‘I AM’rather than the ‘I want to be’ of the ego.

We were ably guided by the WCCM team, gaining information aboutmeditation and its history, and instruction on how to meditate with theopportunity to practice at the beginning and end of the day. There wasa helpful section where the team gave their experiences and answeredaudience questions. Canon Alan and Graeme Watson encouraged usto set up new meditation groups, explaining how the WCCM supportsthese groups, and I talked about my experience of using the starterpack. The book The Pearl of Great Price shows how to teach theprocedure for meditation, which has made running the group a simple

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task. I also spoke about how the practice of meditation has affected myown spiritual journey in such a positive way that I want to advocate itsuse. I had the delight of a number of conversations with fellowattendees, one of whom now comes regularly to my meditation groupalong with a friend.

I found the section on meditation with children very inspiring, as welearnt how children can easily be helped to connect with the loving Godwithin them, and we were encouraged to meditate with children ratherthan just watch, to enable the child to freely engage with the silencewithin themselves. Janet Robbins gave us an example of howgrandparents can help their grandchildren to find the silence withinthemselves and engage with the wonder of the natural world as she didwith her 6 month old grandson. As I look after my 11 month oldgrandson once a week I was eager to mirror Janet’s example and haveexperienced a wonderful time with him in his local park, enjoying thedappled light through the trees and then having lunch on a picnic rug,sitting playing with the autumn leaves and him walking on the grassholding my hands, thank you Janet! Later that week Bill Bazely, one ofthe team ministers in my Church, suggested we took the meditation intothe local school at his next school assembly. We created a sacredspace as directed by Sue Purkis, with a small table, cloth and batteryoperated candle. We turned down the assembly hall lights. Billintroduced the theme and prayer intention and I taught the mantra. Weclosed our eyes and trusted that 100+ primary school children wouldstill be there when we finished the two minutes silence! Of course theywere, though some had found it easier than others. I think the teacherswere more anxious about some of the children’s restlessness, but earlydays and a great start! I have since been asked to introduce meditationand its practice into a house group in our parish and been invited to dothe same with a church in Sheffield.All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable and helpful day that has causedripples to extend outward from the event.Thank you to everyone involved! Maxine Rotheram

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Crucifixion"Weep not for Me, Mother,

in the grave I have life."

I.

The choir of angels glorified the great hour,the heavens melted in flames.

He said to His Father: "Why hast Thou forsaken me?"and to His Mother: "Oh, weep not for Me..."

II.

Mary Magdalene smote her breast and wept,the disciple whom He loved turned to stone,

but where the Mother stood in silencenobody even dared look.

Anna Akhmatova (1889–1966)

Easter Communion

Pure fasted faces draw unto this feast:God comes all sweetness to your Lenten lips.

You striped in secret with breath-taking whips,Those crooked rough-scored chequers may be pieced

To crosses meant for Jesu's; you whom the EastWith draught of thin and pursuant cold so nipsBreathe Easter now; you serged fellowships,You vigil-keepers with low flames decreased,

God shall o'er-brim the measures you have spentWith oil of gladness, for sackcloth and frieze

And the ever-fretting shirt of punishmentGive myrrhy-threaded golden folds of ease.

Your scarce-sheathed bones are weary of being bent:Lo, God shall strengthen all the feeble knees.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889)

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In these two sharply contrasting poems we have the agony of GoodFriday followed by the glory of Easter day. Akhmatova’s Crucifixion,bare and forbidding is primitive in its illumination of the horror andisolation of Christ’s death. The angels provide the only hope in thisgrim tableau. Anna Akhmatova was a Russian poet who sufferedinjustice and imprisonment for her political and religious beliefs. Herbiblical themed poems such as Christ's crucifixion and the devastationof Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdelene, reflect the ravaging ofRussia during her lifetime.

In sharp contrast Hopkins’ poem rescues us from despair. He uses hisfamous ‘sprung rhythm’ a meter in which Hopkins tried toapproximate the rhythm of everyday speech. The last line is light andcomic; this juxtaposition is fascinating given the subject matter andthat Hopkins’ life was continually troubled by insomnia and innerconflict, which arose, not from religious skepticism, but from aninability to give himself completely to God. Both his poems and hisletters often reflect an intense dissatisfaction with himself as a poetand as a servant of God. Though he produced a small body of work, heranks high among English poets, and his work profoundly influenced20th-century poetry.

Millie Guthrie

'Deepening Quality Relationships'13th February 11am -3pm St Peter’s

Training looking at what quality relationships look like,what obstructs them and how to develop them.

This is being paid for by the church and is offered free to all.The course will run again in April at St Thomas' .

If interested contact Maxine 01246 769040

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Views from Jackie Santos

I am Jackie Santos, I’m 25 years old. Iwas born in Manzini in Swaziland. Myfather was Portuguese and my mumwas Swazi. I’m the last born in myfamily, my parents died while I wasstill young and my brothers and Iseparated. I was homeless for sometime and I had nothing at all, but Godsaved me and has also given me a newfamily.

In Swaziland I was studying BusinessInformation Technology, at IDM

college (Institution of Development in Business Management). I completed myfirst year and I’m getting a diploma, but I cannot continue with my studiesbecause of financial problems. I was the leader of the church at the college andI also started a charity group in the college. I was a youth Pastor at my churchand I was also involved in a charity that was set up by the church. The name ofmy church is THE BRIDGE FAMILY CHURCH.

I wanted to come to England because I wanted to learn more about Christianitysince England is a Christian country, I wanted to have more knowledge aboutGod and about the church and how people in this country have a relationshipwith God. I wanted to learn more about how churches here manage to reachout to people all over the world with the help and ministry the country offers,and be able to take that knowledge back to Swaziland. I wanted to come hereto also teach people of England about how we as Swazi’s worship God andhave fellowship together.

I have only been here for a month and I have noticed that there are a lot ofpeople who are lonely. Some are more materialistic than others and manyseem always busy compared to Swazi people. We are more of a country who

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is not so busy and most people belong to extended families which helps peoplenot to feel lonely. Swazi people who live in the villages normally meet and helpwith community projects which also helps them build relationships with eachother.

The food in England is completely different to Swaziland. People here lovevegetables and a lot of coffee but in Swaziland we love our meat and sour milk.I have also been surprised how young people behave and how they don’trespect their elders. It was a shock for me because in Swaziland we are taughtfrom a young age to respect older people.

In this last month I have been taken to Old Trafford in Manchester to watchManchester United play a football match, that was amazing for me, that wasthe best thing I have experienced so far. It also reminded me that nothing isimpossible with God, “how can a poor and once homeless boy make it to watchManchester United play in a VIP suite? Only through God!” I have been aManchester United fan since I was 7 years old when I used to watch them onmy neighbour’s television.

Also since I arrived I have been to the Proact Stadium to watch ChesterfieldFootball Club play about three times. I have been to the different church housegroups, also been to visit Church on the Bus where I saw the work of God athand, I saw a young man, almost my age, being helped and I was deeplytouched because I know what it’s like to be alone and homeless, and feel likeyou don’t belong in this planet. I was really touched by that experience and Ipray that the church continues the work of God in this area and that this youngman learns to know God.

I have been to almost all the small groups that the church works with and Ienjoyed them all. I have also been invited by a few families to have tea withthem and I was amazed by the love they showed and had for me. At themoment I don’t even miss home.

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22 November - Thomas Sellars, Jack Sellars, Sebastian Munro-Brown, Isabella Whitworth at St Thomas'

29 November - Joey Jones at St Thomas'

6 December - Joshua Ainsworth at St Thomas'

12 December - Christopher Fowler and Sophie Stevens atSt Thomas’29 December - Craig Hirst and Faye Tory at St Peter's

5 October 2015 - Alan Green, age 46, at St Thomas'

14 Oct0ber - Florence Toyn, age 92, at St Peter's

2 November - Glenys Bond, age 97, at St Peter's

6 November - Charles McGarrity, age 87, at St Peter's

6 November - Robert Batten, age 71, at St Thomas'

27 November - Carl Bee, age 40, at St Thomas'

8 December - Margaret Baxendale, age 80, St Thomas'

16 December - George Marsh, age 94, at St  Peter's

29 December - Peggy Smith, age 92, at St Thomas'

12 January 2016 - Valerie Hoskin, age 61, at St Thomas'

13 January - Roger Wilson. age 71, at St Thomas'

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A special message to you fromTraidcraft

Thank you for all you’ve done to over the lastyear to bring hope and justice to the families andcommunities we work with. We are very pleasedto announce that last year’s figures were on theup, with a 24% increase in December salescompared to 2014, making four consecutivemonths of growth. For 2016 please keep up thegood work!

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT 29TH February – 13th March.

The Fairtrade Mark is 21 years old this year.In Fairtrade Fortnight 2016, join us in shining a light on the scandal thatdespite working hard to grow the food we eat every day, many farmers andworkers in developing countries don’t earn enough to know where theirfamilies’ next meal is coming from. Fairtrade works to change this, andwhere producers are able to sell enough of their produce on Fairtrade terms,it can make a life-changing difference. Fairtrade now reaches over 1.5 millionfarmers and workers across the globe. However, with around 795 millionpeople undernourished globally, and many in farming communities, we stillhave so far to go. We have the power to change this by your regular shoppinghabits, at your local supermarket and of course at your regular Traidcraftstalls in church and at the Brampton Food Market. Thank you to all thosewho regularly do this, but can I make a plea to those of you who don’t?

Can I ask you to change one of your shopping choices from a non-fairtradeproduct to a fairtrade one? Just one change – try an alternative and thenthink of the difference that will make to the people who have produced thatitem for you to enjoy.

Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on morethan half of the world… We Aren’t going to have peace on earth until werecognise this basic fact of he interrelated structure of all reality.

Martin Luther King Jr.

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Why do you think Martin Luther King says we won’t have peace on earth untilwe recognise this? Think about where your breakfast came from thismorning.Tea from India or Kenya, coffee from Ethiopia or Honduras, bananas fromColombia or the Windward Islands, sugar from Malawi or Fiji? What work byfarmers might have gone into producing these products? Is it fair that thosewho produce our food don’t earn enough to feed themselves or theirfamilies?Food security cannot be taken for granted in many parts of the world,including for many who grow the things we consume every day, such ascocoa or coffee. In some Latin American countries for example, many coffeegrowing families still consider that they have no guarantee of food securityfor up to four months a year. It’s so common that the phenomenon has manynames: the thin months, the months of the big stomach, seasons of hunger,times of silence or the months of water. It means families subsist on a basicdiet of maize and beans, or parents skip meals and children can’t concentrateat school because they’re hungry. Have you ever felt really hungry? How didit feel? What did it then feel like to have a meal? Imagine if you didn’t know ifyou would have a meal today. How different would your day be?

It is not God’s will for some to have everything and others to have nothing.Archbishop Oscar Romero.

What did Archbishop Oscar Romero mean when he said this? Some 795 millionpeople are undernourished and it is estimated that half the world's hungry liveon small farms, some of which grow crops to export. How do we challenge theinjustices that cause hunger and food insecurity?

Perhaps today you can change one of your shopping habits so that hungerand food insecurity will diminish.

Creator God,You created a beautiful world for all your children.As we taste and smell the fruits of this creation help us to rememberthose who farm the land to grow them.Help us live in a partnership of love and support with those whoproduce our food and drink so that we might enable others to feedtheir families and create a sustainable future.Amen.

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Loving God, you make us in your image.Forgive us when we fail to see your image in each other,when we give in to greed and indifference,when we do not question the systems that are life-denying.As we are made in your image,let us live in your image and be Christ-like in service, endurance andlove.Amen.

STOP PRESS –In addition to our regular church and food market stalls, we are pleased to

announce an extra opportunity to shop the fairtrade way –

4th March 9.30am to 3.30pm Fairtrade Stall in the foyer atSt Thomas’ Café and Centre – see you there!

Alison and Graham Wells alisonjanew@sky.com

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Did you know? The custom of giving eggs at Easter celebrates new life.Christians remember that Jesus, after dying on the cross, rose from thedead. This miracle showed that life could win over death. The egg is asymbol of Jesus' resurrection, as when they are cracked open they stand forthe empty tomb.

Out of the 80 million chocolate Easter eggs sold each year in the UK, TheReal Easter Egg is the first and only Fairtrade chocolate Easter egg to explainthe Christian understanding of Easter on and in the box. The original milkchocolate egg has been revamped this year and includes a chocolate egg, ayummy bar and a leaflet of the Easter story – price £3.99. The dark egg is£5.50, containing a larger egg, chocolate squares and the Easter crossshaped leaflet. The special edition egg is larger still (milk) and has anorange milk chocolate bar and an olive wood cross key ring from Bethlehem- £9.99.

A sizeable donation from profits and Fairtrade Premium fees go directly tothe farmers who provide the ingredients that go into the egg. Easter is earlythis year so get your Real Easter Egg today from your regular Traidcraft stallor by ordering directly from Alison Wells on alisonjanew@sky.com or01246 566257 or signing up on the form at the back of church.

Deadline date for orders is March 6th.

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ST PETER’S CHURCH

A village, family style church with a friendly welcome.

(See website for more details – www.st.petersholymoorside.org.uk)

Services –

9.30 am Morning Prayer 7th February and 6th March

9.30am Holy communion (All age 3rd week of each month)

14, 21, 28th February and 13, 20, 27th March

4pm Evensong 21st February and 20th March

9.30am POD 21st February and 13th March

10 am Coffee & Communion (URC) 3rd February and 2nd March

9.45am Ecumenical Lent Bible study (URC)

15, 22, 29th February and 7, 14, 21st March

Meditation every Tuesday 2pm prompt (google WCCM uk website)

Additional Easter Services – (See above for Palm Sunday and EasterSunday)

Ash Wednesday 7.30 pm 7th February.

Good Friday - Hour at the cross, 2pm 25th March

House group meets fortnightly at Mary and Simon's house (Enquirieswelcome). Mary and Simon's is 01246 567668 and next meetings are4th February – then 18th February.

New house group beginning shortly at Ken and Irene's home,'Living Faith Today' – start date to be announced.

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FiND Leader

Listening Generously

In order to live generously we must be in the business of listening gener-ously – when we listen long and hard we often gain insights that would oth-er-wise have gone unnoticed – yes sure it’s a lot easier [lazier?] to rush tojudgement, and let’s face it, we are busy, busy, busy, and listening takestime.

But if we are truly serious about being the church God intended us to be,we need to continually develop our listening skills.You might know the story of Monty Roberts, ‘The Horse Whisperer’ a manwho through observing mustangs in the wild, learned their methods ofcommunication, and developed a way of taming horses that was not pain-ful and did not break their spirit.

Ask anyone whose passion is horses and they will tell you that mirroringthe breaths of a horse nose to nose, immediately builds a bridge betweenthat creates calm and a level of trust. It requires an intimate proximity anda vulnerability. Think about this connection for a moment…The missional equivalent of horse whispering might require us to slowdown, be more available, pay more attention and reflect a little harder – butjust imagine how much more effective your presence in your communitymight be. Understanding how your neighbours around you communicate,what language they speak and understand, has the potential to change therelationship between your church and its community beyond recognition.Often when we are thinking about a parish Mission Action Plan or projector event, we want to get stuck in and do something – with the added pres-sure of declining numbers, tight finances and the message from all aroundthat the Christian faith is under siege and losing ground, a desire to havealmost immediate results through effective mission seems irresistible.Jesus lived a life comprising 30 years of virtual anonymity followed by 3years of gracious and courageous ministry. Now I don’t know, but as achild and young adult Jesus may have been a great listener, he may havebeen the ideal student, but aside from the glimpses the bible affords us, allwe can be absolutely sure of is, that he lived those thirty years in a familysetting within a typical Jewish community – if the Saviour of the World in-vested this much time to simply live and be and listen, then maybe weneed to keep our heads when all about us are losing theirs.

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As we come across the many varied people, situations and challenges inthis New Year, let’s give the appropriate amount of time and space for lis-tening and then respond generously to what we see and hear.Gareth Greenwood

Community Project Development OfficerThis article is published by Derby Diocesan Mission and Ministry Team. If youwould like to receive this publication by email please contact us atrita.brierley@derby.anglican.org or 01332 388684.

Blessed Charles the GoodCount Charles of Flanders, was called "the good" bythe people of his kingdom. They named him for whatthey found him to truly be. He was the son of St.Canute, king of Denmark. Charles was just five yearsold when his father was murdered in 1086. WhenCharles grew up, he married a good young womannamed Margaret. Charles was a mild and fair ruler. Thepeople trusted him and his laws. He tried to be anexample of what he expected the people to be.

Some nobles accused Charles of unjustly favouring the poor over the rich. Heanswered kindly, "It is because I am so aware of the needs of the poor andthe pride of the rich." The poor of his realm were fed daily at his castles.

Charles ordered the abundant planting of crops so that the people wouldhave plenty to eat at reasonable prices. Some wealthy men tried to hoardgrain to sell at very high prices. Charles the Good found out and forced themto sell immediately and at fair prices. An influential father and his sons hadbeen reprimanded by Charles for their violent tactics. They joined the littlegroup of enemies who now wanted to kill him.

The count walked every morning barefoot to Mass and arrived early at theChurch of St. Donatian. He did this in a spirit of penance. He longed to deepenhis own spiritual life with God. His enemies knew that he walked to churchand also that he prayed often alone before Mass. Many people who lovedCharles feared for his life. They warned him that his walks to St. Donatiancould lead to his death. He replied, "We are always in the middle of dangers,but we belong to God." One morning, as he prayed alone before the statue ofMary, his attackers killed him. Charles was martyred in 1127.

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Ordination Training – half way there: Julie Lomas

A year last September, I set out on a pathway marked “Ordination TrainingThis Way” – it looked a fairly well worn path, quite wide and easy to followand heading off into the distance with little to suggest that it would beanything but a straight forward quick march. Eighteen months later I havejust been at the residential weekend that marks the half way mark and itseems a good point to take a moment to stop and reflect on the events thathave passed, and to then look ahead.

The basic structure of the pathway I am taking is the same for everyone – itinvolves formal teaching in topics such as Old and New Testament studies,Church history, Liturgy, Doctrine, Ethics to name a few. This is delivered inlectures, and followed up by writing essays to deadlines. We also take timeto become at ease with the wide variety of tradition within Anglicanismexpressed through the Book of Common Prayer all the way to Messy Church,and everything in between. But the training is not just academic and bookbased, but it also involves something called “Formation”. My understandingof this now, 18 months on, is that this is where as individuals we, as it were,surrender ourselves into the loving hold of God for the process of shaping,moulding, removal of unwanted or unnecessary parts of our inner life, inorder that our true selves might be even more visible, stronger and resilientfor the calling. Dr Suess says this - “Today you are you, that is truer than true,there is no one alive who is youer than you!” Formation for me is aboutbecoming even more me than the me that I am, if you follow the logic! Overthe years I have accumulated “stuff” and some of it needs to be released andsome of it needs to be enhanced, and who better to tease these aspects outthat the One who knows me, loves me, and has called me to follow Him –God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

So ordination training involves every part of life, reading, praying, stillness,companionship as well as frustrations, tears, lack of understanding, repetitionand getting it wrong. That is where the path can get rocky and narrow andthe edge gets steep and dangerous. At this point the Yorkshire Ministry

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Course who are responsible for me remind me of the following – that theCommunity of the Resurrection at Mirfield is the permanent prayingcommunity whose daily rhythm of prayer holds us before God. We areblessed to be so supported by the Brothers. Then as a dispersed communitywe pray for one another on a daily basis, and when we meet as a gatheredcommunity, our weekends start and end with prayer and are punctuated withsix further times of prayer. We also meet in dedicated small groups forprayer and support twice within the 48 hours.

Along the way we also engage in experiential learning, for example I spentfour months on placement at the Crooked Spire Church in town, and I amplanning a further placement in the coming few months where I will be in acommunity setting. Alongside this is the ongoing experience I have of servingGod as Chaplain within the Hartington Unit and the Derbyshire Mental HealthNHS Trust. In other words, nothing is outside of the scope of the training, farfrom it, we are invited to bring our whole selves and every aspect of life in allits ups and downs. And in so doing, I think I am learning to vary my pace,sometimes to slow down, to change from seeing this as a quick march, to anexploration through difficult and time consuming terrain, whilst at othertimes it is a more measured and sustainable walk where there is time to stopand admire the view, to pause and enjoy a refreshing brew, to say thank youfor the everyday mercies that surround me and those I am with. In the wordsof T S Elliot, we all

“ought to be explorershere or there does not matterwe must be still and still movinginto another intensityfor a further union, a deeper communion”

On January 1st I realised I could say, “Next year, God willing, I will beordained”. As I set off from this half way point, these words are before me,to encourage and prompt within me God’s spirit of exploration, to be still andstill moving.

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How great is our GodTony Witham

How great is our God, sing with meHow great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

so runs the chorus of one of my favourite songs. However, occasionally mymind adds a question mark – How great is our God? – and this sets me tothinking.

When the weather is reasonable I like to walk to Church. I can measure myjourney in two ways: either by saying it’s just over 2 miles or by saying it takesme about 40 minutes. My sister and some of her family live in Hastings on thesouth coast. That’s a journey of 230 miles and I’d be silly to try to walk there!By car it takes about 4½ hours so I could describe it as a distance of 4½ carhours (provided the motorways are kind to us!). Some time ago Marie and Iwent on holiday to western Canada. We flew to Vancouver, a distance of 4,500miles or 9½ aeroplane hours. Can you imagine walking that far?Even that longa flight didn’t take us halfway round the world.

Someone who is going right around the world at the moment is Tim Peake, theBritish astronaut who is currently living on the International Space Station. TheISS goes all the way around the earth more than 15 times a day and to do thisit travels at around 17,000 mph (a bit faster than my walking pace!). We couldmeasure its orbit as 92.7 ISS minutes. Even at this tremendous speed, TimPeake does not hold the human speed record. This belongs to the three crewmembers of the Apollo 10 space mission who achieved a speed of 39,896 mphin 1969.

The aim of the Apollo missions was to reach our nearest neighbour in space –the moon. Even travelling at thousands of miles per hour it took about 66hours for each spacecraft to reach the moon – a journey of more than a quarterof a million miles. At this distance we start to notice an interesting effect.Radio signals travel at the speed of light which is about 670 thousand miles perhour, and so there is a delay of about one and a half seconds in receivingsignals from the moon. So we can say that the moon is 1½ light seconds away.

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The nearest star to Earth is of course our sun. This is roughly 93 million milesaway but even this vast distance is only 500 light seconds. Now God didn’t justcreate our planet for us to live on and give us a single star to provide us withlight and warmth; he created a whole universe of stars and galaxies. The nextnearest star to us is 4 light years away – that’s 250,000 times the earth – sundistance. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, extends for more than 100,000 light yearsand the Hubble Space Telescope has photographed galaxies thought to be13,000,000,000 light years away from us. All part of God's wonderful creation- “and God said 'Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven.'“(Genesis 1:v15). If you can comprehend even a few of these numbers I’m sureyou will join with me in exclaiming ‘How great is our God!!’

Tony Witham.

EASTER SERVICESSt Thomas’

10th February ASH WEDNESDAY 7.30pm

March 21st, 22nd 23rd Holy Week service 7.30pm

March 24th Agape service 7.30pm

March 25th 10.30 Hot Cross Bun Service 2pm An hour at the cross

March 27th EASTER DAY 10.30 am service NB no 6pm service.

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1000 crocuses planted at St Thomas's

The Chesterfield  Civic Society has donated 1000 crocus corms to the churchwhich have been planted close to Chatsworth Road to improve the attractive-ness of the church and be a source of springtime enjoyment to those whopass by.

Civic Society Executive Member, Amanda Chalke,  said:The Society is committed to working with others to make Chesterfielda better place for everyone. The crocuses will, in a small way, makethe front  of the church and the Brampton Conservation Area moreattractive.   If repeated many times even modest  improvements in-spire more,  and incrementally  Chatsworth Road  becomes  a betterplace to be.

Rev Canon Matt Barnes said:Our church is committed to working with the community and being afocal point within it.  Here is another example where there is longterm mutual benefit. It adds to the planned refurbishment of ourchurch tower which will start next year.

Front cover photograph.Confirmation at St Thomas’,24th January 2016The Right Reverend Richard InwoodConfirmedDawn CooperRachael FarrellRobyn RiggansPhoebe Sellars

Baptisms took place at the 11o’clockserviceAutumn WildGrace BeechamNikitah TomlinRobyn RiggansAnna WiddowsonA glorious day!!

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Parish Contactswww.st-thomas-brampton.org

St Thomas’ Church Office & Parish CentreChatsworth Road, Chesterfield, S40 3AW

Open Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 3.00 pmFor general, baptism, marriage, funeral and booking enquiries please contact

Telephone: (01246) 279916Email: admin@st-thomas-brampton.org

StaffRector: Canon Matthew Barnes Tel: 01246 567634 Email: rector@st-thomas-brampton.org

Curate: Rev Ben Griffiths Tel: 01246 569142 Email: curate@st-thomas-brampton.org

Parish Manager: Sally-Anne Beecham Tel: 01246 279916 Email: admin@st-thomas-brampton.org

Hospitality Manager: Beth Robson Tel; 01246 279916 Email: beth.robson@stthomascentre.com

Youth Worker Letty Underdown Tel: 01246 279916 Email: letitiaunderdown@hotmail.com

Children & Families Emily Stockton Tel: 07738 016087Worker Email: e.stockton@hotmail.com

Worship Mark Depledge Tel: 01246 279916 Email: worship@st-thomas-brampton.org

Admin Assistant Michelle Depledge Tel: 01246 279916 Email: admin@st-thomas-brampton.org

Licenced ReadersRobin Dawson 01246 550554 Julie Lomas 01246 277448Bill Galloway 01246 569296 Dee Ashton 01246 221334Tim Wheeler 01246 450680

Parochial Church CouncilWarden Mark Hoare 01246 566722Warden Phil Bird 01246 455854Secretary Mark Simons 01246 568562Treasurer Phil Johnson 01246 375947

St Peter’s HolymoorsideDistrict Warden Maxine Rotheram 01246 769040DCC Secretary Ken Franklin 01246 568401DCC Treasurer Mary-Jane Sagar 01246 568325Music Shirley Whitham 01246 68217Sunday Club Mary NeiderHealth & Safety Neil Killingley 01246 566644

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St Thomas’ Church WorshipMusic Mark Depledge 279916Sacristan Pam Brimelow 279451Flowers Margaret TaylorNotice Sheet Michelle Depledge 279916

Rotas9.30am & 11.00am Ann Hoare 5667226.00pm Sue Ward 202644

Ministry Team LeadersYouth Letty Underdown 07990 586343Children & Families Emily Stockton 07738 016087Men Paul Benson 279188Seniors David Oldale 272333

Nanette Sanderson 231115Finance Phil Johnson 275947Mission Gail Widdowson 567409Discipleship Sue Wheeler 450680Pastoral Tim Wheeler 450680Community Jane Simmonds 235844Communications Michelle Depledge 279916Worship Rev Ben Griffiths 569142Estates Robin Dawson 550445

Prayer RequestsPrayer requests can be emailed to the Church office at admin@st-thomas-brampton.org

Deputy WardensKaren Riley 566085 Bernard Blanksby 237552Michael Mann 237816 Paula Simons 568562

St Thomas’ DCCSecretary VacantTreasurer Phil Johnson 275947

MagazineGeneral comments, information or articles for the magazine can be sent to:editor@st-thomas-brampton.orgor write to:The Editor, St Thomas’ Church Office, Chatsworth Road, Chesterfield, S40 3AW

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