1REV GAVIN HANCOCKS

Tel: 01803 615480email: minister@centralchurchtorquay.org

MINISTER IN PASTORAL CHARGE

CORNERSTONE

JUNE 2014

MAGAZINEOF

CENTRAL

ST. ANDREWS

AND

VICTORIA PARK

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CHURCH CONTACTS - CENTRAL

Secretary Barbara Lawton 01803 296990lawtonbarbara75@yahoo.co.uk

Treasurers John Coatham 01803 323212 Paul Sherriff 01803 298603Envelope & Gift Aid SecretaryOrganist & Choir Director Clive Bastin 01803 325142Magazine Editors Hazel Nightingale 01803 613345 Philip Kay 01803 323551

philipkay393@btinternet.comBooking Secretary Jean Baker 01803 550861

j.baker75@btinternet.comPublicity(Posters) Barbara Gissinger 01803 328407Caretakers Darrell Sanderson 07719 099901 Keith Read 07719 099901Website www.centralchurchtorquay.org

CHURCH CONTACTS – ST ANDREWS.

Church Secretary. Sue Jarvis 01803 325501wheezy1@sky.com

Senior Steward Sue Masheder 01803 873258sue@masheder1.freeserve.co.uk

Magazine Editor Diana George 01803 613509diana.george@blueyonder.co.uk

CHURCH CONTACTS – VICTORIA PARK

Lay Pastoral Assistant Irene Cochran 01803 842542leeathookhills@aol.com

Church Council Secretary Myra Wise 01803 327145myrawise456@btinternet.com

Senior Steward Mavis Paul 01803 291895

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Dear Friends,

Celebrating anniversaries is a marvellous adventure as you often don’treally know how they’re going to turn out. As it is we’ve had a rathersignificant one, I mean 150 years isn’t to be sniffed at, at Victoria Parkand it went off very well. The Flower Festival, Coffee Morning, Concert,Anniversary Service led by Irene and Rev Val Price, Lunch at the Armitageand Songs of Praise in the afternoon all formed part of an amazingweekend’s celebration, well supported by our own members and thewider church. To everyone who had even the smallest part in the planningand preparation a massive thank you for making the weekend the successit was. Bring on the next 150!

The weekend’s events have got me thinking, though. Just what is it thatwe are doing when we celebrate anniversaries of whatever shape ordescription? After all we do seem to invest a great deal of energy andeffort in them so there has to be a good motivation? For the most partit seems to me that we are remembering what’s been. Just looking at allthe old photographs and stories about yesteryear was a most enlighteningand interesting exercise. Seeing some of the ways the church engagedthe local community and provided opportunity for fellowship and sharingof gifts and talents revealed the wonderful focus it provided for thecommunity and we have indeed got much to give thanks to God for overthe years and indeed we do.

However, surely if all we do when we celebrate an anniversary is lookback then maybe we are looking too much in the wrong direction? Surelycelebrating an anniversary is as much about looking forward, anticipatingwhat will be because of what has been, as it is about looking back? Thewriter of Proverbs puts it like this in 29:18 ‘If people can’t see what Godis doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to whathe reveals, they are most blessed.’ (The Message). The Authorised versionsays: ‘Where there is no vision the people perish.’ Ouch! Indeed, weneed to invest as much, if not more, effort and energy into lookingforward as we do looking back because that is an investment in hope.

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We know what Jeremiah has to say about that: ‘For I know the plans I havefor you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.’ 29:11 (NIV) Now that’s not alwaysthat easy is it? I mean it’s not at all difficult to look back and see andcelebrate, as we should, the best of what has been but it takes a bit moreinvestment of ourselves and our time and energy and our co-operationto begin to shape a new future for the church here in Torquay. Indeedwe are trying to do just that through the Torquay Town Churchesconversation and yes it is hard work. Hard work because we are trying tohear God’s voice in the voices contributing to the conversation; hard workbecause it means change and change is something we all resist to somedegree; hard work perhaps because we need to lay down our own ideasand let God shape His idea in us. We’re getting there though, perhaps alittle more slowly than we might like but we’re making progress so perhapswe can say with Charles Wesley:

This, this is the God we adore,Our faithful unchangeable friend,Whose love is as great as His powerAnd neither knows measure nor end

‘Tis Jesus the first and the lastWhose Spirit will guide us safe homeWe’ll praise him for all that is pastAnd trust him for all that’s to come (Emphasis added)

On a personal note, talking about anniversaries, my parents celebratetheir 60�� wedding anniversary on the 26�� June and the family havemade it possible for Angela and I to join them for the occasion. We’ll beflying out on the 18�� June and will arrive back again on the 28��. Welook forward to the opportunity to join with the family in this significantcelebration.

Yours in the Gospel,Gavin

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FAMILY & FRIENDSFamily News & other Bits & Pieces

CONGRATULATIONS· To May Benson who was 90 on the 5�� May!· To John Head who was 80 on the 23�� May!· To Barbara Zaple who will be 80 on the 11��.· To Ann Read who will be 80 on the 28��.· Happy Birthday to our Lovely Megan who will be 18 on the 27��.

Good luck in your exams – so proud of you! Grandma, Mum andAdam. xxx

· Happy Birthday to Margery Vaughan on the 5��· Happy Birthday to Margaret Cudmore on the 16th· To Patrick & Freda Hancocks (Gavin’s Mother & Father) who will

celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 26��.· To Elsie & John Lipscombe for your recent 70�� Wedding

Anniversary – from all your friends at St Andrews.· To Gavin & Carolyn Balouza who will celebrate their Silver

Wedding Anniversary on the 10�� June· To Rob & Pat Hawes who will celebrate their Golden Wedding

Anniversary on the 13th. 50 years wed! We wish them special;blessings for the day, and in the years to come. We acknowledgeall the occasions we have called on them for help, and they havenever let us down. A very special couple.

THANKS· To all at Central who took part in the Water Aid Appeal during

Lent. This ‘Coppers in Jars’ idea raised £137.40.

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KAIROS

Dear Friends at Central

I feel compelled to write to you after having the most wonderful,amazing, awe inspiring, deeply spiritual encounter I have felt followingthe most inspirational Kairos Event held at church (17th May 2014)

For those who sadly missed it, it explored how we are all different andthat perhaps the traditional form of service didn't suit all worshipers.And that we are all coming together to hear and learn more about ouramazing God and to celebrate that too. To feel close to God and givethanks, praise and to seek continued guidance.

Jo initially explained how infants are taught at school so differentlythese days. I can only speak of helping out at school and my experienceas a parent, and yes, things have changed a lot even since my day. Inthe first year of school, most of the day is child led! They have achoosing board and can pick pretty much how they will embark on alearning experience! One child may find painting numbers a thing todread, but may become excited at the prospect of counting dinosaurfigures! BONKERS you may all cry, but this is a fact. Of course, there arestandard more structured periods too, but these play a small part oflearning through a 4/5 year olds day. Hopefully this highlights howthings evolve. We may not all agree with it, and I for one look back atmy simple childhood (little technology) and feel blessed to have hadthe freedom without the stresses of this new high tech world.

This in some way linked into a brief questionnaire we completed thathighlighted how we as individuals like to learn, and as you would wellexpect there was a mixture of how we as individuals respond todifferent techniques. Some are happy listening to words, others like tosee something more visual, for others they like to feel/createsomething etc etc.

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We listened to some uplifting music, some quite energetic actionsongs, some subtle ones, video clips, experienced The Lord throughcreativity, the list was endless!

I went to Sunday Club here, and yes I did vanish off the radar for someyears, but got married here and try to do the best for my children andencourage Sunday club for them too. But it is a fact I have becomeabsent once more from the main Sunday Service. I didn't comeskipping out of church, inspired and topped up for the week, feelingclose to my glorious God, quite the contrary! It was having a negativeimpact on my spiritual well being and for that reason I stoppedcoming.

Our church services are more or less a carbon copy of decades ago,this is speaking from experience. I'm thankful that Sunday Club hasvery much kept with the times and it is no longer an excitement tosee a pot of crumbling crayons or a crossword being introduced!

I'm not asking or suggesting Central changes beyond recognition, butunless gradual changes are made I can see no future. Look arounddear friends. Where are the youngsters to pick up some of theburden of running this super church?

Change, acceptance and tolerance of each other is what our gloriousGod would want.

I ask for thoughtful prayer in perhaps out reaching our Service to thisever changing world of ours.

God Bless You All Lin Taylor

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VICTORIA PARK FLOWER FESTIVAL

Our Flower Festival is over! It now seems like a dream – although a lotof hard work and worry. We acknowledge it was a rare time when wecould work together in friendship, but to happen too often would spoilthe atmosphere.

The various displays of floral arrangements were really spectacular,bringing the meaning of the displays to life. The displays of memorabiliabrought back memories of Sunday School events to mind, and it was goodto find we were not the only ones to remember.

Our Book of Memories did well, although we still have some copies left.Pat & I would be pleased to send you one – cost is £2.50 or £3 by post.

AFTERNOON CONCERT

The Church was filled to capacity on the Saturday afternoon when we allenjoyed the wonderful Concert given by Angela Hancocks, Paul Zaple andJulie Smith, with Clive Bastin on the piano

This was followed by a cream tea.    The financial result   in aid of the LynxYouth Trust was £252.

ST ANDREWS MISSIONS

Thank you to everyone who gave money to the World Mission Fundthrough Easter Offering, a fabulous total of £124.39 was raised. This willbe presented at the circuit Easter Offering dedication service taking placeon Sunday 1�� June at 4pm at Goodrington Methodist Church.

Rachel George

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AROUND THE FAMILY AT ST ANDREWS.

For the first time in many years I have realised how much I depend on thefriendship and kindness of our St. Andrew’s people. To have missed theEaster Morning Worship, all the ‘Allelujahs’, the realisation of the RisenLord, has been a real deprivation for me. However, Chest Infection dealtwith, and a return to normal home and church work in the offing, I promiseto keep well in future. Thank you to every one for your enquiries andconcern.

There are other members needing our prayer and support.Beryl Stapleton, at 93 years of age, has several health problems to dealwith. We thank her for her many years as Church Treasurer, and as ChurchSteward.Hugh George is awaiting special arrangements at home so that hisparticular needs can be dealt with there.Margaret Freemantle is coping with physical restrictions at home and atwork.Sue Jarvis remains cool, calm and hopeful of relief from long-termdisabilities.Congratulations to her on her recent graduation!We all know our own needs and I trust we will share them so that as aChurch Family we can grow together and support each other.

One last request. Do please remember our planned preacher every week.A thought, a prayer, a blessing will make a difference to how we acceptGod’s message at any particular service. - - Thank you!

Sheila Denham

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CENTRAL’S MESSY CHURCH

Messy Church continues to flourish! At the present time we seem toregularly average round 15 – 20 children. When we add all the parentswho bring them, and those who help to run it, we usually finish up feedingaround 40 people!

For those who are not aware of what we do, it is aimed at young peopleup to early teens. Each session has a biblical theme, and some recentexamples are Mums of the Bible, Paul (his conversion and his travels),Messy Christmas, Advent & Harvest. There are various table games outto start with, followed by Crafts that reflect the theme, and children getinvolved in producing all sorts of things. There is a period of livelyworship, and then we all gather for a hot meal together – things likecottage pie, sausage or chicken casserole, fish fingers etc., followed by apud – often a sponge with custard - which sometimes turns pink!

It’s always a happy time, but also, there is a message, and since many ofthe children come from outside Central, it is quite a witness.

If there are young people in your church, or your neighbourhood, whoyou think would like to come, they’ll be made very welcome. We usuallymeet between 4pm & 6pm on the fourth Friday of the month, but thiscould vary if holidays fall at the same time.

CENTRAL’S WEBSITE.

Have you computer buffs surfed our Website lately? It contains a wealthof information about Central, and other things. Several of our Memberswork hard to keep it really up to date. Why not pay a visit - it’s quite fun!

www.centralchurchtorquay.org

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OPEN DOORS

Radio brings hope to isolated believers in Afghanistan!

The day Saif* brought a copy of the Bible into his house he witnessed amiracle: his disabled daughter began to walk.Saif lives in Afghanistan, one of the most repressive countries forChristians. He tuned into a Christian radio station and heard the gospel.Then he managed to obtain a copy of the New Testament from a friend.He took this precious book into his house. “I have seven children” hesaid “one of them was disabled and could not walk. When I brought theNew Testament into my house, my daughter started to move. I beganto read from the Bible and she started to walk!”A miracle, news of great joy! But in Afghanistan there was no one hecould tell face to face. It was too dangerous, instead he picked up thephone…The church in Afghanistan is one of the most hidden churches in theworld. We know it exists, but nobody knows exactly how big it is.A few Christians have fellowship in small groups but many more areisolated and often do not know who to trust.In such circumstances contacting Christians is extremely dangerous soOpen Doors work through partner organisations sponsoring them tobroadcast Christian radio programmes with follow up by telephone.Through these radio programmes God brings new life to one of the mostclosed countries on earth. Radio penetrates into the most remote valleysof this inaccessible country. And when there is no one else to whom theycan speak, listeners know they can phone the teams behind theprogrammes.It was one of these counsellors who took a phone call from Saif on theday his daughter began to walk. But miracles are hard to keep quiet, afew days later Saif called again “people in my village want to know howmy daughter was healed. What do I tell them? We’ve been to so manydoctors and nobody was able to help her and now she walks.” Miracleshappen to the glory of God” the counsellor replied “share yourexperience with Jesus”.

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TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE

This summer, spare a thought for the bees who visit your garden. Whatwill they find there to eat? Albert Einstein once said that mankindcannot live without bees, such is their importance in the survival of theglobal ecosystem. For bees do far more than make honey – they polli-nate more than 90 crops that we rely on for food, including apples,pears, blueberries, tomatoes and strawberries.

In recent years, the bee population has plummeted.Attacks by varroa mite, the overuse of pesticide andherbicides, combined with intensive farming, isthought to have killed millions.

What can we do to help, in even a small way? Plant some traditionalcottage garden favourites such as rosemary, lavender, bluebells, fox-glove, comfrey and viper’s bugloss in your garden – all of which beeslove. Bee welcoming in your garden!

“But I am so afraid” Saif said. “I believe in Jesus now my wife also, but Istill go to the mosque to pray 5 times a day.” “If you have to go, pray toJesus” the counsellor said. Not long after this call Saif had to flee to Indiawhere he was put in touch with the Afghan refugee community. To hearthe end of this story read the Open Doors magazine in the foyer or speakto me!Sue Coatham www.opendoorsuk.org/pray

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TAKE A SPIN ON THE WHEEL OF GENEROSITY

People are being encouraged to ‘spin’ an online Wheel of Generosityand commit to small acts of kindness as part of a new campaign fromthe Methodist Church.

‘A Generous Life’ is designed to help Christians rethink together what itmeans to be generous in their local contexts. “Every act of generosity,however small, bears witness to our generous and loving God,” said theRevd Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church.

“Generosity can be expressed in many ways, whether through financialgiving, dedicating your time to help someone else, or sharing freely yourskills and creativity. A Generous Life is a great opportunity to rethinkwhat it might mean for each of us to act generously as disciples of Jesusin our everyday lives.”

When asked about the people who had inspired them to be generous,one respondent said: “When the woman who worked as my cleaner andchildminder in South Africa (a 'domestic worker') offered to take on anAIDS orphan who was rummaging through our bin on bin collection day- she had so little but was willing to give so much. It inspired me to adopta child permanently as a member of our family.”

Visit www.methodist.org.uk/mission/a-generous-life? for more info.

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ALL WE CAN!

The Methodist Church has changed the name of its relief and develop-ment arm. MRDF will be known as All We Can, the Methodist relief anddevelopment partner. “Our new name reflects our Methodist roots andheritage – with its echoes of John Wesley – and also our vision andfuture role. We believe that All We Can will continue to have a distinc-tive and important contribution to make to the task of eliminatingextreme poverty.”

EASTER OFFERINGSfrom Central

This is to thank everyone who kindly handed back Easter Offeringenvelopes. The total to date we have given over to the Methodist ChurchWorld Mission Fund is £213.40. This will, by the time of this print, havebeen dedicated at the Easter Offering Service which took place on 1��June at Goodrington. Enia Dunn

Grandmothers

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just amother. The next you are not just all-wise, but also prehistoric.

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A REFLECTION FROM CENTRAL

The old chorus goes “Two little eyes to look to God; Two little ears tohear His word; Two little feet to walk in his ways”. And the next line says“Two little lips to sing His praise”.

How good are you at singing? If you are good, then, Clive needs you inthe Choir at Central! But, not all of us have good singing voices.However, the Psalmist says ‘Make a joyful NOISE to the Lord, Worshipthe Lord with gladness’. He doesn’t say you have to have a good soprano,contralto, tenor or bass voice. He says ‘make a joyful noise -- worshipwith gladness’. And we have two little lips to help us to do just that.

So, do we? Do we sing with joy? Do we come to worship each Sundaywith gladness? Even after a week when everything seems to have gonewrong, God has been with us, whether we have acknowledged that factof not. When we come to worship, are we grateful to the Lord for allHis goodness towards us? Do we thank Him every day for all theblessings we have received -- the love of family members; the love of afriend; that phone call which came just when we were down; that letterwhich the postman brought from someone we had not heard from forages. Those lips of ours need to say thank you to God for His kindnesswhich we receive through others.

Then we see a rainbow after rain; a beautiful sunset. Those lips of oursneed to praise God for His wonderful creation.

But our lips should also help others. Our lips can make such a differenceto others. Our lips can speak a kind word if someone is “going throughthe mill”. Our lips can speak a patient word, or they can be snappy.Our lips can smile, or they can grimace. Our lips can kiss someone better,or they can hurt someone with an unkind comment. Our lips are veryimportant.

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The lips of Jesus were always praising God. The lips of Jesus were alwaysteaching about the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. So, are ourlips always praising God? Our lips can praise and thank God for our healthand strength. Or if our health and our strength isn’t as good as it oncewas, we can use our lips to thank God for our nurses, doctors, and carerswho make us as comfortable as we can be.

Are our lips always saying the words which Jesus would say? God wantsthem to.

So, let us all make a determined effort to make sure that our “Two littlelips sing His praise” and let us all make a determined effort to make surethat our lips speak like the lips of Jesus.

Speak to you again next month. Margaret Newman.

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GARDENERS’ HELPING TIME.

Every year for many years now, Central’s gardens have received a prize,and justly so. We’re very proud of them, and they certainly show off ourChurch. But they don’t just ‘happen’ of course – it takes effort.

David soldiers on, and we are grateful to him for that, but the time hasarrived when the rest of our gallant team doing this work, are having torestrict their efforts, due to health problems. Monica can no longer doas much as she could, and now Trevor has admitted he cannot achieveanything near what he has in the past. Accordingly, he is taking steps tosimplify the gardens, and to buy in the bedding plants, whereas he hasfor some years grown them – a mammoth task.

So, if we want to maintain the standards that have been set, what is theanswer? WE NEED MORE HELPERS!

Many of our readers undoubtedly have an interest in gardening, and weare asking anyone who could spare a few hours a week, to come forwardand help. The more the merrier, and the more we have, the less the load.And it has been noted that gardening at Central is quite a social occasion!It’s amazing how many people stop to talk, admire and encourage.

So PLEASE give this appeal some thought, and if you think you can help,see Trevor Badcott – he’d love to talk to you!

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SUNDAY SERVICES FOR JUNE 2014.(HC) = Sacrament of Holy Communion (WG) = Worship Group

CENTRAL

Date Morning 10.30am Evening 6.30pm

1�� Revd Gavin Hancocks (HC) Mrs Vicki Bryan 8�� At Victoria Park CTT15�� Revd Gavin Hancocks Revd Gavin Hancocks(HC)22ⁿ� Revd Dr Tom Bush (JMA) Worship Group29�� Revd Jerry Cook Revd Gavin Hancocks

ST ANDREWS

Date Morning 10.30am Evening 6.00pm

1�� Mr Michael Mann Revd Gavin Hancocks 8�� At Victoria Park 4pm.Revd Gavin Hancocks15�� (HC) Mr Adam Hills22ⁿ� Mrs Vicki Bryan Bible Study29�� United Service with St Johns

@St Andrews

VICTORIA PARK

Date Morning 10.30am 1�� Mrs Irene Cochran 8�� Revd Gavin Hancocks (TTC)15�� Mrs Irene Cochran22ⁿ� Revd A McCullock (HC)29�� Mr J Pointon

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CALENDAR FOR JUNE 2014

CENTRAL ST ANDREWS VICTORIA PARK

Sunday 1�� See separate page for Services – All Churches 4.00 Easter Offerings Service at GoodringtonMonday      2ⁿ� 10.30 Rosemary Gardens Housegroup 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Lydwell Park Housegroup 7.30 Southfield Housegroup at Jean'sTuesday 3�� 9.30 Midweek Prayers

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy BeesWednesday 4�� 9.30 Toddler Group

10.30 Bible Study (Coffee at 10.15) 7.30 Ladies Club: Ukelele Band

Thursday 5�� 9.30 Central Tots10.00 Church AGM

2.00 URC Annual Day to Luscombe Castle, DawlishFriday 6�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 6.00 Choir AGM 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 7�� 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Pop in for coffeeSunday 8�� See separate page for Services – All Churches.Monday 9�� 10.30 Rosemary Gardens Housegroup 2.30 Women's Fellowship – Beetle Drive 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides

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Tuesday 10�� 9.30 Midweek Service – Revd Roger Whitehead

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship

10.00 Busy Bees 7.00 New Life HousegroupWednesday 11�� 9.30 Toddler Group

7.30 Ladies Club: BingoThursday 12�� 9.30 Central TotsFriday 13�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 14�� 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Special Coffee Morning 1.00 Baptism – Chloe Marie SandersonSunday 15�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 16�� 10.30 Rosemary Gardens Housegroup 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Lydwell Park Housegroup 7.30 Southfield Housegroup at Sally & David'sTuesday 17�� 9.30 Midweek Prayers 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Busy Bees 7.30 Circuit Meeting at BrixhamWednesday 18�� 9.30 Toddler Group

10.30 Bible Study (Coffee at 10.15) 7.30 Ladies Club: ‘ROC’ – Robert Owen

Communities 7.30 Special EventsThursday 19�� 9.30 Central Tots 7.30 Moors HousegroupFriday 20�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 7.00 Choir Practice

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Saturday 21�� 9.30 Contact Centre10.00 Pop in for coffee

10.00 to 4.00 Quiet Day at Bovey TraceyMethodist Church

Sunday        22ⁿ� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 23�� 10.30 Rosemary Gardens Housegroup

6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 GuidesTuesday 24�� 9.30 Midweek Communion -

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees 7.00 New Life HousegroupWednesday 25�� 9.30 Toddler Group

10.30 Bible Study (Coffee at 10.15) 7.30 Ladies Club: AGM

Thursday 26�� 9.30 Central TotsFriday 27�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 4.00 Messy Church 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 28�� 9.30 Contact Centre 9.00 Table Top Sale

10.00 Pop in for coffeeSunday 29�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 30�� 10.30 Rosemary Gardens Housegroup 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 7.30 Southfield Housegroup at Celia & David's

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Plant

During our priest’s verylengthy sermon, a largeplant suddenly fell overright behind the pulpit,crashing to the floor. Hesmiled sheepishly andsaid, "Well, that’s thefirst time I actually put aplant to sleep."

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VP JUNE ROTAS.

DATE DOOR STEWARDS 1�� Verna Stuckey & Sylvia Penny 8�� Betty Peachey & Margaret Collins15�� Verna Stuckey & Sylvia Penny22ⁿ� Betty Peachey & Margaret Collins29�� Verna Stuckey & Sylvia Penny

VP JUNE FLOWERS

DATE DONATED BY IN MEMORY OF 1�� Olive Frost Her Parents Henry & Beatrice Robins 8�� Pat Hawes On the occasion of their respective

wedding days15�� Myra Wise Her parents George & Susan Wise22ⁿ� Verna Stuckey Her Husband Gordon29�� Margaret Russell

VP PRAYER BOARD

This is where we remember in prayer those not well. It is available to alland is used in every Sunday service and at Bible Studies.

Audrey Avery, Amy Bartrip, Jean Bartrip, Muriel Colefax, EmmaCoombes, Sylvia Diamond, Olive Frost, Rob Hawes, Don & BarbaraPugh, Julie Pugh, Edith Wells, Clive Murphy, Sue Summers, AlanRandall.

The folk who look out for the children in school – the School Pastors,and School Workers. Our own Church Minister & Lay Pastor.

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THE ARK – it would have floated!

Did you see the recent film, ‘Noah’? Apparently the film got some youngscientists thinking this Spring, and theyreached for their Bibles and computers.After numerous calculations, they cameup with their verdict: Noah’s ArkWOULD have floated, even with theweight of two of every kind of animal inthe world (around 70,000 creatures)packed away inside of it.

It seems that a group of master’s students from the Department ofPhysics and Astronomy at Leicester University analysed in detail theexact dimensions of the Ark, as set out in Genesis 6:13-22. The passagesays that God instructed Noah to build a boat that was 300 cubits long,50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high – and all of gopher wood. The studentsaveraged out the Egyptian and Hebrew cubit measurement to come upwith 48.2cm, making the Ark around 144 metres long. Though it wouldhave been a pretty tight fit for the animals, at least the ark would havefloated.

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PENTECOST

On that long ago first morning of Pentecost, Jerusalem was crowdedwith thousands of visitors, for it was one of the most popular feast-daysin the Jewish calendar – the Feast of Firstfruits, looking forward to thewheat harvest.

In one small room of that great city, a small group of people who hadfollowed Jesus were praying. There was nothing else for them to do:Jesus had died, he had risen, and he had ascended, promising to sendthem ‘a Comforter’. They were left alone, to wait at Jerusalem. And sothey waited – on him, and for him. They were not disappointed: for thatmorning the Holy Spirit fell upon that small room, and transformedthose believers into the Church, Christ’s body here on earth. Pentecostwas not the first time that the Holy Spirit came to the world – through-out the Old Testament there are stories telling of how God had guidedpeople and given them strength. But now his Spirit would use a newinstrument: not just isolated prophets, but the Church, his body on earth.

Acts opens with the preaching of the gospel in Jerusalem, the centre ofthe Jewish nation. Within 30 years the gospel had spread throughoutthe northern Mediterranean: Syria, Turkey, Greece, Malta... to the veryheart of the Roman Empire: Rome. The Church was on the move – Godwas on the move! He was calling people from every nation to repent,turn to Jesus for forgiveness of their sins, and to follow him.

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LIKE FATHER LIKE SON – a different view on Father’s Day.

’Dead Ringer’ is the odd phrase we use when referring to someone who lookslike somebody else. Sometimes, instead, we say ‘spitting image’ when we seea likeness or similarity between one person and another.

This month includes Fathers’ Day (15th June) and is an occasion when dads areparticularly remembered by their children. As far as the boys are concerned,how many have heard someone say ‘Oh, you really look like your father’?

One day, Jesus was talking to His disciples and said “Whoever has seen me hasseen the Father” (Jn 14:9). What an amazing statement! Jesus was saying thathe was the dead ringer or spitting image of God! At another time Jesus said “Iam in the Father and the Father is in me.” (Jn 14.10) These words must haveshocked his hearers, for he was saying that he was equal with God. No one hadsaid anything like this before, but certainly his miracles were proof that he wasdifferent. No-one else could do what he was doing. Some people wondered—could he really be who he said he was?

So Jesus attempted to make his position clear and said “If you knew me youwould know the Father also.”(Jn 8:19) The people were being urged to knowJesus more. They had to look, listen and believe. Were his deeds of God or not?They had to decide!

Today, we all stand in a similar position. Who is Jesus? Do we look at him andsay ’Yes, this is God in the flesh’ or ’No, he was just a good person — but alsoperhaps, deluded or crazy?’

Thomas, the disciple with the nickname ‘doubter’, exclaimed: “My Lord and myGod” (Jn 20:28) Thomas was convinced that he was in the presence of God, inhuman form. And when the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae hesaid clearly: ‘It was by God’s own decision that the Son has in himself the fullnature of God’ (Colossians 1:19). Like Father, like Son!

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SAINT OF THE MONTH (June 11��)

Barnabas – Paul’s first missionary companion

Are you going to Cyprus on holiday this year? If so, spare a thought forthe Cypriot who played such a key role in the New Testament.

He was Joseph, a Jewish Cypriot and a Levite, who is first mentioned inActs 4:36, when the early church was sharing a communal lifestyle.Joseph sold a field and gave the money to the apostles. His support sotouched them that they gave him the nickname of Barnabas, ‘Son ofEncouragement’.

Barnabas has two great claims to fame. Firstly, it was Barnabas whomade the journey to go and fetch the converted Paul out of Tarsus, andpersuade him to go with him to Antioch, where there were many newbelievers with no one to help them. For a year the two men ministeredthere, establishing a church. It was here that the believers were firstcalled Christians.

It was also in Antioch (Acts 13) that the Holy Spirit led the church to ‘setaside’ Barnabas and Paul, and send them out on the church’s first ever‘missionary journey’. The Bible tells us that they went to Cyprus, andtravelled throughout the island. It was at Lystra that the locals mistookBarnabas for Zeus and Paul for Hermes, much to their dismay.

Much later, back in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul decided to part com-pany. While Paul travelled on to Syria, Barnabas did what he could dobest: return to Cyprus and continue to evangelise it. So if you go toCyprus and see churches, remember that Christianity on that beautifulisland goes right back to Acts 13, when Barnabas and Paul first arrived.

In England there are 13 ancient church dedications and not a few mod-ern ones. Barnabas the generous, the encourager, the apostle wholoved his own people – no wonder he should be remembered with love.

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HOLIDAY IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT.

Commencing a ‘ short stay holiday’ on the Isle of Wight,We crossed the Solent on a day that was sunny and bright.A picturesque view of a collection of ships and boats,With the ships carving their way through buoys and floats

Dinghies bobbing about on the surface, hitting every wave,Preening Yachts, filling their Spinnakers with the breeze they crave.Ferries , the travelling transport work horses, trading to and fro,Cruise Liners sailing proudly by , as off to the Caribbean they go .

Dinghies and Yachts rely on a source of energy, they need a stiffbreeze,When their sails are filled, billowing with the Wind they move withease.Riding the waves and powering through the currents of the sea,Becomes exhilarating, for those who sail them so determinedly.

As I watched the unfolding scene, musing, and looking out to sea,I felt at ease with the world, encompassed with a sense of serenity.The thirty minute crossing passed all too soon and we were on thecoach,Making our way to the Hotel, getting into holiday mood on our ap-proach

A Reflection on the poem aboveIn our Christian life, do we like the Dinghies and Yachts bestride thesea ?Our hearts should be filled with the Pentecostal Wind to increase onesactivity.In our Prayer time we will receive the source and energy to forgeahead,Overcoming doubts and fears, by plying God’s Holy Spirit instead.

J.H.D. Lawrence

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CROSSWORD SOLUTION

From May Magazine

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ALL IN THE MONTH OF JUNE................IT WAS:

100 years ago:- on 26th June 1914 that Laurie Lee, British poet, novelistand screenwriter was born. He is best remembered for ‘Cider with Rosie’– a memoir of his childhood.

100 years ago:- on 28th June 1914 that Archduke Franz Ferdinand ofAustria was assassinated, sparking a conflict between Austria-Hungaryand Serbia that led to WORLD WAR 1.

90 years ago:- on 8th June 1924 that George Mallory, British mountain-eer, disappeared on Mount Everest. His body was found in 1999.

70 years ago:- on 6th June 1944 that D-Day took place with the Norman-dy landings. More than 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches ofNormandy at the start of the Battle of Normandy.

65 years ago:- on 8th June 1949 that George Orwell’s novel ‘NineteenEighty-Four’ was published.

50 years ago:- on 12th June 1964 that Nelson Mandela and seven otherleaders of the African National Congress were sentenced to life impris-onment for acts of sabotage designed to end apartheid. (Mandela wasreleased in 1990.)

20 years ago:- on 7th June 1994 that Dennis Potter, British TV dramatistand screenwriter died. (Best remembered for ‘The Singing Detective’,‘Lipstick on your Collar’ and ‘Gorky Park’)

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WORD SEARCH.

Submitted by Elizabeth Price – Central Sunday Club.See if you can find the following words in this grid.

Jesus. Bible. Moses. God. Matthew. Mark. Luke. John.Daniel. Goliath. David. Joseph. Mary. Esther.

J R X Y J F D G C G L B Z DO J O S E P H O H O V C E PH Q V K S T B L Y L G I B UN G X S U E G I D I J M I WG D M O S E S A R P E A B HR A A A I X Z T S E K U L SE V T O R O M H U A K F E PH I T N A A D A N I E L C TT D H L R N D Q R Z X X H RS K E Y A O B E T K U N C OE M W P G M P Q V W Y B D I

Marriage

During a heartfelt chat with her friend about relationships, mywife sighed and said, “You know, if something happened toLloyd, I don’t think I could ever marry again.”

Her friend nodded sympathetically. “I know what you mean,”she said. “Once is enough.”

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This next one…

A local DJ was introducing a record at our annual church fete/parishparty. "This next one," he said, "is for Charlotte Burke, a choirmember, who is a hundred and eleven! Hey, Charlotte,congratulations on a ripe old age!"

There was a short pause and then the DJ said in a somewhat moresubdued voice, "I'm sorry, I got it wrong. This next one is for CharlotteBurke, who is ill.

Encyclopaedias

Sorting our books for the local fete, a parishioner came across somewell-worn and dusty illustrated encyclopaedias, treasured from hischildhood. Unwilling to part with them, he put them on a shelf inthe garage where his small grandchildren found them and spentmany happy hours looking at the pictures. These books, however,caused him great embarrassment the day the minister came to visit.One of his grandchildren suddenly said: “Grandad, can we go lookat those dirty books you keep in the garage?”

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CENTRAL’S SUNDAY CLUB.

On Easter Day we all gathered the flowers in from the people in churchto put on the Easter Cross. Then, in Sunday Club, we did an Easter Egghunt. We went around the Church, and outside, finding out parts of theEaster Story. It was still really fun even though we had to go out in thetorrential rain! We had to answer clues on the way before getting ourgoodies!

Elizabeth Price.

We will be celebrating a very special birthday in Sunday Club this monthas Megan Smith will be 18 on the 27��. Megan has been coming to Centralsince she was five years old and has been an active member of the SundayClub, appearing in pantomimes and nativity performances, as well asreading and participating in services. Megan is currently studying for herA levels, whilst juggling a part time job, and remains a firm favourite ofthe younger children. Happy Birthday Megan, from all at Sunday Club.

Reasons for marrriage

Studying our wedding photos, my six-year-old asked, “Did you marryDad because he was a vicar?”

“Not really,” I replied.

“Did you marry him because he was good-looking?”

“No, not that either,” I replied.

“Did you marry him for his money?”

“Definitely not,” I laughed. “He didn’t have any.”

“So,” he concluded sadly, “you just felt sorry for him.”

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GIVE PEOPLE CONFIDENCE.

Sometimes we think that self-confidence is something you either haveor don’t have, like a talent for music. But really, it is something that iseither created in you, or destroyed, as you interact with other people.

We can either intentionally encourage and empower other people,co-creating with them the confidence they need to pursue their hopesand dreams, or we can criticise and undermine them, or even cripplethem with fears. We all know people who make us feel better aboutourselves for having spent time with them, and also people who makeus feel worse!

Someone once said: ‘Life is not so much about what happens to people,but what happens between people.’ So – why not make an effort to aimto encourage people? Let them talk to you, and give them the opportu-nity to share their hopes and anxieties. As the saying goes: ‘A problemshared is a problem halved.’ The Bible puts it this way: ‘Encourage oneanother and build each other up.’ (1 Thess. 5:11)

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MY SHEPHERD... a new look at Psalm 23.

From time’s faint dawn the shepherd men, their sheep and lambs have kept

From dangers path oft and again, how safe the sheep have slept!

And that is how my lord loves me, my Shepherd and my Guide.

In pastures green my feet shall be. Still waters by my side

In righteous paths my feet shall tread, my shepherd shows the way;

His love will light the road ahead. I’m safe through night and day

Though death may cast its sombre shade, no evil deed befalls

Of death I can be unafraid, no sepulchre appals

His rod and staff, they comfort me, they show my God is near

His grace to me - my foes can see that Jesus holds me dear

He blesses more than cups can hold, His mercy follows me.

His house of love shall me enfold till time shall cease to be

By Nigel Beeton

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A REFLECTION FROM VICTORIA PARK

Dear Friends,As you know, recently we have been celebrating V.Ps 150th Anniversary.It was wonderful to see so many members of the various churches in theTorbay Circuit coming together and using their different gifts and talentsto make this event such a success. It brought to mind the Apostle Paul'sletter to the Romans.  Romans 12: 1-13. "The Body of Christ.  For as inone body  we have many members, and all the members do not have thesame function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, andindividually members one of another."

Each member of the family of God must take care of the other. Theapostle Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach us how to liveand work together. We are like a body with many parts and eachmember of the family represents a different but essential component.Yet we all belong to each other, for without each other we areincomplete (verse 5 ). In the human body the appendix may seem uselessbut nevertheless it is still part of the body. The reason why we need eachother is because God has given each person different gifts and abilities(verse 6 ). We don't possess the same gifts and abilities. If we did, itwould make things very boring. As the saying goes, ' variety is the spice oflife'.  When we put all our gifts together, we complement each other andmake the Body of Christ complete and whole (verses 6-8 ).Someone's strength will supplement another's weakness and vice versa.In the family of God, it easy to fall into the trap of making comparisonsamong ourselves (verse 9 ). Rather, we should put that aside and learn toaccept each other just as God made us. If we can all practice sisterly ( orbrotherly) affection and honour (verse 10), hard work ( verse 11 ) andhospitality (verse13), the Body of Christ will be a place that is conduciveto love, warmth and mutual growth.

Lord it is so easy to pretend that we love others in the family of Godwhen in fact we sometimes find it difficult to accept those we do not like.Help me to love even those I find it hard to love AmenGod BlessIrene

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PLANT A POPPY!

Poppies will be grown in the grounds of parish churches and Church ofEngland schools across the country as an act of remembrance for thecentenary of World War 1 by the Church of England.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, urges people to plant theseeds ‘to remember the terrible events of the First World War and as asign of our hope in Jesus Christ for peace in the future.’ The Archbishopof York, Dr John Sentamu, welcomed the poppy planting initiative andsaid: "I encourage parishes and church schools across the country to jointogether to make many thousand flowers bloom as a tribute to thesacrifice of past generations, and to commemorate the centenary ofWorld War l. Help make the country awash with poppies.”

The Rt Revd Nick Baines, the new bishop designate for the new Diocese ofWest Yorkshire and the Dales said: “Only 100 years ago the world fell apartin the most violent way. This simple act of growing poppies reminds us ofour past and is a very visual way of pledging ourselves to serve together inthe future.”

Why don’t you join in!

Packs of Flanders poppies are on sale and can be bought at B&Q for £2with a pound being donated to the Royal British Legion.

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CROSSWORD

Solution in July/August Cornerstone

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ST ANDREWS JUNIOR CHURCH NEWS.

Happy birthday to Callum who will be 9 on June 28th

Two of Jesus’ friends travelled along the road to Emmaus. They met aman who they didn’t recognise. They invited him to eat with them andthen when he said a blessing and broke bread they recognised him. AtSt Andrews Junior Church we looked at this bible passage and somephotos of 2 of our church members when they were younger to see ifwe could recognise them. We talked about how we can recognise Jesusis among us and we thought about how Jesus’ two friends felt like their‘hearts were burning within them’ when they realised who Jesus was.We decorated heart shapes.

We have also looked at the bible passage John 10 1 – 10 when Jesus said“I am the gate for the sheep, anyone who comes in through me will besafe.” We played a game with one child being gatekeeper trying to keepballoon sheep out of the pen and others trying to get them in. We talkedabout what a good shepherd does and how Jesus is like a good shepherd.We talked about times when we are tempted to stray away from theflock. We made sheep and drew pictures to illustrate the story and alsoenjoyed a wordsearch.

DIY

Our churchwarden has the courage, but not always the skills, totackle any DIY job that needs doing around the church. Forexample, in the church shed are still pieces of the church lawnmower she once tried to fix. So our vicar wasn’t surprised the dayhe found her in the vestry, attacking the vacuum cleaner with ascrewdriver. "This thing won’t cooperate," she complained.

The vicar thought for a moment: "Why don’t you drag it out tothe shed and show it what you did to the lawn mower?"

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VICTORIA PARK’S PUZZLE CORNER

From last month: ‘Reconstruction Job.’

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never tasteof death but once.”

This month:

Medical Class 1. One of the following does not belong with the rest.Which one, and why?

BLADDER. DUODENUM. JEJUNUM. LUNGS. SOLEUS.

Medical Class 2. What comes next in the following series?

CERVICAL. THORACIC. LUMBAR. SACRA.

Answers next month

This next one…

A local DJ was introducing a record at our annual churchfete/parish party. "This next one," he said, "is for Charlotte Burke,a choir member, who is a hundred and eleven! Hey, Charlotte,congratulations on a ripe old age!"

There was a short pause and then the DJ said in a somewhat moresubdued voice, "I'm sorry, I got it wrong. This next one is forCharlotte Burke, who is ill.

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