I wonder what your desire or desires might be? If pushed, I could come up with quite a list of my own. But I have been giving a lot of thought recently to what God’s desires might be for us as a church.

Psalm 34:9 says ‘Let the Lord’s people show Him reverence, for those who honour Him will have all they need.”

Now this is deep stuff . If we are to reverence God, we will hold Him in high regard - no, more than that, bow down, and obey - a formal acknowledgement of allegiance. As Romans 12:1 says ‘give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifi ce - the kind He will accept.’ When you think of what He has done for you is this too much to ask?

Th ere are many ways we can honour God in our everyday lives by what you do and obeying his laws, serving, celebrating the festivals, acting honestly, giving tithes, honouring your parents, observing Sundays, showing respect for older people (leviticus), dancing and singing with all your might (like King David),

honouring his Son, Jesus Christ ( John 5:23)...

It comes back to having reverence for the Lord. He being your number one. In the song ‘O Sacred King’ we ask the question ‘How can I honour You rightly?’ and go on to declare that ‘I don’t take what you give lightly; friendship instead of disgrace.’

Our God is the God of holiness, and yet he seeks us out as friends and draws near.

What an awesome and magnifi cent God we have:Let us respond:

“Th is is my desire...to honour you

With all my heartI worship You,

all I have within me,I give You praise.

All that I adore is in You.”

and give Him our hearts our whole beings to Him afresh.

24/7 Prayer 6

Thankyou Jean 8

Winbap News 12

Carers - The Unsung Heroes 13

Unite Ball 2013 17

Single Parenthood - Up Close and Personal 23

How Soldiers Honour their Father in Heaven 27

Th e next deadline for the Winbap Magazine is the 20th March. Any submissions can be sent to winbapeditor@gmail.com. Please send photos as separate jpgs.

CONTENTS

February’s MAG Board will be refl ecting the work of Winchester Churches Housing Group ‘Keystone’ is an organisation which operates in the city, off ering bedsit accommodation to single homeless people. Residents are supported and encouraged to fi nd work if appropriate, and perhaps to change elements of their lifestyles. Th e project is seen as a stepping stone back into the community.

Jen Pringle’s Burkina Faso Adventure will be displayed on the MAG Board during March.

MAG BOARD DISPLAYS

I wonder what your desire or desires might be? If pushed, I could come up with quite a list of my own. But I have been giving a lot of thought recently to what God’s desires might be for us as a church.

Psalm 34:9 says ‘Let the Lord’s people show Him reverence, for those who honour Him will have all they need.”

Now this is deep stuff . If we are to reverence God, we will hold Him in high regard - no, more than that, bow down, and obey - a formal acknowledgement of allegiance. As Romans 12:1 says ‘give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifi ce - the kind He will accept.’ When you think of what He has done for you is this too much to ask?

Th ere are many ways we can honour God in our everyday lives by what you do and obeying his laws, serving, celebrating the festivals, acting honestly, giving tithes, honouring your parents, observing Sundays, showing respect for older people (leviticus), dancing and singing with all your might (like King David),

honouring his Son, Jesus Christ ( John 5:23)...

It comes back to having reverence for the Lord. He being your number one. In the song ‘O Sacred King’ we ask the question ‘How can I honour You rightly?’ and go on to declare that ‘I don’t take what you give lightly; friendship instead of disgrace.’

Our God is the God of holiness, and yet he seeks us out as friends and draws near.

What an awesome and magnifi cent God we have:Let us respond:

“Th is is my desire...to honour you

With all my heartI worship You,

all I have within me,I give You praise.

All that I adore is in You.”

and give Him our hearts our whole beings to Him afresh.

24/7 Prayer 6

Thankyou Jean 8

Winbap News 12

Carers - The Unsung Heroes 13

Unite Ball 2013 17

Single Parenthood - Up Close and Personal 23

How Soldiers Honour their Father in Heaven 27

Th e next deadline for the Winbap Magazine is the 20th March. Any submissions can be sent to winbapeditor@gmail.com. Please send photos as separate jpgs.

CONTENTS

February’s MAG Board will be refl ecting the work of Winchester Churches Housing Group ‘Keystone’ is an organisation which operates in the city, off ering bedsit accommodation to single homeless people. Residents are supported and encouraged to fi nd work if appropriate, and perhaps to change elements of their lifestyles. Th e project is seen as a stepping stone back into the community.

Jen Pringle’s Burkina Faso Adventure will be displayed on the MAG Board during March.

MAG BOARD DISPLAYS

Th ere are many meanings to the word ‘Honour’ listed in the dictionary and most of them need not concern us here. In my Bible concordance there are several hundred references… so where to begin? Most of us would immediately think of a few examples, such as, ‘Honour thy mother and father’, which leaps to mind… or perhaps the words of Jesus, ‘A prophet is not without honour except in his home town among his relatives and family’ …Whatever the context, a good start is with the most basic meaning… to highly esteem or give glory.

I think there is an interesting thread to draw out from the Bible. It’s only conjecture on my part but I hope it might be stimulating.( Actually, I think it’s quite exciting and as I am writing this I am entitled to say what’s exciting and what isn’t!) A brief journey through the Psalms and few other scriptures might help us to understand a little more. Th e English language is not always as helpful as it might be when it comes to a range of options for translation from Hebrew and Greek ‘honour’ words. Surprisingly, there are fi ve or six words in Hebrew corresponding to ‘honour’. We will look at some

of these later. In the Greek New Testament, nearly at the end, we fi nd the well-known cry of the twenty-four elders in heaven who fall down in adoration before the throne of God, casting their crowns down as they speak. ‘Worthy art Th ou, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honour and power; for Th ou did’st create all things, and because of Th y will they existed and were created.’ Th at’s from the Book of Revelation, chapter 4 verse 11 and it’s in old English from the King James Bible because we all know that’s how they speak in heaven! (Th ey don’t really… as far as I know…)

So we start from the top, from Headquarters, as it were. Heaven. Around the throne of our Father and the Son. It’s clear that represents the correct order of things. He is responsible for EVERYTHING and as supreme creator and thinker and the One who keeps everything in existence, homage is due.

At fi rst glance, it seems to be utterly one way. As followers of Jesus, we worship Him. Everything else, no matter how worthy, takes second place… even our greatest, most humongous successes as disciples, they are cast down before those glistening, awesome, burning feet. Wow!

Honour is given to God. We worship Him in the same way aiming to give Him the praise and honour due to Him because of who He is. And here’s the thing. You cannot give a supreme God ALL the worship and honour if you keep some for yourself! � ere are no half-measures.

}

}Honour...The glory currency of Heaven?

DAVID STRUTT

“If peace cannot be maintained with honour it is no longer peace

John Russell

Th is is refl ected in the Psalms. In Psalm 66:7 the writer says ‘Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are Th y works….’ I chose that not only because it is an amazing start for any worship leader wondering how to begin a service but also because it holds several words key to worship, but in particular the Hebrew word kâwbôde, which is pretty well synonymous with honour… it means GLORY!

It’s diffi cult for us to discern quite what the diff erence is between these various Hebrew ‘honour’ words. Sometimes we can discern it by the context. Sometimes it’s quite easy. Man’s self-glorifi cation and pompous self-honouring gets the thumbs-down eg in Psalm 49:20 where a diff erent honour word is used, “man in his honour, without understanding, is like the beasts of the fi eld that perish.” (crudely speaking, I think that means ‘Don’t mess with what is rightly God’s!) Again, in Proverbs 18 we fi nd a familiar association between wealth, honour and puff ed-upness which leads to destruction. It continues to explain that humility comes before honour, and here, later, the word for honour is…. kâwbôde!

Really, the Heaven-currency word! Can man share in God’s glory, then? Well, yes, amazingly, he certainly can but, crucially, it seems that man has to be given glory by God. Th is was a concept King David understood (he was so ahead of his time)! Psalm 8 verse 5 says, ‘Yet Th ou hast made him (son of man) a little lower than the Great Big God (Elohiym), and dost crown him with glory and majesty!’ Surprise! Another translation is, ‘crown him with the honour of heaven’.

In one sense we shouldn’t be surprised at this, after all, if God has made us sons and adopted us into His family, and on those made new by the cleansing precious blood of Jesus, He has bestowed the title ‘heirs’… I rather think He takes great pleasure in sharing with us some of His currency of heaven. On the other hand it is an extraordinary truth. God chooses to give honour or glory to His children! Quite a lot of teaching about how we are to treat one another in the Church makes total sense in this context. If God chooses to bestow honour in that way how dare we do any less? Will we be foolish enough to use derogatory words or have less than savoury thoughts about brothers or sisters when God chooses to clothe them with the heaven currency? We had better watch out! We also need to be a little wary of over-declaring just how miserable and worthless we are. It’s not true, at least according to Scripture and that’s good enough for me. I want to see myself as my Father sees me, and then live in that truth. I think it will bring me LIFE!

In another way, I fi nd this a huge encouragement in my worship. When I feel that my own worship of my Heavenly Father is less than it ought to be, I remind myself that I am equipped by God with His very own currency for honour-giving! You see, I don’t have to claw my way painfully and exhaustively heavenward, or worship exclusively in the most beautiful cathedrals, or in staggeringly gilt-embroidered vestments to join with heaven in bringing glory and honour to God… He has enabled me, as an act of His loving grace… He has given me the currency to worship Him with. Th is becomes

a thoroughly intoxicating and beautiful thought as we imagine the spiritual transactions between, say, our congregation and the throne room of heaven on a Sunday morning! Be encouraged!To conclude, some of you may recall that when I fi rst came to WinBap I preached on Psalm 57, in particular verse 8. Here we fi nd David reminding his soul, which happens to be extremely but temporarily bowed down (on account of the pit hole traps the enemy has dug for him) that he must praise God. What does he tell his soul?“Awake, my glory!”

Greatness lies, not in being strong, but in the right using of strength; and strength is not used rightly when it serves only to carry a man above his fellows for his own solitary glory. He is the greatest whose strength carries up the most hearts by the attraction of his own.

“

“

Henry Ward Beecher

Meetthe

StudentName: Jen PringleAge: 21

Course studying: Psychology (and before you ask - yes I do know what you’re thinking)

Where are you from? Coventry

How long have you been coming to Winchester Baptist Church? Since March/April 2011

What’s your favourite…Th ing about WinBap? How welcoming everyone is…since my fi rst day here, I’ve been surrounded and supported by so many lovely people!

Home-cooked meal?Cottage pie…every time.

Song? Somewhere Over Th e Rainbow – Eva Cassidy

Bible verse? ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a fu-ture.’ -Jeremiah 29:11. It’s a verse that God has shown me to be true time and time again.

TV Program? I don’t know if I should admit this but I love reality TV…perhaps a little bit too much! So anything that falls under that category. Please don’t judge me!

If you found yourself on a desert island, what three things would you take with you? I feel like the holy answer should be Jesus but I’m going to assume He is already there. So defi nitely my cat (see pic) as she is good at comforting me and is better than me at hunting for food. Th en I would take a camera to take some snaps of all the adventures me and my cat are having. Finally…a fancy iphone…I don’t actually have one but I’d be prepared to invest in one for the sake of this trip so that I could speak to lots of friends/family (assuming I’m not allowed to actually take any of them with me) and download a few apps so that boredom never strikes.

What was your dream occupation as a child? I wanted to be a nursery teacher from when I was about nursery age and for years and years after.

If you had a day to do anything, what would you do? Spend time with all the people I love and care for – such a cliché answer. To jazz things up a bit, I’d

take them all to the zoo to watch the monkeys for the entire day…perfect!

What is your fi rst memory?Pushing a child’s trolley down a ramp at a supermarket in America…very random!

What’s something you learnt in the last week?Th at it only takes something very small to turn a bad situation into a good one and know that everything is going to be okay – how very profound!

What’s the last fi lm you saw at the cinema?Les Mis of course!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?Anywhere in West Africa (either to somewhere that I’ve already been to or somewhere new). Also New York and Australia if I’m allowed to be greedy.

What are you listening to right now?Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody. Slightly embarrassing...

Would you rather…bungee jump or skydive?Defi nitely skydive.

Have all summer or all winter?Summer…with Christmas

Th ese were the three themes for the 24/7 prayer week happening at St. John’s House in Winchester. As I write this, the night before my ‘slot’ in the prayer room, I feel excited about the time I am going to spend there and expectant about meeting with God and praying to him. I have been involved in 24/7 prayer rooms before and always found that, despite really struggling at home to keep any prayer sustained for more than about ten minutes, the hour I spent in the prayer room seemed to go so quickly and I wouldn’t want it to end.

Praying with others is something I’ve always felt was important since becoming a Christian at University, but a few years ago I read the book ‘Red Moon Rising’, about how the 24/7 prayer movement was birthed in 1999,

and how there have been groups of people praying continuously around the world, across all denominations, ever since. Since then, I began to feel a real passion and conviction about how it was vital if I wanted to see people changed and revival come to our city and nation.

Th e forward of the book says: “...prayer is not something to do, but someone to talk to. It stirs faith in us to believe that when we talk to God, he responds....the Spirit of God is awakening the hearts of young men and women all over the earth. He is creating expectation. Expectation is necessary for Jesus to return. He is not going to come back for a bride who is not prepared. Expectation is a part of preparation.

Why all the fuss with prayer and stirring up expectation? So Jesus will be glorifi ed in all the earth. It’s about Jesus hearing his name in languages he has never heard in heaven. Th at’s the goal. More love for Jesus. More cultures and

“ I see expectation growing in people’s hearts and it awakens my heart as well.

peoples set free to love him and enjoy him for ever. When I kneel before the throne of God, I want to look into his eyes and see the joy he receives when I lay crowns at his feet.”.

In the week leading up to the 24/7 prayer week I have felt God speaking to me about holiness and have listened to a talk on John 17 : 17-19 where Jesus says “Make them holy... I am sending them into the world... they can be made holy by your truth”. Th e speaker was saying that the verse on mission is sandwiched between two verses on holiness, and that for us to be eff ective as Jesus’s witnesses we need to be holy. I have found that the more I pray with others for revival, the more I realise how unprepared I am and how much more I need to be transformed fi rst. For me, the three themes of the 24/7 prayer week seem to be so appropriate. I am excited about the testimonies that will come out of the week of prayer – how we, as Christians, are changed by spending time with God, and the changes we will then see as we encounter people in our daily lives.

RACHEL DAWSON

Th ese were the three themes for the 24/7 prayer week happening at St. John’s House in Winchester. As I write this, the night before my ‘slot’ in the prayer room, I feel excited about the time I am going to spend there and expectant about meeting with God and praying to him. I have been involved in 24/7 prayer rooms before and always found that, despite really struggling at home to keep any prayer sustained for more than about ten minutes, the hour I spent in the prayer room seemed to go so quickly and I wouldn’t want it to end.

Praying with others is something I’ve always felt was important since becoming a Christian at University, but a few years ago I read the book ‘Red Moon Rising’, about how the 24/7 prayer movement was birthed in 1999,

and how there have been groups of people praying continuously around the world, across all denominations, ever since. Since then, I began to feel a real passion and conviction about how it was vital if I wanted to see people changed and revival come to our city and nation.

Th e forward of the book says: “...prayer is not something to do, but someone to talk to. It stirs faith in us to believe that when we talk to God, he responds....the Spirit of God is awakening the hearts of young men and women all over the earth. He is creating expectation. Expectation is necessary for Jesus to return. He is not going to come back for a bride who is not prepared. Expectation is a part of preparation.

Why all the fuss with prayer and stirring up expectation? So Jesus will be glorifi ed in all the earth. It’s about Jesus hearing his name in languages he has never heard in heaven. Th at’s the goal. More love for Jesus. More cultures and

“ I see expectation growing in people’s hearts and it awakens my heart as well.

peoples set free to love him and enjoy him for ever. When I kneel before the throne of God, I want to look into his eyes and see the joy he receives when I lay crowns at his feet.”.

In the week leading up to the 24/7 prayer week I have felt God speaking to me about holiness and have listened to a talk on John 17 : 17-19 where Jesus says “Make them holy... I am sending them into the world... they can be made holy by your truth”. Th e speaker was saying that the verse on mission is sandwiched between two verses on holiness, and that for us to be eff ective as Jesus’s witnesses we need to be holy. I have found that the more I pray with others for revival, the more I realise how unprepared I am and how much more I need to be transformed fi rst. For me, the three themes of the 24/7 prayer week seem to be so appropriate. I am excited about the testimonies that will come out of the week of prayer – how we, as Christians, are changed by spending time with God, and the changes we will then see as we encounter people in our daily lives.

RACHEL DAWSON

It would be great to see the transformation of ourselves, our city and our nation (as well as other nations) continue as a result of the prayer meetings here in our church.

We long to see loads of us, as Red Moon Rising says, making a “fuss with prayer and stirring up expectation”!

We “should always pray and never give up” ( Jesus, Luke 18:1)

Hey friends! I’m really excited to be writing a little bit about journeys today, since I’m on the biggest, both literally and supernaturally, that I’ve ever been on! Since September when I left so much wild stuff has happened, it’s been an incredible journey that I’m so blessed to be on! We have had speakers such as John Arnott, Mike Pilavachi and Chris Dupree all impart incredible knowledge to us, and so many incredible others who have given so much of their time, wisdom and love away in order for us to grow in God. Th at’s just the start of it, prophetic evangelism, homeless mission, House of prayer intercession and leading worship to name but a few of the other incredible things that are going on in my life right now, God has so much more in store though and he is just amazing, he has incredible plans for each one of us.

So I feel as if I should talk about what I’ve learned about being on a journey, and how I have stepped out on my journey all because of the Love of God. It’s never easy, and takes continual work, but the reward from following God with all you have is boundless. As I’ve discovered my identity and who I really am in Christ I realize that the unconditional, wild and

perfect love of God is all I need. on my journey, because everything I do is for him and through him so what else matters! I struggle still to really step out in faith and trust that the holy spirit is all around me and won’t let me fall, but that’s something I’m really working through with God so I can get to that next level with him!

I don’t know where the journey I’m on is going to take me, I know that the next step is to Oklahoma with my outreach team in January (prayers would be amazing!), but after that when I leave school I am at peace about the future. I know my heavenly daddy loves me and only has the very best in store for me, it’s an amazing feeling. I want to thank everyone for their prayers for me and for all the support that I had to get me here and on my journey, without you guys I honestly would be missing out on the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me; true intimacy with the living God! I miss you and love you guys in the church, and look forward to when I can return and see you all again! You are in my prayers and I pray that you grow together in unity and love for one another and for everyone else, and that the Holy spirit comes down in a big way on Winchester! Blessings,

Dan

“ “

For if the honour paid to Him is shared by others, He altogether ceases to be worshipped, since His religion requires us to believe that He is the one and only God.

LACTANCTIUS

Th e Women’s Fellowship meets Tuesday afternoons, fortnightly in the Tweedley Room throughout the year. Jean Davis has been the Women’s Fellowship secretary for the past fourteen years and Pete, her husband has been very good at picking up the ladies and taking them to Women’s Fellowship anniversary teas and other events.

Jean and Pete have known each other since they were very young, living just a street away from each other. Th ey both used to meet when Jean was a Brownie and Pete a Cub.

Th ey had their fi rst date on April 1st 1957 (It’s so sweet that Jean knows this. Does Pete I wonder?)

When they married, Jean was only twenty and Pete was doing his National Service. Th ey then moved to Basildon and had two sons, moving next to Reading and then fi nally onto Winchester, where Pete started work at the

Winchester City Council.

Before the children came along, Jean had worked at the now HSBC Bank as a short hand typist. She then worked as a fl orist and became involved in a playgroup.

Both Jean and Pete tried several churches and settled at Winchester Baptist Church where Jean attended the Women’s Fellowship.

Jean took over from Molly Priddy, who had taken on the role after the previous secretary had lost her husband and been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Jean ran the Women’s Fellowship effi ciently for fourteen years.

I don’t think any of us realised how much time it took Jean and Molly to make all the ladies feel welcome and want to continue for all those years.

Jean decided to retire last year and I started to learn how to take on the role of Women’s Fellowship secretary with Jean and the other ladies support and encouragement.

But...Jean will be a hard act to follow!

A BIG thank you to Jean.

Roz

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and be-come more, you are a leader.”

John Quincy Adams

“

The Honour of Business

PAUL BULKELEY

I have the privilege of owning a business. In business, growth is the Holy Grail. Growth is

mostly measured as ever increasing turnover, profi t, market share, brand value or any other measure of worldly success we might care to choose. Th e business world is good at that kind of growth, or was until 2007. In the Kingdom of God however growth is about people. Not just an increase in their numbers but in the quality of their character, the signifi cance of their contribution and the strength of their relationships. It is about increasingly mature disciples of Jesus living together in a vibrant and eff ective community. Th is is a place where people want to be and become who God intended them to be. At its best it is a place called church.

Jesus fully recognised that for a community to grow and for people to want to be, and remain, part of it they needed to grow. Personal growth requires more than fl attery, it emerges best where people are honoured. Any community that wants to grow must actively cultivate a culture of honour. Th is will help to ensure that its members grow in personal maturity and in their ability to contribute towards the aims of the organisation. As they grow the organisation will in turn also grow and, anywhere that people are growing they will likely want to remain.

Honour is the foundational attitude that underpins true growth, both personal and organisational. Honour is the basis for a way of relating that promotes freedom, respect, healthy discipline and empowerment. Th is is about the freedom to be you, to make mistakes and learn from them. It is about a respect for

people’s diff erences and recognition of the blessing that they bring to us all. It is about a healthy approach to discipline instead of punishment and the fear of failure. Above all it is about a culture of empowerment that ensures everyone’s gifts are liberated. A culture of honour creates a place where we are seen as God sees us, and a place where we see others that way. I remember well the fi rst time church leaders saw and validated God’s hand on me. Th ey saw me as God saw me and in giving me an opportunity to serve, they honoured me. It was like a shot of adrenalin into the arm of my Christian discipleship. I also remember when my fi rst boss saw and validated my skills as a designer. It boosted my confi dence no end. I lived up to their expectations and the result was it bore fruit for the company.

In ‘Th e E Myth’ Michael Gerber describes a business owner’s task as creating a ‘game worth playing.’ Th is is a corporate culture where people want to take part. People will want to take part when they and their contribution are honoured. Being part of a great

company is about more than doing your job. It is a two way contract. When a culture of hon-our prevails, people will grow and where people are growing you can be sure that the organisation will grow to.

Businesses recognise that success is based on a strong and varied team - the collective actions of very di� erent people. Every busi-ness must grow in � nancial terms if it is to remain in business. I have come to realise however that there is another type of growth, equally valid and equally important for the success of my company. It is the realisation that you can’t separate the growth of your people from the growth of your company for long. In the end the two must become synonymous. I have been fortunate enough to have a team of talented co-workers at Snug Projects who are very di� erent to

me. � ey seem to enjoy the things I don’t like doing. � ey are good at the things I can’t do. � eir interests, characters and personalities are, in many ways di� erent to my own. We make a good team. It is not always easy and we don’t always get it right but

Squeezy fruit and smoothie pouches are quite a common feature of our shopping list. Especially for grumpy, teething children who have lost their appetites. Isaac has mastered the technique and pretty much drains the contents in one go but drinks cartons have proved a little trickier. Trying to restrain his eagerness to squeeze the carton before the straw is in his mouth usually fails with a sticky little fruity fountain of juice decorating my last clean pair of jeans. Th is is a veritable success compared to the misery of trying to puncture a Capri-sun with a bent straw and the lightness of pressure required to avoid squirting the contents everywhere when the straw inevitably goes straight through both sides in one go and pokes out of the back.

It is a simple truth that if you squeeze something hard enough what is inside will come out. Th e “squeeze” comes in many forms. In December Ed completed the sale of his business and the weeks and months leading up to that were certainly a squeeze for us. Th ere’s nothing like stress and tiredness to bring out every facet of your personality and the pressure was not dissimilar to what we experienced as new parents. I’d love to say that we sailed through

the whole experience with grace, patience and uplifting words but those who know me best are bound to tell the truth. However, when it came to the really big squeezes (think of an over- friendly boa constrictor) we stuck together and most importantly we prayed. I cannot imagine going through the experience without knowing God’s plans for us are always good.

In Luke 6 Jesus talks about how a bad tree cannot bear good fruit and the words we say come from what’s in our hearts. If you’ve not been “squeezed” recently and you are not sure what would come out if you were then have a close look at what you put in.

Squeezy Fru itNAOMI BEST

Visionary people face the same problems everyone else faces; but rather than get paralysed by their problems, visionaries immediately commit themselves to fi nding a solution.

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I have come to recognise that if I can focus on the growth of my staff , honouring them in their distinct roles, the company itself will also grow. Jesus new this and, in the hours before his death, said to his disciples what I believe to be the greatest and most honouring of statements any leader can utter to their team – ‘you will be able to do the things that I do; you will do even greater things then these.’

In the early days of the church (Acts 6) the Apostles came to recognise more clearly both their own God given roles and that of their fellow disciples. In honouring their colleagues and releasing them into fruitful service there was growth in the organisation and growth in the individuals concerned. In honouring others and assigning the task of distributing food the apostles where better able to focus on their own God given task. Th e result was that ‘the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly.’ Stephen also, the fi rst to be validated in his new role also grew in grace, ‘working great wonders and signs among the people.’ A culture of honour was emerging and growth was the result, both personal and corporate. Where honour is the prevailing culture you can be sure that people will grow and where people are growing they will want to stay.

A culture of honour is a powerful basis for lasting growth in any organisation.

“ “

Th ere are lots of ways in which we can honour God but I wonder whether we ever stop to think about honouring him with our fi nances. Proverbs 3:9 says “Honour the Lord with your wealth”.

� ere are plenty of other references in the Bible of how we should deal with our money. You are no doubt familiar with Malachi 3 verse 10 which tells us “to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. � is is not an article about whether we should tithe or not or how much a tithe should be. However, it might be worth re� ecting that this is the area in which God himself challenges us. “Test me in this says the Lord Almighty and see if I will not throw open the � oodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Read it for yourself in Malachi 3 :10)

“God loves a cheerful giver” we are told in 2 Corinthians 9:7. In that same chapter we are encouraged to sow generously.

Th e question I want to pose is what happens when things are not working out, when it is hard to make ends meet. Maybe you’d love to be able to tithe regularly or give to good causes and appeals but you have enough trouble paying the bills each week, there just isn’t enough to go round.

I know that some Christians advocate that you should always give to God fi rst and that is the challenge of Malachi, but for the purpose of this article I must leave that for each person to decide before God what is the right thingfor them to do. However, the

reality is if you are having to juggle things just to make ends meet it can be a very stressful situation and you may not know how things can improve.

Th is is where the CAP Money course may be of help to you. Th is is a three week course devised by Christians Against Poverty to help you manage your money better. Have you been in that situation when you see how little you have left and wonder where all the money went? Maybe you’d really like to be able to fi ve more, to be a more generous person.

Th e course helps you draw up a budget so that you can be in control of your money rather than it being in control of you.

Why not make use of this tool that God has given us and join a course and maybe you might honour God with your fi nances in a more eff ective way this year.

Our next scheduled course will start Monday 15th April, so you may sign up for that either on line at www.capmoney.org or via the church offi ce. We run courses throughout the year so if that day is not convenient but you would like to attend a course then please let us know what would suit you better,

Our money coaches, Gareth Bartlett, Peter Pilavachi, Chris Aslet or myself would be pleased to answer any questions you may have about the course.

ANGELA MERRIDALE

Honouring GodWITH YOUR FINANCES

Th ey know the people they care for very well and often have to provide not only intimate personal care, meal preparation, complete domestic tasks alone, provide social interaction, medication management and transport; they also often have to act as untrained advocates when their loved ones end up in the Health and Social Care system. Th ey experience sleepless nights, long hours and no holidays. Th ey sometimes struggle to leave the house long enough to get the shopping in let alone experience a social life and often lose contact with friends and sometimes other family members when there are diff erences of opinion about how an individual should be cared for. I know they do this out of love and respect for those they care for but I also know that they can sometimes become unseen and lost in the needs of

those they care for.

Health and Social Care colleagues sometimes get so focussed upon the needs of the individual that they fail to realise that their very survival is dependent upon theirunpaid carer resulting in the carer being left out of decision making, labelled as diffi cult when they raise objections to changes in care, and being automatically put into the discharge plan without being asked.

Th ere are services and organisations that try to provide support; the Princess Trust, Live at Home Scheme, Alzheimer’s Association and Sitting Service to name a few. I fi nd that some carers are not aware that they can get support, and some are trapped by the person they care for refusing others in; preferring the loved

one who cares for them rather than a stranger. Respite works for a few but many others fi nd that it makes life harder rather than allows them to have a break.

As a Church, we could help to recognise and respect these amazing people; build relationships with both partnersin care, to allow the Carer out or to be their social life in the home. Listen in a non-judgemental way,sometimes it’s nice to complainwithout feeling disrespectful to the people they care for or without being judged as uncaring. Share the load of advocating when someone is in hospital; provide company, prayer time, laughter and love. Be a phone contact, key holder, emergency shopper or be on someone’s emergency care plan.

“ In my line of work I meet carers nearly every day. Th ey are the incredible unsung heroes of Health and Social Care; without whom the scanty services available would have to stretch even further. “

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13 (NIV)

Enough food is produced globally to feed everyone and yet about 1 in 8 of us (more than the EU and USA populations combined), go hungry every day. Agriculture is the main source of livelihoods for most communities living in poverty, but smallholder farmers often cannot grow enough food or earn enough to buy suffi cient nutritious food for their families. Women produce most of the world’s food, but tend to be more food insecure than men.

Tearfund and our local partner organisations work with small scale farmers and herders all around the world so that they can grow or aff ord to buy enough nutritious food all year round, whatever the weather or economic climate.Tearfund lobbies and campaigns to tackle the injustices that prevent people from having enough food to live a healthy and active life.

Finding a sustainable way to make a living is critical for people trying to work their way out of poverty. Tearfund’s Created range of handmade gifts provides jobs and a fair salary for craft-workers from some of the world’s poorest communities, helping them create and market products of the highest standard.

Food hungerand livelihood

,

*Tearfund Sunday is on March 3rd this year.

He will reply ‘Truly I tell you whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me’.

Matthew 25:45

Enough food is produced globally to feed everyone and yet about 1 in 8 of us (more than the EU and USA populations combined), go hungry every day. Agriculture is the main source of livelihoods for most communities living in poverty, but smallholder farmers often cannot grow enough food or earn enough to buy suffi cient nutritious food for their families. Women produce most of the world’s food, but tend to be more food insecure than men.

Tearfund and our local partner organisations work with small scale farmers and herders all around the world so that they can grow or aff ord to buy enough nutritious food all year round, whatever the weather or economic climate.Tearfund lobbies and campaigns to tackle the injustices that prevent people from having enough food to live a healthy and active life.

Finding a sustainable way to make a living is critical for people trying to work their way out of poverty. Tearfund’s Created range of handmade gifts provides jobs and a fair salary for craft-workers from some of the world’s poorest communities, helping them create and market products of the highest standard.

Food hungerand livelihood

,

*Tearfund Sunday is on March 3rd this year.

He will reply ‘Truly I tell you whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me’.

Matthew 25:45

It is quite counter cultural these days to be showing honour and value to those of great age, when age-ism is fairly rampant in society and youth is glorifi ed somewhat in the media (…and even in some church settings.) Sadly, many say they experience the feeling of being invisible to the rest of society, so coming along to our events run in parallel with Age UK, is a huge confi dence boost for them.

“ why

When David and I joined the church back in August 2010 as the new leaders of the seniors’ work following on from Liz Stacey’s pioneering season as pastoral coordinator to Mission to Seniors, we felt it timely to bring a fresh identity to the work as a whole, and to provide a clear rallying point around which our wonderful, committed team (Honour cluster) can gather and own.

A small group of us, historically known as ’Spaggers’ (Seniors’ Planning and Action Group) who meet up at irregular intervals to keep the show on the road (and the Strutts in check!) spent some time prayerfully considering names for the cluster, that would give expression and defi nition as to what we are about. Several names came to mind… Cherish... Respect… Dignity… Sanctuary… all of which were good but some had connotations that weren’t altogether helpful. Honour seemed to be the word that for us gave the best sense of what we wanted to convey.

We wanted the cluster vision to incorporate the sense that we are both serving, and befriending those we know who are mainly in their late seventies and eighties (4th agers in socio-speak!) as well as providing opportunities to encounter the presence of God in worship and preaching, plus having fun days together as in Holiday at Home.

David, along with Margaret Pickett, have a real gift in connecting with the folk as they share and we have seen a number respond by asking for prayer or a chat at the end of our monthly Th ursday afternoon gatherings.

A number have been able to de-clutter their history boxes and mindsets about God and ‘church’, and some have had fresh encounters with God, and dare I say it, a positive experience of His church!

We wanted to express the belief that the gospel is shown in both deed and word and that folk are more likely to respond to the love of God in Jesus as they experience the friendship and care of those who represent Him… that we seek to demonstrate the heart of compassion and honour that the Bible upholds for those who are in their later years.

Th e folk we connect with feel valued, listened to, and are grateful for all we do for them, and enjoy being a part of what we do… they love coming along and have fun in the process and, believe me, it is a joy to be involved with these dear folk …we know we are doing them good!

You’ve only got to be listening to news reports at the moment to realise that there is going to be an increasing need to be championing the cause of those in later life, those frail elderly folk who may well fi nd themselves bereft of

close family, at a loss as to how to cope with the challenge of change that is pervading society, not to mention the anxiety surrounding the rising costs involved when needing care in any form. To be a listening ear at such a time in life provides a vital support to isolated elderly. So we feel it is very much a time for the church to arise and wake up to the need to step in and, as Jesus did, go about doing good to any He saw that were in need. Let us follow in His footsteps.

So next time you pass an elderly person in the street, smile please, it may well make his or her day and, as we fi nd, could well lead to a signifi cant and timely conversation!

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He I am he who will sustain you

I have made you and I will carry you I will sustain you and I will rescue you

Isaiah 46:4

It is quite counter cultural these days to be showing honour and value to those of great age, when age-ism is fairly rampant in society and youth is glorifi ed somewhat in the media (…and even in some church settings.) Sadly, many say they experience the feeling of being invisible to the rest of society, so coming along to our events run in parallel with Age UK, is a huge confi dence boost for them.

“ why

When David and I joined the church back in August 2010 as the new leaders of the seniors’ work following on from Liz Stacey’s pioneering season as pastoral coordinator to Mission to Seniors, we felt it timely to bring a fresh identity to the work as a whole, and to provide a clear rallying point around which our wonderful, committed team (Honour cluster) can gather and own.

A small group of us, historically known as ’Spaggers’ (Seniors’ Planning and Action Group) who meet up at irregular intervals to keep the show on the road (and the Strutts in check!) spent some time prayerfully considering names for the cluster, that would give expression and defi nition as to what we are about. Several names came to mind… Cherish... Respect… Dignity… Sanctuary… all of which were good but some had connotations that weren’t altogether helpful. Honour seemed to be the word that for us gave the best sense of what we wanted to convey.

We wanted the cluster vision to incorporate the sense that we are both serving, and befriending those we know who are mainly in their late seventies and eighties (4th agers in socio-speak!) as well as providing opportunities to encounter the presence of God in worship and preaching, plus having fun days together as in Holiday at Home.

David, along with Margaret Pickett, have a real gift in connecting with the folk as they share and we have seen a number respond by asking for prayer or a chat at the end of our monthly Th ursday afternoon gatherings.

A number have been able to de-clutter their history boxes and mindsets about God and ‘church’, and some have had fresh encounters with God, and dare I say it, a positive experience of His church!

We wanted to express the belief that the gospel is shown in both deed and word and that folk are more likely to respond to the love of God in Jesus as they experience the friendship and care of those who represent Him… that we seek to demonstrate the heart of compassion and honour that the Bible upholds for those who are in their later years.

Th e folk we connect with feel valued, listened to, and are grateful for all we do for them, and enjoy being a part of what we do… they love coming along and have fun in the process and, believe me, it is a joy to be involved with these dear folk …we know we are doing them good!

You’ve only got to be listening to news reports at the moment to realise that there is going to be an increasing need to be championing the cause of those in later life, those frail elderly folk who may well fi nd themselves bereft of

close family, at a loss as to how to cope with the challenge of change that is pervading society, not to mention the anxiety surrounding the rising costs involved when needing care in any form. To be a listening ear at such a time in life provides a vital support to isolated elderly. So we feel it is very much a time for the church to arise and wake up to the need to step in and, as Jesus did, go about doing good to any He saw that were in need. Let us follow in His footsteps.

So next time you pass an elderly person in the street, smile please, it may well make his or her day and, as we fi nd, could well lead to a signifi cant and timely conversation!

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He I am he who will sustain you

I have made you and I will carry you I will sustain you and I will rescue you

Isaiah 46:4

Every year the youth workers of Winchester (more commonly known as ‘Unite’, the youth workers network under the umbrella of Mission Winchester) get together and put on a Christmas Ball for the young people to enjoy. Th is year was the 6th Unite Ball I have been involved in, and I had the pleasure of facilitating the event with Paul, the Youth Worker from Winchester Vineyard, Anna, one of the Youth Workers from Christ Church, Andy from Family Church and a host of some 30 volunteers. Th e aim for the event is to put on a fun, safe event where the young people can come along, kick back, relax and dance the night away.

Th is event is one of my favourites on my Youth Work calendar, simply because we get to come together as churches to celebrate and share in all that God is doing in the individual ministries by enjoying good food, good mocktails, even better music

and well, quite frankly, some shockingly bad dance moves. It’s not an obvious evangelistic event, but this time together to build relationships with each other as peers, along with providing the opportunity for the young people to spend time with those from other churches is of key importance to building the Kingdom of God in this city. Th roughout the narrative of the Bible, God’s people have come together, not only to worship Him and praise Him, but also to spend valuable time honouring one another in fellowship.

Jesus invitation to ‘Come and have breakfast’ ( John 21: 12a) is such a wonderful picture of God’s desire for us to spend time with him and with each other simply enjoying his company. Again, the meal which we call communion was shared after Jesus had supper with his closest companions. Th is is why for me, events like the Unite Ball, a sleep over or staying up ridiculously

late at Soul Survivor playing ‘Risk Mullet’ (don’t play unless you’re prepared to lose your eyebrows or embarrass yourself outside of Asda for 5 minutes!), are the events where I sense God at work in our lovely little fellowship that we call ‘the Edge’. Without genuine relationships (and whoever heard of a genuine relationship without a bit of relaxation and fun?), an environment of love, honour and respect is hard, dare I say, impossible to achieve. And without love, honour and respect, we miss the heart of Jesus altogether. Anyone for a hot choccy and a game of Risk Mullet?! How about another city-wide Christmas Ball this December then?

Oh go on then…

Keep an eye out for the date of the next Unite Christmas Ball…coming December 2013.

UNITE BALL 2013

Becca

Th e Bible advised us to honour God (I Tim 1:17; Ps 29:2; Mal 1:6); church leaders (I Th 5: 12 & 13; Heb 13:7) and Government offi cials (1 Pet 2:15-17). Honouring our parents(Ex 20:12) is the fi rst law with a promise – long life. We are expected to honour each other too (Rom 12:10).

We honour God with our giving (Prov 3:9), our love for Him, obedience to His words, and by thanksgiving (Ps 50:23 NIV). Reverence of His name also brings honour to Him. When we worship God in Spirit and in truth, and in the beauty of His Holiness, He is glori� ed. Worshiping God with a true heart involves giving Him the ultimate value and respect. We cannot honour the elders and our spiritual leaders if we do not value and respect our God. � e � ow of honour we have for

others, our church leaders and for Government o� cials stems from our understanding and acceptance that they are appointed into positions by God. All authority on earth and heaven belongs to our Father. We should not judge our leaders but value them with our prayers, our support, and constructive feedback. We must avoid gossiping and destructive criticism of our leaders even when we do not agree with their actions.

1 Sam 2:30 states that God will honour those who honour Him. What a privilege to be honoured by God. When you deeply value and respect God, He listens to your prayers and He grants you long life. When you honour God with your substance (Mal 3:10)) He will open the windows of heaven to you. Honouring Kings, people in government, our church leaders and even our brothers and sisters bring honour to you

also. When you sow the seed of honour, you will reap honour. When you fail to honour God through selfi shness, sin or pride, you will miss out on great things God has for you and He will lightly esteem you. Eli dishonoured God and was replaced by Samuel.

As we start the New Year, let us make it our aim to honour God with our worship, our love, our thanksgiving, and our resources. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Our Father and our Lord, I profess that I love you with all my heart . Help me to honour you with my life and my service to you. Teach me to honour your servants, my parents and people in authority. Father, honour me also with your glory, mercy and favour. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

As a student, it is often assumed that we are all of the same breed and words that jump out to describe us include lazy, unproductive and procrastinators. Fortunately, most of those words do not sum me up (I am slightly guilty of the last one because I am supposed to be writing my dissertation right now). Either way, my point is that sometimes it’s quite nice as a busy, productive student to have some time to enjoy resting in the presence of God, which is exactly what I was able to do at the last prayer and praise service.

I’d never been to one of these services before so wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It was a really chilled out evening and after some time of sung worship, we were encouraged to have a look at the diff erent prayer stations that had been set up around the church. Each station had a diff erent theme and there was plenty to read as well as some refl ective activities to do relating to that theme. Th ere was also plenty of space to sit and pray and listen to the background music. It was so great to explore worship in so many diff erent ways. Normally, I fi nd it far too easy to sing a few songs and call that my worship for the week. Don’t get me wrong, that defi nitely is worship but I forget that it isn’t the only way to worship. An evening like this one allowed us to explore more creative ways to speak to God and fi gure out what works best for each of us individually. It was a very refreshing insight into allowing us to explore our connection with God. Although this was all very private as everybody made their way around the stations independently, there was a defi nite sense of unity which was further emphasised at the end of the evening, where we came back together and recited some liturgy aloud as a group.

In a culture that is obsessed with to-do lists and deadlines, it can be incredibly calming to take a couple of hours out where you know that you are not able to become distracted by that thing called life and have the time to focus on God and the bigger picture. So many times I’ve found myself feeling I don’t have time to talk to God, when actually that’s the most important time to talk to Him. Th at’s the time when we should be going to Him to tell Him how stressed and busy we are and asking for help. One thing I’ve learnt (but don’t always remember) is that God will always give us the time we need and show us exactly what we should be focusing on and what isn’t actually that important.

I want to fi nish with something that I read at one of the prayer stations that really struck me. It has given me so much peace over the past couple of weeks and reminded me just how much God cares for me and my life. ‘I am your strength and shield. I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy levels and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power fl ows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying and you will have strength to spare.’

JEN PRINGLE

Fireworks, fireworks, shining bright in the night sky.Fireworks, fireworks, glimmering up high.Fireworks, fireworks, going bang and crash.

Fireworks, fireworks, going whoosh and flash.Fireworks, fireworks, going crackle and kaboom!Fireworks, fireworks, going whistle and zoom.

Fireworks, fireworks, fun and exciting.Fireworks, fireworks, they are not at all frightening.

Fireworks, fireworks when you watch them wrap up warm.Fireworks, fireworks, see the crowds swarm.

Fireworks, fireworks, ringing in my ear.Fireworks, fireworks, all done ‘til next year.

Amber - aged 6

Fireworks, Fireworks

As a student, it is often assumed that we are all of the same breed and words that jump out to describe us include lazy, unproductive and procrastinators. Fortunately, most of those words do not sum me up (I am slightly guilty of the last one because I am supposed to be writing my dissertation right now). Either way, my point is that sometimes it’s quite nice as a busy, productive student to have some time to enjoy resting in the presence of God, which is exactly what I was able to do at the last prayer and praise service.

I’d never been to one of these services before so wasn’t quite sure what to expect. It was a really chilled out evening and after some time of sung worship, we were encouraged to have a look at the diff erent prayer stations that had been set up around the church. Each station had a diff erent theme and there was plenty to read as well as some refl ective activities to do relating to that theme. Th ere was also plenty of space to sit and pray and listen to the background music. It was so great to explore worship in so many diff erent ways. Normally, I fi nd it far too easy to sing a few songs and call that my worship for the week. Don’t get me wrong, that defi nitely is worship but I forget that it isn’t the only way to worship. An evening like this one allowed us to explore more creative ways to speak to God and fi gure out what works best for each of us individually. It was a very refreshing insight into allowing us to explore our connection with God. Although this was all very private as everybody made their way around the stations independently, there was a defi nite sense of unity which was further emphasised at the end of the evening, where we came back together and recited some liturgy aloud as a group.

In a culture that is obsessed with to-do lists and deadlines, it can be incredibly calming to take a couple of hours out where you know that you are not able to become distracted by that thing called life and have the time to focus on God and the bigger picture. So many times I’ve found myself feeling I don’t have time to talk to God, when actually that’s the most important time to talk to Him. Th at’s the time when we should be going to Him to tell Him how stressed and busy we are and asking for help. One thing I’ve learnt (but don’t always remember) is that God will always give us the time we need and show us exactly what we should be focusing on and what isn’t actually that important.

I want to fi nish with something that I read at one of the prayer stations that really struck me. It has given me so much peace over the past couple of weeks and reminded me just how much God cares for me and my life. ‘I am your strength and shield. I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing your energy levels and wondering about what’s on the road ahead, concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power fl ows freely into you through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying and you will have strength to spare.’

JEN PRINGLE

Fireworks, fireworks, shining bright in the night sky.Fireworks, fireworks, glimmering up high.Fireworks, fireworks, going bang and crash.

Fireworks, fireworks, going whoosh and flash.Fireworks, fireworks, going crackle and kaboom!Fireworks, fireworks, going whistle and zoom.

Fireworks, fireworks, fun and exciting.Fireworks, fireworks, they are not at all frightening.

Fireworks, fireworks when you watch them wrap up warm.Fireworks, fireworks, see the crowds swarm.

Fireworks, fireworks, ringing in my ear.Fireworks, fireworks, all done ‘til next year.

Amber - aged 6

Fireworks, Fireworks

MA N D M AT H E W 2 5others

Feed the hungry

How obvious is this? As mothers, we typically have the responsibility of feeding our families. It starts at the moment of conception. We feed our growing child from our very selves. We take care to eat as well as we can while we are pregnant to ensure our babes have everything they need to grow and develop over the next 40 (or more) weeks. Once, born, we put our child to the breast again and again. We set aside our own will and our own plans to scoop up that precious baby and put him to the breast. Day or night, night or day, we continue to provide his nourishment for his body from our very own bodies, In doing this we also provide comfort, love and security.

Consider the countless batches of cookies and peanut butter sandwiches and meatloaf we put together. Too often we mindlessly engage in these duties (and privileges) without giving a thought to the great work we are doing. Because we do it out of love for our children and our

I’ve been thinking about the Works of Mercy lately. I’ve been thinking about how the Corporal (and Spiritual) Works are a Mother’s works. Years and years ago I read something about this. I wish I could remember where I read it and could give credit to the one who inspired this long-term meditation for me. Because I cannot remember and cannot � nd what I read so long ago, I am recreating this based on how I have meditated on it from time to time over the years. In another instalment, I will ponder the spiritual works as Mothers’ Works.{ {

husbands, we hardly consider it work at all.

Many individuals will go out into the world and feed the many hungry there. Many will volunteer at a soup kitchen or give of their resources to assist them. If we have the means and hear the call, we should help them. But we may never have the opportunity to do those things. And still, we do feed the hungry.

Th rough these mundane actions of motherhood, performed with love year after year, we too will hear the Lord Jesus say to us one day, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom pre-pared for you from the foundation of the world. When I was hungry, you gave me to eat.”

We may ask, “When did we see you hungry and give you to eat?” Th e Lord will answer, “I came to you as a little baby and you held me, fed me and comforted me. When I was a toddler you gave me good snacks while I played to keep me feeling well. When I was a child you made me eat my veg-etables. When I was a teen you

doubled and tripled these eff orts in order to keep me satisfi ed. When I was a man coming home from a hard day of work you had prepared for me a feast of love to soothe the wounds of my day, even when it was only hot dogs and macaroni and cheese.”

Give drink to the thirsty

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom pre-pared for you from the foundation of the world. When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink.”

Again we ask, “Lord, when did I see you thirsty and give you to drink?” And He will answer, “As a baby, as a toddler, as a child, a teen and man, you came to my aid and brought me a drink.

With the countless nursings and refi lling my sippy cup, in making the juice and bringing me water while I laboured to cut the lawn or paint the house. When you did it for these in your care, you did it for Me.”

Clothe the naked

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. When I was naked, you gave me your cloak.”

“Lord, when did I see you naked?”

And He will answer, “In every diaper you changed. In the mountains of laundry over the years. In the time well spent looking for aff ordable clothing that fi t well. Every time you put off buying that new dress so that your children could have new shoes you saw and cared for me. When you waited on that haircut so that the youngest could get a winter coat that fi t, it was me you sacrifi ced for. When you decided that the old maternity clothes would do for one more pregnancy so that your husband could look his best for work you served me. When you did it for your family, you did it for Me.”

Shelter the Homeless

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. When I was homeless, you gave me shelter.”

“Lord, when did I see you homeless?” And he will answer, “Every time you washed the dishes, swept the fl oor, dusted the shelves, you made a home for me. Every time you welcomed someone into your home and showed them love and made them feel welcome, you welcomed and loved me. When you let the children from the neighbourhood join your family for dinner or playtime, you included me. All of the acts of hospitality that you

performed within your home, you gave to me.”

Visit the sick

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. When I was sick, you cared for me.”

“Lord, when did I care for you when you were sick?” And he will answer, “Do you remember the countless nights of rocking your sick baby? Do you remember when she threw up in her bed 3 times in a night and you generously cleaned it up and put her back to bed? Do you remember the trips to the store for special foods and medicine to bring comfort and healing to your children? Do you remember the hours spent in the waiting room to see the doctor? Do you remember bringing that meal to your friends when their mother was dying? When you did all of these things, you did it to me.”

Visit those in prison

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. When I was imprisoned, you visited me.”

“Lord, when did I visit you when you were imprisoned?” And he will answer, “Prisons are not only made of bars. When your babies were “imprisoned” by the limitations of their size and their inability to walk, you carried them to and fro. When your children were “imprisoned” by the limits you set for them, by being unable to do what other children were doing, you provided them with good alternatives. When your teens were “imprisoned” by peer

pressure, you encourage and strengthen them. When your children were imprisoned by fear of failure, addiction or sin, you spent countless hours and sleepless nights on your knees, bringing them to me, entrusting them to My Heart for healing and freedom. When your husband was “imprisoned” by the labour of his work for your family, you provided a home that was a haven for him. When you did these things, you did it to me.”

Th e vocation of wife and mother is such a beautiful way of service to the Lord. It is such a beautiful path to holiness. Let us pray for the grace to be faithful to our vocation so that at our own judgment we will hear,

“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, you who spent a hidden life of service to me through the family I gave to you.

─☜☞─

� a� the haunting moments of m� herho� , few rank with hearing y� r � n w� ds come � t of y� r daughter’s m� th.

VICTORIA SECUNDA

Th is is my story so please be kind...

I don’t think anyone chooses to be a single parent. I don’t think anybody sets out married life, plans to have children, to then bring them up on their own. Circumstances, life, choices people make, and consequences of those choices sometimes mean that children are not brought up, nurtured or have models in the optimal way- in God’s way. When I had children, I never thought, never imagined I would end up being a single parent. In my case, my marriage wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but for me, my vows were “for better, for worse” and I thought God would see me, and us, through it till the end.

When a marriage breaks up however, whatever the reason(s), it’s never pretty, so it’s good to have friends and family to support you. But what does that mean? What does “support” mean in those circumstances? Probably for everyone it looks a bit diff erent, so I can only tell you what it meant and means to me.

Prayer - God gave me 2 very special friends, my prayer triplet! We met regularly and so they knew what was going on in my life. When it then came to crisis time, when words failed me, when all I felt was pain, confusion and

fear of what would come next, they were able to pray for me in very specifi c ways and with insight (as well as share the odd vino too). Some of my family are Christians - I knew that they too were pray-ing for me. Th is in itself is such a source of strength and support- knowing others are lifting you up, when you yourself don’t have the courage to do so (Romans 8:26,27). Pray for your friends and their children!

Practical help - this is a tough one! Sure, when I was mid-crisis, unable to really think at all, living in a world of numbness, receiving help from others is what keeps you alive, keeps you going on a day to day basis, until you are in a place ready to move forwards again. And so it was that friends and family helped me to organise my move. We were living abroad, so when it all went pear-shaped, the children and I came home. In the space of 6 weeks I started and ended a new job, took furniture apart, packed up our belongings, organised a birthday party, ar-ranged a van with 2 drivers to move our lives back to the UK. Most of this I did alone, but friends rallied round, off ered their unique skills, or just “mucked in” which made it at all possible. What skills do you have? Could somebody you know use that skill? Be prepared to muck in and lend a hand! (1 Cor 12:12)

What about now? Well, everybody

is diff erent- maybe I’m a particularly “hard nut”, but accepting help from others is not always easy. I was brought up to be independent and I guess having a stubborn streak doesn’t help my fi erce independence...Th is means that although our lives have settled into a routine, I do still need help in other practical ways. I don’t like to ask, in fact, I really struggle with it. Pride gets in the way! I think I’m being weak, that I can’t cope, that I should be able to do everything. When you look around you, even in church, superfi cially at least, everybody else seems to be doing just fi ne, everybody is coping. Groups of friends huddle together, chatting, exchanging pleasantries- but do you really know what is going on behind that smile? Maybe you do. If not, fi nd out what needs your friends/acquaintances have- and do something about it.

And don’t forget the children - they are missing a parent! As a single parent, I realise time and time again, I can’t be both parents at the same time, even though often I have to be. It is wonderful to have church family who step in and, even if only for a few hours, are the role model of the ”other parent”. Often it is the father who is absent - Men in the church, here is your golden opportunity to show the youngsters what it means to be a Man of God. Where the mother is absent, who will speak wise words and give instructions with kindness (Proverbs 31:26)?

Unfortunately, I have a preconceived idea of what others think about single parents and in my mind, I have to prove to them that I’m not like that. My sense of what I should be like as a parent is that I have to be perfect, I have to be even better than families with 2 parents. Th is is of course totally wrong, unachievable and coupled with my independent upbringing, a very ungodly way of thinking - but God and I are working on this, and He is teaching me to be humble and dependent on Him, but it’s defi nitely a “work-in-progress”. Sadly, this means that it may be more diffi cult to fi nd out what needs I have, but single parents are no diff erent to others, even if we pretend to be in control. So as God is working His stuff out in me and changing me, please be kind and patient. As you talk to single parents, try to think outside the box, be more creative and persistent. Is it a babysitter they need? Off er with a diary in hand -make a date. Is it gardening- turn up with a spade. Is it DIY - don’t just lend the tools, make it DIFY - fi nd the time to go round and Do It For You (Galatians 6:10).

Finally, just like all of us, single parents need friends. Someone who will listen and laugh, constructively criticise and care, not judge or jape but bring chocolate and coff ee.

Side withIndependentNurtureGoodwillLaughEncourage

Provide forAnxietyRestoreEmotionsNew each dayTendernessServe

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,

especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

“ “

Galatians 6:10

Unfortunately, I have a preconceived idea of what others think about single parents and in my mind, I have to prove to them that I’m not like that. My sense of what I should be like as a parent is that I have to be perfect, I have to be even better than families with 2 parents. Th is is of course totally wrong, unachievable and coupled with my independent upbringing, a very ungodly way of thinking - but God and I are working on this, and He is teaching me to be humble and dependent on Him, but it’s defi nitely a “work-in-progress”. Sadly, this means that it may be more diffi cult to fi nd out what needs I have, but single parents are no diff erent to others, even if we pretend to be in control. So as God is working His stuff out in me and changing me, please be kind and patient. As you talk to single parents, try to think outside the box, be more creative and persistent. Is it a babysitter they need? Off er with a diary in hand -make a date. Is it gardening- turn up with a spade. Is it DIY - don’t just lend the tools, make it DIFY - fi nd the time to go round and Do It For You (Galatians 6:10).

Finally, just like all of us, single parents need friends. Someone who will listen and laugh, constructively criticise and care, not judge or jape but bring chocolate and coff ee.

Side withIndependentNurtureGoodwillLaughEncourage

Provide forAnxietyRestoreEmotionsNew each dayTendernessServe

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,

especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

“ “

Galatians 6:10

Meetour

Memberyoungest

official

Where were you born and do you have any siblings?I was born in Winchester and I’ve always lived here, with Mum, Dad and younger brother Josh

Favourite subject at school?History or Geography

Were you every told of at school?I was always being told to stop talking! But other than that I’m always terribly well behaved....

What are you studying at Peter Symonds?I’m currently studying Psychology, Sociology, Dance and Geography at Peter Symonds College.

How long have you been at WBC?I’ve been coming here with my family for about 5 years now, and I’ve been part of the edge for 3.

Dream Job? I’ve still got no idea what I want to do in the future but knowing that God’s got it planned is the exciting part!

What’s your favourite chocolate bar?Galaxy caramel

Roseanna Feltham-King

What’s been your best holiday/adventure so far?A Christian performing arts holiday I went on this summer combined dancing, the chance to meet loads of new friends, and the opportunity to hear more from God.

How would you describe WBC to a newcomer?Welcoming, friendly, and fun

What’s your favourite bible verse(s)?Lamentations 3:21-24

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His

compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.

<<

<==>

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We’re really excited to have welcomed Roseanna into membership here at Winchester Baptist Church. She’s been a part of the youth work here for about fi ve years, as a member of Fresh until last year, and a member of the Edge for the last few years. You’ve probably seen her serving on the projection desk on Sundays, or helping with coff ee occasionally with the other young people of Winbap or maybe even welcomed you at the front door!

She approached us about becoming a member a good number of months ago, not just so she could be involved in the process of deciding who the next Senior Pastor will be, but also because she wanted to show her commitment to the wider congregation of Winchester Baptist Church. She’s probably the fi rst young person in a while to become a member, which might make you think – is there an age limit to membership?

Th e answer is no, there isn’t. Our church constitution states that ‘Entry into Membership will involve rigorous examination and, therefore, no minimum age for voting is imposed.’“Rigorous examination???!!!” I hear you cry; don’t be put off . Anyone who has become a member of Winchester Baptist Church will tell you that this

‘rigorous examination’ is not a rifl ing through your house tocheck how many bibles you own and how well they’ve been read, but rather, a friendly interview style conversation over a meal or cup of tea (with cake, if I am doing it!).

One of the brilliant things about becoming a member is that you get the opportunity to share a bit of your testimony with those in the church you may not know yet. We ask you to tell us a bit about how you become a Christian, your family background, your journey of faith, areas you’d like to serve in and how we can serve and pray for you as a congregation. If you’d like to know a bit more about becoming a member of WBC, you can chat to James Dawson, the church secretary, or come and fi nd someone in the congregation who you know is already a member and we’ll point you in the right direction!

Don’t let anyone look down

on you because you are young,

but set an example

for the believers

in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

Becca

Slow DanceHave you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfl y’s erratic fl ight?Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down. Don’t dance so fast.Time is short. The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day on the fl y?When you ask, “How are you?” Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed?With the next hundred chores running through your

head?

You’d better slow down. Don’t dance so fast.Time is short. The music won’t last.

Ever told your child, “We’ll do it tomorrow?”And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a good friendship dieCause you never had time to call and say, “hi”

You’d better slow down. Don’t dance so fast.Time is short. The music won’t last.

When you run so fast to get somewhereYou miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,It is like an unopened gift...thrown away.

Life is not a race. Do take it slowerHear the music before the song is over.

How

Soldiers

honour

their

Father

in heaven

LEE PHILIPSON

I have been asked to share something of how soldiers can honour their Father in Heaven? First of all, what does it mean to honour?

Well the dictionary defi nition is this: to give praise and attention to someone who is worthy of our esteem or respect. Here are three ways we can honour someone:

Firstly, we honour people with our bodies, how we behave in their presence. A little while ago, Debs and I received an invitation to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, you can be certain that when we visited the Palace, we were dressed in our best clothes and on our best behaviour. As Christians, we honour our Father in heaven, by not giving ourselves over to fl eshly lusts; after all, we are told that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We ensure that our words and deeds are for the edifi cation of the local church, as well as the “whosoever” around us, that way they will have nothing bad to say about us. In Colossians 3:20 it says, “Children obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the LORD.”

Secondly, we can honour people, in how much of our time do we give up, in order to be with them. Do we go out of our way to spend time with them, putting our own desires to one side? With our Father in Heaven, do we honour the Sabbath Day and attend services of worship, or do our own desires and lusts get in the way? For example, on the Sabbath do we go shopping, or eat out; both of which, have us encouraging others to work on the Sabbath in order to satisfy our desires.

Th irdly, we can also honour people fi nancially, in how we spend our money with, or on them. If our earthly father had a fi nancial need, would we readily go to his aid or would we let him sink in his own problem? As Christians, do we

honour our Father in Heaven by giving of our fi rst-fruits, the best of what we have? Do we give him in our tithe a gross 10%, or a net 10%?

With a soldier, his approach on how he lives for his Father in Heaven is no diff erent to you or mine. With a soldier, one of the things that he learns in his basic training is something called the Core Values. Th ey are Courage (Moral and Physical), Discipline (Military and Self ), Respect for Others, Integrity, Loyalty and Selfl ess Commitment. Th ese are biblical values, and if the soldier strives to live by them, in using them as his yard stick, he will fi nd himself well on his way to pleasing Almighty GOD. When a Christian seeks to give GOD the priority in his heart, this will be refl ected in the way that he leads his life.

For we know, that we honour GOD by doing the right thing; as the Initial Training Group motto says “Doing the right thing on a diffi cult day.” As a Christian in the Army, every day can be a “diffi cult day”, especially as he or she faces the temptations around them, to cut corners, disobey orders or to feed their fl eshly desires; but if we honour GOD’S commandments, mainly, to love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; as well as loving your neighbour as yourself, then His name will be honoured by those around us. Th e soldier serves and protects those who cannot do it for themselves, and in doing so, they fulfi l the commandment to love thy neighbour as you love yourself; by wanting, and doing the best for those around them, even to the point of putting their own lives on

the line, which is a perfect illustration of selfl ess commitment.

Th e main way for a soldier to live a GOD honouring life is to keep that close relationship with his Creator, and this is achieved by having a disciplined approach to his prayer life; for as a soldier knows, good communication is vital, and it is essential for a Christian to have a regular communication with their Father in Heaven. Coupled with this, is the desire to be found regularly studying GOD’S word. GOD speaks to us clearly through His word. Prayer and Bible Study is encouraged at Winchester by the weekly Sunday services and the two sessions of Prayer and Bible study that are run for the benefi t of the trainees and permanent staff .

So you see, the way a soldier is to live for Christ is no diff erent in its emphasis, than it is for any one of us. Th e only diff erence being, that what they decide to do or not, can, when on operations, eff ect someone’s life in an irreversible manner; which is why the teaching of the core values is so important.

“The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of aff liction.

CHARLES SPURGEON

Whats on.... Sunday

10am - Tea & coffee provided afterwards Creche - up to 3 yrs Sparklers - 3 to Yr R All Stars - Yr 1 - 3 Trailblazers - Yr 4 - 6 FRESH - Yr 7 upwards

6.30pm - Tea and coffee provided afterwards

Monday

Re:store - 10am creche provided Helen Revans

Tuesday

2.15pm - Tuesday Afternoon Women’s Fellowship alternate weeks - Roz Gearon 8pm - Church Prayer Meeting (first Tuesday in the month) 8pm - Teg Down Small Group (Favour Cluster) Jo May 8pm - Location Cluster (2nd & 4th) David & Ann Hook 8pm - Favour Cluster South Winchester (Gareth & Catherine Bartlett) 8pm - Kings Worthy Small Group (Connect Cluster) Ben Clifton and Rachel Dawson

Wednesday

7-8am - Prayer Meeting in Tweedley Room 8pm - Chandler Ford Small Group (2nd & 4th - Favour Cluster) Carol and David Bailey 8pm - Stanmore Small Group Luke & Jo Meharg

Thursday

1.30pm - Silver Service (1st in the month) David & Hannah Strutt 7.30pm - The Edge (Yrs 9 and above) Becca Baxter 8pm - Badger Farm Small Group (Honour Cluster) Jean Sweetenham

Friday 9.45am - Real Life Cluster Tony Mundy 10am - Friday Fun (2 ¹/2 - 5 year olds) Diana Wills

Associate PastorRev Tim Williamson 01962 868770tim @ winbap . org . uk

Mission to SeniorsHannah and David Strutthannahanddavid @ winbap . org . uk

Children’s Ministry WorkerEli Stewart eli @ winbap . org . uk

Associate Youth WorkerBecca Baxter becca @ winbap . org . uk

Pastoral WorkerEunice Nicholsoneunice @ winbap . org . uk

EldersSheila McAulaysheila @ winbap.org.ukCarol Bailey carol @ winbap . org . uk

Church SecretaryJames Dawsonchurchsec @ winbap . org . uk

Assistant Church SecretaryJohn Pickett

TreasurerPeter Howeschurchtreas @ winbap . org . uk

BookkeeperAlison Stanbrookbookkeeper @ winbap . org . uk

DeaconsWayne Isaac 01962 868770

MissionJoanne Meharg mission @ winbap . org . uk

Operations Manager opsmanager @ winbap . org . uk

Winchester Baptist ChurchSwan Lane

Winchester SO23 7AA01962 868770

FEBRUARYSUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1 2

3 4 5 6 7

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26

D A T E S F O R Y O U R D I A R Y

Prayer Meeting 7-8am

Prayer Meeting 7-8am

Friday FunTh e Edge

Re:store -Ladies Group

28

Church Prayer Meeting 8pm

MARCH SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

1

3

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25

Prayer Meeting 7-8am

Prayer Meeting 7-8am

Prayer Meeting 7-8amChurch Meeting

PM Communion Service

AM Communion ServiceFellowshipOff ering

Prayer and Praise Meeting8pm

4 5 6 7 8 9

February

5th - Prayer and Praise

6th - Silver Service

10th - All Age Service

12th - Winbap Kids Family Pancake Evening.

15th - Edge Social

21st - Silver Seekers

23rd - Honour Training Day

March

3rd - Tear Fund Sunday

5th - Prayer and Praise

6th - Silver Service

17th - Honour Gospel Concert

20th - Church Meeting

21st - Silver Seekers

22nd-24th - Church Weekend Away

28th - Edge Social @ Winbap

29th - COGS Easter Event

30th - Clocks go forward

31st - Summertime Begins26 27 28 29

8 9

30Prayer Meeting 7-8am

Re:store -Ladies Group

27

CAP course

Silver Seekers

Re:store -Ladies Group

31

PM Communion Service

AM Communion Service

g

Re:store -Ladies Group

Re:store -Ladies Group

2

Re:store -Ladies Group

Re:store -Ladies Group

Prayer Meeting 7-8am

Prayer Meeting 7-8am

Th e Edge

Th e Edge

Th e Edge

Th e Edge

No Edge

Th e Edge - Social