David writes: 'Today is an important day for our neighbours the Mori family. It’s a bright autumn morning in 2023 and a car pulls up outside the remains of their house. For the last few weeks, the old house opposite us has been torn down and cleared away. Thankfully though, this situation is not the result of an earthquake. No, the Mori family are building a new home and today the first worker appears on the construction site. But this worker doesn’t wear a hardhat or a fluorescent jacket, instead he has a briefcase and is wearing a long robe. This person is a priest from the local Shinto shrine. A representative of Japan’s traditional religion and he’s there to purify the land and invoke blessings for the new house that will be built there. Standing in the middle of the empty building site the priest sets up a small, temporary shrine and begins his work. As he recites the blessing liturgy, he scatters salt on the ground. The priest is there for only a few minutes before he leaves but for the average Japanese person, he has done something very important. For the Mori family he has blessed the ground that they will build their house, and their home, on. A few months later the house is complete, the construction equipment has been removed and the family moves in. And the family starts this new chapter of their life built on the prayers, and salt, of a Shinto priest.'David and his family are in Japan building relationships and sharing the good news that Jesus is the only true foundation for our lives.
'My friend struggled with the zip of her suitcase. ‘I’ve got a souvenir from Switzerland for you. I do hope it hasn’t got squashed!’ Fortunately it wasn’t. It turned out to be a Swiss Easter delicacy – a cake in the shape of what I instantly recognized to be a lamb! Far too cute to be cut into with a knife, but delicious when I eventually bowed to temptation. I had never heard of Easter lamb cakes before. But actually, they are far more meaningful symbols of Jesus’ death and resurrection than the more common Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. His death on the cross is predicted in these words from the book of Isaiah.He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.In the New Testament Jesus is described as ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’ My Easter lamb cake became a wonderful reminder that Jesus stood in my place at the cross taking the wrath of God upon himself in order that I might be forgiven and come into an intimate, close relationship with my Creator and Father God. Do click on the link below if you would like to read more about the significance of the phrase ‘the Lamb of God.’By Revd. Miriam Davis
Got questions about life and the Christian faith? Why not join a small group looking at the topics below.Every Tuesday evening starting April 9th 2024 for six weeks at 7:45pm for about an hour (refreshments from 7:30pm). In our church office. All warmly welcome.- What’s life all about and where are we going?- Does God exist and what is He like?- Why is the world in such a mess?- Who was Jesus, and is He relevant?- What does Jesus’ death on the cross mean for me today?- How far can I go forward with God in my life?Each session involves video clips, group discussion and time for reflection and is free to attend. Contact the church office for booking or more details.
On Tuesday mornings during school term time our ‘Open the Book’ team are invited to present the assembly at Hillview Primary School to share Bible stories with the children. ‘Open the Book’ is a national project, currently run by the Bible Society. It was established in 1999 by a small group of churches in Bedford, as a result of concerns amongst Christians that many children are not aware of the stories contained in the Bible. The ‘Open the Book’ project was then introduced into schools in Gloucestershire, and a current member of our congregation played a key role in its development after being inspired at a Children’s Ministry Conference in Eastbourne. The project has since experienced huge growth nationally. Schools interested in linking up with ‘Open the Book’ can find out which churches are connected with an ‘Open the Book’ team on the Bible Society website.Bible stories have influenced world history and literature. They are embedded in British culture and traditions and are therefore relevant to all children. ‘Open the Book’ helps schools to fulfil the requirement to have Christian input into their assemblies and provides the format and training for the story tellers. The Bible story is told in a relevant way so that the children can connect it with their own lives and experiences. This usually involves lots of fun props, costumes, audience participation and ‘I helped Open the Book’ stickers. At a recent assembly a teacher was given the role of ‘Goliath’, the Philistine giant defeated by ‘David’, a small shepherd boy. The children thought it was very funny when ‘Goliath’ fell to the ground! The Bible story is followed by a period of reflection and a prayer which is worded inclusively to respect all beliefs. Following a recent story about the great friendship between ‘David’ and ‘Johnathan’, the son of Saul, King of Israel, the children reflected on the the importance of looking after their friends and choosing to do the right thing for them. At the end of the assembly the children showed their appreciation with an enthusiastic chorus of ‘Thank you Open the Book’ and lots of smiley faces!
