We made it safely to and from Kenya for our volunteer trip and had a wonderful time. The primary school we support is expanding to include junior secondary classrooms on the same site, and we helped to dig the foundations, construct new desks, repaint blackboards, paint murals and organise the school library. Out of many highlights, one was visiting a new five-acre site deep in the countryside which one day will be the location of a senior secondary school. The plan is that older children will be able to leave the cramped confines of the slum and board in the fresh air, finishing their education in a much better environment. As we planted trees and nailed corrugated iron sheets to a simple building, we enjoyed the heady scent of lemons that pervades the site.Thinking about it all a week later I’m reminded of the Bible verse which reads:The Lord brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18: 19We look forward to this dream becoming a reality. More information on the charity we were working with can be found at https://www.tabsinternational.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/TabsinternationalAs promised, you’ll see in this issue an advert for our Summer Fun activity days (Tuesdays in August) at the Village Hall. They are all free, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Do come! And do join us for our services in Barmston Church in July:Sunday 7th July – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 14th July – Family Service at 4.00 pm.Sunday 21st July – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Our weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel are at 11.00 and are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
Barmston Church has in the past supported a little charity with a big name – TABS International – which supports a school in a slum area of Kenya, on the outskirts of Thika, about an hour north of Nairobi. As you read this I’ll be about to travel there on a two-week volunteer trip, to see how the project is getting on and to do some painting and ground work as the school prepares to expand. There will be twelve of us from all parts of the UK, including Kevin Oldfield, a formerly homeless man from Bridlington, who has overcome a number of hurdles to get where he is today. It’s going to be an exciting trip.The church has been celebrating Pentecost, the festival which commemorates the sending of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ first followers, propelling them into the world to share the good news of His resurrection and certain return. In our case, we’re more likely to receive messages of faith than give them, but the Spirit-inspired impulse to cross boundaries and travel outwards in Jesus’ name remains strong.Closer to home, during the four Tuesdays in August, Revd Heather will be leading activities for families – both local and visitors – based in the Village Hall. More details in next week’s issue.Do join us for our services in Barmston Church in June:Sunday 2nd June – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 9th June – Family Service at 4.00 pm.Sunday 16th June – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 30th June – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Our weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel are at 11.00 and are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
When did it become acceptable to be horrible to each other? At the time of writing, party political adverts are popping through the door and popping up on social media, pundits are making pronouncements on the TV and radio, and so often people are demonising some group or other that they hardly know. By contrast I’ve found that getting to know people who are different from myself in background or opinion makes life much more interesting. It doesn’t hurt to have my own views challenged. Whether I change my mind or become more confirmed in what I think, at least I’ll be acting on the basis of deeper knowledge rather than prejudice.The Bible is full of practical advice for people from different cultures trying to muddle on together in what were then brand-new churches. One such line is ‘Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.’ Whether we’re crossing continents or trying to put up with the people next door, it’s good advice for us too.Services in Barmston Church in May:Sunday 5th May – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 12th May – Family Service at 4.00 pm.Sunday 19th May – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Our weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel are at 11.00 and are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
From the Curate, the Revd Heather Groocock...After what has been a long, cold and very wet winter, nature is beginning to show signs of Spring – daffodils are in flower in our gardens and road verges, hedges and trees are showing signs of new leaf growth. In our garden, blackbirds have been busily gathering nesting material and taking it into the hedge. In Bempton, where I live, the gannets and other seabirds are returning to the cliffs. Nature, which has seemed dead and cold, especially with the dark nights for the last few months is coming alive again.When Christians celebrate Easter we remember Jesus coming to life again having been publicly crucified and placed in a grave. From his death and resurrection came new life for us all who believe in his grace and mercy.There is an Easter hymn, ‘Now the Green Blade Riseth’ which links the theme of grain, which has lain in the ground all winter, and which springs to live as the weather warms up, with Christ’s resurrection, which brings forth again God’s love for us all. The hymn has four short verses, the final line of each is, ‘Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.’May you all have a joyous and blessed Easter, and with the coming of Spring, remember the new life that is promised to all of us in Christ.Services in Barmston Church in April:-Sunday 7th April – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Sunday 14th April – Family Service at 4.00 pm.Sunday 21st April – Holy Communion at 9.30 am.Our weekly services on Sundays at Emmanuel are at 11.00 and are livestreamed on our Facebook page and are available shortly afterwards on YouTube.
