It is amazing where an idea can go when it is God inspired. When Rachel heard what was going on at her daughter's school in Warks. she thought this can happen here in Sapcote. The idea was to provide for families or individuals for the two days of Christmas with food, fun and presents. She shared her thoughts with others and they readily came on board. This quickly became a community project involving the two churches in the village, the village primary school, the parish council, local support groups and the regional Co-Op.Through some sensitive enquiries eventually 18 individuals and families (63 people in total) were identified. Packing day was the Saturday before Christmas. On this day box wrappers and box fillers assembled. Fresh vegetables and home-made cakes were delivered on the day joining tinned goods (from the local foodbank), already wrapped presents supplied by individual villagers and crackers, chocolates and vouchers from the Regional Co-Op. Looking at it in the packing factory (All Saints Church Hall) one of the team Di said, " We have been overwhelmed by donations and have received everything needed in abundance, and more! God's provision is incredible!"The parcels all got packed up correctly over 5hrs on the Saturday and were all safely delivered to the waiting recipients over the next two days. "It was very humbling seeing the delight & excitement in children's eyes and the gratitude expressed by the adults as I turned up with boxes" said Jim, one of the delivery drivers.Our prayers were that those receiving parcels would feel and experience the love and support of the Sapcote community and especially that they would feel God's love, comfort, joy and hope at Christmas. The initial response gave us hope that this might be so.
To the nation4 November 2020Dear Friends,These are deeply challenging and difficult times for us all. When we are surrounded by fearand suffering, it can be hard to feel hopeful. This coming winter feels like it will be longer anddarker than usual.There is a story in the Bible where Jesus and his disciples are caught in a storm. The disciplesare understandably terrified as the wind and waves threaten to overpower them. ‘Why are youso afraid?’, Jesus asks. This year, we too have been caught in a storm which often feelsoverwhelming. And yet we can look to Jesus, in the boat with us, who calms the storm andcomforts us in our fear.We are writing to share our belief that whoever you are, and whatever you happen to believe,you are loved by God. Beyond measure. We also want you to know that we are praying foryou, particularly asking that Christ’s love will comfort us, calm our fears, and lead our nationand our world through this terrible pandemic. Starting this week, we have asked every churchto pray each day at 6pm. We invite you to join with us. You’ll be able to find simple resourceson the Church of England website and social media channels.There are three other responses that we want to encourage everyone to consider -First, let’s be calm. By only buying what we need and not hoarding, or by reaching out to ourneighbours as we did during the first lockdown, we can be stronger together in ways that areimpossible if we go it alone. When things go wrong - as they always will with such complexchallenges - let us look for good and right ways forward together.Secondly, let’s be courageous. There are many reasons to be fearful at the moment, but thestory of Christ calming the waves calls us to give our fears to Jesus and have faith in Him. TheBritish willingness just to get on with things is one of our very best characteristics – let us notbe paralysed by fear. We will all need each other's courage in the months to come.Thirdly, let’s be compassionate. So many of us are holding so much pain - our own and thepain of those we love. We will need to be gentle, kind and patient with each other. In the firstwave we showed we are a nation of compassion and kindness. Let’s dig deep and keep thatlove for our neighbours strong in this second time of struggle.Even though there is much darkness around us, there are also many points of light in the weeksahead. This Sunday is Remembrance Day. As we remember the courage and sacrifice of those whogave everything for this nation in war, we are also reminded of the possibility for hope afterdestruction, of new life after suffering. In the coming weeks, there are great religiousceremonies. For Hindus, Sikhs and Jains there is Diwali, the festival of light. Sikhs willcelebrate the birth of Guru Nanak. The Jewish community will observe Hanukkah. ManyMuslim communities have just celebrated Eid-e-Milad, the anniversary of the birth ofMuhammad.Soon it will be Christmas. At his birth Jesus was also called Emmanuel. It’s a word that appearsin lots of carols. It means ‘God is with us’. And this is the message of Christmas: in Jesus, Godis with us, sharing our darkness and our struggles, bringing comfort and joy. It is the source ofour hope. As the Bible says: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did notovercome it.” (John 1:5) Let us shine in the darkness of this winter.May God bless you and keep you, and all those you love.The Most Revd & Rt Hon Justin Welby The Most Revd & Rt H
Generous Giving – As Christians we continue to give generously at Harvest time and throughout the year.To encourage us this year, we have a guest speaker, Sally Bossingham, on Sunday, 11 October at both St Helen's, Sharnford, 10.00am, and All Saints Sapcote, 11.00am.Sally is from the Generous Giving team in the Leicester Diocese.
