Change the world

You can change the world! 

It may seem far fetched but that is what we believe: 

God made you to make a difference! 

But he never intended for you to do it alone. 

We need to be joined up with one another and with God. 

That is why the Church is so important...

Did you know that Churches in the UK provide half the toddler & parent groups the biggest network of debt counselors and fed over 100,000 hungry people last year? 

In Chatteris we have a big vision for God's healing and wholeness 
poured out to the whole town. 

People around may not see God but they can see the Church and the Church is made up of people just like you!

Together we are 

God's hands and feet  

The body of Christ   

The light of the world  

scattering the darkness of 
lies, 
fear and 
dread 
through the reconciling message of the cross.

As the Church enters the season of Lent, we each remember our own Baptism into the death of Christ. 

If you are like me and can't remember your actual baptism - no worries. We still remember that something wonderful has happened which means that we no longer belong to ourselves. 
 "We belong – in body and soul, in life and in death, to our faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ" (Heidelberg Catachism).
 
Because we have died with Christ in our baptism, we know that we will also rise with him. We don't need to wait until this life ends. The risen life starts now, empowering us to live as one body.  (see Romans 6)

As we eat Christ's spiritual food, feeding on his word and sacrament we share a spiritual connection, discover out vocation, and reach for a higher purpose. 

This is why our Sunday worship and our life together is so important! 

We are Easter people, dependent on the Spirit of Christ, called to do nothing less than to change the world. And you are called to make the difference. 

Go for it! 

Review 2014

Just like you can't see the wood for the trees, it is often the case that you can't see God at work until you look back. When we can see the whole picture, we recognize that we were never alone. Not only was God with us, but he brought many others alongside us as well.

Each year at our Annual Parish Church Meeting we also look back to celebrate what God has been doing. If you look closely you too might see that - through the power of his Gospel - God is building us together into his Church here in Chatteris.

Here is a visual reminder of the year in a 10 minute video. The music in this video is from the albums of two friends, Brenton Brown and Steve James. If you like their music, I encourage you to purchase their albums. Enjoy

 

Chatteris survey 2013

Last summer the church set out to hold a simple survey visiting every house in Chatteris. We hope you’ll be interested in our results. In practice with about 20 volunteers we managed to visit some 700 homes in our town.  Many thanks to those who did the work.

We asked people what they liked about living in Chatteris

• 40% told us that in Chatteris the people are friendly

• 22% said this is a quiet and peaceful town. 

• Other answers included house prices, and some like Chatteris because they’ve always lived here.

Answers were more varied when people were asked to tell us one thing they would like to change. A lot told us nothing needed changing, but about one in six are concerned about the shops in Chatteris, empty shops and things we can’t buy without going to March or Ely. A similar number are concerned about public transport; some would like to see the railway re-opened but recognise that’s not going to happen, but many believe the bus services could be improved. Another popular concern was the shortage of faculties for young people.

The main purpose of the survey was two-fold. First of all it was a tool which our church could use to find out more about our town. It is so important that we keep in touch with the thoughts and concerns of those in our parish if we - as the church - are to be effective in our ministry. Secondly it was a way for people in the town to voice their concerns and if there were any burning issues we could pass them on. Some people shared concerns about the town others took the opportunity to ask for prayer. The church prayed over each individual prayer request at least three times. 

We continue to lift our town before the throne of God, praying for wisdom and revelation so that the eyes of our hearts would be opened to his kingdom coming in this place.  

Wedding Fayre

Love is in the air, or so it seems in Chatteris at least. Nineteen weddings booked and we are getting set for our second Wedding Fayre. It will take place on Saturday 18th February between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. 

I am really looking forward to it! Although I had my hesitations first time around, last year's experience convinced me that it is a wonderful way to reach out to the community.

“I didn't realise that the Church was interested in weddings.” someone said to me.  We were waiting for the doors to open for our first wedding fayre and I was chatting with one of the stall holders. She went on to say: “I've never seen a wedding fayre in a church before. And I have been to a lot of wedding fayres!” 

I had to agree with her that hosting a wedding fayre was new territory for us. (I was shaking in my shoes!) But, when it came to weddings, and indeed marriage, I tried to explain that the church was in fact very interested. The Bible teaches that marriage was God's idea in the first place. 

That was the first conversation of many which convinced me that we needed to open our doors.

We hosted our first wedding fayer on Saturday 2^nd March 2013. The nave was cleared of chairs to make room for twenty stalls, from bridal gowns to bartenders, florists to make up artists. Outside was a hog roast while horses and a tiffany carriage stood ready to offer rides down the high street. 

“Wedding fayres are an absolute 'must' for the majority of brides” stated Ellen Arkle. “Holding a fayre in church is a natural way to embrace local business whilst welcoming those couples who have not considered a Church ceremony.” Ellen had helped the whole PCC to see the wonderful opportunity that was in front of us. Using her experience as a Wedding Planner, Ellen was able to organise a professional event while helping me to engage with couples who, for one reason or another, had not chosen to be married in a church.

The usual bridal gifts were offered, along with fashion shows and cake competitions, but this was a fayre with a difference. The vicar's table provided books about marriage guidance and a glass of champagne to those who sat down to chat about their plans, explore questions about marriage law, or discuss personal pastoral issues. 

 

After meeting with over fifty couples, I was amazed to see some brides in tears because they discovered too late that they could have been married in church. I was shocked to realise that so many myths remain about the church being an unwelcoming place for those who have not been baptized or who had been through a divorce. 

Pitch fees were reasonable and those who contributed were given a free space. Even so, over £1000. was raised for church funds. By the end of the day, we were tired, but grateful for all the postitive feedback from both brides and businesses. As Cake Decorator Heather Bicknell said, “The day was a beautiful way to show off the stunning historic building that is our church.”  The event not only opened the doors to our building but emotional and spiritual doors too. 

Hopefully the message is finally getting out: The church is very interested in your wedding!

Summer

Summer has finally arrived. 

It's been nine years 

since we moved to Chatteris. 

I can remember the day we arrived, 
blowing in with a February blizzard; 
a toddler in one hand 
and a newborn baby in the other. 
Where did the time go? 

Although some would no doubt still count as 'incomers', we quickly got 'stuck in' - putting down roots so that there is now a sense that our lives are being woven together with many others, into the unfolding fabric of this place. Yes, the Church is the people and not the building, but in Chatteris it didn't take long for me to see that the Parish Church stands like an historic icon at the centre. 

In Chatteris past, there was a Benedictine Abbey community of nuns who were responsible for the parish church, no doubt offering a well ordered oasis from the hell of everyday existence and a prayer-line to heaven. It was an island retreat for both pilgrims and saints.  

So it was not surprising that tinkers and tailors, tradesmen and farmers 

took refuge, gathering outside its gates, 

setting up shops and stalls until there developed a Market Town.

With the dissolution of the Abbey and the modernization of our town, 

the parish church remains at the centre:

Reminding us of it's place in the past

Contributing to the sense of social cohesion in present and 
Pointing us towards our purpose for the future.

The writer of Psalm 139 recognised the hand of God weaving together the threads of his own life, even before he was born. In the same way - like a Master Weaver - the Lord, in his beautiful purpose, still holds the threads of our lives together through his Church. 

After all, I wonder how can anyone 
claim to be a Christian without wanting

to be a part of his Church? 

It is a bit like claiming to be 
an 'eye' or an 'ear' 
without wanting to be part of a body.

It simply doesn't work. 
We all need a body.

The Bible as well as our own experience shows that Christian faith only works when 
we work it out together. 

(see 1 Corinthians 12-13)

I can honestly say that it is a real privilege to be a part of the parish church in Chatteris! For those who don't yet know, it is far from perfect and even a bit messy at times. But it also a safe place try out ideas, like starting the FOODBANK for example. There is a warm sense of teamwork a shared purpose as we work together for God's kingdom to come.

Many already know that we pray regularly for the town. But we needed a tool for better connecting with those for whom we pray.  So we thought, why don't we go out and ask people what they think and then how we might pray for them? That's how the idea for the survey began.

The Big Parish Survey
The plan of the survey is to ask as many residents of Chatteris as we can about their views on the town and how we can pray for them, over August and September. We want to let people know that at the parish church, we are listening to your concerns.

The survey will ask three questions:

• What is the best thing about living in Chatteris? 

• What is one thing you would like change about living in Chatteris?

• Is there anything specific you would like us to pray for?
  
  For those who are more technically minded, a fuller survey will be available online. 

  We plan to share the results of the first two questions in October and hopefully publish it in the local press. Prayer requests will be handled separately and given the undivided attention that they deserve. 

We hope that the whole project will build stronger bridges of understanding between us.

Searching

A few weeks ago a young man, starting attending services at the church. I will call him John. (Not his real name).  When I asked if he would like to meet up for coffee, he quickly said 'yes'. So one day last week, he came around.  

It didn't take long for the conversation to flow. "What prompted you to start coming along to church by yourself,' I asked.  

'I'm not sure", he said. " I thought there might be a God. If there is something out there, I wanted to find out. Since I started coming to church, all these coincidence have started happening.  Now I'm thinking, there must be a God.”

I listened to John's story as I do to so many, with great interest. Although his story is unique to John, it sounds so familiar. He was searching for something. 

You have probably heard the saying: “It is not what you know, but who you know that is important.” 

Perhaps as you read this blog, you recognize that you too are searching for something. A purpose in life? A fresh start? A new idea? A place to belong? Or even, like John, you might know that you are searching for God.

On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus did not ask Mary 'what?' she was looking for. He asked her 'who?' she was searching for, and that made all the difference. 

Knowing about Jesus is important. Knowing that nothing can stop God's love because he broke open the grave for you is important. 

But that knowledge in your head has no power unless it is experienced as new life flowing in your body and giving lifegiving love to your soul. Knowing about Jesus is important, but it is the act of knowing Jesus, and being in a relationship with him, the risen Saviour, that has the power to change your life.

This poster (above) is taken from the The Alpha Course. In Chatteris many people come along to the course to explore and find out more about Jesus. On the course you might learn more about Jesus and have an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your thoughts and concerns. But the Course, just like the first Easter event was not just about getting the information.

The story of Jesus is 'out there' for anyone who wants to know. Jesus was a good Jewish man who lived a long time ago in what is now modern day Israel. He was a teacher and a healer who demonstrated the love of God for people with signs and wonders. And in the end, he was executed like a criminal, not because he had done anything wrong, but because he was a man who claimed to be God. But we know the story doesn't finish there.

 

Crucified in Roman fashion, a soldier pierced his side with a spear to make sure he was officially dead. His body was then taken down and laid in a freshly cut tomb. A huge stone was rolled down into place, sealing it air-tight. A squadran of guards were posted. It was not suprising then that his followers hid themselves away behind locked doors. Their world had ended. Or so they must have thought.

Early the next morning, when it was still dark, a group of women took spices and oils to embalm the body of Jesus in the traditional Jewish way.  The group of women (Luke 24. 10) were rightly worried about how they might get into the tomb, because the stone was so large. 

I can imagine the scene. Imagine what it would have been like to arrive and see that the stone was rolled away. Imagine the confusion, when they couldn't find the body. They ran. They ran in all directions. Some of the women ran back to Jerusalem. Mary Magdeline literally ran into Peter and John. Falling at their feet sobbing, she exclaimed; 'They have taken our Lord out of the romb and we don't know where they have laid him!'  (John 20. 2)

 

Imagine the grief. Now Peter and John ran. But Mary couldn't bring herself to run anymore...

She stayed by the door of the grave weeping. Blinded by her grief, she couldn't even see the angels talking to her. But then, she hears the voice of Jesus, as he stands beside her. 

"Mary."  He says her name and the penny drops. Jesus shows himself to her and her world is turned upside down. She throws her arms around him.

'Mary!' - It gets as personal as that.

'Who are you looking for?'

Mary discovered the irony of faith: 
Jesus was looking for her. 

2000 years later and God is still seeking us out, one by one.  When we stop and turn to look, we find that he is standing right here. Right here with us. He seeks us out and once we have experienced his resurrection life, he sends us out to share the good news of this new life with others. 

Alleluia, Christ is risen!












 

Lent

Lent reminds me that nothing and no one in this world can really satisfy the deepest longings of my heart, because everything I can see will one day be gone. 

“Remember from dust you came
and from dust you will return."

During the Ash Wednesday service, Christians receive ash their foreheads to remind them of their Baptism; a sign of death and new birth.  And when we stop to think about it, our birth and death have a lot in common. Both mark the beginning of something new. 

Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan. When he arrived at the river, he saw crowds of people listening to John the Baptist. 'Prepare the way for the Lord' he preached. 'Turn away from sin and turn back to God'.

John's firey words were so powerful that people must have felt that God himself would arrive any minute! The truth of his preaching stung their conscience so many cried out to be made clean... and down into the river they went.

                  Going in and under the water,

                                 was like a death,

                                 dieing to the old self-sufficient 'self'.

                  Rising up out of the water,

                                was like a birth,

                                living and breathing for God,

                                with everything from God

John was surprised when Jesus came up to him and asked to be baptised. 

               'What? You should be the one baptizing me!' said John. 

But Jesus convinced him that it was the right thing to do, and so John took him into the river like all the others.  (Matthew 3. 13 - 17)

But when Jesus went down under the water and rose up again, it says that the Holy Spirit came on him and a voice from heaven said: 'This is my beloved Son. In him, I am well pleased!'  No one could see the voice, but the words broke in, and everyone heard it.

What a glorious picture of delight between a parent and child. Jesus was swimming in the river of his Father's pleasure; fully immersed in acceptance and drenched with joy, he knew where he belonged.

The Baptism of Christ, St Augustine's Church, Brighton

Over the centuries, many have followed Jesus into the waters of Baptism.  In times past, candidates for Baptism were prepared over a 40 day period which included fasting and memorising a catechism, which is a series of short questions and answers about God. These catechisms summarized the Christian teachings of the New Testament and were a great tool in passing down the Christian Faith to each new generation. This time of preparation and review and renewal is the origin of what later came to be known as Lent.

Here is my favourite question from The Heidelberg Catechism. It reminds me that nothing that this world offers can really satisfy my deepest longings because, like you, I don't belong here. 

                 Question:        What is your only comfort in life and in death?

                 Answer:           That I am not my own, but belong -

                                                      body and soul,

                                                      in life and in death -

                                         to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.

During the season of Lent, we take time to remember that our journey with God begins in the waters of baptism. We belong in life and in death to our faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ. Whether you remember it or not, your baptism into Christ is the source of your eternal identity and where your immeasurable value is found, swimming in the unconditional acceptance of God's eternal love.