Letters for 2007 
Letters for 2008 

June July 2006

Thrown in at the deep end!

It was great to see so many people at my licensing on the 10th May, members of the Church and Community as well as our family and friends.

Since then my feet have hardly touched the ground - several people have said that I had been 'thrown in at the deep end!' The ‘deep end’ was being 150th Church Anniversary Weekend held at the Spring Bank Holiday. I certainly learned a great deal about Christ Church in just one week: sorting photos, doing displays and generally getting the Church ready for all the visitors and . . . was even able to explain some of the history to the people who came.

Life is a bit like that isn't it - we often get thrown in at the deep end and as people say we have to 'sink or swim'. Sometimes something unexpected happens: a new job, an accident or a bereavement and we have to draw on all our resources to cope with the situation. In a crisis we are often called on to help others around us who are in trouble and we have to be strong for them even if at times we don’t really feel like that inside.

It’s at times like this that we can get help from God if only we are willing to ask him. Jesus knew what it was like to be thrown in at the deep end so he understands our stresses and our weaknesses. He said he would send us a helper - his Holy Spirit who would be our power for living: to be our guide, to give us peace and also that extra bit of strength and determination to help us 'swim' when the going gets tough.

In the bible it says:

' The Lord is my helper, I will not fear' Hebrews 13: 6

So if you have been 'thrown in at the deep end' - you may get a bit wet but with God's help, you will not sink.

Joan Whysall

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When I was a child I pushed the peas on my plate down the sink. I knew it was wrong but I just didn't like them. It blocked the sink! I was found out - it certainly taught me a lesson. For me knowing right from wrong is an important aspect in growing up and developing mature attitudes - it's been part of our culture in this country.

As a teacher for many years I have always felt that helping children to learn a sense of "rightness", self control, remorse when they had stepped over the boundaries and understanding of how their behaviour affected others was all part of their growing up.

School Curriculum at present says "it should pass on enduring values. It should develop principles for distinguishing between right and wrong" Sadly this is about to be replaced by a watered down version "pupils should have secure values and beliefs". How will this affect our children as they grow up? Looking round at our community we recognise that there is an element who seem to disregard the values which we hold dear: so it leaves us with quite a challenge.

In the bible we are encouraged -

" Train a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs

However, we know that parents, despite all their efforts sometimes despair at the problems they have with their children, especially teenagers. We probably all agree that it's a very hard task but one we cannot run away from. There are many influences on a child today: parents, school (30 hours per week), peers, television, internet, media etc. Parental influence is diminished as other pressures begin to dominate.

Teaching children and young people the difference between right and wrong should be a joint task between parents, school and society and we at Christ Church want to play our part. We have teaching for children every Sunday Morning, Family Service once a month as well as our midweek group for teenagers "Twicc". We also have other activities planned for the autumn see page 9. Together let us help to build young lives on a firm foundation with a secure knowledge of right and wrong inherent in the Christian Faith and with the ability to work for the common good of all.

Let us ask God to give us wisdom and guidance in dealing with our children and help us all to positively influence the society in which we live.

Joan Whysall

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Loss

Have you lost anything that you were really fond of? Last week I lost a necklace that I've had for about 30 years. I'd just put it on so I knew it couldn't be far away - Don and I looked everywhere and finally located it lodged next to the bin in the kitchen - fortunately not in it! It's not the only thing that's disappeared from the Vicarage recently: garden furniture, a praying hands statue and the latest, my handbag cheekily snatched from the hallway. The handbag theft set in motion a chain reaction of things that needed to be done, people to ring, Police, fingerprints etc. etc. The most disastrous loss was my diary - with all my appointments between now and Christmas!

All these things can be replaced but most my most recent loss was the death of my sister Irene a fortnight ago. My sister, someone whose love and friendship I treasured, a courageous fighter to the end - she can never be replaced. Irene had a strong Christian faith and I know that she is now in heaven but it does not stop the grief or mourning. Perhaps some of you too can recognise the empty feeling in the pit of your stomach when you wake-up in the morning. Many people have sent cards and flowers of which I am very grateful and this does help to lift the spirits. So I too will be joining you at the end of the month to remember my loved one at our Memorial and Thanksgiving Service (see Page I1)

However, loss is not just about things and people, we have other losses in our lives which are not so tangible but affect us deeply: loss of a job or redundancy, breakdown in relationships, loss of independence as we get older, failing eyesight, hearing and mobility - all losses - many of which we have no control over. They all create emotional turmoil in our lives as we struggle to come to terms with losses that are ongoing. I have always had a love for the Psalms written by King David (the giant killer) and the words of the prophets, they speak into our daily lives even now..

"God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 29-31

Why don't you join me in asking God to give you strength on the days when you feel empty and lost so that together we might soar like the eagle.

Joan Whysall

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The Greatest Gift of All

I wonder how you view buying presents - is it a blessing or a nightmare? Perhaps a bit of both. It can certainly be a challenge to try and get just the right present for Auntie “Already has everything”, find something trendy for Nephew “Yuppy” so we’re not labelled as ‘past it’ and rack our brains to remember what we bought for Great Uncle “Likes to look smart”. Well your relatives may be different but I bet they raise the same sort of challenges. Buying for children is not much easier. Today’s children are bombarded with TV adverts which send out the message “you’ve GOT to have one of these” - the pressure to follow market forces are great and to a certain extent we all succumb to the trends (even though we know it’s just a passing phase). You're certainly brave parents if you can hold out against such demands from your children.

Just imagine if you could give your child any gift at your disposal - what would it be? A model sport’s car to drive around, a horse with stable and grazing field, a place in Manchester United youth team or a chance to be a Pop star? Or would you go for something like good health, great opportunities and a happy and fulfilled life? What wonderful gifts they would be!

Well, we aren’t some fairy godmother dispensing wishes but we all want the best for our loved ones whatever their age. At Christmas time we are reminded of the greatest gift of all. At the first Christmas God gave to us a gift: the gift of his son Jesus, born in humble circumstances as a tiny baby but who would later save the world. This is the gift with the potential to bring forgiveness, change lives and the offer of eternal life. Surely this is the gift you would want for your family: a gift which lasts forever and will bring freedom and fulfilment.

But gifts need to be received. Will you accept the gift God is offering to you? In return will you give your heart and life to Him? The lines of this carol say it all.

“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him -
Give my heart.”

Don’t settle for second best but come along to one of our Christmas Services and find out more about the greatest gift of all:

A GIFT THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR LIFE FOR EVER!

Joan Whysall

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