OUtREACH

Monthly Magazine
of

CHRISt CHURCH

August/September
2023
 Welcome to Outreach
The monthly magazine of Christ Church
Please note the details for contact (see back page) or
you can always visit us at ...
Christ Church
United Reformed and Methodist Church
Gateway Service Road
Wickford
Essex
SS12 9FW
(Into the main town car park. Follow the road round
then 2nd le )

We would love to hear from you or welcome you

to one of our Sunday Services

Church Services take place in the Sanctuary each week at 10.30am.

The first Service of each month will include Holy Communion.
Some Services will be live streamed. Look out for further details.

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Dear Friends,

This edi on of Outreach magazine covers September as well. In most

communi es of Chris an faith, September begins a new church year or
liturgical calendar. It serves as a spiritual new beginning to recharge our
spiritual ba eries, refocus our energy and vision, and recommit ourselves
to grow in our faith and the covenant love of God.
So, let me start by wishing you a Happy New Year – that is, a Happy New
Church Year! I pray that, as a Church family, we may know, in ever new
ways, God’s uncondi onal love and blessings going forward. May we open
our hearts to all that this new Church year ahead will contain and, from
that place of openness, discover new possibili es and hope.
Would you believe it’s now a year since joining Christ Church – where has
the year gone? I’ve enjoyed being part of this Church family and sharing
our faith journey together. But this first year has also been for me one of
rela onship building, listening, paying a en on, praying, learning and
discernment.
During this me, I’ve been asking myself ques ons: ‘What is God doing
among us at Christ Church?’ ‘Where are we at as a Church?’ What is the
Spirit saying to us today?’ As you know, the Elders recently had an away
Day at St Andrew's, Herongate. We sang, we prayed, we talked, we
listened, and we pondered. We focussed on the theme of ‘God’s blessing’,
that as Chris ans we are blessed by Jesus. But we are also called to be
God’s blessings to others in our communi es. So how do we share God’s
blessing as a church?
One of the things that looked at as Elders at our away day, was the Life
Cycle of Our Church. Every congrega on has a life cycle from the me of its
birth un l the present. In honest conversa on, we all found that as a
church we’re in the decline phase and that if we don’t do something about
it this will eventually lead to death.
That ‘something’ to redevelopment and rebirth (John 12:24) begins with a
renewed commitment on our part, those of us who are able, chirping in,
using our God-given gi s and talents; of recognising that the minister and
the Elders can’t do it all, that we must all play our parts.
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The biggest challenge we face at Christ Church is ‘people resource’ –
finding people able to serve and take on key roles. Come December,
Jane e and Debbie will finish their terms as Elders, and Jack may consider
how much he can commit to. This means we will be short on an already
small Elders team. So, we urgently need people to serve as Elders or serve
in other ways. Please pray about this and if you wish to speak more about
it, come and talk with me.
All this may sound rather bleak! But needn’t be, for God has not finished
with us yet! It is meant to awaken us to God’s poten al amongst us – that
of becoming God’s blessing in our community. So watch out for a series of
conversa ons, Mission Ac on Planning etc., as we begin to take some
ini al prac cal steps forward.

A Prayer Forward
Crea ng and healing God,
thank you for drawing us together as a Church family
to worship you, care for one another and serve you.
Fill us with your blessing;
overcome our fears
with your transforming words, presence and hope.

Streets for Prayer

August 6-12 Adam Way, Albany Road, Alderney Gardens, Anne e Close

August 13-19 Alicia Avenue, Alicia Close, Alicia Way, Alma Close

August 20-26 Almond Avenue, Alresford Green, Ambleside, Anglesey

Gardens
August 27-Sept 2 Apple Tree Way, Arran Court, Arundel Road, Athelstan
Gardens

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Reach into our redness and anxiety;
Kindle a flame of hope in us again.
Draw us nearer to you, to one another, and so to all your creatures.
We are ready to listen, serve and walk with you anew this New Church
Year. Amen.
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Moses

Sept 3-9 Azalea Avenue, Bakers Farm Close, Balfour Close, Bannister
Green
Sept 10-16 Barbour Green, Barnet Park Road, Barra Glade, Beauchamps
Drive

Sept 17-23 Beasley End, Beccles Court, Beedle Avenue, Belchamps Road

Sept 24-Oct 1 Belmont Avenue, Belmont Close, Berens Close, Berry Close

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6
CHILDREN ARE SO QUICK

TEACHER: Why are you so late?

STUDENT: Class started before I got here.
TEACHER: John, why are you doing you math multiplication on the floor?
JOHN: You told me to do it without using tables.
TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell ‘crocodile?’
GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-L-E
TEACHER: No, that’s wrong.
GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, but you asked me how I spelt it.
TEACHER: Winnie, name one important thing we have today that we
didn’t have ten years ago.
WINNIE: Me!
TEACHER: Glenn, why do you always get so dirty?
GLEN: Well, I’m a lot closer to the ground than you are.
TEACHER: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s
cherry tree, but also admitted it. Now Louie, do you know
why his father didn’t punish him?
LOUIS: Because George still had the axe in his hand.
TEACHER: Clyde, your composition on ‘My Dog’ is exactly the same as
your brother’s. Did you copy his?
CLYDE: No, Sir. It’s the same dog.
TEACHER: Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do you say your prayers before
eating?
SIMON: No, sir, I don’t have to, my Mum is a good cook.
Submitted by Maureen A
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JUST IMAGINE By Sheila Webb

Imagine if the sun should shine

Every single day
And imagine if politicians
Didn’t rule the way.
And just imagine the flowers
Always in full bloom
Blossoming in your garden
Taking away the gloom.
Imagine little songbirds
Serenading us each day
And happy little children
That would never fight but play.
Imagine if the plumber
Always came on time
And the Wi-Fi never went down
So you were always online!
And yes, just imagine,
And I think you will agree
That with nothing ever to moan about
What a boring place it would be!
Submitted by Maureen A

Imagine
Imagine a world without grass and trees,
Imagine a garden without birds and bees.
Imagine a sea devoid of life,
Imagine a climate that only brings strife.
This picture of doom does not have to be,
If we heed the warnings that are so plain to see.
Veronica

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 Fire Evacua on
Should we require to evacuate the premises you will either hear a
Fire Alarm (a high pitched buzzing noise) or one of the Air Horns
being sounded. As we do not normally undertake a formal
evacua on test it is worthwhile reminding everyone of our
procedures.
The main Fire Alarm is located in the Ves bule to the right of the
table.
Air Horns have been placed on shelves in the Wesley and
Livingstone Halls next to the Fire Exits and there is also one in
the Rear Corridor by the passage leading to the Boiler Room.
They are ac vated by placing two fingers into the holes on the
top and applying pressure.
The main Fire Escape is via the Front Door but there are other Fire
Doors in the Wesley and Livingstone Halls.
All Fire Exit signs are illuminated and Fire Exit Routes clearly
indicated by fluorescent direc onal signs.
In the event of a power failure, our Emergency Ligh ng system
will be ac vated to provide sufficient light to enable exit doors
and exit routes to be clearly visible.
Various types of fire ex nguishers have been placed around the
church building which allow for different types of fire sources
e.g. electrical, combus on etc.
In the event of a fire or other reason to evacuate our premises,
you should leave the building by the safest route away from
any danger and congregate in the Car Park by the Fire
Assembly Point sign located next to the large No ce Board
situated at the entrance to the Car Park.
These are our simple procedures for evacua on of our premises.
Should you wish to know any more informa on, please feel free to
speak to one of the Property Commi ee who will be happy to assist.

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St Christopher 24th. July Patron Saint of Travellers
Revered as a saint in the Orthodox tradi on, Christopher is recorded as
being martyred under one of the 3rd Century persecu ng Emperors - there
is some uncertainty as to which one. His story was recorded in the Greek
speaking Eastern Orthodox Church by the 7th Century, a French account
appearing in the West in the Medieval period.
He was never officially canonised by the Western Church but his Feast Day
is included in the official list
In the Medieval version his original name was Reprobus - he is
described as a ‘Canaanite’ a huge, powerful man around seven feet tall,
violent and ferocious in appearance. One day, he decided that he wanted to
serve the greatest king that ever lived, a course that led him into
numerous misunderstandings, and a life of banditry and endless
wandering. Finally, he heard about Christ from a hermit who taught him the
basics of the Faith.
'Reprobus' asked how he could serve Christ and the hermit told him prayer
and fas ng. When this did not appeal to him, the hermit said that, in that
case, he should use his great strength to serve others and directed him to a
dangerous river crossing where he should offer his services as a ferryman
assis ng travellers to cross in safety.
A er some me at this and ge ng to be widely known, he was approached
by a child who wanted to cross the river. Laughing at the easy job, he took
the child on his shoulders and set off across but, as he went, the child
became so heavy that he could barely make it to the other bank. Exhausted
'Reprobus' gasped out that it was like carrying the whole world on his
shoulders. Suddenly changed, the other said ' not only the whole world, but
Him who made it - I am the Christ that you wished to serve’.
So 'Reprobus' acquired a new name- Christopher ‘Christ Carrier’– from the
Greek Christ and phero - carry (also the origin of ‘ferry’) and joined a
Chris an community in Lycia, a Roman Province at the south-western p of
Turkey.
Persecu on, including the martyrdom of Christopher by beheading, could
have been around A.D.353 under the Emperor Decius, a short lived Caesar
who was assassinated by his own soldiers soon a erwards!
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A colourful origin of the figurines that hang from dashboards around the
world, hoping for the protec on offered by the Christ Carrier who is the
Patron Saint of travellers! Jack Roche

Be Still and Know

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
Have you ever thought of taking some time out of daily life, to simply ‘be
still’ with God? To hear His voice, enjoy His presence, and perhaps receive
His direction for your future? When one lady was told that her friend was
“taking some time out to ‘be still’ and listen to God”, she responded with
curiosity: “What does His voice sound like?”
For many Christians, the response would be this: “His voice for me is
always calming, always reassuring, it always makes me feel
overwhelmingly loved. It always gives me a sense of peace, which is
deeper than any pain and stronger than any fear. No wonder the
Scriptures talk of a ‘peace that passes all understanding!’”
God speaks to us individually, through His Word, the Bible. And
sometimes, when we are outside, He can also speak to us through His
beautiful world.
The blue sky says; “Always Look Up”, the Sun says; “Shine,” the birds say;
“Sing”, the trees say; “be fruitful”, the flowers say; “consider the Lilies”,
The open road ahead says; “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel”.
The gentle rustle of the wind in the trees says; “Though you can’t see My
face, you can hear Me, see reflections of Me, feel Me, touch Me and know
me through all I create, if you just take the time to be still!”
Parish Pump

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Saints Alive! Patrick Patron Saint of Ireland
Columba and Brigid of Kildare are also recognized as Patron Saints of
Ireland ( Brigid was among 90 or so 'redundant' saints removed from the
official list by the Church in 1969 but is s ll widely recognized ) but Patrick
is by far the best known and officially major candidate. He is credited with
being Apostle to the Irish, Bishop of Armagh and, eventually, archbishop.
He is even honoured in the Eastern Church with the tle Isapostolos (equal
to the Apostles) A tle he shares with Emperor Constan ne who is credited
with conver ng the en re Roman Empire!
In fact, Patrick was never officially canonised in the Western Church as the
process had not been introduced in his me although no one would deny
him the tle now!
Most of the informa on about Patrick is from his own wri ng, Confessio
(statement) wri en in self defense against accusa ons of favouri sm and
bribery. Such external informa on as exists on his life and achievements is
from the much later Book of Armagh (9th Century)
The place of his birth is uncertain, sugges ons ranging from the west coast
of Wales to the area south of Glasgow known then as Strathclyde, What
does seem certain is that he lived and worked in the 5th. Century AD
although his date of birth is unknown, while both 462 and 492 are possible
dates of his death.
Although the Roman Empire had given up on Britain by the beginning of
the 5 th Century AD the Britons s ll seemed to think of themselves as
‘Roman’ and it has been suggested that the origin of ‘Patrick’ was
‘patrician’ i.e. Upper Class. Patrick says that his father was a decurion
(Town Councillor) as well as a Deacon in the Church and that his
grandfather had been a Priest but he himself had no inclina on to such a
voca on, describing himself as an 'idle and callow' youth.
In Patrick’s wri ng he uses the descrip on ‘Roman’ to mean ‘Chris an’ as
against Pagan, and the Pagans that concerned them most were the pirates
who frequently raided the defenceless coastal se lements. On the West
Coast, likely candidates are the ‘Scots’ who, confusingly, originated in
Ireland. and it was probably in one of their raids in search of booty,
livestock and slaves that the unfortunate Patrick was taken.
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He tells of a miserable me in Ireland as slave of a local chie ain, although
he credited his du es as a shepherd, David like, with leading him to God
and a deeper faith. Eventually, he seized a chance to escape and, reaching
Cork, persuaded a ship’s captain to take him on board, where, the story
becomes confused. In one version the ship took him to France where he
enrolled in a monastery. There, applying himself to prayer and study, his
abili es were soon noted and he was commissioned as ‘Bishop of Ireland’,
and Apostle to the Irish.
In the other version, he returned home, where, like Paul and the man of
Macedonia (Acts 16;9) he had a vision of an Irish man pleading with him to
' come over and help us'. In this case, it is possible that he then went to
study in France before going to Ireland.
Pagan Ireland consisted of minor Kingdoms and, by influencing the local
rulers; poli cian, diplomat and power broker as well as churchman he was
able to win them over one at a me. Cul va ng these essen al
rela onships may have given rise to the allega ons of acquisi on and
bribery. It would have involved giving and receiving gi s and refusing one
would have been considered, a mortal insult.
There is the story of a drama c confronta on with ‘High King of Ireland' to
whom the local rulers all owed a kind of allegiance. The loca on was the
Hill of Tara which features many prehistoric burials and had been
sanc fied by the Druids for the crowning of High Kings. On the Pagan
Autumn fes val of Beltane bonfires were lit on hill tops across the land.
Patrick is said to been first to light the bonfire on the hilltop- an honour
reserved for the High King alone.
Leading his warriors up the hill to punish the insubordina on, the story
goes, they were so overawed by the singing of the monks and the
formidable figure of Patric, fearlessly standing by the cross that they fell
down at his feet and were converted. The place is marked by a church,
one of the many dedicated to Patrick, including cathedrals in Dublin and
New York.
In actuality the conversion of Ireland was probably a much longer and
more complicated achievement. It certainly remained a warlike and tribal
society, dominated by the Vikings in the 9th and 10th Centuries and the
13
Normans in the 11th Century but remained faithful to its Saint and the
Catholic Faith that he brought to its shores. If he is the world's most
recognizable Patron Saint it’s no doubt because, wherever the Irish have
se led, his day (March 17th.) is enthusias cally celebrated.
Like all good Saints, there are stories of his miracles such as banishing
snakes from Ireland (by way of explaining the fact that there are no na ve
snakes there). He is also said to have used the three leaved shamrock to
illustrate The Trinity.
Jack Roche

Monday Coffee Morning

Come and join us for tea and coffee,
A Monday morning treat.
The folk are really friendly
You will always find a seat.
They are famous for their cheese rolls,
Their prices are just right.
Do not be too late coming
Or you will join the ‘last roll’ fight.
Veronica

Many thanks to Maureen, Ruth and Diane - not forge ng their

husbands - for their dedica on to keeping Monday Coffee morning
a treat for all.

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15
 Ladies Group August Mee ng
from 2pm – 5pm
Wednesday 9th August
All Welcome

in Debbie Grant’s garden

bring your own Picnic
Tea, coffee and cake provided
Let Debbie know if you would like to
come and can offer or require transport

Email: debbie@grantnet.co.uk
Phone or message: 07939 658617

Summer Treat
The cry of the seagulls
Like souls lost at sea.
The sound of the ocean
Like the wind in a tree.
Golden sand, shells and sea weed
Make this picture complete.
A sunny day at the seaside
Is my Summer treat.
Veronica 16
Florence Nigh ngale
If you have a strong sense of calling from God, then you will well
understand Florence Nigh ngale. At the age of 16 she felt God was calling
her to some great lifework, and so she determined to avoid marriage, and
thus be available to obey Him.
Florence had been born in Italy in 1820, while her parents were travelling –
hence her name. But she grew up at Lea Hurst in Derbyshire. Her parents
were Unitarian, but Florence later joined the Anglican Church.
Florence had a strong sense of God’s personal presence in her life, and in
1844, when she was 24, Florence came to believe that her calling was to
nurse the sick. In 1849 she set off to study nursing in the hospitals of
Europe.
It was on 12th May, 1850 that she wrote in her diary: ‘Today I am 30 – the
age Christ began His mission. Now no more childish things. No more love.
No more marriage. Now Lord let me think only of Thy will, what Thou
willest me to do.’
Later that same year she went to train in the hospital of Alexandria in
Egypt, and then the Lutheran Deaconess Ins tute at Kaiserwerth in
Germany. In 1853 she returned to England, and was appointed
superintendent of the Hospital for Invalid Gentlewomen in London.
Then the following year, 1854, war broke out in the Crimea. Florence
contacted friends in high places, and soon got permission to take 38 nurses
to serve at the military hospitals at Scutari in Turkey, and later Balaklava in
the Crimea. These hospitals were dreadful places, but with be er nursing
and be er sanita on, the mortality rate among the sick and wounded men
soon fell drama cally.
When, by night, Florence took to patrolling the hospital wards, carrying a
dim lamp, the legend of ‘the Lady with the Lamp’ was born.
A er the Crimean war, Florence returned to England determined to
establish the first professional nurse training scheme in the country. She
found a base at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, and through her efforts the
stature of nursing gradually rose to become that of a respected medical
profession.
But Florence had been working too long and too hard, and now her own
health broke down, and she became an invalid. But she was not forgo en,
and the honours rolled in. In 1907 she became the first woman to receive
the Order of Merit. Florence died in London on 13th August 1910, aged 90,
and was buried in St Margaret’s, East Wellow, in Hampshire. Her
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tombstone says simply: F.N. 1820 – 1910. Parish Pump
Wordsearch - The Transfigura on
In August the church calendar commemorates the Transfigura on. The story is told
in Ma hew (17:1-9), Mark (9:1-9) and Luke (9:28-36). Jesus took Peter, James and
John, his closest disciples, up a high mountain. It may have been Mount Tabor, or
else one of the three spurs of Mount Hermon.

Suddenly, Jesus is transfigured. His face shone, his garments became white and
dazzling. Elijah and Moses appeared, and a bright cloud overshadowed the
disciples. A voice spoke out of the cloud, saying that Jesus was His beloved son,
whom the disciple should ‘hear’.

Then, just as suddenly, it is all over. What did it mean? Moses represented the Law,
and Elijah the Prophets of the Old Covenant. But now the Law and the Prophets
have found their fulfilment in Jesus, the Messiah. The wri en Word and the spoken
Word have handed over to the Living Word.

Transfigura on Peter James John Fear Glory

Jesus
Mountain
Tabor
Hermon

High
Shine
Face
Wri en
Living

Cloud
Transformed
White
Dazzling
Elijah

Moses
Dwelling
Mankind
Law
Prophets
Solu on on
Page 29
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How to Keep Young

When the US President Joe Biden announced that he was running for re-
elec on, many of us thought he was too old. He will be 86 by the end of
2028. Trump will be 82. How could either of them run the United States at
such an age?
The argument about Biden and Trump will doubtless carry on, but
meanwhile, there is some encouragement for the rest of us who are ageing.
A 2012 study by the University of Edinburgh found that only about a
quarter of the cogni ve changes that occur as we age are determined by
gene cs. The other three quarters are based on our lifestyle choices.
Firstly, choose to exercise. When you exercise in any way, you are not just
making your body fit, you are also improving your brain health. This is
because exercise promotes the release of a cell-making protein in the brain
called BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which is linked to learning
and memory.
Secondly, choose to retain a sense of control and purpose in your life. We
can’t all influence world poli cs, but we can each of us can act for the
general good of the people around us. In 2022, researchers in the US found
that people who have a greater sense of purpose in life not only live longer,
but have fewer health problems, including depression, blood pressure
problems and heart a acks.
Thirdly, choose to set yourself some realis c personal goals, no ma er how
small. Research shows that se ng a goal – even just to lose weight, or dy
the garden, can make you feel immediately more worthwhile.
Fourthly, choose to keep spending me with other people. Remaining
sociable in old age is vital – we are social animals and really do need those
meaningful rela onships.
Fi hly, choose to follow ac vi es that allow you to keep learning – perhaps
take up a hobby such gardening, or even begin a foreign language.
Parish Pump

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TROLLEY DOLLY By Janet Byrne

May stood impatiently in the queue, yearning for a cup of tea

A paper and a cigarette and an old film on TV.
The customer at the till was rummaging through her purse
And chatting to the cashier, just to make things worse.

May shifted from foot to foot, legs aching now a lot,

If they didn’t get a move on, she’d shortly lose the plot.
In front of her a young mum waited oblivious, on her phone
With a crying baby in the trolley and a toddler mischief prone.

He’d grabbed some items from a shelf and chucked them in the trolley,
While mum, still chatting to a friend, handed him a lolly.
May glared and tutted loudly. She could not understand
The need to take them shopping, she thought it badly planned.

Behind her in the queue, dressed up to the nines

A lady in full make-up, looking so refined
Called out to the manager, her voice was loud and shrill:
‘I’m late for my appointment, is there not another till?’

The manager did as he was asked, for he was not inclined

To argue with a customer, such a lady, so refined.
May, with all items in her basket from the shelf marked reduced,
Glanced at the lady’s trolley, piled up with costly produce.

A sudden flash of anger swept across May’s face.

Why should she have so little, as had always been the case?
She paid the meagre sum to the girl behind the till
Then scurried to the exit - oh! If only looks could kill.

For she saw the made-up lady, whom she’d nicknamed Lady Muck
And feeling green with envy thought: ‘Some folks have all the luck.’
But as May stared, two policemen took Lady Muck by surprise
And arrested her for shoplifting right before May’s eyes!

20
‘Hello Jean,’ one policeman said, ‘Up to your old tricks once more?
Let’s get you to the station, you’ve been there before!’
The woman yelled and cursed, in vain struggling to get free
As May, all envy gone, hurried home to tea.
Submitted by Maureen A

Birthdays
Someone asked how old I am,
I stood and thought awhile.
“Depends on what you mean by that”
I replied with smile.

With my friends I’m 21,

No longer ‘mum’ or ‘wife’.
With my parents I’m still a child
And will be all my life.

My children think I am so old

I am a dinosaur.
My husband hasn’t got a clue
And birthdays are a bore!

My age could be anything

From 9 to 93.
It doesn’t define who I am
Because I am just me.
Veronica

21
ICELAND - THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE
Iceland is a country of extreme contrasts and dramatic landscapes. It is
home to some of the largest glaciers in Europe and some of the world’s
most active volcanoes with volcanic eruption occurring approximately
every four years. Strange as it may seem, it is a fact that volcanoes
produce glaciers. The heat radiating from the volcano melts the ice frozen
below and when enough water has collected to lift the ice cap to the top, it
bursts out from the glacier and creates a flood.

Iceland is also the land of light and darkness, with nearly 24 hours of light
in the summer, offset by short winter days with only a few hours of gloomy
daylight. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world
with a population of some 388,000 with almost two thirds of the
inhabitants living in the capital Reykjavík in the South West, whilst the rest
of the population is spread around the long coastline mostly in fishing
villages and farmland regions.

It was a beautiful warm, sunny afternoon on the day we started on our

cruise from Tilbury and indeed the clement weather continued for a couple
of days but by the time we reached the Faroe Islands, it was raining and
was much cooler. Two days later when we docked in Reykjavik, the rain had
become heavier, it was very windy and very, very cold with temperatures
down to 5 degrees. Of course we were expecting it to be cold - after all the
very name of the country does give one an inkling of what to expect!! but
we were definitely not expecting it to be SO cold and to learn that in May,
the country had experienced the hottest weather for 93 years with temps.
up to 22 degrees, didn’t actually make us feel any better!!!
Unfortunately there was no improvement in the weather for the four days
we were cruising round Iceland, but that aside, we were nevertheless able
to appreciate the beauty of the landscape with its fiords, waterfalls and
volcanoes. It was certainly a new and interesting experience for us and we
learned a great deal about the country and I thought you might be
interested in some of the quirkier facts about the island.

(1) Iceland is the only NATO country not to have an army.

(2) The infra structure of the country was changed in WW 11 when the
Americans supported Iceland in the war.
22
(3) Reading and writing is of great importance and 1 in 10 people publish
their own book. Children are given a new book every Christmas.
(4) It has its own Opera House and Bjork put the country on the map for
music.
(5) Football is played and Iceland is the smallest country to reach the
World Cup.
(6) Dogs were forbidden in Reykjavik from 1924-84 due to the need to halt
the spread of a certain parasite. Cats are now the most popular choice of
pet, with an estimated one cat owned by every ten residents which are
ever present on the city’s streets.
(7) Iceland have a pure breed of ‘horses’ which actually resemble our
ponies!
(8) Lupins, though not native to Iceland, thrive all over the island, the
seeds of which were originally brought over from Alaska.
(9) The most typical food eaten by Icelanders, is fish, lamb and skyr (a type
of yoghurt)
(10) No food is wasted, and people eat Greenland shark, and puffins from
1st July to 15th August. Two percent of the population eat whale.
(11) Traditionally, the Icelanders eat a lava (rye) bread which has been
baked underground in geothermal springs.
(12) Iceland is the largest green energy producer per capita, in the world
and largest electricity producer per capita with approx. 55,000 kWh per
person per year.
Maureen A

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Do You Need New Painkillers

Do you ever take painkillers? If so, do you take one for your shoulder, and
another one for you knee? Of course not! Once the painkiller enters your
bloodstream, it goes everywhere, soothing and damping down the pain,
and hi ng all the right spots.
God works a bit like that on the pain in our lives. He has a prescrip on for
ALL the problem areas of our lives. Most of us carry emo onal scars, or a
burden, or some heartache, around with us. It may be the trauma of loss, it
may be anxiety for our family. It may be uncertainty over our jobs, and our
futures.
Whatever it is, God offers us a prescrip on to help the pain. The psalmist
writes: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in
trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Jesus added: “Come to me, all you who are weary
and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Ma hew 11:28)
This kind of help is real and immediate and there for the asking. We don’t
have to put up with our dis-ease and struggle alone. God, our heavenly
Father, is only a prayer away. Not just twice a day, a er meals, but
whenever we need Him.
Parish Pump

Solu ons
Turn off the television,
Put that paper down.
The news they are repor ng
Will only make you frown.

Instead put on good music,

Dig out a favourite book.
Spend me in your garden,
Happiness is out there, if you look.
Veronica

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The Rise of Sourdough

We seem to love bread. In Britain we buy 11 million loaves of the

stuff every day. For years it was just the base for our breakfast marmalade
or lunch me sandwiches, un l sourdough arrived.
Sourdough has exploded in popularity. Global sales are forecast to grow
$2.36bn (£1.92bn) during 2022-2026. UK cra bakers point to its flavour
and perceived health benefits.
Sourdough is a seemingly simple mix of just flour, water and salt. But it isn’t
made with tradi onal bread yeast. Instead, it’s fermented by lac c acid
bacteria and naturally occurring wild yeasts. A single teaspoon of sour-
dough starter can contain 50 million yeasts and 5 billion lactobacilli (lac c
acid bacteria) that originated in the environment, made a home in it while
the starter was fermen ng and growing. And a lot of scien sts think that
that is good for us.

Ea ng late at night

It is not good to eat late at night, but it is very temp ng at mes. At least
you can reduce the damage by avoiding certain types of food.
For while many people blame alcohol for a poor night’s sleep, food high in
processed carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sugar can also affect sleep
quality, according to recent research published in the journal Obesity.
As one expert explains, such foods “upset our metabolism.” Ea ng sugar
late at night overs mulates you, as the rising blood sugar prepares your
body for ac vity. When we eat late at night, our body temperature rises.
But when we are preparing to fall asleep, our body temperature falls, so
ea ng late goes against our body’s natural desire to drop in temperature.”
Parish Pump

25
Preachers for August - in the Sanctuary
6th Rev Jack Roche Holy Communion
13th Rev Trevor Williams
20th Ian Brown
27th Rev Jack Roche

Readers and Intercessions Rota for August

6th Solomon Oloniyo Abigail Oloniyo
13th Maureen Abbo Charlie Wyper
20th Ruth Pierson Maureen Ratcliff
27th Michael Wood Charlie Wyper

Sound Desk
Andy Stevens
Michael Wood
Michael Wood
Solomon Oloniyo

Ladies Mee ng 9th August 2-5pm in Debbie’s garden

The Fellowship No mee ng during August

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Preachers for September - in the Sanctuary
3rd Rev Moses Agyam Holy Communion
10th Rev Jack Roche
17th Michael Wood Harvest
24th Rev Moses Agyam

Readers and Intercessions Rota for September

3rd Maureen Ratcliff Jack Roche
10th Solomon Oloniyo Abigail Oloniyo
17th Ruth Pierson Jane e Stevens
24th Trevor Williams Charlie Wyper

Sound Desk
Andy Stevens
Michael Wood
Solomon Oloniyo
Michael Wood

Please see list in the office if you wish to join the flower rota.
Or contact Ruth - 01268730956
Ladies Mee ng 6th September 2pm
The Fellowship 21st September 2pm
Subject to change
27
 Church News
Birthdays : August September
3rd Peter Stevens 29th Phil Bayard
6th Margaret Co rell
11th Monica Penny We wish you all a Happy Birthday
15th Barbara Hart and an enjoyable day.
21st Lillian Stevens
24th Suzanne Samuel

FAMILY NEWS
Congratulations to Barbara Hart who will be 90 on the 15th August. Sadly
plans to celebrate with friends and family, have had to be cancelled as she is
suffering from a possible fracture in her back.

Peter Stevens will be 17 on the 3rd August. He has now completed his first
year at ELAM College and achieved a Distinction for his final project. He
returns in September for his final year at the college.

Lillian will be 24 on 21st August. In September she is off to Regents

Theological College in Malvern Link.

Janette and Andy celebrated their 8th Wedding Anniversary on 25th July and
on the same day, Terry and Dee celebrated their 3rd Wedding Anniversary.

Congratulations to Martin Williams (Trevor’s son) who has obtained a degree

in Theology.

Hazel, Chris Leah and Don have all had spells in Basildon Hospital during the
past two months. Please continue to hold them in your prayers as they
continue their recovery at home.

Jean has been in Basildon Hospital for the past three weeks awaiting
28
assessment.
Janet suffered whiplash when a bus bumped into the car in which she was a
passenger.
Collated by Maureen A

THE FELLOWSHIP
At our June meeting, the ladies in our group enjoyed a natter and an
impromptu sing- song whilst knitting poppies to be placed in the Memorial
Park on Remembrance Sunday. Our two gentlemen amused themselves
playing board games.

Our July meeting began with quizzes followed by a ‘Bring & Buy’ sale.
Then it was time for a strawberry and cream tea with homemade scones
made by Chris, which everyone agreed tasted far superior to those purchased
from a shop, and cakes.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday 21st September at 2pm. Do come
along and join us for an afternoon of fun and fellowship.
Maureen A

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THE KINGDOM SEEKERS

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31
Contacts
Weddings, Funerals, Bap sms, Pastoral Ma ers
Please contact the Church as below.
Mee ngs and Hall or room bookings
For further details of any mee ngs or events, or to amend mee ng details
that may have changed, please contact Ruth Pierson 01268 730956 or email
rbrenda@sky.com
Outreach Team

Helen Pa le 01268 761580 helenjpa le@gmail.com

Linda Bailey 01268 735334 lynnbailey62@hotmail.com

Christ Church 01268 733303

www.christchurchwickford.co.uk
christchurchwickford@gmail.com
The latest date for ar cles for the next Outreach

is 25th September 2023

(If possible, please email your contribu on; hand wri en ar cles are also

acceptable and can be handed to Helen or Linda)

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