On Wednesday evening, we were privileged to host Shireen, a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, who teaches at the Bethlehem Bible College ("the BBC"!). She described what life is like as a minority - a female and a Christian - in an oppressed territory under constant threat - and how our Christian brothers and sisters there are holding on to faith in God through such difficulties. She also spoke powerfully about their links with Messianic Jews in Israel, reconciliation and their desire for peace for all in Israel and Palestine, including the Jewish hostages. You can hear some of her moving interview here: We then spent time praying prayers of lament, voicing our sadness, confusion, anger and grief to God at the current situation in Israel / Palestine, using passages like Psalm 143, Psalm 142, Psalm 102:1-11, Lamentations 3:46-51 and Lamentations 5:1-3.
That was followed by praying prayers of healing and blessing over the region, using passages like Psalm 146, Psalm 121, Psalm 91, Psalm 62:1-2, Lamentations 3:22-27 and 2 Corinthians 1:3-6. Bethlehem Bible College run a charity called The Shepherd Society, which are helping provide funds for families in Gaza, amongst other things. (Some of our Christmas services collection was passed on to them.) As most of us know, millions of people in Gaza are at risk of starvation. If you want to make a donation towards food aid, that can be done online or via post to the Shepherd Society. Please joint us in continuing to pray for peace (shalom).
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Susie writes ...
We opened the meeting with a Bible study lead by Geoff, looking at John 16:5-15, especially verses 8 and 9. Then Geoff read us an article from Christianity magazine about the Asbury revival last year at Asbury University in Kentucky which lasted 16 days with many young people coming to faith, including individuals saved from drugs, porn and addiction. We then prayed in small groups and discussed why we don’t often pray for such revivals to take place here – how awesome would that be? Dan mentioned that his aunt studied at Asbury in the 1970s and experienced a revival there then – a generation or two earlier – what do they do that we don’t? Revival happens when people really want revival - often a group of people praying for decades. This was followed by Dave who gave an update on the current work of the Building Vision Group and Building Development Group about potential Parish Hall developments. There will be an update on this topic at the annual meeting in April. The PCC was encouraged by the 2023 draft accounts. The total income was slightly more than budgeted and the total expenditure was slightly less than budgeted. We still ended the year with a deficit, but less of a deficit that expected. We then worked through a youth safeguarding scenario from Rosie, firstly discussing in twos and then as a group. Dan gave an update of where the Church of England is at on a national level on the topic of 'Prayers of Love and Faith' – it's in a difficult position and finding it hard to find a way forward, with neither side happy with the current situation, making it precarious for the national church. Dan talked about the idea of a potential book club on the topic for those looking to understand the themes on both sides of the discussion better. Three new PCC members will be needed to replace Rachael, Geoff and Nichola as they step down from PCC this April. Please get in touch with Dan, the wardens (Nick and Tracy) or any PCC member if you’d like to find out more about what’s involved. In 2023, Transcending Hope Uganda (THU) planted tree seedlings and seeds, regularly monitored the survival of these new plantings together with seedlings planted in the previous year and established Environmental clubs at a number of sites while farmers and school children were trained in good tree husbandry practices. Carbon-offsetting funds from SJBTP and some individuals were used to support the vital monitoring which involves all sites being visited on a monthly basis to check on tree survival and assist environmental clubs and farmers with the care of the young trees. Monitoring and counting of seedlings planted in 2022 at six sites showed very poor survival rates with an average of only 18% across the sites. One species was completely wiped out while commercial varieties such as Eucalyptus and Grevillea which are more susceptible to termite attack than native varieties performed poorly. The best performer was the native hardwood Mvule (Milicia excelsa) at 25%. These seedlings were planted using funding from Climate Stewards. The losses were such that Climate Stewards would not be able to obtain the required level of carbon sequestration return on their investment so decided to terminate their involvement with Enable Busoga. With funding from Enable Busoga, THU planted again in April/May 2023 across land at 4 church sites, 2 schools and 14 individual farmers. These were monitored on a monthly basis and as of September 2023, survival rates were very good across all sites and tree species (average 88%). These much improved outcomes were the result of: • better planting and aftercare practices • regular monitoring and liaising with those responsible for the seedlings • heavy and consistent rainfall throughout the planting period. For the second rains in 2023, it was decided that no seedlings would be planted but instead germination from seed would be tried. If successful, this would have a number of advantages: • seed would be collected from locally established mature trees so saving the cost of seedling purchase and transport from nurseries • the seed would be planted and germinated in situ so no need to transplant allowing the seedlings to establish their root system in the soil so reducing the need for watering • germinating native species would also remove the need to spray against termites further reducing cost and maintenance while some native species are disliked by cattle so won’t be eaten if a local herdsman fails to keep his charges under control! In January 2024, THU reported that during the previous September and October, seeds from two species had been planted at 9 church sites, gap filling where so many seedlings had been lost from the 2022 plantings. These were monitored on a monthly basis. Germination was good and development was helped by rainfall continuing into November and December resulting in nearly 2,500 seedlings growing in situ. Monitoring of their progress together with that of the plantings from 2022 and early 2023 will continue during 2024 utilising the latest SJBTP carbon offsetting funds which were received by Enable Busoga in December 2023. Later in the year, all the surviving young trees will be assessed to calculate the level of carbon sequestration that can be achieved in the years ahead. THU is planning to expand coverage to other church sites and farmers in 2024 and is in the process of collecting expressions of interest from institutions such as churches and schools as well as individual farmers. We started the meeting with a prayer and then read Acts 2. We discussed what stood out for us in the passage and what we could learn from it.
We then discussed proposals for a new communion table. Our preference was for an engraved table with two side tables to fit underneath. Rosie gave a short report on safeguarding and highlighted areas to be reviewed, such as risk assessments. Information from the Buildings Development Group, which met with some members of the PCC on the previous Saturday, was shared, including key comments and recommended actions. Some members of the PCC volunteered to revisit the vision for the buildings. We ended with prayers for the vision for the buildings and children and families. Dear St James by the Park community, This is a long-overdue update to you all. The UK2UK (Ukraine to United Kingdom) group is a response by members of St James by the Park church community to host Ukrainian guests under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. It is very encouraging that various members of St James and others in the wider community have provided a safe place for women and children from Ukraine. Several families have hosted guests now for over a year and there have been many joys and challenges in doing so. Hosts have said:
Yet there are many challenges:
Guests face multiple issues: They face the stress and trauma of separation from their loved ones who have remained in war-torn Ukraine - they face many painful decisions and have to endure terrible events They are here temporarily yet they have no idea how long they will be in the UK – so they still need to find homes and work, learn English, understand British culture, navigate our health, education and local and national government provision. Some guests though as the war drags on want to return to Ukraine and be with their families there. Host supporters We are grateful for those in the church who are supporting the hosts and also befriending guests but there is still a need for more people to help out. If you think you can be supportive then please do contact any of the hosts listed below. The wider church support Sponsors/Hosts still needed There is still a need for more sponsors/hosts to open their homes and there is always a long list of contacts who are keen to be considered. Emergency back-up There is also a need for some people in the church to act as emergency “back-up” homes for hosts, if for some reason, they are unable to continue hosting their guests. Such an offer would, at least, be comforting for some hosts. Bike needed: Please contact Esther Ridsdale if you have a strong large-framed bike (for a 6’ guest) that you do not need anymore. Also contact Esther if you are good at fixing spokes on a wheel (– we need a spokesperson!) for another guest. Pray
Current hosts
Thank you for reading this update and for your prayers and support. |