General Chat

Lots of talk this week about the funeral of an 87 year old lady who worked hard at what she was good at. There was talk of tributes and disputes. There was much ceremonial and grandeur. There were many mourners. This lady certainly made her mark in history but I didn't know her personally.


Today I went to the funeral of an 89 year old lady who worked hard at what she was good at.. There were quiet tributes and no disputes. There was little ceremonial or grandeur. There were many mourners. This lady certainly made her mark on the local community and I knew her quite well.


In death they are equal - and leave grieving families behind them.


May they both rest in peace and may their families be comforted and given strength to cope during the days which lie ahead.

Amen

Cynthia.....re the Lord's Prayer .....while it was being recited I had the thought that maybe some day in the not to distant future, not many will know it. it is not being taught to most of the younger generation. In fact where I live there are not many young children who know who Jesus is.....sigh!

I know what you mean Susan. I find it sad when the youngsters of this country aren't always given the opportunity to experience the faith of their country - to give them a 'grounding' or a base to work from so to speak. Personal decisions as to whether to follow that faith, can come later.


On the bright side, I am always heartened to hear of the work of some church schools, youth groups and organisations, of whom there are many, who actively work within the community.


There is always hope... :-)

I think RE (all faiths) is compulsory up until the age of 16, but it is up to the school to decide how it is tackled. So, a rather hit and miss effort in my opinion. :-(


Assemblies can now tend to be more of a 'notice/announcement' giving time in many places. I can still remember the rousing hymns we used to sing at assemblies!


I know the Lord's Prayer is taught in church schools but don't know about state schools - doubt it somehow.

The two most amazing periods of growth in Christianity came at a time when people didn't really understand or even know the words of the Lords Prayer. In about 40 AD (CE) and 1750 AD.

Christianity was pretty well non-existent at first date and was at an incredibly low ebb at second date. Many ag labs in 18th century had no education, could not pay pew rent or even put anything into the collection - so the merits of Jesus were pretty much in the background.

Recently, apart from Sunday Schools (or Junior Churches as we now have to call them) the children I have found who know most about Jesus are attending Islamic schools. He is one of their prophets and they learn about him and his life in very great depth.

Cynthia makes the fundamental point that Margaret Hilda Thatcher (as she was called in the funeral service) comes to the Lord on exactly the same terms as Margaret Hilda Gubbins from Shrewsbury. There is no difference in birth or death. And all get judged fairly. I doubt our political views (whether far right or far left) will cloud that judgment. It is whether we have been given the gift of faith, given the certain knowledge that we have been set aside for eternity - however little we deserve that great honour.

Ephesians Chapter 2 came to mind, but particularly verses 8 and 9:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God.
Not of works, lest anyone should boast"

And I always think of Tony Hancock when I read "not of works". Remember his little book where he had recorded all his good works. "1s 3d to the blind, 9d to the lifeboats, showed an old lady across the road...". He was going to present his book at the pearly gates, certain he would be allowed in. :-)

Hello all....... :-D


Another Sunday - I'm sure there are more than there used to be........ :-S


Also, another busy Sunday - at least the morning was.

We had a speaker from the diocese this morning who had come to talk to us about what is called 'shared ministry teams'. It's where lay folk are encouraged to use their gifts and talents and help 'minister' within the parish - the Body of Christ in action so to speak.

We're pretty fortunate in our parish as a lot of that sort of thing is already going on - we have people who lead prayers and groups; we have those who visit and care. We collect and makeup food parcels and run a lunch club which is very popular.

We are blessed by the fact that we have a vicar who not only conducts worship, takes numerous baptisms, weddings and funerals, but who is also happy to peel onions and make hotpot - alongside his people.


This morning, apart from the guest speaker, we had a baptism in the service so, as usual, it was pretty hectic. After the service, the vicar had a burial of ashes and another baptism - we think this one got their times wrong........sigh......


Busy and hectic it may have been, but I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Thanks for sharing Cynthia, busy indeed :-)

Enjoy reading about your Sunday, makes me
feel I'm there.

Emma :-)

And isn't it lovely to read about a thriving church? :-)

It is lovely to hear about your church and your activities, Cynthia.

I was out today about an hour away on edge of Brecon Beacons. Beautiful sunny drive over the mountains and had a lovely congregation welcoming me.

I love this time of the Christian year leading up to Pentecost. So many interesting Bible passages to open up. So many great hymns to choose.

Congregation was "average" size today - about 20. Next week it is likely to be about 6, and in a fortnight over a hundred (largest chapel on circuit). All of the chapels (even the sparsely attended ones) have mid weeks and a good social life. My own chapel offers tea and biscuits after service and that is a lovely opportunity to chat.

In general, it seems to have been an excellent Lord's Day and I hope we all have a lovely and fulfilling week ahead of us. God bless you all.

Luke 24 verse 25, Errol.

Am delivering sermons that look at the proofs of the resurrection of Jesus last week, today and next two weeks. It is uplifting just thinking about these proofs and preparing what to say.

We do have a lectionary (set passages that are read and preached about in all chapels in UK each week) but we also have freedom to go slightly off the lectionary if we feel drawn to certain passages of scripture.

Thanks for question.

Errol. You will be pleased that I will not give a very full reply.

Your text is Matt Chapter 7 verse 15: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

I have a very simple approach to false prophesy. I believe the last verses of the Bible - "For I (St John) testify unto every person that hears the words of the prophesy of this book, If any person shall add unto these things, God shall add unto them the plagues that are written in this book. And if any person take away from the words of the book of this prophesy, God shall take away their part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book."

So anyone who has added prophesy since end of first century AD or has taken away any truths from the Bible is a false prophet. That is my interpretation of what it means.

Why would any sane person be pleased that you do not give a full reply - a most bizarre and irrational respnse

Missed last post before it was whooshed, Errol. But am quite happy to try to answer any questions you have. :-)

Edit (Monday morning). Simply because it would be a very long answer and might be better via pm that a public forum, Errol. Glad post has been reinstated and I can reply. :-)

No idea what is going on here......but am wondering if it would be less contentious if I were to start a gentle thread of my own but then, as anyone would be welcome, we would still get unpleasantness :-S :(


It's good to know that some folk enjoy hearing about my Sundays.......and I'm happy to continue sharing things with you.


We have two services on a Sunday, the first is at 9 am and the second at 11 am.

In between these two services 'breakfast' is served for those who would like it.

By breakfast, I mean more of a continental style rather than Full English! We have all the facilities for cooking a full English, but the time is a bit short. I can imagine someone galloping down the aisle forgetting they are still holding a frying pan :-D

Mind you, wouldn't the bacon smell wonderful?

We offer cereals, toast, crumpets, waffles with all accompaniments etc. Tea and coffee of course.

It's a good way of catching up with folks, especially for those on their own.

We have a 'meeting' room attached to the back of the church (blends in beautifully from outside and in) where this all takes place and there is always a cup of tea on offer, whatever the occasion!!

We are also very child friendly and have full baby changing facilities etc. :-D

Your church sounds lovely Cynthia, a friendly hub of the community that has moved with the times while retaining core values :-)

Sorry this thread has been tarnished with unpleasantness, didn't see the posts so like you no idea what it is all about :-( :-S

Most posters feel this is your thread anyway, Cynthia. You bring a calm repose and your posts are always so inspiring and interesting.

I began this thread to be exactly that - an area on these boards to get away from petty squabbles and point scoring - a place for thinking about religious things. Christianity specifically, but quite happy to discuss other religions if I know anything about them.

I think it would be better if I only rarely posted now, as there seem to be a few posters who would follow me if I posted a thread about macro economic policies in Indonesia.

I do believe some have been blessed by posts on this thread, and with God's help that good work will continue :-)

Cynthia I think it might be better to start your own thread, you are well respected on the boards and I'm sure there would be less friction on a thread in your name.

xx

Cynthia and Kitty.

I would not be in the least offended if you started another Christian thread and I would then delete mine.

I would be disappointed but this thread has gone through some rocky waters since December. My hope was that people from several denominations would contribute freely. That we could learn a bit about Anglicanism, Roman Catholicism, Methodism, Baptist, Pentecostal, Unitarianism and so on. All committed Christians today tend to do quite a lot of work on Sundays and through the week within their own denomination. We see some churches prosper, others close. There are still millions who attend a place of worship (church, chapel, synagogue, mosque etc) every week.

Within my own denomination (Methodism) there are currently 270,000 members in the UK. Usually the congregations include members most weeks and about 50% extra who have not yet committed to membership (lot today don't seem to want to be committed unfortunately). Pentecostal churches now approach 300,000, and Anglican and RC membership is much higher.

I was and am quite happy to take challenging questions like "what is a false prophet?", "what is a hypocrite?" and try and explain things from a Bible perspective. I would just pray that answers are accepted in the spirit (and hopefully Holy Spirit) they are given.

Forgive me, but 'sick bucket' comes to mind!