Our Passion For Life 2014 Events Week with team from Oak Hill College

The Parishes of Warbleton, Bodle Street Green & Dallington

A Passion For Life 2014

Events Week, Easter Services

& More.....

with a team from Oak Hill Theological College, London

You and your guests are warmly invited

All our services and events are open to those of any faith or none.

Some of the things we have planned are just for fun.

Where events include a talk, we hope these will be of interest both to committed Christians, convinced atheists and those somewhere in between.

Unless otherwise stated, events are free and booking is not required

General queries to the Rector, The Revd Marc Lloyd – 01435 83042101435 830421 / marc_lloyd@hotmail.com

EVENTS WEEK

Thursday 10^th April

Coffee & Company Coffee Morning 10.00am – 12.00pm at Osborne House, Rushlake Green – coffee etc. for sale

Quiz night 7.30pm at Bodle Street Green village hall, BN27 4RE. Quizmaster Bryan Whitton. Teams of up to 8 or come along with any number or on your own and join a team. Short talk entitled: “The Question Jesus asks us”. Suggested donation £2 per person. Nibbles provided. Please bring your own drinks. Prize for the winning team. Contact: David Cleverley – 01435 81287001435 812870 - dgc@gotadsl.co.uk

Friday 11^th April

Coffee Tasting 10.00am with Emma Joynson-Hi​cks, African coffee expert and an independent consultant for the UN and others on coffee related matters. Short talk entitled “Taste and See That the Lord is Good”.  Warbleton Church Rooms, Church Hill, Warbleton, TN21 9BD. Suggested donation £2 per head. Contact the Rector.

Walking Group 2.00pm starting and finishing at Warbleton Church Rooms whatever the weather; an easy walk lasting about one hour. Dogs welcome. Followed by coffee and cake with a short talk entitled “Why creation declares God’s glory”. Contact: Judith Hemsley – 01435 83048101435 830481 – judithhemsley@btinternet.com

Christians in Sport Supper 7.00pm for 7.30pm at Heathfield & Waldron Rugby Club, Cross in Hand Rd, Heathfield TN21 0UR. Jeremy Cooke will interview our after-dinner speaker Pete Nicholas. Pete leads Christians in Sport’s work with professional athletes. Pete played for Oxford University in the Varsity match getting three Blues from 1999-2001 as well as playing professionally for Henley Hawks and England students.  He has recently taken up British Jiu Jitsu. Good quality 3 course meal provided by The Merrie Harriers Pub. £12 per head. Drinks for sale at the bar. Booking essential. Contact Tony Welford – 01435 81251401435 812514 – tonywelford@btinternet.com

Saturday 12^th April

Men’s and Ladies’ Breakfasts 8.30am at White Birch Farm, White Birch Lane, Warbleton, TN21 9BE. Booking helpful.

For men’s breakfast please contact: Mike Greaves 01435 83058801435 830588 – mikeg01@btinternet.com. Coffee, cereal, full English breakfast. Talk entitled: “The most important breakfast ever”. Suggested donation £5.

For ladies’ breakfast please contact Wendy Greaves 01435 83058801435 830588 – Guernsey.girl@btinternet.com.  Continental breakfast. Talk entitled: “Can God satisfy my hunger?” Suggested donation £2.50.

Warbleton Churchyard Clear-up  10.00am followed by a free lunch with a short talk. Contact: David Cleverley - 01435 81287001435 812870 or dgc@gotadsl.co.uk. Booking helpful. Please bring any tools, gloves etc. that might be useful.

Mini-tag rugby afternoon 2.30pm with half time talk for all ages from 5 to 95. The Green, Rushlake Green. Contact Tony Welford – 01435 812514 – tonywelford@btinternet.com. Half-time refreshments served. You are invited to repair to The Horse and Groom in Rushlake Green to discuss the game afterwards. 

‘Good Will Hunting’ (Certificate 15) Film Night 7.00pm for 7.30pm Bodle Street Green Village Hall, BN27 4RE. With short introduction, epilogue and opportunity for discussion. Donations welcome.  Coffee & cake etc. for sale. Please feel free to bring your own drinks. Contact: Caroline Thompson – 01323 85339101323 853391 - carolinelouisethompson@gmail.com

PALM SUNDAY

Palm Sunday 13^th April

Church Services:

Family Service with Dramatised Readings 9.30am at St John the Evangelist, Bodle Street Green, followed by coffee, squash and biscuits.

Family Service 11.00am Warbleton Parish Church Talk entitled ‘’More than a Carpenter’’ followed by coffee, squash and biscuits, Open Tower – parachutes, planes and stunning views! Brass rubbing & Frisbee available.

Joint Songs of Praise type Service 6.30pm at St Giles’, Dallington with interviews and short talk entitled ‘’An Introduction to beat all others’’ followed by coffee and biscuits.

Bowling Afternoon 3.30pm – 5.00pm at Hailsham Freedom Leisure Centre, Vicarage Lane, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 2AX. For young people and families; £3 per person per game. Booking advisable. Help may be available with transport. Contact: Barbara Cooke – 01435 83088301435 830883 – barbaracooke1@btopenworld.com

WEEK BEFORE EASTER

Monday 14^th April

Mission Rescue Holiday Club Morning for under 12s 10.00am – 11:30am (1^st morning) at Warbleton Church & Church Rooms. Suggested donation £1 per child per day. Refreshments provided. Contact: Shirley Austin: 01435 83028001435 830280 - shirleyaustin@btopenworld.com. Children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. (Also Tuesday & Wednesday AM).

Chaps Who Lunch (1) Pub Meal For Men. 12.30pm The Three Cups Pub, Three Cups Corner, Nr Heathfield, TN21 9LR. Bookings: Vivian Bowern – 01435 83020401435 830204 - veb@warbleton.force9.co.uk. Just pay for what you order.

Meet The Team & Any Questions 7.30pm – 9.00pm Warbleton Church Rooms. An opportunity to hear some of the stories of the Oak Hill team and the difference Christian faith makes to them, with opportunity for any questions however simple, difficult or hostile! Coffee and biscuits provided. 

Tuesday 15^th April

Mission Rescue Holiday Club Morning for under 12s 10.00am – 11.30am (2^nd morning) at Warbleton Church & Church Rooms. Suggested donation £1 per child per day. Refreshments provided. Contact: Shirley Austin: 01435 83028001435 830280 - shirleyaustin@btopenworld.com. Children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Chaps Who Lunch (2) Pub Meal For Men. 12:30pm The Black Duck Pub, Church Hill, Warbleton, TN21 9BD. Bookings: Vivian Bowern – 01435 830204 - veb@warbleton.force9.co.uk. Just pay for what you order.

Astronomy Evening(s) 7.00pm – 8.30pm for 11-15s and then 8.30pm – 10.00pm for adults at Warbleton Church Rooms with short talk entitled “The heavens declare the glory of God” led by Greg Smye-Rumsby from The Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Weather permitting, look through telescopes at the night sky with expert explanation and help. If totally cloudy, night sky show indoors. Suggested donation £2 per head. Hot soup, bread and drinks provided.

Wednesday 16^th April

Mission Rescue Holiday Club Morning for under 12s 10.00am – 11.30am (3rd & final) at Warbleton Church & Church Rooms. Suggested donation £1 per child per day. Refreshments provided. Contact: Shirley Austin: 01435 83028001435 830280 - shirleyaustin@btopenworld.com. Children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Evening Talk: “Is there a God, and if so can we know what he’s like?” 7.30pm – 9.00pm  at Warbleton Church Rooms. With an opportunity for any questions and discussion. Speaker: Dr Kirsty Birkett. Kirsty has worked for the Universities of New South Wales and Sydney as a tutor in philosophy of science, and in Christian publishing. She has also been an editor and writer of children's material and was for ten years on the Board of the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Her many publications cover the whole area of relationships between science and religion. She has also written on psychology, feminism and the family for both a popular and academic audience. Kirsty has family in Cyprus and Australia. At any time she might be found living with an assortment of cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds. Coffee and biscuits provided.

Maundy Thursday 17^th April

Coffee & Company Coffee Morning – 10.00am – 12.00pm at Osborne House, Rushlake Green – coffee etc. for sale

Explained Christian Passover Supper 7.00pm for a prompt start at 7.15pm at Bodle Street Green Village Hall, BN27 4RE with The Revd Ray Lockhart, former Rector of Christ Church, Jerusalem. We expect to serve supper around 8.00pm. 3 courses - £12. Please bring your own drinks. Bookings essential. Contact: Jennifer Gill – 01323 83300101323 833001 – jennifergill@uwclub.net

EASTER WEEKEND

Good Friday 18^th April

An Hour At The Cross 10.00am at St John the Evangelist, Bodle Street Green. Reflective service. Followed by hot cross buns and coffee.

Walk of Witness with Good Friday Reflections 11.00am at The Union Church, High Street, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 8LB. Organised by Churches Together in Heathfield and District

Good Friday Service 12.00pm at St Giles, Dallington.

An Hour At The Cross 3.00pm at Warbleton Parish Church. Reflective service. Followed by hot cross buns and coffee.

Saturday 19^th April

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt 2.00pm at Warbleton Parish Church with Bible Story, Crafts, Songs etc.

Easter Sunday 20^th April

Family Service with Holy Communion  9.30am St John The Evangelist, Bodle Street Green, followed by Easter Egg Hunt, squash, coffee and biscuits.

Holy Communion  10.00am St Giles, Dallington, followed by coffee and biscuits.

Family Service followed by optional Holy Communion 11.00am Warbleton Parish Church, with coffee and biscuits.

Traditional 1662 Book of Common Prayer Evensong 6.30pm Warbleton Parish Church.

Easter Monday 21^st April

The Club with No Name (TCWNN) Ramble. 10am – 3pm Meet at Warbleton Church Rooms. The walk will end there. Lunch provided. All 10s-15s welcome. Contact Tony Welford – 01435 81251401435 812514 – tonywelford@btinternet.com

Further Ahead

Sunday 27^th April

4 for All Messy Church 4.00pm Punnetts Town Village Hall. Event for children and families followed by free buffet tea. Songs, games, and a look at part of the story of the Exodus from the Bible.   

Wednesday 30^th April

Christianity Explored – One Life. What’s it all about? 7.30pm – 9.00pm

Investigate the Christian faith for yourself or have a refresher on the basics. You can ask any question you like - however simple or challenging - or just come along and listen. You won’t be asked to read aloud or pray or do anything religious or embarrassing. Coffee and cake. 7 Sessions from Wednesday 30^th April with a week off for half-term on Wednesday 28^th May, concluding Wednesday 18^th June. Give one session a try, no pressure to come back if it’s not for you. It doesn’t matter if you can’t make every week. The Rectory, Rookery Lane, Rushlake Green, TN21 9QJ. Contact: marc_lloyd@hotmail.com / 01435 83042101435 830421

For More Details

Further information:

Warbleton Parish Church - warbletonchurch.org.uk

St John’s Church, Bodle Street Green - achurchnearyou.com/bodle-street-green-st-john-the-evangelist0

St Giles’s Church, Dallington - achurchnearyou.com/dallington-st-giles

A Passion for Life 2014 - apassionforlife.org.uk/en

Oak Hill Theological College - oakhill.ac.uk

Christianity Explored - christianityexplored.org

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Protestant, Reformed, Evangelical

On the excellenent Theologican website, The Most Rev Dr Peter Jensen (former Archbishop of Sydney) explains why he is a Protestant, Reformed Evangelical. (3 talks) I am one too and I look forward to one day finding out whether I agree with everything the former Archbishop has to say.

Hierarchy

I have argued elsewhere (below) that the Christian view of reality is hierarchical. God is king and he has established people, kings, husbands, fathers, elders, employers and others to govern the world under him.

I agree the word hierarchical is infelicitous and may come with all sorts of unhelpful and misleading baggage. Perhaps you can suggest a better one?

To reflect on the nature of some of these hierarchies, consider the case of the general and the private soldier. They are of course equal in dignity and worth as human beings. They are God's image bearers. But the private is to obey all the lawful orders of his commanding officers. Note that he is to do that whether he agrees with them or not. In fact, the private may be a better, more moral, cleverer person than the general. The private's battle plan may be better, but it matters not. The private obeys the general (within limits) because of the general's status, role and function not because of his essence or worth or ability.

So it is with husbands, fathers, rulers, elders and employers and whatsoever lawful authorities there be.

Now, you could argue that perhaps the private should be appointed a general, but that is another point. Also the wise general will listen to the appropriate useful suggestions of his men when circumstances allow, but again that is not the point here.We obey because of the office not the man.

Are food banks a disgrace?

According to the headline on the front page of today's Telegraph, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, has said that it is disgraceful that many are forced to rely on food banks.

If the Archbishop is rejecting, say, restrictive work practices that lead to a lack of jobs, I can see his point.

But if he thinks government benefits are better than private charity I'm not sure why he thinks that. Private charity would seem more biblical. It is freely given whereas tax is coerced from people for the payment of benefits. Charity seems morally superior to me.

 Far from being disgraceful, food banks depend on grace. Their giving is more personal, direct and immediate than the state's. Many Christians motivated and empowered by the grace of God show grace to others through food banks.

Discuss.

2 problems with preaching Ephesians 6:5-9 today

Let me suggest to you 2 apparent problems with preaching Ephesians 6:5-9 (and its instructions to slaves and masters) today and say why I don't think they are real problems at all.

(1) These verses are apparently irrelevant.

None of us is a slave nor a slave master so we can move on, right?

No. I think there are principles here that apply to any hierarchical relationship.

I realise some people will be spooked by the word hierarchical but I'm afraid that's life. And indeed that's the word of God. There are kind of hierarchies in the Godhead (the Son submits to the Father), the Family (wives submit to their husbands and children obey their parents), the World (there are kings and rulers) and the Church (the people of God obey the Elders). Relationships of inferiority and superiority or of subordination, call it what you will, are inevitable. This passage transforms them all. Alongside all these voluntary roles, there is a profound and far reaching equality. Equal worth, dignity and status. Different jobs and ways of relating.

We may not be slaves or slave masters but many of us are employees or employers or both and there is much we can learn from these verses. I find a surprising number of people round here seem to have domestic servants of a sort too!

And maybe even if we are not employed or employing, there are lessons here for voluntary work, family, world and church.

(2) These verses are apparently immoral.

As I have said they smell of wicked hierarchy which we do not like.

They might also be seen as coming near condoning slavery, which we know is wicked.

Well, much needs to be said here.

We should distinguish Old Testament "slavery", slavery in the ancient world and the 18th Century slave trade.

In the Old Testament a brief period of indentured servitude (up to 7 years) was a bankruptcy and social security provision for those who could not afford to repay their debts. The debtor would be given food and a home in return for their labour and their rights were strictly safeguarded.

It seems to me that the gospel radically transforms slavery.

William Wilberforce and other Bible believing Christians rightly saw that the Word of God required the immediate and complete end of the 18th Century slave trade as immoral. It is not lawful to kidnap a man, transport him to the other side of the world away from his family and force him to work like an animal and for no pay. God will judge those who treated his Image Bearers as their personal property. That of course is obvious.

But these verses can teach us an important lesson of how to live under an imperfect and often unjust system. And we know enough of those. The ultimate aim, of course, is the removal of all such systems, but not by further sin. And how do we carry on in the meantime.

Ephesians 6:5-9 turns out to be highly relevant and appropriate to Godly living today.

And perhaps one can watch 12 Years A Slave and call it sermon preparation?

"Will we see John Wesley in heaven?"

John Wesley and George Whitefild disagreed about God’s sovereignty and so on.

The story is told:

One of Whitfield's supporters asked him whether we would see Wesley in heaven.

Whitefield replied, “No, no, we won’t see him there.”

“I thought so!”, exclaimed his questioner.

Whitfield explained, “We won’t see Wesley in heaven. He will be far nearer the Throne of God than we are. We won’t see him.”

Some work statistics

Suresh Menon quotes some statistics about work which he says he got from a tabloid newspaper in July 2011.

79% of people would give up their job tomorrow if they could.

6/10 people are totally stressed out because of / at work.

7/10 people consider themselves underpaid.

8/10 feel undervalued, unjustly treated or overworked.

http://www.stebbes.org.uk/talks/2011/jul/suresh-menon/slaves-and-masters

Actually, I think its quite good going that 21% of people would perhaps apparently carry on with their work even if they didn’t need the money.

Child Euthanasia & 50-odd Facebook Gender Options

Two very different headlines have caught my eye today:

(1) Beligium has introduced provision for child euthanasia

(2) Facebook has adjusted the gender options by which one is able to identify oneself in one's profile from Male or Female to 50 different choices

It seems to me that these two stories have something in common. They are both possible consequences of not believing in God. If we are committed to human autonomy, these may be stages on the road. There is no saying where we will end up.

Let's take them in turn:

(1) If there is no God, then surely my life belongs to me. It is my right to choose. If, being of sound mind, I consistently want to kill myself, does anyone else have the right to stop me? If I am terminally ill and in constant pain and I have made that choice, wouldn't it be kind for someone to help me? Could there be circumstances in which that kindness should be extended to children? Although there are no doubt dangers, there seems a kind of undeniable logic to the position.

But the Christian view is different: we belong body and soul to the Triune God. He alone gives life and he alone can take it.

Of course, that leaves questions for the Christian to answer, most notably why a loving powerful God would allow a child to suffer from a terminal and painful illness in such misery that he wants to die. The Christian has some things to say about that, but, granted, he might not be able to give a perfect answer. But the Christian view does tell us why euthanasia and suicide are always wrong. God our maker, owner and king has said "you shall not kill." It is his perogative to take human life in this way and he reserves it to himself, as is his right as the Almighty Holy God.

(2) If there is no God, human beings are an evolutionary accident and it is up to me to describe my "gender", whatever that is, as I wish. I will label myself if I want to and I will make up my own lables too if that's what seems right to me and what's it to you? But out you controlling freak! Live and let live, eh?

But the Christian view is different: God has created people male and female.

Again, there are still questions for the Christian here. Life is not quite that simple. But the principle is clear. If God is God, he undoubtedly has the right to say what the labels are in his universe and to whom they apply.

Further, if God is God, and if he exists, we have to believe that his laws (no suicide or euthanasia and in general understand your gender as basically male or female) are good, true and beautiful. His laws might seem oppressive and restrictive to those who desire autonomy, but that autonomy is impossible. We are God's offspring. In him we live and move and have our being. He is not far from each one of us. And living according to his word, is our human flourishing, our best, who we were created to be. For God to say that we must normally think of ourselves as male or female and for him to tell us what that means is no more oppressive than for him to create the universe in the first place. We had no choice over that and we'd do well to get with the Maker's programme.

Of course, this does not prove that God exists, but if we are going to have a world with child euthanasia and an infinite number of gender choices, I think I rather wish he did. If we are the Captains of our own souls there is no knowing where we might sail and whether it will prove to be a good and happy place. Whereas God has promised that in Christ, he will make all things new. In Jesus all pain, confusion, inauthenticity and stigmatisation will be no more. His service is perfect freedom.

Whom Isaiah saw

In Isaiah chapter 6 the prophet has his great vision of the glory of Yahweh, the LORD, the thrice holy king.

Listening to a brother preach at a great little Proclamation Trust conference this week I realised what I surely ought to have seen before that John 12:39-41 which cites Isaiah 6 tells us that the prophet said these words because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him. Surely it s therefore reasonable to think that John takes Isaiah 6 as a vision of the glory of the pre-incarnate Christ.