Hello everyone,slight technical hitch yesterday meant I couldn't post but back on track today. Being the first Sunday in Advent many churches lit the first candle in their Advent wreath. Advent is the period were we are waiting for Jesus coming to earth not just as a tiny fragile baby but when He returns again in glory.
On Tuesday our church at Victoria Dock are holding interviews for the post of vicar, there are three candidates. We had an interesting experiment recently when several of our older church members went into a local school to tell them about their war experiences. I'll let the organiser tell you more.
“Dad’s Army Day”. A lighthearted title with a serious motive. Tessa Oram, Hull’s “Faith in Education” worker co-organised with staff a full “citizenship” day at Isaac Newton Secondary School (now known as David Lister East !) during which many pupils could meet, listen to,ask questions of and, at the day’s end, share in a short service of Remembrance with Hull people who had grown up during the war in Hull and had stories to tell.
She and the school sought support and received it from Hull churches – not forgetting the irrepressible Army Padre. One group of nine from St Columba’s Drypool shared personal memories of searchlights and devastating fire, of dank air raid shelters and the screaming of bombs and sirens, of blackout and food rations – we took along samples in little bags, of community sharing and “swapping” of coupons. The strafing of people leaving the cinema in Holderness Rd. sat with the story of the little boy loudly echoing the Air Raid Warden shouting “go git the buggers” as he stared at a plane caught in the searchlights, only to be clipped round the ear for his pains ! What was it like to be evacuated ? – some cried themselves to sleep every night; were you scared when the sirens went ?; can we try on the gas mask? – no less horribly choking in 2006 than 1942; what was it like in the trenches – hmm?
These were people who linked across the years effortlessly and unselfconsciously (despite earlier doubts). Street names, shops, even individual houses like the still rubbled end of New Bridge Road were common currency with the pupils.
Young and old “clicked”, were surprised how interesting each could be to the other and the results were moving and revelatory. Nine elderly Christians building bridges. Is there another school waiting for us?
Are you stuck with an idea for what to buy someone who has everything or can't think what to buy them? Have you thought of 'alternative gifts'? Several charities (Oxfam, World Vision & Christian Aid to think of 3) have catalogues where you can buy gifts for people in Third World countries.
Luke chapter 1v 30-31; "But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."
Until tomorrow, goodbye and God Bless
