CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEACHAM

Greetings from the manse,

Government statistics tell us that people are waiting shorter periods for consultations and operations and the like. This may be true, I hope it is. Equally, statistics suggest that much medical time is given over to personal, relational and social problems that people experience. Though these are very important they are not strictly medical so to speak. I’d perhaps go so far as to say that such dis-ease is spiritual in nature and reflect the estrangement people feel from others, and from something else that they can’t put their finger on. We call this something other, “God.” Perhaps we can even widen this diagnosis to say that between the sexes, generations, races, nations and between nature, and us there is separation and estrangement.

In all this we can recognize what St. Paul is saying of the new creation or the new man in Christ Jesus’. It is the life of ‘the man for others’, the love whereby we are brought completely into relationship with all that we feel has been separated and estranged. This miracle of divine grace shows itself in all the unreconciled relationships of our existence. This grace was manifested supremely on the Cross, and is met wherever Jesus Christ is shown forth and recognized in ‘an entirely different mode of living-in relationship from anything known in the world’, as the theologian Paul Tillich put it. We might say that in Christ we are whole and spiritually healthy. The Christian community exists to promote this healthiness and wholeness as the embodiment of this “new being” as love which dissolves dis-ease and estrangement. What a thought that Christ’s people are part of his universal health service!

Continuing our medical thoughts, see how you get on with these Nine Spiritual Remedies by Anonymous.

1 A little more patience — to tolerate those with whom I must live and who are not at all congenial to me.

2 A little more firmness — to continue this work which duty demands but which is repellent to me.

3 A little more humility -to remain at the post to which God has led me but which does not correspond with my dreams and plans.

4 A little more common sense — to take people as they are, not as I should like them to be.

5 A little more prudence — not to bother so much about other people’s own business.

6 A little more strength — to endure that which so suddenly disturbs the soul.

7 A little more cheerfulness — so as not to show I have been hurt.

8 A little more unselfishness - in trying to understand the thoughts and feelings of others.

9 Above all, a little more prayer, to draw God to my heart and take counsel with him.

With every good wish and blessing,

Rev'd Kim Nally

Methodist Minister.

PARISH REGISTERS

Baptisms

03/05/09       Ebony Grace Williamson, daughter of

                   Mark and Nicola

"For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation"

Faithful Departed (Church linked funerals)

25/4/09  Norman Tony Emerson                   79

10/5/09  Marjorie Caller                              96

16/5/09  William Henry Townshend              81

                 Arthur Horace Mason Howe

"Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted" We do extend our sympathy and condolences to all who have been bereaved, and who are prayed for at the Sunday morning services around the time of the funeral of their loved ones.

METHODIST CHURCH: Sunday Services

10.30am Morning Worship

ST MARY’S PARISH CHURCH: Sunday Services

  8.00am   Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.00am    Morning Worship
(All Age Worship on 1^st Sunday)
(Holy Communion on 2^nd and 5^th Sunday)
Provision for children during services

10.30am    Morning Worship at Junior School

               (Holy Communion on 3^rd Sunday)

6.00pm     Evening Worship

Church Services in Nursing/Residential Homes

Tue 2^nd        2.30pm Service at Rebecca Court

Mon 8^th      11.00am Holy Communion at Millbridge

Wed 17^th      2.30pm Service at Summerville

Sun 21^st       7.30pm Service at Neville Court

Fri 26^th       10.30am Service at Fridhem

Fri 26^th           NO Service at Sunnyside

SUMMER WEEKDAY OPENING: MAY-SEPTEMBER

All through the summer (until 30^th September) St. Mary's is open for visitors on Mondays to Fridays from 10am till 4pm; and on Sundays from 12 noon till 5pm. Between 10-12 and 2-4 on weekdays there are always friendly people on duty to answer questions and be generally helpful to visitors. Tea, coffee and biscuits available. Why not pay a visit one day, enjoy the peace and quiet, and study the wonderful history present in this distinctive building which has been a centre for Christian worship in the area for hundreds of years. And if you might be interested in joining one of the teams who welcome visitors to the Church please phone Mary Sanders on 01485 570264.

VISIT OF WATOTO CHILDREN'S CHOIR

We shall be welcoming this lovely choir to St. Mary's on Tuesday 16^th June and their concert will be at 7pm. The choir comes from Uganda, all the children are parentless and they are wonderful singers.  It will be a most enjoyable evening of entertainment and ADMISSION IS FREE. Get to the church early to be sure of a seat.  See http://www.watoto.com/ for information about the choir.  There will be a collection on the night to support the work of the choir.

"FLOWER" FESTIVAL” ? WITH A DIFFERENCE

This year, Heacham Parish Church are planning a Festival with a difference, using recycled materials for flowers and for models of animals etc. The Festival will be open on Friday 19^th June and Saturday 20^th June from 10.00am-5.00pm and on Sunday 21^st June from 12 noon till 5.00pm. Live background music will be arranged for the Saturday with a Concert at 7.30pm by the West Norfolk Jubilee Youth Orchestra (tickets will be available shortly for the concert, @ £5 each). Refreshments and lunches will be served from a marquee whilst the Festival is open. The "exhibits" will also be on show during the following week if you miss this special weekend.