Sunday 3rd AprilInterActiveThis week we explored the parable 'Treasures new and old.' This is found in Matthew's gospel 13:51-53. It was another of those, is it or isn't it a parable? Paula Gooder, in her book, The Parables, suggests that it is a parable for two reasons:If you include verse 53, then it is referring to this and the 6 other parables/stories in the 52 verses preceding the statement.Also verse 52 contain a ‘likening’ - where Jesus says “…is like…”Our first activity was to make a russian doll teachers (they didn’t have to be dolls!) out of squares of paper.In our reading, it talks about a treasure storeroom. Now the size of the treasure, the storeroom depends on wealth [russian doll sizes]. Also the storeroom refers to a place in which treasure of any kind can be stored. So, it might be varied in size from a grain store, a strong room, a strong box, or a casket.Next we began to decorate the russian doll teachers and reflected on our reading. In our Bible reading version it said teachers of the law, in other versions – scribe. In this context, that is those who read and understand the scriptures. We can read into that as simply being disciples, believers who share an understanding of a Bible passage. That means all of us, to a greater or lesser degree, hence the Russian doll teachers we made. We asked the question - Which size are you? We also noted that we are not ALL teachers but we do all have something to teach, or story to share.What about the new and old treasures?You could almost say that this is the new testament and the old testament of the Bible. Certainly, the new treasure is Jesus’ teachings and parables and the old treasure is the scriptures. But also out of the old comes the new, in that when you read the old with the Jesus lens, the Jesus glasses - you find new treasures. Jesus himself demonstrated that on the road to Emmaus when he opened the scriptures to the disciples and how what happened at Easter fulfilled the Old treasure and brought New life.As we are focussing on the parables we could interpret this passage as Paula Gooder says:“the parables, complex though they may be, are to be used as a treasure store to help in interpreting the world around us.“Our final activity was to write/draw our favourite passage, verse, story in the Bible.Our reflections drew to a close with thinking about how we all have something to teach, to share. Again the Russian doll teachers. Which size is you? We are not ALL teachers but we do all have something to teach, or story to share.Our treasure storeroom might vary in size, our wealth of Biblical knowledge might vary in size, our faith experience might vary in size, but we all have some new and old treasure to share. Even if it is just our favourite passage.After our prayers we ended the service with a feast of blueberry muffins thanks to Josh's baking skills :-)Monday 4th AprilQuote of the Week"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes including you." - Anne LamottWednesday 6th AprilQuestion of the Week:"How does savouring make you happier?"Thursday 7th AprilPicture of the Week:Lent - day 32 of 40. What do you see in this picture? (see download) How might this picture connect with Lent or Easter?Friday 8th AprilBible verse of the Week:'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' - Matthew 6:21
Sunday 13th MarchOutdoor ChurchThis week we explored the parable of the lost coin found in Luke's gospel chapter 15:8-10. There was some thinking about value and being valued. Activities included a nature 'winter scavenger hunt' identifying some things connected with trees. Also there was a challenge to make a stick key and we finished by making popcorn over the fire.Monday 14th MarchQuote of the Week"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." - Jim RyunWednesday 16th MarchRoots and WingsThis week's theme was 'friends and family' and the story was 'Monstersaurus' by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. Craft was making a 'monster'. And our Bible verse was 1 Thessalonians 5:11a"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up." A couple of the big screen questions and quotations for pondering were:Question. 'Is self-reliance good for you?'Quote. “Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." - Woodrow WilsonRoots and Wings Hub - this week we were advertising Buggy Walk run by Basking Babies with Home Start Cambridgeshire.Thursday 17th MarchPicture of the WeekLent - day 14 of 40. How might this picture (see download) connect with Lent or Easter?
This is a podcast service for Christmas Day and/or Sunday 26th December. This is a short service of Christmas carols, an adaptation of the 'Nativity Rhyme for Christmastime' written by Bob Hartman and three questions I asked members of the church.We are currently using our YouTube channel to host our podcast service. This podcast will be available from Christmas Day by clicking here.
Sunday 14th NovemberIt was Remembrance Sunday. There was a great turnout of around 140 people with many young families. There was approximately 40 children and many of the uniformed organisations were present including Rainbows; Brownies; Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. These groups had split their attendance between there traditional attendance at Alconbury parade and with us. We were also joined by two military representatives from RAF Wyton Station, who also happen to be Weald residents which was great. From our neighbours at RAF Alconbury we also welcomed a representative from the US Visiting Forces. The service started with the gathering and introduction on the school plaza before the community walk up Garland Park, noting that this followed the route of the airfield taxi way. We arrived and gathered around the platform on Memorial Green with the Watch Office behind us. Here we welcomed those who had joined us, took a moment to reflect that this was an active airfield during WWII. We then stood quietly as the Last Post was sounded, followed by two minutes silence ending with The Reveille. After this following a short Bible reading, reflection, prayers was the laying of the wreaths by the military representative, uniformed organisations, U&C. Then everyone else was invited to place a lapel poppy in the prepared oasis blocks. We finished off this act of remembrance by a commitment to work for peace before respectfully listening and singing along to both the UK and USA national anthems. Outdoor refreshments were then served from the cricket pitch side of The Pavilion. Thank you to all those who helped on the day and made all this possible.Wednesday 17th NovemberRoots and WingsIt was lovely to be in the twenties again this week, it was all a bit more relaxed. This week's theme was 'emotions' and the story was 'Guess how much I love you' a new classic. Craft was making rabbit ears masks which went down well as ever. And out Bible verse was Ecclesiastes 3:4 "There is a time to weep.And there’s a time to laugh.There is a time to be sad.And there’s a time to dance."A couple of the big screen questions and quotations for pondering were:Question. A bit different this week by displaying a photo of people with the question - 'What emotions or feelings do you see in this picture?'Quote. Mahatma Gandhi - "Where there is love there is life."
