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Clare Shearing looks for the ‘good’ as she says ‘goodbye’ for the time being

‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.’ Ecclesiastes 3 :1

As this verse expresses so poetically, we go through many different times and seasons in our lives. As I leave my work as communications officer and enter a new period of caring for my mother, it is reassuring to know that exiting one season allows us to enter a new one, and that this is all part of God’s plan. For me, this change gives rise to a huge range of emotions: much sadness to be relinquishing a role I have loved; gratitude for all the ways it has allowed me to serve the Lord and the church family at St Saviour’s; but also surrender to and confidence in God’s promises and for His purposes to be fulfilled. So, though ‘goodbye’ is difficult, I find myself trusting the Lord, both for myself and my family, and for St Saviour’s.

‘Goodbye’ and ‘thank you’ often seem to be companions, words that go hand in hand as we move on through life. My particular ‘thank yous’ go to the staff team: to Andy and Mel for all the confidence and trust that they have vested in me; to Caz, Phil, and Jez (and Nathan before him), as well as former office friends, Kerry and Tanja. But really my gratitude extends to the whole church family at St Saviour’s – so many of you have supported from behind the scenes, or brought me a cuppa, or given encouragement and a friendly word. I feel very appreciative of and grateful to you all for your support and forbearance over the years!

Please be praying for the right person for this role in this new phase in St Saviour’s church life, and for Andy and the rest of the staff team as they continue to work so diligently in His service. They really are an amazing bunch of people, and serve so tirelessly.

I admit it is difficult to find the ‘good’ in ‘goodbye’ when there are so many people and memories that make it tough, but perhaps it is a bit easier as we learn to let go and let God. My next step is not an easy one, but it’s the season that God has called me into, and I find that I trust the Lord, both for myself and my family, and for St Saviour’s. As Dr Seuss says, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’ Goodbye for the time being, and thank you!

Clare Shearing, church communications officer

Caz Gatehouse has exciting news about our children’s groups

Zoom groups and meetings, filming, editing: all things I would never have thought of as being part of my work. To be honest, I had never heard of Zoom before the pandemic got underway!! And whilst I would be the first to agree that none of these things beat seeing people face-to-face, I am grateful for the access we have had to technology (as frustrating as it is at times!) to be able to keep in touch and ‘see’ each other over these long 15 months of lockdowns and restrictions!

Baby and toddler group

But as the restrictions are easing it’s great to be starting to get back to meeting up in person! Our toddler group has been going for a few weeks, now in a slightly different form. We call it Toddler Group Meet-up and meet outside, if the weather is good, or in the Link. Over the 15 months the babies have become toddlers and the toddlers have started school!! We look forward to welcoming new families into our toddler group over the coming weeks and months!

Sunday morning groups are coming back!

Our Sunday children’s work is due to get underway soon! We will start after half term, on Sunday 13 June, with a party-style session to welcome everyone back!! It will be so good to see you all!!

As we continue to have to follow the guidelines, you will need to book a place for your children by sending me an email to caz@stsaviours.net or a text message to 07948 799332. This is so we can set out tables and chairs and have resources all ready in advance. Adults will need to wear face masks. Any parents who may want to stay in with their children (especially those younger children who may be a little unsure of coming at first) need to book a place for themselves as well. To begin with, we will just have two groups, one in the upstairs hall and one downstairs.

Join the team

Our team is a little depleted at the moment so we are looking for people to join us! So if you have a passion to share with others about Jesus and to help our children to walk in his ways, then please do get in touch to find out how you can get involved!

Messy Church

Messy Church will continue online at the moment, largely because we now need to rebuild a team!! Though, during the summer, I am planning to do a couple of ‘Messy Meet-Ups’. This will be a social time to meet up in the church garden – bring your own picnic and we will play a few games and give out craft bags. The crafts will link to the story and theme of the online session. Look out for dates and times of these – when the weather gets more settled!

Prayer points

Please pray for those involved in the children’s work, for others to come forward to join the teams, and especially for the children and families as they get back into the rhythm of ‘coming to church’ again!!

Caz Gatehouse, children’s minister

Carol Allen shares the importance of DBS checks in protecting our church family

‘”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”‘ Jeremiah 29:11

Near the beginning of this year, I took over from Joy Bendell as the DBS officer for St Saviour’s. For those of you who don’t know, DBS stands for the Disclosure and Barring Service, previously known as the Criminal Records Bureau. Those of us who work with vulnerable adults and/or children are required to have one of these completed and for the purposes of the Church of England, as do all members of the PCC as overseers of the organisations within the church. My role in this is to organise the completion of these checks for all lay members of the church and to keep the records of when they are due, up to date. The clergy are covered by the diocesan DBS officer.

‘Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.’ Teresa of Avila

In the Jeremiah passage God has great plans for all of us, adults and children alike. He wants us to prosper, to go into the world with confidence. Sadly, this is not the case for all. We have all heard reports and seen on our television cases where both children and vulnerable adults have not seen God’s hands, eyes, feet and body in people. Anything but. They have not gone into the world with hope and confidence in the future or experienced love, care and compassion in their daily lives.

The DBS check covers criminal records, unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. The enhanced, which we have, gives the authorities the ability to check whether there is anything specific for the roles applied for. This is one tool we have to keep our most vulnerable members as safe as possible, so that God’s plan for them is prospered and not harmed and they can face the world with confidence and resilience.

Carol Allen, DBS officer

Andy McPherson shares some significant staff news

Farewell and ‘Thank you’ to Clare

After five and a half years of faithful service as our communications officer, the last year or so working from home and being the hub for communication during the Covid 19 pandemic, Clare Shearing is reluctantly relinquishing her job at St Saviour’s. Clare has been a valued, supportive, prayerful, and visionary member of our staff team. Our thanks go to Clare for work ‘above and beyond the call of duty’, especially during recent, stressful times. ‘Thank you’ Clare for your wonderful contributions to our church’s life and in the words of a churchwarden, “Clare has played a crucial role in enabling church communication to continue over the last year and has been undoubtedly the right person at the right time.” Clare is now becoming a full-time carer for her mum.

We are planning to give Clare a farewell gift and donations towards this can be put in an envelope and dropped through the Vicarage door (53a Holdenhurst Avenue) or handed to a churchwarden at one of our ‘in person’ services. Cheques payable to ‘St. Saviours PCC’ clearly marked on the back ‘Clare’s Fund’.

Opportunities on our Staff Team at St Saviour’s

Following Tanja’s departure in June last year as administrator and Clare standing down from her communications role, there are opportunities to join our Staff Team at St Saviour’s. Both roles involve being a welcoming face in the office or voice on the telephone, as a first point of contact for those seeking information, advice or pastoral support, and may involve prayer ministry where appropriate.

Tanja’s role involved administration, including creating rotas for regular services; managing the activities in the Link; co-ordinating and recording in registers Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals; liaison with the Diocesan Office, including producing regular reports; supporting the administrative teams in our partner churches; monitoring office emails; ordering stationery and refreshment supplies; and liaising with Margaret Shelton on Electoral Roll and Hall Bookings enquiries.

In her Communications Officer role Clare has been responsible for producing the weekly updates and newsletter; maintaining the website, including uploading blogs, sermons, and promoting the activities of the church; developing our presence through media outlets like Facebook and Instagram; producing posters and flyers to publicise group activities and events; managing all our email accounts and media licenses; and ensuring our office systems are maintained. Each of these roles has been part-time (15 hours per week), but they could be amalgamated if the candidate had all the necessary skills.

If there is anyone who feels God is calling them to either or both of these roles, please send an email to andy@stsaviours.net.

Andy McPherson, vicar

Caz Gatehouse explains what it is and how we can all get involved in praying for 5

What is Thy Kingdom Come?

Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. During the 11 days of Thy Kingdom Come, it is hoped that everyone who takes part will:

• Deepen our own relationship with Jesus Christ
• Pray for 5 friends or family to come to faith in Jesus
• Pray for the empowerment of the Spirit that we would be effective in our witness

How can you get involved?

There are resources for all ages to get involved – from apps, to Prayer Books, to videos, and even an escape room – check out the website! But here’s a few ways you can get involved!

Pray for 5

Start asking God now to put on your mind five people you can pray for during TKC. During the 11 days spend time praying for them. Think of a way to help you remember:

• Write the names on a card and hang some where you will see it.
• Get a length of cord and tie 5 knots in it – wear around your wrist each day.
• Place 5 small buttons or coins in a bag and place in your pocket – pray each time you find them.
• If you want to do this as a family, have a pot with 5 lolly sticks or strips of card in, each with the name of one of your 5. Take turns to pull out a stick and pray for that person.

Prayer Journal and bookmark

We have 50 copies of the new Prayer Journal for you to pick up and use. Why not think of someone you know who has drifted away a bit from church and take one round to them, and write an encouraging note to them on the bookmark? (Large print copies can be downloaded and printed from the website.)

The App

Download the TKC App on your phone or device from Apple or Google Play. This will have daily readings and prayer ideas, along with a video to watch each day.

Lectio 365 is also launching a Thy Kingdom Come mini-series on the Lectio 365 app! Download the app for free, and join them from 13 May for inspiring content to encourage you as you pray.

Escape Room and youth reflections

This year there is an online Escape Room – although designed for young people, anyone can have a go! A series of youth reflections are also available to download, with thoughts from Guvna B, Elle Limebear, and many more.

Diocese of Norwich Family Prayer Map and App

There are copies of the map for you to pick up in church (let me know if you would like one but can’t get to church). They are also available as a digital download and there is an app that will feature daily games and videos, including the Cheeky Pandas (see below). There are also Family Adventure Podcasts you can listen too as well!

Cheeky Pandas

The Cheeky Pandas Series is a fun-filled and Bible-based series of videos, aimed at children up to about 10 years old. There is a video for every day of TKC (see TKC’s Facebook and YouTube channel), as well as activity packs to download and print. There is also a Cheeky Pandas Prayer Journal – I have 20 copies of these, so if you would like one let me know! And a Cheeky Pandas playlist on Spotify.

Blessing Walk

You are not limited to just praying for your 5 people! Why not pray for people you pass as you go for a walk? Find somewhere to sit for a moment or two – as people pass just pray silently for God to bless them!

To find out more, follow TKC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and go to the website www.thykingdomcome.global, where you can check out and access all the resources as well!

Caz Gatehouse, children’s minister

Christine Moyes gives us creative ways to fundraise for Christian Aid Week this year

Amazingly 2021 marks the 75th anniversary of Christian Aid which was formed in 1946. Even more amazing is when we consider how many people across the world have been helped over the past 75 years.

This year Christian Aid Week will take place Monday 10 May – Sunday 16 May and the theme will be Climate Change and Kenya. Of course, this year still looks a bit different and we need to consider coronavirus and the social distancing restrictions that are in place. However, with creativity, we can all rise to the challenge and do our part to celebrate this life-changing week.

Christian Aid Week envelopes and St Saviour’s e-envelope

Christian Aid devotional booklets and donation envelopes will be available in church to be collected and returned with your donation. However, if you cannot do this, then St Saviour’s has created a digital envelope, available online to provide a cashless-but-personal way to raise funds. To donate online, please use the link here.

Alternatively, you can put your donations into the church letterbox located by the Link doors. (Please mark your envelope ‘Christian Aid Week’.)

Other ways to raise funds

There are lots of opportunities to do something new to help those in need across the world, so why not have a go at one of these?

• Challenge yourself – take on the challenge to walk 300,000 steps in May to get fit and raise vital funds. This sponsored fundraiser clocks in at just under 10,000 steps a day. If social distancing restrictions allow, you could team up with others too. Sign up at caweek.org/steps. If walking isn’t for you, why not create your own individual challenge, anything from a sponsored silence to a race to learn 100 words in another language? The possibilities are endless!
• Swot up for Quiztian Aid – due to popular demand, Quiztian Aid will return on Saturday 8 May at 7 pm. This fun-filled online quiz is suitable for all the family. Sign up at caweek.org/quiztianaid.
• For lots more virtual and socially distanced ideas and events, please go to caweek.org.

This Christian Aid week your donation could help communities withstand climate chaos. With your support, better earth dams can be built to harvest more water, drought-tolerant crops can be sown, and climate change justice can be demanded at the highest level.

Thank you for standing with Christian Aid.

Christine Moyes