mid-week joy 13th May 2020

Mid-week Joy

Welcome again to our mid-week celebration of all the great things happening in Leesfield Parish.

Our Sunday service details will be here at the weekend, but there's so much more we would love to share with you in the meantime.

This week's musical item is a song of hope by the virtual choir of The Blue Coat School, Birmingham.

This week is Christian Aid Week, and by now we would usually have delivered all our collection envelopes around the village and be planning our Big Brekkie in St Thomas' Community Room. Christian Aid Week is not cancelled, in fact, now more than ever our gifts, prayers and action are desperately needed. 

The world’s poorest countries have the weakest health systems, and many of the most vulnerable people will be exposed to this deadly virus. They will struggle to cope with any costs of healthcare, and the costs of being unable to earn a living while ill or quarantined. In addition, millions of people face the ongoing struggle with drought and crop failure. To add to this misery many countries across Africa are facing the devastation caused by the worst plagues of locusts for over 70 years.  

There are many ways to support the work of Christian Aid - by donating if you are able to, by joining in action for climate change,or simply by praying with us.

To find out more about Christian Aid please visit their website - Christian Aid , and to see more about what we're doing locally have a look at our facebook page Leesfield Parish 

If you would like to donate to Christian Aid by telephone rather than on line the number is 020 7523 2492.

News from our Scout Groups

Our scout groups are keeping really busy, doing as many of their usual activities in different ways. Ben made a "backyard bivi" and a Bedsheet fort as part of an internet based sleepover.

Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May is the Oldham District Beaver Sleepover, which is still going ahead but with a couple of (small) changes. We have invited all the Beaver Scouts from Greater Manchester North along, and possibly a few from Bristol & London. Because of social distancing we are going to be having it in our own homes with bedsheet forts, mini beast safaris and the chance to earn a "My Indoors Challenge Award". 

Josh, one of our Young Leaders turned 18 at the end of April and, unable to all get together properly we invested him as our new Assistant Beaver Scout Leader using the HouseParty video program. This meant we could all dial in and watch him make his Scout Promise and take his place in our Leadership Team. The Video is on facebook under Oldham Borough Scouts. 

St George’s Day is usually when Scouts all get together and renew their promise, but with lockdown and isolation this was not possible. St George's day fell on a Thursday, so all the Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Young Leaders & Leaders  wore their uniforms to clap for our front line staff that night.

The Beavers, Cubs & Scouts have all taken part in the Scouts “Hike to the Moon” campaign organized by Scouting HQ with the aim to raise £240,000 and hike 240,000 miles which is the distance from the Earth to the Moon. As a Group we did really well and managed the challenge I set of 173 miles (the distance from Earth to Space and back). In fact we outdid ourselves and had enough miles leftover from getting back to earth to nip over to Huddersfield for Fish & Chips & a cup of tea, not a bad days work from everyone!

The 75th Anniversary of VE Day was celebrated throughout the parish last Friday. Here's a little snippet of what our families did to celebrate, and for more pictures please look at our Sunday School pages - St Thomas Leesfield Sunday School and St Agnes Knolls Lane Sunday School

This week's "Worship for all Generations" celebrates the 150th Anniversary of St Agnes'. 

You can join us at 6.30 pm on Thursday on our parish facebook page by following this link - Leesfield Parish 

We'll try and get much more information about St Agnes' into next week's "Mid-week Joy", so if there's anything you would like to share with us please do send articles and photos.

Finally, for all the nature lovers who have really appreciated the new quietness of our mornings, here's a link to help you identify the birdsong in your garden. Hope you like it!

Sunday 10th May 2020

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

You can find all of our latest information, Edith's reflection for this Sunday, our Thursday "Worship for all Generations" and much more by clicking on the following link to our facebook page - Leesfield Parish

Today is the 5th Sunday after Easter, Ascension Day is on the horizon. We seem to have settled into this difficult way of life, it is beginning to feel normal! But to have spent Holy Week and the Easter season in isolation, unable to be in our churches, is not normal. We have Good News to spread, we have much to celebrate, but we are not able to be with others.  It is hard too to celebrate when we are in such challenging circumstances. Many are finding life very hard right now. Being the Body of Christ in these circumstances is not easy. That is our challenge though. We are called to be the Easter people, and we are needed more in these times than when things are easy. There is a temptation to see this lockdown period as a gap in our lives, as we wait to return to normal, but we need to remember each day is important, each day is to be lived to the full, within whatever constraints there are. Each day, with its opportunities and challenges, really matters. I am reminded of the John Lennon quote “Life is what happens when you ae busy making other plans” So let’s try to make the most of each of these strange days. 

And remember Christ is Risen                Alleluia! 

Edith

Our first hymn today - 

Today's Bible Reading -

The timing of this seems rather odd. Here we are still in the Easter season but today’s gospel is set at a time when Jesus has just told his disciples he is going to die. At this point in the gospel Jesus has just been telling the disciples that he is about to be betrayed: that he is only going to be with them a little longer. This must have been difficult for them. They say quite clearly that they do not understand where Jesus is going – it is way beyond what they can grasp. They are puzzled, unsure and troubled – Jesus calls on them to believe in God and also in him. And that isn’t about a set of beliefs, a creed if you like, it is about seeking a living and trusting relationship with the Father and himself. To have faith is to have a personal relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a relationship built up by being in each other’s presence and communicating with each other. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, so Jesus tells the disciples how he is going ahead of them to prepare a place for them. Once all is prepared, Jesus will come and take us to himself. It is easy to put off his coming again to some future life. We need to remember that Jesus is alive and comes to us, is present now. By this stage in the Gospel passage, Thomas feels quite lost. Perhaps he spoke for all the disciples when he said “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” There is much about God that we cannot comprehend with our minds, we can only grasp it with our hearts through a loving, trusting relationship with him. Jesus replies by saying to Thomas “I am the way, the truth and the life”. Jesus doesn’t offer instructions in that way. He offers himself “I am the way” He doesn’t say this is how you get there, but rather “I’ll take you there". It is not through words or ritual but through Jesus that we have access to the Father. If we put our trust in him, build up relationship with him, he will lead us into the fullness of life and into the kingdom of God. 

If we are on a journey and lose our way, we might ask someone to help. If they tell us “turn left at the crossroads, over the first roundabout, right at the second etc",  the chances are we still won’t find our way. Either we forget all the steps or our helper accidentally misses out one vital piece of information. If instead he says “Follow me and I will take you there” that person becomes the way for us and we cannot get lost. The way, the truth and the life through which we know and find the way, is Jesus himself - the Jesus who washed the disciples feet and told them to copy his example, the Jesus who was on his way to give his life as the shepherd for the sheep. In the same way, we need to be alongside others, accompanying them on the journey – even if that is not possible in physical terms. 

Edith

 And a final hymn -

mid-week joy 7th May 2020

Mid-week joy

This is a new feature, with items that don't necessarily fit in with Sunday services or liturgy - but will bring a smile to your face (or a tear to your eye), and some hope and joy.

Firstly - a Blessing on all our Nation - for everyone, whoever you are, from 65 churches and Christian organisations throughout the United Kingdom 🙏💖

Enjoy the VE Day 75th Anniversary celebrations tomorrow in whatever ways you can. There will be lots on TV and radio, and locally the Lees, Springhead and Grotton Business Hub in conjunction with Lees and District Royal British Legion are hosting a virtual celebration. The bellringers from Leesfield would have loved to be ringing for the celebrations - as they have done for so many celebrations in the past, so here's a little message about why we can't do this at the moment.

Whilst you're out on your daily walk, or in your garden, looking through your windows, or even watching your favourite nature programme on TV, why not reflect on the wonder of God's creation. There are photos here, with relevant Bible Readings, and if you've enjoyed them why not send us your own? 

Many of you will remember Ellie Knott, who has played flute and sax at so many of our services and events in the past. As a special treat we now have not one, but eight Ellies, performing her tribute to Matt Lucas' "Thank you baked potato", lovingly engineered by her dad, Jake Knott. Ellie's mum, Judith, set up this blogspot for us several years ago, and then when she was no longer able to continue for health reasons, she spent so much time showing me how to use it. Thank you so much Judith - without your help we wouldn't be able to share all we do with everyone in these difficult times 💕

And just in case - like me - you didn't have a clue what the "baked potato" thing was all about - here's the performance by Matt Lucas with the BBC Concert Orchestra for last week's "Big Night In" for Comic Relief.