In this weeks Service Sheet it says:
Thanks be to God for the life and witness of
June Etheridge, whose funeral will be held at Oxford Crematorium on Tuesday 11 November at noon, followed by a Thanksgiving Service at Trinity at 2pm, remembering especially at this time her husband Ron, their family and friends
and David Hutchins, whose Thanksgiving Service was held in Trinity last Friday (today), remembering especially at this time his wife June and their family and friends.
David fell and broke his hip and being frail...
June had cancer and it was far advanced when they found it. Hard to believe she has gone so soon. Sh was always the strongest person.
Friday, 7 November 2014
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Revd Richards Last Service
After over 6 years at Trinity Abingdon, Rev. Richard Bittleston led his last service this morning.
Richard held communion as he had done departing two previous churches: Trinity Harrow, and Trinity St Albans.
The Church Secretary said she was sad to see him go because of his thought provoking sermans, all the music he brought to Trinity, the way he has helped at local churches in the local circuit on the Church in Abingdon, and for the warm welcome and attention he has given to all people coming to Trinity for weddings, baptisms, and funerals.
Saturday, 9 August 2014
David Kershaw
David was ill with cancer last time he preached at Trinity, about a year ago. We always enjoyed his ministry.
He spoke on Faith. The reading was from Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see ...
I cannot remember exactly what he said but remember it was very moving in the light of him maybe being in our pulpit for the last time. He was not sure what came after this life but his faith kept him going every day, could have been the message.
For many years he was a much loved Head Master at Wallingford School. He also spoke with great warmth and authority from the pulpit.
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Let People be themselves.
Revd Richard told a story from the Tao ...
WHEN LIEH-TZU was living in Cheng, he was poor and starving. A friend saw his condition and spoke to the chief minister, “Lieh-tzu is a sage who has attained The Tao. He is now living in your country poor and unrecognized. Why don't you send him a gift to show you appreciate an enlightened man when you see one?"
The chief minister immediately sent a gift of grain to LIEH-TZU.
When the minister's messenger arrived with the gift, LIEH-TZU went to the door, bowed twice to the honored guest, and politely refused the gift.
His wife was outraged with LIEH-TZU's behaviour and scolded him. "Wives and children of other sages live comfortable and we are starving. Now that we've finally gotten some food from the minister, why did you refuse it? How can you do this to us?"
LIEH-TZU smiled and said to his wife, "Let me tell you why I refused the gift. If I am honored because of another person's opinion, then I can also be dismissed because of someone's opinion. People's words can make you but they can also break you. That's why I am scared of receiving a gift based on someone's opinion of me. We may not be rich, but it is safer this way."
Jesus complained about being categorized in Matthew ch 11 v 18-19 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds."
Rev. Richard said "Listen to the news and you will hear that much of it is not news at all, but opinions."
Saying someone is nice is an opinion, an idle generalization to which not much thought was given. Once neatly labelled that can be the end of the amount of thought you give to that person.
Far better to let people be themselves and take real notice of them, not rushing to opinions.
WHEN LIEH-TZU was living in Cheng, he was poor and starving. A friend saw his condition and spoke to the chief minister, “Lieh-tzu is a sage who has attained The Tao. He is now living in your country poor and unrecognized. Why don't you send him a gift to show you appreciate an enlightened man when you see one?"
The chief minister immediately sent a gift of grain to LIEH-TZU.
When the minister's messenger arrived with the gift, LIEH-TZU went to the door, bowed twice to the honored guest, and politely refused the gift.
His wife was outraged with LIEH-TZU's behaviour and scolded him. "Wives and children of other sages live comfortable and we are starving. Now that we've finally gotten some food from the minister, why did you refuse it? How can you do this to us?"
LIEH-TZU smiled and said to his wife, "Let me tell you why I refused the gift. If I am honored because of another person's opinion, then I can also be dismissed because of someone's opinion. People's words can make you but they can also break you. That's why I am scared of receiving a gift based on someone's opinion of me. We may not be rich, but it is safer this way."
Jesus complained about being categorized in Matthew ch 11 v 18-19 "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds."
Rev. Richard said "Listen to the news and you will hear that much of it is not news at all, but opinions."
Saying someone is nice is an opinion, an idle generalization to which not much thought was given. Once neatly labelled that can be the end of the amount of thought you give to that person.
Far better to let people be themselves and take real notice of them, not rushing to opinions.
Sunday, 29 June 2014
It begins and ends with Him
Rev. John Rowland, from Kennington, was preaching ...
The Methodist Church has declined in members by 30% in ten years. But Rev Rowland said the central question is 'not how well the church is doing but how well you know Jesus. How well do you know him? It begins and ends with Jesus.'
The church may not have the power it once had but that does not mean the life of discipleship is gone or diminshed. It means the church thing is not regarded as so important as once it was. "So What?"
You are regarded by God as you always were. You are one of those people for whom Christ said "I am for you. Here I am." You heard God's Call and that is the heart of the matter.
Begin where you are, or begin again where you are, in a relationship with the risen Jesus. Start now. Don't put it off.
The Methodist Church has declined in members by 30% in ten years. But Rev Rowland said the central question is 'not how well the church is doing but how well you know Jesus. How well do you know him? It begins and ends with Jesus.'
The church may not have the power it once had but that does not mean the life of discipleship is gone or diminshed. It means the church thing is not regarded as so important as once it was. "So What?"
You are regarded by God as you always were. You are one of those people for whom Christ said "I am for you. Here I am." You heard God's Call and that is the heart of the matter.
Begin where you are, or begin again where you are, in a relationship with the risen Jesus. Start now. Don't put it off.
Sunday, 5 January 2014
New Minister has accepted
Revd Richard will be leaving us in the summer of 2014. The church had voted for him to stay but the URC (United Reformed Church) overrode that as they did not feel the decision was decisive enough. So Richard is looking for his next posting and it sounds like that will not be with the URC.
With reduced congregations, the URC have reduced from 1100 to 500 ministers in the last ten years and think that should be nearer 400. We will next be getting a Methodist Minister as Trinity alternate and will have a joint Minister with All Saints. We already have a lot of joint evening services with All Saints so this is a logical thing to do. Recently it was announced ... "Following the successful visit by the Rev’d Ian Griffiths and his wife, Tabitha, and with positive responses from both churches, an invitation was extended to Ian by the Circuit Invitation Committee.
This is for an appointment commencing on 1st September 2014.
Ian has accepted the invitation and says that he will be delighted to come to Abingdon."
With reduced congregations, the URC have reduced from 1100 to 500 ministers in the last ten years and think that should be nearer 400. We will next be getting a Methodist Minister as Trinity alternate and will have a joint Minister with All Saints. We already have a lot of joint evening services with All Saints so this is a logical thing to do. Recently it was announced ... "Following the successful visit by the Rev’d Ian Griffiths and his wife, Tabitha, and with positive responses from both churches, an invitation was extended to Ian by the Circuit Invitation Committee.
This is for an appointment commencing on 1st September 2014.
Ian has accepted the invitation and says that he will be delighted to come to Abingdon."
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Cafe Church
One couple backed off when they saw it was Cafe Style, and nearly went home until persuaded to give it a try. I asked them afterwards what they thought and they did not enjoy it. Others enjoyed the chance to talk to new people at quite a deep level.
The sheets resulting from the discussions were collected in along with the normal collection, after communion had been served.
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