Cheddington Methodist Church

Minister: Rev. Jim Gorringe Tel no: 01525 240251

We welcome everyone to come along to our church to share in our worship and other activities. Services begin on Sundays at 10.30 unless otherwise stated. The church is also open for prayer before each morning service.



A MESSAGE FROM REV. JIM GORRINGE

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

So wrote John Keats at the opening of his poem To Autumn, evocatively catching the mood of this time of the year as we move from summer to autumn. It’s the time within the life of the church when we celebrate human endeavour that brings food to our tables, and give thanks to God for his provision in Harvest festival services.

We usually see larger congregations on these occasions, and scepticism about faith in general is put to one side, as it’s recognised that as human beings we may be good at many things but there is something beyond us, a life force that we can’t emulate, which renews and sustains this fragile earth. It’s good to acknowledge this with the singing of favourite hymns amongst the sights and smells of harvest.

John Betjeman’s poem Diary of a Church Mouse humorously captures this as he ends with these words:

But all the same it's strange to me
How very full the church can be
With people I don't see at all
Except at Harvest Festival.

This has been a difficult year, weather wise. A poor summer has meant that, as I write, not every thing has been ‘safely gathered in’ and we know that this will mean higher food prices which will in turn contribute to inflation and fuel the economic downturn. It’s not surprising that people are feeling low and apprehensive about the future.

Maybe an hour in church will help to restore a sense of wellbeing and hope as we are reminded once again that The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Psalm 24.

There are those who think that such an idea is but a delusion and there’s been quite a hype over Richard Dawkin’s book The God Delusion. A recent TV series saw him pursuing his theme with fervour akin to the worst kind of religious fundamentalism. What little I saw left me feeling that he carefully edits any sensible comeback from a more balanced Christian viewpoint which recognises the achievements of science and sees it as the developing discovery of God’s creation.

It’s open to discussion of course but we’re free to believe what we like.


SERVICES FOR   SEPT/OCT  2008

“THE TOAST” –  FOR PARENTS, CARERS and LITTLE ONES

For all parents / carers of pre-school children and babies, join us in the Chapel schoolroom on Monday mornings to relax after the mad start-of-week rush. There are toys, activities & refreshments, including toast!

The group has been taking a break over the school holidays, but we’re back on September 8th.  In October, we are meeting on the 6th, 13th & 20th, with a break on the 27th for the half term. To cover the cost of refreshments & craft activities, there is a charge of 50p for one child or £1.00 for 2 or more children. If you are clearing out baby & toddler toys, do think of us too!

If you have any questions or suggestions about the group, please contact Nicola on 662010.


LOOP SYSTEM

For those people with hearing aids, we have an induction loop system installed and working in the chapel.


Schoolroom Bookings: For all enquiries, please contact Mrs. Jean Hitchen, 1 Paines Orchard, Tel. 661259.