St Mary's Sutton Prayers Services and Events w/c 27/11/11

Monday 28th November
Pray for the Church, that she may be ready for the coming of Christ; for the Diocese of West Buganda (Uganda); for St Michael and All Angels, Bramcote; Bramcote Primary School; for Keats Avenue.

Tuesday 29th November - Day of Intercession and Thanksgiving for the Missionary work of the Church.
6.15-7.30pm - Bell-ringing Practice.
Pray for the leaders of the Church; for the Diocese of West Malaysia (South East Asia); for St John the Evangelist, Carrington; for Ashland Road West.

Wednesday 30th November - Andrew the Apostle
7.00pm Parish Office (Maureen and Sam Peat)
Pray for the nations, that they may be subject to the rule of God; for the Diocese of West Missouri (Province VII, USA); for Christ Church, Chilwell; St Barnabas, Inham Nook; for Ashland Close.

Thursday 1st December - Charles de Foucauld, Hermit, 1916
9.30am Holy Eucharist (said)
6.30pm Choir Club
7.15pm Evensong (all welcome to attend) followed by Choir Practice
8.00pm Adult Emmaus Course in the Magdalene Centre Lounge
Pray for those who are working for justice in the world; for the Diocese of West Tennessee (Province IV, USA); World AIDS Day - pray for greater wareness of HIV and AIDS; for Chaplain for People with a Learing Disability (Mark Cantrill); for Norwood Close.

Friday 2nd December
6.00pm Cleaning Group 4: John and Sue Simpson; Anne and Ken Hensby; John Watson; Dominique Alexander
Pray for the broken, that they may find God's Healing; for the Diocese of West Texas (Province VII, USA); for St Stephen, Hyson Green with St Paul, Forest Fields; for Siddalls Drive.

Saturday 3rd December - Francis Xavier, Missionary, 1552
Pray for peace; individuals and their needs; for the Diocese of Western Izon (Province of Bendel, Nigeria); for St Barnabas, Lenton Abbey; for Parkway.

Sunday 4th December - 2nd of Advent
Readings: Isaiah 40.1-11,  Mark 1.1-18
8.00am Holy Eucharist (said)
10.00am Sung Eucharist & Thanksgiving
10.30am Morning Worship at St Luke's, Willetts Court, Leamington Estate
4.00pm & 5.30pm Christmas Memorial Services.      

St Mary Magdalene Church Notices w/c 13.11.11

A Warm Welcome if you are new or visiting; please have a chat with Revd Amanda, one of the readers or the churchwardens - we don't want to miss you!  Thank you.

Fair Trade Stall - Neille would like some help to cover the fair trade stall when he is not going to be available.  This would entail setting up and putting away, as well as selling the goods.  If you are able to help, please see Neille or ring him on 01623 475597.

Operation Christmas Child - This Sunday is the last Sunday for bringing in boxes.  A very big thank you to everyone for your help, in donating money, covering and filling boxes and helping to put together the extra boxes a week last Wednesday.  An extra 15 boxes were assembled from goods donated by Asda and supplied also by Revd Amanda and me.  Some goods, which we were short of, were bought from the £70 that I have received in donations.  This still leaves £50 which will pay for the 15 boxes, plus 5 extra boxes, to be sent abroad.  Many, many thanks for all your efforts.  I will let you know the total number of boxes taken to Mansfield and, if possible, where they are being sent.  Margaret Williamson.

Coffee Morning - with a Christmas theme in aid of The Children's Society, on Saturday 19th November 2011 in the Mgadalene Centre, from 10.00am until 2.00pm  Light lunches available from 12.00 noon, usual stalls, etc.  £1.50, including coffee/tea and hot mince pies.

Healing Service - This will take place next Sunday 20th November, at 6.00pm, at St Mary's Church.

Advent 2011 - The Mission and Teaching Sub Group is considering 2 options for our Advent Preparation this year.  Option 1:- Advent Bible Study in House Groups.  Option 2:- Evening Eucharist with Advent reflection to be held each Monday during Advent at 7.00pm.  If you would be interested in attending one of these options, would you please add your name and telephone number and indicate your preference on the list at the back of Church.

St Modwen's Ladies' Guild - invite you to a fashion show, presented by "Dolly Birds Clothing and Acessories" (designer wear at bargain prices) in the Magdalene Centre on Wednesday 23rd November at 7.30pm.  Tickets £2, including refreshments, obtainable from Margaret Clarke and other Guild members.

Advent Sunday Services (27th November) - We will be welcoming Bishop Paul to our 10.00am service on this day, when he will be preaching the sermon.  We will also be holding an Advent Carol Service at 6.00pm.  We value your support and encourage everyone to attend this service, which marks the beginning of our Advent preparations.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Poinsettias and Memory Star Tree - We will again be using poinsettias and memory stars to decorate the Church for Christmas.  If you would like a poinsettia to be placed in memory of a loved one and a star on the memory tree, please take an envelope from the back of Church and return it with £5 and the star by 1st December.  We will place the poinsettias around the Church on Friday 9th December from 10.00am.  The stars will be put on a memory tree during the memorial services on 4th December.

Christian Aid:- Are you lost for ideas for Christmas presents?  If so, see the poster of gifts that you can purchase from Christian Aid.  If you need further details, please see Sheila Oscroft.

Thank You:- Our sincere thanks to everyone for their prayers, cards and kind wishes during the illness and subsequent death of my Mum at the age of 98.  Ken and Anne Hensby.

Christingle:- Service to be held on Sunday, 11th December, 4.00pm.  Collecting Candles and Gift Aid envelopes are now available.

Men's Group:- Thursday 24th November, 7.30 for 8.00pm - Skittles and Pie and Peas Evening at The Staff of Life.  Names on list at back of Church please.

Mothers' Union:- Tuesday 29th November, 3.00pm - Advent Service and Meal.

A Date for your Diary:- Revd Amanda and Paul will be holding a Christmas Party at their home, 10 Huthwaite Road, on Friday 16th December, 7.00pm to midnight.  All welcome.

Bell-Ringers Calendars £5:- orders now being taken.  Speak to any of the ringers.

Church Diaries for 2012:- These are now available from Sue Simpson, for a donation of £1.  Please help our Church Funds by purchasing one of these diaries.  Many Thanks.

Church Office:- Monday & Friday 9.00-11.00am, Thursday 9.00am-2.00pm 
Telephone 01623 553579.
 Email: stmarysutton@btconnect.com
Curate: Revd Amanda Digman 01623 433928
Registered Charity Number: 1134798

St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Sutton in Ashfield: Week Commencing Sunday 13th November 2011, Remembrance Sunday.

Sunday 13th November 2011, Remembrance Sunday.

Services:  

8.30am  Holy Eucharist (short version)

10.00am Remembrance Service

10.45am Proceed to Cenotaph- Act of Remembrance

3.00pm Baptisms

Intercessions:

Pray in the Church for: the Diocese of Uyo (Province of the Niger Delta, Nigeria); for the Diocese of Lulea (Sweden); for Huthwaite Methodist Church; for our worship and spirituality: on a Sunday; for mid-week services; for Bible study; for quiet days and for evangelism; for confirmation preparation.

Pray in the world for: all those affected by war; for all those affected by the earthquake in Turkey; for victims of the M5 crash in Somerset, and for their families.

Pray in the parish for those who live on: Sotheby Avenue; Laxton Avenue; Pepper Street; Young Crescent; pray for the residents and staff at Sutton Lodge Care Home.

Pray for those being baptised today: Grace Duffield; Logan Ellis.

Pray for those who receive Holy Communion at home: Arthur Gregory; Pam Marshall; June Dodsley; Rosemary Lee; Barbara Shepherd; Pame Clarke; Mary Bacon;Aggie Lyme; Joyce Davison; Sheila Hibbert.

Pray for healing: Barbara Shepherd; Renee Boot; John Hardy; Joyce Davison; Nigel Booth; Jessie Moore; Bony Mathew; Betty & Stewart Gascoigne; Susan Clark; Colin Parnell; Marlene Bailey; Mary Longbottom; Alan Pashley; Mary Gration; Catherine Sleigh; Trevor Moakes; David McCallum; Rita Philip & family; Dawn; Jackie; Linda Aderson; Margaret Hadley; Jean Warren; Elizabeth Kelsall; Gill Marriott.

Pray for the souls of the departed: Christopher Beardall; Betty Waring; Teresa Lucas; Iris Price; Kathleen Turner; David Green; Gilbert Wright.

Prayers, Services & Events in the coming week

Monday 14th November - Samuel Seabury, Bishop, 1796

1.30pm Noah's Ark Service for young families

Pray for those whose work is unfulfilling, stressful or fraught with danger; for the Diocese of Vanuatu (Melanesia); for St Martha the Housewife, Broxtowe; for Northfield Close.

Tuesday 15th November - 

6.15-7.30pm Bell-ringing Practice.

Pray for those who are bereaved; for the Diocese of Vellore (South India); for St John the Divine, Bulwell; for Langford Street.

 Wednesday 16th November - Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Reformer of the Church, 1093

1.30pm Cleaning Group 2: Marlene Poole; Geoff Ceney; Margaret Mellor; Muriel Tryner; Maureen Howells; Christine Barnes.

NO Parish Office

Pray for the work of aid agencies throughout the world; for the Diocese of Venezuela (Province IX, USA); for Christ Church, Cinderhill; for Cavendish Avenue.

Thursday 17th November - Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200

9.30am Holy Eucharist (said)

6.30pm Choir Club 

7.15pm Evensong (all welcome to attend) followed by Choir Practice

8.00pm Adult Emmaus Course in the Magdalene Centre Lounge

Pray for schools, colleges and universities; for the Diocese of Vermont (Province I, USA); for Chaplains amongst Deaf People (Susuan Bloomfield, Sue Hemsley Halls); for York Street.

Friday 18th November - Elizabeth of Hungary, 1231

Pray for all whose lives are devastated by war and civil strife; for the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza (Tanzania); for Holy Trinity, Kimberley; for Priestsic Road.

Saturday 19th November - Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680

Pray for those who have lost hope; for the Diocese of Virgin Islands (Province II, USA); for St Patrick, Nuthall; for Edwin Street.

Sunday 20th November - Christ The King

Services:

8.00am Holy Eucharist (said)

9.45am Mattins    

10.30am Parish Eucharist at St Luke's

11.15am All Age Worship

6.00pm Healing Service

Readings:

Ezekiel 34.11-16, 20-24

Matthew 25.31-end

The Weather Forecast - Humour

Just thought that you might enjoy this:

100 Phrases from the KJV in 3 Minutes

Just came across this on Youtube and thought it well worth a listen. Enjoy!

Imagine a world without Christ

Having just returned from sitting at prayer in St Mary's Church as part of the Watch of Prayer on this Good Friday morning, I was led to this video and found it so close to the experience I have just had and it made me think of what it must be like to live in a world without Christ!




Hope you enjoy this short video.

The Easter Story one tweet at a time | Liturgy

The Easter Story one tweet at a time | Liturgy


Came across this on Liturgy Blog and just had to share it with you all! Superb video, in my opinion.

Palm Sunday: The King Rides into Town

Firstly, I offer my apologies for this post being later than intended due to our internet connection messing us about for a couple of days.  Never mind it appears to be sorted out now - Thanks Lord.

Palm Sunday, for me, turned out to be a mixture of emotions:  I set off in the car to pick up one of the older members of our congregation, a little earlier than usual in order that we could get to the church before the Palm Sunday Procession arrived, with it due to set off from Sherwood House at 09.30am.  As I entered Devonshire Square I became aware of a lady lying motionless on the ground, close to the pedestrian crossing.  I slowed right down in case I needed to offer help and saw that there were some other members of our church watching over the lady and a police officer crouched by her side.  In view of the help that was already at hand I carried on to pick up my elderly gentleman, praying for the well being of the lady as I went.

The procession approaches led by the symbolic donkey

I picked up the gentleman in question and we drove up to the church, where the police were also present at the end of the drive, in order to safely marshal the procession across the traffic lights when they arrived.  We parked up in the car park, got out of the car and waited for the arrival of the procession.  A wait of about 10 mins. and here they came.  They were being led by the symbolic donkey with the church servers, choir, clergy and congregation following behind with their palm fronds and waving colourful flags in celebration.  As can be seen from the photographs, the Lord blessed the procession with glorious early morning sunshine and I certainly got a warm feeling about the whole thing.  As can be seen in the photograph, some of our younger church members were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the donkey!  As the donkey got closer, I took another photograph with my mobile phone, and you can see here the donkey, with its keeper alongside and John our Church Warden.

The procession stopped at the church gates for a moment of prayer and then they moved off singing "We have a King who rides a donkey" to the old sea shanty tune of "What shall we do with a drunken sailor".  We took up our flags and followed on, waving them as we went along our way around the outside of the church and through the churchyard before entering the church and taking to our pews for a wonderful service of celebration.  During the service, it was revealed that the lady I had seen earlier, laid on the ground near the crossing, was, in fact, Carol, one of our congregation and the lady responsible for the beautiful floral displays in our church.  Before the end of the service we were updated on Carol's situation by John, the church warden, who had been down to the local hospital casualty department to see how she was.  It was believed that she had tripped and most probably broken her arm, but this was awaiting confirmation.

The service was followed with the usual coffee and biscuits in the Magdalene Centre (church hall), and some welcome fellowship with sisters and brothers in Christ, before taking the elderly gentleman back home and me returning home for dinner.  On reflection, I thought how wonderful it had been to see the church out in the sunshine, celebrating the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem, but even more than this:  How wonderful it was that Carol had been attended in her hour of need by fellow members of her church and within minutes of arriving in casualty by ambulance, was visited by someone from that same church who later passed the information on to the rest of the church in order that we might all keep her in our prayers.  In the words of one of my favourite hymns, OH LORD "HOW GREAT THOU ART"!!

I write like Dan Brown: so it tells me

On a lighter note: I just entered a passage from my previous post into this writing analysis software and it told me that I write like Dan Brown (I wish).

Click on the Analyze your writing! link below to see who you write like.

I write like
Dan Brown

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

What's happening today Sunday 10th April 2011

Really enjoyed the 10.00am Holy Eucharist this morning, being the first Sunday of Passiontide.  All the crosses and statues were covered over in purple which, I have to say, always seems to take me by surprise when I enter the Church, even though I should be well used to it by now.  The last hymn was one of my all time favourites "The Spirit Lives to set us Free" with its rowsing chorus bringing out the best in both the choir and the congregation.  Then stepping out of the Church into the glorious sunshine and thinking back to the welcoming of another youngster to his first communion in his journey towards confirmation, although in my day, you had to be confirmed before you could take communion.  It is always such a joyful occasion when youngsters make their commitment to Christ, for it is them that have to take the Church forwards as we older ones start to lose a little of our zing.  Down to the Magdalene Centre (church hall) for coffee, a biscuit and half an hours fellowship before taking one of the congregation back to his residential care home.  The fairtrade stall was exceptionally well stocked and well attended this morning as well.  Back home for a delightful roast dinner with Kay, my wife.  Then a couple of hours on the PC to try and catch up with things going on elsewhere.

This evening there is the Stations of the Cross service in St Mary's at 6.00pm so if any of you can make it, would be great to see you there.  May God Bless you all and I'll catch up again soon.

Yesterday's Strange and Wonderful moments

Crystal Glass Cross with candle behind

I started my day at about 7.30am, as usual, with a shout from my wife to tell me that my coffee was in my office (the small and cluttered bedroom).  As I sat down at my desk and took a sip from my coffee, it suddenly dawned on me that I had only awoken once during the night, which is most unusual for me.  A normal night for me is looking at the bedside clock every half an hour or so, after turning in bed because of some stiffness, numbness or general feeling of being less than comfortable.  I started up my computer, lit a tea light candle behind my crystal glass cross, and started to pray.  Before I knew it, it was 9.00am and something suddenly crossed my mind.  I wondered if God had blessed me with the power of healing, and if so, could I apply this to my own body.  I was, at this time, suffering quite a bit of chest pain, so I crossed my arms over my chest, placing my hands face down upon my chest and said something along the lines of:  "If there is anything evil within this body, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I command you to leave."  I glanced back toward the cross to see a white cloud of smoke rising from my body drifting upward, past my very eyes.  My immediate thought was, being a pipe smoker, had I inadvertently dropped some smouldering tobacco on the floor, so I checked and found it not to be the case.  I was completely taken aback by this strange occurrence and just sat there in amazement.  Then I realised that the pain in my chest was no longer there.

My wife came upstairs to let me know that she was ready for me to give her a lift to Framework at Kirkby in Ashfield, where she is a volunteer coordinator for the charity and noticed that I was looking a little distant, but I thought it better not to say anything about what had just happened at this stage, as she is unfortunately not of the faith.  The shopping, that we had bought for my parents, was put in the car and off we went to Kirkby.

Guide Dog Davy

After dropping her off with her guide dog Davy, I continued on to Mansfield to visit my parents and to drop off their shopping.  I go over regularly because my mum has early stages of dementia and my dad is not getting any younger and starting to have problems with his memory as well.  After sorting through the shopping, dad put his shoes on to take Libby (Kay's retired Guide dog, that now lives with my parents) for a walk, whilst I stay to keep mum company and ensure that she is safe, along with my border collie Jess.  Mum really loves Jess because she is so active all the while, as the breed tend to be.  Then I am told by mum about strange thing number two for today:  she is speaking a foreign language to my dad when they go to bed at night.  Apparently she believes it to be some old language with, as she puts it, a lot of ae words in it.

My Border Collie "Jess"

She cannot stop herself when it comes upon her and feels that she has to tell my dad whatever it is that she is saying.  Dad cannot understand a word of it and cannot make any sense of it at all. Mum, by the way, has never been able to speak any language other than her native English.  I asked her if it was happening when she laid down in bed and started to think of things that she wanted to pray about and she said that, on reflection, it most probably was.  So, is this the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues? and if so I pray that He gives my dad the power to interpret what is being said.  Or, is it simply another stage in her dementia - I certainly do not know.  Dad returns from his walk with Libby and I make arrangements to visit again on Friday morning to see how they are and to let dad get anything done that he needs to without having to worry about mum.

By now it is mid-day, mum gives me an Easter egg and a birthday card to take away with me, as well as giving me a small barbecue set and some unwanted toiletries for me to use as raffle prizes or similar for a new venture that I am hoping to start, a night shelter for the homeless of Sutton in Ashfield, along with the help of my wife, because of her connections with the homeless charity Framework.  Off to the car with Jess and back home to Sutton.

A tin of stewed steak, new potatoes and peas for dinner.  Typical blokes' dinner, all out of tins and warmed up in pans.  A quick wash and shave and it is now 2.00pm and time I wasn't here.  Time to visit the residents and staff of Bank House Residential Care home for the elderly on my pastoral visiting duties (more of a joy than a duty it has to be said).  I arrive at 2.15pm to find their driveway blocked by the manager's car and the decorators' who have scaffolding up everywhere and dustsheets to catch any drips from their painting of the exterior of the home.  Due to this, I have to park about 100 yards away from the home which is difficult for me as I have great difficulty in walking very far at all, due to problems with my spine.  So a few quick prayers to ask for strength and off I go.

I sign in and get a chair to sit in the lounge with the residents, after having gone around them all to see how they are.  I find that I sit there with them for an hour and a half, very little is spoken by me, mainly I just listen and watch, but the one thing that never ceases to amaze me is that, although many of them suffer from dementia to one degree or another, not a single one of them forgets their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and He increasingly works through me during these visits to bring them a peace and love that I could never offer alone.  Obviously, I cannot say anything of what transpires whilst I am there as confidentiality is of the utmost importance, but they always look forward to us calling each week.  I say us because Jesus walks by my side whenever I visit and it is He that does all the work, not me.  The time is now 4.00pm and it's time to say goodbye to my friends at Bank House, back to the car and back to Kirkby to pick up my wife from her volunteering work with Framework.  From there it is back home where Guide dog Davy and Jess greet each other with the usual play bowing and running around for a few minutes.  It is soon time for tea and I settle down to an evening in front of the TV with my lovely wife Kay.

What a strange but wonderful day it had been!!

What a fantastic day!!

Had a really strange but equally fantastic day today, but feeling really tired just now so I must say goodnight and I will try to fill you in on the details tomorrow.  God Bless you all.

Northern Ireland Police Hunt For Killer Of Ronan Kerr In Omagh Car Bomb Attack: PSNI, Country Tyrone | Home | Sky News

My Thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Ronan Kerr and I pray that all those working to keep the peace in Northern Ireland may continue to do so in the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Northern Ireland Police Hunt For Killer Of Ronan Kerr In Omagh Car Bomb Attack: PSNI, Country Tyrone | Home | Sky News

Visit to Bank House 23rd March 2011

I am off shortly to visit the residents and staff of Bank House, Sutton in Ashfield to spend a couple of hours with them in the presence of Jesus.  I had to reschedule this visit, which should have taken place yesterday, due to a hospital appointment that I had running over an hour late.

My visit to the hospital surgeon

Well, I have now been to see the surgeon at Kings Mill Hospital and, as I thought, they are going to operate within the next few weeks in an attempt to sort out problems that I am having with a rectal fissure that is causing abscesses etc.  So all that remains for me now is to wait for that letter to arrive and get on with life the best I can until then.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who have been holding me in their prayers and hope that they keep me there until a successful operation is accomplished.

Goodnight and God Bless you all.

St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Sutton in Ashfield.

The above picture shows the Church that I attend regularly, St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Sutton in Ashfield.  Have just been to the Holy Eucharist service there so I am feeling refreshed and ready for my visit to see my surgeon at the local hospital, with regard to an expected operation (to see if it is necessary and if so when it might be done) - fairly soon I hope.

At Times like this we are all Japanese

I just had to include this as it sums up the situation in just a few frames and words:

Pastor Mike's Blog: The Church with the Flavor and Light of Christ

Just came across this and thought it worthy of reading: Pastor Mike's Blog: The Church with the Flavor and Light of Christ: "The Church and the society of today should be vastly different communities. Christ calls the Church to be salt and light in the world for Hi..."

Keep your Prayers Focussed on Japanese Brothers and Sisters

With the situation in Japan deteriorating by the minute, I would urgently ask Christians around the globe to focus their prayers in their direction, and keep hope that their burdens might soon be lifted a little.

The Mystery of Faith

As I sit here this morning, looking out from my window, I see the surrounding gardens are cloaked in a rather dense fog.  I think back to just yesterday, when the sun was shining so beautifully and I suddenly realise that this morning's fog is not unlike the Mystery of Faith - everything appears somewhat hidden, but I still know what lies beyond. - Good Morning to you all

Quality time with Parents

Just spent a couple of hours with my Mum who is suffering from early stages of dementia.  I go over most days so that I can sit with mum whilst dad gets on with anything he needs to do, like shopping, walking the dog etc.  The problem I noticed today is that dad too is now forgetting what he has said and done only a couple of days previously and denies ever having said or done them.  Will have to keep a close eye on this and a lot of prayer is needed too, I think.

Latest on nuclear disaster in Japan

God bless all involved in this situation our thoughts and prayers remain with you.

The Joy of God's Creation

As I wake this morning at 7 a.m. to the sound of my wife telling me that my coffee will be getting cold, I try to turn over in bed and am immediately reminded of the really bad nights sleep that has just gone by.  Pain racks my body, every slight movement is an enormous effort as I try to sit upright on the side of the bed. Oh I am so tired, can it really be time to get up?  After some time, I manage to get myself to my PC and sit in my chair - it is so cold this morning, the screen telling me that it is 0 degrees outside, my body telling me that it doesn't seem much warmer in here.  Then it all starts to happen:

I draw back the curtain to reveal a crisp morning with gorgeous sunshine glinting on the frosty ground and garden furniture, topped with the most gorgeous blue sky.  What a fantastic sight and what joy starts to come over me as I am welcomed into another day by this wonderful creation of God's world.  How could anyone witnessing such a sight ever doubt the existence of God?  Then I have to smile as the realization that, simply thinking about this wonder, is starting to melt away the pains that I had been suffering.  Jesus has started working his magic with me once more as I find myself entering into prayer: thanking Him for all that he does for me and wishing these same joys and feelings to fall upon everyone else in His world. I especially pray for all those who are unable to wake up to such peace and tranquility this morning, for all those caught up in the earthquake disasters around the world, the Japanese, those in New Zealand etc.  For all those whose lives are being tormented by the ravages of war and struggle for freedom, especially those in the middle eastern countries and for all who have not yet come to know the Joy of God's creation and the wonders to behold by opening up their hearts to the Lord.

Learning the ropes

I really am a complete novice at this, so I hope that some of you out there will help me along the way with some good advice etc.  Anyway, my eyes are starting to close now so I really must bid you all good night, wishing you all peace and happiness in everything that you do, trusting that Jesus will be with you always.

Introduction

I suppose I ought to introduce myself and try to explain what this blog is all about.

My name is Robert Yallup (Bob) to all my friends and at this moment in time I'm 55 yrs old, happily married to Kay and have two children (girls) who have both now flown the nest - the elder one, Jaime, is now living in Perth, Australia and the younger, Michelle, lives a couple of miles from us, here in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, UK.

At about the age of 6 I started attending St Mary Magdalene Church school in Sutton in Ashfield and also attending the Church itself.  I soon became very interested in the fascinating story of Jesus and, loving singing, soon joined the Church choir. I can't remember anything spectacular happening to me between this time and the age of 9 when I moved, along with my family, to Mansfield Woodhouse, another small town in Nottinghamshire, but I now realize that a rather special seed had been implanted into my very being.

On moving to Mansfield Woodhouse, I joined the Church of St Edmund and once more joined the choir becoming a server there and later being confirmed.  I served at St Edmund's until I left school at the age of 16, when I moved once more, along with my family to the small rural mining village of Bilsthorpe in Nottinghamshire.

I started working at the City Hospital in Nottingham as a laboratory technician in the Haematology department, travelling each day by motorcycle, the sixteen miles or so, to work and back.  The travelling was difficult by motorcycle in the winter months and I was offered a room in the hospital's nurses home, which I eagerly took up.

Being just 16 years old and moving into a nurses' home - about a dozen males living in a home with some 300 or so female nurses - seemed like bliss at the time and, needless to say, despite attending the Hospital Christian Fellowship meetings and acting as server in the hospital chapel, my eyes very quickly turned away from Jesus towards more worldly pleasures and pursuits.

I met Kay, my wife, when I was about 19 yrs old, had a serious motorcycle accident shortly afterwards, which left me disabled, and was married at 21, starting a family shortly afterwards and moving back to Sutton in Ashfield, where my life had started.  Quite a few different jobs followed including long periods of self employment due to my disability and the fact that Kay was blind (made working life a lot easier without having bosses wanting to know why you couldn't do certain things at certain times, due to pain etc.)  However this eventually ended in our becoming bankrupt, losing our house, car and most of our possessions - it seemed like our life was over, homeless with two young children and not a penny to our names - little did I realize at the time just how wrong I was.

The local authority found us emergency housing and, after the initial periods of depression and feeling sorry for ourselves the reality of the situation finally started to sink in.  We had all that mattered - each other and our children!  Money didn't really seem to matter any more, well not like it had in the past.  The years passed and the bankruptcy ended so, like fools, we started in business again, working for ourselves, as no-one else wanted to employ us.  We found that the biggest problem we seemed to have in business was the fact that we wanted to help everyone that we could and if someone couldn't really afford the services that we were offering, but really did need them, we would inevitably drop the price so that they could afford it.  Not good business sense I know!  We kept managing to scrape a living for a number of years but inevitably, due to our poor business sense (in wanting to help everyone that we could), we went bust yet again.  This time, we were already in local authority housing, so we didn't lose the house and the children were grown up, so they didn't have to suffer any of the consequences, but the deep depression that hit both Kay and myself was so much deeper this time around.

We just muddled along for a few years not having any direction or purpose in our lives.  Then Kay decided to study with the Open University and six years later had a 1st class honors degree, the first in her family to achieve such a distinction, which made her feel good about herself.  I had found myself driving past the driveway to St Mary's Church quite often and something/someone was calling to me from the driveway.  I fought hard to ignore it but, sure enough, every time I drove past, the calling was there until I just had to go to the Church one Sunday morning to find out what was drawing me in.

Bearing in mind that the last time I had been in that Church I was just 9 years old, everyone seemed to be holding out a welcoming and loving hand to me, almost as though they had been waiting for me to return, all these years.  As I am typing this, there are tears of joy flowing from my eyes, making typing quite difficult, at the thought of this moment.  I was home at last, where I belonged.

I have now been back at St Mary's for 2 or 3 years (time has flown and I wasn't counting) and I have become a Pastoral Visitor to the sick and elderly with responsibility for the pastoral care of 2 local care homes, many of the residents having dementia, as does my own mother.  My wife is now working as a volunteer for Framework HA, a charity working to help the homeless and vulnerable members of our society, and loving every minute of it.

I really do feel extremely blessed at this time in my life and it just feels right that I should let others know about the pure joy, love and peace that Jesus brings me in my every step as I go BOBBING ALONG WITH JESUS.