Kempston East

Methodist

Church

e-Newsletter

July 12, 2020

Minister: Rev Prof. Peter Byass

(07711 077808)www.kempstoneastmethodist.org

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The Parable of the Sower(Matthew 13)

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Letter from GeoffTalbot

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and

near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be

with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 The Message)

In last week’s enewsletter, I gave you four ‘KEEPs’ that were ways to keep you healthy during the current COVID-19 crisis – Keep Busy, Keep Calm, Keep Moving and Keep Connected. In many ways, this small part of the enewsletter was a way for me to fill a space that was left at the end of the whole process of putting things together. But, the more I have thought about this over the past few days the more ‘Keep Connected’ has stuck with me.

Many of us have been isolated for varying lengths of time depending on our own circumstances and depending on our own aversion (or lack of it) to risk. But, despite that, we have found ways of staying connected. Jesus’ final words to his disciples at the end of Matthew’s gospel were to ‘go and train everyone you meet’ and ‘instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you’. This is really an instruction to go out and preach the gospel to the wider world rather than an instruction to keep connected but I think Jesus would, in our current situation, be happy for us to interpret it as ‘staying connected’ with each other.

Looking back, we’ve all done this in varying ways. One way, I hope, has been this enewsletter. When I suggested doing this right back in the middle of March, I thought of it as a stop-gap way of keeping everyone in touch with what was happening at Kempston East, with our church family and in the local and national world outside Kempston East. It was also a way of providing access to different ways of worshipping while the church was shut. I never thought, in March, that I would still be producing it in July! But the need is still there – and will continue to be there for as long as we are unable to meet face-to-face (or even mask-to-mask!).

Although I, as its editor and compiler, and Richard, as its ‘emailer’ have perhaps been the most obvious people involved, there have been many others who have not

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received any recognition for what they’ve been doing. Not everyone receives the newsletter electronically; a significant number of those attached to the church are not attached to the internet. This has meant that a group of people have printed a few copies of the newsletter each week and have delivered it to members who can’t receive it any other way.

So, as well as thanking Richard for his involvement in this, I would like to thank the small army of printers and deliverers for their part in this way of staying connected. By doing this, of course, they are also able to maintain a ‘personal’ connection (as opposed to an ‘electronic’ connection) with people – something that has been of major importance during our time of lockdown.

Another way of us feeling together as a worshipping community has been through the Sunday video messages that Dom puts on to the church’s website each week. Although I’ve done a couple of these, they have been largely from our minister, Peter, and we also thank him for his messages of hope and inspiration.

How else have we been maintaining contact during the past few months? The telephone must have been one of the main ways of doing this for many people. Cilla and I have missed the after service chats with people over a cup of coffee and so we have made a point after we’ve ‘been’ to whatever service we’ve ‘attended’ on a Sunday morning to ring one or two people up for a chat and, of course, this doesn’t just happen on a Sunday morning but throughout the week too.

For those who are able to, video chats have been another way of keeping in touch, essentially adding pictures to a phone call. We had a FaceTime call with Cilla’s cousin and her husband last week and, by the time we finished it, we realised that we’d been chatting for two and a half hours, just as though we were in the same room.

Using Zoom (another kind of video calling) we’ve been to Sunday services at Priory and I led one at Cardington on the day I was actually planned to preach there. Finance Committee have met using Zoom, as have Church Council. Someone said to me that it was the first time they’d been to Church Council in their slippers.

Letter from GeoffTalbot

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As the lockdown has eased, we’ve also been able to meet with people, albeit at a social distance.

What of the future, though, in all of our ‘connectedness’? I would like to think that, in all of the ways we’ve found of keeping in touch with each other, we will continue to do that even when we are again able to physically meet together. I would like to think that we’ll continue to give people a call, especially those who we don’t then see at church because they are still fearful of coming out and meeting with people.

I would like to think that those of us who have been using technology to ‘meet’ will still use that to some extent be that for small meetings so that we don’t have to come out on cold, dark nights, or even for worship. I would like to think that we can still put some kind of service or message on the church’s website because I’m sure that people from beyond Kempston East have been watching these. I would like to think that we will continue to be innovative in both the way we worship and the way we stay connected because, one thing is for sure, we will have learnt a lot from the past few months and it’s unlikely that the future will be exactly like the past.

So, let’s move ahead, looking forward to when we can meet again in church, but also keeping in touch outside of church, using as many ways of doing this as possible and, maybe, even finding a few new ways. With Jesus’ words in Matthew’s gospel in mind, keep connected with each other and with those you meet, not only for your own health’s sake, but as ways of preaching the gospel.

God bless, Geoff

Letter from GeoffTalbot

Sunday Club by Zoom…Sunday Club via Zoom is continuing each week, beginning at 11am. If you (or your

children or grandchildren) would like to join the others in this then you need a login code

and password from Rosemary or Stuart (stuart.simms@ntlworld.com).

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Make your phone work

while you sleep.

Introducing DreamLab – a free, secure app from Vodafone Foundation that harnesses the power of a connected UK. Join the thousands of people speeding up vital COVID-19 and cancer research while they sleep. #FightCOVID19InYourSleep tonight.

Vodafone say they are leading the charge against COVID-19 by #KeepingtheUKConnected. You can help take the fight to COVID-19 by downloading DreamLab today. Find out more about what they’re doing to fight COVID-19 here.

Science experiments to do

with your kids and

grandkidsF

Running out of ideas for home-schooling orjust for things to amuse young ones at home? Look no further. BBC Science Focus

magazine has a host of ideas to both educate and amuse them at the same time. Go to www.sciencefocus.com/list/fun-diy-science-experiments-to-try-at-home-with-the-kids/and you’ll find lots of experiments from building a soap-powered boat or a smoke ring cannon to making your own slime and extracting DNA in your kitchen.

Keeping your mind active

Are you looking for ways to keep your mind active and engaged while at home?

You can request puzzles, games, books, DVDs and more from the Active Minds scheme and someone will come and drop them to your door.

Find out more and request items on our website.

You can also donate items to the scheme- please visit our website to find out more.

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National Days and Weeks

The main day this week as far as the Methodist Church is concerned is Action For Children Sunday (see a later page). Other than that, just three to talk about as long as I ignore the American National Hot Dog Day but, for those of you who like a sausage in a bun, you can celebrate it on Wednesday.

National Simplicity Day (July 12)

This was begun in honour of the author Henry David Thoreau who was strongly in favour of a simple life. He would probably have been appalled by our world today where we are so dependent on phones, laptops and the internet. However, perhaps during the lockdown we have been better able to savour and relish the simplicity that peace and quiet can bring.

Love Parks Week (July 12-21)

Today also sees the beginning of Love Parks Week in the UK – a week when we are encouraged to get out and enjoy the parks and parkland close to our homes. Over the lockdown I’ve started to use Addison Howard Park most days as an exercise route. It’s generally been quiet and peaceful so why not try it – maybe

you’ll bump into me. Alternatively Bedford Park is also worthy of a walk around.

World Day for InternationalJustice (July 17)

This day was started as a way of support-ing the work of the International Crim-inal Court (ICC). The aim of the day is to unite everyone who wants to supportjustice and to promote the rights of victims. It has the further aim of helpingto prevent serious crimes and those that put the peace and security of the world at risk.

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Bedford News

New local data from Public Health England and the Joint Biosecurity Centre, working with Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Bedfordshire, Luton

and Milton Keynes Commissioning Collaborative have been released as part of a ‘deep dive’ in Bedford Borough, shows that while Coronavirus infections are still high in the Borough, they are starting to decline.

The interim findings of the deep dive, outlines that women between 30-59 have been the most affected in the borough. While there were no ‘hot spots’ in the general population the interim findings identified the highest number of cases in areas around the town centre.

Ahead of the publication of a final report work is continuing, including detailed analysis of local data about coronavirus cases to help the early identification of any local clusters.

The interim findings are available on the Council's website.

Interim Findings into Bedford Borough COVID-19 Deep Dive

Published

The Higgins stays closed

Despite the start of the decline in infectionsin the Borough, the decision has been takennot to re-open the Higgins – at least, not yet!

However, they will still be celebrating the Festival of Archaeology Week during thecoming seven days – but this year it’s gonedigital. There will be quizzes, competitions, a tour through the highlights of the museum and a timeline of Bedfordshire, all to see on www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk/Whats_on/Festival_of_Archaeology.aspx.

Theatre and MusicTheatre‘The Shows Must Go On’ YouTube channel is, reaching the end of its streaming of full musicalsthis week with a repeat of the show it beganwith – Joseph and His Amazing TechnicolourDreamcoat. The show will stream for 48 hours from 7pm on Friday just gone, so, as usual, you’ll need to be quick if you want to watch it.

The Old Vic will continue to stream the play Mood Music which follows a music producer embroiled in the battle for rights to a hit song. It will be available to watch until Tuesday 14 July.

The National Theatre at Home is currently streaming Les Blancs by Lorraine Hansberry. This continues until 7pm on Thursday July 16 when it is replaced by Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea starring Helen McCrory.

Music and other YouTube clips

Fans of Queen can hear West End stars united for a special performance of the band’s "The Show Must Go On" to raise funds for two charities – Mind and Acting for Others. You’ll find it on www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEymFcI9Hvw&feature=youtu.be

As a change from coronavirus parodies there are some other musical clips on YouTube which are more political parodies. You could start with Boris Johnson and ‘Any Deal Will Do’ (www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1vtJcXamSc) which is clearly about Brexit, and move on to Boris’s clash with the courts (www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0pTpwqkB48) in ‘I Fought the Law’ or Nigel Farage moaning about not being able to get enough onwww.youtube.com/watch?v=txY6JmP9ULg. All of these are from a YouTube channel called ‘JOE’. There are lots of other similar parodies on there.

If gentler, more classical music is more your cup of tea, there are lots for you to choose from. the London Mozart Players have two live, socially distanced concerts on their website http://londonmozartplayers.com/lmplive/. In the first of these from London’s Westfield shopping centre they play Mozart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Skalka and Stahl-Dobra Dobra. Elgar - Chanson de Matin and Tchaikovsky - Serenade for Strings. A second concert from St Giles Cripplegate to mark the re-opening of churches includes Grieg’sHolberg Suite, Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending (soloist Tasmin Little) and Copland’s Hoedown.

For the most socially distanced Mozart in the world take a look at the European Union Chamber Orchestra on www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdDCFQaXmdM.

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Your photoson the theme of

‘Three’If you have any old or new photos with ‘threes’ in them then send them to me (geofftal@btinternet.com) and I’ll include them in a future issue. In this week’s issue, we have three dogs from Sue W, three clocks, three wise men from Mike S and three people on a beach in Lanzarote from me.

from Sue W

from Mike S

from Mike S

from Geoff T

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Action for Children Sunday July 12

Over 150 years ago, The Reverend Thomas Bowman Stephenson took the time to listen to homeless children living under the arches of Waterloo station.

He listened, and Action for Children have been listening and taking action ever since.From one family home in Waterloo, the charity quickly grew to become the National Children’s Home (NCH).

Their ethos is deeply rooted in Methodist principles. The famous words of John Wesley to 'go not only to those who need you but to those who need you most'describe their vision and values to this day. Likewise, Stephenson’s commitment to his work ‘in the service of the children’ continues to inspire them.

Lyle’s storyLyle (not his real name) was physically and emotionally abused by his parents. They punched and kicked him, and he’d often go hungry. After turning to alcohol to numb the pain, Lyle ran away from home. Action for Children stepped in to find him a safe and stable place to live.

“Drugs were always a big problem in my family and there was a lot of violence,” Lyle explains. “I wasn’t fed at home and my big sister would sneak food into her roommost nights. But we’d often go days without getting food.” Lyle was left to fend for himself after his parents threw his sister out. “I didn’t have clean clothes. Mum anddad wouldn’t let me bath or shower. I wasn’t even allowed to get my hair cut,” he says.After getting bullied at school, Lyle started to isolate himself. At 14, he started drinking. “Mum and dad would offer me alcohol all the time, and eventually I said yes. I’d get home from school and they’d give me glasses of things. I’d just drink them.I couldn’t feel anything. I thought nothing bad could ever happen when I was drunk.”

Lyle left school and found a job he really liked. But things at home got even worse. “I loved my job. But I was the only one putting money in the house. And if I didn’t give the money to them for drugs, they’d take it out on me.” Lyle’s depression and anxiety started to take their toll. “I just knew I had to get out,” he says. “I left that house with nothing apart from the clothes on my back. I was in a really bad state. I came to Action for Children with nothing.”

Action for Children found Lyle a safe place to live in supported accommodation. “They reminded me that I’m enough,” he says. “They helped me recover from alcohol.Without them, I don’t think I’d be alive. I nearly took my own life and, if it hadn’t been for my support worker coming and just talking to me, I wouldn’t be here.”

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Annual Church Meeting by Zoom..

The Annual Church Meeting will take place on July 22 at 7pm. Everyone linked to Kempston East is invited to join the meeting but only church members are able to vote. To ensure that only those who are entitled to attend the meeting do so, the joining details will not be published in this eNewsletter but will be sent by Richard in one of his covering emails. If you don’t receive that mailing and would like to join the meeting please contact Richard (richard.ward4@btinternet.com) for login details and he will send these to you.

At this meeting, we appoint representatives from the church membership to serve on Church Council for a period of up to six years. Three representatives, Cath A, Cheryl B and Pauline A, have completed their six year stint and while there is nothing to stop them being nominated, seconded and re-appointed for a further six years, the ACM is also an opportunity to appoint someone new as a church representative. If you would like to nominate someone please check first if they are willing to act in this way and then send Richard an email (address above) with your nomination.

The meeting also appoints Stewards … where we also have vacancies. As above, if you would like to nominate someone please check they are willing to have their name put forward then send Richard an email.

Another Musical from the past

This time it’s ‘Greater Than Gold’

Thanks to Mavis for this cutting

Our Church Family

Your

Prayers

Please remember in your prayers:• Julie C and family on the death of Alan• The family of Ruth Coppin• All our friends in care homes, especially

in Anjulita Court, Manton Heights, Parkside and Dame Alice Court, and at Ladyslaude Court

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Alan CunliffeIt is with sadness that we announce that Alan Cunliffe passed away very peacefully last Monday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Julie and the family.

Julie sends her thanks for all the support and prayers received during these last few months.

Alan’s funeral will be at the Crematorium on Monday July 20th at 1.45pm. Any further details will be published in next week’s newsletter.

Ruth CoppinIt is also with sadness that we announce that Ruth Coppin passed away last Tuesday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Leslie, Tim and the family.

Ruth’s funeral will be at the Crematorium on Monday July 27th at 1.45pm. Again, any further details will be published in next week’s newsletter.

Worship

During this time when all of our churches are closed for worship you have a number of options for alternative worship. Most of these involve accessing the internet, particularly YouTube.

On BBC1 in ‘Sunday Morning Live’, at 10.45am, Sean Fletcher and Sally Phillips take a look at the week's talking points and explore the ethical and religious issues of the day.

Then, at 1.15pm, on ‘Songs of Praise’, Aled Jones counts down to the UK’s favourite hymn as voted for by you. Performers include the Kingdom Choir, Lesley Garrett, Russell Watson, Katherine Jenkins and Daniel O’ Donnell.

As well as television, BBC Radio are also broadcasting various services on Sunday.In Sunday Worship at 8.10am on Radio 4 there is a service from South Wales Baptist College led by Rev Dr Craig Gardiner, with a reflection on the parable of the sower from College co-principal Rev Dr Rosa Hunt. Radio 3 has Choral Evensong at 3pm today (Sunday) from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, and at 3.30pm on Wednesdayfrom Chichester Cathedral

On Youtube you have the choice of a number of live streamed services. Wesley’s Chapel, London www.youtube.com/channel/UCUAUqhmhevz5sqhh72LIMxAmorning worship at 11am. Methodist Central Hall, London is also live streaming morning worship at 11am on www.youtube.com/mchwevents and Swan Bank Methodist Church in Burslem (at www.youtube.com/user/SwanBank) are live streaming morning worship at 10.30am.

And, of course, most importantly, don’t forget that, on our own church website (www.kempstoneastmethodist.org) each Sunday, there is a message appropriate to that week. This Sunday Rev Peter Byass will be delivering the message.

For those of you who don’t have internet access, the next few pages contain a short form of worship for you to follow at home.

The reflection this week is based on the Parable of the Sower. With the theme of ‘HOPE’ running through Richard’s posters I’ve chosen the song ‘From A Distance’ for this week’s anthem. It’s sung by Libera in the Royal Albert Hall at one of Songs of Praise’s Big Sings, and contains the words: ‘It's the voice of hope, It's the voice of peace, It's the voice of every man.’

The Church of England continues their free Daily Hope prayer line which will allow people to hear hymns, prayers and words that offer comfort and hope, particularly if you have no access to the internet. Simply call 0800 804 8044.

worship

at home

Sunday

JULY 12,

2020

This short act of worship has been prepared for you to use if you are unable to attend church. If you are well enough, why not spend a few moments with God,

knowing that other people are sharing this act of worship with you.

Call to WorshipRejoice! There is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.

Hymn: STF 685 In Christ there is no east or westwww.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb85oKAFQuU

In Christ there is no east or west,in him no south or north,but one great fellowship of lovethroughout the whole wide earth.

In him shall true hearts everywheretheir high communion find;his service is the golden cordclose-binding humankind.

Join hands then all the human race,whate'er your nation be;all children of the living Godare surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both east and west,in him meet south and north;all Christlike souls are one in him,throughout the whole wide earth.

John Oxenham, pseud. (1852-1941)

Let us pray together

When the seeds of new life are sown, let us praise the Lord.When crops ripen in the field, let us exalt our maker. When the wind blows, or the snow falls, let us draw close to God.

Lord, for all your gifts in creation, for the gift of each other and the gift of the Church we offer our thanks.

Most of all for the gift of Jesus who went about among us as teacher and friend, who lived, died, and rose again we offer our deepest gratitude and amazement. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Let us take a time of quiet to bring to mind the ways in which we feel we have let God or ourselves down during the last week...

Lord, when we are slow to listen, forgive us. Lord, when we are hasty in our actions, forgive us. Lord, for the things we have done, that we should not have done, forgive us. Lord, for the things we have not done, that we should have done, forgive us. Rejoice, for in Christ we know our sins are forgiven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Anthem ‘From a Distance’ sung by Libera(www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGBmIfn67ig)

Today’s Reading from the New Testament Romans 8.1-11

Today’s Gospel Reading: Matthew 13.1-9 & 18-23

Time to Reflect

Over the last few months we have begun to look at the world in a new way. Certainties are no longer as certain as they once were. This time last year no one imagined being in lockdown, although the possibility of a serious virus pandemic was not unimagined.

When I read the parable afresh the first thing I noticed was that for his own safety, and perhaps in order to be better seen, Jesus gets into a boat and puts some distance between himself and the crowd. The Bible does not tell us if it was more than 2 metres! Jesus sits down to teach indicating his authority to teach. Jesus takes practical steps to be heard and communicates in ways the crowd were used to and addressed them in ways they would understand. The image of a sower was common in first century Palestine.

And when the seed is scattered not all of it bears fruit, some falls on the path or on stony ground. Some is in shallow earth and fails to mature. Amid much bearing of fruit there is also the failure of hearing and not understanding. Jesus recognized that even with the best news in the world there would still be setbacks.

The disciples have the parable explained to them. They have the benefit of the expertise of Jesus who told this parable and was, by definition, best placed to explain its meaning.

As we move forward together and plan the activities of our local churches in a world that has been changed we should be encouraged by this parable.

Encouraged to work in ways that we discern are appropriate in our current situation.

Perhaps an extra line on the plan for the Circuit’s online worship and resources for those not online and unable to attend a building.

Encouraged to keep trying even if the seed we cast does not always bear fruit straight away or in ways we may expect.

Encouraged to gather as much wisdom as we can from others and glad to listen to those who are called to teach and explain, even when this might move us out of our comfort zones and takes us in unexpected ways. Amen.

Take a time to sit quietly

A time of prayerLet us pray for our world; for the worldwide effort to create a vaccine for Covid-19. For all the peoples of the world and for cooperation as we continue to live with this virus.

As we pray for our world; we pray especially for those in government and industry whose decisions affect the lives of so many. And we pray for wisdom for those in power.

We pray for our own land. For the NHS and for all those involved in social care and all keyworkers, giving thanks for the work they do for us. We pray for local communities as we continue to move towards what has been called the new normal.

We pray for the whole Church throughout the world, especially churches in countries with unsympathetic regimes. We pray for the Methodist Church, both at the local level and also the Connexional Team.

We take a time of quiet to remember those who have died, especially those who have been important to us on our own journeys of life and faith.

We make all our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Lord’s PrayerOur Father ……

Hymn: STF 415 The Church of Christ in every age.www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vTdkbuFKGA&app=desktop

(The words are on the next page)

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The Church of Christ, in every agebeset by change but Spirit-led,must claim and test its heritageand keep on rising from the dead.

Across the world, across the street,the victims of injustice cryfor shelter and for bread to eat,and never live until they die.

Then let the servant Church arise,a caring Church that longs to bea partner in Christ's sacrifice,and clothed in Christ's humanity.

For he alone, whose blood was shed,can cure the fever in our blood,and teach us how to share our breadand feed the starving multitude.

We have no mission but to servein full obedience to our Lord:to care for all, without reserve,and spread his liberating Word.

Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)

A prayer of blessing

Dear Lord.When times are hard, walk beside us. When we are unsure of which way to turn, dwell within us. When we need to listen to others, encourage us. When our lives and work bear fruit, rejoice with us. So may the blessing of God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with us all today and forever more. Amen.

Original Materials by Rev E. Adam WellsAll Hymns reproduced CCLi 1144191 and CCLi 5467

Roots On The Web Postscript by Tom Ambrose

Introduction: From sown seed to bearing fruitOne of a series, this parable is known by several names, each, perhaps, suggesting a slightly different approach to what it is saying. The most common name is the ‘Parable of the sower’; it is also known as the ‘Parable of the seed’ or the ‘Parable of the four soils’.

Good soil is the result of hard work. It must be cleared of stones and pernicious weeds, fertilised and watered, dug and protected from trampling. The good ground in which the seed flourishes is well prepared and cherished; this is not accidental good fortune. How can we interpret this for our own spiritual flourishing? The yields described, thirty, sixty or a hundredfold, are infinitely greater than the yield grown by using the farming methods of Jesus’ day. However attentive we are, we cannot yield such a great harvest through our own strength. We can bear fruit in God’s world only through and with God’s help.

ReflectionStory 1: LeicesterThe news from Leicester in The Sunday Times reports the scandal of slavery in the garment industry. Productivity may have been high, at minimum cost to those who bought the clothes, but the real cost was shouldered by slaves who risked their own health from Covid-19 in the process. Competitors might marvel at the seeming efficiency of a firm like BooHoo, but the true human cost has been hidden.Story 2: 5G InternetWe might want 5G internet connections at minimal cost, but what if this endangers national security? The Sunday Times reports the security implications of using Huawei.Story 3: The random scattering of seedWe might criticise the inefficiency of Jesus’ sower who scatters seed randomly rather than putting it carefully into the best soil, but then all nature and evolution is random. Why would the creator choose a random and seemingly wasteful process in creation?At a recent on-line conference at the Faraday Institute in Cambridge, UK, leading scientists who are Christians have given their response to this question.

An illustrated talk by Prof Russell Cowburn FRS provides an answer from the perspective of an engineer who understands how randomness can be harnessed. (This is presented on YouTube along with other papers given in the conference. Each lasts 40 minutes with a question and answer session at the end. It is worth viewing – either alone or in a group.) Prof Russell’s conclusions include:

• Without random energy fluctuations, the universe would be cold. There would be no stars, no evolution, and no life. Everything we know springs from randomness. It isn’t an afterthought but is central to the nature of the universe.

• The heart of physics is quantum mechanics which studies randomness. The best engineers harness this randomness to make many essential tools, including steel, transformers and nuclear reactors.

Jesus tells a simple story in the Gospel, but then, in the section of the story missing from this week’s Gospel reading – Matthew 13.10-17 – he invites his followers to look deeper. A superficial listening means they might not look with their eyes or listen with their ears, and so fail to understand.

The first two stories above have the idea of getting something for nothing, without realising the hidden cost of what is on offer. The third might cause us to wonder at creation, as Isaiah does (Isaiah 55.10-13), and also at the way God answers Job’s questioning about creation in Job chapters 38–40, asking ‘Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?’

© ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020.Reproduced with permission.

If you have any prayer requests, thanks, how you’re passing the time, feelgood items and, indeed, any other items and news that you would like to go into this newsletter then please email these to geofftal@btinternet.com, ideally by Thursday each week. As you can see, unlike the printed newsletter, there’s no restriction on space and we can even slot last minute things in up till Friday evening.

If you know of someone who would like to receive this emailed newsletter could you please send their email address to richard.ward4@btinternet.com. Equally, if you would like to be removed from the distribution list, please let Richard Ward know.

From Tony Pickering:

Tony Pickering sends his love and best wishes to all friends at both East and West for their prayers and kind words over the past four months or so. Following his recent operation in the University College Hospital, Westmoreland Street, London for the removal of a nodule from the left lung he has seen his consultant and has been given the all clear, with no treatment required. Brilliant news just still a bit sore !

Special thanks for the lovely card and flowers delivered recently by Anna on behalf of the Wesley Guild members. Thank you all so very much’

Tony Pickering

Next Week’s Poster from Richard

Operations get under way again on 1st

August, after the enforced shutdown,so I am now willing or even keen to begin accepting tools from here on.

My contact details are Bob Burn 854858, or more information can be found on the TWAM website www.twam.ukThey need your help to catch up on all this lost time.