Cross Purposes

Since its release Gibson seems to have attracted criticism and critical acclaim in equal and huge measure. The film is clearly not for everyone because of its graphic content, but along with the positive or negative judgement about 'The Passion of the Christ' comes a list of questions. Many who see the film will have questions about Gibson's method, motive and message.

As interesting as these questions may be, for me, the real danger is that we might miss something much more significant and worthwhile. The danger is that we spend all our time and words questioning Mel Gibson‘s method, motive and message when we should really be asking the same questions of Jesus.

Why did Jesus die? Did it achieve anything? Did His death communicate anything?

We have put together a couple of evenings where these questions can be explored.

You are invited to join us in an informal environment to discuss and make sense of what happened.

Thursday 20 May at Chichester Baptist Church, at 8pm.

Oh, and by the way, we hope you like the new format of our church magazine. Let us know what you think.

Ken Benjamin

Winnie Hawkins

Winnie was brought up in a Christian home in Denmead. She came to Chichester to train as a nurse at the Royal West Sussex Hospital. She had the honour of being the first student to be awarded the gold medal for "Best All-Round Nurse". Winnie used to meet for Sunday services with a group of fellow Christians in Peter and Joan Thatcher's home. This group had a desire to form a local Baptist Church and began meeting in Coronation Hall in Chapel Street (now demolished). In September 1951 the new Church was formed with 17 original members. One evening whilst the Church leaders were meeting in a home in East Wittering, a phone call was received from Portsmouth offering a share of War Damage payments which had been received following the destruction of the Lake Road Baptist Church in Portsmouth during the bombing in World War II. In due course a decision was made to purchase the site in Sherborne Road, and on 13th September 1958 the new church building on the Parklands Estate was opened.

As the new houses went up on the estate, new families began to move in and the church rapidly grew in numbers. To start with there were about nine children in the Sunday School but this soon burgeoned to over 100. "We had to be inventive about where to put them all" says Winnie. "On one Sunday morning, the visiting minister was unable to get in as there were Sunday School classes in all the side rooms, halls and even the kitchen! When he finally managed to gain entry he was not at all upset - only delighted to see so many children involved".

The children went on many outings over the years. "We always had to be prepared" says Winnie. "During one outing we stopped on route to have lunch near a pond in Midhurst. One of the children tripped and fell in. The Sunday School teacher fished him out and got him clean dry clothes from the supply we always had with us! Today, one of the most rewarding things is to see the Sunday morning classes still well attended. Despite all the new space we have created in the new building we are still growing and the classes are now rapidly filling to capacity!"

"It has been so good to see a constant flow of people coming to the church and getting to know God over almost 50 or so years" says Winnie, "My prayer and hope is that, under God's guidance and with wise and godly leaders the congregation here will continue to grow both in numbers and maturity in the years to come".

10 reasons why I never wash

• My mother made me wash as a child.
• The soap makers only want my money.
• There are so many different kinds of soap, I could never decide which one was right.
• I used to wash, but it got boring, so I quit.
• I do wash on special days like Easter and Christmas.
• I work hard all week and am too tired to take a bath on the weekend.
• People who wash are hypocrites. They think they are cleaner than other people.
• I get along very well without washing.
• Hardly any friends I have, wash.
• I'm still young. When I get older and dirtier I may wash.

How many teenagers can you fit in a telephone box?

The Youth Group is the all new youth group for teenagers in school years 9 to 11. The Youth Group meets for games, challenges, sport, talks, music and evenings out every Friday during term time (7.30 - 9.30pm). There's also a chilled out Sunday session (10am -11.15am). Although based at CBC, you don't have to belong to the church to enjoy it - Everyone is welcome.

And the phonebox? Just one of the many activities undertaken on our weekend away at Seaford. If you or someone you know would like to be part of the Youth Group give Keith a call on Chichester 782582.

Next month we feature 'Elev8', CBC's group for school years 6-8.

Roger Hubert