Bye, Bye Everyone

As you read this we'll be packing boxes and getting ready to move from Chichester to Lower Earley near Reading where I am taking up the post of minister at the local Baptist Church. It is a really exciting time! But it's also a little `sad' as we say goodbye to Chichester.

Jesus had a lot to say about goodbyes. When Jesus had to say goodbye to his disciples - it wasn't easy! There was real emotion and pain as Jesus' closest friends realised what was going on.

Ahead lay the cross! But without that goodbye the future hope would never have been realised. Could Jesus be asking you and I to say goodbye to the past in order to be ready for the future God has for all of us?

During our time in Chichester we have been part of a very special family. In the last 4 years we've joined our church family in celebrating, supporting and caring for one another in the ups - and downs - of life. Thanks for making us so welcome! With our multitude of boxes we'll also take away many special memories of our time at Chichester!

Bye Bye Everyone! Keith, Ann, Andrew and Hannah.

What does a minister do all day?

No two days are the same but here are some headline examples.

Planning and leading. When people think of church they think of services. Some of my time, most days is taken up planning or leading events and services and talks. Whenever I prepare a talk I try as hard as I can to create something which will be clear, interesting and relevant to people's lives for the rest of the week and beyond.

More significant than the events are people. People call in to the church office or e-mail or phone me. A great privilege of my job is that I get to be with people during some of the most significant moments of their lives, whether joyful or tragic. Time with people also means management and meetings - a huge number of people devote time to others at church and it takes time with these people to make our work, work.

Most significantly, I should take time each day to model the Christian life I talk about. This means each day should involve praying, reading the Bible and living in a way that reflects Jesus (and asking for forgiveness when I mess up). I should also demonstrate a sensible balance of work and family and leisure time.

There is also community time. A typical day might involve a visit or meeting with agency another which supports the community like a school or college or other church leaders.

To be honest I have a job I can never complete but I love it and at least I have the compensation of knowing that I work for the most understanding boss in the universe!

Ken Benjamin - Minister

6 Reasons to visit Church

• You've had trouble sleeping lately so...
• You've heard that some churches are actually warm and friendly.
• You've tried and failed to get a date from the singles scene, launderettes and supermarkets.
• You've heard that Jesus is the answer and you were just wondering: "What was the question?"!
• The Sunday morning cricket league just folded and football doesn't start up for two weeks, so...
• Spirituality is too important to ignore and you are open-minded and honest enough to check things out for yourself!

Lunch Club

"Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and veg, followed by steamed jam sponge and custard. This is today's menu," announces the caterer's husband. Some thirty men and women ooh and ahh before tucking into this delicious meal. Held every Thursday from 12.15 it caters for the senior citizens - most of whom live alone on the Parklands and East Broyle Estates. Some walk, some come by car and others travel in the community bus. The Luncheon club is open to any older person who would like a meal out once a week in the company of similar people. It only costs £2.50. If you would like to come - you do not have to be a church goer - contact the church office for details.

People you might meet in our church

Fairtrade

You may have seen the logo on tea, coffee or bananas, or seen the adverts on TV in March, but what exactly is "fairtrade" and why should we support it? Fairtrade is all about better wages and decent working conditions for farmers and workers in developing countries. Often trading rules discriminate against the poorest and weakest producers. Fairtrade aims to give them the ability to improve their businesses. The Fairtrade Foundation is a charity, and the fairtrade mark is not just another clever marketing gimmick. It is awarded by regularly inspecting the third world suppliers, checking the contracts and making sure that they have fair wages and working conditions. We, as consumers, have more power than we think to change things. By changing our brand of tea, coffee or sugar we can make a difference. For Example, in Malawi the Fairtrade cooperatives have led to the building of a school and clinic for the community. Think when you shop. Look out or the Fairtrade Mark on over 250 products in your supermarket and if your store doesn't have the product you want, ask the manager to stock it!