Christchurch

 - the Revd Judith Malins  <

judith.malins@btinternet.com

>

www.wrington.net

I am looking out on grass springing up, after a day of bank holiday rain, in a window of sunshine; just the right sort of rain, which fell gently and steadily onto thirsty ground and plants; the rain we ask for on Rogation Day. Rogation, as you know if you remember your Latin, means "Ask", and we will celebrate it at Redhill at our afternoon service on Sunday 13 May at 4.30 pm, followed of course by a cup of tea. May is almost as busy as April in the church calendar, as we celebrate Ascension Day, and Whit Sunday too, when the church remembers what we are here for. If you believe everything you read in the paper, you may well think the church is divided, irrelevant and outdated, but wherever you go, including Christchurch Redhill, you will find small groups of neighbours, who keep the Easter faith and believe their work is to share and try to live the Easter good news of God's peace and forgiveness and love for this beautiful world. We do this, not because we think we are special, or particularly good, but because we know everyone is special, and loved by God. All you need to be part of it all, to misquote RS Thomas is to "present yourself with your need only and your faith, green (and fragile) as a leaf”. Meanwhile it's still Easter, not too late to sing Easter hymns at 11 on Sundays with us, though for this year, you have missed the Hot Cross buns we made on Good Friday, the quiet of the afternoon hour, the joy (and Easter Egg hunt)of Easter morning. With love, Judith

Thank you to everyone who helped at or supported our very successful 'Hot Potato Lunch'. This was a new event for us, and one which was much appreciated by all who came - a change from the usual 'Ploughman's Lunch'. We would particularly like to thank the husband of one of our members, who very kindly baked over 40 potatoes for us. We made over £160 on the day. In March, we had such an interesting talk from Sue Haggo on her recent nursing experiences in Afghanistan as a member of the Auxiliary Air Force. We were all amazed by her courage and dedication to duty just three months away from retirement. It was a very uplifting evening. In April, Eileen Jackson talked about 'The Human Side of Bristol Airport'. She entertained us with facts and stories of airport security. We heard many interesting tales about life at the airport which left us amazed and rocking with laughter. May is our Resolution Meeting, when we shall vote on this year's proposed resolution for the National AGM in June - The Employment of More Midwives, calling on the Government to increase investment in the training, employment and retention of midwives in England and Wales. Do come along and hear the pros and cons of the resolution. Included in the evening is an Armchair Pilates session given by Lisa Dollery. Finally, an advance notice of our Cream Tea afternoon, which we shall be holding in the Village Hall on the afternoon of Saturday 7 July. Details to follow.

Redhill WI - Liz Shorney