The Parish Magazine March 2024

More documents

Recommendations

Info

10 The Parish Magazine - March 2024 PARISH NOTICEBOARD — 3 That's the shocking figure 'The 2023 Open Doors World Watch List' concluded after gathering data from the 50 countries where Christians face the 'most extreme persecution'. The latest report, covering 2023, was launched at a meeting of parliamentarians on 17 January when 100 MPs and two peers attended. They were able to hear first-hand about how 365 million Christians face high levels of persecution and discrimination — a number that represents one in every seven Christians globally, or 1 million for every day of the year. Top of the World Watch List is North Korea, which remains the costliest place in the world to be a Christian. Even owning a Bible is illegal and Christians are sent to appalling labour camps or simply killed on the spot. Most people are facing starvation in the country, but stories have emerged of Christians sharing whatever food they have with their neighbours and bringing hope to their community. HIGH RISERS One of the 'high risers' on the latest list is Laos which rose 10 places from 31 to 21. The Open Doors researcher looking into Laos said he had never seen such a clear connection between the growth of the church and the growth of opposition. Representatives of Christians in Iran and in Sub Saharan — particularly West Africa — answered questions on a panel chaired by an Open Doors UK and Ireland director. In Iran (9th in the list), house churches are seen as a threat to national security. In Nigeria (6th), more Christians are killed for their faith than in all other countries of the world combined. Compared with the past 20 years, the highest number of arrests for Christians in Iran took place in 2023, said a representative. Homes have been raided and Christians sentenced to lengthy prison sentences. It was a very difficult year for many believers. She also echoed the point that wherever the church is growing we can expect more persecution. If we hear there are more arrests, this is because there are more believers. More people are converting and they are not afraid to proclaim Jesus — but they are paying the price. In Sub Saharan and West Africa, 2023 was a year of hope for many Nigerians. The hope was for a change of government to one which would be concerned about the people and seek to restore security. Everyone in Middle Belt and North Nigeria knows someone from their family, or village, who has been abducted or kidnapped. They had to pay 'millions' in ransom and this is impoverishing the families and multiplying fear in hearts and minds of people. There have been invasions of villages where hundreds are killed. While the church is large in terms of numbers and some resources, the challenge is for the members to come together as one. It was said to be like a sleeping giant that needs to be awakened. This was not only for Nigeria but the whole of West Africa. In the midst of this, there is an explosion of THE persecuted church by colin bailey 365 million persecuted Christians = 1 million for every day of 2023 HOPE FOR CHANGE The unwelcoming face of North Korea Linqong, dreamstime.com 'MBBs' (Muslim Background Believers) who have come to Christ either through dreams, listening to radio programmes, through the testimony of others and some of them through comparative study. These new believers are going back to their community and encouraging new disciples. Open Doors ask us to pray: — For Christians experiencing increased pressure under cover of conflict and crisis, for example in Sub Saharan Africa and Manipur. — For comfort, healing, provision, restoration, courage, and reconciliation. — For all those living in fear in authoritarian regimes; for them to have courage to stand strong; to become powerful witnesses so that the Church will continue to grow, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. — To bless and pray for the persecutors: for religious nationalists and extremists, families, neighbours, and governments; that they will come to know Jesus as their personal saviour. References and further reading Open Doors World Watch List 2024: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/ Open Doors World Watch List Launch 2024: https://advocacy.opendoorsuk.org/page/140238/action/1 Open Doors World Watch List 2024 Launch Prayer Evening: https://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/webinars/ House of Commons Library Research Briefing 'Religious Persecution and the World Watch List 2024': https:// commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2024-0017/#: For your Prayers in March — His Majesty the King, his doctors and family — Those to be baptised in the River Thames on Easter Sunday — The release of the Israeli civilian hostages in Gaza — The work of Daisy’s Dream bereavement counselling for children — Christians In Reading Drop In Centre (CIRDIC) Mbolina, dreamstime.com
the parish noticeboard — 4 Claude's view from the pew After the Second World War the government encouraged youngsters to become part of the building industry. This was to rebuild the country’s housing stock and to provide new public buildings to replace those lost in the German bombing raids. When attending Caversham Secondary Modern School (which is now Thameside Primary), someone came round to encourage us to go to the new building school where youngsters, like myself, were taught building alongside traditional subjects. I decided to join and remember being in JSB2, so would have been part of the second intake. Skilled craftsmen were employed for half a day each week to teach the skills of building alongside their English, mathematics and science lessons, in George Palmer Central school in Basingstoke Road, Reading. One lady teacher, Miss Nellie Palmer, was tasked to teach us lads English language and literature, but rather than Milton or Shakespeare, she taught us comic verse, such as ‘You’re old father William’ by Lewis Carroll and encouraged us to learn it off by heart, and I have never forgotten it! We attended from the ages of 13-16 and there were around 20 in a class. We were taught all the different trades, such as bricklaying, plumbing and carpentry. Most of us went on into the building trade as an apprentice. As we had been to a building school, we were more attractive to local building contractors because we were already trained, and so we started in the second year of our apprenticeships. I was employed by Boyd and Murley in London Street as a bricklayer. You are old father William by Lewis Carroll 'You are old, father William,' the young man said 'And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly stand on your head — Do you think, at your age, it is right?' 'In my youth,' father William replied to his son, 'I feared it might injure the brain; But now that I’m perfectly sure I have none, Why, I do it again and again.' 'You are old,' said the youth, 'as I mentioned before, And have grown most uncommonly fat; Yet you turned a back-somersault in at the door — Pray, what is the reason of that?' 'In my youth,' said the sage, as he shook his gray locks, 'I kept all my limbs very supple By the use of this ointment—one shilling the box, — Allow me to sell you a couple?' 'You are old,' said the youth, 'and your jaws are too weak For anything tougher than suet; Yet you finished the goose, with the bones and the beak— Pray, how did you manage to do it?' 'In my youth,' said his father, 'I took to the law and argued each case with my wife; And the muscular strength which it gave to my jaw has lasted the rest of my life.' 'You are old,' said the youth; 'one would hardly suppose That your eye was as steady as ever; Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose — What made you so awfully clever?' 'I have answered three questions, and that is enough,' Said his father; 'don’t give yourself airs! Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff? Be off, or I’ll kick you downstairs!' 'You are old, Father William' appears in Lewis Carrol's book 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' published in 1865 and is the public domain. The Parish Magazine - March 2024 11 From the editor's desk editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk I often write this column early on in the production cycle but this month it is the last piece in the jigsaw because two contributions did not arrive in time, and this left me with three pages to fill. Hopefully, you won't be able to spot which pages were put together in a hurry! I am not complaining about this. These things are part of life for journalists. I have worked as a writer and editor on newspapers and magazines since I graduated from university as an electronics engineer — I could never make anything electronic work, but could write a good excuse why! In many ways, working under the pressure of looming deadlines when promised articles don't materialise is all part of the fun — and it always makes the job more satisfying when it appears in print. RELAX YOUR BRAIN Some people argue that printed magazines such as this one are a thing of the past but, even though there has been a steady decline in the readership of printed newspapers and magazines, it is estimated that over 20 million people read a printed magazine of some kind every month. And, as I have said before in this column, experts tell us to switch off our electronic screens an hour before we go to bed in order to relax our brains. They suggest instead, that we read a printed book or magazine. Hopefully, this month, you will find plenty of interest to relax your brain by reading this magazine, and I include in this the advertisements. When you respond to any of the adverts please mention to the advertiser that you saw it in The Parish Magazine because without their financial support we would not be able to print and deliver it for your enjoyment and information.
Page 1 and 2: The Parish Magazine Magazine Parish
Page 3 and 4: Serving the communities of Charvil,
Page 5 and 6: The Parish Magazine - March 2024 5
Page 7 and 8: the parish noticeboard — 1 From M
Page 9: The Parish Magazine - March 2024 9
Page 13 and 14: Who is CIRDIC? Churches In Reading
Page 15 and 16: feature — 1 The Parish Magazine -
Page 21 and 22: The Parish Magazine - March 2024 21
Page 23 and 24: around the villages — 1 Community
Page 25 and 26: around the villages — 3 100 dance
Page 27 and 28: HEALTH Dr Simon Ruffle writes . . .
Page 29 and 30: FASHION BY HARRIET NELSON Fashions
Page 31 and 32: THE ARTS — 2 Poetry Corner Consta
Page 33 and 34: BOOK REVIEWS FOR EASTER The Empty T
Page 35 and 36: PUZZLE PAGE — 2 CROSSWORD 1 2 3 4
Page 37 and 38: CHILDREN'S PAGE The Parish Magazine
Page 39 and 40: Sabella Interiors Parish ad.qxp_Lay

The Parish Magazine March 2024

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?