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Vacancy: Full Time Christians Wanted |
Last Friday the Church was full of the wonderful sound of
the Norfolk Fellowship Brass of the Salvation Army as we
celebrated the centenary of our local Methodist Church. You
may wonder why the concert took place in Fakenham Parish
Church. The answer is that some months ago I was asked by
their steward, Philip Walker, to host the concert as their
Church was too small for band. Of course we readily agreed
and also waived the usual £100 fee for hiring the Church.
Our generosity is overwhelming!!!
The concert was excellent, concluding with a few thoughts
from a band member and the singing of ‘Crown him with many
crowns’ sung and played with great gusto. I wish
Anglicans learnt to sing as well.
The speaker at the concert gave me food for thought because
he said we should use every opportunity to proclaim the Lord
Jesus
Having suffered, as many of you will have done, either from
the earnest pious preacher, or the street evangelist in
Norwich who shouts out the message of Jesus with a fearsome
sound, it was good to listen to a gentle encouragement to
evangelise.
I have a lot of time for the Salvation Army because unlike
so many Churches that they live out the Christian message
through their actions. The bowl of soup to the homeless, or
that cup of tea in emergencies, or simply playing hymns in
the street are all welcome signs. Did you know that the
Salvation Army are the only group allowed by law to play
where ever they like without the likelihood of being fined?
The message of love they give I can understand because being
a more of practical person than a theological one, my
greatest pleasure is in bringing help and care to people.
Fakenham Parish Church may not be the wealthiest Church in
the world but it has become was of the most generous,
because in 2007 it raised and gave over 20% of its income to
charity. Our next event will be a Christian Aid Table Top
Sale on 10th May in Church.
On this international day of Prayer for Zimbabwe
our thoughts and prayers are with the people there. Many in
the world are trying to bring justice to that country but
eventually when there is peace and justice, and a sound and
just government, then the nations for the world, many
suffering from recession, will have to dig deep in their
pockets to bring urgent aid to the poor.
As a Church we try to do match funding and so if we spend an
amount on the restoration of the Church we match this by
supporting deserving charities.
One of biggest fund raising events in the Church year is our
annual Christmas Tree Festival which raised £21,000 for
charities last year. I hope that this year we can have a
tree especially for the poor of Zimbabwe. The people there
ought to know that we care for them and are ashamed of what
the world as well as South Africa has seen and let happen
for some long.
Adrian Bell
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