Monday 30 November 2020

Monday 29th November 2020: Nativity Scene: The Revd Erna Stevenson


I have made this knitted Nativity Scene some years ago, when in another church I was part of another Knitting Group. Since I lost my husband I don’t usually spend Christmas in my own home, so I don’t put up elaborate Christmas decorations. But this faithful little group comes out every year to keep the Christmas spirit alive in my house even when I am not there. Erna

Prayer Letter from our BMS Link Missionaries

 

Dear friends,


We are happy to be able to email you at this time. We know that in the UK it is still not easy, battling Covid-19 and dealing with lockdown. So far here it seems that the virus isn't hitting us as hard, whether that's due to the weather or there are so many other illnesses that people have to tackle here, Covid-19 isn't much different to anything else. The older school years are back and we are hoping that all school years will be back to school as normal next year and the rules for Churches will be a little more relaxed. Churches here like to have new year's celebrations but unfortunately they are not allowed this year so we are adjusting to this.

Over the last few months, through the BMS appeal Liz was able to continue supporting PEPE teachers with a small financial gift and workbooks for PEPE children for 5 months. Sergio was able to help give out basic food kits to 500 people in need and next month the aim is to give out another 500 to others, which will really help them especially at Christmas time when prices can go up. Sergio also visited a place called Dombe where BMS plan to contruct a mill to help the community, after the destruction from the cyclone. Due to Covid-19, this took a set back but next year it will go ahead. Please see our blog for more information. 

Liz has finished her clinical hours for the diploma course in play therapy that she is doing. She hads two case studies to finish and she can hand in her portfolio. She has also been training the PEPE coordinators in safeguarding, which has been really positive.

We would ask if you could pray for us in these ways:

  • for the health of our family and also our BMS team
  • for protection as we travel for a much needed holiday on Monday for two weeks
  • for peace in the North of Mozambique where there is fighting - please see https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54877202. It is hard sometimes to know the real facts of what is going on but what we know is that we need to pray for the area. Just so you know, it is nowhere near to us so we are not at risk.
Many thanks,

God bless,

Liz, Sergio, Chloe and Joshua

Sunday 29 November 2020

Sunday 29th November 2020: Reflection by Margaret Howard

 

Well, at the end of an unusual year here we are at the beginning of Advent. It would usually be the time when children are trying to find where their presents have been hidden and where Mums and Dads are frantically trying to get everything in order for a family invasion. I doubt this Advent will be quite as usual!

So, I started thinking about what the Advent season should really be, hoping to find some cheer and encouragement. I came across a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect and who look forward to greater things to come.” Whilst there’s a lot of truth in that it is a bit too solemn for what I was seeking, maybe I’ll return to that at a later date; it probably explains why some people regard Advent as a time for fasting.

As is so often the solution to a problem these days I turned to Google. The definition there was “the Advent of something means that it is finally here – a term generally used for the introduction of something important.” I have to admit I’d always thought Advent meant something is about to come, not here already. It’s customary to think of Jesus about to be born in Bethlehem, although we know it happened 2000 years ago, and also to think about his “coming again”, a concept of God’s final kingdom of peace and joy. These thoughts are reflected in the lectionary readings in Advent.

However, Google’s definition draws attention to the fact that there’s more to Advent than those two “looking forwards”. It emphasises the fact that something really important has already happened. God, in Jesus, has experienced the problems of living on earth, and by his spirit  – God is with us, here and now – with all the problems of the pandemic have we forgotten that?

The word Emmanuel, meaning God is with us, was used by the people of God in both Old and New testaments – so why do we sing “O come O come Emmanuel” – maybe we should sing hello Emmanuel!

Sunday 29th November 2020: Nativity Picture: Ann and Peter Clark

Our granddaughter Amelie with the nativity knitted by her great grandmother Hazel Clitherow

 

Wednesday 25 November 2020

Welcome


Welcome to the AFC Advent Blog!

Over the next few weeks articles, photos and notices will be posted daily.

May all of us know God's blessing as we journey to Christmas together.


Christmas Eve: Nativity Scene: Hazel Richardson

  Hazel writes: Here is a photo of our nativity scene. At first it had no shepherds, which bothered me, so I eventually bought one - althoug...