News in Brief

School

While the children are having a well earned break, the school is being refurbished. We are hoping to have a grand opening in October and are looking for the oldest pupil of the school who still lives in the village to perform the task.

Garden Party

The garden party held on 26 July at David and Mary Simpson's home was blessed with superb weather and excellent support from over 80 people.

The event, which raised £457 for Church funds, also marked the first public performance of Warmington's Youth Orchestra.

Thanks to Adrian and Christine for running an excellent bar on a thirsty evening, Carole and friends for super eats, Dorothy and June for the raffle and everyone who helped with games, etc. 

Children's Page

Q: What is a frog's favourite game?

A: Croak-et!
 

Dear Friends

We live in a strange world that is full of confusion and contradictions. The events of the last couple of weeks illustrate this clearly. The appalling abduction and murder of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman has dominated the news. At the same time I hear of or read about a woman in Nigeria condemned to death by stoning for adultery and of white farmers being evicted in Zimbabwe whist the country is gripped by famine. Human beings seem to have an immense propensity for spoiling things. I presume I an not alone in having feelings of anger, sadness and despair.

The bible contrasts the qualities of the sinful nature with the influence of the Holy Sprit. One good example is in Paul's letter to the Galatians. he gives a list of obvious things of the sinful nature that include, 'hatred, discord, selfish ambition and jealousy'. The implication is clear, we can all get caught up by these bad acts of a sinful nature. There can be very few of us who have not experienced these desires. For the most part they may be considered as only moderately part of our lives but they can easily grow and take on a more powerful sinister dimension.

The qualities of the Sprit are totally different and are listed again in Galatians. 'Love, peace, patience, gentleness, etc.' It is relatively easy to exclude these qualities when our lives are unchallenged or comfortable. Now we are challenged by what is happening. Those feelings of anger, sadness and despair are the symptoms. They are probably justifiable feelings but they must not tip us over into that which will destroy us. Be careful not to hate even the most evil of people. it will make no difference to them, but it will hurt us. Despise the sin not the sinner.

 Yours in Christ, Brian Rogers

Riverside Ramblings

This is the year of the Woodpecker! Picus viridis - or the green woodpecker - has frequented our garden and I have met him, or her, (it is difficult to tell unless very close) along the Willow Brook, in open farmland and witnessed his flight - volutu undosa - between pieces of woodland.

Perhaps the green woodpecker has been more vocal this year having had many opportunities to announce 'It's going to rain'. Old countrymen used to call it 'the rainbird' because its distinctive yaffle, a sort of loud, hearty laugh, is often heard before rain. How does it know it is going to rain? The bird must be sensitive to changes in the atmosphere in the same way that dogs are aware of a coming storm long before we hear the first clap of thunder.

Juliet Wilson