News Archive
May 2007
The God Delusion: A digested read
So you’re waiting at the airport for your flight to Zante, and you see the The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins in paperback. Should you buy it? Let me try and give you a taster.
The first 159 pages contain an interesting discussion of the arguments both for and against the existence of God, ending with Richard Dawkins’ central argument. I had forgotten Pascal’s wager, where the penalty for guessing wrong about God could make an eternity of a difference. But as Richard Dawkins writes, you cannot feign belief in God. Pascal’s wager can only cause us to look at the question seriously.
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Prayer letter from J John
If you attended the J John event at the City Hall a couple of Saturdays ago, you might be interested to read his latest prayer letter:
One of my favourite films is “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” It’s the story of a musician who just wants to be a composer. Rather grudgingly, he takes a job teaching music at a high school, hoping it will give him time to write music while providing an income for his family.
One of his pupils is a very serious, red-headed girl who plays the clarinet terribly, even though she practises constantly. As Mr. Holland works with her to try to help, he learns that she is the youngest in a family where everyone excels – except her. Because she has tried so hard and failed, she considers herself a failure.
One day she comes into the music classroom and tells Mr. Holland that she’s going to give it up. She says if he knows anyone who wants her clarinet, he can give it to them.
As she walks away, Mr Holland asks her, “Is it any fun?” With a shrug, she answers, “I wanted it to be.”
“You know what we’ve been doing wrong, Miss Lang? We’ve been playing the notes on the page.”
Confused, the girl asks, “Well what else is there to play?”
“There’s a lot more to music than notes on a page. Playing music is supposed to be fun. It’s about heart. It’s about feelings and moving people and something beautiful and being alive and it’s not about notes on a page.” Then he asks her: “What do you like best about yourself?”
With a shy smile she says, “My hair. My dad says it reminds him of a sunset.”
“Play the sunset.”
HBC gospel groovers
Do you just love singing praises to God? Does Sister Act strike a chord (with jazz-hands) in your heart?
An all-age gospel choir is being formed for Pentecost (Sunday, May 27th). Music-reading is not compulsory, but enthusiasm is! Experience singing gospel music is not necessary, but being able to sing confidently is! A good sense of rhythm and a tendency to look happy whilst singing would be a bonus.
The plan is to do two hymns for the morning service. The music is in harmony and pretty easy to pick up - lots of repeats! We have more than 20 members already (young and young-at-heart, male and female).
REHEARSALS: Sunday, May 20th at 4.30pm in the lower hall, and Sunday, May 27th at 9am.
Please email joanna.clark@dunelm.org.uk if you'd like to be involved, or persuaded. Please pray blessing over this venture too, and spread the word!
Spring Harvest conference 2008
If you are interested in going to Spring Harvest, Skegness, April 5th-10th, 2008 please contact Teresa Bartlett, tel 01661 871849 or email ali-trio@tiscali.co.uk no later than Sunday May 20th for further details. Act quickly as each year is a sellout and latecomers will miss out.
Prayer focus: Crime and disorder
Experience has proved that churches and agencies praying and working together are a catalyst for positive change.
Give thanks: for the police service (Thursday, May 17th is the National Day of Prayer) for all who work in the criminal justice system.
Pray: for protection and guidance for police officers and their families; for all involved in the Redeeming Our Communities initiative; for an uncovering of the real issues that lead to addiction, despair, crime and disorder.
Consider: how could my church pray for, and support, the local police force?
Read: Proverbs 14:34; Colossians 4:2-6
Stay at home dads
Tom and Mira Hudson and family are featured in the current edition of Woman Alive magazine in an article Fiona Veitch Smith has written on stay-at-home dads. Former HBC members Colin and Debbie Scarr also make an appearance. The magazine can be bought at most Christian bookshops.
Sex before marriage
Sunday evening's "Hot potato" talk by Phil and Sheena Lightbody is now available to download as an MP3 here.
Bulletin
The church
bulletin for Sunday, May 13th, is now available to read or download, right here.
Africa Mercy update
Jean Campbell has emailed us a link to the longer, six-minute evening BBC spot on the Africa Mercy ship. Click here to watch it. And for more details of Jean's journey to Liberia you can visit her own website here.
New podcast
Sunday's all-age service is
now available to download or listen to in our Archives section, here.
Youth Director applications
Interested in applying to become our Youth Director? You can download further information and an application form here.