Benefice Council
Minutes and treasurer's report
The Wilderness Weeks
This workshop at Long Stratton on 31st January was great. We looked at Lent from the point of view of five different materials - ash, sand, water, marzipan, vinegar, and palm. There was craft, drama, story, and prayer as well as some thought provoking insights into the meaning of Lent. Many thanks to Susanna Gunner for her leadership. I thought you might like some pictures of our creative efforts:
The Wilderness Weeks
Change your life for the better! This is a unique opportunity to learn some practical techniques that can improve your quality of life. It’s nothing to do with money or possessions. It’s all about how you experience life. Take the words below. Do you spend too much time having “red” feelings? Do you want more “green” feelings?
Worried sad stressed jealous insecure dissatisfied defensive angry irritated upset
>> Change >>
Calm loving happy hopeful grateful joyful patient optimistic confident positive
Many people believe they can’t change, because it’s their nature. But that’s just an illusion. Anyone who learns the techniques can change.
A Unique Opportunity: Eric Sanderson, a personnel specialist who lives locally, can teach you some techniques which help. Although the training has no religious content, many people have gained insights and spiritual understanding from it.
What will you learn? The course teaches some practical life-skills, at an introductory level:
¶ How you can tap away anxiety and stress, using TFT (thought field therapy)
¶ How you can use three simple principles as a foundation for inner happiness.
¶ How to see through the big illusions that trap us in low moods.
¶ How to find your own inner strength, peace and wisdom.
How will you learn? There’s nothing to write and no tests, just a personal encounter.
Want to know more? Call Eric on 01379 741810.
Government petition:
As some of you may be aware, the Water Companies are ignoring churches charitable status and starting to charge Churches for the amount of area (i.e. roofs and car parks) that will collect rainwater and discharge it into the sewer network. This will effectively raise most churches water bills by hundreds if not thousands of pounds. There is an online government petition that you can register on, please register and tell anyone else you think will sign it.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ChurchWaterBills