Tittle Tattle Newsletter
Sponsored by Harden Congregational Church
Issue 15 week beginning 5th July
Wake Up Call
There’s no denying that life has been very difficult over the past weeks and will be for so many in the months to come. We can’t change the past but maybe can influence the future.
One thing many people have found is a desire to re-think what may have been missing in their lives before. In spite of the difficulties, we have appreciated the importance of family, friends and the environment. Looking at it all with fresh eyes, there seems to be a new opportunity to rediscover, more profoundly, the meaning and quality of life in practical, intellectual and spiritual terms. Should we slip back into bad old habits or should we try to learn from the experience? Has this been something of a wake-up call for the world and also for the church?
Your past is just a story. Once you realise this it has no power over you. Time to let the sun set: tomorrow is a new beginning.
‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.’
[Romans 12:2]
Letting Go
I was thinking about the children in Year 6 who have not had the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to their primary school because of the Lockdown. It is such an important stage in life, a stage when your child becomes more independent. It involves a move from childhood into adolescence and where parents experience that need to let them grow and go. I found this poem which recalls that experience; when your child first starts school and then when they move onto secondary education.
Walking Away
It is eighteen years ago, almost to the day –
a sunny day with the leaves just turning,
the touch-lines new-ruled – since I watched you play
your first game of football, then, like a satellite
wrenched from its orbit, go drifting away.
Behind a scatter of boys. I can see
you walking away from me towards the school
with the pathos of a half-fledged thing set free
into a wilderness, the gait of one
who finds no path where the path should be.
That hesitant figure, eddying away
like a winged seed loosened from its parent stem,
has something I never quite grasp to convey
about nature’s give-and-take, the small, the scorching
ordeals which fire one’s irresolute clay.
I have had worse partings, but none that so
gnaws at my mind still. Perhaps it is roughly
saying what God alone could perfectly show-
How selfhood begins with a walking away,
and love is proved in the letting go.
[C Day-Lewis]
Harden Gala
The prize winners for the Harden Children’s Gala Committee Treasure Hunt were
Seth Bairstow
The Mestre Twins
The Hirds
The Coplands
Prizes have been delivered to them!
Thank you to everyone who entered. We do hope you enjoyed the trail.
Here’s looking forward to Harden Gala 19th June 2021
Re-Opening of Churches
St. Saviour’s Church
We are getting ready to open our churches for personal prayer.
If you wish to come in and remember family and friends, find some peace in a sacred space or say a quiet prayer then you will be very welcome. Our opening times at St. Saviour’s are Monday mornings from 10-11am starting Monday, 6th July.
Harden Congregational Church
The Congregational Church is getting ready to open for private prayer. A full risk assessment has been completed and suitable arrangements are being put in place to ensure compliance with protective measures and social distancing. The Church Room only will be open each Friday morning from 10.30-11.30 starting Friday, 10th July.
There are no immediate plans to hold services but the situation will be kept under review and further consultation will follow. All are welcome.
Talking of churches here are some more notices………
‘Ladies, don’t forget the Second Hand Sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.’
‘Don’t let worry kill you off – let the church help.’
‘Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.’
Rainbow Children
Olivia with her craft work
Answers to All Creatures Great and Small Quiz
- Dalmation
- Russia/Bear France/Rooster Laos/Elephant Rwanda/Leopard Tanzania/Giraffe
- False
- Thames
- Brazil
- Gorillas, Rabbit, Dogs, Tiger, Wolves
- 366
- Fox, Snake, Owl
- Bullfrog
- Tower
- Kiwi
- The Adder
- Flea
- Butterflies
- Lanolin
- Human
- Moose
- Manatees
- Labrador Retriever
- Tristram
Answers to For the Ears Quiz
They precede things you might find in an orchestra
Ear/Drum, Champagne/Flute, Shoe/Horn, Bermuda/Triangle, Ear/Trumpet and Super/Conductor
Capital Cities Quiz
In which capital city would you find the following:-
- The Mausoleum of Nadir Shah
- The Temple of Hercules
- The Sistine Chapel
- The Turtle/Tortoise Tower
- The Garden of Dreams
- The City of the Island Hills
- Jose Marti International Airport
- Checkpoint Charlie
- HM Britannia
- Temple of the Golden Buddha
- The Cross of Sacrifice and Margaret Thatcher Memorial Bust
- The Temple of Olympus Zeus
- The City of Design
- Almudena Cathedral
- The largest stock exchange building in Africa
- Museum of the Life and Works of Albert Einstein
- Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
- Hallgrimskirkja church
- The Viking Ship Museum
- The Southern end of the Oresund Bridge
- Croke Park Stadium
- Seine River
- Spanish Steps
- St. John’s Fort/Mulo Tower
- Kasumigaoka Stadium
Contributions
If you would like to advertise or contribute articles of general interest please contact
Sheila Driver deepseadriver@aol.com
Or Kay Johnson congstittletattle@gmail.com
Blessing
Keep your people, Lord,
In the arms of your embrace.
Shelter them under your wings.
Be their light in darkness
Be their hope in distress
Be their calm in anxiety
Be their strength in weakness
Be their comfort in pain
Be their song in the night.