Inspired to action by Debbie, five of us (Debbie, John and Elizabeth, Pat and Brian) from Christ Church set out from Brighouse station to take part in a Climate Change Campaign day ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on Saturday 1st October.

The government needs to take a lead in tackling climate change otherwise crises like the current drought in East Africa will become more frequent and severe The church in the UK has an important role to play in pushing our politicians to take swift and appropriate action.

The afternoon event with nearly 1,000 present, started with Christian Aid workshops on Climate Change and International tax evasion. We heard inspiring talks by experts from around the world who worked on these issues and were passionate about them. Tax evasion costs developing countries more than all the aid they receive when large multi national firms use their resources of people and goods but do not pay them any tax from their profits.

Leaving the Methodist Central Hall we walked to the Cathedral where a joint service at 5pm with equal numbers from Tear Fund and Cafod was held. We were given sashes with the words ‘Bearing Witness‘ and this was a very inspiring service.

Outside the cathedral we were given placards to carry through the streets as we walked singing hymns to the beat of a Salvation Army band which led the procession. Some bystanders applauded and eventually we stood outside the Conservative Party conference venue where there was no acknowledgement of the thousands in the march and we were safely distanced behind barricades.

We were then led to a central square in Manchester for a candle lit vigil – candles and holders all provided. The organisation of the day had been superb and Debbie with her i-phone filled in any gaps including sending pictures to our Facebook part of the Christ Church website – that did mean we ran for a train home!!

Thank you to Debbie for leading us on such an inspiring and moving day which at 30◦ was the hottest October day in Manchester since records began!

PS In the absence of any violence the day did not receive much publicity.

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Christmas’?

The answer might well depend on what you look for and what you expect to see. Some people will see a pressing need for preparation and shopping and others an excuse for relaxation or a party. Another group may think about the Christmas story but feel that it is little more than a fairy tale – suitable for children but not really for adults.

If Christ is properly part of our Christmas, then we should see something different – and more lasting – in the story of Jesus‘ birth.

‘God surprises earth with heaven
coming here on Christmas day.‘
(John Bell and Graham Maule Rejoice & Sing 178)

God surprises us by entering fully into human life from the start, being born in one place at one time without recourse to any privileges or special treat-ment. His coming in Jesus opens up the possibility of a new world very dif-ferent from the one now familiar to us. The promise of ‘Peace on Earth’ accompanies Jesus’ birth, the possibility of wars ceasing but far more be-sides – nations reconciled, individuals finding forgiveness and the capacity to cope with anxieties and fears because God is with them.

Such a promise is not fulfilled instantly. God entered human life from start to finish in Jesus who offered forgiveness, welcome and healing to those ready to receive him and learn from him. He forced nobody to respond to him and he will not force us. If we choose, we can respond to God‘s sur-prise that we celebrate at Christmas. Then we too may help to bring peace on earth a little closer, by sharing his love and hope revealed in the birth of Jesus – and in the man he grew up to be.

May he bring comfort and joy this Christmas.

Revd Patrick Taylor

Then.. .. Plant three rows of peas.

1. Peace of mind

2 Peace of heart

3 Peace of soul

Plant four rows of Squash

1 Squash gossip

2 Squash indifference

3 Squash grumbling

4 Squash selfishness.

Plant four rows of lettuce

1 Lettuce be faithful

2 Lettuce be kind

3 Lettuce be patient

4 Lettuce really love one another.

No garden is without Turnips!

1 Turnip for church meetings

2 Turnip for service

3 Turnip to help one another.

To conclude our garden we must have Thyme

1.Thyme for each other

2 Thyme for family

3 Thyme for friends

Water freely with patience and cultivate with love.

There can be much fruit in your garden, because you reap what you sow ! !

• 27^th November – Churches Together Advent service in the evening

• 1st December 6pm - Christmas tree lighting

• Saturday 3^rd December  - our annual Christmas event 10.00 – 2.00 with turkey or cheese sandwiches

• Wednesday 7th December – Coffee and carols in church

• Friday 9th December pm – Christingle

give us such grace

as Christians in the world

that people, seeing and hearing us,

may find us always gentle and just,

always honest and generous

encouraging and supportive.

Make our lives so attractive

that our faith in you

may be seen to be creative and beautiful,

and the words we speak

may open people’s minds

to your own great reconciling Word

which we have received

in Jesus Christ

Seeking nothing

except the gladness of witnessing to you

and the sheer delight

of bringing our neighbours

into the infinite blessedness

of your love eternal.

In the spring, there was just potential; the seed within the packet, the grain below the soil. As the seasons passed and the weather changed, God gave thesoil nutrients, the sunshine warmth and the raindrops moisture. These turned the tiny seeds into our daily bread. And we thank God at harvest time for the goodness his creation provides for us, through our daily bread.

But it’s not just God’s creation of nature that provides for us, it’s his creation of mankind too. Not many of us make our own bread nowadays, so how would we get our daily bread if it weren’t for:

• The farmers who cultivate the crops,
• The millers who turn crops into flour,
• The bakers who mix the flour and bake the bread,
• The packagers who let us know what type of bread we are buying,
• The drivers who transport it from the bakery to the shop, and
• The shop assistant who puts the bread on the shelves for us to buy?

So as we thank God for the seed and the seasons, we also give thanks to all those who help to put our daily bread on the table.

We remember too that we are spoilt for choice; between a white loaf and a wholemeal one, between a sliced loaf and an unsliced one, between an oatmeal topped loaf and a seeded one. Not everyone has that choice, and many in our world give thanks simply for any daily bread. We thank God for the provision of his creation, everywhere.

And just like the seeds, we have potential, the seed of God’s love is within us. As the seasons pass and the weather changes; with worship, with prayer and with fellowship, we too can turn from tiny seeds into daily disciples spreading God’s love across his creation.

12 – 7.30pm with workshops, a service and a procession and vigil outside the party conference venue.

Be a climate witness and speak out for strong government action, challenging injustice and being a voice for the voiceless.

For more information and to register visit: www.christianaid.org.uk/bearingwitness

or contact Christian Aid on 0207 523 2264

or info@christian-aid.org