A weekend in church
May 12, 2008 by revruth
Saturday was our Overseas Mission sale. It’s a strange one this. All the money raised goes Overseas, as the name suggests. It used to go to Links (our Provincial Overseas network) but I suggested half should go to one that we have personal links with. Nobody could answer me when I asked where the Links money goes. I’m sure it goes to a good cause but sometimes a personal contact means more to some people. That hasn’t gone down particularly well with some. It has been organised by the same people for years, perhaps centuries, and no newcomers welcome. Well that’s how it seems to the outsider. Oh no, I’ve got that wrong… newcomers are welcome to move the furniture and come and spend money. As a result it is not terribly well attended because not everyone feels involved. Oh maybe I’m being too harsh - just my Monday morning thoughts. However, we did raise about £670 and half of that went to help pay for children from Chernobyl to come over the Portie in June.
The children from Chernobyl have been coming for years and stay for a month and have a wonderful time. Their home stories would make you weep, but with a bit of fun and good food (pizza is a favourite!) and trips to dentists and doctors (not so much fun but it helps and all treatment is given free) they go back home refreshed and healthier. This year we had some paintings for sale by the older children (aged c14-17) who attend Minsk School of Art. The school houses and educates about 500 children and is officially supported by the State but resources are limited. Most children don’t even have a basic set of brushes and come from extremely poor and disadvantaged backgrounds. Their lives are also blighted by the after-effects of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. Despite all this their talents shine through and their paintings were just amazing. Sorry I didn’t have my camera but I did buy one which now hangs above the fireplace. Will photo it later. We actually sold five paintings (not included in the total above) and the money goes straight back to the school to pay for art materials and a printing workshop.
Then on Sunday of course it was Pentecost fever. As we celebrate the Birthday of the Church we all bring birthday presents wrapped up. Good to see nice soft toilet paper, more felt tip pens than you could shake a stick at, bleach, washing up liquid (anti-bacterial as requested on our Health and Safety inspection), an iron and a new jug and basin for Maundy Thursday, etc. The children love unwrapping them all. Sunday School decorated the trees in the garden with scarlet streamers symbolising the Holy Spirit (shower curtains cut up, courtesy of Ikea). We are a generous lot at St Mark’s. Oh, and we had something new at Communion. Instead of a communion hymn we were treated to two beautiful numbers by the Alternative Service choir. Lovely to listen to.
Thank you one and all for all your help and generosity over a busy weekend.
