Page 71 - Phonebox Magazine July 2014

Amazing Grace
A Problem Shared
The Christian Churches of Olney celebrate their common faith, and express their worship with refreshing diversity. This can be through thought-provoking Bible teaching, or through contemporary and traditional approaches. Come along we’d love to get to know you. More information is available from the churches, their leaders and websites.
You’re welcome to our Sunday services:
Olney Baptist Church (known as Sutcliff):
High Street (opposite the Market Place) Rev Ian Field – (01234) 713880 10.30am – Family Worship
6pm – Evening service Olneybaptist.org.uk
Check out our Facebook
page with the link on our website
Cowper Memorial URC:
Sunday, 10.45am
Communion on the first Sunday of the month Celia Dashfield – (01234) 713468 Contact@cowperurc.org.uk Cowperurc.org.uk
St Peter & St Paul’s:
Sunday, 10.00am (weekly)
8.30am (2nd/4th Sunday of the month) 5.00pm (2nd/4th Sunday of the month) 6.00pm (1st/3rd Sunday of the month) Wednesday, 9.30am (weekly)
More at olneyparish.org.uk.
Reverend Claire Wood – (01234) 713308
The Catholic Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and St Lawrence: Saturday Mass, 6.30pm
Sunday Mass, 10.30am
Benediction 4-5pm at the Convent
Father Malcolm Bull and Church
administrator, Sister Rita Scott – (01234) 711212
Olney Library short story
Robert Barker
Unusually, there was no-one at reception that evening, so Mary decided to go straight through to the counsellor’s office. She was running late after yet another row with her husband. Mary was sure she must look a mess, and the counsellor would be able to
tell she’d been crying.
She’d been having sessions on and off for some time now at the suggestion of her GP. He’d put her on antidepressants, which hadn’t helped. He knew, as Mary did deep down, that pills were not the answer. She wasn’t mentally or physically ill, just trapped in a miserable and loveless relationship. Mary wasn’t convinced that counselling would be any good either. None of the counsellors had said much so far, just sat there nodding and smiling. “This is your time... I’m here to listen... This is a safe space for you to work through your problems.” No advice, just sympathy.
It hadn’t helped that she’d seen several different counsellors. The counsellor she’d started with had gone off sick. Her replacement was a male counsellor, who Mary didn’t feel comfortable with. Then she’d missed some sessions and her case had been closed and reopened with a third counsellor. She hadn’t yet been able to build up a sense of trust with anyone she’d seen. She’d become fed up with retelling the same old story of being married to a husband who kept putting her down, who drank, who did little to help around the house, who’d cheated on her and who made her feel low and worthless. Even though the counsellors had notes in front of them from other sessions, they usually suggested that she tell her story, in her own words, from scratch. She normally broke down and spent much of the time crying.
Tonight was no different. As she walked into the room, she was confronted with yet another new face. Mary burst into tears. After a few minutes, she removed her glasses, wiped her face, and regained enough composure to retell her story for the umpteenth time.....
‘Your old man sounds like a right toe-rag. He’s dragging you down. You’re too good for him. Why don’t you get rid of him? Find yourself a decent bloke, start living again.’
Mary was shocked at the forthright and direct way in which she was being addressed. She put her glasses back on and took a closer look at the person opposite. She was casually dressed in jeans and trainers and was wearing a tabard. Instead of files, she was holding a duster. “Well, it’s good to talk, but I’d better get back to my cleaning.”
The power of such homespun, unsophisticated (yet blindingly obvious) advice hit home. She was right. Mary knew what she needed to do.
As the cleaner left, the counsellor walked in. “Sorry about that, Mary. You were late – we thought you weren’t coming so the receptionist and I went for a break. Do you want to re-schedule for next week?”
“No thanks” said Mary, smiling for the first time in what seemed like ages. “I don’t think I need any more counselling. I’m feeling much better now.”
Olney Library, Olney Centre, High Street, Olney, MK46 4EF.
Tel: (01234) 711474 Email: olney.library@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Library opening times: Olney Newport Pagnell
Monday Closed Monday Tuesday 10am – 6pm Tuesday Wednesday Closed Wednesday Thursday 10am – 5.30pm Thursday Friday 1pm – 5.30pm Friday Saturday 10am – 1pm Saturday Sunday Closed Sunday
Closed
9am – 7pm 9am – 5.30pm 9am – 5.30pm 9am – 5.30pm 9am – 1pm Closed
Phonebox Magazine 71