Page 36 - Phonebox Magazine September 2014

Churches Together in Newport Pagnell
Letter from a minister
In the last month, I have been overwhelmed with images of suffering people in the news. We have seen displaced people in Iraq and bereaved
casualties of war in the Middle East. It can be difficult to relate to such events when most of us have a roof over our heads, live in relative security and have something to eat every day. It somehow doesn’t feel real. Even though most of these things are a distance away, they can leave us with feelings of fear and helplessness.
However, there are things that we can do that can change these situations. We can give financially to humanitarian and church organisations who work directly on the ground. We can also commit to keeping ourselves informed of events.
Closer to home, we can also come across situations that may leave us feeling vulnerable and fearful. Sometimes these things can be out of our control, such as illness or injury. Consequently, there are times and situations when we can do things to help.
We can respond to our neighbours when they are in need. We can encourage communication and be attentive to one another. Often people hurt one another
because of misunderstandings, or just because we don’t listen or give time to process the other person’s point of view. Charity begins at home when we choose to respond to those around us. We can practice love and generosity and make an impact just where we are.
Birgitte Grace, Chaplain, Westbury Grange
Newport Pagnell Methodist Church
In anticipation of their bicentenary (1815- 2015), Newport Pagnell Methodist Church will be holding an open day on Saturday 18th October between 10.30am and 3.30pm. There will be exhibitions by charities, handmade crafts, gifts and Christmas cards for sale, and the coffee shop will be open for cream teas and cakes. This event also has free entry so all you need to do is turn up.
Newport Pagnell Methodist Church, High Street, MK16 8AQ
For more information about the churches in Newport Pagnell visit our website at ctnp.org.uk.
A warm welcome
First Wednesday of each month
Come along to our Memory Cafe, a safe place where people living with dementia and their carers can find a warm welcome and support. The cafe runs on the first Wednesday of each month from 10am to noon at Westbury Grange. It’s £1.50 for tea/coffee, cake and a raffle ticket. For more information call (01908) 210322.
Riders arrive home to heroes’ welcome .... despite
Ared carpet and the Mayor of Newport Pagnell greeted cyclists for the last pit-stop at Meadow View Day Nursery
on a marathon 767 mile charity cycle ride throughout the South of England.
Less than two miles from ‘home’ – Childbase Partnership head office just outside the town – the team were met by Mayor, Cllr. Mike Barry, and cheering children, staff and parents who, like thousands of pre- schoolers, have been ‘on the move’ in support of the team’s bid to raise £50,000 for an outside play area at a major hospital. Visiting each of the company’s 47 day nurseries as part of the 25th birthday celebrations, the six cyclists on the epic two week journey from Miles House Day Nursery in Bath paused for celebrations at Meadow View, where the Childbase Partnership story began, before carrying on to Head Office.
For Operations Director, Lynda Gostelow,
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the only permanent woman on the team, the welcome was particularly special as Olivia Burrows (24) a graduate of the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Day Nursery in Downs Barn, Milton Keynes – which she managed in the early years of her career – presented laurel leaf garlands.
“I am absolutely delighted to be a part of these celebrations. I have very happy memories of Woodlands where, apart from singing and laughing all the time, I made friendships that remain special to me today,” said Ms Burrows, who has just returned from studying in Paris to start her own woven textiles design business. Mike Thompson, Childbase Partnership CEO, thanked colleagues, children and staff for the warmth of their welcome at each stop during the 14 day marathon and for their fund-raising efforts to help create a play area at the new Princess Eugenie House at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore.