Do you come to the 10.00 am Service at St Mary’s? Are you capable of doing a bit of not-too-strenuous lifting? I am urgently looking for more men to put out and clear away tables and chairs in the Church Hall. I’m also looking for people to help serve tea.  The more volunteers we have the less often you’ll be on the rota. Ring me today!

Lara Lavery (240316) lara.lavery@tiscali.co.uk

Is ALPHA ‘Life changing’?

I wouldn’t say I came from a religious family, my parents pride themselves on going to church whenever invited – i.e. weddings, christenings and funerals. However I was christened as a baby and went to a C of E school, although that may have been based on location not faith. It was at school that I learnt the story of Jesus, Christian celebrations (Harvest, Easter, Christmas), prayer and sang hymns in worship. This was the foundation of my faith but it wavered through university and my early 20’s.

I met the love of my life and we started planning a wedding! It was important to us both to get married in Church and we wanted God to be part of our married life and future family. Hayden had had a much more Christian upbringing than me, regularly going to Church, Crusaders and studying the bible. I was obviously pleased that we shared our Christian faith and knew it made us stronger but I felt my faith wasn’t as secure as his, and I had big gaps in my knowledge and understanding of it.

We moved to Walton on Thames in November 2007 when I was 7 months pregnant and we started attending St John’s church at the top of our road. We instantly were made to feel welcome by the small but very friendly congregation. We agreed on bringing our family up within the church and being a Christian family, although I still felt I wasn’t necessarily qualified to teach my children about Christianity.  We regularly attended St John’s, had Owen christened there and got involved when we could.

I’d heard about the ALPHA course but didn’t really know what it was, other than people saying it had ‘changed their lives’, surely that can only be a good thing? I hoped this was my opportunity to learn more and deepen my faith – and with Owen starting nursery I had a free morning to dedicate to ALPHA without a Bob the Builder sticker book in hand.

On our first session I was struck by how lovely the other attendees were, all friendly and not at all strange! I found the format was a really refreshing way of looking at the bible. The talks from Nicky Gumbel were interesting, funny, relevant and provoked lots of questions – yes you can ask questions, in fact it is encouraged! I always found the discussions a great way to develop my understanding of that week’s topic and often found a link to something personal to me; it’s a safe environment to openly ask questions and share. I always left our sessions feeling upbeat, happy, optimistic and ready to take on the week ahead.

One week the topic was on healing, the talk as always was captivating and inspiring as was our discussion. At the end of our session John suggested we pray for anyone that wanted or needed some help. I didn’t say anything but John turned to look at me and said ‘I feel you need us to pray for you Lucy’, without saying a word I had tears in my eyes. I’d been having some problems but didn’t feel it was worthy of praying for, but when John asked me, it felt like God knew I needed help and was offering it to me. The whole group all laid their hands on me and prayed for me. I felt an overpowering sense of love, a warm sensation throughout my body and although my eyes were closed I saw a golden light.  It was an overwhelming experience on that day and also ever since as I felt I wasn’t alone and God was and is always with me. I took comfort from that day onwards and it has changed the way I feel on a daily basis.

The other big change in my daily life came through Prayer. After every ALPHA session we prayed together and sometimes prayed for each other but I found the structure of my prayers at home sometimes sounded a bit jumbled up and I was self-conscious that they didn’t make sense or weren’t heart felt. One night I went to check on Owen before I went to bed myself and as I saw him lying there I felt really emotional as I love him so much, I decided to sit next to him and pray. I laid my hand on him and thanked God for this precious gift in my life; I have so much to be thankful for that my adoration and thanks came straight from the heart and easily. I found it came naturally and filled me with such happiness and fulfillment that no matter what happened that day I went to bed thinking how lucky and grateful I was for all I have, and in turn I woke up feeling that way and being open to seeing the good, not the negative, and this has continued. It changed my outlook on life and therefore my general mood and therefore my experience of life. I feel content with myself and all the wonderful things in my life – which can’t help but put a smile on your face.

As part of the ALPHA course there is a weekend session dedicated to the Holy Spirit. It was really enjoyable with live music and meeting lots of new people. Near the end of the sessions we watched a film on people’s experience of the Holy Spirit; a bright light, falling to their knees, hearing a voice and collapsing to the floor. They spoke of messages, feelings of love, and one man spoke about his desire for the Holy Spirit but nothing had happened to him, until one morning at 4am he experienced the Holy Spirit in bed and was overjoyed. Well at hearing all of this I didn’t much fancy falling to the floor in front of all my new found friends so when everyone was encouraged to pray to experience the Holy Spirit, I prayed for the Holy Spirit NOT to visit me right there but that 4am one day would be fine. I left the event on a real high.

The following week John spoke about the Annual Parish Meeting, and that as members of the church we should go and participate in ‘our’ church. So I went along with a fellow ALPHA friend Paula. The meeting was like most AGM’s a lot of accounts and budget talk. Then it went on to talk of lack of volunteers, and David, the Church Warden, spoke of his frustration over nobody standing for Church Warden (and other roles). So again he was left alone with a huge responsibility, this frustration led him to think he wouldn’t stand again, until he remembered why he is active in the Church – the reason: because Jesus died on the Cross for us. Well that struck a cord with me!

On our way home Paula and I spoke about it, and how we were sure that the members of the parish were willing to help but maybe they needed someone to facilitate – to match the willingness with the need… well that night I was sound asleep until about 4am, when I woke and sat bolt upright and thought ‘I can facilitate it’! Lots of ideas of how I could do it flooded me, so I got my reading light out and wrote them down. It was an enlightening, empowering but peaceful vision, I put my pen down and went back to sleep.

The next morning I questioned if that was the Holy Spirit or baby brain talking, or maybe I could share my ideas and someone better qualified could fulfill it, as I’m certainly not someone the Holy Spirit gives a mission to, am I? Well I emailed my ideas to John and spoke to him that week at Alpha. He suggested I read Joshua 1 – it certainly helped and gave me another spur ‘maybe I can do this’.

Then it was Easter and I spent the holidays in Bristol with family. On Easter Sunday we went to Church and had communion, I’m not confirmed so I just went up for a blessing. When the vicar came to me and put his hand on my head, I was overwhelmed with warmth and a glow, I didn’t hear his prayer but I felt fantastic as I returned to my seat. On our way out of the church the vicar shook everyone’s hand, when I came to him he held onto my hand and said something like ‘when I came to you today I couldn’t give my normal prayer as I saw you are embarking on a special journey, you may not know what it is yet but you have a great task ahead of you and I pray for your success’. I just said ‘thank you’ smiled and kept walking. My husband said ‘That’s the volunteering business you’ve been banging on about’. I still thought maybe it was something else! Surely it isn’t that important and surely nor am I? That night when I prayed I asked for reassurance. I had a wonderful dream and woke up feeling really confident I could put my plan into action.

The mission is still in its planning stage but my aim is to get it up and running before I have my second baby (early October) so please keep your eyes open for notices and your hearts open to the opportunity of being more active in your parish.

ALPHA has deepened my faith, filled me with confidence as a Christian, given me a more positive outlook on my wonderful life and future.

I am getting confirmed in December, which feels like another positive step in my new life.

So they are right ALPHA is ‘Life changing’ – and for the good.

Lucy Flower – August 2011

ALPHA starts again in the Autumn with a launch event with guest speaker Jago Wynne from Holy Trinity Brompton. It will be held at 7.30pm on the 8^th September at St John’s church, Ambleside Avenue. I urge anyone who has not done ALPHA to do it! Contact John for more details and/or to sign up – John Muggleton (224 244)  jomug@talktalk.net

My name is Kerry, l am 36 and have four children, three who live with me, and my eldest lives with his grandparents.  This is my testimony, which l call My journey so far, because it’s really only just the beginning….

Like many people l didn’t have the best upbringing, but l tried to make the best of my life…  I tried, maybe too hard, as l made so many mistakes.  Yet somehow l got through, l always picked myself up, brushed myself down and got on with it, probably out of sheer determination!!

I was not really a happy person.  Very stressed, easily irritated and argumentative!!  I guess I constantly felt that l always had something to prove – I was not that “horrible person” that they made me out to be.  I did not like myself at all feeling that l was not a very nice person, and made it hard for others to like me too.  I never let anyone too close, and found it hard to trust people.

I met my partner (the better half lol) James in 2004, and we moved up here in 2006.  I felt that l could no longer live in Devon, the ghosts constantly reminding me of my past. I know that if we had stayed, then we would not be together today!

James is an amazing person!  He has been a rock, supported me, encouraged me and most of all has been patient with me, even today he still sometimes has to give me a “kick up the bum”.

In 2009 l had my third child, Mackenzie.  It was a difficult pregnancy, the birth was a nightmare, and even though l had this beautiful baby boy, l didn’t know what to do, and found it hard, l got depressed as l felt so alone, with no friends – it felt like no one cared.

James’s Mum, was brilliant, a real rock.  We are great friends and to be honest l refer to her as “my mum” because she has been more of a mother to me, she knows me really well, and is as a mother she should be, knows when to get involved and when to butt out!!  She is a star.

Eventually, when Mackenzie was about three or four months old l found Linda’s Playgroup at St Mary’s, l went along and took mum along with me (moral support) and it was really nice!  To my surprise l really enjoyed it.  Linda was lovely, so warm and welcoming.

Linda got excited as her daughter Mary was coming back from the States and had a baby girl Leah around the same age as Mackenzie and she wanted us to meet.  l have since become really good friends with Mary, and felt that we got a bit closer as we were both pregnant again at the same time.  My son Malachi was born in the August and Mary had Hope in September.

Mary and I began to spend more time together, and this is where my crazy journey really all starts!!

I wanted my boys to go to Ashley School, mainly as it was close to where l lived at the time, and l had heard it was a really good school.  I also wanted the boys to have the best education they deserved, and after conversations I realised that it was down to me to ensure that they got into that school, and l was prepared to do what was required of me to get them in!  Then Mary suggested l did an Alpha course, and l said l would think about it…  She was really gentle with the Alpha course recommendation, she was not at all pushy and did not keep going on and on about it – if l asked her a question, she would answer it, but l guess the seed had been planted and then it was down to me, and l did think about it, quite a lot!!

Mary and l spent time together during the summer break of 2010, and l began to feel very drawn towards Mary which felt a bit odd…  One day we were walking along the road chatting, and l found myself really looking at Mary – l saw love coming off her in waves, and l felt a sense of calm, so warm and loved.  All l wanted to do was throw my arms around her, give her a really big hug and tell her that l loved her!!  AWKWARD!!!  I felt this to be a bit weird as l had never felt this sensation before, and could not tell her, l was very embarrassed!!  Mary was going to be leading crèche at St Mary’s and asked for support from friends, so l said that l would go, the boy’s enjoyed it, and so did l and from them on

I thought even more about the Alpha course, and I decided l would go to the introduction evening, l told myself to be open minded and see what it’s all about…  After this l thought umm OK, and maybe if I just go to the first few sessions, see how l get on, l can always leave if it’s not my thing…  I had to make a decision, but l was still so unsure, Then I thought – right that’s it!!  I cannot think about it any more, it‘s doing my head in and giving me a headache! I will definitely go.

I attended the Alpha course in September 2010, and really enjoyed it!  It was an amazing journey to go on and after a while l felt that l needed that little bit extra help, and John suggested l get myself a study bible, that way l would be able to read into our sessions a bit more, so Mary and I arranged a day out to go and buy one.  We had a wonderful day out and we also got a beautiful Bible, I say we because Mary I and went halves on it – and I learnt so so much, not only about myself but also about God and how much he loves me and wants the best for me, just like a dad would…  I made some wonderful friends on Alpha who l care about very much, and have since gone on to join a study group, with a wonderful bunch of girls!!  They are all great and l hold them all close to my heart!

I decided that l would become a Christian, and committed my life to Christ and since then my life has kind of taken off!!!

I have found that my approach to life has changed, l am a lot calmer, and I think I am more patient, and l try really hard not to let things get me down. I am a BIG believer in the power of prayer.  The results are really amazing – prayer has done so much for me and my family!!   Some examples…  We lived in a small two bed roomed flat, myself, James, my daughter Peta and the boys, Mackenzie and Malachi. After praying lots (believing, trusting and having faith in God) we were given a beautiful three bed roomed house, not by the council, or housing authority – but our landlord and lady bought it for us!!

My daughter Peta was being a bit difficult, and l prayed for help from God. After a chat with Mary, Peta decided to go on the junior Alpha course, which she really enjoyed, and resulted in her coming with me to the 02 Arena for the Pentecost celebration. She absolutely loved every minute of it!  She has also jumped at the chance to come with us to visit different churches to experience the different styles of worship!  I feel so lucky and blessed.

In the spring of 2011 l offered to help on the morning Alpha course and I really enjoyed it, watching everyone grow in their belief was a true honour!  But the sad thing was that there was no Mother and Toddler group any more, as it folded, so the Alpha crèche leaders had to try and muddle through, but they did a great job in entertaining the children!  It really bothered me that there was no more Mother and Toddler group, what would we do for future morning Alpha sessions??  It ate away at me and in the end l put my hands up and OK, OK, enough already!  I will offer to set up and run a new one…

I had a vision as to how it should be run, and decided that l wanted it to be Christian based, with crafts themed on Bible stories and for the children to have a bible story read to them at story time.  At snack time the children would have healthy snacks like fruit and raw vegetables, their drink would be water, none of this sweet stuff and E numbers to send the kids banana’s!!  It took a lot of hard work but now the Mother and Toddler group (called New Creations) is up and running…  Every Tuesday from 9.30 till 11.30 at St John’s church in Walton on Thames.  Numbers have been steadily rising and everyone seems to have a wonderful time!!  So mission accomplished!! lol

I love my new life!!  And I am looking forward to being baptized and confirmed.  I am also preparing for my next mission too!!!!

It’s great to be a part of God’s family, I am never ever alone, and if l feel that l am slipping, l will speak to God (the boys often ask who l am talking to) and some how either through reading the Bible or speaking to a member of the clergy team or even just chatting in general, the answer always comes to me!!  And do you know the best thing??  This is only the start of my journey!!

So with all of this in mind, please pray with me to thank these special people – without their guidance l would not be where l am today!!

Thank you Lord for these wonderful people: Mary Kurz, Linda and John Muggleton, Kim Wright, Jackie Richardson and Sheila Samuels – without their love support, guidance and faith l would not be where l am now.  And special thanks to James (my  partner) For his faith and patience.  Amen

The Big Tidy Up is Keep Britain Tidy’s biggest anti-litter campaign. Rooted in the community, it aims to get local people, organisations, businesses and groups to take action against the litter problems in their area.

It was a privilege for the Church to have volunteers out on the estate, joining in with mission God has given us to engage with the local community.

Thank you to all the volunteers who helped and gave valuable time to this event. It made a huge impact on the residents who found out and helped strengthen the good working relationship with Elmbridge Housing Trust.

If you would like more information about how you can get involved in local initiatives to help the community then contact sheila@waltonparish.org.uk

The aim of the community survey as outlined before is really to meet with local people, who we may never meet usually. Through the survey we can be the face of the Church and take the love and concern of Jesus out into the local area. We can listen to our neighbours and hear about what bothers them. We can share our stories with them. We can let people know that as a Church we want to hear from them, we want them to know that we are friendly and accessible.

The volunteers who helped at the last community survey week were amazed at how much they learnt about a local community just by being there and having conversations with people. One of the exciting things for me is God shows up, He always shows up.

We need volunteers to make it happen, we need people to come and work in teams and see what a Church without walls can look like. You are not expected to evangelise, you are not expected to invite people to come to Sunday Services, you are asked to have a concern for people and a listening ear.

Please begin to pray about this important time and event for our Church and ask God if He wants you to be part of this week and what He wants you to do. There will be more information about what will happen and times for visiting the area. If you interested and want to know more at this stage, please call Sister Sheila on 01932 224991 or e-mail on sheila@waltonparish.org.uk

Sister Sheila Samuels

Come and help build the Kingdom of God!

St John’s Church, Saturday 10th April, 2-5pm We continue to build God’s kingdom through this valuable one-off event for the children in our local community. All the planning and preparation is underway and now we invite you to come and help us deliver a fun-packed afternoon, building relations with children who have little or no Christian understanding, and sharing with them the love of the risen Jesus Christ. It will be an afternoon of games, crafts, food and Christian message. For more information or to volunteer, call Sheila on 01932 224991 or email on sheila@waltonparish.org.uk.