non Church schools. In my own parish of St David’s, Broom Leys, we have found a welcome from our local community high school to run a Christian after school club in partnership with ‘Heartland Youth for Christ’ and to take part in school assemblies where God’s story is told and explored. Our strongest partnership, however has been with our two Community Primary schools who encourage us to bring God’s story to over 180 children each week via ‘Open the Book’ where we read God’s story from the Lion storyteller Bible written by Bob Hartman and act out the story with teams of people from the Church dressed up as the characters and bringing along lots of innovative props such as boats and trees which are used in the stories. Both of these projects have been funded by the Diocesan growth fund and the schools are now asking us to expand our activities with them. God’s story is the same today as it was yesterday and as it will be forever and people are continually drawn to our living God through Jesus Christ, it’s just the way the story is presented and told! Perhaps you are already involved with your community school but if not, be confident in approaching them, they can be very welcoming to the Church in their community. Andrew Rhoades
Do you wonder about the causes of food poverty? That an estimated 3.5 million children live in poverty in Britain? That ordinary families, even those in work, struggle to put food on the table? Do you support a food bank? Perhaps you’ve met someone struggling? Food poverty cuts across different social groups. Money can be so tight that others are just a step away from crisis. Or turn to payday lenders. Thank God for food banks and the generosity which enables them to flourish! But what lies behind this? Wages and the benefits system - why haven’t we got this right? Why are people still hungry? What should we ask of our policy makers? Do you know what the situation is here, on our ‘patch’? How about focussing on this in Lent? Getting your head around what goes on and why? Learning more about local issues? Doing something in solidarity with your hungry neighbour? And with God, whose heart aches for the plight of his people? Nationally during Lent many Christians will address this issue. Here the Bishop is committed to launching a campaign including a fasting chain, and a recommendation to A TOUR OF JORDAN, including Petra, the rose-red city in the rock, has been organised by Revd Kevin Ashby for 22nd – 30th September. We will also visit the Roman remains at Jerash, Wadi Rum with its link to Lawrence of Arabia, Madaba where the earliest mosaic map of the Holy Land can be seen, the Jordan, the Dead Sea and many other places. Itineraries are now available on the Melton Mowbray Team Parish web-site or by ringing 01664 503535 or emailing rector@meltonparish.org.uk.
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spend time in Lent raising our local awareness. Leicester Cathedral has plans also. I hope that many others may also commit to study, prayer and action. A fasting chain will only be that - a chain - of people fast on each day during Lent. If it’s not your thing, don’t worry - but I really hope some are willing to join us in fasting for a day or half, or skipping a meal. Prayer and study are always important in Lent. What better than to focus your Lent around this core issue? Of course the Bible activates those spiritual ‘juices’; but I shall shortly be making available other materials. You may have ideas. Getting out and about to learn more? Living off the minimum wage? A visual display to stimulate reflection? There may be a themed blog. Please contact me about any of this, especially if you’re joining in the fasting (I hope plenty are!) or have other suggestions. I shall be in touch as the campaign progresses. Alison Adams alison.adams@leccofe.org
#Mini-Reviews “Richard III - The King under the Car Park” by Matthew Morris and Richard Buckley is the story of the search for the remains the last Plantagenet King, written by two of the archaeologists who found him. At the special price of £9.49 if you mention In Shape. From Christian Resources Leicester (0116 261 5222, enquiries@ christianresourcesleicester.com). Minireviews by Christian Resources.