CRC newsletter: September 2002: news

Many thanks to all who have given suggestions for this, at the latest committee meeting we wondered whether we should use the YHA, especially as one of are aims is to put a Christian witness into hostels.

However, we could have a series of celebrations that then culminate in a big meeting somewhere. One suggestion that was made for the 20th anniversary (but we did not get our act together, so could not use it) was to see if we could put members into 20 (25) hostels on one weekend. If we did do something like this, then it would need people to co-ordinate it. We could also use it as a way of advertising the club and maybe inviting ex-members to attend a celebration weekend.

Many thanks to everyone who returned the questionnaire about future club events. Its has been good to receive your views and as you will soon see there will be something new in next years programme. I have tried to act upon all of your suggestions, but it is not always possible to progress them, as for any event to go ahead a leader and somewhere suitable to stay must be found. It has also been encouraging to receive offers of help running events, and to see how many people want to go on navigation, and walk and event leadership training events. So I do ask that all of you who have benefited from the club, feel as if you have some gifts to offer, and that it’s now time to put something back into the club, to consider going on one of these events that will be offered in the next year.

By the way, it is still not too late to return your questionnaire; if it is still lurking on the ‘to do’ pile, do it now and influence the way forward.

PS. If you have already returned your form with an offer of help but did not say who you are please drop me a line. I wouldn’t like you to think that you have been forgotten.

At the AGM we were able to set aside a room for prayer and quietness, and provided in there were books, drawing materials and some Christian symbols to help people contemplate and pray. A number of people said how beneficial it had been to have a quiet place in such a busy event. It is certainly something we hope to repeat at bigger events when we have a suitable space.

Also, maybe, each of us should repeat this in our own lives, find our ‘quiet place’ and spend time there , pray and simply be with God.

David Lawrence is probably best known for his book ‘The Chocolate Teapot’ and he wrote this book because although there are many books dealing with the end time subjects such as the millennium, tribulation, rapture, and the return of Jesus, the subject of the glorious new age and creation have received far less attention.

I have found the concept that the earth would be destroyed and Christians go to live permanently in an ethereal spiritual heaven rather strange when this world was originally created as perfect, later being marred by man’s sin and the fall. David Lawrence suggests that this concept is a misconception and that heaven is the waiting room (a view shared by David Pawson) before we return to live forever with God on a recreated earth (Rom. 8v21) with a new physical body, and the existence of food and animals – we will be vegetarians of course!

It is the Bible that we must turn to see if these ideas are well founded or fanciful, and the author starts with this in Part 1 where he examines the biblical basis for the theme of creation renewed. Part 2 then looks at the detail of what that life on the new earth might be like; and then Part 3 examines the implications for us today of belief in a renewed earth.

The important question that all readers will be asking is will there be a Christian Rambling Club on the new earth? Somehow this has been overlooked – but it is difficult to imagine a wonderful new creation that people are unable to walk about in. If David Lawrence is right, then the implications are very encouraging. Just think what it would be like to live on an earth very like this one, but free of disease, poverty, greed etc., where everything has been put right, and we are living with Jesus!

Suggestions for prayer are welcome. Please email me - it would be good to hear from you.

3rd September		Walk Leaders
10th September		Barn Dance event in Bath
17th September		Southern Ireland week
24th September		The elderly and infirm as we approach the winter months

1st October		South Midlands local group
8th October		Families and relationships
15th October		Hostel wardens and Youth Hostel staff
22nd October		Unity in our churches
29th October		Thanks for the committee for all they do on our behalf

5th November		Bonfire event at Welsh Bicknor

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity. It is the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew on Mount Hermon, falling on the hills of Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life for evermore."

Chairmans Chatter September 2002		Event Reports September 2002
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