Rosedale Community Church certainly lives up to its name! Welcoming people of all ages and catering for a wide variety of needs and interests. 

Led by Pastor, Bethany Burrage, Rosedale not only reaches out to the local communities in Cheshunt as a lively, family church, it goes far beyond in supporting national and overseas causes, including Tearfund, Open Doors and the Sierra Leone Mission.

Back at home, Sunday morning services are held each week at 10.30am, with an open style of praise and worship. Later on Sunday at 7pm, there's a zoom evening prayer service, and on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm, the church offers zoom Bible study sessions.

A Sunday School for children operates alongside the weekly morning services, enabling the young ones to have their own time of fun, whether that's taking part in activities, trying their hand at various crafts or listening to Bible stories.

(The image shows part of Rosedale's lovely community garden, completed last year)

Welcome to the warm

We are all aware that the current cost of living crisis and rapidly increasing costs of energy, are causing many people extreme financial difficulty. In response, Rosedale is opening its doors to welcome visitors into the warmth of the church every Wednesday from 10am to 3.30pm for hot drinks, a simple lunch and a chance to chat and make friends in a warm, cosy environment.

Group fun for all 

Rosedale has also invested in a variety of groups to accommodate different ages and interests as closely as possible - and they are always open to discuss new suggestions!

For the little ones, a Parent and Toddler group meets up every Monday morning at 9.30am. Parents are welcome to a cup of tea, children are welcome to enjoy a snack, and everyone is welcome to play and have fun!

For young people, the youth group, No Limits, congregate in the Youth Hut on alternate Sundays, and have a once-a-month Youth Club. Each year they go away on camp and have an incredible time. All of the content is Christian-based and free from pressure, allowing the young people to increase their understanding and encounter Jesus in their own way.

The not-quite-so-young are also catered for with a Young At Heart group, which meets every Wednesday from 2pm. The programme is varied, ranging from quizzes, guest speakers, craft sessions and day trips out, with tea, coffee and biscuits to round things off.  These meetings are open to anyone who'd like to come along to the church and enjoy an entertaining and friendly afternoon! 

Church gents too are not overlooked. On the first Saturday of each month, from 8 to 9:30am, the Men's Prayer Breakfast offers a chance for chaps to get together in a local cafe for an informal prayer meeting and a full English breakfast - or just a slice of toast for those with a smaller appetite!

As you may have gathered, Rosedale Community Church is quite the place! To find out more about what's going on, visit their website: www.rosedalechurch.org  

Sunday service sermons are uploaded each week onto YouTube, for people to dip into as and when they wish. To visit their YouTube page click here.

To watch Bethany's sermon on 'The Beatitudes' click on the link below.

Wormley Free Church recently joined forces with Churches Together for a special evening service.

The aim of the service was to celebrate the unity of local churches from Hoddesdon, Broxbourne and Wormley, and explore the theme of caring for God's creation, praying also for unity amidst injustice.

Wormley is a growing and diverse community of people committed to exploring and living out the Christian life.

Questions they ask are, do you want to:

* Express your faith with others?
* Explore what it means to live a spiritual life in the 21st Century?
* Learn more about Jesus?
* Be part of a caring, open and honest community?
* Worship God with others?

If this sounds like you, check out the Wormley Free Church website to find out more about their services, meetings and activities: https://wormleyfreechurch.org.uk/

Everyone is welcome!

Matthew Mouse Bible stories began as an idea halfway through 2020 when the Lockdowns were in full swing. Cindy noticed that although her church had zoom church on Sundays to replace ‘actual’ Sunday services, the children were joining in less and less, and were definitely not as involved.

Starting out

Cindy’s husband, who taught at Sunday school, also noticed that the children didn't really know their basic Bible stories very well, which prompted the decision to start the Matthew Mouse project. 

Initially, the idea was to offer stories on a subscription basis, where children could sign up to receive a letter from Matthew Mouse once a month, telling them of an exciting adventure he’d had, whilst hopping through the pages of the Bible. Cindy wrote the stories and illustrated the letters, which attracted a few regular subscribers.

Building on this promising start led Cindy to decide to expand her service and send Matthew Mouse letters out to more children - in particular those who would not have easy access to children’s bibles. Cindy kept Matthew’s language easy to understand and deliberately steered clear of ‘church language’ to aid understanding for children, parents and carers who did not attend a church. Instead, the stories were told simply from a witness's point of view.

Being originally from South Africa, Cindy felt prompted to try sending the letters out to South African children first, but this proved to be extremely problematic due to postal difficulties. In light of this difficulty, she approached her Minister at the Countess Free Church, Ely, who suggested sending the letters out to children at The Connexion's Bethesda Orphanage, in Sierra Leone, where postal deliveries are more reliable.

‘This turned out to be the best thing I did,’ says Cindy, ‘I even received photos of letters they had written back to Matthew Mouse. It was just amazing!’ 

And following on from this success, Cindy began sending Matthew’s letters out by email to a children's orphanage in South Africa, together with a colouring page or a fun sheet, which could be printed off and shared with the children. 

New narrations

Up until this point, Matthew had been hopping around in the Bible, telling stories from both the New and Old Testaments. However, some useful feedback revealed that this was confusing for some of the little ones, because one moment Jesus was featured in a story and the next minute he wasn't there! In response, Cindy decided to produce a series that concentrates only on Jesus' life. So far, this includes a set of 13 stories, to which four more will be added. The next step has been to have the stories narrated, which has been blessed by help from Cindy’s church. One lady edits the stories for Cindy and another narrates them beautifully.

Matthew’s first Christmas letter included the Christmas story in the form of a poem, which based on the well-known classic, ‘The Night Before Christmas’. Cindy then decided to turn this into a colouring-in book, containing a link to the narrated poem and a video. This initiative has been hugely successful, and this Christmas, Matthew Mouse sold 400 copies in the UK and 100 in South Africa. In fact, the narrations are proving to be even more popular than the letters, as the children seem to love receiving the stories in this interactive format. 

Going forward

Looking forward to the coming year, Cindy has begun working on a new Easter book, and is planning to send the Christmas book out to churches, playgroups, ministries and as many organisations as possible, in readiness for Christmas 2023. She also has someone who is working alongside her in South Africa, to help to spread the colouring books to children there as well.

Selling more books means that more can be given away to charities that can reach children in the UK, Africa and hopefully across the world. 

'One book at a time!' says Cindy.

To visit the Matthew Mouse website click on the link https://matthewmousebiblestories.com/

The Connexion's group of 22 churches span the country from Middleton in Manchester to St Ives in Cornwall. Over the coming weeks leading up to Christmas, many of these churches will be providing opportunities to celebrate Christmas and Advent in a variety of ways.

To name a few

Rosedale Community Church in Cheshunt are holding Christmas Carols by Candlelight on Sunday 11 December at 6pm. Visit their website http://www.rosedalechurch.org/

Wormley Free Church in Broxbourne are running a number of activities including parties, Christmas Carols and a Nativity Trail! To find out more visit https://wormleyfreechurch.org.uk/

South Street Free Church in Eastbourne hold their Christmas Carol Services on Sunday 18 December, at 4.30pm and 7.30pm. Visit their website https://www.southstreetfreechurch.org/

Goring Free Church have a Carols by Candlelight service on Sunday 18 December at 6.30pm. For details visit https://www.goringfreechurch.org.uk/

The Countess Free Church in Ely are holding an All-age Nativity (with a World Cup Twist) on Sunday 18 December at 10.30am, as well as a Christmas Eve Crib Service on 24 December at 4.30pm. For more details visit https://www.countessely.co.uk/christmas-at-countess-free-church/

Copthorne Chapel have a Carol Service on Sunday 11 December at 10.30am. See their website https://www.copthornechapel.org.uk/

Ote Hall Chapel in Wivelsfield are holding their Carol Service on Sunday 11 December at 2.30pm

The Chapel at Mortimer West End are providing a range of activities and services, starting with a Christmas Good News Workshop on Sunday 18 December at 10.30am. Young people can try their hand at making reindeers on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 December between 2-4pm, and the Chapel Christmas Carol Service takes place on Friday 23 December at 7.30pm. Check their website https://www.thechapel.org.uk

Check our Connexion Church Network section to help to find a church near you: https://www.cofhconnexion.org.uk/networks/connexion-network.

Everyone is welcome! 

The Riverside Bridge in Cambridge is to be renamed the Equiano Bridge on 31 October, in honour of Olaudah Equiano, the slave abolitionist, who was actively supported by the Countesss of Huntingdon.

Olaudah Equiano (c 1745-1797) was known for most of his life as Gustavus Vassa 'The African'. Equiano himself was an enslaved man who bought his freedom and went on to write compellingly about the horror of his experiences, becoming a prominent figure associated with the campaign to abolish the slave trade.

Equiano was born in what is now Nigeria, and was sold into slavery aged 11 to a Royal Navy officer. He was sold twice more, before becoming a slave for the prominent merchant, Robert King. While working as a deckhand, valet and barber for King, Equiano earned money by trading on the side. In only three years, he made enough money to buy his own freedom in 1766.

As a freedman in London, Equiano supported the British abolitionist movement. He was part of the Sons of Africa, an abolitionist group composed of Africans living in Britain, and he was active among leaders of the anti-slave trade movement in the 1780s.

The Countess of Huntingdon helped to fund Equianio in writing and promoting his 18c memoirs. Equiano also went on to do extensive work in Sierra Leone, the colony for freed slaves.

The renaming of the bridge will take place on Monday 31 October at 10.30am.

Below is a link to Equiano's work: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano. Chapter X gives an interesting and wonderful account of his conversion to the Christian faith.

Life of Olaudah Equiano

Simon Allaby’s new book Greater Love is now available to order.

It has been created as a book for Remembrance Sunday and contains twelve short stories that reflect on conflict, sacrifice and where we can find true peace in God. Each story is accompanied by a simple illustration, a Bible verse and questions for reflection.

In his foreword, former Royal Marines Commando, Rev Tim Saiet, writes: ‘At last an accessible book which includes faith and stories of sacrifice – a brilliant book that I will pass on to my friends’.

Ideal for both Christians and not-yet-Christians, Greater Love is an excellent resource for Remembrance Sunday Services, and also as a giveaway for churches and individuals to share with friends, family members and enquirers.

Prices

Up to 14 books - £1.00 per copy (plus postage and packing*)

Orders of 15+ books – 60p per copy (plus postage and packing*)

*NB postage and packing for orders placed before 30 September is only £1.00

To place an order, contact Simon Allaby either by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone 07837 637113

As the nation mourns the death of the Queen, the Connexion Community give thanks to God for her life as His remarkable servant, and for her unfailing faith and dedication to duty.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, and we pray for God's blessing upon King Charles III and his forthcoming reign as our Monarch.

Photo credit: Press Association/ Danny Lawson

Paul Woodbridge explores the Psalms as a means to express sadness.

Some scenarios

How have you felt over the past two years? At times, despondent and wondering what was going on? Where has God been during the Covid pandemic? As we have been prevented from doing all we would like to do both as churches and individuals, how have you responded?

And how do we react when things go wrong in our lives, when unexpected suffering happens, and we’re tempted to ask ‘Why God?’ But isn’t it rather ungodly to be negative in difficult situations? After all, didn’t the apostle Paul say, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!’ (Phil.4:4). And that was when he was in prison, itself an unpleasant experience. 

I became a Christian in July 1965 (together with my parents and sister). As I look back over 57 years as a Christian and think about my life and work, I also think about what has most hindered Christian growth. It’s the whole issue of suffering, especially the type of suffering that seems to have little purpose and causes great sadness and grief both to the sufferer and family and friends, and seems pointless. I have struggled to know how to deal with this.

Let me give you some examples

1. The sudden death of the Principal of Oak Hill College, where I taught for 30 years, Mike Ovey, on 7th Jan 2017 at the age of 58, provoked sad emotions in me and in the whole college, just at a point in the college’s life when Mike was about to embark on new initiatives. What was God up to??

2. The sudden death of a 27 year old student in March 2000, leaving behind a wife who had been struggling with post-natal depression and 2 young children. What was God doing? Where was he in these tragedies?

3. My mother had dementia for the last 5 years of her life. It changed her character and personality, she became angry and bitter, even telling the pastor to ‘bugger off’ when he came to visit her. It was the first time I’d ever heard her use that language!

How does God want us to react to such scenarios?

Can we be angry with God? Can I express my anger in prayer? Can I express my utter frustrations with him, when I cannot see the point in some suffering that I or others are going through? A former colleague at Oak Hill College, Eric Ortlund, begins to suggest a way for us, both individually and corporately.

Imagine you are going to church. The worship band is on stage. You see on the screen all the normal information: Copyright Vineyard Music, 1998; in the key of B flat, written by Brian Doerkson. The worship band starts up, but you notice something strange, because the song says a lot of things to God that sound rude:

'Lord, how could you let that happen? Why did you abandon me? I'm one of your own. Why didn't you protect me? If you had been there, this never would have happened (John 11:21)! And this hurts your cause too, Lord. People are scoffing at you in your absence. Come and visibly intervene for me! But no matter what, I will trust you forever. No matter what, you are my God forever.'

That's the situation we get in the Book of Psalms: a miktam, of David, to the tune of “Doe of the Dawn” - those titles head the hymns we approve and also the laments that strike us as rude. But both equally count as worship in the Bible, even though for many of us, asking lament-type questions sounds like the opposite of worship.

Could I suggest, knowing I'm generalising, that we in North America (and Britain) need to “biblicise” and complicate our worship by making lament a regular feature? To be a real biblical lament, it has to include a confession of trust and unconditional loyalty from the lamenter; without that, it's just complaining. But I also want to emphasise that, unless we lament, we're being unbiblical and unhelpful.

So, what does the word ‘Lament’ mean in the bible?

To Lament: ‘To mourn aloud, to express sorrow, mourning, or regret; to regret strongly’. And God has given us in the Psalms a way, a means, to express to him our sadness, frustration, grief, even anger, at what has happened to us.

Next I will explore some specific Psalms and see how they help us when we or others are suffering.

Paul Woodbridge 

During the early days of the Covid pandemic, a group of musicians from Wormley Free Church set up the Wormley Lockdown Band.

The group started producing their own versions of popular worship songs and hymns that could be included in Wormley's online services during the period of church closures.

Since then, both audio and video versions of the band's recordings have continued to be available for all to enjoy.

To access click on the link below.

Wormley Lockdown Band Recordings

Welcome to Matthew Mouse's first ever newsletter!

To find out more about the wonderful work of Matthew Mouse, visit his website