A Painted Picture
Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) painted many paintings depicting Jesus Christ in what we would see as our contemporary world. Two of the most famous, owned by the Tate Gallery, are "Christ carrying the cross" (1920) and "The Resurrection, Cookham" (1924-26).
In the former, Christ carries the Cross through the Streets of Cookham, past the Cottage where Spencer was born. It is a bright summer day, and the streets are crowded with villagers looking on, many not able to look without shading their eyes. People look down from the windows of houses surrounding the scene. The sun casts shadows on the brickwork. To the right of the picture some workmen carry ladders. People watch through railings. Another look and what we see is that the angles at which people look out of their houses, and the shadows cast against the wall make you realize that these "people" are really angels looking down. The people with their heads through the railings could really be holding spears in their hands, giving us a historical flashback perspective, and those workmen reflect a meaning beyond. When the painting was first exhibited it was given the title "Christ bearing his cross". Spencer objected. He had deliberately chosen to use the word "bearing" not "carrying" to convey the relationship between the carpenters behind him carrying the ladders and Christ in front carrying the cross, each doing their job of work. He also insisted that it must be "the" cross. "He was not doing a job, or his job, but the job". We remember that Christ himself was a carpenter. So he not only completed the work he came to do on the cross in giving his life that we might live. He also understands what it is like to do our earthly work as well.
In the "Resurrection" we see Cookham Churchyard on Resurrection day. The graves are open and clambering from them are people, some looking as if emerging from a long sleep! Christ is depicted as a tender Mother, with two small babies in her arms. There is a sense of Peace and Happiness about the painting. However at the same time it is shocking and disturbing in many ways. Spencer's own life was quite unhappy. He experienced two failed marriages and much loneliness. Many critics did not understand his work, and he suffered from regular bouts of debilitating illness, eventually dying of cancer. Yet he said that whenever he looked at this painting he experienced "spiritual exultation".
I like the imaginative way Spencer brings these scenes to life. They bring home the fact that the Historical Jesus is a real Jesus. Not just relevant to a Palestinian world of two Millennia ago, but to an ordinary picturesque English villages like Cookham, or Sutton Bonington. He transcends history, touching our humanity and our pain. Those of us that know this Jesus can say that compared with knowing Christ everything else is of infinitely lesser worth. He gives life a different dimension, as He himself said, a "fullness" or "abundance". And yet the loss of life itself is only gain if we know Him. Just recently we lost one of our oldest Church members, Kathleen Watts, and we feel her loss keenly, as will many others who remember her as a long-standing village resident. Gloriously we are reminded at Easter that death is not the end of the story, just the beginning. Jesus said "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11v26).
Ruth Hyde
10:45am & 6:15pm
All are welcome to join us.
There are tapes of the sermons preached in the church over the last three years. Please email Jerry Griffiths to find out more about what is available.
Sunday 10:45am
On average around fifteen children attend the Junior Church every Sunday morning. The children are aged between three and eleven. They are divided into two age groups according to their age, meeting for news and songs at the beginning and again at the end of the meeting. There are four teachers and four helpers that work with the children.
The Junior Church aims to teach about the bible and how it can be applied to everyday life. It also enables the children to talk about their lives and how God helps and guides them, giving opportunity for them to praise and thank God for what he has done. Children learn through many varied activities and get involved themselves by bringing books, stories and news to share.
Each Christmas the Junior Church puts on a play where all take part. This year "Time" was the theme. Children acted out the Nativity and Easter story showing the time when Jesus came to earth. It also asked poignant question about how we all use our time and efforts.
The Junior Church welcomes all to come and worship and learn more about the God of the bible.
For further information contact Louise Waters on (01509) 672633.
Last Monday of month
A club for fairly active retired or semi-retired men (50+) which meets on the last Monday in each month. Activities include easy walks - ussually in The Peak District or Leicestershire and visits to various places of interest, followed by a pub lunch. Good conversation and gentle humour abound.
Contact: John Dickens (01509) 673007
Tuesdays & Fridays 9.45am (term time)
Sutton Bonington Mothers & Toddlers group. Meet every Tuesday & Friday from 9.45am till 12 noon. Everyone is welcome from birth to 4 years of age.
Contact Katharine Hebblethwaite for more details.
Phone 01509 672889
Tuesdays 3.45pm
ASK? is a youth club for (yrs 3-6)
We run our programme during school term times. Our programme typically consists of craft, snacks, question times,creative Christian talks and activities and active games.
For further information telephone Beth Cumming on (01509) 843923 or email her.
Tuesdays 7.45pm
Rock Solid is resourced by Youth for Christ, which is an organisation specialising in providing resources for youth work. The material we use is specifically geared towards the 11-14 age group, with its particular tastes, interests and needs in mind and provides young people with an opportunity to explore major life issues and choices from a Christian perspective. The overall programme is high-energy, exciting with lots of activities and lots to think about.
Special events and nights out are also a regular part of the programme.
For further information contact David and Karen Gray on 01509 674762 or email them.
Wednesdays 8pm
A club for years 10 and above (14+yrs),
Meets Wednesday evenings 8pm-9.30pm
Leaders
Sarah and Paul Tremeer, Brian Butler, Paddy McGhee, Martin Steel
The club meets for social club nights, trips out, discussions about relevant issues from a Christian perspective and much more!
For more info contact Paul and Sarah Tel. 01509 672917
Small groups - Fornightly on Thursdays & Fridays
Prayer meetings - Fortnightly on Thursday's 7.45pm
We have a number of small groups meeting in peoples homes at different times and days to suit everybody. These groups for the purpose of supporting and encouraging one another. These meetings usually include an opportunity to pray together and study the bible.
The small groups meet once every two weeks.
The meeting on the alternate Thursday is an all together meeting for prayer and praise in the church lounge. We have a time of open praise followed by a special prayer topic. We also pray for people and events in the church and community as well as for friends and members of the church family serving God in different parts of the world.
From time to time we run enquirers groups for those who want find out more about Christian faith. This may be an Alpha course or something similar.
If you would like to find out more about the small groups please contact Pastor John Hebblethwaite on (01509) 672889
Alternate Wednesdays 10.30am
Coffee Break meets alternate Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12 midday in the Baptist Church lounge Sutton Bonington. It's a chance for retired people to meet and enjoy chat and friendship over tea / coffee and biscuits, followed by fellowship through varied and interesting speakers. A warm welcome is given to all and an offer of transport is also available.
Contact: Iris Bonner (01509) 672788 or Mu Miller (01509) 670231 email
Wednesdays 7.45pm
Meets weekly on a Wednesday evening at 7.45pm (in a home). All welcome! For further details of venue, or for transport, please phone Val Thomson on (01509) 670104, or e-mail Val.
Alternate Thursdays 1.30pm
Are you new to this country? Would you like to know more about life in the UK and enjoy friendship in a relaxed atmosphere (with opportunity to practice your English too!)? Perhaps you may like to share a little about your country and customs with us! You will be most welcome to join us, together with your children.
We meet on two Thursdays a month at 1.30pm in the lounge of the Baptist Church in Sutton
Bonington (next to the Post Office). We aim to finish around 3.20pm. On one Thursday we have a programme which includes outings, cooking, crafts, discussions etc, and on the other Thursday we have opportunity to look at the Bible to learn together what it has to say for our daily lives as women.
Once a month on a Friday evening we have fun having dinner together in someone’s home - a chance to relax without the children!
Please do contact Val if you would like further information.
Visit our web page to see what we have been doing recently.
Alternate Thursdays 1.30pm
Meeting on the alternate Thursday at 1.30pm, contact Val Thomson on (01509) 670104 or e-mail Val for further details or transport if needed.
Other special events throughout the year are also held, eg at the Lunar New Year, and at Christmas, contact Val for details.