Food for Thought - Latest Book Reviews
These book reviews are written by members of the congregation (unless otherwise stated) with the hope of encouraging you to read some of them - the books available from the Church library will be marked as such, while the others can be purchased from local bookshops or online at websites such as Amazon.
When I was a child my father used to read to us at bedtime – often curling up in his sleeping bag on the floor in our room and asking if we would like a story or a talk. A talk consisted of the origins of electricity or how the solar system worked. Sadly it still didn’t make me a scientist but he was a great storyteller and would capture our imagination with stories from books or his imagination, until mum could be heard calling up the stairs that we needed our sleep.
It gave me a great love of books and I often have several on the go at once. We carried on the habit with our own children and Iain found it a great way to unwind with the children after a busy day. He’d always choose a new tale for camping holidays in France focussing on those that were well written and held our attention when read aloud.
Here are a few timeless recommendations – The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder are high on my list. They read well aloud and are true stories of a family crossing America in a covered wagon. The delight is that there are seven of them. I still read them each winter when I have a bout of insomnia. There is a magic of childhood and innocence about them. ( Ages 4 to 10 plus)
The Narnia stories by C.S.Lewis are another timeless series made popular again by the filming of The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe. ( Ages 6 – 11 plus)
Iain’s sister has always loved the rhythm of words and writes children’s books – Dig,Dig,Dig and Emergency,Emergency are two for young children ( age 0 -4) and there is a new one Roar about animals. Her name is Margaret Mayo.
Living in a family involves lots of communication and any help we can get is useful. I’ve enjoyed two books by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish ……………
How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk is a great read with lovely strip cartoons of how not to do it! You could try sticking them inside the cupboard door as a reminder. They have just produced one for parents of teenagers – yes they can do more than grunt – it’s called How to talk to teens so teens will listen and listen so teens will talk. When Britain gets slated by UNICEF for the poverty of its family life and lack of talking time together, we need all the help we can get.
It is 200 years since slave trading in the UK was outlawed – not very long at all.
William Wilberforce, an active Christian, was a tireless campaigner in parliament and wrote a journal of his struggles, but so were several African men like Olaudah Equiano who bought his freedom from slavery and fought for abolition. He wrote the story of his life in The Interesting Narrative. I hope to take it on holiday at Easter.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan brown has been a ripping good yarn but unsettling for some people’s faith. I’ve been enjoying Michael Green’s ‘The books the church suppressed‘ about how the Bible came to be and the origins of the stories of Jesus’ life. Very helpful.
Well it looks like I’ll need a long holiday to finish all these. Good reading!
BETH CUMMING
by John MacArthur
(In the Church Library)
To know God fully was the cry of David's heart. A cry that came from his intense love for his Lord. A cry that should echo in the heart of every believer, for knowing God is the essence of being a Christian.
To truly know Him, we must discover what He revealed about himself in His Word. It is there, through the eyes of the prophets, kings, mighty men of faith - and Jesus Christ Himself - that you witness the glory and majesty of God's character.
With honesty and biblical integrity, John MacArthur points out common misperceptions about God and allows you to focus on your heavenly Father as He really is. Packed with Scripture and wise applications, this insightful look at the attributes of our awesome God will help you recognise and understand His character more clearly. And as you begin to know and delight in Him, you will also come to know just how much He delights in you.
Taken from the book.
by Alexander McCall Smith
This book is one of those rare books, which needs a comfy sofa, cup of hot coffee and a long afternoon with no interruptions!
The story is easily read, delightfully different and by the end of the book you feel as if you have known Precious Ramotswe "Botswana's only & finest female private detective" forever.
A good read!
Written by Heather Fox
by Chris Stewart
The 'Good Life' abroad.
The story of a family who buy a remote mountain farm in Andalucia, Spain. It describes the problems they face in a place that has no water supply, electricity or access road. This amusing book visually describes the day to day problems they face, the friendships made with their neighbours - excellent holiday reading.
Written by Heather Fox
by Mark Hadden
Mark Haddon has written a piece of literature, which gives you an insight into the mind of Christopher, a boy with Aspergers Syndrome.
We see the difficulties in every day life that Chris has to face, his need for complete order and structure in his every day life. An inspirational book.
Written by Heather Fox
Weekly Activities
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.
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