CATCH THE SPIRIT

As June begins we in the Church start to celebrate the Christian season called Pentecost. At Pentecost we remember how God sent his Spirit specifically to equip and enable the disciples of Jesus, who, since Easter, and in spite of the resurrection of Jesus, had been at a bit of a loss to know what to do with themselves.

                If you want to read the story of the coming of the Spirit upon the first disciples it is told in Acts chapter 2. The town of Jerusalem would have been packed, because 'Pentecost' was the name given for the Jewish 'Feast of Weeks', a kind of harvest festival celebrated exactly fifty days after the Passover (at which, of course, in that year Jesus had been crucified). Jews from different countries would come to Jerusalem just to be there for this festival, in much the same way that Americans (and other nationalities) flock in their thousands to New York's Times Square for New Year's Eve.

                The people would have spent the last seven weeks working hard, for long hours, harvesting first the barley crop and then the wheat crop - so at the end of all this they were ready to party! But this year, the disciples got a harvest the like of which they had never experienced before: they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. And the Jews from many different countries heard the Gospel, or good news, of Christ and what God had done.

                That Pentecost was the turning point for the disciples: here was the comforter, counsellor, the advocate, the guide promised by Jesus. And that was only the beginning - those disciples went on to build the Christian Church as we know it using the gifts and talents they were given by the Spirit.

                St. Paul reminds us constantly that the Holy Spirit is still present in the world today, just as Jesus promised it would be, unseen, unrecognised, like the wind you can feel but not see. But Spirit is one of those biblical words Christians use frequently in Church but struggle, I think, to understand and relate to their own lives.

                What does the Holy Spirit do? It equips and enables, giving gifts of skill and talent to believers. Catch the Spirit for yourself and celebrate your gifts; and the best way to do that is to use them, to help others around you. How can you use your gifts to help the community of Wellesbourne, the people who live or work near you? How can you be a blessing in this place?

                Jesus famously told a story, the parable of the talents, pointing out how we should use the talents we are given, not keep them secret by burying them. So why not use your gifts to make someone's day? Catch the Spirit! Recognise the gifts you have been given - and use them, as they were meant to be used.

Andy Laird, Methodist Minister

RECORD ENTRIES
IN SPRING SHOW

In spite of the poor Easter weather in the preceding week, a record number of 216 entries were submitted at the Wellesbourne and Walton Horticultural Society's Spring Show on Saturday April 18th.

It was good to see a number of new entrants in many of the classes. This bodes well for the future of the show which has been on a rising trend for the past decade.

The Challenge Cup for Horticulture was won by Brian Dowker who gained most points overall; he also won the Diploma for Excellence in Horticulture with an outdoor planted container.

The Oldham Cup for Floral Art was won by Pam Tasker who also won the Certificate of Merit. The Granville Cup for cookery was won by Penny Copeland.

Photography attracted 21 high quality entries. The adult section was won by Paula Kerr, and the children's by Elena Aiello.

The other children's classes were strongly contested, and it was pleasing to see that we had some new entrants. Winner of the Ken Wheeler Trophy was Max Jordan.

The Peoples' Choice of the most popular exhibit in the whole show was won by Stephen England for his miniature garden in a seed tray.

The prizes were presented by the Society's President - Mrs Wendy Bryan - who said the judges had praised both the quantity and quality of entries. They were again impressed that Wellesbourne's show continues to flourish at a time when some others are falling by the wayside.

This year's Autumn Show will be on September 5th.