What About Halloween, part 2

Meanwhile, after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in 30AD, the "new" controversial religion, Christianity, spread to Asia Minor, Greece and to Rome, and so through the Roman Empire, largely as a result of persecuted Christians having to flee Jerusalem. As Christians were killed for preaching about Jesus and standing up for their beliefs, those surviving chose to commemorate the death of these martyrs or saints by celebrating "martyrs days" or "saints days". These were usually local festivals, though the martyrdom of some of the apostles were more widely celebrated. Pope Gregory III (731-741AD) decided to have one day a year in the church calendar to celebrate all the martyrs or saints, instead of lots of different regional saint's days, and this was set as the 1st of November, and known as the "Feast of All Saints" or "All Saint's Day" or "All Hallows Day" ("hallow" is an old English word for saint or holy person). The date was chosen on purpose to rival Samhain and involved similar traditions, including dressing up as a saint, an angel or a devil and joining a parade, with the aim of weaning people off of the pagan festival. By the 9th century, Samhain traditions were still going strong, so the church tried to take-over the evening of the 31st of October itself by making it another feast day, "All Hallows Even" (evening) and this and Samhain (remember, it's pronounced something like "sow-een") merged to become "Halloween". Because of it's Celtic history it is only popular in the UK, and the USA and Canada, taken there by the Irish who emigrated to America in their tens of thousands after the 1845 potato famine. So now you know!

What About Halloween?

Halloween was originally called "Samhain" -a Gaelic word pronounced "sow-in" (in Ireland), or "sow-een" (in Wales), or "sav-en" (in Scotland) - meaning "summer's end." The Celtic culture had established itself throughout the British Isles from approx. 600 BC to 50 AD, and Samhain was an ancient Celtic type of harvest festival, marking the beginning of winter and the first day of the Celtic new year, celebrated on the evening of the 31st of October. The Druids (Celtic priests) also believed that on this day (exactly between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice) the barriers between the human and supernatural worlds were broken, allowing demons, witches and lost souls to harass the living and play tricks on them. People tried to protect themselves from attack by disguising themselves as witches, devils and ghosts, and carved grotesque faces in things like pumpkins, which they kept illuminated by candlelight, to ward off evil spirits. They also left out treats, like cakes, as a peace offering. When the Romans came to Britain (successfully in 43AD after failed attempts in 55BC and 54BC) they added the traditions of their own harvest festival, "Pomona", to Samhain, such as bobbing for apples in water barrels and putting nuts in the fire to watch where they jump to.

Pastor’s Corner “Daddy, don't forget; ‘Jesus first, others second and yourself last’”, exclaims Rachel in an exasperated tone. That’s me being ‘encouraged’ to be more like Jesus by my 10 year daughter! We have adopted that little phrase as our family motto. It is reflected all over scripture. We have many calls to: love God, each other and even our enemies, at the same time we are called to die to self and take up our cross and follow him. We know of a young lad, 5 or 6, (no-one from down here), who has become well known for saying; ‘what about me?’. I can see him and hear him saying it now. It is almost comical with its consistency and predictability. He is only a child and like many at that age cannot see beyond himself. However, the tragedy is that this attitude pervades in our society at large. People do not see beyond themselves. Selfishness seems to reign, where the individuals needs, wants and desires come squarely first and everyone else's does not even get a look in. The only questions are; how does this affect me? Or how does this make me feel? I appreciate this is a generalisation, and I know there are exceptions. The challenge for us as a church and individuals is to be different. To be like Jesus; living that sacrificial life and seeking the blessing and good of others. Jesus left the glory and splendor of heaven, along with the worship and adoration of angels to be born in a sin stricken world. Where he was ultimately rejected and crucified. He did this as an act of obedience to the father so that you and I could have life, forgiveness and an eternity in heaven. Totally selfless! ‘Jesus first, others second and yourself last,’ perhaps sounds a little gimmicky to some. Perhaps that’s what you thought when you first read it, but we cannot escape the fact that it reflects scriptural principles and is patterned in Jesus’ incarnation, life and death. We need to follow in his footsteps. It is important that our speech and actions are determined and influenced by our desire to honour God and bless those around us. Please take the time and read some of the scripture references below and allow God’s word to encourage and challenge you. Matt 22:36-40, 1 Cor 10:24, Eph 4:29, Phil 2:3-4, Heb 13.16,1 Pet 4:10, Jn 15:9-17. richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

What's happening in June 2012

What’s Happening This Month Care Group - Tuesday 5th June (Bank Holiday), 6pm at Martin & Joy’s, bring and share food, prayer and fellowship. Picnic at Moors Valley for the children - Friday 8th June (in half term) - children must be accompanied by parent/carer. Meet at the main visitor centre at 10am. Please bring your own picnic. There is no entrance fee but parking charges apply. Speak to Joy for more information. Hope FM’s 5th Birthday celebration - Sat 9th June - 12 to 4 at Bandstand in Bournemouth Gardens, with live music and a bouncy castle. Bring a picnic. Safeguarding Training for new children’s workers—Saturdays 16th & 23rd June, 2.45pm to 6.15pm. Don’t forget to bring your Safeguarding information pack (the black ring-binder)! Fortnightly prayer breakfasts– 9th & 23rd June, at 8.30am, followed by a light breakfast. As you know we are at a very exciting time in the life of our church; we are currently seeking the Lord as to where he wants us geographically, but also expectant regards to the future generally. Burley Christian Festival - Sunday 24th June, 2-4pm at Manor Park (also known as Dan Tanners field) Burley. Hope FM, Keith Jones books, refreshment stalls and many others will be there. As we are already having a prayer breakfast Saturday we will cancel the evening so folk don't need to rush back. Reach out to internationals in the U.K. or overseas! International Training Network is running a one-week Introductory course in TESOL in Bournemouth from June 25th – 29th.  Please speak to Irwin for more details richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Parent & Toddler Group

We warmly invite you to our Parent & Toddler morning, "Step By Step", Tuesdays term time from 9.30 to 11.30am.This is a great time to come together in a secure, relaxed and informal atmosphere where parents and carers can unwind as their children enjoy playing with toys, creating different things, sliding down the slide, singing and learning to relate to one another at a young age. We are aware that during our get-togethers lasting relationships have been formed among the parents and the children are often asking them when the next "toy time at that church" is! richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

What's Easter About?

Easter is the spring-time holiday associated with chocolate eggs and bunny rabbits. For Christians it is also the anniversary and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
Easter gets it's name from the Saxon goddess of spring called "Eostre". This goddess had a hare's head, or a hare companion, which makes sense when you remember that pagan worship centred on nature and fertility, and hares and rabbits breed like....well, rabbits!


This is also the origin of the Easter Bunny, and strangely, Easter Eggs (what? no chickens?!) - all life was thought to have originally come from an egg, and eggs were another favoured symbol of fertility. The "spirit" Easter Bunny/Hare was supposed to lay its eggs in the grass, and people would go searching for them - the fore-runner of modern day Easter egg hunts.



richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Our Safeguarding Policy

Standard 6 - Organisations should ensure that workers know how to talk with, listen and relate to children with whom they come in contact.
Standard 7 - Workers must develop awareness of the issues surrounding abuse, be able to recognise possible signs and symptoms and respond appropriately.
Standard 8 - Organisations should ensure pastoral care and support is available to all those affected by abuse.
Standard 9 - Organisations must supervise and manage those who pose a risk to children.
Standard 10 - Organisations working in specialised areas, culturally diverse settings or through partner organisations or agencies must ensure appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures are in place.

richmondparkchurch.org.uk an evangelical pentecostal church in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK