What’s going on in... FROG?

  At the end of last term, inspired by River Cottage’s Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's television series, ‘Chicken Out Campaign’, FROG ran an ‘alternate KFC’ night.  The Chicken Out campaign raises people’s awareness of the real cost of cheap chicken meat and is based on the belief that, if most people knew how the chickens lived, they would find it unacceptable.

  Using free-range, organic chicken, potato wedges and side salad, 16 members of FROG enjoyed cooking, serving, clearing up and, of course eating organic, free range chicken, cooked in a special breadcrumb mix and folded up in a tortilla wrap.  Everyone had a good time.

  As part of of the evening, FROG had a short talk on the life of chickens, how they are kept and the difference to their lives if they are barn, battery, free-range or organic bred.

  This is part of an ongoing learning about ethical living.  Every week in their ‘Time Out’ slot, FROG members are given information about the world  from the BMS fact file series.  On the alternative KFC evening, the group learnt that over 2.5 billion people haven’t heard of, or don’t know, Jesus.  That means that at least one in three people have yet to hear about Jesus.

By Cath Cresswell.

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Diptipur update

  According to Dr Rajnish Samal: ‘The news from Diptipur is a mixed bag of events for the first part of the year.  The weather was cool and dry, suitable for eye camps and, with the help of visiting consultants, many patients were treated and had their vision restored.  You may remember that, with the help of Second Sight, only bilateral patients (who have cataracts on both eyes) generally receive treatment - and treatment on the first eye is free.  The last eye camp of the season was 28th March to 3rd April, when 158 patients were operated on, 154 of these being bilateral.

  Dr Jacob Koshy, of Second Sight, came to help.

  Dr Paul had completed six months work at Diptipur but, the medical staff and Second Sight consultants decided that things were not working out too well among the staff in the eye department so, reluctantly, they did not renew Dr Paul’s contract.

  Some good was achieved during this time.  The staff bonded and worked hard in outreach to the villages.  The new vehicle donated by Second Sight was well used - and two of the ophthalmic assistants may go for further training.

  The summer months are not suitable for eye camps, so wards and equipment will be cleaned up and repaired.  Discussions are already being held with another ophthalmologist with a view to him joining the Diptipur staff in June or July.  Please remember this in your prayers.

  Earlier in the year, general surgeries, medical patients and birth numbers were up - which was encouraging - though surgery charges had to be further reduced as patients were unable to pay.  In turn, this reduction in cost increased the number of patients.

  The new transformer is going to be installed so that all the electrical medical equipment is safe when there is low voltage.  The new air conditioning units should then be safe to install and run.

  The staff send their greetings to you all.  They really appreciate your support and prayers.

  I have now received the details for the visit to England, to attend the Lambeth Conference, of Dr Samson Das and his wife, Dr Rashmi Das.  God willing, they will be spending a few days in St Albans, around 10th August.

  Thank you for your support and encouragement.

Supplied by Aileen Hagen.

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Hope08 launches

  The St Albans launch event for Hope08 takes place on Saturday 10th May.

  Hope 2008 is an initiative of the churches of Britain and Ireland which aims to demonstrate Christian faith in action and explain the meaning of that faith in villages, towns and cities throughout the UK.

  A number of St Albans churches are taking part in this event but we need plenty of people on that day to blow up balloons, prepare labels and so on.

  The schedule for the day is:

  11.30am: Meet at the Seventh Day Adventist Church offices, 119 St Peter’s Street, St Albans (on the corner of Carlisle Avenue).

  1.00pm: Distribute T shirts.  Pray together.

  1.50pm: Go to Chequer Street, between Oxfam and HSBC, and get shoppers to write their hopes for 2008 on the labels and attach them to the balloons.

  3.00pm: Let the balloons go.

  Also - look out for the Work Weekend (5th and 6th July).

By Pat Hicks.

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Valuable word

  Ian Douglas reports on some of his recent experiences as a Gideon.

  Gideons have recently visited two schools and given 300 youngsters a copy of the New Testament and the Psalms.

  “We do get a few refusals but it's such a thrill when they file past and say, 'thank you' and, sometimes, ask for one for their friends,” Ian Douglas said.  “We are also conscious that this may be the only way, these days, that the gospel gets into many homes.

  “Earlier this year, we went to a St Albans school which split its assembly over two days.

  “On the first day, I had been telling them how valuable God's word was to them.

  “On the second day, the master told me the lovely story that, when they went to gym later that morning, the boys and girls had put their new New Testaments in the 'valuables box' along with keys, wallets and mobiles - rather than where they had just left their clothes and books.”

From Gideon News and supplied by Sheila Gaylor.

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Christian Aid Week 11th - 17th May

  As usual, there are a number of activities around Christian Aid Week to raise both awareness and funds as well as to celebrate the work of Christian Aid and remind ourselves of the obligation we have, as God’s children, to care for other members of God’s family who are more economically challenged than ourselves.

  In addition to the normal local churches’ activities, our own Caroline Williams is in serious training - both physical and fundraising - for the London-to-Paris Bike Ride.  You can help in any of the following ways:

* We need door-to-door deliverers/collectors for Christian Aid Week.  If you can help, please contact Julia Clarke as soon as possible.

* Be pleasant to your Christian Aid door-to-door collector and have your envelope ready, stuffed with cash and the gift aid boxes ticked and signed!

* Support Café Baptiste on 17th May at MBFC from 10am until noon - bake a cake; donate books, gifts, soft toys and games to sell; buy something from the bring’n’ buy stall or just buy a cup of coffee.  All proceeds will go to Christian Aid.

* Join in the united service at St Bartholomew’s Church on Sunday 11th May at 7pm.

* Enjoy the annual Christian Aid Concert at St Paul’s Church on Saturday 10th May, from 7.30pm.