Page 22 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • September 1998
22
Diana ... one year on

Revd Ann Mackenzie, Team Vicar at St Mary's Church, Lydiard Tregoze reflects on some of the questions that the deaths must have raised
for many in the last 12 months.
On 31 August last year the tragic We're told that this It's a delicate balance, life and death, about what hap-
news of the death of Diana, Prin- year flags will fly at half- one that can take years to pens when we die and about the
cess of Wales and her friend Dodi mast in remembrance work through. If anyone thorny issue of suffering.
Fayed started to filter through. on the anniversary of Di- tells you that, after a few If you were one of them and
As a nation we were thrown into ana's death. months or even a year you're still looking for answers,
a process of grief which was quite Perhaps the most im- 'you should be through then help is on the way. In Sep-
surprising: the flowers, the quiet, portant issue that this itby now,' then I wonder tember, all over the country, local
the candles, the visits to church or. raises for all of us is how if they have ever had to churches will be running the very
some other place to pray, the let- we grieve, how do we face the reality of bereave- successful Alpha course. It's a well
ters and cards, the books of condo- express those deep feel- ment themselves. thought out and produced series
lences were all ways of expressing ings within us all as we The Christian faith of talks which cover all the major
sorrow and perhaps our solidarity. face and go through the Revd Ann Mackenzie faces death and bereave- questions about Jesus Christ and
There were, and still are, many terrible experience of loss - which ment square on, not pretending it what it is to be a Christian.
unanswered questions. doesn't go away? doesn't happen, nor that it is easy If you'd welcome a chance to
Some people choose to leave to cope with. think things through, and ask all
things as they were, turn a room When Jesus lost a close friend he the questions you have sculling
into a shrine with nothing changed stood at his grave and wept, for his around in your mind, then Alpha
- just in case they return. Others own sorrow and for the broken- is just up your street.
change everything and get rid of ness of the world that he had come For further details about what's
"It beseemeth all men, in this Day, anything which could be a painful to save. happening in West Swindon ring
to take firm hold on the reminder. And save it he did, ironically 874221.
Most Great Name (Bahd'u'lldh), It's true that people react differ- through his own death on the cross.
and to establish the unity of all ently to death and loss, but there Before he died Jesus promised
mankind. There is noplace to flee to, are problems in the two examples never to leave or desert his friends. 11 -16s Wake Up!
no refuge that any one can seek, I've given. We do need to keep That promise holds good for us Take a look at your life. Is there
except Him." some things and we do need to today if we come to God through anything with real importance in
Bahá'u'lláh, Bahá'I Faith change some things too. Him. it? No? I didn't think so.
For further information, As we move on through the grief Last year many people began to Youth Alpha. Ring Kevin or
please call 01793 873684. process we need to look forward think deeply about the matter of Shirley on 875068 for more details.
as well as back, we need to recog-
The Baha'i faith is the
second most widespread religion in nise that things will never be the
the world and is working towards same, but we do also need to cherish Zone for peace and tranquillity
universal peace and harmony precious treasures and memories. Swindon folk have been enjoying a taste of peace and serenity this
summer- with the launch of the Tranquillity Zone by members of the
Bahá'I Faith community.
Married, single, young or old SWINDON Spokeswoman Fidelma Meehan
something for all ages at from Peatmoor said, Bahá'Is are
,vange, FAMILY CHURCH committed to service in the wider
Live with integrity community and the idea of the
Worsley Road
o0
Love wholeheartedly Tranquillity Zone is a special gift
Trust God in all things to celebrate one hundred years
'4 since the faith came to Britain.
C) SUNDAYS I0.30AM "The Tranquillity Zone can be
AT THE LINK CENTRE created in any room and is de-
building with people
(Community Suite) signed to offer an oasis to free us
Sundays at 10am & 6.30pm & PINEHURST PEOPLE'S from the cares and worries of eve-
For further information of ryday living.
CENTRE "The programme includes some
other meetings ring: 873050
or call at the Church office All ages of children & teens cared for short verses from the world's spir-
Information: Call Brian on 849731 itual writings, with literature and
People have found the real
in association with music from all over the world.
meaning to life - Have You? NEW FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL "They are chosen for their uni-
versal appeal, as well as their abil-
ity to go beyond the religious tra-
ditions in which they are found."
"For many of us, there's just too
OCAL CHURCHES much to do in our daily lives and Members of the Swindon Bahd'I com-
not enough time. Many important munity in a Tranquillity Zone,front
All Saints' Lydiard Millicent - 10:30am things are forgotten, like taking Shida Rahmani, Rarzin Rahmani.
Revd Peter Knight: 772417 (for the Village & Roughmoor) time to reflect and get in touch with Back, Trudy Nicholls, Neda Krishnan,
Holy Trinity Shaw -10:30am RevdAndrewRethengton: 770568 what is really important in life." Fidelma Meehan
(the Church is at Shaw Village Centre) A range of organisations have style Room in the Milton Road
St Mary's Lydiard Tregoze - 9:00am, 10:30am tried the zone including Druglink, Health Hydro on:
Revd Ann Mackenzie: 870244 the Swindon Resource Centre, the Thursday 10 September, 730pm;
Toothill Church - 10:45am Revd Jan Partridge: 534992 Seymour Clinic and the Third Age Friday 11 September, 10am, 1pm
(a/so Free Church minister for the parish) Challenge Trust. and 730pm.
The interest has been so great
Westlea Church - 10:00am Revd Peter Walker: 872932 Thursday 1 October, 730pm;
that Tranquillity Zones are being
(this Church meets in Westlea School Ha/I, Langstone Way) Friday 2 October, 10am, 1pm and
organised for anyone looking for a
The Parish of West Swindon and the [.ydiards little bit of peace and serenity. 730pm.
Tranquillity Zones are free of Call 873684 to confirm times and
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charge and will be held in the Life- to book a place.