Good News Stories

from Stoke-on-Trent South Circuit and collected by Hil Hands (Local preacher)
Dear friends,
Greetings this bank holiday weekend. I hope that you, like us, have continued to be blessed by the many ways in which our loving Abba, Father, reminds us:
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
10 (So) do not fear, for I am with you;
            do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
            I will strengthen you and help you;
            I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
8th May 1945 marked the end of World War Two in Europe. The day was one of celebration in Britain and saw people coming together in street parties. Many of us may have held that generation close at heart on Friday, as we perhaps held our own celebrations in our homes and gardens.
My Mum was 87 on Thursday. She is once again in hospital, with a blood clot on her lung, and we trust in prayer and in the wonderful NHS to ensure that she is comfortable. It is very hard not to be able to visit or speak to her and to wait for the daily phone-call to update us.
Mum’s primary years were spent as an evacuee away from her home in London. She shared with me, one special afternoon several years ago, how her family had initially stayed in London. Every house along her road had a shelter built at the bottom of the garden. Then they realise why their road was called Springfield Avenue as all the shelters became flooded!
They then had a shelter under the dining room table. Their dog, Jill, was the best air raid siren as her keen hearing, which lead to her shooting under the table, meant that they all followed quickly!
Mum was evacuated with her Mum, younger brother and baby sister. My Grandad stayed in London, unable to enlist with ‘a gammy leg’ but fulfilling a ‘Key worker’ role at the time. His family never knew how he was until they had a phone call each weekend.
Mum made me smile when she told me about her younger brother (my Uncle Fred) spending more time during their evacuation riding the buses than attending school!
My Gran’s bible was an essential part of their luggage and, thank God, the family were re-united at the end of the war and welcomed my Aunty Pat several years later! Gran stayed in touch with the lady into whose home they were evacuated throughout her life. You may have watched some of the television coverage on Friday. One line that stays with me was shared by a lady: ‘Love takes on many forms!’ We are seeing and experiencing such love throughout this Lockdown time. This weekly Good News sheet allows us to share stories about such love and give thanks to God.
If you have good news, please let me know by email: hands.hilary@yahoo.com Please send news to me by Friday 15th May, ready for next weekend.
From Glenn (Local Preacher)
Zoom Boom!
Out of adversity something positive can often be found. In the present lockdown, I've learned how to use video conferencing software such as Microsoft Teams and in particular, Zoom. I've taken part in church services, church meetings, business meetings, and connected with friends using Zoom. Connecting by phone or via email, messenger etc are great but video conferencing brings another dimension into play, enabling us to see people's reactions - not to mention their living rooms, studies, kitchens, or even bedrooms!
Last Sunday morning I was one of 47 at a Church Service where we prayed and sung and listened to an inspirational message. During the week, I took part in a meeting where an incidental part of it was a best mug competition - drinking mug that is! I was also able to take part in a business meeting with clients, and a meeting arranged by the City Council.
I said not long into the present lockdown that I felt that 'physical distancing' was a more appropriate term than 'social distancing', as there are so many ways of keeping in touch using social media - and that was before I'd discovered the delights of Zoom. Now I know that 'lockdown' doesn't necessarily mean 'shut down'.
From Leanne Thompson (Christian Aid)
Christian Aid Week 10-17 May
Despite the coronavirus, Christian Aid Week is still ongoing and there are lots of online events to get involved with:
Virtual prayer and reflection:
Sunday 10 May, 1.00pm: Live-streamed Christian Aid Week service with Dr Rowan Williams. 
Monday 11 - Saturday 16 May, 11am: Live daily reflections from Christian Aid staff and partners overseas.
Christian Aid Community events online:
Sunday 10 - Saturday 16 May, 7.30pm: Daily fun quizzes for the whole family throughout Christian Aid Week.
For full details, see
https://www.christianaid.org.uk/christian-aid-week/virtual-fundraisers
or just click here or go to the Christian Aid Facebook page
From Hil and Phil at Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook
Thank you for your cards and emails congratulating us on the birth of our grandson Elijah John. The neonatal team in Stoke are wonderful, as are our son and daughter-in-law and Elijah is now out of the incubator and into a cot. He is having a mixture of tube feeds and bottle feeds and has regained his birth weight. We love it when we can see him and his mum and dad through screens and on photographs. It will be a few weeks before he can go home, and even longer before we can cuddle him, but we thanks God for the love that is surrounding him!
There may be some things we cannot do, but we can pray in a time of coronavirus.
From the Christian Aid website:
Love never fails. Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope. Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbours near and far. Love compels us to give and act as one.
Now it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before. As we pray in our individual homes – around the nation and around the world – we are united as one family. So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer.
Prayers of thanksgiving and intercession (Christian Aid)
For the health workers tending the seriously ill
for the scientists working on a vaccination
for the researchers analysing data and identifying trends
for the media outlets working to communicate reality
for the supermarket workers, hygiene and sanitation providers
for the good news stories of recoveries and effective planning
for the singing from balconies by locked-down communities
for the recognition that isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness
for the notes through letterboxes offering help and support
for the internet and telephones and technology that connects
for the awakened appreciation of what is truly important
Thanks be to God.
 For those who are unwell and concerned for loved ones
for those who were already very anxious
for those immune suppressed or compromised
for those vulnerable because of underlying conditions
for those in the ‘most at risk to coronavirus’ categories
for those watching their entire income stream dry up
for those who have no choice but to go out to work
for those who are afraid to be at home
for those who are more lonely than they've ever been
for those who are bereaved and grieving.
God be their healer, comfort and protection,
be their strength, shield and provision
be their security, safety and close companion
 And raise up your Church
to be your well-washed hands and faithful feet
to be present to the pain
to respond with love in action
if even from a safe distance.
 God, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.