Moreton, near Ongar, Essex

Today I visited Moreton, in Essex, on a bright sunny dry day.  Yes, it did not rain at all, though some dark clouds appeared from time to time.  I mentioned recently that the Nag's Head pub restaurant featured in the second series of Lovejoy, broadcast in 1991.  Please see my post of 8 May 2012 for further details about the Lovejoy episode.

The village has another pub restaurant across the road, The White Hart Inn at Moreton.

Moreton has some charming cottages and a lovely church.

The north side of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Moreton

The south side of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Moreton

Looking towards the bell tower at the west end of St Mary the Virgin, Moreton

The pulpit, lectern and organ at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Moreton, Essex

This afternoon there was a wedding at the church, and the weather was kind to the bride and groom. I saw  weddings guests preparing for the event, and quite a few went to the Nag's Head.

The font at St Mary the Virgin Church, Moreton, Essex

Cripsey Brook flowing east.

The bridge over Cripsey Brook, looking north to Moreton

The bridge over Cripsey Brook, Moreton, looking south

Key factors in church growth

There are many books, views and strategies for church growth.  I would like to pass on my own observations.
Having seen churches and fellowships thrive, decline, stabilize and die since the 1960s, I have noticed that the ones that did manage to grow significantly had some important elements that helped them sustain and succeed.

These growing churches had a committed core membership who were able to enthuse others and engender a strong belief in the value and worth of their fellowship.  In many cases these members really believed that their fellowship had a great deal to offer.  Some would express it in the words, "our church is the place to be" or words to that effect.

Some of these members had charisma, leadership skills and attractive personalities.  Some were evidently filled with the Holy Spirit and power from on high.  Therefore they were able to create an atmosphere of love, grace and warmth, a place where people felt comfortable and spiritually nourished.

These members were able to create and build an infrastructure that gave good support, fellowship and a sense of community.  Good facilities definitely can help. People are drawn to churches that provide useful services, such as child care groups, luncheon clubs, sports, youth and leisure programmes.

Quite often these growing churches had very good musicians, Bible teachers and caring pastors (not necessarily professionals and ordained clergy).

It helps when a church or fellowship has contact with the community through its programmes, and can allow people to come in from the fringe without the cringe factor.

Major Crime and Corporal Punishment

"Major Crime and Corporal Punishment" were mentioned as a comedy military double act in a Lovejoy episode. Former Major Linden Walker (played by John Wells, better known for his Denis Thatcher impersonations) had been Major Crime, and former Corporal Tinker Dill (played by Dudley Sutton) had apparently been called Corporal Punishment.  John Wells sadly died in January 1998, when he was 61.

This episode 15, broadcast on 3 February 1991, was called Who Dares, Sings.  It was in the second series.  The first series was in 1986.  For those who are interested in Lovejoy locations, as I am, the pub restaurant was in fact The Nag's Head at Moreton, near Ongar, Essex. It was once known as Moreton Massey.  The pub restaurant is still operating.   http://www.grahamsatthenagshead.com/

Praise for Proper Pudding Company of Hintlesham, Suffolk

Yesterday I bought a triple chocolate crunch made by the Proper Pudding Company of Hintlesham, Suffolk.  It cost me £6.85 in a farm shop.  When I tried a portion in the evening I was not disappointed.  It was so very tasty.  Delicious!  I loved it. It was handmade in Suffolk.

There is very little information about Proper Pudding Company of Hintlesham, IP8 3NH, on the internet at the moment, but I wish Helen Bryce Ltd. every success.  Food this good deserves to do well and to be appreciated.

Honduras, the most murderous nation on earth

Until recently I knew very little about Honduras.  I did not know the name of its capital, currency or president.  I did know that it has a thriving textile industry and that my Y-fronts were manufactured in Honduras.  I knew that there was a great deal of poverty and people lived on very low wages.  I had no idea that, according to the National Commission for Human Rights, there is a violent death every 74 minutes.  Bodies are dumped frequently on the streets of Tegucigalpa, the capital.  Its Mayor, Ricardo Alvarez, started the People's Funeral Service, when he found that people were being buried in black garbage sacks and could not afford a decent funeral. Honduras has the world's highest murder rate.  The latest figures show that there are 86 homicides for every 1,000 of the population.  The situation seems to be getting worse.  There are murderous gangs, policemen and military officers.  Police and military corruption is widespread and they are evidently working with the gangs and cartels.  There is big money and influence in drugs.  It is estimated that 79 per cent of all cocaine flights from South America to the USA stop in Honduras.  Two thirds of the country live in poverty.

Yesterday an excellent BBC Radio 4 programme Crossing Continents: A Death in Honduras, reported on the horrendous situation in Honduras.  It is currently available on BBC iplayer and it will be broadcast again on Monday 7 May at 20:30 on Radio 4.


I thoroughly recommend the BBC news article by Linda Pressly
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17870673

I also visited the Compassion.com website for details of Christian aid work in Honduras and information about the country.
http://www.compassion.com/about/where/honduras.htm

Roy Hodgson is now in line to be England manager

Although Harry Redknapp had been widely tipped to be the next England football team manager, the Football Association has decided to appoint Roy Hodgson.  When Fabio Capello resigned and Harry Rednapp was acquitted of tax evasion offences, there was enormous support for Harry as the next manager.  Earlier this year the media, senior England players, fellow managers, pundits and fans were delighted with the prospect of Harry taking the job.  It seemed to be his destiny and well within his grasp. Some sports writers and pundits are still saying that Harry is the best man for the job. Some fear that the England job may turn out like the Anfield failure for Roy.

The FA has chosen a safer, easier and cheaper option.  Time will tell if it was a wise choice.  The England job may be a poisoned chalice at this point in time. Harry may be the best England manager we never had! Perhaps fans of Brian Clough would disagree. 

City were better than United in the Manchester derby

Manchester City beat United by just one goal in the tense derby yesterday evening.  City now go top of the Premiership and two wins would make them champions.  They were the better team and deserved to win, though United must be disappointed to lose from a set piece.  Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that United should not have conceded the goal, at this level, from a corner.  Smalling was clearly to blame by not keeping a good defensive position and by allowing Vincent Kompany to head in the winner.

Manchester City must now beat Newcastle away at St James's Park and beat Queen's Park Rangers at home at the Etihad Stadium to clinch the title. Newcastle are hoping to win in order to gain the fourth spot and Champions League football next season.  Queen Park Rangers are fighting to avoid regulation.  A great deal is hanging on these games.

Manchester United are expected to win their two remaining games: at home to Swansea and away at Sunderland.