“He’s Never Lied” featuring Lucy Jane Rutherford, Mike Backhouse and
Jim Rogers from CD “For Unsung Heroes”

I hope you all have had a great Christmas. I spent Christmas Day going to Holy Rood in the morning and then giving lifts to two delightful ladies to the Church Christmas dinner. Then had a fab meal with Caroline, before my sons, James and Chris came over with James’ lovely new fiancée Rosy. Boxing Day was spent at Caroline’s twin brother’s house near Malvern where all the family had gathered. We were going to continue to Nottingham to see my brother but he was unwell and there was also four inches of snow.
During the holidays quite a lot of exciting things happened relating to Mustard Seed Songs. I have heard that there may well be a production of Risen!- The Musical in Coventry on May 23rd. Joffy started to write the Risen! musical score; next week we are in London to mix the Risen! double CD and hopefully in the next few days the fund raiser I have mentioned before – Cheerful Giver will be launched.
Last night I met up with some young Christian friends, Aaron and Natalie Beale, Stephen and April Ballard, Lois Styles and Aaron Lewis. We all went to the Cuckoo Pint pub where it was great to chat to some ex Crofton students – I have to say they made me feel more like “family” than teacher so thanks so much to Matt Ancell, Jake Taylor, George Sanford, Joe Broadway, Dean Bast, Lee Farr, Rob Hay, Hannah Wise, Vicky Atkinson and Kerry McDermott.
There is also Coffee Cake and Chat at Donny’s Bistro in Stubbington which I am helping to organise (see featured pic.) It starts on January 13th and runs every two weeks until March 24th. It is aimed at giving people the opportunity to discuss, from a faith perspective, some of life’s big questions such as why is there suffering in the world ? Please email me on ken.shearsmith@ntlworld.com or ring the church office on 01329 661154 if you are interested in coming- even it is just to the first evening.
I am sure that one of the questions that will come up at the Coffee Cake and Chat evenings will be “Can we really believe what is written in the Bible?” This week’s featured song attempts to address this question.

You say you can’t trust every story that’s been written,
But this Gospel is different and I’ll tell you why,
Its writers faced death, persecution and torture,
So why did they tell it – why would they lie?

HAPPY NEW YEAR