Welcome to the
North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit
Dear Friend,
It is August
and the circus is coming to town! Giffords’ Circus is once more returning to
Marlborough Common with all the razzmatazz and joy of previous years. This year
promises to be even more spectacular than usual as it is the circus’ 25th
anniversary. Each year, the acts follow a theme and tell a story. Last year’s
show was based in Avalon. This year’s is
“Set in the buoyant and sunny era of 1950’s America, Laguna Bay” and described
as “a spectacular blend of fun, excitement and charm.” As the website states, “To come to Giffords is
to immerse yourself in another world and escape everyday life for a few
blissful hours. Our astonishing mix of thrills, skills, adventure, romance,
theatrics and hilarity will change all your preconceptions of traditional
circus.’’
Last year we
took our grandchildren, who then ranged in age from ten years to just under two
years old. We wondered who would have to take toddler Timothy out when he got
restless, but he sat quietly on his Daddy’s lap, totally enthralled. As for his
sister, Renata, who was almost four years old, she was spellbound. Her eyes stretched
wide and as round as a clown’s red nose and her mouth was open in awe and
wonder so often that she must have caught loads of flies! Acrobats, high-wire
acts, magicians, singers, dancers, clowns, musicians and jugglers from all over
the world kept them and their cousins, parents, aunt and grandparents captivated.
During the finale, when all the cast were in the ring, singing and dancing, the
audience were invited to join in. Renata was out of her seat and in the ring
before anyone could shout, “Encore!” She and Timothy have been putting on “shows”
ever since, which is fine, except for the time that Timothy’s act involved
emptying a food cupboard!
Needless to
say, we are taking the family again this year and it will be one of the
highlights of the summer. Giffords’ Circus has often been described as a West
End show in the green fields of the Cotswolds and surrounding area, drawing
people from towns and villages. It reminds me of the gospels where we read that
the crowds came out from the towns and villages near the Sea of Galilee to the
shore and the hillside to meet and hear Jesus. They listened in awe and wonder
as Jesus told stories, performed miracles and taught many things, speaking and
acting with authority. Some were so enthralled that when Jesus called them to
join him, they left everything and followed him. Others served him and lived
like him right where they were. They didn’t just watch, but got involved,
loving God and loving their neighbour.
After Jesus’
death and resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit to help his followers. The
first disciples were empowered to tell the good news of Jesus to all people. We
carry on sharing the love of God, which is seen so clearly in Jesus, with those
whom we meet and live amongst each day. We too are equipped by the Holy Spirit.
Wherever the circus goes over the summer, it takes the fun and excitement of
the show, enabling people to escape from everyday life for a few hours.
Wherever we go, we take the love of God and the love of our neighbour to
whoever we meet. Sometimes we express our faith in actions, at others in words
of encouragement and comfort, and at others in just being there with someone.
We do not offer escapism for a short time, but the way in which to deal with
whatever life has thrown at us and to face the future, trusting, knowing that
God is with us. Jesus, our risen, living Lord is with us through the Holy
Spirit and he will be with us helping us in every aspect of our lives.
This is the
good news which we share wherever we are, whether we are in old, familiar
places or somewhere new. During the circus performance, the children kept their
eyes on the action in the arena. We adults were distracted watching the
children. As we live as the followers of Jesus, we keep our eyes fixed on him.
At times we get distracted and lose sight our Lord and what it means to be one
of his disciples. Just as we turn to the Circus programme to find out about the
jugglers, the director, the musicians and all the acts, so we read the gospels
to discover more about Jesus, his disciples and his love for us. As we explore
the Bible, we find not just facts, but the way to life itself through knowing
Jesus and experiencing the Holy Spirit in our lives.
It is August
and the circus is coming to town! It is August, hopefully bringing a summer
break and an opportunity to rest, recharge the batteries and be refreshed by
time with other people and in the presence of God.
May God bless
you richly this summer, whatever you are doing and wherever you are,
Stephen Skinner
Welcome to the
North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit
Dear Friend,
It is August and the circus is coming to town! Giffords’ Circus is once more returning to Marlborough Common with all the razzmatazz and joy of previous years. This year promises to be even more spectacular than usual as it is the circus’ 25th anniversary. Each year, the acts follow a theme and tell a story. Last year’s show was based in Avalon. This year’s is “Set in the buoyant and sunny era of 1950’s America, Laguna Bay” and described as “a spectacular blend of fun, excitement and charm.” As the website states, “To come to Giffords is to immerse yourself in another world and escape everyday life for a few blissful hours. Our astonishing mix of thrills, skills, adventure, romance, theatrics and hilarity will change all your preconceptions of traditional circus.’’
Last year we took our grandchildren, who then ranged in age from ten years to just under two years old. We wondered who would have to take toddler Timothy out when he got restless, but he sat quietly on his Daddy’s lap, totally enthralled. As for his sister, Renata, who was almost four years old, she was spellbound. Her eyes stretched wide and as round as a clown’s red nose and her mouth was open in awe and wonder so often that she must have caught loads of flies! Acrobats, high-wire acts, magicians, singers, dancers, clowns, musicians and jugglers from all over the world kept them and their cousins, parents, aunt and grandparents captivated. During the finale, when all the cast were in the ring, singing and dancing, the audience were invited to join in. Renata was out of her seat and in the ring before anyone could shout, “Encore!” She and Timothy have been putting on “shows” ever since, which is fine, except for the time that Timothy’s act involved emptying a food cupboard!
Needless to say, we are taking the family again this year and it will be one of the highlights of the summer. Giffords’ Circus has often been described as a West End show in the green fields of the Cotswolds and surrounding area, drawing people from towns and villages. It reminds me of the gospels where we read that the crowds came out from the towns and villages near the Sea of Galilee to the shore and the hillside to meet and hear Jesus. They listened in awe and wonder as Jesus told stories, performed miracles and taught many things, speaking and acting with authority. Some were so enthralled that when Jesus called them to join him, they left everything and followed him. Others served him and lived like him right where they were. They didn’t just watch, but got involved, loving God and loving their neighbour.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit to help his followers. The first disciples were empowered to tell the good news of Jesus to all people. We carry on sharing the love of God, which is seen so clearly in Jesus, with those whom we meet and live amongst each day. We too are equipped by the Holy Spirit. Wherever the circus goes over the summer, it takes the fun and excitement of the show, enabling people to escape from everyday life for a few hours. Wherever we go, we take the love of God and the love of our neighbour to whoever we meet. Sometimes we express our faith in actions, at others in words of encouragement and comfort, and at others in just being there with someone. We do not offer escapism for a short time, but the way in which to deal with whatever life has thrown at us and to face the future, trusting, knowing that God is with us. Jesus, our risen, living Lord is with us through the Holy Spirit and he will be with us helping us in every aspect of our lives.
This is the good news which we share wherever we are, whether we are in old, familiar places or somewhere new. During the circus performance, the children kept their eyes on the action in the arena. We adults were distracted watching the children. As we live as the followers of Jesus, we keep our eyes fixed on him. At times we get distracted and lose sight our Lord and what it means to be one of his disciples. Just as we turn to the Circus programme to find out about the jugglers, the director, the musicians and all the acts, so we read the gospels to discover more about Jesus, his disciples and his love for us. As we explore the Bible, we find not just facts, but the way to life itself through knowing Jesus and experiencing the Holy Spirit in our lives.
It is August and the circus is coming to town! It is August, hopefully bringing a summer break and an opportunity to rest, recharge the batteries and be refreshed by time with other people and in the presence of God.
May God bless you richly this summer, whatever you are doing and wherever you are,
Stephen Skinner