Ashby and Coalville Methodist Circuit

Hall Lane Newsletter Summer 2005
Issue 7

From the Minister May 2005

Dear Friends,

“GOD IS DOING BEAUTIFUL THINGS”

Did you see the ‘Crimewatch’ interview with Benoit Witchalls, the husband of Abigail Witchalls who was stabbed on a footpath near her home on 20 April when walking with her 21-month-old son Joseph. Her injuries were horrific. Nobody watching could forget Benoit Witchalls’ insistence that he and his wife felt no anger towards the attacker as he said, “Obviously whoever did it needs help and it would be absolutely tragic if this was to happen again to somebody.”

Asked if he could appreciate that some people would find it remarkable he felt no anger, Mr Witchalls said: “Maybe it will come .... it’s obviously very sad: it’s someone that’s probably suffered in their lives and we’ve just got to see what we can, as a society, do to help them.”

He went on to tell us that his wife felt the same way as he said “She didn’t seem too traumatised by it.”

“Obviously she has been thinking ‘why did this happen, why am I suffering like this?’”

“But she hasn’t communicated to me ‘who is this person that did this to me because I really want to strangle them or whatever’.”

He said the family felt “blessed and lucky” that she had not been killed.

“It may well be that she’s going to be paralysed from the neck down for life but people live wonderful lives paralysed from the neck down.”

“She’s still got her smile, which is very comforting to see. We feel very lucky and blessed because she is fully present as herself. It’s just great to see and it’s a great joy. You can see it in her face when she sees Joseph.”

Benoit Witchalls said the first word his wife spelt out when she tried to communicate was ‘happy’ because she was so relieved Joseph escaped physically unscathed.

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In a statement released from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middlesex, Abigail Witchalls said,

“The staff here are wonderful and I am making progress every day: I have sensation over most of my body and the pain is less now.”

“I can move my head, but as yet, I cannot move my arms and legs. I can breathe and speak on my own for short periods. Please pass on my thanks to everyone for their prayers and support. God is doing beautiful things.”

Previously Mrs Witchalls had asked the Assistant Chief Constable to read this statement.

“I am improving and everybody’s prayers are helping enormously.”

“Thank you for all the flowers which are beautiful. If you still want to give flowers please donate instead to the World Poverty Day through the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) or any other way. Thank you.”

Abigail Witchalls is also a member of the Leatherhead Branch of L L L, an international organisation for mothers with young children. To her friends in this group, Abigail Witchalls’ family have asked,

“that as she is a very devout Christian, as many people as possible remember her in their prayers, whatever faith they are, and that those of no faith send healing wishes.”

As we receive such inspiration from Abigail Witchalls since her attack we find her whole life has been one of inspiration and encouragement. On the Friends Reunited website she wrote,

After a degree in Anthropology my itchy feet took me seeking adventures in Zambia, to teach disabled kids ... where I got the teaching bug ... did a master in Child Psychology on my return and eventually found myself teaching English to refugees back in London. Meanwhile met the love of my life, Benoit, got married and now expecting a baby! Life just gets better and better!

In Abigail and her family we see that peace which passes all understanding - that peace which is the gift of Christ.

And as she inspires us, we can be sure that Abigail is herself drawing inspiration from the disabled children she taught in Zambia, and the refugees who shared their stories with her in London.

“GOD IS DOING BEAUTIFUL THINGS” (Abigail Witchalls)

Food, Glorious Food!

If anyone had been passing Hall Lane in the early hours of 19th February this year they may have heard members of FROG singing out the latest hits at full blast.

Twelve members of the FROG (Fully Relying on God) Group got together and decided to raise funds for the charity World Vision. Part of the charity’s focus is on helping children that have been orphaned because of the effects of HIV/AIDS.

The group decided to hold a sponsored 24 hour fast at Hall Lane in February so they all asked for sponsorship from as many friends and family as possible. Then they spent the 24 hours passing time in any way they could. Karaoke singing, watching videos and playing on computer games kept them busy but it was difficult not to mention food. Although just to make it more of a challenge not to eat for 24 hours, they decided to raise more funds by holding a cake sale and coffee morning on the Saturday!

Of course, lots of people from Hall Lane (among others) came along to support the cake sale - we can always be banked on to buy (and eat) cakes!

A grand total of £661 was raised and sent off to the charity with £53 being raised by Louisa Bennett donated by friends and family.

Many thanks to all who supported the event.

A Musical Evening

A wonderful evening of music was enjoyed by a full church in April.

The Ashbean Choral Society came to Hall Lane to give us songs from the shows together with a few amusing poems to entertain us. There was something for everyone, with an audience of all ages. The programme started off with music from The Lion King and included other songs from musicals that the Society have recently produced.

The raffle from the evening raised £43.50 and was donated to the Ladies Fellowship charity, Miracles to Believe In, together with a magnificent donation of £205 from some of the ticket sales. A further £100 was put towards the cost of some new chairs for the church!

Miracles to Believe In

You’ve heard the charity ‘Miracles to Believe In’ mentioned in this and previous issues of the newsletter many times because the Ladies Fellowship has been raising money for the cause for the past year.

The charity raises money for the Unit for children with Autism that was first opened in September 1999. It started with 10 places for primary aged pupils and was extended to 12 places in September 2002. It accommodates children in two classes that are divided mainly by age.

For a diagnosis of Autism to be made children and people with autism must display difficulties in three areas of development. These areas are 1. Difficulty with language and communication, 2. Difficulty in social understanding and interactions and 3. Difficulty with flexibility of thought and imagination.

The children in the Newbold Verdon Unit all have ‘Severe levels of Autism’ with additional learning difficulties from moderate to severe. Recent fundraising has paid for a softplay area which is safe for the children to play in and learn at the same time.

If you’ve contributed towards the fundraising at all, you can be sure that you’ve helped to make a difference to those children who are lucky enough to attend this special unit.
Thank you

Record Takings

Another market stall was run by the Ladies Fellowship on April 5th. Everything from an exercise bike and trouser press to nik naks and clothing was sold to raise funds for Miracles to Believe In, this year’s Ladies Fellowship charity.

A record total of £150 was raised so a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped on the day and to whoever donated items for the stall. Any items left at the end of the day were taken to the LOROS shop in Coalville.

Flowers

You don’t have to be a flower arranger to put your name on the flower rota.

If you would like to make a donation towards some flowers - to commemorate a special occasion, for example - someone will always be willing to arrange them for you. Just let us know.

Beautiful Banners

Many thanks to Sue Henderson for making the banners that now hang in the church.

Thanks also to Sue and Eddie for taking the time to carry out the ‘dressing’ of the sanctuary on a regular basis.

It makes a real difference when we walk into church to see a display to complement the season or theme of the service.

Though we are many, we are one Body

1 Corinthians 12 was the lectionary reading for the Whitsuntide Service led by Rev Drummond Gillespie.

Drummond used a children’s toy with cogs to help visualise the reading - working together as a team.

Members of the congregation took part in the service which illustrated the theme perfectly.