StAG
MAG
October 2016
[email protected] • www.stag.org/mag •
Alasdair
Paine
standrewthegreat •
@StAG_Cambridge
INSIDE
THIS ISSUE
DEAR FRIENDS…
On Sundays this term, we’re going to be exploring two vital questions. The first is this: what
will life look like, without Jesus? I’m not referring to the experience of the non-Christian, but
of the Christian: living without having Jesus around. For he is not here. Though once he lived
in this world, now he is ascended and with the Father in heaven. What, then, will life be like
for his followers? This is the big theme of John chapters 13-16, where Jesus prepares his disciples
for life after his departure. What is remarkable is that although he’s leaving, he promises them
a real, experienced, continuing friendship with him. How can this be? That puzzle is reflected
in the title of our 10.00am and 11.30am sermon series, “Life without / with Jesus”.
Secondly, how are we to live for Christ in a non-Christian world? In 1 Peter we meet Christians
whose non-Christian colleagues and neighbours thought and lived very differently from them.
They couldn’t understand what made these Christians tick. Does that sound familiar? Our
series at the 5.00pm services will be seeing how Peter’s letter anticipates this, and shows us
what to expect. He offers a positive vision for daring to live for Christ and changing the world.
As you’ll see, this issue of the magazine includes an interview with Fiona Ashton, who is due
to be moving to the Cotswolds some time this autumn. Over the 29 years
she’s been here, our Heavenly Father has used her to bring amazing blessing
to our fellowship. How we will miss her, and thank God for her!
Nathan
Buttery
Student
Survival
Guide
page 2
FAREWELL
TO FIONA
ASHTON
page 3
meet the
church
apprentices
page 4
GROWING UP GOD’S WAY
One of the biggest challenges facing parents is talking about sex and
relationships with their children. In a world where sex seems increasingly on the
agenda, and where it’s taught at younger ages than before, how can we as
Christian parents respond? Thankfully there is a series of excellent resources
available through the Lovewise charity (www.lovewise.org.uk). Lovewise is a
Christian organisation that seeks to help schools, churches and parents educate
children on sexual matters in a way that is in line with God’s teaching. They
have also produced two books to help parents talk about sex with their children:
one for boys and one for girls, Growing Up God’s Way for Boys and Girls. The
books explain puberty, what sex is and how it works, and why God thinks sex
is for marriage. They are clear, Biblical, no nonsense, not embarrassing, and
hugely helpful in enabling good conversations to be had with our children.
Obviously parents will need wisdom in knowing when to talk about these
issues, and each child will be different — the material is designed for 9-13 year
olds. But we have found these books an excellent resource in helping us to equip
our children to understand God’s wisdom and love in this area.
-1-
Growing up God’s way for
boys/girls
By Dr Chris Richards
& Dr Liz Jones
£7.99 £5.20