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watch the children’s engagement in the stories and relished the chance to
talk to them about the meaning of the stories as they practise acting with

us. It’s special when they recognise you in the street and wave excitedly
or point to you in a shop and tell their mum “There’s the lady who lost her
money” and you can explain how the child knows you and about the story
of the lost coin. It is a way to engage in mission in a simple and non
threatening way.

I have learned to engage in the Bible stories in a new way; to look for the
most important point of the story; something that a child can understand
but can challenge us as adults if we over complicate matters. Part of
Abraham’s story, for example, made me think, do I really trust God in the
way that Abraham did when he packed up his tent and left all he knew to
follow God in an unknown land?

If you wonder whether Open the Book may be right for you, please come
to a meeting on Thursday 29th September in Swanage URC at 2.30 pm
or if you are unable to attend the meeting, contact your Bible Society rep
or me on 01929 422882 or fairlight@waitrose.com. We are planning a
one-off assembly at St Mary’s School on 3rd November at 8.45 an for a
9 am start as a taster. We will have rehearsals in October. The day and
time would depend on people’s availability. There would be no pressure
to continue but if enough people were willing to carry on, we would start
seriously in 2023, including training by Open the Book.

Please join us by supporting this vital work.

Anne Squires
Chair of Swanage Bible Society Support Group

Wareham Duty Elder Rota ~ September

Date Elder Vestibule
Shirley
th
4 Communion John / Louise
Brian / Felicity
th
11 Brian Brian
th
18 Janet Felicity
th
25 Felicity Liz
Brian
nd
2 October Communion John / Louise
Shirley / Janet

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