Pilgrim tales 34 Northwood Missionary Auctions acts for Pilgrim Homes by auctioning donated items on our behalf. The auctions are run by a group of Christian Volunteers, including a professional auctioneer, so the low expenses of the auction can be met by sales of bric- a- brac. Items for auction are collected from any part of the country, and all proceeds go to Pilgrim homes at your request. To arrange for collection, contact Ruth Sowton on 01403 701944 this year consisting of bacon butt-ies ( of course!), baguettes with a selection of fi llings, a choice of cakes and tea, coffee or orange juice. We felt numbers were down overall, but between our roving Pilgrim Home and the efforts of the stallholders our treasurer was able to send £ 2,259 to Head Offi ce. Why not join us at our next event at the Wetherby Whaler in Wakefi eld in January for our Auxiliary meal? You will need to bring a large appetite with you as the portions are second to none. Smaller portions are available for the slimmers among us and there are other options for those who would prefer an alternative to fi sh and chips. If you join us we will be blessed, your tummies will be blessed, your soul will be blessed and Pilgrim Homes will also be blessed.

Old age 35 The pop song goes, ' Hope I die before I get old.' People want to live for a long time, but no- one ever wants to be old. Yet the only two alternatives in life are - keep breathing or die. So there is this rather strange contradiction in people's minds - " Long live life, but keep old age at bay!" The cosmetics industry depends on it. But old age is not a disease, nor is it a crime, nor is it a punishment. It is simply the inevitable consequence of continuing to breath. If you live a long time you will become old. And that should never be seen as something terrible. Old age is a blessing from God Roger Hitchings There are three notable aspects of old age, that would not be listed as the topmost features of growing old by most people, not even by most Christians. Yet it is the teaching that we fi nd throughout the Bible. 1. Old age is a blessing from God. 2. Old age is to be a time of growth. 3. Old age is to be marked by a special witness and testimony. Old Age a Crown to life ' Grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained by a righteous life.' ( Proverbs 16: 31 NIV). This is not an unrealistic attitude or mere sentimentalism. The Bible fully acknowledges all the disadvantages and problems that come with advancing years. Indeed it gives thoughtful counsel on how to cope with these terrible trials and troubles. But it sets against all of them the many blessings and possibilities that provide glorious compensation, even calling the diffi culties ' our light and momentary troubles' ( 2 Corinthians 4v16- 18 NIV). We, of course, live in a generation that has become unrealistic about most of life and about old age in particular. The tragedy is that the Church, by and large, has adopted the same values and attitudes to growing old as the world around us. So most Christians think of the negatives - the grumpy old man or the frail, decrepit and demanding old lady. Older people fi nd themselves devalued and neglected, with no positive expectations in their old age for themselves. And in the Church of God one of the most valuable resources is ignored and even rejected. How beautiful are the exceptions that grace produces! Old age has a splendour and dignity born of the realisation of hope and promise in God and is