St Marys Parish Magazine January 2003
WHATS ON THIS MONTH? - January
Readings for Sundays in February
Daily prayer topics in January
There will be no
Evensong on Sunday January 19, as that
is the Sunday in the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Instead there is
a United Service, organised by Churches Together, at Holy Trinity, beginning at
6.30pm.
Please keep the people
of St Pauls church, Roundshaw, in your prayers, as after a protracted building
programme their new church building will be dedicated and opened by Bishop Tom
on Saturday January 25 at 4.00pm. The Local Ecumenical Partnership associated
with the old building has been dissolved, and the new one when it opens will be
once again the church for a District within the Anglican parish of St Michael,
South Beddington. Please pray for Revd John Gould, the minister of St Pauls,
as he prepares to retire as our Rural Dean quite soon, and to retire altogether
later in 2003.
On the same day,
January 25, why not complete the days celebrations by coming to the Church
Centre at 7.30pm to share in an Alternative Burns Night Supper? There will be Scottish dancing (dont panic,
there will be full instructions) and, if you can, come in Scottish dress.
Tickets (6) from any member of the Social Committee or get in touch with
Margaret Treasurer on 8688 8295.
The Ringers Quiz
night comes around again on Saturday
February 15. Full details are on page 7 but bookings must be made by
Sunday the 9th.
On Sunday 2 February
we celebrate the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple as a child (otherwise
known as Candlemas). The 9.30am Sung Eucharist will begin in the Centre, as we
hear the proclamation of Jesus as the Light of the World, and we then
carry our lighted candles in procession into church before the Eucharist itself
continues in the usual way.
The latest issue
of St Marys Trade Directory should be
with this issue. If not, pick on up in church or phone the Editor.
Fans of Chris Kimbers
music might like to know he has written a CD album of relaxing music being sold
as part of a new magazine Enhancing your Body, Mind and Spirit, as
advertised on TV. Chriss album comes
with part three, on sale from January 21.
A sigh of mixed relief and sadness echoed
round the Editorial office as I finally got my last magazine to bed. Relief
because Ive never got to battle with getting a January issue out again
(Christmas really gets in the way) and sadness because I shall really miss the excitement which comes with getting
an issue out on time.
I would like to place on record my
heartfelt thanks to all those who have provided me with material over the
years, particularly those who I have bludgeoned into producing pieces sometimes
at very short notice, especially my wife. And thanks too to my son Chris for
the use of his computer equipment and expertise. Thanks are also due to all the
distributors who attempt to deliver the magazine on time. And I mustnt forget
the Advertising Managers who had the unenviable task of persuading local
traders it was worth putting business our way.
I am delighted to announce that a new
editor has stepped forward. Christine Morgan has (nervously) agreed to add
production of the magazine to her already busy life. Please give her your full
support. She has already commented that she doesnt know the right people - but
she soon will! So dont assume that she will know all the little things that go
on in the parish - make it your job to keep her fully informed.
When I took over I wrote something along
the lines that I hoped to keep readers informed and entertained and sometimes
amused but to provide nothing for those who look for mistakes. I dont know how
I did for the first three wishes but I do know I failed in the last - but at
least Ive never seen St Marys magazine mentioned in those little paragraphs
beloved by newspaper diarists!
Stewart Kimber
Saturday, 6 December 2003. We are reliably
informed that Santa already has this day earmarked for St Marys next Christmas
Fair. Please put the date in your diary too.
This year over 300 people came through the
door. We made about 1,450 in total - 170 of this for the Tower and Bells Fund
and the rest for the Shopping List. That is the money we have to raise for all
the essential expenditure which keeps St Marys afloat.
The Fair offered so many attractive things
to buy, we were spoilt for choice. We were entertained with a varied musical
programme; we were offered the opportunity to have our faces transformed into a
vampire, a mermaid, or any animal of our choice; we could have yet another go
on the tombola, or just relax over a cup of tea and a bite to eat.
Thank you EVERYONE - for gifts of raffle prizes
and other items to sell, for manning the stalls with amazing salesmanship
skills, for supplying food, for serving tea and coffee with a smile - even when
your feet must have been killing you - and thanks to the entertainers, the
choir, the handbell ringers and SCOLA saxes and, of course, to our guest
stallholders who all contributed to such an enjoyable day.
Pat Kingsbury
The Sutton Deanery Synod met recently at St
Patricks Church, Wallington. The main speakers were Revd Linda Harknett,
Honorary Curate at St Nicholas, Sutton, and the Revd Michael Oades, Vicar of
All Saints, Benhilton. Between them they gave the Deanery a talk on the Act of
Synod 1993, which among other things provides for additional suffragan bishops
to act as Provincial Episcopal Visitors to those parishes opposed to the ordination of women and to bishops who
ordain women.
Linda put the case for rescinding the Act
of Synod 1993 as she felt it made it possible for parishes to reject women
priests and saw it as divisive. Pastoral care within the diocese was not united
as the diocesan bishops did not pastor all clergy in their diocese. The Act
tries to embrace everyone, but it creates a church within a church. The Church of England was not in communion
with itself, she said Linda ended her presentation by saying that women now
make up 20 per cent of all ordained priests.
Michael, defending the Act of Synod 1993,
said that it was given by the church for the church, enabling those who were
opposed to womens ordination to remain within the Church of England. The
traditionalists ask that the Provincial Episcopal Visitors remain, otherwise
they could be without episcopal oversight and that would be even more divisive.
Discussion of the issues followed but it
was decided at the last Deanery Synod that no vote would be taken of the
members for or against the rescinding of the Act.
The Revd Martin Breadmore then gave the
meeting a brief parish profile. He has been with the parish for 15 months, it
is a daughter church of Holy Trinity but with its own DCC. There are some 1,200
homes in the district, some very expensive and others less expensive. Martin is
the Minister in Charge and he has an NSM, four Readers and a Childrens Worker
to help him. They have produced a new magazine called Connections which is
supplied free to every home. It is a community magazine with items of general
interest as opposed to a church magazine. They have a weekly lunch club which
is very well attended. The DCC meeting has agreed a new purpose and vision
statement answering the question What is God calling us to? Living for God
through love and service by caring, reaching, teaching and worship. They plan
to test themselves against the Statement as they go along.
Jenifer Davison
The Bible Study Group recommences on
Monday, January 6. We have been studying the Gospel of St Mark and have got up
to Chapter 4 verse 35. As you can see, we do not move at a great pace, even
though Mark punctuates his Gospel with the words at once and immediately.
We discover so much in every few verses which is relevant to us and our
everyday lives and we have some very intensive but friendly discussion - we
learn a lot from each other.
If you would like to join us but are unable
to come along each week, that is OK as each weeks study is really complete in
itself - just join us when you can. We already have one member of the group who
has to be away for several weeks at a time, but upon his return he slips back
into the group quite comfortably and it is as if he has never been away. It is
always a pleasure to have some new input to our discussions - God reveals
different things to different people, and together we gain a fuller
understanding of the scripture we are reading. If you need transport this can
be arranged - please dont hesitate to ring me.
Jenifer Davison
Dec 29 Isaac Aubrey Edward Thorley, 107 Winkworth
Road, Banstead
Nov 6 Barbara Joan Jefferies, aged 60, of 139
Demesne Road
13 Kitty Waller, aged 72, of 59 Bristow Road
15 Robert Ernest Milner, aged 87, of 45 Bond
Gardens
Dec 2 Valerie Parry, aged 76, of 31 Iberian
Avenue
For those of you who
were at the Churches Together Advent Carol Service Im about to preach to the
converted. St Marys produced a musical
feast starting with the Matin Responsory by Palestrina under the tower
by candlelight - a few people who had heard of our lighting saga thought they
might be encouraged to put money into a fund bucket at the end of the service
but soon realised we hadnt quite reached desperation point yet!
There were a few well
known carols - unfortunately Id lost my voice earlier that week and felt most
frustrated at not being able to belt out my favourites with the rest of the
congregation.
The choir was on top form,
truly sweet pure voices floated around the church - we certainly have a very
talented bunch of younger boys these days (older boys and girls goes without
saying are always fab!). I was carried away by the setting of I wonder as I
wander, a carol from the Appalachian mountains, which allowed the mind to
wander and be thoughtful and which felt very spiritual.
We were taken through
many beautifully executed pieces - Gabriel to Mary came, I sing of a maiden
and People look East - each with
its own very unique setting. These were interspersed with readings by
representatives from Churches Together.
It was a lovely
evening - once again that homemade gingerbread stole the show during the
refreshments - I really must get the recipe from whoever makes it!
I have spoken to quite
a few people who attended from other churches and much praise was given to our
choir, which as far as Robert and I were concerned was very well deserved.
Carolyn Churchyard
There was much
activity in the Church Centre on the morning of December 14 as Ann Beeton and
Helen De Ritter and I began setting out the tables and decorations for the
Families at St Marys childrens party. It was our first event and we were all
a little nervous, dreading the thought that only the three of us and our five
children would have to eat 50 sausage rolls and mince pies before midday!
We neednt have
worried, we had an excellent turnout. People brought cousins and friends and
the centre was buzzing with anticipation - would we get a visit from you know
who?
The children made
Christmas cards, decorated their own cupcakes and made tablemats for the
Christmas table (we have photographic evidence that our Rector is a dab hand
with some glue and glitter!) They
played games and had a dancing competition and everyone was suitably stuffed
with festive goodies.
Then, there was a
report of some disturbance on the roof of St.Mary's and yes you guessed it. we
had a visit from a very Gerrie Christmas, that man in red who seemed somewhat
familiar to the grown ups and a certain small Mackley!
A good time was had by
all - our thanks to all who attended, mucked in and helped and of course a
special thanks to all the partygoers who made it such a success.
We are spurred on now
for the next event . . . we hope in February, a carry-in curry night. Watch
this space !
Carolyn Churchyard
Did you know that here at St Marys we have
a budding Fred Dibnah in our midst? Did you also know that the topmost door of
the bell tower - the one leading onto the parapet - had rotted, broken and was
flapping in the breeze up there? Well no, you most likely didnt and neither
did I. That is not until a couple of weeks ago when I came out of church one
Friday morning and came face-to-face with two of the bellringers - at least
thats what I eventually realised!
One of them was clothed in working togs
which really bore testimony to all the work for which they had been worn -
paint, varnish, oil stains - you could tell there had been a lot done in those
clothes. And how do you explain the fact that a casual passer-by had stood in
amazement at the sight of a door hanging on the end of a rope which someone was
slowly hauling up the tower!
By now you have probably surmised that the
aforesaid door that was flapping in the breeze was being replaced by a spanking
brand new door. But this was not your ordinary bought in B&Q door. Oh no! This door had been hand made, lovingly
crafted, rubbed down, painted, rubbed down again, until it was deemed fit to
stand the rigours of the weather at the top of the tower. All this had taken
one man (with the help of his wife) five days to complete.
At this so special time of year, let us
give a silent thank you and a round of
applause to all those who serve St Marys quietly and so well - whether it be
safely at ground level or somewhat more hazardously in Dibnah-style!
Mary Tapp
|
Wed |
1 |
The Naming of
Jesus |
|
|
|
|
St Marys Guild
meets, St Marys Court |
2.30pm |
|
|
|
Eucharist |
7.30pm |
|
Thu |
2 |
Ringers AGM, 2
Peaks Hill |
8.00pm |
|
Fri |
3 |
Magazine panel
meets, 2 Peaks Hill |
10.00am |
|
|
|
Finance
Committee meets, the Rectory |
8.00pm |
|
Sun |
5 |
EPIPHANY |
|
|
Mon |
6 |
Bible Study
group meets, 23 Mortlake Close |
8.00pm |
|
Tue |
7 |
Parents and
Toddlers New Year party, church |
10.00am |
|
Sun |
12 |
BAPTISM OF
CHRIST |
|
|
Mon |
13 |
Bible Study
Group meets, 23 Mortlake Close |
8.00pm |
|
Thu |
16 |
MU&OG New
Year party, Church Centre |
8.00pm |
|
Sat |
18 |
Start of Week of
Prayer for Christian Unity |
|
|
Sun |
19 |
EPIPHANY 2 |
|
|
|
|
Service for Christian
Unity week, Holy Trinity |
6.30pm |
|
Mon |
20 |
PCC meets,
Church Centre |
8.00pm |
|
Tue |
21 |
Bible Study
Group meets, 23 Mortlake Close |
8.00pm |
|
Wed |
22 |
MU Corporate
Eucharist |
10.00am |
|
Sat |
25 |
Conversion of St
Paul |
|
|
|
|
Eucharist |
9.00am |
|
|
|
Alternative
Burns Night, Church Centre |
7.30pm |
|
Sun |
26 |
EPIPHANY 3 |
|
|
Mon |
27 |
Bible Study
Group meets, 23 Mortlake Close |
8.00pm |
|
Wed |
29 |
St Marys Guild
New Year party |
3.00pm |
Sun Feb 2
Candlemass
Malachi 3: 1-5 (page
60
Hebrews 2: 14-18 (page
63)
Luke 2: 22-40 (page
63)
Sun Feb 9
Epiphany 5
To be presented by
Guides and Brownies
Sun Feb 16
Third before Lent
2 Kings 5: 1-17 (page
484)
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27
(page 487)
Mark 1: 40-45 (page
488)
Sun Feb 23
Second before Lent
Proverbs 8: 1, 22-31
(page 497)
Colossians 1: 15-20
(page 499)
John 1: 1-14 (page
499)
Mon 13 Hilary,
Bishop of Poitiers, teacher, 367
Fri 17 Antony
of Egypt, hermit, abbot, 356
Tues 21 Agnes,
Child-Martyr at Rome, 304
Fri 24 Francis
de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, teacher, 1622
Sat 25 Conversion
of St Paul
Tue 28 Thomas
Aquinas, priest, philosopher, teacher, 1274
Wed 1 Gods direction in the new year ahead
Thu 2 Our Tower & Bells fund-raising
Fri 3 Our fund-raising in general for the year
Sat 4 Local uniformed organisations
Sun 5 Thanksgiving for Christs revelation to
the world
Mon 6 Our Bible Study Group
Tue 7 Our Parents and Toddlers Group
Wed 8 The local clergy fraternal
Thu 9 Our link diocese in Zimbabwe
Fri 10 The
work of Retreat Houses
Sat 11 Our
choir and servers
Sun 12 Those
preparing to be baptised or confirmed
Mon 13 All
planning to be married here this year
Tue 14 The
Social Committee planning events for the year
Wed 15 Our
readers and intercessors
Thu 16 The
Citizens Advice Bureau and all counsellors
Fri 17 Those
who lead solitary lives of prayer
Sat 18 The
World Council of Churches
Sun 19 The
increasing unity of all Christians
Mon 20 Our
churchwardens and PCC
Tue 21 Orthodox,
Coptic and independent churches
Wed 22 Churches
whose roots are in the Protestant reformation
Thu 23 The
Roman Catholic Church
Fri 24 The
Anglican Community worldwide
Sat 25 The
dedication of the new church at Roundshaw
Sun 26 The
Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams
Mon 27 Canterbury
Cathedral and its education centre
Tue 28 The
Anglican Observer at the United Nations
Wed 29 Our
Bishops, Archdeacons and Rural Deans
Thu 30 People
of other faiths
Fri 31 Inter-faith
dialogue
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