We celebrate The Blessed Virgin Mary (our Patronal Festival) on Sunday, 5 September. Services will be at their usual times (NB: there will be a car boot sale on the Paddock).

Later that day at 2.30 pm there will be a memorial service held for the late Mick Ainger. All those who knew him are most welcome to attend

A further reminder that from this month our monthly Baptism Sundays will have a new look. Any Baptisms not happening during the 9.30 Sung Eucharist will take place at 11.30 am on a convenient Sunday, not necessarily always on the second Sunday in the month, and no longer at 3.00 pm. The change of time has been deliberately made so that as many as possible of the regular congregation can stay behind for a while on Baptism Sundays, to be present during the Baptism service and be seen to welcome the children being baptized, and to give their parents and friends a very public sign of the church’s support and prayers. This is an important part of the ministry which we all share as Christians, and helps to re-assure parents and godparents that we will be there as the latest member of our congregation grows up, in faith as well as physically. There are also opportunities during the Baptism service itself for members of the congregation to take part, by reading the Bible passage for the day or by leading the formal prayers. The first new-style baptisms take place on Sunday 12th, at 11.30 am, and it would be good to see a large number of ‘regulars’ staying on to usher the new service in in style. As a piece of ‘advance notice’, the Baptism Sunday for October will be Sunday 3rd.

Saturday, 11 September. We regret that the previously advertised workshop on "Disability/Elderly - The Church Perspective" will not now be taking place. We will advise of a new date as soon as it is available.

On Monday 13 September, at 7.30 pm at Croydon Town Hall, there will be a debate between Bishop Nick and the Imam of Croydon Mosque on the theme of ‘Peace and Reconciliation’. Admission is free and the discussion is open to all who are interested in the ongoing debate between Christianity and Islam.

On Saturday 18th at 7.30 pm the choir will present another concert entitled "Hands and Voices". Previous concerts showing how talented our choir members are in using other instruments apart from their voices have been hugely successful. This will be Harvest weekend, so come and experience the bountiful gift of talent existing within our choir. Ticket prices on page 4.

Sunday 19 is Harvest Thanksgiving and our theme will be 'Generosity'. More about this on page 10.

Please note that the September session for wedding bookings will take place on Monday 20th, at 8.30 pm in the vestry, and not on Monday 13th.

On Sunday 26, at 9.30 am, there will be a joint confirmation service at St Michael’s for ourselves, St Michael’s and St Paul’s churches. This service will be conducted by Bishop Nick, and all are welcome to attend and support our candidate, Rita Gunatilleke. The regular Sung Eucharist will go ahead here at 9.30 am as usual.

There will be an additional Eucharist to celebrate St Matthew on Tuesday, 21 September at 9.30 am.

The celebrant and preacher on Sunday, 26 September, will be the Rev Nicola Coleman from Croydon Parish Church

Advance dates for your diary:

Saturday, 2 October: "Appeal of Bells" evening with Peter and Joan Davalle in aid of the Tower and Bells Fund

Sunday, 10 October: the Guides & Brownies will attend the 9.30 Sung Eucharist. As the Old Testament reading for the day is the healing of Naaman the leper by Elisha, and the Gospel reading is Jesus’s healing of ten lepers, only one of whom turned back to say thank-you, the preacher at that service will be Revd Dr Raymond Burnish, speaking about the work of the Leprosy Mission. It would be good to see a large number of people there to welcome him.

What’s On In September?

Wed	1	St Mary's Guild meeting	2.30 pm
Thu	2	MU&OG. 'At Home' at Eileen England's	8.00 pm
SUN "	5"	PATRONAL FESTIVAL - Blessed Virgin Mary (Warning! Car Boot Sale this morning)
		Memorial Service for the late Mick Ainger	2.30 pm
Mon	6	Magazine Panel meets at 35 Vanguard Way	6.00 pm
Wed	8	PCC Meeting. Church Centre	8.00 pm
Sat	11	Trustees of St Mary's Court meet at St Mary's Court	10.00 am
SUN	12	TRINITY 14
		Baptisms	11.30 am
Mon "	13"	"Peace and Reconciliation". Croydon Town Hall	7.30 pm
		Social Committee meets at 2 Caraway Place	8.00 pm
Wed	15	MU Corporate Eucharist	10.30 am
Thu	16	MU&OG "Things ain't wot they used to be!" - a talk by Mrs Marion Simpson	8.00 pm
Sat	18	"Hands & Voices" concert in aid of church and choir funds.	7.30 pm
SUN	19	HARVEST THANKSGIVING
Tue	21	St Matthew. Eucharist	9.30 am
SUN "	26"	TRINITY 16Confirmation Service at St MichaelsCarew Manor and church open	9.30 am
Tue	28	Churches Together quarterly meeting. Church Centre	7.45 pm
Wed	29	St Michael and All Angels.

Saints in September

Fri 3 Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, teacher, 604 *

Sat 4 Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, missionary, 687

Mon 13 John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinope, teacher, 407

Tue 14 Holy Cross Day

Fri 17 Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, visionary, 1179

Mon 20 All the martyrs of Korea and the Pacific *

Tue 21 Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Mon 27 Vincent de Paul, Founder of the Congregation of the Mission (Lazarists), 1660

Wed 29 Michael and All Angels

* Read about these in 'Know Your Saints'

Daily prayer topics in September

Wed 1 Reigate Deanery and Dan Connolly, the Rural Dean

Thu 2 The Melanesian Brotherhood

Fri 3 The Church Missionary Society

Sat 4 Teachers and pupils as they prepare for a new term

Sun 5 Give thanks for the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mon 6 The South American Missionary Society

Tue 7 Kingston Area Council meeting tonight

Wed 8 Our PCC meeting tonight

Thu 9 The Board for Church in Society

Fri 10 All who lack clear direction and who are led astray

Sat 11 For greater understanding of those with disabilities

Sun 12 All being baptised at St Mary's today

Mon 13 Give thanks for our acceptance into the Lord's family

Tue 14 Those attending the Bishops Staff Meeting from 14-16 September

Wed 15 Bishop Tom and Bishop Nick

Thu 16 Croydon Area Council meeting tonight

Fri 17 Rejoice in God's protection and care

Sat 18 The 'Hands & Voices' concert tonight and all who will attend

Sun 19 For wisdom to use our talents and resources for God's glory

Mon 20 Woolwich Area Council meeting tonight

Tue 21 Give thanks for the Gospel of Saint Matthew

Wed 22 Vocations to the priesthood

Thu 23 All retreat and conference centres

Fri 24 All being prepared for ordination

Sat 25 Those involved in post-ordination training

Sun 26 All being confirmed at St Michael's today

Mon 27 Give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit

Tue 28 SPAs, Readers and OLMs in training

Wed 29 Relief organisations and those working among the world's poor

Thu 30 Bishops Council meeting tonight

Readings for Sundays in September

Sunday, 5 September

Patronal Festival

Isaiah 61: 10-11: Page 1122

Galatians 4: 4-7: Page 1124

Luke 1: 46-55: Page 1124

Sunday, 12 September

Trinity 14

Exodus 32: 7-14: Page 988

1 Timothy 1: 12-17: Page 990

Luke 15: 1-10: Page 991

Sunday, 19 September

Harvest Thanksgiving

Deuteronomy 26: 1-11: Page 1165

Revelation 14: 14-18: Page 1167

John 6: 25-35: Page 1168

Sunday, 26 September

Trinity 16

Amos 6: 1a and 4-7: Page 999

1 Timothy 6: 6-19: Page 1000

Luke 16: 19-31: Page 1002

Music at Evensong in September

Sunday, 5 September

Canticles: Brewer in D

Anthem: A Maiden Most Gentle - arr. Carter

Sunday, 12 September

Canticles: Morley in Fauxbourdon

Anthem: Holy Is The True Light - Harris

Sunday, 19 September

Canticles: Sumsion in A

Anthem: Ye Shall Dwell In The Land - Stainer

Sunday, 26 September

Canticles: Purcell in G Minor

Anthem: Thou Knowest Lord – Purcell

John Read: Rector 1961 - 1978

John came to Beddington in 1961 with his wife, Frances, three young children and a dog called Ruggles. They were a warm, friendly family who put you at ease immediately. They always made you feel welcome at the big, old Rectory on Croydon Road, no matter what was going on. I well remember calling one morning to find Frances busy ironing in the kitchen. “Have a cup of coffee,” she said, followed by, “You carry on with the ironing and I’ll make the coffee.” And that was typical of them; they drew you into their family life as a matter of course. They never stood on ceremony and that’s what made them so lovable.

As a new incumbent, John obviously made changes. Matins at 11.15 had been the main service, preceded by a 10 o’clock communion. John created a 9.30 Sung Eucharist as the main service, which quickly became popular. The choir adapted well, though they - and the rest of us - did miss the wonderful settings of the Te Deum.

St Mary’s had always had a musical tradition, with a well-established choir and band of ringers but John actively involved himself in these. He always sang the whole of the Eucharist and joined in settings and anthems whenever possible. He wasn’t a ringer but was always interested in the band. He became our President - an office still held by the incumbent - and often took time on a Sunday morning to come up the stairs to say a belfry prayer. His musical ear could distinguish between good and indifferent ringing but luckily for us, we had a very experienced band in those days and we rarely offended him. Mind you, he did suggest it would be good if we stuck to odd-bell ringing on a Sunday, because he felt the beat of the tenor behind sounded better! (That’s all we do now, Selwyn. Had you noticed?)

John was also an accomplished flautist. He entertained us on various occasions and was always eager to tell you about the latest piece of Music Minus One that he’d bought to play along to!

Although John had to be termed an academic, he could also be practical when necessary. Nick recalls helping him dig a hole for an interment of ashes. Not unexpectedly, they dug up several bones, much to young Nick’s delight. He told me they had to have a little ceremony to rebury them!

Forgive us, John, but we didn’t always understand your sermons. I well recall a certain elderly ringer falling asleep behind the pillar and leaping to his feet at the words “In the name of the Father…” only to find it was just a quote!

We were grateful though, for the monthly contributions to the magazine. I remember him asking me to join the magazine committee, “because I want someone who recognises good English.” He was a stickler for good grammar and punctuation and his many comments to Stewart over the years showed his approval with the appearance of the magazine under his editorship.

After John went to live at Pett, the same hospitality was extended there. He invited the choir down to camp in his garden and to sing the Sunday services in his church. On one occasion, Nick was unwell and John and Frances took him into the house, found him a comfortable bed and looked after him. Chris remembers the beauty of the rectory setting, although he says it wasn’t that peaceful, with the sheep baaing all the time! His memories of John are of a man who was always full of enthusiasm and ever ready to encourage.

John and Frances were “old school” and I don’t think they make them like that now! They have been very kind to our family over the years, remaining friendly and welcoming all the time. Nick remembers them inviting him to bring the Canadian lad we had staying with us and taking us all out for a meal. Chris set up a recording of Icklesham bells for John for the Millennium. It proved so popular, people became interested in restoring the bells for proper use. It would certainly be a fitting memorial for John.

To quote from something said at John’s funeral, “I think he was the nicest person I ever met.”

May he rest in peace and rise in glory

Jean Kimber

A photograph of John can be seen on the Rectors’ Page.

Appeal of Bells

Last year Peter and Joan Davalle came to our church to entertain us with an evening of "Nostalgia". This was well-received by the audience of 75 and raised nearly £400 for the Tower and Bells Fund.

Peter and Joan are delighted to return again this year to present another show for us and have once again generously agreed to give all the proceeds to the Tower and Bells Fund.

It will be a brand new show written especially for us and never seen before. They have given it the title of "Appeal of Bells" as each section will touch on the theme of bells and contain songs, prose and poetry. Although mostly written by Peter, the show will also include a poem written by one of our bell ringers and, last but not least, additional work by John Betjeman.

This should prove an evening to remember, so put 7.30 pm on 2 October in your diary NOW. Tickets will be £6 for the two hour show, and will include interval refreshments of wine, soft drinks, sandwiches, etc supplied to their usual high standard by the ringers.

Stan Coleman

From the registers

Baptisms

August 7 Lucy Ann Edwards of 41 Thicket Crescent, Sutton

Billy George Reed of 18a Guy Road, Wallington

Joseph Anthony Vincent Battista of 44 Mullards Close, Hackbridge

August 8 Oliver Michael Bowes Dixon of 19 Kenny Drive, Carshalton

Reggie V-J Kember of 36 Aldwick Road, Beddington

Erin Kay Trimnell of 54 Gordon Road, Carshalton Beeches

Isabelle Katie Ernstzen of 25 Allington Grove, Wallington

Weddings

July 31 Peter Ian Dick and Katherine Anne Lovelock of 42 Eshton Road, Eastbourne, Sussex

In Darwin's Footsteps (Part 2)

Following on from where we left off last month, we join Pam as she leaves Ecuador and heads for the Galapagos Islands…

On the Monday, we were off to the Galapagos Islands. Two flights took us to San Cristobal where we boarded our yacht, “Deep Blue”

Sea lions abound and, as in Antarctica, the animals and birds have no fear and pose wonderfully. The islands are strictly monitored. Visits can be made only accompanied by a guide and marked paths must be kept to. Nothing may be taken (except photos) and only footsteps must be left. The islands are all volcanic and are very gradually being moved from west to east by the movement of the underlying tectonic plates. Lava lizards, Black Marine Iguanas, Sally Lightfoot Crabs and Frigate birds set the cameras going.

Each day we rose at 6 am, went out between 7 and 10 am and then again at 2 pm. In between outings we lunched and lounged on the boat, thus avoiding the worst of the heat. We visited a different island each day in the dinghy. Sailing was done at night so that we were ready for the next island in the morning. We all got used to the engine and the rocking and nobody was ill, although several relied on bracelets to ward off sea sickness.

Our next port of call was the west side of Espaňola - one of the oldest islands at some 3 ½ million years old. Here the Waved Albatrosses were wonderful and although I had seen the Wandering and Black Browed in Antarctica, these just sat on the beach posing for us. We were fortunate to see the Galapagos Hawk. The mocking birds are very tame and sometimes land on people’s heads. On the north side of Espanola were more sea lions, Marine Iguanas, Galapagos Doves, Blue Footed Boobies and Masked or Naskar Boobies. We also watched a blow hole shooting water many metres into the air.

Floreana Island was next for Greater Flamingos, Black Necked Stilts, White Cheeked Pintail Ducks and a Great Blue Heron which I alone saw. The “Post Office” there is a large wooden barrel, originally used by passing 18th century whalers but now by tourists. We looked through the barrel for any cards destined for Wallington, but our search was in vain.

Yellow Crowned Night Herons were in evidence, and Ghost Crabs which disappear down holes in the sand. A whole school of dolphins swam with the ship whilst Frigate birds were attracted to the boat by the staff throwing scraps and flew round while camera clicked. A whole school of dolphins swam with the ship.

Thursday: Santa Cruz for the Darwin Research Station. This island is the most inhabited with some 12,000 residents. After the attack on Pearl Harbour in World War II, it was used as a military base to protect the Panama Canal. Here the giant prickly pear cactus plants attract both Cactus Finches and tortoises. The Research Station was built on the centenary of the publication of Darwin’s “Origin of Species” and many researchers work there. There is much concern about the disappearance of indigent species due not only to imported rats and goats but, of course, humans. Sailors of old took many tortoises on board ship, keeping them upside down as a source of fresh food.

We were shown the different species of tortoise and told how they developed according to where they found food. For instance, some needed long necks and therefore developed a split in the front of their shell. Saddlebacks and dome shaped are the two main divisions. Why did they grow so big? Because there is no competition, plenty of food, no enemies and bigger bodies retain more heat, especially with the protection of the shell. Poor George is the only one of his species. A huge reward awaits anybody who finds a female. He has so far failed to breed with other females.

We walked through the village and then drove to a farm where wild giant tortoises live. The farm hands take groups round at $3 a head.

Friday: the west side of James Island. We viewed the Isabella shield shape of volcanoes from here. More Sally Lightfoot Crabs, a Lava Heron catching crabs, American oyster catchers, Yellow Crowned Night Heron and Ruddy Turnstones. Sailing round the island we found a few penguins, the second smallest in the world. The idea then was to climb 370 steps to get a wonderful view over the islands. I, however, enjoyed a peaceful view of the beach from the base! We watched finches taking insects off the iguanas; apparently they also help when the iguanas moult by pulling off pieces of skin. A young sea lion on the rocks proved a superb model.

Saturday: more steps but, with some kind sole carrying my rucksack, I coped. It was all worthwhile to see Red Footed Boobies and Frigate birds performing. The male Frigate birds sit together displaying their large red pouches to attract passing females. Boobies court by displaying their colourful legs and there were many courting displays observed. At Henovisa we watched the Red Footed Boobies and saw sea turtles swimming.

South Seymour next for the magnificent Frigate bird with black necks and white breasts. Here we found that Land Iguanas were far more colourful than the marine variety.

Sadly it was our last day and we reluctantly packed for home. Collections were made for our excellent guide and the crew. The journey was long, especially with a six hour wait at Miami, but it was worth it for such a wonderful holiday.

Pam Vernon

Harvest Thanksgiving

The theme for our Harvest Thanksgiving this year is 'Generosity'. Our Lord is very generous to us, he gives us help and support and the strength to face whatever life confronts us with as long as we remember to listen to him. He sent us his son to show us The Way, The Truth and The Light. Jesus was very generous with his time, his teaching, his acceptance of all the people he met and he went to his painful death so that our sins would be forgiven, when we ask. The generosity continues with the Holy Spirit always being here with us.

At St Mary's we give thanks for the generosity of the many people who have gone before us; for the gifts they have shared so that we have inherited our special building and for the many examples of Christian loving and giving over hundreds of years. We also give thanks for the generosity of the people of St Mary's today; for the time given to show each other and the wider world God's love, for the skills used in caring, teaching and building and the sacrificial giving making it possible to run the parish church, maintain it and enhance it.

May we be generous to our neighbours this year in our gifts for Welcare and Nightwatch. There is material in the book racks from both organisations who continue to need our support as they seek to help others. Nightwatch needs TINS of soup (packets are good for the mice!), and tins of sandwich fillings; any money we send will be used to buy toiletries and essential clothes from generous retailers (Nightwatch doesn't have room to store clothes). Welcare needs tea, coffee, squash and biscuits, and any money we give will be used to replenish their stocks later in the year.

Heather Cosgrove

Know Your Saints …

Gregory the Great - 3 September

Pope Gregory never called himself 'the Great', but instead 'the Servant of the Servants of God'. Nevertheless, Gregory was one of the most important popes and influential writers of the Middle Ages. The son of a very rich Roman senator, he left the service of the State upon his conversion as a young man. Gregory then sold off his tremendous estates to found six monasteries in Sicily and a seventh in Rome, and gave generously to the poor. He became a monk and adopted an austere lifestyle. But he was destined to be a frustrated monk, because successive popes kept appointing him to jobs with major public responsibilities.

Christians in England owe him a great deal. When Gregory came across some English slaves for sale in Rome, he asked who they were, and was told, "They are Angles." Moved with compassion for these humiliated and despised men, he replied, "They are not Angles, but angels!" He wanted to lead a band of missionaries to England to evangelise the Angles, but then plague broke out in Italy and it was during this time that he was elected Pope. Reluctantly he accepted, and then set to work to deal with the crises facing Christendom: plague, floods, famine, and a Lombard invasion. But busy though Gregory was, he did not forget the Angles. He sent Augustine to England, and so became the apostle of the English.

Martyrs of Korea - 20 September

Korea is known for its thriving Christian church. But it was not always so - in fact no Korean was baptised until as late as 1784. Christianity arrived in Korea through Christian books sent from China, and the Koreans responded warmly as soon as they heard the Good News. A Chinese priest who visited in 1794 found 4,000 Christians. This despite hard times: the Chinese priest was killed in 1801, and the Koreans were left without a priest for 30 years. Pius VII sent a bishop, Laurence Imbert, who arrived in disguise in 1837, who worked with two other priests of the same Paris Missionary Society. Christianity was strictly forbidden by this time, and so the missionaries worked in complete secrecy, rising at 2.30 am and ministering at unusual times in conditions of extreme poverty.

And the Korean Church grew! Soon there were 9,000 Christians, who could not remain secret for ever. Violent persecution broke out, and the three French priests allowed themselves to be taken, in order to avert massacre and apostasy. They were beheaded at Seoul on 21 September 1839. 78 Korean Christians died in the same persecution, among them Agatha Kim and John Ri. The first Korean priest to be martyred was Andrew Kim, in 1846. These shining Christians of the Korean Church were beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1984.

Extracts from The Mothers' Union Report

The Mothers' Union is now active in 74 countries with over 3 million members. Over the past few years our Literacy and Development Programme in Burundi and Malawi has shown that women and girls taught to be literate and numerate make a real difference in the community in which they live. Their lives are truly changed by the programme and they can take their proper place in life, confident that their family and other families in their community will benefit from the opportunities extended to them.

The programme has now enabled over 8,000 women, girls and men to become literate and numerate. Funding from Comic Relief to provide three quarters of the finances needed to run the programme was dependent on the results and recommendations of this evaluation. They are now funding it for the next five years.

The MU Parenting Programme continues to train members to facilitate parenting groups. There are now 291 MU facilitators working in 56 dioceses across the UK and Ireland, making a huge impact in the way people approach their parenting. The trained facilitators aim to create a relaxed atmosphere in which parents can share and recognise that bringing up children is a challenging but worthwhile job.

During 2003, 11 women and men from Kenya, Rwanda, Jamaica, Guyana, India and Uganda attended a parenting training course in the UK and are now running groups.

In the UK and Ireland, MU members work in over 80 prisons, 27 contact centres and a range of other projects. The 'Away from it All' scheme this year allowed 558 adults and 897 children to have a well-deserved break.

For 'The Year of the Family', and following a talk by Sue Peak about the work of the Springfield Centre in Clapham, we invited a group from there to St. Mary's on Wednesday, 18 August. Nine children came along to enjoy games in the park and in the Centre, followed by tea. Each child was given a gift and a book to take home. We hope to repeat the event, next time with a possible visit to the Wildlife Hospital in Beddington Park.

Some of us will be attending Southwark Cathedral Family Day on October 30th.

Sky at night

The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage.

Alpha campaign

Alpha, the Christian initiation course based at Holy Trinity Brompton, is planning a poster campaign on 1500 sites and the backs of 3000 buses in September. More than 1.6 million people in the UK are said to have completed an Alpha course since it started in 1992.

PCC Notes

At its meeting on 19 July the PCC agreed that, although the work on the bell frame was still being delayed, once we have faculty approval for the rewiring of the tower and vestry it would be sensible to proceed with that rewiring insofar as is possible.

We received a progress report on the Tower and Bells project. Negotiations with English Heritage and the Chancellor are continuing and, despite frustrations and complications caused by the delay, agreement is still being actively pursued.

It was reported that a disability awareness training session has been arranged for Saturday, 11 September, 1.30–3.30 pm, which will be open to everyone. [We have subsequently been notified that this workshop has been postponed.]

A number of health and safety issues concerning the Parish Centre were considered. It was agreed that smoke alarms should be installed. The top room needs to be cleared of unwanted items and tidied (this would be done towards the end of August). All users of the centre are to be reminded of their obligation to launder and return tea towels and to leave the Centre as they would wish to find it.

Cassie informed us that a recent substantial donation means that most of the outstanding mortgage can now be paid off. She encouraged us to aim to pay off all of the mortgage as soon as possible so that the remaining fund-raising events this year can be directed towards paying for the shopping list and any other necessary bills. The PCC expressed immense gratitude towards our anonymous benefactor.

As Child Protection Officer, Heather brought to our attention the procedure for checking disclosures which will be operated by the Diocesan Umbrella Body for Child Protection and the Criminal Records Bureau. The PCC ratified this policy. There will be further information in due course.

Selwyn informed us that the diocese now has access to computerised records of parish boundaries, revealing that St Mary’s Court, in the parish of Wallington, is actually a part of the parish of Beddington (!) . We looked at a breakdown of 2001 census figures, which show that our congregation is not representative of our parish population. Selwyn urged us to use this data when we consider our Mission Statement. It was suggested that we should compare ourselves with a similar parish, taking into account the fact that a significant proportion of our congregation is not resident in our parish.

Pam Akhurst

Secretary to PCC

Ecumenics of a crisis

During a recent ecumenical gathering, a secretary rushed in shouting, "The building is on fire!"

The Methodists gathered in the corner and prayed.

The Baptists cried, "Where's the water?"

The Anglicans formed a procession and marched out.

The Quakers quietly praised God for the blessings that fire brings.

The Lutherans posted a notice on the door declaring the fire was evil.

The Roman Catholics passed the plate to cover the damage.

The Jews posted symbols on the door hoping the fire would pass over.

The Congregationalists shouted, "Every man for himself!"

The Fundamentalists proclaimed, "It's the vengeance of God!"

The Charismatics praised God for another falling of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian Scientists concluded that, actually, there was no fire.

The Presbyterians appointed a chairperson who was to appoint a committee to look into the matter and submit a written report.

The secretary grabbed the fire extinguisher and put the fire out.

How well do you know St Mary's?

Hope you are all looking around carefully. The quiz on Saturday, 23 October is approaching - so get ready to air your knowledge of our splendid church building

Kevin Winstone

These you have loved too (two)

The first of these evenings in February provided an evening of musical entertainment of great breadth from the world of classical music. This second evening was as eclectic a mix, not so much from a historical perspective since most, if not all, the choices were from the eighteenth century onwards but because the music came from very varied backgrounds: folk song arrangements, grand opera, salon music and the cinema. There was music for amusement and entertainment and music which was written to express profound religious thought or of great emotional weight. It was also interesting to hear how the music chosen had come into the chooser’s life and why it was appropriate for an evening such as this.

It is clear that many people met some of the pieces for the first time and were appreciative of this opportunity to broaden their acquaintance of music.

There is sure to be another of these evenings – make your choice and bring it along and prepare at the same time hear some new works and some old favourites.

Mention should also be made of Pat Kingsbury’s cold collation which was much appreciated and of which not much more than a few crumbs were left.

Those who attended were grateful to Selwyn and Cassie for the organisation of the event

Kevin Winstone

'Premier' now nationwide

Premier Christian Radio station has been allocated a channel on the free-to-air digital service Freeview. This means that Premier will soon be available in homes nationwide.

Anyone with a Freeview set-top box, or an integrated digital television (IDTV) will soon be able to receive the service through a television set.

The station hopes to begin broadcasting on Freeview as early as September.

Pam.Vernon

It's a funny old world

Funny how we set our clocks to arise at 6.00 am so we can be at work by 8.00 am,

but on Sundays we can't make church for 11.00 am to praise the one who gave us the jobs!

Funny how we call God our Father and Jesus our brother,

but find it hard to introduce them to the rest of our family.

Funny how much difficulty some have learning the Gospel well enough to tell others,

but how simple it is to understand and explain the latest gossip about someone else.

Funny how small our sins seem,

but how big 'their' sins are.

Funny how we demand justice for others,

but expect mercy from God for ourselves.

Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray,

but don't have any difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

Funny how we are so quick to take directions from a total stranger when we are lost,
but are hesitant to take God's direction for our lives.

Funny how people want God to answer their prayers,
but refuse to listen to his counsel.

Funny how we sing about heaven,
but live only for today.

Funny how people think they are going to Heaven
but don't think there is a Hell.

Funny how it is okay to blame God for evil and suffering in the world,
but it is not necessary to thank him for what is good and pleasant.

Funny how when something goes wrong, we cry, "Lord, why me?"
but when something goes right, we think, "Hey, it must be me!"

Oh, wait...maybe all this isn't so 'funny' after all.

It is easier for the generous to forgive, than for the offender to ask forgiveness. Thompson

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