St Marys Church Parish Magazine November 2004

 

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Advance dates for your diary:

Whats On In November?

Saints in November

Readings for Sundays in November

Music at Evensong in November

As if we didn't have enough to do...

Christingle

Journey Down Under ..

Christmas Dinner Is On Us!

Free At Last!

A letter from Frances Read

Poppy Appeal time

Daily prayer topics in November

The Leprosy Mission

Wasps

A'pealing!

The Year of the Family

PCC Notes

Hand-written on the wall of Mother Theresas room

Good news for Choristers and Congregations

From the registers

Baptisms

Weddings

Funerals

London Bridges Walk

How well do you know St Marys?

Know Your Saints

Andrew the Apostle - 30 November

 

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On Tuesday, 2 November we will celebrate All Souls Day. There will as usual be a list in church on the table under the tower for you to add the names of any departed loved ones, especially those who have died in the past year, to be included in the commemoration at the Eucharist at 7.30 pm. The choir will sing the Eucharist music to the Messe Basse by Gabriel Faur.

 

On Wednesday 10, Friday 12 and Saturday 13th see The Shakespeare Revue performed by members of Imperial Opera at the New Arch Theatre under Waterloo Station. Directed by Cassie, with Selwyn at the piano. If anyone missed the details in last month's magazine, they can catch up here.

 

A final reminder that our monthly Baptism Sundays now have a new look. Any Baptisms not happening during the 9:30 Sung Eucharist take place at 11:30 am on a convenient Sunday in the month, and no longer at 3 pm in the afternoon. The change of time has been 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 baptised, and to give their parents and friends a very public sign of the churchs 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. This months baptisms take place on Sunday 14th at 11:30 am, and it would be good to see a large number of regulars staying on to get used to the new service.

 

The memorial service for the late Revd John Read, Rector at St Marys from 1961 to 1978, will take place on Saturday, 20 November at 2:30 pm. Full details will be in the weekly Notices as the event gets nearer.

 

At 4 pm on 23 November there will be a special service, organised by the Mothers Union and with members from all over the deanery attending, to mark the Year of the Family.

 

Well, we tried . . . to find another play for St Marys PROs to read, stage and costume on Saturday 27th. Sadly, both Selwyn and Cassie have a ridiculously busy autumn, and another brave director who might have taken on organising the event realised just in time that he was also directing a real play in Caterham not very long beforehand. However, if there isnt time for PROs then at least there can be time for Prose and instead of a play there will be another of our ever-popular evenings of prose and poetry. This will happen, as planned, on Saturday 27th, in the Centre, beginning at 7:30 pm. There will be a Geographical Theme, following the amazing success of the choirs musical tour of the British Isles last autumn, and of course there will as usual be supper (chilli or a veggie alternative) in the interval. Your tour guides will be a strong and experienced team of readers, consisting of Ian Akhurst, Sue Ardley, Eileen England, Cassie & Selwyn Tillett and Reg Willis. Tickets will shortly be available, at 6 (2 students). Watch the Notices for any further developments, and dont miss this last burst of frivolity before Advent sets in!

 

The Advent Carol Service at 6.30 pm on Sunday 28th, replaces our usual Evensong.

 

Tuesday, 30 November is St Andrew's Day and there will be an additional Eucharist celebrated at 9.30 am

Advance dates for your diary:

 

Saturday, 4 December: join in the fun of our annual Christmas Fair with its renowned selection of stalls and all sorts of goodies.

 

There will be a guest president and preacher (name to be advised later) on the morning of Sunday 5th. On that day Selwyn and Cassie will be returning from the last performances of The Shakespeare Revue, taking place the previous day in Budleigh Salterton . . .

 

. . .and on the evening of the 5th there will be no Evensong at St Marys. Churches Together hosts its annual united service for Advent, this year taking place at Wallington United Reformed Church at 6:30 pm.

 

Now well into the run-up to Christmas, don't miss the Christingle service at 4 pm on Sunday, 12 December, and the Family Carol and Crib Service at 6 pm on Christmas Eve.

 

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Whats On In November?

 

Mon

1

Magazine Panel meets at 35 Vanguard Way

6.00 pm

 

 

Bible Discussion Group meets at 24 St George's Road

8.00 pm

Tue

2

All Souls Day. Choral Eucharist

7.30 pm

Wed

3

St Mary's Guild meets to enjoy 'Desert Island Discs' with Selwyn & Jackie

2.30 pm

Thu

4

MU&OG. Pam Vernon will give a talk on William Morris

8.00 pm

SUN

7

THIRD BEFORE ADVENT

 

Mon

8

Centre Committee meets at 19 Redford Avenue

8.15 pm

Tue

9

Bible Discussion Group meets at 24 St George's Road

8.00 pm

SUN

14

SECOND BEFORE ADVENT (Remembrance Sunday)

 

 

 

Baptisms in Church

11.30 am

Mon

15

PCC meeting. Church Centre

8.00 pm

Tue

16

Bible Discussion Group meets at 24 St George's Road

8.00 pm

Wed

17

MU Corporate Eucharist

10.00 am

Thu

18

MU&OG. Movement to Music with Elizabeth Duncan

8.00 pm

Sat

20

Memorial Service for the late Rev'd John Read

2.30 pm

SUN

21

CHRIST THE KING

 

Mon

22

Social Committee meets at 2 Caraway Place

8.00 pm

 

 

Bible Discussion Group meets at 24 St George's Road

8.00 pm

Tue

23

MU 'Year of the Family' Service

4.00 pm

 

 

Churches Together. St Elpheges

7.45 pm

Sat

27

Poetry & Prose Evening in aid of Church Funds. Centre.

7.30 pm

SUN

28

ADVENT SUNDAY Advent Carol Service

6.30 pm

Tue

30

St Andrew. Eucharist

9.30 am

 

 

Bible Discussion Group meets at 24 St George's Road

8.00 pm

 

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Saints in November

Tue 2 Commemoration of the Faithful Departed

Wed 3 Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher, 1600

Mon 8 Saints and Martyrs of England

Wed 10 Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher, 461

Sat 13 Charles Simeon, Priest, Evangelical Divine, 1836

Tue 16 Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Philanthropist, Reformer of the Church, 1093

Wed 17 Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200

Fri 19 Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680

Sat 20 Edmund, King of the Angles, Martyr, 870

Mon 22 Cecilia, Martyr of Rome, Patron of Music, c230

Tue 23 Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c100

Tue 30 Andrew the Apostle (see 'Know Your Saints')

 

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Readings for Sundays in November

 

Sunday, 7 Nov

Third before Advent

Job 19: 23-27a Page 1045

2 Thessalonians 2: 1-5, 13-17 Page 1046

Luke 20: 27-38 Page 1047

 

Sunday, 14 Nov

Second before Advent

(Remembrance Sunday)

Malachi 4: 1-2a Page 1050

2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13 Page 1052

Luke 21: 5-19 Page 1052

 

Sunday, 21 Nov

Christ the King

Jeremiah 23: 1-6 Page 1054

Colossians 1: 11-20 Page 1057

Luke 23: 33-43 Page 1058

 

Sunday, 28 Nov

Advent Sunday

Isaiah 2: 1-5 Page 1

Romans 13: 11-14 Page 2

Matthew 24: 36-44 Page 3

 

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Music at Evensong in November

 

Sunday, 7 November

Canticles: Archer in D

Anthem: And Now Another Day Is Gone - Blake

 

Sunday, 14 November

Canticles: Morley Fauxbordon

Anthem: Mine Eyes For Beauty Pine - Howells

 

Sunday, 21 November

Canticles: Murrill in E

Anthem: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Bairstow

 

Sunday, 28 November

Advent Carol Service

 

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As if we didn't have enough to do...

Cassie and Selwyn have somehow found themselves jointly directing a production of The Shakespeare Revue, presented by Imperial Opera (the society that has the dubious responsibility for them meeting in the first place!).

 

The show was originally put together by members of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1994. It was first produced at the Barbican, and afterwards in the West End and on a long successful tour in the UK and the States. Its a totally unserious look at the world of Shakespeare, his plays and their actors, done in a traditional revue format of songs and sketches, with extracts from musicals, plays, comic novels, Music Hall numbers, Cambridge Footlights, and quite a number of new items written specifically for the show. The selection of authors includes Stephen Fry, Victoria Wood, Maureen Lipman, Alan Bennett, Richmal Crompton, with some bits of actual Shakespeare thrown in; composers include Cole Porter, Sandy Wilson, Fascinating Aida and Stephen Sondheim.

 

St Mary's folk will recognise a couple of the performers from Chimes concerts: Melanie Short and Ellis C Pike both take part, together with Alan Doherty, Sarah Humphreys, Claire Lapworth and David Phipps-Davis (London only).

 

London performances: Wednesday 10, Thursday 11 and Saturday 13 November at the New Arch Theatre, Waterloo. Tickets will shortly be available - watch the weekly notice sheets for details. The show is also being performed on Saturday, 4 December 2004 in The Public Hall, Budleigh Salterton, Devon; it's a long-standing and incomprehensible Imperial Opera tradition that takes us to the seaside to set up, rehearse and perform in one day!

 

Cassie

 

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Christingle

 

I think Christmas begins at St Marys with the Christingle & Toy Service. This year it will be held on Sunday, 12th December at 4 pm. If you have not been to a Christingle service, maybe this year you could experience the special wonder of a dimly lit church with lots of children in a circle holding their Christingles with the candles burning and all singing 'Away in a Manger.'

 

The retiring collection at this service will be given to The Children's Society, to be used in their work with children who have run away from home. Many of the runaways are trying to escape from people abusing them. The Children's Society finds them places to stay - before they are led into crime just to survive - and helps them sort out a more permanent place to live.

 

You are invited to bring presents to this service: good toys that are no longer needed. The toys should be wrapped and labelled with the age and sex of a suitable recipient. They will be delivered to a local organisation that will make sure they go to children whose lives are so disrupted they will not receive presents from family and friends.

Do I hear you ask What is a Christingle? You will find the answer if you come to the service. If you would like to make a donation to The Childrens Society there will be special envelopes in church from the end of November, the contents of which will be added to the collection.

 

Emma Thompson, our Children's Society representative, will be pleased to accept money towards the cost of the oranges used in making the Christingles

 

Heather

 

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Journey Down Under ..

 

After years of promising my Aussie brother that I would visit him one day, I arrived in Brisbane at 6.25 am on 14 September. The Boeing 747 on which I was travelling approached Brisbane at about 6 am, just as the sun was rising. The horizon was dark brown, topped by a border of bright orange, then a line of pale blue, darkening into deep indigo. It was amazing - just as if an artist had got a brush and splashed across the sky these wonderful lines of colour.

 

My brother was waiting for me and as we came out of the airport the sun was shining brightly and the air was surprisingly cool, refreshingly so after travelling for over 20 hours.

 

The contrast between the English and the Queensland scenery was immediately apparent. There were many wood-built houses, lots of bungalows with spacious gardens set well back from the road, and every now and again we saw a typical Queenslander house. Brisbane has many fine examples of the state's unique housing style designed to lessen the effects of cyclones and humid summers. These timber houses sit high above the ground on tin-capped hardwood stumps. High ceilings and deep verandahs help cool the interior, while hallways and windows channel breezes. My brother's house was of the bungalow type, but it was amazingly cool inside without the aid of air-conditioning.

 

The trees too are different, many are much taller than their English counterparts. My brother's garden had a very tall Eucalyptus tree and a palm tree towering up to the sky. One afternoon while sitting on the verandah one of the fronds from the palm tree fell down with a crash, it was huge and very heavy. It would be a definite health hazard to sit under such a tree! A large Leopard Tree grew just outside the front garden and shed hundreds of seed pods like flattened horse chestnuts. There was also a flowering tree with brilliant yellow flowers on it, but no leaves - they come later. The most prolific flowering tree in Brisbane is the Jacaranda. Each Spring city parks and suburban gardens blaze with the intense lilac colour of Jacaranda flowers, as well as magnificent displays of Bourganvillias and other flowering shrubs.

 

The birds too were a source of great fascination. In the garden was a large Bottle-brush bush which attracted the Rainbow Lorikeets. These birds, like their name suggests, sport every colour in the rainbow: brilliant blue head; red, orange and yellow breasts; green, blue and yellow wings. Parrots and budgerigars flew around, as did Cockatoos, Kookaburras and Galahs. Galahs are bright pink from the throat downwards, with white crest, back and wing feathers. When crossing the Brisbane River we saw a large number of Pelicans, one of which seemed to be trying to race our car. These were all so gorgeous, but the bird I most warmed to was the Magpie. Yes, the Magpie! Looking very similar to our native bird, but so different in that they have outstanding choral talents: they gather in family parties and carol to greet the dawn. It is an unusual and enchanting sound. They are quite tame too and will even sing to encourage you to feed them when having a picnic.

 

Of course, I did see the well-known Australian animals - the kangaroos, wallabies, koala bears, wombats and the dingoes. And I had the dubious privilege of seeing Steve Irwin performing his usual antics with the crocodiles at the Australian Zoo Brisbane.

 

After Brisbane I visited Bendigo in Victoria. The scenery was quite different again, cooler and greener with many English trees. The oaks, beech and weeping willows seem to thrive in spite of the fact there was a drought and no water in the creeks. Bendigo was a large goldmining town and the evidence was everywhere with the ground churned up into deep mounds and pits where the prospectors had been mining.

 

Bendigo is home to a Chinese Dragon Museum and I was fascinated by the 100 metre long dragon, named Sun Loong, whose head is over 2 metres high and weighs 29 kgs. His body is covered with 6,000 scales, each scale trimmed with white rabbit fur and decorated with 23 tiny hand-cut mirrors - of which there are more than 90,000 over his whole body. Every year at Easter, Sun Loong is processed through the streets of Bendigo by the 115 people or so needed to carry him - one man carries the huge head, but he needs five relief carriers on the way.

 

Also, while in Bendigo, I visited the beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, the last cathedral of Gothic design to be built (so I was informed).

 

There is so much I could tell you about Australia, but space does not permit. The holiday was well worth the long journey and I have returned with many happy memories. It is nice to go travelling, but it is also nice to come Home.

 

Jenifer Davison

 

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Christmas Dinner Is On Us!

 

Churches Together are once again holding their Christmas Day lunch, this year at Wallington URC.

 

We don't need to ask for any money this year, but Nectar vouchers would be welcomed (please sign the backs). Helpers will be needed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is a wonderfully happy occasion and people who come to help once often cannot wait to come again.

If you know anybody who would like to come as a guest, we shall be taking names later in the year. Pam Vernon will have details.

 

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Free At Last!

 

We were able to announce as Stop Press news in last months magazine that the mortgage outstanding on the church Centre had at last been paid off. I gladly paid tribute, at Harvest Thanksgiving, to all those who over the last ten years have given of their time, their skill, their work, their leisure, their money and themselves, in response to the generosity of God and to ensure that the initial loan (in excess of 101,000) could be steadily reduced. Cassie and I spent an evening trying to list all the events through which that huge amount has been whittled down, since the days when the PCC managed to pay off the interest on the loan every year but saw no way of reducing the capital sum. We gave up because the number of events and projects has been huge but here is a list of just the main ones. How many of them do you remember?

 

Concerts given by the Albinoni string orchestra, the Bandon Hill singers, our own choir, Chimes Musical Theatre, the Coloma Singers, St Philomenas choir, and specialists in Russian orthodox church music.

 

Parties and other mainly social events through which we have not only drawn nearer to our ultimate financial goal but lasting friendships have been made and the fellowship of the whole church community has been immeasurably strengthened such as an alternative Burns Night (not a haggis in sight), annual pancake parties on Shrove Tuesday, an alternative fireworks party (with edible bangers), a multi-cultural Harvest Supper; evenings of Pudding & Plonk at Gerrie and Eileen Englands, Sunday lunchtimes of sausages & Sangria at Anne & Alan Mays; several evenings of poetry, prose and supper in the Centre, and four staged and costumed play-readings (through which people have discovered huge theatrical talents they never knew they possessed).

 

Miscellaneous, I suppose, best describes other events several years of enormously successful Christmas Fairs; a Grand Tour of the British Isles in hymn-tunes, led by the choir; a car treasure-hunt; two dog shows (they never told me, at theological college, that Id have to spend the hottest day of one year dressed as a Dalmatian); silent auctions, jumble sales, Flower Festivals and the Yellow Pages scheme.

 

All this still does not take account of the wonderful gesture of support some years ago by the Diocesan Board of Finance, aware that we were working as hard as we could to raise the money; they transferred a substantial part of the original loan from interest-bearing to interest-free, and converted another part of it into an outright grant. And finally but not least, we could not have done it without a multitude of personal and private donations ranging from the small to the hugely generous. The list is overwhelming.

 

It might be interesting to see, in round figures, how the mortgage has diminished over the years from its original 101,000 at the end of 1997. By the end of 1998 it had reduced to 87,000; by 1999 to 68,000; by 2000 to 38,000; by 2001 to 25,000; by 2002 to 13,000; by 2003 to 10,000 (even while we were raising an additional sum for the new lighting) finally to be paid off by September 2004. And even after we have taken account of diocesan help and a one-off rebate of 8,500 from the gas board, nearly three-quarters of the initial figure of 101,000, that is 72,000, has been found exclusively by the churchs own fund-raising that is, by YOU! Just to say thank you seems inadequate.

 

As I said at Harvest, I am convinced that this superb effort has not happened only because people have been aware that there was a huge bill to pay. People have been astonishingly generous because so is God, and this has been a very real and a very positive response to Him as well as to our immediate need. The needs and the tasks ahead of us are going to be different now, but Gods generosity and inspiration will be equal to them too. May our response go on being as generous in return.

 

Selwyn Tillett

 

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A letter from Frances Read

 

Dear Friends

 

What a lovely surprise to receive beautiful flowers from Guernsey last week - all so fresh, and enough to fill three vases. Thank you all so much.

 

We have had so many loving letters and cards since John died. They have brought back happy memories of our years at St Mary's. We were very touched to have friends from Beddington joining us for John's Thanksgiving Service.

 

John had slowed down this year, but was still in good form, interested in everyone and everything. On his last weekend we were at the celebration of 25 years of our local sheltered housing, and on the Sunday afternoon at the Brede Waterworks Centenary to see the huge steam pumping engines in action. A good weekend. So as a family we have so much to be thankful for.

 

We do appreciate Selwyn's generous suggestion for a Memorial Service for John, and look forward to seeing old friends there.

 

Affectionately,

 

Frances and family

 

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Poppy Appeal time

 

The Royal British Legion continues its vital work providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants. Currently, nearly 11 million people are eligible for their support and the charity receives around 300,000 calls for help every year.

 

The Legion was founded in 1921 as a voice for the ex-service community. Today it has 550,000 members. British service people are in action around the world every day of the year. They know that if they need our support - now or in the future - the Legion is always on active duty for them.

 

Last year alone, the Royal British Legion spent more than 54 million carrying out its welfare work among the ex-service community. This was largely funded by the kind donations and fundraising efforts of its supporters.

 

As peace is of all goodness, so war is an emblem, a hieroglyphic, of all misery.

- John Donne (1622)

 

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Daily prayer topics in November

 

Mon 1 The newly baptised and confirmed

Tue 2 All the faithful departed

Wed 3 Children born with HIV and those who have been orphaned

Thu 4 That we may use our gifts for the benefit of others

Fri 5 Safety of all who attend firework parties

Sat 6 All who work in commerce, financiers, bankers and accountants

Sun 7 The men and women of the armed forces keeping peace

Mon 8 Our PCC meeting tonight

Tue 9 All who have lost their homes through debt or disaster

Wed 10 All whose marriages or families are breaking down

Thu 11 All who are disillusioned, discouraged or despairing

Fri 12 The chronically ill and the dying

Sat 13 Our loved ones in their need

Sun 14 Remembrance of all who have given their lives in service of their country

Mon 15 That our faith may be strengthened in times of trouble

Tue 16 Areas where churches are destroyed, vandalised or robbed

Wed 17 Lincoln Cathedral, Dean and Chapter

Thu 18 All priests and pastors at risk

Fri 19 St Hilda's Priory, Whitby

Sat 20 Peacekeepers and maintainers of the law

Sun 21 Thanksgiving for Christ's rule in our hearts

Mon 22 All musicians, composers and conductors

Tue 23 Our local prisons, inmates, wardens and chaplains

Wed 24 Our local clergy fraternity

Thu 25 That terrorism may cease and problems be resolved through dialogue

Fri 26 That Christ may rule in our homes and in our relationships

Sat 27 Playwrights, actors and our local theatres

Sun 28 That we may be watchful and faithful as we await the second coming of our Lord

Mon 29 That God's Kingdom may come on earth

Tue 30 Our link diocese in Zimbabwe

 

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The Leprosy Mission

At the 9.30 am service on 10 October, we were joined not only by the Guides and Brownies, but by Revd Dr Ray Burnish of The Leprosy Mission, an international Christian charity working in 28 developing countries and caring for around 300,000 people affected by leprosy.

 

At the beginning of his talk he produced a poster-sized picture of the leprosy bacillus and then a large picture of 12 yr old Calcutta boy with early symptoms of the disease, stressing the depression and fear of the future shown in the boy's face. The bacillus attacks the tendons and nerves under the skin, notably those in elbow and knee joints, causing degeneration of the fingers and toes. Dr Burnish also pointed out that, contrary to popular belief, leprosy does not cause these extremities to fall off - the severe contraction caused by leprosy just made it appear so - but total loss of feeling in fingers and toes means they can be easily damaged.

 

The boy was easily curable - 12 sets of tablets - and after 18 months of 4-weekly treatment and some physiotherapy he was fully recovered. To encourage him to come for treatment he was given a bottle of "pop" - any everyday item for us, but an unaffordable luxury for such children: the boy was a factory worker earning the equivalent of 40p a day - some of which he had to send to his village to help the rest of his family.

 

Every year some 700,000 new cases are reported. Money comes to the Mission from all over the world - to see how you can help contact The Leprosy Mission on 01733 370505, or visit their website at www.leprosymission.co.uk

 

Margaret Mansfield

 

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Wasps

NO SOONER had we announced their departure than they were back. WASPS AGAIN. Enough being enough, John the Wasp Man was called in. After searching the organ chamber to the accompaniment of random notes played by the Rector in the (vain) hope of flushing them out once more, John finally tracked them down/up to an obscure spot under the roof tiles.

This time EXEUNT OMNES - CURTAINS!

 

A'pealing!

From London to Paris and back again via Venice, Washington, the bottom of the sea amongst other places, Peter and Joan Davalle certainly took us on a whirlwind journey of discovery into the world of bells and bell ringing during their 'Appeal of Bells' concert. Ringer or non-ringer there was something for everyone: poetry, music, stories, interesting facts, and, of course, the sound of bells both large and small.

 

The evening started with the recorded sound of our own St Mary's bells and we were also treated to two impressive recordings of our hand bell ringers in action performing 'The Bells of St Mary's' and 'Lord of the Dance'. Other recordings of church bells included the famous Bow Bells of St Mary Le Bow and an interesting recording entitled 'Grandsire Doubles' which may have been included to ensure that the ringers present were awake, as the method being rung was not Grandsire!

 

Peter and Joan had obviously been researching material for this special show for a long time and it was intriguing to listen to the large number of interesting facts and anecdotes that they had gathered. One story concerned the collapse in the early 19th century of the famous Campanile of St Marks in Venice. When the dust had settled it was found that the most famous and largest of the bells was completely undamaged, although all the other bells were smashed to pieces. The Pope paid for the rebuilding of the Campanile and recasting of the bells. When rebuilt the Campanile looked exactly as it did before it collapsed.

 

There was an air of consternation at the beginning of the second half when Peter was heard on looking at his script to exclaim Weve got the wrong show! This was obviously a ploy to gain the audience's attention after the very filling refreshments served during the interval.

 

One of the highlights of the second half was Peters convincing impression of Charles Laughtons characterisation of Victor Hugos famous fictional bell ringer Quasimodo, the Hunchback of Notre Dame. It was good to hear a recording from the soundtrack of this old film where Quasimodo is heard showing off his wonderful bells to Esmeralda.

 

There was a range of poetry including John Betjemens 'Called by Bells' and two poems by bell ringers who were present in the audience. The first of these was a very amusing composition by Marion Bell from Limpsfield about the nuisance and dangers of the never-ending task of extricating pigeons and their leavings from the belfry. The second (below) by our own Valerie Coleman must echo the thoughts of many Beddington ringers and ringers in general.

 

The evening was drawn to a close by a moving tribute to our former Ringing Master, Stewart Kimber, and his family who have done much for ringing in Beddington and ringing in general over many years. It was fitting that the final recording of the evening was of the St Marys Beddington bells with four members of the Kimber family in the band ringing together.

 

The ringers would like to thank Peter and Joan Davalle for a very informative and entertaining evening, and everyone who supported this event. We raised 310 towards the rehanging of our bells, which hopefully will finally become a reality early next year.

 

Linda Wood

 

Hundreds of years on the Lords day

Bells have called to praise and pray

On Sunday morning hear the sounds

Of ancient church bells, ringing rounds

Bursting from the tower of stone

Masking all the traffics drone.

 

Dusty belfry, steep cold stairs

On practice night who sees or cares

When ringers pull the sallies bright

And pealing bells ring through the night.

London, Stedman, Grandsire, dodging up and down

Mathematical pattern of Plain Hunt floats above the town.

 

Hear joyful chime of wedding bells

And doleful toll of funeral knells.

The church bells are our English tongue

And endless changes can be rung

From John O'Groats down to Lands End

Our church bells loud, their message send.

 

Valerie Coleman

 

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The Year of the Family

 

2004 was chosen as "The Year of the Family" by the Mothers' Union and several events have been held around the country. At St Mary's we invited children from Clapham along for games and tea. Southwark Cathedral organised a Family Day in October.

 

We in Sutton are holding a service at St Mary's at 4 pm on Tuesday, 23 November to which everybody is welcome. So many people are unaware of all the work carried out by the MU in the world.

 

We are planning an exhibition, hopefully including some work by the children, and we would welcome any pictures, photos, prayers etc. about your family too.

 

Pam Vernon

 

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PCC Notes

 

Our meeting on 8 September opened at 8 pm with prayer.

 

We received reports on the progress of the tower and vestries rewiring and also on the progress of the planned work in the bell tower. We were pleased to hear that English Heritage has now reduced its requirements for the recording of the Victorian bell frame; this should mean that the work may be completed in a shorter time and also at less cost for that part of the project.

 

A detailed report from the fabric committee concerning matters of health and safety and accessibility was presented and discussed. The PCC was pleased to hear from Pat Kingsbury that the floor in the St Nicholas Chapel is crumbling because of old age, not dry rot. The wood will be repaired or replaced and the work should be finished by Christmas. Pierre Delahunty told us that the fire brigade has given us three battery powered fire alarms for use in the Centre but the batteries are not replaceable He will explore other avenues.

 

The Churchyard Committees report began with a reminder that, according to new regulations for the management of churchyards, effective from June 2003, we may no longer inter individual ashes with an individual headstone. (We were allowed to complete a row which had already been started.) The Chancellor advises parishes to set aside a plot within the churchyard as a garden of remembrance in which ashes could be scattered or poured, together with a memorial book in church. The committee had inspected the churchyard and considered that there was adequate space both to continue our present practice and to mark out a garden of remembrance. The PCC agreed with the committees recommendation that we should make a formal request to the Chancellor to do both. Selwyn is to write to the Chancellor with a formal request.

 

Our treasurer, Cassie, reported that our mortgage repayments and our shopping list targets were both up to date, with less than 1000 remaining of the mortgage. (Mortgage now cleared, thank you very much.) Our tax rebates will go into our savings account which should then cover the expenses for the repair of the St Nicholas Chapel floor and the tower and vestries lighting.

 

A working party was set up to discuss the pros and cons of having a parish directory. They will report to the next meeting. At our next meeting, on 15 November, we hope to welcome the new USPG representative, Alison Saunders. She is keen to come and talk to PCCs about a number of new projects which should appeal to children and young people. Our local Guiders will also be invited to attend this meeting.

 

Our meeting closed at 9.20 pm with prayer.

 

Pam Akhurst

Secretary to the PCC

 

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Hand-written on the wall of Mother Theresas room

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centred;

Forgive them anyway.

 

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;

Be kind anyway.

 

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;

Be successful anyway.

 

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

 

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

 

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

 

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

 

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best youve got anyway.

 

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It never was between you and them anyway.

 

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Good news for Choristers and Congregations

Singing is good for your health. It's official. Newspaper reports of the work of scientists in three different countries confirm that singing benefits our minds and bodies as well as being a deeply satisfying way of expressing feelings.

 

From Frankfurt in Germany comes news of studies that show a dramatic improvement in singers' immune systems after only an hour's rehearsal.

 

Two research projects by London University found that singing is only a little less effective than swimming in reducing tension and improving the heart rate - and that it is good exercise for several muscle groups.

 

When members of a 'Seniors' Choir' in the USA were compared with their non-singing neighbours in the same age group - 65 to 96 - it was found they needed less medication and visited the doctor less often.

 

Listening to singing is also beneficial, but naturally not as good as joining in. Coming up to Christmas there will be plenty of opportunities for both at St Mary's. As Selwyn said, if the congregation can sing 'Happy Birthday To You' as well as they did on that important anniversary in October, they will not have any difficulty with anything in the hymn book or our carol repertoire. So, good news for the congregation too.

 

Pat Kingsbury

 

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From the registers

Baptisms

3 October Mason James Sharp of 43 Aldwick Road, Beddington

Weddings

24 September Jonathan Michael Francis Hudson and Rosemarie Anne Franks of 54 Montagu Gardens, Wallington

25 September Robert Anthony Keith Warwick and Tina Hurst of 9 Brookmead Road, Beddington

2 October Alan John Thorne and Elizabeth Rosemary Goddard of 9 Evelyn Way, Wallington

Funerals

15 October Arthur William Kindell, aged 89, of Iberian Avenue, Wallington

 

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London Bridges Walk

On Saturday, 18 September, Oliver and I , together with Grandma, took part in the annual London Bridges Walk in aid of The Children's Society. It was an absolutely fabulous day. The sun was shining and we were all in incredibly good spirits. The atmosphere was electric and there were hundreds of people walking with balloons and huge smiles on their faces.

 

We began our walk at the Tate Modern where the cartoon characters Noddy and Big Ears were there to wave us off. We walked over the Millennium Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and Southwark Bridge. All in all we walked 5 miles and Oliver walked the majority of the way, stopping only to have our picnic and wave at the boats.

 

We raised a total of 491 and next year we hope to do better. So, a big "thank you" to everyone who sponsored us, and "well done" Oliver and Grandma for walking so far and making it a really magical day.

 

Emma Thompson

 

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How well do you know St Marys?

Which stained glass saint is wearing blue gloves?

On which side, north or south, are there more back row choir seats?

How many children are depicted on Sir Nicholas Carew's tomb?

 

These questions, and another 67 like them, had a group of people peering into every corner of the church on 23 October. We all know St Mary's a little better as a result of the evening that was more a treasure hunt than a quiz.

 

Thank you Kevin for a most entertaining time. Please can we have another treasure hunt sometime?

 

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Know Your Saints

Andrew the Apostle - 30 November

Andrew is a good patron saint for those of you holding a Christmas party this year - and who hope you have rightly estimated the amount of food youll need. Andrew was the disciple who, when faced with 5,000 people to feed, brought a boy to Jesus who had two small fish and five barley loaves. When Andrew wasnt being wildly optimistic with the catering arrangements, he was out fishing with brother Peter and friends James and John.

 

This New Testament apostle and martyr was brother of Simon Peter. He was a fisherman by trade, his home was at Capernaum. He was a disciple of John the Baptist before becoming an apostle of Christ.

 

In all the Gospel lists of apostles his name is among the first four; he is specially mentioned for his share in the feeding of the 5,000 and in the episode of the Greeks who wished to meet Jesus. (John12: 20-2)

 

It is not certain where Andrew preached the Gospel, where he died, or (even in Chrysostoms time) where he was buried. The most ancient written tradition links him with Greece; Scythia and Epirus both claimed him as their disciple. Patras in Achaia claimed to be the place where he was crucified and preached to the people for two days before he died.

 

His feast was universal from the 6th century. Churches were dedicated to him from early times in Italy and France, as well as Anglo-Saxon England, where Rochester was the earliest of 637 medieval dedications.

 

After the fall of Constantinople in 1204, the Crusaders took his body to Amalfi. The despot Thomas Palaeologus gave his head to the pope in 1461, where it became one of the most treasured possessions of St Peters until it was returned to Constantinople by Pope Paul VI.

 

In art Andrew is depicted with a normal Latin cross. The saltire cross (X), commonly called St Andrews Cross (and which represents Scotland on the Union Jack) was associated with him from the 10th century at Autun. His other attribute is a fishing net.

 

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