What’s on in March and for Lent?
Wed “	1 “	ASH WEDNESDAY Said Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes Choral Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes St Mary’s Guild meets. Sue Ardley will talk about her holiday in Egypt	10.00 am 7.30 pm 2.30 pm
Thu	2	MU&OG Annual General Meeting. The Centre	7.30 pm
Fri	3	Womens’ World Day of Prayer
SUN	5	LENT 1
Mon	6	Start of Fair Trade Fortnight Evening Lent Course begins in the Centre	8.00 pm
Tue	7	Magazine Panel meets at 35 Vanguard Way	11.30 am
Wed	8	Eucharist Daytime Lent Course begins Lent Lunch in the Centre	10.00 am 10.45 am 12.30 pm
Sat	11	Fair Trade Coffee Morning. The Centre	10.30 am
SUN	12	LENT 2
Mon	13	Evening Lent Course in the Centre	8.00 pm
Tue “	14 “	Friends of Beddington Park meet at The Grange Fair Trade Tasting Evening at St Matthew’s, Croydon	7.30 pm 7.30 pm
Wed	15	MU Corporate Eucharist Daytime Lent Course & Lent Lunch - timings as above	10.00 am
Thu	16	MU&OG. ‘History of Carshalton Pantomime’ - a talk by Paul Goldsmith	7.30 pm
Sat	18	Ringers’ Quiz Night	7.00 pm
SUN	19	LENT 3 Fair Trade Fortnight finishes
Mon	20	Evening Lent Course in the Centre	8.00 pm
Wed	22	Eucharist Daytime Lent Course & Lent Lunch - timings as above	10.00 am 10.45 am
Sat	25	CLOCKS GO FORWARD TONIGHT
SUN “	26 “	LENT 4 - we celebrate MOTHERING SUNDAY Carew Manor Great Hall open
Mon	27	Evening Lent Course in the Centre	8.00 pm
Wed	29	Eucharist Daytime Lent Course & Lent Lunch - timings as above	10.00 am
Thu	30	PCC meeting. The Centre	8.00 pm
Fri	31	Sherwood Park School service	10.30 am

Advance dates for your diary:

Saturday 1 April

- A showing of the vintage silent film ‘King of Kings’

- ‘Families’ Easter Party with Egg Hunt

Saturday 8 April

- from 10am to 4pm, Wallington United Reformed Church.

‘A Walk Through the Bible’ event.

Study the Bible in an ecumenical setting. Cost £12 for over 11s.

Readings for Sundays and Festivals in March

Wednesday 1 March

Ash Wednesday

Joel 2 : 1-2, 12-17

2 Corinthians 5 : 20b-6 : 10

Matthew 6 : 1-6, 16-21

Sunday 5 March

Lent 1

Genesis 9 : 8-17

1 Peter 3 : 18-22

Mark 1 : 9-15

Sunday 12 March

Lent 2

Genesis 17 : 1-7, 15-16

Romans 4 : 13-25

Mark 8 : 31-38

Sunday 19 March

Lent 3

Exodus 20 : 1-17

1 Corinthians 1 : 18-25

John 2 : 13-22

Sunday 26 March

Lent 4 (Mothering Sunday)

Isaiah 7 : 10-16

Hebrews 10 : 4-10

Luke 1 : 26-39

What am I giving up for Lent

My Mum phoned up with a long list of questions for me the other night. Along with her regular ones of “Are you eating properly?”, “Are you getting enough sleep?” (questions she’s been asking since I left home when I was 18) was one which threw me. It was “What are you giving up for Lent?” The answer was that I hadn’t even begun to think about it. There were the usual suspects – alcohol, chocolate and coffee - or should I do something more radical? My thoughts turned to the point of Lent; what are we supposed to do with it? Can Lent become a place of growth rather than an irrelevance, a mindless ritual or a burden to bear?

The difference I think is whether we see Lent as being about observation or observance. If it’s about observation then, to be honest, we don’t need to get too involved. Like the scientist observing the experiment we can simply stand on the sidelines and watch; our emotional and spiritual life aren’t engaged and we won’t be changed by it. We can give up chocolate if we like, but it’s little more than a token gesture, a gimmick to make us feel good.

If, on the other hand, we approach Lent as an observance, a marking, an awareness of the season, then the outcome might be radically different. Such observance calls us to become fully involved, it calls us to engage our hearts, our minds and our actions as we prepare for Easter. Our observance demands that we allow ourselves to be changed as we examine our lives in the light of God’s love to see where our priorities really are, rather than where we like to pretend they are. In this case, our giving up of chocolate might cause us to reflect on the conditions in which cocoa is grown, to think of the farmers, the international market in cocoa, the role of fair trade campaigns, and the power of our shopping basket. We might think about our reliance on things we turn to for comfort, and we may become aware of areas in our lives that we need to work at. Or perhaps I’m reading too much into a bar of Dairy Milk.

The point is that our practice in Lent, if we regard it as an observance, really can help us in our Christian life and journey. We can use it as a six week holiday or break from the routine that lets us reflect on the everyday. It is a God given chance to reflect, to grow and to begin to change. Our observance of Lent becomes a precious and holy gift from God, forty days to cherish.

But what am I giving up for Lent? I’ll keep you posted.

Justine

Surveys, Statistics and Inspiration

Nearly ninety percent of the people of England visited a church building last year, but not necessarily for a normal Sunday service. The number who took part in Sunday services was about thirty percent of the population.

These figures come from two national surveys: the first one sponsored jointly by English Heritage and the Arch-bishops’ Council, and the second from the national congregational count. St’s attendance at services has been in line with the national trend, showing small, steady increases in 2004 and 2005.

Special services (weddings and baptisms), concerts, community and school events accounted for many church visits, as did appreciation of the buildings as part of the nation’s architectural heritage. But a significant number of visitors said they went ‘to seek a quiet space’. As Archbishop Rowan Williams put it, they went ‘to soak up the powerful atmosphere in a sacred space, hearing God’s calling to prayerful “sunbathing” in His presence.’

Parish churches are a high percentage of the nation’s listed buildings, officially protected for their architectural and/or historical importance - hence English Heritage’s interest. They estimate that at least £320 million was spent on repairs to Grade A listed churches in 1994/5. Since then - who knows? They are currently working on the more recent figures.

A campaign entitled ‘Inspired’ is to be launched in May 2006. Its aim is to galvanise the whole country into securing the future of all historic church buildings and to explore ways of helping these churches meet their heavy maintenance costs.

This campaign can be only a beginning. For the moment the cost of maintaining listed churches like St Mary’s (which is Grade B Starred) continues to depend mainly on the contributions of the local congregations and well-wishers. As well as meeting the day to day running costs of their parishes, these people do their best to give these precious buildings the care they need. All over the country they work to keep them open for all the traditional services and community activities and as their local church’s gift to the many who need and seek quiet in a sacred space.

Pat Kingsbury

Top of the Document

Valentines Disco

The hall was bedecked with twinkly lights and more hearts than St Helier’s cardiac unit! A small but intimate gathering assembled in the Centre on Saturday 18 February for the ‘Families Valentines Disco’ – many of our regular families were away for half-term, but it was lovely to welcome some newer family faces – the Giles and Potters who are now regular Sunday morning faces.

The choice of costumes was wide and varied – that well known Valentine hero ‘superheartman’ and the starry eyed spaceman, the fluffy red phoenix and, of course, lots of pink and fluffy things!

Chilli and garlic bread sustained the adults and an Italian pandoro (the Italians know a thing or two about love) stacked with chocolate, cream and strawberries slowed the dancing down a bit!

Our wonderful SMYLE girls were there – suitably attired for the occasion – and kept order with party games and hosting the Karaoke (something those of a nervous nature needed to beware of!) And a rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ from ‘Grease’ - offered up by Lizzie Atkin’s sister, Elenor, and a 6ft+ -haired plumber(Alan Lawrence) - stunned the children into silence!

We gave Justine her first taste of a ‘Families’ do and she blended in wonderfully - it’s a while since we’ve seen the minister with a posh hairdo and a bottle of Grolsch in hand! thinks she’s made for St Mary’s!

Once again due to the generosity of all who supported the event we made enough on the raffle to restock our social stationery and table decorations etc for the forthcoming Easter Party on April 1st.

And a note for your diaries:

Easter Party with Egg Hunt

(praying for a dry day so we can use the churchyard again this year!)

Saturday 1st April between 2-4pm.

I’m sure the children would love to have an egg hunting companion,

so come along.

Bishop of Southwark’s Lent Call 2006

Traditionally, one of the major ways Christians have observed Lent is through the giving of alms and self-denial. These two disciplines help us to be aware of our own reliance on “things”, encourages us to be aware of the many blessings that are in our lives and helps us to realise our common humanity and vulnerability. The Bishops’ Lent Call is an opportunity to make our self-giving tangible, and to support a number of projects both at home and abroad.

Kaunda Sports Ground, Gulu, Northern Uganda (COME UK)

and Church of India Boarding Hostels (USPG)

Kaunda Sports Ground The so-called 'Lord's Resistance Army' has terrorised Northern Uganda, and many families have been forced into refuge in the towns, or in inadequate camps. In Gulu, COME UK, based at St Peter's Church, Norbiton, proposes to rehabilitate it for young people to enjoy organised sports, learn how to relate to society and be reached by Christian youth workers.

Church of India Boarding Hostels Many children in India, especially in rural areas, have little chance of an education. Girls are particularly deprived. The Church of India runs a number of boarding hostels that enable the poorest children to attend school and gives them hope for the future.

Mehr Shevcat, Kyrgyzstan (Christian Aid)

Following the break-up of the USSR, poverty increased hugely in this former Soviet Republic. Mehr Shevcat sets up self-help groups so that people can work together to improve their lives. They teach people how to improve their crops, give loans to buy livestock or equipment for setting up small businesses and help them to set up savings schemes.

Tetete Ni Kolivuti, Solomon Islands (Sisters of the Church)

The Community of the Sisters of the Church, based at Ham Common in the Diocese of Southwark, have sisters in the Solomon Islands, involved in primary evangelism, teaching, work with women and children and village missions. Tetete ni Kolivuti is where most of the initial training takes place, and the Novitiate is based. A new refectory is urgently needed. The religious community needs a place large enough for both silent and talking meals. Also, there is a greater risk of malaria if meals can't be taken in a screened building.

999 Club, in Lewisham Borough

The 999 Club aims to offer immediate help in any situation, as well as long term support and friendship, to the most disadvantaged members of society. They provide centres run by local people whose personal experiences and commonsense approach are used to help vulnerable people achieve their own potential. 999 Clubs depend entirely on donations to survive. The homeless people they are primarily helping have many associated problems ranging from debt problems to serious substance abuse and mental issues. They have funding for one year for a part time counsellor, but there is an acute need for a long term counselling programme.

Zimbabwe

The Diocese of Central Zimbabwe, linked with Croydon Area

St Patrick's Mission Hospital is badly under-resourced for its 1,500 patients per month. Its 17 beds are often full. It is heavily engaged in maternity care, and an ongoing inoculation programme. It copes daily with injuries and varied illnesses, plus occasional malaria and bilharzia. Widespread Aids brings many associated diseases, especially TB. A new 66-bed hospital is being built, and the government should then pay for a doctor, more nurses and some equipment, and an HIV testing facility should be possible.

At St Mary’s, we will be thinking about the various projects during our weekly Wednesday Eucharists in Lent, and giving the donations from our Lent lunches (12.30 on Wednesdays) to the Call. There will be an opportunity to make individual contributions during the course of Lent.

Twenty Years Ago ….

Looking back through some old church magazines from the 1980s, I realised that Stewart Kimber had re-started the monthly offering recalling events of 20 years ago, ie the 1960s.

I came across a little conundrum he had unearthed. Without attempting to work it out, I searched diligently in the ensuing copies for the answer. To my disgust, I found he’d never printed it! So I’m trying again. Perhaps this time, someone will come up with the answer which I can triumphantly print, albeit twenty years late.

The three hymn boards and one psalm board need new number cards. There are 656 hymns in the book and enough cards are needed to enable every possible combination of five hymn numbers to be shown on each board. Also, every possible combination of four psalm numbers (of the 150) must be shown.

The cards will be printed on one side only but the same card can be used for both 6 and 9. How many cards are needed?

You have until April 2; you may begin. (And I’ve already had the comment, from my son, asking who’d come to a service where we had to sing that lot!)

In the March magazine there was a report on the progress of the proposals to provide adequate facilities for our young people’s worship and toilets etc in a new North Aisle development.

Colin and Hazel West invited people to join them on the Easter Day Dawn Watch on Epsom Downs. They would be leaving the church at 5.00am and would be back for a breakfast and the 9.30 service.

The 1st Company Beddington Guides had raised over £50 in a Sponsored Silence in aid of Radio Lollipop, based at Queen Mary’s Hospital. That must have been bliss for the Leaders!

The month’s Twenty Years Ago commented on the fine(?) piece of engineering with the arrival of the gas-fired boiler, which replaced the old solid-fuel one. It may well have saved the verger’s back but seemed to have caused more trouble than the old one. (Judging by the temperature in church for Justine’s first service - things don’t change!)

Vera Adby, after 30 years in the parish, had moved away to Bolney in Sussex. She had been very involved in St Mary’s in many ways and had been a founder-member of the Ministry of Healing Group.

There was also a letter from Sister Susan Andrew with news of St Francis’s Hospital in Katete, Zambia

Jean Kimber

Sutton Deanery Synod

Monday, 6 February - The Church of the Good Shepherd, Carshalton

The Rev Peter Turrell welcomed us and gave a brief overview of the work of the parish. They see themselves as an entry-point church for people with little or no church background. They introduced a prayer ministry last year which is well-attended in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. They have eight home groups and run an Alpha Course. Because they are ‘off the beaten track’ they visit every house in the parish twice a year.

The speaker for the evening was the Rev Jonathan Willans, Chairman of the Ecumenical Research Committee which produced ‘The Church Survey’ report. This survey was conducted between September 2003 and September 2004 and provided individuals at ‘the grassroots’ with a unique opportunity to speak for themselves and explain what they want churches to provide to make church attendance more attractive. The report is a compilation of the main points raised by the 14,000 who responded.

The Rev Willans said that between 1969 and 2005, 1,700 churches have closed, iechurch every eight days. The report is ecumenical and not just CofE. Seventy per cent of those who responded were over the age of 40 and had church attendance of some degree; thirty per cent had stopped attending altogether.

With regard to church services, the following comments were made:

There was a need for high quality church services. Thousands complained of the casual manner in which services were conducted: speed-reading; inaudible; lacking conviction or sincerity.

With regard to the liturgy, people were tolerant of both traditional and modern forms of worship, but they wanted a balance. Older members on the one hand were ignoring the needs of the young, and on the other hand services bordered on entertainment and this was driving people away.

Most considered the sermon to be really important as it might be the only teaching they would receive on the Christian faith. They said such things as, “It has to be significant to me in my everyday life” and “Helping me to walk with God and to grow in faith”.

The fellowship of the church was also felt to be important. Good manners on behalf of the members was vital as many people were put off going to church by rudeness and being left standing alone after a service with no-one attempting to come and speak to them.

Visiting by the clergy was considered to be the key to helping the church to grow; the decline in clergy visiting was very much regretted. Comments such as, “I was away for weeks and nobody missed me” and “The church always finds time to call when money is needed” were made.

It was felt that clergy and other Christian leaders needed to say why the Christian faith is important and why it is sensible and reasonable to believe in God. Without an answer to these questions people will drift away. They felt there was a need to give the evidence for the existence of God from scripture and show that religion and scientific knowledge go together. Many emphasised the value of house groups because from them they gained the knowledge they were seeking and the help to grow in faith which they needed.

The next meeting of the Deanry Synod will be held on Tuesday, 23 May, at St Mary’s, Beddington, when Mark Tomlinson and Counsellor Lal Hussein will be speaking about Muslin/Christian relations.

Jenifer Davison

Deanery Synod Representative

St Joseph

20 January

Why should St Joseph’s day be in March? He belongs to Advent and Christmas, at Mary’s side in millions of nativity scenes around the world.

In any case, as foster-father of Christ and husband of Mary, Joseph played a major part in the story of the coming of Jesus Christ. All that we know about him for sure is in the gospels. Read especially Matthew 1–2. He was of Davidic descent, but his trade as a carpenter shows that he was not at all wealthy.

Joseph’s gentleness and decency towards Mary, and his willingness to do God’s will when it was revealed to him, portray him as a kind and godly person.

Joseph is the patron saint of fathers of families, and he makes an excellent example. He comes across as a protecting, loyal, thoughtful, self-controlled person, full of integrity, and willing to work hard. Who wouldn’t want a father like that?

Joseph is also the patron saint of all who desire a holy death. Thus countless churches, hospitals and religious congregations are dedicated to Joseph.

Daily prayer topics in March

Wed 1 The grace to keep Lent faithfully

Thu 2 The church and the people of Wales

Fri 3 Womens’ World Day of Prayer

Sat 4 Readers’ Quiet Day at St Stephen’s Church

Sun 5 That we may have a closer walk with God

Mon 6 Street-dwellers and those living in poor housing

Tue 7 Our local hospitals and nursing homes

Wed 8 International Womens’ Day

Thu 9 The persecuted church and all who suffer for their faith

Fri 10 All hostages and prisoners of conscience

Sat 11 Diocesan Synod meeting today

Sun 12 That we may be given an increase in faith

Mon 13 Those wavering in faith and the weak in spirit

Tue 14 Lapsed Christians and all who have never known the Lord

Wed 15 The local clergy fraternity

Thu 16 Better relationships between nations

Fri 17 The church and people of Ireland

Sat 18 The Bishop of Jerusalem

Sun 19 That we may worship God in spirit and in truth

Mon 20 Thanksgiving for all good and caring fathers

Tue 21 The Archbishop of Canterbury

Wed 22 Give thanks for special holy places and for our own church

Thu 23 That we may live simply in order that others can simply live

Fri 24 All who are captive to greed and covetousness

Sat 25 Praise God for the ‘Yes’ of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sun 26 Thanksgiving for all loving and caring mothers

Mon 27 The Mothers’ Union worldwide

Tue 28 For peace in the Holy Land

Wed 29 The Bishops of Southwark and Croydon

Thu 30 Our PCC meeting tonight

Fri 31 Our link Dioceses of Manicaland, Matabeleland and Central Zimbabwe