As I write this article, part of my brain is, I have to admit, somewhere else. It’s the middle of November and I really, really need to start thinking about Christmas, in particular Ito begin to think about Christmas presents.

I love the idea of Christmas shopping and Christmas presents. I love the idea of trying to find just the right gift, something that conveys the nature of a relationship in a way that makes someone’s face light up when they open the gift. If you get it right a present is worth so much more than its monetary value - it becomes love gift wrapped, a tangible token of something that can never fully be expressed.

But the reality is very different from that. Christmas shopping can all too easily be reduced to a mad dash to the packed shops to buy whatever comes easily to hand and within the budget, with little thought or time spent on them. Christmas shopping can become a job to be ticked off on an alarmingly long “To Do” list.

More worryingly still, in his book ‘Free of Charge’, Miroslav Volf talks about the economy of presents, the way we value each gift that we receive and mentally check its value against the gift we gave in return or received last year. He points out that we very rarely give a present without expecting something in return. Volf suggests that when we give in this way, we’re not really giving at all, rather we’re buying or attempting to buy something – love, status, gratitude, or a bigger and better present for ourselves. Sadly, Volf’s thoughts seem all too accurate on occasions.

Volf suggests that if we are truly giving then we give love from love, not expecting to get anything in return. We simply offer something and then let it go, casting our love to the wind for others to accept or reject as they see fit.

This is the story of Christmas, that God gives himself to us in Jesus. It is up to us whether we accept that gift; whether we see in Christ a sign of God’s limitless love for each one of us, or whether we reject it. We can see in God’s gift a love that can transform and change our very nature as we grow into it and through it. Yet God does not force us to accept it, nor can we ever offer anything of similar value in return. God’s love is simply generous giving, what we do with it is up to us. And God offers the same gift to us all, without fear or favour, regardless of our status in human eyes.

Perhaps that’s the lesson that we need to bear in mind in the lead up to Christmas, that we can’t buy love – whether it’s God’s love or human beings. If we do that, then perhaps our Christmas shopping will be free from competitiveness and become an opportunity to share the true nature of our love for each other.

Justine

What’s on in December?
Sat	2	St Mary’s Christmas Fair	11 am-3 pm
SUN	3	FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Advent Carol Service	6.30 pm
Tue	5	‘A Sense of Place’. Poetry and prose group. The Centre	7.30 pm
Wed	6	St Nicholas The morning Eucharist will be held in the St Nicholas Chapel	10.00 am
Thu	7	MU&OG. Carols and Readings in the Centre	7.30 pm
Sat	9	‘A Musical Evening for the Captain’. A concert in church organised by TS Puma to aid their funds.	7.30 pm
SUN	10	SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT ‘Families’ Christmas Party Christingle and Toy Service Compline (Sung) will replace Evensong	1.45-3.45 pm 4.00 pm 6.30 pm
Wed	13	Carew Manor School Christmas Service	11.00 am
Fri	15	The Link School Christmas Service	11.00 am
SUN	17	THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Compline (Sung) will replace Evensong	6.30 pm
Mon	18	Beddington Infant School Christmas Service	9.45 am
Wed	20	MU Corporate Eucharist	10.00 am
Fri	22	Christmas Carol Service	7.30 pm
SUN	24	FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT Normal Sunday morning services will take place Family Carol and Crib Service Midnight Mass of Christmas	6.00 pm 11.30 pm
MON	25	CHRISTMAS DAY Said Eucharist with Carols Churches Together Christmas Meal at United Reformed Church, Stanley Park Road	9.00 am
Wed	27	There will be no 10.00 am Eucharist
SUN	31	FIRST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS Said Eucharist Said Evening Prayer	9.30 am 6.30 pm

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Readings for Sundays and Festivals in December

Sunday, 3 December

Advent 1

Jeremiah 33 : 14-16

1 Thessalonians 3 : 9-end

Luke 21 : 25-36

Sunday, 10 December

Advent 2

Malachi 3 : 1-4

Philippians 1 : 3-11

Luke 3 : 1-6

Sunday, 17 December

Advent 3

Zephaniah 3 : 14-end

Philippians 4 : 4-7

Luke 3 : 7-18

Sunday, 24 December

Advent 4

Micah 5 : 2-5a

Hebrews 10 : 5-10

Luke 1 : 39-55

Sunday, 24 December

Midnight Mass

Isaiah 9 : 2-7

Titus 2 : 11-14

Luke 2 : 1-14

Monday, 25 December

Christmas Day

Isaiah 52 : 7-10

Hebrews 1 : 1-12

John 1 : 1-14

Sunday, 31 December

Christmas 1

1 Samuel 2 : 18-20, 26

Colossians 3 : 12-17

Luke 2 : 41-end

Thinking of you

Every Sunday we pray for people living and working in two or three roads

in the parish. The roads in December will be:

Sunday 3 December

Chiswick Close

Twickenham Close

Sunday 10 December

Mortlake Close

Sunday 17 December

Richmond Road

Sunday 24 December

Richmond Green

Sunday 31 December

Windsor Gardens

Kingston Gardens

Saints, Commemorations and Feast Days in December

Fri 1 Charles de Foucald, Hermit in the Sahara, 1916

Mon 4 John of Damascus, Monk, Teacher of the Faith, c749

Mon 4 Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon, Founder of Little Gidding, 1637

Wed 6 Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c326

Thu 7 Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Teacher of the Faith, 397

Fri 8 CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Wed 13 Lucy, Martyr at Syracuse, 304

Wed 13 Samuel Johnson, Moralist, 1784

Thu 14 John of the Cross, Poet, Teacher of the Faith, 1591

Sun 24 CHRISTMAS EVE

Mon 25 CHRISTMAS DAY

Tue 26 Stephen, Deacon, First Martyr

Wed 27 JOHN, APOSTLE & EVANGELIST

Thu 28 THE HOLY INNOCENTS

Fri 29 Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, Martyr, 1170

Nicholas Ferrar

4 December

Nicholas Ferrar was born in February 1592. His family was quite wealthy and heavily involved in the Virginia Company, which had a Royal Charter for the plantation of Virginia. People like Sir Walter Raleigh were often visitors to the family home in London. His niece was named Virginia - the first known use of this name.

Ferrar studied at Cambridge and would have gone further with his studies but the damp air of the Fens was bad for his health and he travelled to Europe, spending time in the warmer climate of Italy.

On his return to England he found his family had fared badly. His brother, John, had become over-extended financially and the Virginia Company was in danger of losing its Charter. Nicholas dedicated himself to saving the family fortune and was successful. He served as an MP for a while and tried to promote the Virginia Company but it eventually lost its Charter.

After becoming ordained as a Deacon, Nicholas and his family and a few friends retired to Little Gidding, which was then in Huntingdonshire, to devote themselves to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. They founded a religious community, restored an abandoned church building and became responsible for regular services there. They taught local children and looked after the health and well-being of the people of the district.

Nicholas wrote books on all different aspects of Christian faith They all fasted and lived a life of voluntary poverty so that they could have as much money as possible for the relief of the poor.

The Community was founded in 1626 when Nicholas was 34 but he died, aged 45, in 1637. In 1646 their Community was broken up by Cromwell’s Puritan Army but the memory of the Community survived to inspire and influence later undertakings in Christian communal living and one of T.S.Eliot’s Four Quartets is called “Little Gidding”.

People might like to use this special prayer on December 9:

“Lord God, make us so reflect your perfect love, that, with your Deacon, Nicholas Ferrar and his household, we may rule our lives according to your word and serve you with our whole heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.”

Jean Kimber

St Mary’s Guild Meeting

November 2006

Mrs Pam Vernon gave the Guild a most enlightening talk on her volunteer work with CONTACT and as a chaplain’s visitor at St Helier Hospital. After retiring from teaching, Pam worked initially at Carew Manor School and at Sherwood Park School. One Pakistani girl pupil, unable to TELL her father about her activities when she went to visit him, was able to take a book with photographs of her - swimming, in the soft room, etc - all taken by Pam and described by other staff.

CONTACT is a centre run by Sutton Welcare in premises provided by Sutton: three large rooms and a garden well equipped with toys and climbing frames. Here, each Saturday, under the guidance of a trained supervisor, volunteers make it possible for estranged mothers and fathers to meet their children. Parents who want to use this service are interviewed and shown the facilities. The custodial parent brings the child or children who are then taken to the other parent by a volunteer who stays in the room so that there are no fears for the children’s safety. Sometimes the children, many of whom are very young and some of whom have been separated from the parent for months, are reluctant to re-start the relationship, but with patience and gentleness are encouraged to do so. Some come once a week, some less often. Grandparents are also enabled to see their grandchildren. More volunteers would be welcome. Pam explained that their presence is essential. They are not called upon to do much more than just be THERE with the parent and children. Clearly this is a most valuable service. Our Harvest Festival gifts go to provide the refreshments for the children.

Pam entered hospital visiting through going to see a neighbour in St Helier Hospital. The patient’s son lived too far away to visit daily and he and his mother welcomed Pam’s visits. So Pam enrolled on the training course for chaplain’s visitors. She found the talk on bereavement particularly valuable. Those training were given a list of wards to indicate any preferences. Pam said ‘No’ to a few, including the renal ward, and where did she end up - the renal ward! The chaplain brushed aside any suggestion of inadequacy and took her in for her first visit. He gestured to the dialysic ward and the single rooms for the seriously ill - “We go not there” - “into the main ward”. Only on that day, due to refurbishment, EVERYONE was in the main ward. We particularly enjoyed Pam telling us how she got her first patient to reassure HER: “I am so nervous”. “No need”. On a much later visit she was able to say ‘ thank you’ to the patient and her family. Another touching episode was Pam securing communion for one patient who particularly wanted it from his friends at his own Methodist church. Pam, through her friend there, helped to arrange this - again much appreciated.

Pam emphasized that she goes simply to ask how people are, to let them talk if they wish, sometimes to fetch an article from the hospital shop. She urged us to carry donor cards - patients on dialysis spend three days a week at St Helier, and waiting, transport and treatment can take the whole day.

The Guild members present were most grateful to Pam for her informative talk - carefully prepared and sprinkled with lighter moments. Many thanks, Pam.

Margaret Freeman

Several other members of St Mary’s congregation are involved in visiting. Here, Linda Wood tells us of her experience:

Being there

“The creed and the colour and the name won’t matter, I’ll be there.”

There is a lot that I could write about the work of hospital chaplaincy, but these words from the popular hymn “When I needed a neighbour,” go a long way for me in expressing the crucial work of hospital chaplains and visitors.

Over the last two and a half years it has been my privilege as a volunteer chaplaincy team member/visitor working under the supervision of the chaplains at St Helier hospital, to “be there” for patients in need of a friendly face and a listening ear, and to enable those who wish it to attend and worship with others at the Sunday morning Chapel Service.

For patients, staff and visitors alike, the hospital experience brings them into contact with humanity at its rawest. Crisis and strange surroundings affect people in different ways and often concerns that have been pushed to the back of the mind come to the fore. For some it may be a yearning for a deeper understanding of who they are or what life is all about. For people with a faith background it may be a better understanding of that faith in relation to the circumstances in which they find themselves and as a result they may find comfort in the familiarity of their faith and value prayer. Most patients, especially those with no one to visit them, value the knowledge that someone is there to listen to them or just be with them in their time of need. This is equally true for patients’ relatives especially at times of loss, and for the staff, doctors, nurses and management who value the presence and spiritual support of the chaplains when difficult situations arise and decisions have to be made.

At the heart of the chaplaincy, and position-wise in the hospital at St Helier, is the oasis of peace and prayer that is the chapel. Open 24/7, it is there for people of all faiths and none at all and is in constant use. For chaplains and visitors alike their work starts and finishes in this spiritual heart of the hospital, in prayer. At this time of great uncertainty about the future of health services in our area and especially the future of St Helier, I would like to ask you to please remember in your prayers all who make important decisions for the improvement of our health services, all who are affected by the results, and all whose vocation is to “be there.” Thank you.

Concern about hospital chaplaincies

Concern is mounting in a number of dioceses about the effect on chaplaincies as a number of Health Authorities seek to balance their budgets after overspends.

At a time of job cutbacks and financial restraint, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has stressed the need to secure effective chaplaincy services across the National Health Service. In a recent meeting with Health Minister, Lord Warner, Dr Williams voiced his concern about reports of disproportionate cuts in some parts of the country. He stressed that chaplaincy should neither be considered a ‘soft target’ nor bear a disproportionate burden of staff reductions.

In Worcestershire, for example, the local Acute Hospitals NHS Trust was pressing ahead with a 70 per cent cut in hospital chaplaincy posts despite strong opposition from community groups, the Bishop of Worcester and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham.

Reports received from chaplaincy teams in other parts of England suggest that potentially harmful cuts are also underway elsewhere. There is widespread worry that the Worcestershire example, if not rescinded, might set a precedent.

Dr Williams pointed out to Lord Warner the importance of recognising that chaplains were not just part-time vicars visiting their sick parishioners, but that in certain circumstances they were also confidantes of the hospital executives and the NHS Trust.

Lord Warner confirmed that the guidance issued in 2003 relating to chaplaincy services remained very much in place, and that he would be reminding Health Authorities of this. Dr Williams has written to all Anglican chaplains to assure them of his continuing support.

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Signs & Symbols : Xmas

Just that title - ‘Xmas’ - may have stopped some of you from reading any further. Others of you may be slightly upset, whilst more may just be reading and wondering what this is about. That very word ‘Xmas’ is a problem for so many.

Why not ‘Christmas’? Are people trying to deliberately X Christ out? After all, this is the December magazine and CHRISTMAS is the highlight of the month – if not the year - for many people. We make so much more fuss over this time of year than we do over Easter. Perhaps you could argue that if it wasn’t for Jesus’ birth then we wouldn’t have Easter; but if it wasn’t for Jesus’ coming alive again that Easter morning, who would care about Christmas?

Many people today don’t seem to know what Christmas is all about. They are not aware that it was God coming to earth as a human being. Of God giving up his divine glory, and taking on our humanity.

So does Xmas cross Christ out? No, God will not be shut out that easily! This use of the letter X is not new, it was widely used from the mid-fifteenth century. X is the Greek symbol ‘chi’, which is the first letter of the word ‘Christ’. The correct pronunciation for the word ‘Xmas’ is ‘Christmas’, just as if the word were written out in full. Xmas is NOT ‘ex-mas’!

So a warm wish to all fellow Xians for a very happy Xmas.

Sutton Deanery Synod

St Paul’s Church

Thursday, 19 October 2006.

After the opening prayers we were welcomed by the Revd Patrick Grant who reminded us of some of the history of St Paul’s Church. It began as an ecumenical project but is now purely Church of England, but of course welcomes all comers. The congregation numbers between 40 and 50 people, and there are some 20 or more children who come into the church by themselves and enjoy being there. There is also a parish wide youth fellowship. Recently Communion has been offered to all baptised persons, which is proving very popular. The parish is the senior partner for the Lunch Club for the elderly and partners with Orchard Hill College, St Michael’s acts as an external college.

Peter Gowland, our representative on the Board of Education, said in his report that in the Diocese of Southwark there are 106 church schools, with 31,000 pupils and 5,000 staff and governors. Demand for places remains very strong and many diocesan schools are over-subscribed. Accusations have been made nationally that church schools are divisive, but all the figures show that church schools in our diocese are inclusive. The impression given by the secular press is that church schools are a small minority, separate from the mainstream of life, whereas throughout the country 10 million people are involved with church schools.

In the light of the length of some interregnums, the Deanery Synod was asked to discuss whether the Diocese should reconsider the length of an interregnum, and the possible reimbursement of expenses accrued by parishes during an interregnum when not covered by fees. The meeting expressed its concern at the length of interregnums in many churches causing not only financial loss but a decline in their congregations.

Good Practices around the Deanery

Jean Carver of Christ Church Sutton began by telling us of their Away Day in which they focused upon the way people were welcomed into the church and how they could improve this welcome - thinking about newcomers, children and young people, as well as regular members. They found this very useful and hoped that first impressions of their church will be happy ones as a result of this greater awareness.

The Revd Justine Middlemiss then spoke of the special opportunities that St’s, Beddington has as an historical and beautiful church which attracts wedding couples and families wanting their infants baptised. She said that it was important that they were made to feel most welcome because their approach to the church may be their first for many years and they would be feeling particularly vulnerable. St Mary’s are in the process of producing service sheets which are less wordy, clearer and easier to follow.

All Saints Carshalton have recently introduced a weekly Family Communion Service, using language suitable for young children. The service lasts for half an hour and the parents and children take part in it. The service is extremely popular and numbers are increasing all the time.

The Good Shepherd have produced an enormous photograph of the inside of their church and their people, which is displayed outside. They spend quite a bit on advertising using local directories and posters. People come into the church because they have seen these things and like what they see.

Springfield Wallington have what they call Family Time which includes parenting courses, which again are very popular.

Holy Trinity are focusing on outreach through social activities; one of which was a 90 minute one-woman show, given by Polly Deal, a professional actress. We were privileged to see her perform a couple of short sketches which were extremely funny but never the less contained an important gospel message, provoking further thought.

The next Deanery Synod meeting will be held on 27 February 2007 at a venue to be advised. The topic will be ‘Christians and Middle East Issues’. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Jenifer Davison

Deanery Representative

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Our bright new future

Sunday 29th October dawned bright for the St Mary’s confirmation and baptism candidates, and in more ways than just the sunny weather that greeted us that day: it was a bright new future as new members of the Anglican Church, and ever-welcoming St Mary’s parish, which started for us all.

Ably guided and led by Justine over several weeks of ‘faith exploration’, the group made up of Lorraine Botfield, Bill Kemp, Stewart Lawrence, Chris Thompson, Helena de Ritter, Liz Vernon Lucinda English & Benjamin Lighting, all thoroughly enjoyed their sessions. We spent time as a group talking through lots of real life issues, exploring our faith journey, our understanding of God, images of Christ and our understanding of the crucifixion and resurrection. We also looked at what our faith might mean for us in our everyday lives.

Even though a ‘run-through’ had taken place a few days previously to take us all through the service, most candidates, like myself, were slightly nervous -not because of the journey we were about to embark on, but in case any of us got up at the wrong time or tripped up in front of the congregation, everyone’s worst nightmare!

Needless to say the ceremony went without a hitch and to be welcomed into the Anglican faith by Bishop Michael Doe from USPG was a great honour for all of us. Typically, my mum cried!

St Paul’s Roundshaw, where the joint service with the parishes of All Saints Carshalton, St Paul’s and St Michael’s South Beddington and Roundshaw, took place was packed with family and friends, including many familiar faces from St’s congregation, to show their solidarity and support, which was greatly appreciated.

A paparazzi style photoshoot for all the new members followed at the end, with lights bulbs flashing everywhere coupled with calls of ‘cheese’ from family friends wanting to capture this momentous occasion.

St Paul’s provided a fantastic celebration feast for everyone, and the St Mary’s gathering continued the celebrations back at Beddington too.

On behalf of all the St Mary’s confirmation and baptism crew, we’d like to thank Justine for her guidance and time with us all, which extended late into the evenings, and the rest of the parish for welcoming us in to their community with such open arms. Thanks also to Guy for the beautiful background music that littered our evenings spent at Bloxworth Close.

Lucinda English

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Watching where the Church puts its money

Investing ethically has become an increasingly important issue for any organisation that is concerned with moral values. It is the job of a little-known body called the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG) to keep an eye on the three main investment bodies of the Church of England: the Church Commissioners, the CBF Church of England Funds, and the Pensions Board.

One of the challenging issues for the EIAG in the past year has been the call for the Church to disinvest from Caterpillar, the American manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, because of its sale of bulldozers to Israel and their use to demolish Palestinian homes and infrastructure.

A detailed review resulted in a decision that there were no current grounds to recommend disinvestment, there having been no further sales of such equipment to Israel since 2001. However, the EIAG was clear that, were sales to resume, the matter would have to be re-visited. It also stressed the urgent need for dialogue around investment and reconstruction in both Israel and Palestine if conditions which allow peace and justice to prevail are to be nurtured.

As a major stakeholder in business, the Church has great opportunities to use its power for good by positive investment in firms that have good employment and environmental practices. Ethical investment can of course be done at the parish level as well as centrally. The Church is also well placed to promote socially responsible investment in society at large.

In its annual report, the EIAG points out that engaging in constructive dialogue with firms when issues of concern arise is a profoundly Christian response, based on Christ’s own willingness to have challenging and transformative encounters with those shunned by the religious communities of his time. “Churches may not have the financial clout of big business, but they do have influence and moral authority, and they have national and international networks. Responding to our neighbours through involvement in the international economic system is an appropriate expression of the Christian faith in the global age.

Daily prayer topics in December

Fri 1 AIDS orphans and those who are HIV positive

Sat 2 All attending our Christmas Fayre

Sun 3 Disabled persons and their quality of life

Mon 4 Preparations for Christmas

Tue 5 That we may prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of our Lord

Wed 6 That we may give generously to those in need

Thu 7 All carers and those they care for

Fri 8 Thanksgiving for Mary the Mother of our Lord

Sat 9 The Children’s Society

Sun 10 That all may enjoy basic human rights

Mon 11 Those who suffer through poverty and neglect

Tue 12 The persecuted and the oppressed

Wed 13 Save The Children Fund

Thu 14 Christian poets and hymn writers

Fri 15 Staff and pupils of Carew Manor

Sat 16 All who have been bereaved at this time

Sun 17 That the whole world may be led into the way of righteousness

Mon 18 All who will be alone this Christmas

Tue 19 The homeless and the unemployed

Wed 20 Refugees and asylum seekers

Thu 21 All who maintain essential services at Christmas time

Fri 22 Safety of all who are travelling this Christmas season

Sat 23 That the true spirit of Christmas may dwell in our hearts

Sun 24 Thanksgiving for the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World

Mon 25 For harmonious and joyful family celebrations

Tue 26 All who are martyred for their faith in Christ

Wed 27 Thanksgiving for the Gospel of St John

Thu 28 Children who suffer as a result of war and violence

Fri 29 Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Sat 30 Our link dioceses in Zimbabwe

Sun 31 For the blessings of peace in the New Year

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