Post on 06-Apr-2016
description
THE PARISHIONER
Ockham with Hatchford and Downside Newsletter
CHRISTMAS 2014 AND NEW YEAR 2015
Dear Friends,
In spite of the fact that the shops have been full of
Christmassy things for weeks, it is only now that I really feel
like beginning to plan for it. Surely November 30th is early
enough - Advent Sunday is the beginning of the church year
although nearly the end of the calendar one. Whether we're
children excitedly opening yet another Advent window to
find a picture, verse or chocolate or focussed more on the
Christmas card & shopping lists, we're all beginning to count
the days.
Advent means coming or arrival and it is the coming of God
in our midst, in human form as a tiny, vulnerable, homeless
baby that we are longing to celebrate. I think we are so lucky
to live in a part of the world where Christmas is in the middle
of Winter for how brightly the lights in towns and villages
shine as darkness comes early, how lovely it is to see our
own decorations shining and reflecting in the windows, how
nice it is to spend late afternoon writing cards and wrapping
presents, listening to carols.
Yes, Christmas can be overtaken by commercialism but our
December days could be quite dreary without the shops,
garden centres and fairs stocked high with lights, ribbons
and tempting calories! They are a daily reminder of what we
are excitedly waiting for .... and excited we should be
because we can and must take time to wonder at the
extraordinary gift that Christmas really is. God reached out
to the world with the gift of His Son and He continues to
reach out in all the pain and suffering there is in so many
places. Our Lord Jesus didn't come just once two thousand
years ago - he continues to come and be a living presence
with us at Christmas and always.
My prayers and love to you all for a holy and blessed
Christmas and thanks for your wonderful support as we
excitedly plan for the future.
Elisabeth
CHURCHES TOGETHER in HORSLEY and OCKHAM
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
DECEMBER 2014
Dear Lord help us to value and spread the message of
simplicity during this season of Advent. May we be strong in
resisting the lure of consumerism this Christmas, instead
remembering the 2.4 billion of our fellow brethren with no
access to clean water, adequate sanitation or shelter.
JANUARY 2015
Heavenly Father help us in our local Churches to relate more
effectively to one another so that we truly spread your
Christian message into the community. May more of our
congregations feel moved to join Churches Together as
representatives so as to bring new ideas and inspiration for
us all. AMEN
WHERE WE ARE
I promised in the November Parishioner to let you have further
news on the vacancy. I can report that Paul Bryer, the Archdeacon
(who can best be described as the ‘regional manager’ for our part
of the Diocese) has now addressed the PCCs of all three parishes –
Ockham, West Horsley and East Horsley. I wish I could say that we
were all now clear as to the way ahead, but as sometimes appears
to be the case with Church of England matters that is not the case.
As a result Sally and I are meeting the other churchwardens of the
two parishes to see where we are, try clarify matters in our own
minds and work out a way forward. We will then be meeting the
Archdeacon in early December.
I’m sorry that things are taking longer than we hoped, but we are
trying to push along as fast as we can. An extended vacancy is not
helpful and puts an additional load on the unpaid volunteers in the
parish.
It’s probably worth reminding everyone that we are very
dependent on volunteers as we have NO PAID CLERGY or other
staff in the parish. Kerry was a ‘House for Duty’ priest, which
means she was provided with the Rectory and the parish paid her
expenses in return for working Sundays and two days a week.
Neither is Elisabeth paid. She is a member of the congregation
who volunteered for ordination. She is given no house and has no
set number of hours to do but the parish pays her expenses. As
you can imagine, being the only priest in the parish is more or less
a full time job. We are extremely grateful for the enormous
amount of time she puts in for no financial reward.
Also, most parishes pay their organist/director of music and have a
part-time paid administrator to produce service sheets, pew
sheets, this Parishioner etc. We have unpaid volunteers. Equally,
coffee, biscuits, communion wine, wafers, flowers and much else
are provided by members of the congregation who never ask for
payment. There are many others, too many to mention, who give
of their time and in a material way to ensure that All Saints’ and St
Michael’s Chapel continue to function and provide a service to the
parish and community and we should be very grateful to them all.
Richard Peters
Churchwarden
From Revd Kerry Tucker:
Please pass my sincere appreciation and thanks to the
congregation for the very generous farewell gifts of cheques,
garden vouchers, crystal wine glasses and beautiful painting. I was
really touched. It’s a great affirmation and makes me feel both
honoured and blessed. I really loved my time at Ockham and I
consider it one of the loveliest parishes I’ve had the privilege of
serving in. That is in no small part due to the congregation and the
amazing home team of Elisabeth, the wardens, treasurer, director
of music and PCC.
Love,
Kerry
Parish Clergy
Rev’d Elisabeth Burke
(01932 863886)
Church Wardens
Mrs Sally Pound
(01932 863279)
Mr Richard Peters
(01483 568837)
Don’t forget to keep up to date with everything happening
in our Parish by going to www.ockhamchurch.org.uk
Please send articles for the next edition to Andrew Jackson
by the 19th of the month preceding publication to
jacksoa1@me.com
CHRISTMAS SERVICES Sunday 7th December Second Sunday in Advent 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion Sunday 14th December Third Sunday in Advent 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion Sunday 21st December Fourth Sunday in Advent 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion 4.00 pm All Saints’ CAROL SERVICE Wednesday 24th December CHRISTMAS EVE 4.00 pm Downside Crib Service: 0 – 6 yrs 5.00 pm Downside Carols by the Crib 11.00 pm All Saints’ Midnight Mass Thursday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ FAMILY SERVICE Sunday 28th December 10.30 am St Martin’s United Benefice Service
FORTHCOMING SERVICES 2015 Sunday 4th January Epiphany 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion Sunday 11th January Baptism of Christ 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion Sunday 18th January Second Sunday in Epiphany 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion Sunday 25th January Third Sunday in Epiphany 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ Family Service Sunday 1st February Candlemas 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion *PEBBLES children's group meet in church at the start of every Communion service, leave for their own activities in the Cabin and join the congregation at the end.
THE MESSAGE OF CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS
We hold some very special services for the young ones at
Christmas time.
Crib Service at St Michael’s Chapel Downside on Christmas Eve at
4pm - a wonderful chance for the very young to help tell the
Christmas story as we sing carols and hear the familiar readings.
5pm Carols in St Michael’s Chapel Downside - the Christmas Story
and favourite carols for all ages.
We'd love to see some of our teenagers at this celebration of
Christmas.
Elisabeth
POSADA – Celebrating Advent & Christmas Posada is an ancient Mexican custom whereby we follow the journey Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem. Posada means an inn and using the figures from a crib we offer hospitality to Mary and Joseph for a night. We hope you would like to join in with this way of celebrating Advent as we try to keep our minds focussed on the true meaning of Christmas. When the figures arrive please place them in a special place in your house. You might like to light a candle and say a prayer. It is usual to offer the people who bring them a token of hospitality [a drink & a biscuit is sufficient but it’s up to you]. There will be a calendar in church so you can sign up – please remember to make a note of the person next on the list and contact them before you arrive. A prayer you might like to use Lord God, as we prepare for Christmas, help us to remember that you sent your Son as a tiny, vulnerable baby to show us your purpose for the world. We thank you for Mary and Joseph who were obedient to your call and cared for and protected Jesus as He grew up. Bless us tonight as we offer them shelter in our home. Amen. If you can’t get to church but would like to take part please contact Elisabeth by email elisabethb@ntlworld.com or telephone 01932 863886 leaving your landline phone number.
Christmas Wreath Making
Ockham Parish Rooms 4th December 11 am
With Gemma from the Surrey Wildlife Trust Come along and be creative!
CAROL SINGING AROUND OCKHAM Tuesday 16th December at 6.45 p.m. Ockham Parish Room This is an invitation to join in the village Carol Singing or be aware that we may be singing to you! We leave at 7 p.m. from Ockham Parish Room to walk around the village to carol sing. For any of you new to the village, we walk between the houses, ring your door bell and sing a carol! Sadly, we cannot reach all parts of the central village in an evening but we do our best! We will be collecting for the charities supported by Ockham church. Our local charity is Canterbury Care Centre in Guildford, the national charity is The Salvation Army and our international charity is The Smile Train. If you are coming carol singing please try to wear something reflective and perhaps bring a torch although we do have some lanterns. We finish at the Parish Room for mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies at about 8.30 p.m. Do join us or listen out for us singing! Jenny Milligan 01483 225073
CHRISTMAS TREE COLLECTION
After the festive season please take your Christmas trees to
the Parish Rooms in Ockham Lane. Guildford Borough
Council will collect them from the compound there for
recycling.
St Nicholas – another look at this much loved saint
The true story of Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, began
with a man named Nicholas who was born in the third centre
in the Greek village of Patara, on what is today the southern
coast of Turkey. His family were both devout and wealthy,
and when his parents died in an epidemic, Nicholas decided
to use his inheritance to help people. He gave to the needy,
the sick, the suffering. He dedicated his whole life to God’s
service, and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young
man. As a bishop, he joined other bishops and priests in
prison under the emperor Diocletian’s fierce persecution of
Christians across the Roman Empire. Finally released,
Nicholas was not bitter, but all the more determined to shed
abroad the news of God’s love. He did so by giving. One
story of his generosity explains why we hang Christmas
stockings over our mantelpieces today. There was a poor
family with three daughters who needed dowries if they
were to marry, and not be sold into slavery. Nicholas heard
of their plight, and tossed three bags of gold into their home
through an open window – thus saving the girls from a life of
misery. The bags of gold landed in stockings or shoes left
before the fire to dry. Hence the custom of children hanging
out stockings – in the hope of attracting presents of their
own from St Nicholas - on Christmas Eve. That is why three
gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the
symbols of St Nicholas.
MU4ALL Is Just That! For ALL THE BEEHIVE
The Beehive meets once a month on the 4th Thursday at
2.00 p.m. at St. Martin’s Court. Coffee, cake and a time to
share, whilst making a difference to others in need. We
meet together to work at MU projects, such as neonatal
supplies, knitting, making blankets and quilts and any
particular needs which arise.
THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR 2015 WILL BE PUBLISHED
IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE PARISHIONER
FROM LEATHERHEAD START:
I am writing on behalf of Leatherhead Start to than All Saints’
Church, Ockham for the very generous Harvest donation you
recently sent us,
It was lovely to hear that the children had been so involved
in collecting the donations – so please than them especially
and let them know how much their donations meant to our
clients.
Myfanwy Tothill
Chair of the Board, Leatherhead Start
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE IN HATCHFORD
CHURCHYARD
The Remembrance Day service in Hatchford Churchyard
proved especially moving this year, the 100th anniversary of
World War 1, by the inclusion of a quartet from The Cobham
Band and a personal letter of support from the Prime
Minister, David Cameron.
Bathed in sunshine, over 30 people, some of whom had
travelled a long way to pay respects to their relatives,
gathered together in the small country churchyard to
remember all who died in war. They stood silently around
the war memorial as the names of 46 men and boys from the
Parish of Ockham with Hatchford and Downside who lost
their lives were read aloud, including that of Captain Francis
Mount who was Mr Cameron’s mother’s great uncle.
The service was led by the Revd. Elisabeth Burke. Stephanie
Scole sounded the Last Post on her cornet. As wreaths were
placed the band accompanied the singing of a hymn, and the
first and third verses of the National Anthem. The
commemoration ended poignantly with the playing of
Nimrod, music from Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
Maureen Pappin
10th November 2014
CHRISTMAS: THE STORY OF THE CHRISTINGLE
The word ‘Christingle’ actually means ‘Christ Light’, and
celebrates the light of Jesus coming into the world. Stories
of how the Christingle began look back to the Moravian
Church, which is found in the Czech Republic. The
Moravians have held Christingle services for more than 200
years, and according to them, this is how the first Christingle
might have been made:
Many years ago the children in a village were asked to bring
a Christmas gift to put beside the crib in the church. One
family was very poor, and had no money for gifts, but the
three children were still determined to take something. The
only nice thing they had was an orange, so they decided to
give the Christ-child that. But then they discovered the top
was going green, so the eldest cut it out, and put a candle in
the hole. To add some colour, one of the girls took a red
ribbon from her hair and tied it around the middle of the
orange. It was hard to make the ribbon stay still, so they
fastened it in place with toothpicks. The toothpicks looked a
bit bare, so the youngest child added some raisons to them.
The children took their decorated orange lantern to the
church for the Christmas Mass. The other children sneered
at their meagre gift, but the priest seized upon it with joy.
He held it up as an example of the true understanding of the
meaning of Christmas, for the following reasons: the orange
is round, like the world; the candle gives us light in the dark,
like the love of God; the red ribbon goes round the ‘world’,
as a symbol of Christ’s blood, given for everyone; the four
sticks point in all directions, and symbolise that God is over
all: North, South, East and West; and the fruit and nuts
remind us of God’s blessings.
The Children’s Society first introduced the Christingle Service
to The Church of England in 1968, and it has since become a
popular event in the church calendar. This candlelit
celebration is an ideal way to share the key messages of the
Christian faith, while helping to raise vital funds to help
vulnerable children across the country. Visit:
www.childrenssociety.org.uk
A Prayer for Christmas Presence
Generous Father,
At this busy time of year, help us to remember the important
things. In all the rush of sending cards and giving presents
may we make time to be still, to acknowledge your sending
and giving of the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Thank you that he
didn’t stay in the stable in Bethlehem, but lived and died and
became the Saviour of all who put their trust in him. May we
receive afresh the gift of your presence with us in Jesus, now
and for ever, with great thankfulness. In his name, we pray.
Amen.
By Daphne Kitching