CHRIST CHURCH ADVENT CALENDARchristchurch-malvern.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/... · Williams,...

W i n t e r 2 0 1 6 I s s u e N u m b e r 1 8 F R E E C o p y

In the busy activities of Christmas, as we get caught up in all the hectic preparations , it

is easy for us all to forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I am sure we are all guilty of this to some degree. That is why preparation is so important in the Church calendar, by means of Advent , it gives us time to reflect and prepare for the “big event” spiritually. Don’t worry I am not going to write an Advent lecture, I am leaving that to Harold! I want to talk about the practical preparations we are making at Christ Church for all our services, our events and our concerts . We have had plans in place for months now, we can’t afford to leave it all until Christmas Eve!! From November onwards we have a very full diary of services and events, which gradually unfold until Christmas Day. Activities begin long before then though , as we make preparations

for our Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box collection, we have baskets for all the goodies to put inside from September onwards, we have our workshop at the beginning of November, when we all fill them and enjoy a special time together and, of course, we have the boxes blessed at our 11.00 a.m. service on Sunday 27th November.

We have sent invitations to all those in our Parish who have lost a loved one, to invite them to our All Souls Service, this year Sunday 6th November at 4.00 p.m. We hope that they and all of you who have lost someone can join us for a short but comforting service to remember them. You are all invited for tea and cakes afterwards.

Our musical “remembrance” begins on Saturday 12th November at 7.30 p.m. when Severn Voices perform a beautiful programme to commemorate the end of the Battle of

CHRIST CHURCH ADVENT CALENDAR

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How About Saving Money?If you have enjoyed reading this magazine, and we do hope you have, would you like to receive it regularly to keep

up to date with all that is happening at Christ Church and ensure will send it electronically and save money, printing costs and the environment and you don’t miss any of our events.

PLEASE [email protected]

Look Us Up OnlineWe do have a website and this can be found at:www.christchurch-malvern.org.uk

Where to Find Christ ChurchWe are situated in Avenue Road only a few minutes from Great Malvern Railway Station.Our address is:Avenue Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3AY

Welcome

ContactsBaptism, Wedding, and Funeral Enquiries:Reverend Canon Harold Goddard 01684 563350Email: [email protected]

Church Warden and All Other Church Enquiries:Angela Green 07756 722426Email: [email protected]

Ministry Team:We have a team of ministers for Christ Church including Reverend Canon Harold Goddard.

Pastoral Care:In case of sickness, or if visits would be appreciated please contact: Mrs Dorothy Clark01684 491343Apt 101, First Floor Clarence Park Village, 415 Worcester Rd, Malvern WR14 1PP

PCC Secretary:Allan Green01684 89301518 Wedderburn Road, Malvern WR14 2DG

Electoral Roll: Allan Green

Events Co-Ordinator: Angela Green07756 722426

Magazine:

Editor: Angela Green07756 722426

Artwork: Helen Reeves 01684 541766 Email: [email protected]

Christ Church Hall Lettings:Rebecca Ramsay 01684 560663 Email: [email protected]

Humpty Dumpty Parent & Toddler Group: Rosemary Webb01684 5657087 Willow Grove, Malvern WR14 2SEEmail: [email protected]

2 CHRIST CHURCH MAGAZINE | WINTER 2016

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

included in the ticket, will be served in the interval and all profits will once again go to Megan Baker House to help children with Cerebral Palsy, another Christmas present maybe?

The magic of Christmas lights fill the Church on Sunday 18th December at 4.00 p.m. when we hold our Christingle Service and all proceeds go to the Children’s Society

And, most importantly , we celebrate our first Communion of Christmas on Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December at the more user friendly time of 8.00 p.m. On Christmas Day a “said” Communion at 10.00 a.m. with Canon Goddard before that all important lunch!

So, we have to send out our invites, get our building ready, make sure all our guests have enough food, drink and entertainment but most importantly leave us feeling spiritually fed and with a sense of belonging to our community here in Christ Church. Not much different than your own preparations and shopping at home, thank goodness we don’t have all those sprouts to prepare…

Angela Green

the Somme and our thoughts turn to all who have given their lives for their country. Then, of course our Remembrance Sunday Service. This begins at the earlier time of 10.45 on Sunday 13th November to enable us to remember the 2 minutes silence at 11.00 a.m.

You can get in the mood for your Christmas by coming along to our Christmas Fair on Saturday 19th November 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. when we have home-made cakes to buy, extensive selection of cards, all our books, CD’s and DVD’s to browse through , our extensive gift stalls, our Toy stall raffle prizes to win and ,of course, our refreshments. We are also joined by the Guide Dogs so come and have a look please do. You can feel very virtuous that you have made a start on your Christmas, buy all your cards!

More music on Sunday 27th November at 3.00 p.m. when the English String Orchestra once again delight us with their programme for Autumn , why not buy a ticket for an early Christmas present?

Sing along to Christmas Carols with the Malvern Chase Brass Band at 3.00 p.m. on Sunday 4th December and enjoy mince pies and coffee and tea, entry is free.

A delightful way to just stop and relax on Saturday 10th December with Linda Tolchard’s Christmas By Candlelight at 7.30 p.m. Wine,

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WINTER 2016 | CHRIST CHURCH MAGAZINE 3

For any queries phone Angela Greenon 07756 722 426. Web Site: www.christchurch-malvern.org.uk E mail: [email protected]

5th November 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. Shoe Box Workshop, bring friends & family & have fun putting together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. A lovely chance to meet others in our community & enjoy your Saturday morning coffee.

6th November All Souls Service 4.00.p.m. a moving service to remember our loved ones & join us for tea & cakes in our Church Café afterwards.

12th November 7.30 p.m. Severn Voices Choir Battle of the Somme Memorial Concert join with us on this unique occasion Tickets £7.50 under 16 free accompanied, Family tickets £15 available www.severnvoices.com

13th November Remembrance Sunday 10.45 a.m. On this special anniversary join us to “remember them “

19th November 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Christ Church Christmas Fair with all its well-stocked stalls and Café, a wonderful morning out.

27th November 3.00 p.m. English String Orchestra returns with Michael Bochmann Director for an Autumn Concert , a wonderful afternoon of music with a programme which includes Corelli, Vivaldi, Vaughan Williams, Mozart, Boyce, Britten, Grieg, Saint Saens & Copland. Along with tea & cakes!

Tickets £16/£12 Box Office Malvern TIC 01684 892289 [email protected].

4th December 3.00 p.m. Come and sing Carols with the Chase Brass Band. Entry is free and there will be tea, coffee and mince pies at the interval.

10th December 7.30 p.m. an evening of pure Christmas with Linda Tolchard as she sings. Tickets Malvern Theatres Box Office 01684 892277£15 or on the door on the night. All profits to Megan Baker House Charity.

18th December Christingle Service at 4.00 p.m. a magical start to Christmas week for children old and young. In aid of the Children’s Society.

24th December 8.00 p.m. The first Communion of Christmas with Canon Harold Goddard, at the more worshipper friendly time!

25th December 10.00 a.m. said Holy Communion with Canon Harold Goddard.

LOOKING AHEAD

26th February 3.00 p.m. Little Malvern Ensemble perform Elgar’s Enigma Variations for chamber orchestra arrange and conducted by George Morton, the original music is still there, but a lighter variation for a chamber orchestra, also Respighi’s Three Botticelli Pictures. Tickets £10 available soon

19th March ESO Spring Concert - details soon on our web site.

SUNDAY SERVICES AT CHRIST CHURCH

1ST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 11AM FAMILY SERVICE

2ND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 8AM HOLY COMMUNION 11AM PARISH COMMUNION

3RD, 4TH AND 5TH SUNDAYOF THE MONTH

WHAT’S ON


http://www.christchurch-malvern.org.uk

mailto:angie%40christchurch-malvern.org.uk%20?subject=Enquiry%20Christ%20Church%20Magazine

On the morning of Saturday, 8th October I joined a large number of Clergy and Readers in Worcester Cathedral for a service with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Bishops of Worcester and of Dudley. Local monastic communities led the service. The Archbishop of Canterbury then gave an address on Prayer. He described his own regular pattern of prayer which sustained his faith and his ministry in his busy life. He had just come back from a visit to Rome to meet with Pope Francis and discuss Anglican-Roman Catholic relations. But a regular daily pattern of prayer, the offices of Morning and Evening

SHARING OUR HARVEST

Following the seasons also applies to our “Church calendar” as we gather in our Harvest gifts. It is always good to welcome our friends from Lansdowne Methodists and never more so when we can all give thanks together at our Harvest Service. We were able to give abundant thanks for all the gifts brought which has already gone to the Malvern Food Bank to help those who need our support in such a practical way. The Food Bank are so grateful for all the support they receive from the people of Malvern and it is vital we keep these contributions going as Winter approaches and the comfort of sharing food seems even more important.

Angela Green

Prayer, Holy Communion and Quiet Times sustained his faith wherever he was. He came over as a humble, sincere Archbishop who has much to offer to the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Church of England. In the course of that weekend, he also met children from Worcestershire and Dudley Schools; joined in an interview with Jeremy Vine; attended a Family Day in Redditch; went to a Prayer Walkabout and Songs of Praise in Merry Hill Shopping Centre and met Worcestershire business leaders - quite a lot to cram into one weekend! Please continue to pray for Archbishop Justin and that he may remain rooted and grounded in prayer.

Harold Goddard

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURYCAME TO WORCESTER

CHRIST CHURCHCHRISTMAS FAIR

19th November10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

We would love you to join usRefreshments with home made cakes

Lots of Toys, RaffleNumerous Books, CD’s, DVD’s

A large variety of Cards, Gift, Pictures, Bric a Brac, Cakes & Home-made Preserves, Guide Dogs Stall


CHRIST CHURCH HARPS STRIKE A

CHORD!

This was another exciting first for Christ Church. When we were approached by Pilgrim Harps to host a Harp Day we thought what a brilliant idea to be able to give our community this fabulous and completely free opportunity to experience something new and unique first hand on their very own doorstep. Having such large space available made it ideal, as the instruments really are quite big and the harps certainly took centre stage. We were so delighted at the many visitors, young and old, who came to our event. It really was a treat to have the beautiful instrument on display and to see and hear all our visitors enjoying it. Such encouraging comments about how they had all enjoyed the whole experience. I really didn’t realise how petite and beautiful a harp could be. And, the visitors came from far and wide, from Warwick, from the Cotswolds and from Rugby to name but a few. Thank you to everyone for showing their support and we hope you enjoyed the day. All enquiries re these truly magnificent instruments see www.pilgrimharps.co.uk

Angela Green


PRAYER FOR THE LYTTELTON WELL

November 2016

Please focus your prayers this

month on our Counselling Service,

headed up by Kate Hill and her

Lead Team.

Thank God for all those who give

their time as Counsellors and

Receptionists, praying that they will

have wisdom in all their dealings

with clients. Give thanks for all

those who have received help

over the years.

Pray that our current Clients have

their needs fully met, even if those

needs are known only to God.

As ever, more Christian volunteers

to be Receptionists or Counsellors

would help us meet more needs!

We are looking forward to meeting you all on 19th November 10.00 to 12.30 p.m. for our annual Fair. We have lots of excellent stalls and all well stocked. There will be home-made cakes and produce, Raffle with lots of prizes, Gifts, buy your presents early or even treat yourself! Visit our Household and bric a brac stalls, a wide selection of cards, including Maureen Edward’s home-made cards in aid of Worcester Cancer Aid plus her fabulous handmade quilts, so you can buy your Christmas cards too, books, CD’s, DVD’s, A great Toy stall, and of course our refreshments with coffee and cakes. We won’t be joined by Santa but we will have cute animals on show as the Guide Dogs will be joining us once more at their stall. In shirt, something for everyone and you can buy lots for Christmas all in one place! Make it a date with friends and family.

Angela Green

CHRISTMAS FAIR

In the interest of fairness!A few days after the school holidays ended, a young curate received a call from his six-year old son’s teacher. She said she was ringing because his son had been misbehaving. “Hang on a minute,” said the curate, “We had him all summer and we never called you once when he misbehaved!”

JOKE


ABOUT MEGAN BAKER HOUSE

Megan Baker House (MBH) was established 14 years ago for a small group of children with cerebral palsy. Since that time, the centre has grown considerably, re-located to its present position on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire/Shropshire borders and now over 70 children a week access our services.

CHRIST CHURCH ARE DELIGHTED TO BE PROVIDING THE VENUE ONCE MORE FOR LINDA TOLCHARD’S CHRISTMAS CHARITY CONCERT -

SUPPORTING MEGAN BAKER HOUSE

Many of the children have cerebral palsy, some haveundiagnosed motor disabilities and dyspraxia. There is very little NHS provision so MBH fills a huge gape in the provision of statutory services. Using the technique called conductive education we improve both their gross and fine motor controls so they can start to be more independent – feeding themselves, toileting and even walking for the first time in their lives. This improves their confidence and reduces feelings of isolation. We also have a small group for adults with Parkinson’s disease. Children come from across the two counties to the centre, for sessional services on a weekly basis, some from the Malvern area and all sessions are delivered by graduates in the field of conductive education. The sessions are provided free-of-charge, even though we have no government or statutory funding. We owe our existence to community fundraising events, donations and grants from charitable trusts and every year must find about £350,000 or £7,000 each week! Events such as this one provided by Patron of MBH Linda Tolchard and her orchestra mean a great deal to us and I thank you for supporting us in this way. We are also grateful to Christchurch for hosting this wonderful Christmas event.

Further information about the centre and ways to access the services can be found on our website www.meganbakerhouse.org.uk


http://meganbakerhouse.org.uk

AUTUMN IS IN THE AIR…

And the forthcoming English String Orchestra concert will certainly have an autumnal feel to it. We love having the ESO at Christ Church and I know that the audience are so appreciative at being able to listen to such first class playing locally. Much thought is put in to the programme and performers and this concert is directed by Michael Bochmann MBE and Michael is joined by Katherine Thomas, on harp, and Peter Adam , on cello. Of course there is Vivaldi’s “Autumn “but there is also much, much more, an autumn afternoon in the surroundings of Christ Church with music, and there will be hot drinks and home-made cakes at the interval, sadly no log fire!

Sunday 27th November at 3.00 p.m. Christ Church Malvern.Tickets available from Malvern TIC, 21 Church Street Malvern.

Christmas comes but once a year and Linda is back

to sing for you and the children of Megan Baker House, a registered charity for children with cerebral palsy.

Linda will be joined by her fabulous band of musicians give you all a heart-warming start to the Christmas season with a wealth of beautiful music to touch the heart and put you firmly in the Christmas spirit.

So, don’t delay, Saturday the 10th of December it is! Put the date in your diary now and look out for tickets which shall be, if not already, on sale through Malvern Theatres Box Office, price £15

Festive refreshments and good cheer in abundance await you.

Can’t wait to see you all again, let’s do it for the children.

Linda Tolchard

A MAGICAL CANDLELIT EVENINGWITH LINDA TOLCHARD

Linda will have her new album, “Wild Rose” available for sale, beautifully gift wrapped for Christmas presents.


CHRIST CHURCH SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY ACTION, READ ALL ABOUT THEIR NEW PROJECT AND HELP IF YOU ARE ABLE

Volunteers are being sought for a new scheme set up by Community Action. It is a fact that 12% of over 65s admit to feeling lonely and some can’t remember the last time another person smiled at them. So, Community Action would like to come to the rescue by launching a brand new project called Helping Hands.

Community Action is one of the most established charities in Malvern, having been founded over 40 years ago. You will know of the vital services they deliver which help prevent social isolation by providing transport and running social activities such as Sunday Tea Club, and Shoparound.

To get this new project off the ground new volunteers are needed. People who can spare a couple of hours a week to brighten someone’s day and provide much needed support. This will involve volunteers visiting clients in their own homes for a few hours to do domestic tasks such as shopping, light housework, gardening and help with phone calls and letters. It is hoped that this would be on a regular basis so that each volunteer and client can build a rapport.

Chris Kirk, Chairman of Community Action, said “Helping Hands is our exciting new initiative which we have developed within the Malvern area. It will enhance the services we already provide and continue our aim of reducing social isolation in our community.”

If you feel you are able to give any time to help, whether it be a couple of hours a week to a whole day, and you would like play a part in making other people’s lives better

PLEASE telephone Community Action on 01684 892381 for an informal chat or email [email protected] for further information.

FRIENDLY FACES CAN LEND HELPING HAND


All Souls Service CHRIST CHURCH

6th November 4.00 p.m. Join us to remember your loved

ones in this simple service

TIME TO REMEMBER

Every year we hold our All Souls service, giving us all an opportunity to celebrate and remember the lives of those we have loved and lost. Canon Goddard will preside over a simple, contemplative and healing service when you can have the names of loved ones read out, and light a candle in their memory. It is a very moving sight to see all the candles lit together as we quietly remember. Afterwards , in our Church Café , there is the opportunity to chat and have home-made cake and tea and coffee and our Memorial Book will be on show. So, if you dedicated a tile , now safely on our roof, if you have connections with Christ Church or not, it doesn’t matter, come along and join us . The Tile To Remember Memorial Book will also be available . The service is on 6th November at 4.00 p.m.

Our organist Brian has been otherwise occupied, busy baking! Brian always produces some fabulous cakes and those of you who come to our events will know this already but he has now received a higher recognition at

the Alfrick Show and gained not one but two First prizes , three second prizes and two third prizes - much to celebrate and we enjoyed sampling them after the service as did Chloe and Emily Aris pictured!

OUR VERY TALENTED BRIAN WILLIS - A CELEBRATION IN CAKES


A NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN!

A young man was taken on as a temporary caretaker at a large city church. When he reported for his first day at work, the vicar greeted him with a warm handshake and a smile. He gave him a broom and said, “I’m afraid the place is in a bit of a mess, so for your first job you will have to sweep the whole place and make it tidy.” The young man looked shocked and he said, rather indignantly, “Have you forgotten I’m a university graduate?” The vicar replied, “Oh, sorry, I’d forgotten that; here give me the broom and I’ll show you how it’s done.”

TIME FOR A SMILE?A minister’s son, a musician’s son, and an artist’s son were talking. The artist’s son said, “My dad can scribble something on a piece of paper, call it a picture, and sell it for £200.” The musician’s son said, “Oh, that’s nothing! My dad can scribble something on a piece of paper, call it a song, and sell it for £500.” The minister’s son looked at them and said, “You two don’t know anything. My dad can scribble something on a piece of paper, call it a sermon, and it takes up to 6 people to gather up all the money!”

JOKE

WISE WORDS!!

Lord, you know better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day be really old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every occasion about every

subject. Release me from craving to straighten out somebody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but

you know Lord, I want a few friends at the end.

Once more we are thinking of gathering in our Shoe Boxes and we really hope you can continue to support our Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Appeal. Preparations are in place for our fun workshop on Saturday 5th November, from 10.00 a.m. until 12 noon join us and enjoy putting a box together, no experience necessary! We will wrap and fill together! There will be our usual refreshments and of course books, cards and CDs and DVDs buy. It really is an untold pleasure to know that box is going to a

SHOE BOX WORKSHOP AND DROP OFFS

child who will value it so very much. If you don’t finish your box don’t worry you can take it home to complete and also, if you can’t make that date, bring your finished boxes along each Wednesday and Saturday in November, between 10.00 a.m. and 12 noon or pop in to our Friday Coffee Shop in Christ Church Hall also 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon and leave it there. You will always be guaranteed a warm welcome and a cup of coffee! The final date to drop off shoe boxes is 30th November.


Musical Director William Coleman – will perform

an Autumn concert to commemorate the end of Battle of the Somme. The programme includes movements from Brahms’ German Requiem, choral songs by Ledbury composer, John Frith – A Young Man in April – (which are to poems by Rupert Brook), and music by Gloucester composers, Ivor Gurney and his friend Herbert Howells. Severn Voices will be joined by soloists, Peter Wilman and Lynn Marie Boudreau from Welsh National Opera, in this centenary musical tribute to all the men who gave their lives in the Battle of the Somme, which ended on November 18th 1916. The concert will also include a new piece, Memorial Ground, by David Lang, which has been specially written for performances all over the

country around the date of the end of the Battle of the Somme.

We are very honoured that Christ Church is the venue for such a fitting commemorative concert, many men from our parish appear on our War Memorial, this concert will pay tribute to their memories and all of those who fell in the Battle of the Somme. Admission is £7.50 for adults / accompanied children under 16 are free. Tickets available to order from www.severnvoices.com and of course there will be tickets on the door.

The Somme part of the steel sculpture by Lawrence Walker in Gheluvelt Park, Worcester. The height of the panel in relation to the others shows the number of casualties. On the first day of the Somme, July 1st 1916, 20,000 British soldiers were killed.

BATTLE OF THE SOMMEMEMORIAL CONCERT

Severn Voices Christ Church ChoirSaturday November 12th at 7.30 p.m.

Remembrance Sunday

13th NovemberChrist Church

10.45 a.m


Malvern, of course, is the ideal setting for any performance of a work by Elgar, and Christ Church, clearly a place with a congregation and audience enthusiastic about all things musical, seems the ideal setting for a brand new performance of Elgar’s Enigma Variations. However, this will be a performance with a difference; a new take on the original work. George Morton, conductor and arranger has recently made a new version of this famous work, for chamber orchestra. All the original music is still there, but the forces are reduced from the original symphonic sound to something lighter and texturally more exposed. A challenge for the players and a new experience for the listeners! Conductor George Morton is based in Sheffield and is Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Sheffield Rep Orchestra. He has also arranged Holst’s Planets Suite for chamber ensemble in response to a commission from Latitude Music

Festival. George’s new realisation of Elgar’s piece was premièred in Exeter in July 2016 and has since had performances in Sheffield and London. Our concert in Malvern will couple the Elgar piece with Respighi’s Three Botticelli Pictures.

The Little Malvern Ensemble (a little ensemble from Malvern, not an ensemble from Little Malvern!) is a newly formed group and this will be its first outing, with George as guest conductor - an obvious choice! The acoustics of Christ Church should be perfect for a small orchestral group such as this. Tickets will be £10 for the performance at 3pm on Sunday 26th February. These will be available soon and any concessions will be announced in due course. Refreshments will be served during the interval.

SOMETHING OLD AND SOMETHING NEW…


On 10 September 2016 I took part, as a cyclist, in the annual sponsored Ride and Stride event to support Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust; this being the 5th consecutive year in which I have participated I have now got to grips with the route planning and sponsorship involved. The easy part is turning the pedals.

This year we raised £271 and I thoroughly enjoyed my jaunt around 23 churches in the Malvern and Upton area. Most churches were open, to coincide with Churches Open Day, although I was surprised to find some were open but unmanned. I had better not say which ones… in case any burglars read our magazine, but I was touched that Wardens for isolated buildings had more trust in the great British public (and The lord) than I – remembering that Christ Church had suffered three thefts recently.

Several churches can be relied on each year to be open and welcoming – including St. Matthias, Holy Trinity and Church of The Ascension, and our own Christ Church. St. Wulstan’s RC has also been open for the last 2 years and boasts a very satisfactory tea room; a visit to the Elgar Graves is also recommended. It was good to see St. Mary’s Pickersleigh open this year staffed by Beth Thomas and Judy Green.

One particular pleasure on this trip was to go inside St. Leonards Newland – a redundant church, which this year was undergoing an almighty (autumn?) clean up so I was lucky to be shown around. This church has a stunning interior with beautifully – carved pews and ornate altar. It was built around 1860 and the benefactor, The Earl of Beauchamp,

was influenced at the time by The Oxford Movement; hence there is a heavy Anglo – Catholic “High Church” feel about the church. Like Christ Church – built 10- 15 years later - it was primarily intended for worship by poorer parishioners such as farm labourers and was presumably intended to inspire awe and reference, whereas the larger Christ Church has a simpler functional character, designed for the working masses.

Another of my favourites this year was St. Mary’s at Hanley Castle; the very helpful Warden, Helen, tries to keep the church open for weekend visitors and it is well worth the effort. This church dates from way back, in fact no-one knows how far. I signed the Visitor book and after turning back a few pages I was back in the 1970’s. I somehow did not feel like turning back further but am sure that if I had I might well have come across a Roundhead or Cavalier officer. This church was actually damaged during the Civil War nearly 400 years ago – presumably in the Roundhead rampage from Upton to Worcester via Powick.

I think I am now more inspired to discover more about the history of several of the beautiful churches in our local deaneries due to my bike rides. There is always a serene dignity about all of these buildings and they really are time capsules of living history with the present custodians caring as much for them as our forefathers did centuries ago. I just pray that my legs will last out until next September!

Allan Green Christ Church

SPONSORED BIKE RIDE 2016


Dear friends, November 27th is Advent Sunday. Advent is the season in the Church’s Year when we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the first Christmas Day. So every Christmas Day is really Jesus’s birthday! Mary and Joseph had been preparing for Jesus to be born in their home town of Nazareth. They had prepared a room for their baby. Joseph the carpenter would have made a crib for the baby to sleep in. The family were waiting expectantly. But then came shock and horror! The census ordered by the Roman Emperor meant that Mary and Joseph had to travel at short notice to Bethlehem which was Joseph’s ancestral home-town. Amid the crowds and the chaos, the noise and the throng of people, Jesus the Son of God and son of Mary was born far from home in a stable, probably more like a cave. outside an unknown inn, with the inn-keeper’s animals to keep him company! Worse than that, very soon Jesus had to flee for his life with Mary and Joseph to Egypt to escape the murderous wrath of King Herod who saw Jesus as a threat to his own rule over the people of Israel and had all the other baby boys in Bethlehem killed to try and eliminate that threat. Too many Christmas scenes and Christmas cards over-romanticise the shocking reality of what really happened. It wasn’t all mistletoe and wine

with cherubim and seraphim watching on. It was a the beginning of an epic battle between good and evil which was to be worked out in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself”. Jesus is the Lord of Surprises - Donald Hilton writes:-

Lord Jesus Christ,You came to a stable

when men looked in a palace;you were born in poverty

when we might have expected riches;King of all the earth,

you were content to visit one nation.From beginning to end

you upturned our human valuesand held us in suspense.Come to us, Lord Jesus,

Do not let us take you for grantedor pretend that we ever fully understand you.

Continue to surprise usso that, kept alert,

we are always readyto receive you as Lord and to do your will.

May the peace of the Christ child rule in your hearts and in your homes this Advent, this Christmas and always. With my prayers and best wishes,

CANON HAROLD GODDARD

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