1REV GAVIN HANCOCKS

Tel: 01803 615480email: minister@centralchurchtorquay.org

MINISTER IN PASTORAL CHARGE

CORNERSTONE

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014/15

MAGAZINE OF

CENTRAL

ST. ANDREWS

AND

VICTORIA PARK

St AMission

Pg 30

Family NewsPg 4

VPEventsPg 36

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CHURCH CONTACTS - CENTRAL

Secretary Barbara Lawton 01803 296990lawtonbarbara75@yahoo.co.uk

Treasurers John Coatham 01803 323212 Paul Sherriff 01803 298603Envelope & Gift Aid SecretaryOrganist & Choir Director Clive Bastin 01803 325142Magazine Editors Hazel Nightingale 01803 613345 Philip Kay 01803 323551

philipkay393@btinternet.comBooking Secretary Hazel Nightingale 01803 613345

hazel_nightingale@hotmail.comPublicity(Posters) Barbara Gissinger 01803 328407Caretakers Darrell Sanderson 07719 099901 Keith Read 07719 099901Website www.centralchurchtorquay.org

CHURCH CONTACTS – ST ANDREWS.

Church Secretary. Sue Jarvis 01803 325501wheezy1@sky.com

Senior Steward Sue Masheder 01803 873258sue@masheder1.freeserve.co.uk

CHURCH CONTACTS – VICTORIA PARK

Lay Pastoral Assistant Irene Cochran 01803 842542leeathookhills@aol.com

Church Council Secretary Myra Wise 01803 327145myrawise456@btinternet.com

Senior Steward Mavis Paul 01803 291895

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THE MINISTER

Dear Friends,

Christmas comes and with it all the wonder and marvel, mystery andmagic of the incarnation. Everything about it is all wrong! Who wantsto be giving birth in the dead of winter in a stable? That can’t be right?Who needs to be trekking half way across the country on a donkey inthe 11�� hour of their pregnancy? That can’t be right? Above all, whoneeds to be surrounded by smelly riff-raff and farm animals, especiallyif they’re meant to be ‘King of the Universe’?! That surely can’t be right!?

But there it is, the babe in a manger, in all probability placed mostmeticulously just where he would be most accessible to all. No big wallsof separation or ‘security’ restricting him. No overzealous servants orfamily ‘protecting’ him. No ‘safe’ environment encircling him, sanitisingeach place his foot should fall, keeping him from all and any harm. No,as Paul says in Ephesians 1:9 ‘For he has made known to us in all wisdomand insight the mystery of his will,…’ or to put it another way: the secrethidden is now revealed. Indeed friends, God’s plans and purposes arenot complicated and convoluted. They are not beyond our reach orcomprehension they are right there, right in front of our very eyes forus to plainly see. So, as we contemplate the mystery of the Incarnationthis Christmas may we, as Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians allthose years ago also ‘have the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that youmay know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are theriches of his glorious inheritance in the saints’ Eph 1:18. Indeed, let uslearn to trust ourselves to the God who trusts himself to us in the babein the manger in order that we might discover the joy of following himwho gave his all for us.

From all of us here at 29 Oak Park Ave to all of you may the joy of theincarnation invade you afresh with hope and peace, today and always.

Gavin, Angela, Desre & Richard.

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FAMILY & FRIENDSFamily News & other Bits & Pieces

THANKS· From Denise Lawrence: A big thank you for all the prayers, cards

and caring thoughts I received from the folk at Central Churchduring my recent stay in hospital and following my discharge.They have played a huge part in my recovery after the surgerywhich achieved more than was expected and I’m progressing well.It’s also good to know that Mum and Dad are so lovinglysupported. God Bless you all. Denise Lawrence

· From Jeanne Sherington: Thank you very much for all yourkindness, cards, phone calls, beautiful flowers, and most of all,prayers which I know have been answered because I have healedso quickly. It is the quiet, underlying Christian love at Central,which is so much appreciated.

· From Margaret & Jan Newman: Thank you all so much forsurrounding us with prayer during Harold’s illness and his passing.We have also been so grateful for church flowers and phone callswhile we were going through such a difficult time. We thank youtoo, for the numerous cards which we have received since the14�� October – in particular we found the lovely comments aboutHarold, and what he meant to each of you, extremely touching –these were written on nearly every card. We were also amazedby the number of people who came to his Thanksgiving Service.Thank you all so much, and please continue to remember us inyour prayers as Harold has left a huge hole in our lives.

· Ted and Sue and family would like to thank everyone for theirkind thoughts and messages and many lovely cards on the passingof Mum (Gwen Kassell). She will be sorely missed but we knowshe is now with her Saviour.

CONGRATULATIONS· Happy Birthday to Mary Jakes on the 12�� December.· Happy Birthday to Verna Stuckey on the 22ⁿ� December.· Happy Birthday to Pat Hawes on the 13�� January

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· Happy Birthday to Mavis Paul on the 15th January· Happy Birthday to Doreen Moore on the 22ⁿ� January

CHANGE OF ADDRESS· Zinnia Mockler has moved to 133, Derbyshire House, Clovelly

Place, GREENHITHE, Kent, DA9 9UY

AROUND THE FAMILY AT ST ANDREWS

Here we are at the beginning of Advent, the time to prepare ourselvesfor the real meaning of Christmas – God in His world, God in our heartsand minds.

Life must be really difficult now, with the prospect of shorter daylighthours and colder less reliable weather for those who experience “Winter,but no Christmas.” But for those who live in faith and accept the meaningof Christmas, what joy December brings!

We shall be busy in our various ways for Christmas and New Year and wedo not know what 2015 will bring for any of us personally or family-wise,as a church or nationally. We have to live by our faith and trust in Godthat all be beneficial in His love.

May Christmas Blessings rest on all of us and the New Year bring peaceand hope to our troubled world.

Please remember in your prayers Mary and Jim Gill, Sue Jarvis, BerylStapleton, The Dunbar family, Elsie and John Lipscombe

And our congratulations to Hugh and Diana George on their 60�� WeddingAnniversary in December.

Mention of the various Christmas and New Year activities at St Andrew’sis made in other parts of this joint magazine.

Sheila Denham

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HAROLD NEWMAN

Harold was born in Exeter in 1927, and his parents were fish & chipproprietors. After two quick moves the family settled in Salisbury. Heleft school before he was 14, always wanted to be an Accountant, andwhilst working during the daytime, went to evening classes.

He joined the Army in 1945 in the RASC where, after initial training healso trained as a shorthand typist. He was involved in organising troopMovements at a Transit Camp in Cairo and the Suez Canal zone.

After the Army, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in a record 3years. He attended Sunday School as a boy and became a member of theMethodist Church in his early teens. He eventually served as aCommunion Steward, Church Steward, Church Treasurer and CircuitTreasurer (for 14 years). He was also interested in the National ChildrensHome. He became a partner with a firm of Chartered Accountants inSalisbury.

His first marriage failed and then in March 1983 he married Margaret –and acquired two teenage children! They moved to Okehampton. Heworked for a firm of Certified Accountants in Okehampton, and for a firmof Chartered Accountants in Barnstaple, remaining with them for 8 yearsuntil he retired. He again was deeply involved in the financial workingsof his Church.

Harold had a lifelong interest in collecting stamps and was a foundermember of the Methodist Philatelic Society in 1970.

Harold & Margaret moved to Paignton in 1999 and joined Central. Therehe again became very involved in many financial posts. He was a Memberof the Moors Housegroup, Flexercise Group, and a Worship Group. Hehad a slight stroke in 2002 which left him becoming more and moredisabled.

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OLIVE FROST

We give thanks for the life of Olive Frost who died on 1�� October 2014.Olive was a life-long member of Victoria Park, as were her parents Mr &Mrs Robins, and her grandparents Mr & Mrs Robins. There are variousways in which we will remember Olive. One in particular was in thesewing party with the Revd Val Price in the making of the banners whichhang on our wall in church.

Although she had been laid aside for some time, she will not be forgotten.Her funeral was held at Victoria Park Church.

GWENDOLINE KASSELL

29th May 1926 - 14th October 2014

By the time we welcomed Gwen and Ted into the family of CentralChurch, Gwen had lived in Harrogate, Chester, Solihull and Nottinghambut a move to Torquay, the place where they spent their honeymoon,meant they could be near their daughter Sue and family.

Family were very important to Gwen and there was always a warmwelcome in her home. The family remember how eagerly theyanticipated the lovely roast dinners and that Gwen would make chocolateand lemon cake so that everyone had their favourite. She was artisticand had a love of painting. Ruth remembered accompanying herGrandmother on one of her regular rambles and being entertained byGwen’s knowledge of and interest in nature. She also remembers herGrandmother’s “patience and words of wisdom which she sharedgenerously and unconditionally”. Caroline said of her Grandmother “Herquiet determination to follow Jesus and share God’s love with thosearound her was a great challenge to me.”

Gwen will be greatly missed by all her family and friends and to them weextend our thoughts and prayers.

Tessa Goodwin

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ENJOYING YOUR CHRISTMAS DINNER?

Are you going to be alone for your Christmas dinner this year, are youplanning on a microwave meal for one? Would you rather be sittingaround a table with friends and turkey and trimmings?

Are you having family and friends over for Christmas dinner but haveroom for one more?

This Christmas we are going to try to marry up people who wouldotherwise be alone for Christmas Day with people who are willing to seatan extra person at their Christmas dinner table.

We are a loving and caring community and Christmas is another time forus to show this to each other as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.We are going to do our best to find everyone a place to enjoy this SpecialChristmas Time.

If you are going to be alone this Christmas or if you would like to openyour home to someone who would otherwise be alone at this time pleaseget in touch with Sarah on 01803 613345 orfaith.moves.mountains@outlook.com

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ST ANDREWS JUNIOR CHURCH NEWS

Happy birthday to: Daisy Wilcox who will be 10 on 8�� December, JoshuaKeay who will be 7 on 27�� December and Jake Hills who turns 18 on11�� December.

Happy birthday also to Christopher Ratcliffe who will be 10 on 8��January, Isaac Porter who becomes 1 on 25�� January and Charlie Harborwho will be 9 on 26�� January.

Jesus said; “love your neighbour as you love yourself” but who is yourneighbour? Is it the family who live next door to you? The man in the flatabove? As we heard in Junior Church everyone around the world isneighbour, and we should treat them as we would like to be treated. Wewrote decorated some paper hearts and wrote some prayers on them.

Rachel George

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP

This month on the 8��, we look forward to our Christmas Lunch, followedby entertainment from the Riviera Singers. On the 15�� we conclude ourmeetings for this year with a Celebration Tea.

In the New Year we will be welcoming Jackie Smith with more of herhumorous stories, an afternoon with Gavin & Angela, more stories fromVal Elms, and a further visit from Carol Stephens with her talk entitled‘Smile Awhile.’

Sadly, one of our members Gwen Kassell passed away recently and weremember her family and friends at this sad time. We also remembermembers who cannot be with us regularly on a Monday afternoon,especially Violet, Doreen, and Barbara Zaple.

Christmas Blessings to you all, and good wishes for the New Year.Barbara Lawton

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ALL IN THE MONTH OF December.......it was:

300 years ago:- on 27th Dec 1714 that George Whitefield was born. Thisfamous British preacher was one of the founders of Methodism; hehelped to spread the Great Awakening in Britain and the North Ameri-can colonies.

100 years ago:- on 24th-25th Dec 1914 that the WW1 Christmas Trucetook place. British and German troops observed an unofficial ceasefireat several points along the Western Front, singing songs and exchanginggreetings from their trenches and even crossing into ‘no man’s land’ toexchange food and souvenirs and play football.

50 years ago:- on 8th Dec 1964 that Simon Marks, 1st Baron Marks ofBroughton, died. This British businessman had transformed his father’s‘Marks & Spencer’ market stalls into one of Britain’s leading retailers.

Also 50 years ago:- on 31st Dec 1964 that British driver Donald Campbellbroke the world water speed record, and became the only person tobreak both land speed record and the water speed record in the sameyear.

Also 30 years ago:- on 10th Dec 1984 that South African Anglican bishopDesmond Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony inOslo, Norway.

Also 25 years ago:- on 22nd Dec 1989 that the Brandenburg Gate inBerlin was reopened, effectively reuniting East and West Germany.

Also 10 years ago:- on 26th Dec 2004 that the Indian Ocean earthquakeand tsunami (also called the Boxing Day Tsunami) occurred. A massiveundersea earthquake near Sumatra caused a devastating tsunami thatswamped coastal areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand andAfrica. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history,and killed more than 230,000 people in 14 countries.

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Auction of Promises Postponed

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Auction of Promises that was setfor February has had to be postponed. The Special Events Committeewould like to thank those who offered their support.We will let you know details as and when the event is rescheduled.

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RING OUT THE BELLS

Ring out the bells and let them tell the wondrous news throughout the land

How Christ was born in Bethlehem and brought salvation down to man.

God’s wisdom had confounded all who could have thought of such a plan

As Deity descended low, God’s Son encompassed in a span.

He tabernacled here with us, as God He laid His glory by

He lived as man to bear our sin, and though a king was crucified.

And can it be He came for us to take our sin, not just in part?

If this be true, come celebrate and let the bells ring in our hearts!

By Megan Carter

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REFLECTION FROM VICTORIA PARK

Dear Friends,Christmas will soon be with us!! Time for parties, Carol Services, andpresents; and that’s great, but the real story transcends these things. Toget the most out of it, let's take another look at it.

a) The shepherds; Sheep herders had so little status in first centuryPalestine, they weren't even deemed reliable enough to testify in court,yet God chose them to announce His Son's arrival, and they in turn wentout and told it to the world! Luke tells us :" when they had seen Him,they spread the word" (Luke 2:17) Here's our answer to, ' Could God usesomeone like me'?  We don't need to be a Theology graduate or bepolished and eloquent. Just tell people what you've seen, heard, and thechange Christ has made in your life. Share the word, God will do the rest!

b) Those who heard their story;  'All who heard it were amazed ' (Luke2: 18) Gods grace still amazes people, God was reconciling the world toHimself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.' And He hascommitted to us the message of reconciliation'  (2 Corinthians 5:19). Notethe word 'reconciliation'. Your sin debt is cancelled, your books balanced;now you can have a relationship with God by simply trusting in Christ.Wow. Amazing!

c) Mary: Luke writes 'Mary treasured all these things and pondered themin her heart' (Luke 2:19). She wanted to understand what was takingplace and how it related to her. And we need to do that too. Get off theChristmas merry go round and take the time to treasure what's importanthere, and what it means to you. God became a man; that we, who arethe sons of men, might become the sons of God. Awesome!We call Jesus, the Prince of Peace so can I ask you to pray (especially atthis time) for situations of hatred, war and violence around the world -Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East. etc.Happy Advent and Christmas to you all!Irene

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Christmas carols

One night as Christmas approached, some friends decided to gocarol singing. A man answered the door of one house, and gaspedas they launched into the opening lines of the first carol. Withinhalf a minute, he looked stricken. Soon tears were welling up inhis eyes. The carollers sang and sang, and the man looked moreand moved by what he heard. At last the carollers stopped, andone ventured: “I understand – you are sad because our singingreminds you of your happy childhood Christmas days.” The manlooked at her with misery in his eyes. “No,” he whispered back.“It’s just that I am a musician!”

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Church rules

Six year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel sat togetherfor the Christmas concert in church. Joel kept giggling andwhispering until his big sister had had enough. “Be quiet in church!”

“Why?” Joel demanded. “Who is going to make me?” Angiepointed to the back of the church and said: “See those two big menstanding at the door? They’re hushers.”

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2014 CLOSES

and worldwide persecution of Christians is growing

As the year draws to a close, let’s remember in our prayers the millionsof Christians who live in various parts of the Muslim world. Many ofthese are facing persecution, and thousands of them have been mar-tyred for their faith during 2014 alone.

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that since the rise of IslamicState, Christian communities which have existed “in many cases sincethe days of St Paul” are now under threat in countries such as Syria andEgypt. To give just two of many dozens of examples: in Egypt duringAugust alone, around 100 Christian sites were attacked, and 42 churchesburnt to the ground. In September All Saints Anglican church in Pesha-war, Pakistan was bombed, killing 85 and injuring more than 200 people.And similar horrific stories abound.

The Most Rev Justin Welby, who leads almost 80 million Anglicansaround the world, said that despite the persecution, it was right thatChristians should continue to pray for the terrorists. “As Christians, oneof the things is that we pray for justice and particularly the issues aroundthe anger that comes from this kind of killing. But we are also called asJesus did at the Cross, to pray for those who are doing us harm.”

GUILD

Our last meeting of the year is on Tuesday 2ⁿ� December when the RevdValerie Price will be ‘Looking forward to Christmas.’

January 13�� we have an evening with Jackie Smith and on the 20��Michael Mann is taking us ‘Back to the Future.’ The 27�� will see PhilipKay with us for an evening of ‘Relaxing Music.’

We look forward to more of our friends joining us in room 1 on a Tuesdayat 7.30pm.

We wish all our regular friends a Happy Christmas and New Year

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PRAYER HANDBOOK.

Could you write a prayer?

The Methodist Prayer Handbook comes out every year and includesprayers for Methodist districts and projects around the world. The editoris always looking for new writers of general prayers for the Handbook.The 2015/2016 Handbook Pilgrims on a Journey will look at God’s call topilgrimage, both journey and destination, our companions on the wayand the everyday realities of the road to heaven. The title comes fromthe second verse of the hymn ‘Brother, sister, let me serve you’, byRichard A. M. Gillard (StF 611).

Prayers should be no longer than 12 lines or 120 words long. Deadlinefor submission is 12th January 2015. More details can be found athttp://www.methodistchurch.org.uk/prayerhandbook please submityour prayer to primi@quantrillmedia.com.

IT’S A BOY!

What a night! It really was a night of miracles. And that’s the title givento the setting to music of the Christmas story by John Peterson which theChoir has been asked to sing this year. The music will be sung by anaugmented choir supported by soloists Paul (Zaple), Angela and Clive(Brooks), and it will be narrated by Sally. The evening will also includecarols for us all to sing.

We hope you will join with us on Sunday 14�� December at 6.30 forthis special occasion. It would be good to have your support.

Clive Bastin.

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VP DECEMBER/JANUARY ROTAS.

DATE DOOR STEWARDSDEC 7�� Betty Peachey & Margaret Collings14�� Verna Stuckey & Sylvia Penny21�� Betty Peachey & Margaret Collins28th Verna Stuckey & Sylvia PennyJAN 4�� Betty Peachey & Margaret Collings11�� Verna Stuckey & Sylvia Penny18�� Betty Peachey & Margaret Collings25th Verna Stuckey & Sylvia Penny

VP DECEMBER/JANUARY FLOWERS

DATE DONATED BY IN MEMORY OFDEC 7�� Myra Wise Parents George & Susan Wise14�� May Royle21�� Venna Milsom28th AnonymousJAN 4�� Audrey Avery Her Husband Gordon11�� Maureen Rippon Her Mother18�� Mavis Paul Her Parents25th

VP PRAYER BOARDThis is where we remember in prayer those not well. It is available to all

and is used in every Sunday service and at Bible Studies.Audrey Avery, Amy Bartrip, Jean Barrett, Muriel Colefax, Emma Coombes,Sylvia Diamond, Rob & Pat Hawes, Don & Barbara Pugh, Julie Pugh, EdithWells, Clive Murphy, Sue Summers, Alan Randall.

We also remember the School Pastors, School Workers, our own MinisterGavin, and Lay Pastor Irene Cochran.

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CALENDAR FOR DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 201

ST ANDREWS CENTRAL VICTORIA PARK

DECEMBERMonday 1�� 2.30 Women's Fellowship – Advent Revd Valerie Price 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 7.30 Lydwell Park Housegroup 7.30 Southfield Housegroup (@Sally & David)Tuesday      2ⁿ� 9.30 Midweek Prayers

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees

2.30 Sisterhood: Concordia 7.00 Finance & Property Meeting 7.30 Guild – Looking forward to Christmas – Revd Valerie PriceWednesday 3�� 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Bible Study

7.30 Ladies Club: Val Price - AngelsThursday 4�� 9.30 Central TotsFriday 5�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 6.00 Messy Church Planning Meeting 6.45 Choir PracticeSaturday 6�� 9.00 Table Top Sale 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Pop in for a CoffeeSunday 7�� See separate page for Services–All ChurchesMonday 8�� 12.30 Women's Fellowship Christmas Lunch 6.00 Brownies

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Monday 8�� 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 GuidesTuesday 9�� 9.30 Midweek Service – Philip Kay

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees

2.30 Sisterhood: Revd Jerry Cook 7.00 New Life HousegroupWednesday 10�� 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Bible Study

10.30 Bible Study (Coffee at 10.15) 7.30 Ladies Club: Michael Craske–

Musical eveningThursday 11�� 9.30 Central Tots 7.30 Moors HousegroupFriday 12�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship

12.30 Belleplates at Walmer House 6.45 Choir PracticeSaturday 13�� 9.30 Contact Centre 10.00 'Night of Miracles' rehearsal

10.00 Special Coffee Morning for Church FundsSunday 14�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 15�� 2.30 Women's Fellowship Christmas Tea 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 7.30 Lydwell Park Housegroup 7.30 Southfield Housegroup (@ Celia & David)Tuesday 16�� 9.30 Midweek Prayers

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship

2.30 Sisterhood: Carols & Cake withIrene Cochran

Wednesday 17�� 9.30 Toddler Group10.30 Bible Study (coffee at 10.15)

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Wednesdasy 17�� 7.30 Ladies Club: Carols & Mince PiesThursday 18�� 9.30 Central Tots 12.30 URC Ministers' LunchFriday 19�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 4.00 Messy Church 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 20�� 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Pop in for a CoffeeSunday 21�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesTuesday 23�� 9.30 Midweek CommunionWednesday 24�� 4.00 Children's Carols at St. Andrew's

8.00 Carol Singing round the Hotels11.30 Midnight Communion

Thursday 25�� 10.30 Family Service – Rev Gavin Hancocks10.30 Mrs Irene Cochran

Saturday 27�� 9.30 Contact CentreSunday 28�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesJANUARYSaturday 3�� 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Pop in for a CoffeeSunday 4�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 5�� 2.30 Women's Fellowship – More Humorous Stories, Jackie Smith

6.00 Brownies6.30 Flexercise Fun

7.30 Guides 7.30 Lydwell Park HousegroupTuesday 6�� 9.30 Midweek Prayers

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees

2.30 Sisterhood: Revd Gavin Hancocks 7.00 New Life HousegroupWednesday 7�� 9.30 Toddler Group

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7.30 Ladies Club: Musical Night – Banjo BandThursday 8�� 9.30 Central TotsFriday 9�� 10.00 Coffee & fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 10�� 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Pop in for a CoffeeSunday 11�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 12�� 2.30 Women's Fellowship – Afternoon with Gavin & Angela 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 GuidesTuesday 13�� 9.30 Midweek Service Michael Mann

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees

2.30 Sisterhood: Hymns & Readings 7.30 Guild – An Evening with Jackie SmithWednesday 14th 9.30 Toddler Group

10.30 Bible Study (coffee at 10.15) 6.30 Contact Meeting

7.30 Ladies Club: Christmas/New Year Lunchat the Anchorage Hotel.

Thursday 15�� 9.30 Central Tots7.00 Church Meeting

Friday 16�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 17�� 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Pop in for a Coffee 2.30 Tea DanceSunday 18�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 19�� 2.30 Women's Fellowship – More Stories from Val Elms

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6.00 BrowniesMonday 19�� 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 Guides 7.30 Lydwell Park HousegroupTuesday 20�� 9.30 Midweek Prayers

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees

2.30 Sisterhood: Mr Lee Cochran 7.00 New Life Housegroup 7.30 Guild – 'Back to the Future', Michael MannWednesday 21�� 9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Bible Study

10.30 Bible Study (coffee at 10.15) 7.30 Ladies Club: Christine Morley –

Around the World with a Knitting MachineThursday      22ⁿ� 9.30 Central TotsFriday 23�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 24�� 9.30 Contact Centre

10.00 Pop in for a Coffee 3.00 URC New Years get together at Central

Sunday 25�� See separate page for Services – All ChurchesMonday 26�� 2.30 Women's Fellowship – 'Smile Awhile', Carol Stephens 6.00 Brownies 6.30 Flexercise Fun 7.30 GuidesTuesday 27�� 9.30 Midweek Communion

9.30 Toddler Group 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 10.00 Busy Bees

2.30 Sisterhood: Gospelaires. B & B stall 7.30 Guild – Relaxing Music, Philip Kay

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Wednesday 28�� 9.30 Toddler Group10.00 Bible Study

Wednesday 28�� 10.30 Bible Study (coffee at 10.15)Thursday 29�� 9.30 Central TotsFriday 30�� 10.00 Coffee & Fellowship 11.00 Belleplates 4.00 Messy Church 7.00 Choir PracticeSaturday 31�� 9.30 Contact Centre

SUNDAY SERVICES FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015.(HC) = Sacrament of Holy Communion (WG) = Worship Group

CENTRAL

Date Morning 10.30am Evening 6.30pmDEC 7�� Revd Gavin Hancocks (HC) Revd Jerry Cook (HC)14�� Revd Gavin Hancocks Night of Miracles

Children’s Nativity21�� Mrs Vicki Bryan Revd Gavin Hancocks

Carols by Candlelight28�� Revd Valerie Price No ServiceJAN 4�� Revd Gavin Hancocks (CS) Revd Denys Bament11�� Revd Gavin Hancocks Revd Gavin Hancocks (WG) (HC)

United Service. All Age18�� Revd Dr Tom Bush Week of Prayer for Christian Unity25th Mr David Welsh Mrs Margaret Newman (WG)

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SUNDAY SERVICES FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015.(HC) = Sacrament of Holy Communion (WG) = Worship Group

ST ANDREWSDate Morning 10.30am Evening 6.00pmDEC 7�� Revd Gerald Morris Revd Gavin Hancocks (CP)14�� Revd M Newell 4pm. Revd G Hancocks (MT)21�� Revd Jerry Cook (HC) CP28�� Mrs Barbara VondJAN 4�� Mr David Welsh Revd Gavin Hancocks11�� At Central 4pm. Mr A Hills (MT)18�� Revd Gavin Hancocks(CS) CTT25�� Mr Adam Hills Revd Gavin Hancocks (BS)

VICTORIA PARK

Date Morning 10.30am 4 pmDEC 7�� Mrs Helen Barrett14�� Mrs Irene Cochran

Christmas Celebrations21�� Revd Gavin Hancocks (HC) Carols by Candlelight. Faith Tea28�� Mrs Irene CochranJAN 4�� Mr D Stibbs11�� At Central18�� Mrs Irene Cochran25th Revd Gavin Hancocks(CS)

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REFLECTION FROM CENTRAL

December and January are months of “waiting”. Waiting for Christmas,and waiting for a brand New Year to begin.

How many of us like waiting. Not many, I would say. From an early agewe want things -- NOW, and our parents reply - ‘just wait’!

We spend our adult life – waiting -- for a bus, or on the phone (you haveall heard the phrase “your call is important to us” while you are sat withthe receiver stuck to your ear). We get to an appointment, probablyhaving hurried to get there on time, and we have to sit and wait until thedoctor, solicitor, bank manager, is ready for us. We have to wait forhospital results.

We spend a lot of our life waiting. And that waiting makes our bloodpressure rise!!

But, some waiting is good for us. It is a good job we have to wait 9months for our baby to be born. When a baby is born prematurely heor she is not fully developed, and we are not ready with all theparaphernalia required for a new born baby.

We have to wait until 25�� December to open our Christmas presents.For some of us, it is a good job the date is not the 19�� December – wewouldn’t be ready! So, there are ‘fors’ and ‘againsts’ with waiting.

In the Bible we can read many verses which have the word ‘wait’ in them.In Isaiah we read that the Lord waits to be gracious to us. If we are notfollowing in His way, He is patiently waiting for us to return. In many ofthe Psalms we are advised to ‘Wait on the Lord’. In other words ‘rely onthe Lord; He will not fail you’.

During this period of Advent in December, we are not only waiting forChristmas, but we are reminded to wait for the Second Coming of Jesus.

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Will we be ready for either? I have no doubt that we will be ready whenthe 25�� December arrives, but will we be ready to meet Jesus when Heeither calls us, or comes again?

And when the New Year arrives, will we be ready to start afresh withNew Resolutions. - New Resolutions to ‘wait on the Lord’. NewResolutions to rely on Him.

The Lord is patiently waiting for us to be TRUE disciples of His.We hatewaiting. I wonder how our Lord and Saviour feels.

Have a good December as we remember what Christmas really means;and, when January arrives, Praise God for all that is past, and Trust Himfor all that is to come.

God bless you all. Margaret Newman.

YOUR CHRISTMAS MEAL. How healthy is it?

The meal we eat on Christmas Day is likely to have cost you a lot ofmoney, and taken a lot of effort - but will it be good for you? It seemsthat Christmas dinner in Britain is the LEAST healthy in Europe, contain-ing as it does 10 times the amount of carbohydrates and 50 per centmore fat than a typical French festive meal. A dinner of turkey withtrimmings, pudding and mince pies contains around 69g of fat and 211gof carbohydrates. By contrast, a French alternative of oysters, foie grasand chestnut-stuffed turkey has around 46g of fat and 29g of carbohy-drates, according to Lifesum, a healthy eating guide.

(We leave you to choose!! Editor).

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CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS.

Where did they come from? No one is really sure, but a story is told of StNicholas, a bishop who lived in the 4th century, who may have startedthe custom by accident. St Nicholas was of a wealthy family, and of agenerous heart. As Christmas approached one year, he wanted to help apoor family whom he knew, but he did not want them to know it washim. So he climbed up on their roof on Christmas Eve and dropped somecoins down the chimney.

The next morning the coins, to the great surprise of the family, werefound in the stockings of the ladies, who had hung them to dry by the firethe night before. Every year after that they put their stockings out, in thehope that some more money would fall into them. They told the story ofthis amazing appearance to their friends and neighbours, and the cus-tom caught on.

Editors Note - With reference to articles submitted by individualsthe Editors wish it to be known that the views expressed are thoseof the individual concerned and are not necessarily those of theEditors or members of the church.

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ST ANDREWS MISSIONS

At St Andrews our 7 JMA collectors raised a fabulous total of £169.51. Abig thank you to all of them and to everyone who donated money toJMA. Money raised by children and young people for JMA is dividedbetween the World Mission Fund and the Mission in Britain Fund, with80% of the money going to the World Mission Fund.

The World Mission Fund supports partner churches around the world; itsupports Mission Partners and can be first on the scene in emergencies.It gave £3000 to the Church of Bangladesh so that water, masks and dryfood could be provided for rescue team workers following the collapseof a garment factory in Dhaka.

Through the envelope collection and from the box collectors a total of£109 was raised for the World Mission Fund. The Methodist trainingcentre in Ghana (supported by the World Mission Fund) teaches girlsskills to help them find jobs. One girl had this to say:

“Animah Mavis is my name and I am a hairdressing student fromMethodist women’s training centre. I am 19 years of age. Thank youMethodist Church in Britain for giving us such nice equipment. Now I canearn a living after school”.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the World Mission Fund asyou can see your gifts make a huge difference.

Rachel George

Sunday mornings coffee money: October £22.65 collected for WorldMissions.

Jean Jarvis

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RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER IS 75!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a stock character in extra-biblicalChristmas stories, is younger than you might think. He did not come onthe Christmas scene until December 1, 1939 – 75 years ago.

His first appearance was in a children’s colouring book written by RobertMay and given away by Montgomery Ward stores in the USA. Theillustrator had to fight for him because the store owners were worriedthat the red nose might be associated with drunkenness.

The story of Rudolph is one of triumph over adversity: Rudolph, who wasinitially scorned by his fellow-reindeers, was chosen by Santa to haul thesleigh because his nose lit the way on a dark night. The story was soappealing that it spawned a hit song, written by Johnny Marks, brother-in-law of Rudolph’s creator. Gene Autry’s recording of it sold 25 million.

Preachers have found elements of discrimination, epiphany, redemp-tion and mercy in Rudolph’s story. Dutch scientists in 2012 found rein-deers do have red noses, or at least a dense network of blood vesselswhich “help to protect them from freezing during sleigh rides and toregulate the temperature of the reindeer's brain – factors essential forflying reindeer pulling a sleigh under extreme temperatures".

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THE BOXING DAY TSUNAMI – TEN YEARS ON

Ten years ago a huge undersea earthquake near Sumatra generated adevastating tsunami that swamped coastal areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka,India, Thailand and Africa. The Boxing Day Tsunami was one of thedeadliest natural disasters in recorded history and, with the earthquake,killed more than 230,000 people in 14 countries.

The total energy of the tsunami waves was said to be equivalent toabout five megatons of TNT – more than twice the total explosiveenergy used during all of World War Two (including the atomic bombs).

In many places the waves reached more than a mile inland. Nearly allvictims were taken completely by surprise. Tsunami detection is noteasy because while a tsunami is in deep water it has little height, and anetwork of sensors is required.

Anthropologists feared the aboriginal population of the Andaman Is-lands could have been wiped out. But oral traditions developed fromprevious earthquakes led them to flee to high ground when the earthstarted shaking.

The World Food Programme provided aid to more than 1.3 millionpeople. In the UK the public gave roughly £330 million – an average ofabout £5.50 from every citizen – considerably outweighing the donationby the government.

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ADVENT STORY

Church Bells ringing, Angels singing, heralding a very special Birth,The chosen place is Bethlehem City, on our Planet Earth. God chose Mary to be Mother of His Son, to save the World from Sin.Right from the beginning, He never made it easy, for His next of kin.

A crowded City ‘No Rooms’ to be had, they were prepared to stay anywhere,An Innkeeper said “ Would an old Stable do? ” An answer to their prayer.The Stable had a Manger of Hay , the babe to be born would be OK .It will be a Night of Miracles, for the shining Heavens would be on display

Cries of a new born baby, broke the silence of the night, Mary and Joseph smiling, looking on with sheer delight.The world now has a Saviour King, the Heavenly Angels sing,For Christ was born of Mary and His work was now to begin

It was a lovely Starry Night. The shining Star shone exceptionally bright,Hovering over the Stable and low in the sky, it was a glorious sight.Hurrying Shepherds arriving from the hills, were, no longer feeling cold.Three Eastern Kings brought their gifts of Myrrh, Frankincense and Gold.

J.H.D. Lawrence

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WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT!

Why Rudolph really does have a red nose

75 years ago on 1st Dec 1939 that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeermade his first-ever appearance, in a children’s colouring book givenaway by Montgomery Ward stores in the USA. It has been discoveredthat the red nose may well have some basis in scientific fact.

Researchers in Sweden have used thermal imaging cameras to capturethe heat from reindeer as they graze, and discovered that while mostof a reindeer body is well insulated, their noses glow bright orange,due to the large amounts of heat that they release. The reason is sim-ple: reindeer have a high concentration of blood vessels in their noseand lips to help keep those areas warm and sensitive as they rummagethrough snow, looking for food.

Why you shouldn’t avoid the Christmas crowds

Braving those Christmas shopping crowds, or attending packed Christ-mas parties or concerts can be very good for your mental health. Itseems that ‘social identity’ is a key factor in predicting positive emo-tions, and that social identification with a crowd helps us to enjoy busyplaces. The research was done by psychologists from the universities ofSussex, St Andrews and Leeds. They found that some people even enjoytheir daily rush hour commute.

Christmas gifts

Grandfather was talking to his grand-daughter, “When I was achild all we got for Christmas was an apple and an orange.” Thelittle girl clapped her hands in joy. “Brilliant! I’d love a newcomputer and a mobile!”

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THE NEW YEAR : 2015

He comes he goes, his times are setThe New Year now has shown his face,For time is here and will not waitFor dwellers all in time and space.

We sojourn here on this fair earth,Just for a time so quickly gone,Our lives just like a vapour spentAs we await another dawn.

There is a day God has ordainedWhen we will reach a distant shore,Eternity our new addressWhere time will cease and be no more.

Megan Carter

CROSSWORD SOLUTIONFROM NOVEMBER

MAGAZINE

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SPECIAL EVENTS AT VICTORIA PARK

Christmas Box.

The Christmas posting box will be available from Sunday 7�� Decemberuntil Tuesday 16�� December. Please post only cards for people you knowwill be at the Faith Tea on Sunday 21�� December. Thank you.

Action for Children

The recent Collection held in aid of Action for Children raised £210 forwhich we give thanks. Also thanks to Sylvia Penny for her continuedsupport.

Christmas Celebrations.

When asked at the St Johns Cadets meeting what they would like to dofor Christmas – Panto or Party – after some consideration, the answer was“Come to Church to sing Carols to the old ladies!” So the idea of ‘ChristmasCelebrations’ was born. Everyone is asked to wear a decorated hat! Andjoin in the experience! It’s on 14�� December. If you haven’t got a hat todecorate, please see Myra, who might be able to help.

Coach Outing

On the 9�� January the Townswomens Guild have a coach going toPlymouth, and there are some spare seats. If you would be interested ina trip to Plymouth to do some ‘January Sales’ shopping, please let Marjorieor Myra know. Cost would be £9 but would save your petrol and theinconvenience of parking.

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QUOTES FOR CHRISTMAS

May the joys of Christmas also be the joys of your tomorrows.

Believe in God and you’ll believe in miracles. Believe in the baby ofBethlehem, and you’ll experience one.

It is no use saying that we are born 2000 years too late to give room toChrist… Christ is always with us, always asking for room in our hearts….And giving shelter or food to anyone who asks for it, or needs it, is givingit to Christ.

Human nature is like a stable inhabited by the ox of passion and the assof prejudice – animals which take up a lot of room and which I supposemost of us are feeding on the quiet. And it is there between them,pushing them out, that Christ must be born, and in their very manger hemust be laid. Evelyn Underhill

We must never allow anything to blind us to the true significance ofwhat happened at Bethlehem so long ago. Nothing can alter the factthat we live on a visited planet. J B Phillips

We are better givers than getters…. The Christmas story – the oneaccording to Luke, not Dickens – is not about how blessed it is to begivers but about how essential it is to see ourselves as receivers.William Willimon

We must speak in practical terms. Either Christ’s coming has meaningfor us now, or else it means nothing at all. Christoph Blumhardt

The Word of God, Jesus Christ, on account of his great love for mankind,became what we are in order to make us what he is himself. Irenaeus

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CROSSWORD

SOLUTION IN FEBRUARY CORNERSTONE

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SAINT OF THE MONTH – FRANCIS XAVIER (3��)

The seasick missionary who struggled with languages

Ignatius Loyala sent his friend and follower Francis Xavier (born 1506) tothe Orient as a missionary. What a missionary! Imagine David Living-stone, Billy Graham and the Alpha Courses rolled into one. His massconversions became legendary – he baptised 10,000 people in onemonth and in just ten years of work was credited with 700,000 conver-sions.

Xavier became the most famous Jesuit missionary of all time, working sohard that he had only a few hours’ sleep each night. He was known as‘the Apostle of the Indies’ and ‘the apostle of Japan’. He began byreforming Goa, which contained numerous Portuguese Catholics, noto-rious for cruelty to their slaves, open concubinage, and neglect of thepoor. For three years, by example, preaching and writing verses onChristian truths set to popular tunes, Francis did much to offset thisbetrayal of Christ by bad Christians.

For the next seven years he worked among the Paravas in southernIndia, in Ceylon, Malacca, the Molucca islands, and the Malay peninsula.In 1549 he ventured on to Japan, translated an abridged statement ofChristian belief, and made a hundred converts in one year at Kagoshimaalone. When he left Japan, the total number of Japanese Christians wasabout 2,000; within 60 years they were resisting fierce persecution,even to death.

Wherever Xavier sailed, he left after him numerous organised Christiancommunities. Not bad for a man who suffered seasickness and hadtrouble in learning foreign languages!

Xavier died in 1551, on his way to China. His body was preserved andenshrined for many years. He was canonised by Gregory XV in 1622, anddeclared Patron of the Foreign Missions by Pius XI in 1927.

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Please donate and save the Leonards Stocks Centre from closureSAVE OUR HOSTELLast year the Christian community in South Devon spoke out and saved thehomeless hostel in Torquay from closure. We signed petitions, lobbiedpoliticians and gathered outside the Town Hall in our hundreds in a Call toPrayer. We found our voice, because the love of God compelled us. Now again,because of proposed further reductions of Council funding, the hostel isthreatened with closure and we must re-engage in this spiritual battle, or losea project which over 23 years has been at the centre of healing ministry inTorbay. Lives saved, addictions conquered, hope restored.On March 2015 the money runs out and this time it will be the financialgenerosity of Christians which will make the difference between the shuttersgoing down and the door kept open.The Friends of Factory Row have launched the "Save Our Hostel" appeal to raise£95,000, half of what it costs to keep the hostel open for a year. We havealready raised £22,000. We are asking the Mayor to match us pound for poundand provide the other half from council coffers. This is not unreasonable. Muchof what the Leonard Stocks Centre in Factory Row does is a statutory councilduty.If you feel as we do, that God loves us equally, that rough sleepers deserve ourcompassion not our contempt, then please donate. As Christians we don't oftenhave an opportunity to relieve destitution, save lives even, on our own streets.There are three ways to give:• Sends a cheque (payable to Friends of Factory Row (Lht TP) to Friends ofFactory Row, PO Box 373, PaigntonTQ3 1WX• Go to any bank and make a donation to CAF Bank, West Mailing, Sort Code40-52-40. Account no: 00013915• Make a donation on-line at https://www.justgiving.com/saveleonardstocks/

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THANK DICKENS FOR CHRISTMAS AS YOU KNOW IT!

Ever wonder where many of our Christmas traditions come from? Asurprising amount can be traced back to the well-loved story of ‘AChristmas Carol’, by Charles Dickens.

When you read ‘A Christmas Carol’, you discover almost a template ofthe ‘ideal Christmas’ which we still hold dear today. Dickens seems tohave selected the best of the Christmas celebrations of his day (heignored some of the odd excesses) and packaged them in such a way asto give us traditions that we could accommodate and treasure – morethan a century later.

So, for instance, in A Christmas Carol, Christmas is a family day, with afamily-centred feast. In a home decorated with holly and candles thecharacters enjoy a roast turkey, followed by Christmas pudding. Theygive their loved ones presents. Scrooge even gives donations to charity(!). And all the while outside, there is snow and frost, while church bellsring, and carol singers sing, and hope for mulled wine. In ‘A ChristmasCarol’ there is even a Father Christmas – in the shape of ChristmasPresent. Only the Christmas tree itself came later, when Prince Albertimported ‘a pretty German toy’ that won the heart of the English court,and hence the rest of Victorian society.

Christmas shopping

It was Christmas and the judge was in a benign mood as he askedthe prisoner what he was charged with. “Doing my Christmasshopping early,” replied the man.

“Why, that’s no offence,” said the judge. “How early were youdoing it?”

“Before the store opened,” replied the defendant.

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Helping you ………….. Helping your business.

Home and Hospital visits can be arranged

12, Tor Hill Road TORQUAY TQ2 5RBTel: 01803 403403Fax: 01803 214876

E mail: mail@boycehatton.co.ukwww.boycehatton.co.uk

WALMER HOUSEChristian Care Home

6, Ash Hill Road, Torquay. TQ1 3HZ

Walmer House is a Christian Care Home, providing firstclass care for the elderly in a family-like environment.

There are 17 residents in a tastefully decorated, elegantbuilding with peaceful gardens.

For more details, or a brochure, please contact……….

The Manager, Mrs Ena Bell. Tel: 01803 292734

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