Reporting from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire www.oxford.anglican.org January 2011 No. 220

A merry Christmas and ahappy new year to our readers

StableDoor

Pic from the Holy FamilyHospital, Bethlehem. Turn topage three to find out more.

‘Oh holy child of Bethlehem’

Meet the reindeer - turnto page six to find out how

Prayer & reflection

Some pictures stand out a mile– and this is one of them. I sawit earlier this year for the firsttime when I was visitingMunich. It hangs in the midst

of dozens of other paintings by anynumber of famous artists but it, togetherwith one of the crucifixion, stood out amile.

It’s not that its subject matter isunique. After all artists had beenpainting the scene centuries beforeRembrandt was born. There is nothingunusual either about who is there, Mary,Joseph, the baby, the shepherds, theanimals – each has their place.

What makes this picture so special isthe light. Not the lamp in the hand ofthe shepherd casting a dull beam – butthe bright light that focuses on the babyJesus. And the question is, where does itcome from? After all this is long beforethe discovery of electricity or theinvention of the spotlight. Jesus is notthe X Factor star or the actor on stagewith the lights focused on him.

Nor does it come from any obviousnatural source. There’s no hole in theroof with a shaft of moonlight comingin. Nor is it from the star that guided

the Wise Men to the stable. Lookcarefully and you’ll see what Rembrandtis saying. The picture itself is ‘unreal’because the light is not coming fromanywhere other than from the babyhimself. What he is describing sopowerfully visually are those words fromthe Gospel for Christmas Day – for Jesusis the true light who brings real light tothe world. Over the Christmas period nodoubt there’ll be sad news as well asgood news for many of us.

But, whatever the case, the messageremains the same. Uniquely in JesusGod comes to his world. He does notstand looking in from outside, but isborn as a baby in Bethlehem, living likeus on this earth.

And it’s into our experience that hebrings his light. He is the one who canbring a ray of hope at even the darkestof times. He is the one who shines inthe darkness. Rembrandt knew that forhimself and longed that others shouldknow it too. His had been a far fromeasy life, facing hardship and personaltragedy along the way but this picturesays it all.

The light shines in the darkness, andthe darkness has never – and will never –overcome it.

The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher is the Bishop ofDorchester.

The light shines in the darknessColin Fletcher reflects on theway Rembrandt brings lightinto a dark stable in thisnativity scene.

‘It’s where our passion for

life is nurtured.’

‘It’s where the flame burns

that def ines us and warms

others.’

The Adoration of the Shepherd’s, 1646, (oil on canvas) by REmbrandt Harmensz. van Rijn(1606 - 69) Alte Pinakothek, Munich, Germany/Interfoto/The Bridgeman Art Library.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 22:: Aylesbury deanery: area dean Andrew Blyth, lay chairNigel Featherston, secretary Ann Beaton, treasurer Mike Harrison,ecumenical representative Rosemary Rycraft, associate clergy DavidWallace, Nancy Wallace; chaplain to the deaf Roger Williams. Thepeople, wardens. PCCs and support staff of the deanery. The diocese ofLahore (Pakistan).

SSUUNNDDAAYY 99:: Those preparing for Alpha and Emmaus courses thisterm. Local and district councillors and MPs serving the people ofAylesbury deanery. The diocese of Leicester.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 1166:: Bicester and Islip deanery: area dean CharlesMasheder, lay chair Robert Drummond-Hay, secretary Victor Puddick,treasurer Andrew Fulljames, ecumenical representative Mrs K Stoddart.The people, wardens, PCCs and support staff of the deanery. The localand district councillors and MPs serving the people of the deanery. Thenurture of the new Christians who will be moving into the new housingdevelopments in the deanery. The Church of Nigeria.

SSUUNNDDAAYY 2233:: Bracknell deanery: area dean Nick Parish, lay chairLouisa Adams, secretary Anthony Stevens, treasurer JohnBrownscombe, ecumenical representative Catherine Blundell. For ourwork on the deanery Mission Plan, the Wedding Fair at Ascot racecourse in February and our deanery Stewardship Campaign. The people,wardens, PCCs and support staff of the deanery. The diocese ofLousiana (USA).

SSUUNNDDAAYY 3300:: The Diocesan Board of Education, director LeslieStevens. The administrative staff of Church House, North Hinksey. Localand district councillors and MPs serving the people of the deanery ofBracknell. The Province of Southern Africa.

The following is for guidance only; please feelfree to adapt to local conditions and, if you wish,produce your own deanery prayer diaries.

Pray to the Father through the Son in thepower of the Spirit for:

SSAATT 11:: Aylesbury with Bierton andHulcott (including Fairford Leys LEP): clergyShane Wood, Mark Ackford, RosemaryRycraft, Tony Willis, Michaela Wood, DavidCloake, Luke Lee, Donald Rydings; childrenand community worker & LLM SuzanneAckford; LLM Earle Noel. Aylesbury St Mary’s(VC) and Bierton (VC) Schools.

MMOONN 33:: Bedgrove: clergy Martin Kuhrt,Gareth Lane; LLM Marie Carey.

TTUUEESS 44:: Bernwode: clergy Tina Stirling,Jenny Edmans, Lesley Fellows. Brill (VC)School.

WWEEDD 55:: Broughton: clergy Mike Butterworth.

TTHHUURR 66:: Haddenham with Cuddingtonand Kingsey and Aston Standford: clergyMargot Hodson, Jonathan Hawkins, HelenBarnes; LLM Nigel Featherstone.Haddenham St Mary’s (VC), Cuddington &Dinton (VA) Schools.

FFRRII 77:: Long Crendon with Chearsley andNether Winchendon: clergy John Wynburne;LLM John Scholefield.

SSAATT 88:: Risborough: clergy David Williams,Denise Critchell, James Tomkins (missionenabler), David Dewick; lay worker NormanCritchell. Lacey Green St John’s (VA), Speen(VA), Monks Risborough (VC), Longwick (VC)Schools.

MMOONN 1100:: Southcourt: clergy DavidLawton; youth worker Tim Jarvis.

TTUUEESS 1111:: Stone with DInton and Harwell:LLM Avril Clark. Stone (VC) School.

WWEEDD 1122:: Walton Holy Trinity: clergyAndrew Blyth, Robert Legge; LLMs AlanFoster, Martin Roper; lay workers PeterWheeler, Lynne Hurry, Richard Turner, CarolynEdwards.

TTHHUURR 1133:: Worminghall with Ickford,Oakley and Shabbington: clergy DavidKaboleh. Oakley (VC) School.

FFRRII 1144:: Akeman: clergy Derek Walker, JaneHemmings; LLMs Paul Clifford, Michael Nunn,Elizabeth Taylor, Grant Lee, Jo Cropp.Bletchingdon Parochial (VC), Chesterton (VA),Kirtlington (VA) Schools.

SSAATT 1155:: Bicester with Bucknell,Caversfield and Launton, EmmanuelConventional District: clergy Theresa Scott,Robert Atkins, Etienne van Blerk; LLMs ColinCockshaw, Mary Roe. Bicester St Edburg’s(VA) School.

MMOONN 1177:: Cherwell Valley and HeyfordPark Conventional District: clergy Paul Hunt,Eddie Green, Ian Biscoe. Fritwell (VC), UpperHeyford Proposed (VA) Schools.

TTUUEESS 1188:: Rousham: clergy Richard Smail.

WWEEDD 1199:: Shelswell: clergy Chris Hargraves,Marion Reynolds; LLM Penny Wood. Finmere(VC), Fringford (VC) Schools.

TTHHUURR 2200:: The Ray Valley: clergy CharlesMasheder, David Wippell, Andrew Rycraft; LLM

Glenys Edwards. Charlton on Otmoor (VC),Islip Dr South’s (VA) Schools.

FFRRII 2211:: Ascot Heath: clergy DarrellHannah, Rosie Webb. Ascot Heath (VC)School.

SSAATT 2222:: Binfield : clergy Bill Meyer; LLMElizabeth Harland. Binfield (VA) School.

MMOONN 2244:: Bracknell: clergy Nick Parish,Jane Manley, Margaret Clarke. Ranelagh (VA)School.

TTUUEESS 2255:: Easthampstead: clergy GuyCole, Peter Bestley, Nick Thompson(Methodist). Easthampstead (VA) School.

WWEEDD 2266:: Sunningdale: clergy DavidUffindell, Nigel Byard; youth worker GaryKennaugh, children’s worker Felicity Day. HolyTrinity (VA) School.

TTHHUURR 2277:: Warfield: clergy Mark Griffiths,Alan Bradford, Chris Hill; lay pastors TrevorMeardon, Richard Summers; LLMs DaveCappleman, Michael Hayward, Sam Mortimer,Michael Summers, school’s evangelist BeckyMedlicott. Warfield (VC) School.

FFRRII 2288:: Winkfield with Cranbourne: clergyCatherine Blundell; LLMs Mary Knight, StuartAger, Jacki Thomas, Mike Thomas. Winkfield StMary’s (VC) School.

SSAATT 2299:: Sunninghill and South Ascot:clergy Stephen Johnson, Susan van Beveren;LLM Mary Nichols. Cheapside (VA), SunninghillSt Michael (VA) Schools.

MMOONN 3311:: The (independent) SchoolChaplains of the diocese.

SundaysWhen they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed withjoy. On entering the house, the saw the child with Mary his mother; andthey knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasurechests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matt2:10,11 NRSV).

2 stableDoor JANUARY 2011

January prayer diary compiled by John Manley (The following is for guidance only, please feel free to adapt to local conditions and, if you wish, produce your own deanery prayer diaries.)

3

Bishop joins LordsTHE Bishop of Oxford, the RtRevd John Pritchard has joinedthe ranks of the Lords Spiritual.

Bishop John was introduced tothe House of Lords on Thursday,25 November. He has joined 26Church of England Bishops whosit in the Lords, as LordsSpiritual. They read prayers at thestart of each daily meeting andplay a full and active role in thelife of the upper house.

Festival websitegoes livePLANS for the CotswoldChurches Festival next May (14and 15 and 21 and 22) aremoving ahead.

Already more than 70 churcheshave expressed interest inparticipating. To register, visitwww.cotswoldchurchesfestival.org orphone 08451 222660.

It’s time to orderyour eggsIT’S time to put your orders in forThe Real Easter Egg - the firstand only Easter Egg to explainthe Christian meaning of Easteron the box.

Schools have already beenurged to place their orders foreggs before Christmas.

Now churches and individualshave until 31 January to placetheir orders. The direct sale priceof The Real Easter Egg is £4.50each which includes a charitabledonation, VAT, handling anddelivery to a single drop off point.The 125g high quality Fairtrademilk chocolate eggs have to beordered in multiples of 12. Orderforms and flyers can bedownloaded fromwww.realeasteregg.co.uk.

New diocesandirectoryTHE Diocese of Oxford is nolonger publishing a Year Book.From early January there will bean online version. Print outs willbe available at a cost. For moreinformation seewww.oxford.anglican.org or ring01865 208225.

Cover picture:A NEW-born baby at the HolyFamily Hospital in Bethlehem.Pilgrims from the Oxford Diocesevisited the remarkable hospital inOctober and saw the first-classfacilities.

The hospital is dedicated toproviding quality care for womenand infants, irrespective ofreligion or nationality. In an areaof 70 per cent unemployment, nosocial security and no medicalinsurance, the Holy Family’s sloganis “the poor deserve the best”.

For more infomration seewww.holyfamilyhospital-bethlehem.org

Turn to pages 8 and 9 foran armchair prayer walkthrough the Holy Land.

NewsStableDoor JANUARY 2011

IN BRIEFThe One Ronnie comes toStoke Poges church

RONNIE Corbett, 79, was in StAndrew’s Church, Stoke Poges,near Slough, last month for thefilming of his new sketch show,The One Ronnie to be aired onChristmas Day.

Tony Bunce, from the church,watched the pint sized actor, whois more famous for his annualshow with his sidekick, the lateRonnie Barker, who was fromOxfordshire.

He said: “The scene in thechurch was a PCC meeting when

they got together to discuss afaulty gutter on the church roofand were discussing getting acelebrity to come in for afundraising effort and suggestedthe Pope. They were very nice towork with, very co-operative.”The One Ronnie celebrate’s thecomedian’s 80th birthday. MattLucas, David Walliams, HarryEnfield and Catherine Tate willbe among the comics joininghim. Pic: Tony Bunce.

A GROWING nationalmovement providing prayerspaces for children and youngpeople is spreading acrossOxfordshire.

Former teacher CatherineClayton set up a prayer space inBenson C of E Primary Schoolin March 2010. It was such asuccess that Catherine nowworks four days each week tohelp the Prayer Spaces inSchools initiative set up in otherschools.

She had been planning a gapyear when she first heard aboutthe national initiative, whichstarted in 2008. Catherine nowworks from an office atEmmanuel Church, Oxford,and is still based at BensonSchool once a week, as acurriculum adviser.

She said: “Last February I waslooking to do a gap year and wasinvited to a UK team leaderupdate for 24/7 Prayer inEngland.”

From there she was asked tojoin the Prayer Spaces inSchools team in London, whichwas looking at developing theinitiative nationally.

“There are now several otherschools in the county interestedin setting up prayer spaces,” saidCatherine.

She says her work with PrayerSpaces is a big change fromteaching. She said: “I’m loving itat the moment. It’s a lot ofchatting with different schoolsand churches in Oxford, gettingpeople enthusiastic about thisand it’s exciting to see whatGod’s doing.”

She said: “At one we did lastweek was open 9am to 5pm with

children time tabled to comethroughout the week. We’d havean hour per class, with half thechildren scheduled for one halfof the hour and the other forthe other.

“Every break time was alsoallocated to a class. The lunchbreaks weren’t allocated toclasses, but we’d find childrenwanting to come in and had toturn some away.”

By Jo Duckles

THESE huge puppets will be the stars of the nativity play at ChristChurch Cathedral, Oxford, on Saturday 18 December at 4pm. AsStable Door went to press Cathedral staff were busy putting thefinishing touches to 19 of the puppets.

Pic: KT Bruce.

Gloria marks choir’s birthdayTO mark its fifth birthdayOxford’s Blackbird Leys Choir isavailable to sing Vivaldi’s Gloriain churches across the Diocese.

The choir began as part of FiveTV’s The Singing Estate series in2006 and is still going strong.Anyone interested in joining thechoir for their main birthdayconcert is welcome to join themfor a rehearsal at Blackbird Leys

Community Centre on Saturday,8 January, 10am to 4pm.

The main concert will beperformed at the Jacqueline duPré Concert Hall in Oxford.

For more information aboutthe main gig, or about bookingthe choir for your churchcontact Jeremy Renals ononcomittee@blackbirdleyschoir.org or 07765 480625.

Prime time Nativity on BBCA NEW nativity drama is to bebroadcast on BBC 1 in place ofthe One Show in the run up toChristmas.

The drama can be seen fromMonday 20 December toThursday 23 December at 7pm.

The One Show usually attractsan average audience of aroundfive million viewers.

Anyone watching the Nativityand wanting to find out moreabout Christianity can visit theirlocal church (find it by visitingwww.achurchnearyou.com) orsee www.christianity.org.uk.

For more on the productionitself, including details of thecast, production crew and thepeople behind the show, seewww.nativitydrama.info.

Prayer Spaces expand across Oxfordshire

Advertisement Feature stableDoor JANUARY 20114

stableDoor JANUARY 2011 5

Spotlight on... Living FaithFinding and following in 2011

Did you hear about thetroubles of the group fromOxford who travelled on theDiocesan Pilgrimage to theHoly Land earlier this year?

When the party got to Jerusalem, theydiscovered that the people already stayingin the rooms they’d booked weren’twilling to shift. Cool heads, ingenuity andbrave spirits were called for – taking ourgroup at short notice to new reservationsin hitherto little known touristdestinations in Ramallah (seat of thePalestinian National Authority) and thenAshkelon (a short rocket flight fromGaza).

Arriving in a strange place, notknowing where you’re going or whereyou’ll be staying, is one of thoseunnerving experiences of life. TheChristmas story is full of such events –Mary and Joseph find no room at the inn,the shepherds stumble unexpectedly intoan angelic concert, and while the wisemen have the latest in sat nav, it’sdistinctly hazy about their ultimatedestination.

Yet somehow they all muddle throughand find their way to what the story is allabout – their encounter with Jesus, theChrist child.

Is that it? Does it stop there? Job over?What happens after the encounter? TheBible is strangely silent about whathappens later to most of the people whomet the infant Jesus. The wise men headfor home and disappear from thenarrative. Immediately after meetingJesus, the shepherds tell people of

everything they’ve heard about the child,but then they drop out of the story. Theperson we learn about most is Mary,Jesus’s mother. The woman in whom thisbaby was found goes on to follow himwith all her heart – discovering who he is,seeking him out, standing by him in hisdarkest hour.

Next year in this diocese we’reemphasizing what it is to be a disciple ofJesus. Mary shows us what this is about –of finding and following her son. Marywelcomes Jesus – saying yes to Jesus’spresence in her life, living with him,being alongside him.

Mary encounters Jesus – he’s constantlychallenging her assumptions, turning herworld upside down, changing the way shesees things. Mary lives for Jesus – evenwhen her son hangs dying on the cross,Mary is by him, trusting him, believing inhim.

Mary saw Jesus, this baby, grow up tobecome more than she could ever havehoped, imagined or expected. She findshim and she follows him. In 2011, will thesame be true of you?

The Revd Michael Beasley is Director of Missionat the Diocese of Oxford.

Events for 2011

Recommended readingFor families: The Christmas Journey by Susie Poole,www.eden.co.uk/christmas-journey-pb-122107.html. The book takes afresh look at the Christmas story, acknowledging the child's love of allthings festive, then begins its journey at creation where God's perfectworld is quickly spoiled. Christmas becomes part of God's plan to putthings right.For adults: What's the point of being a Christian by TimothyRadcliffe Continuum. A Christian is pointed towards God, who is the point ofeverything. If one thinks of religion as just 'useful' then one has reduced it to anotherconsumer product. But if we are pointed to God, this should make adifference to how we live. Christians are usually no better than anyoneelse, but their lives should be marked by distinctive forms of hope,happiness and courage. Shot through with humour, friendship andwisdom, the pages of this book outline a manner of living which is at oncefaithful to the teachings of Jesus and rooted in the tradition of the Churchand at the same time responsive to the turbulence of the modern world.

‘Mary saw Jesus, this baby,

grow up to be more than she

could ever have hoped.’

Leading your church into growthconference14th to 17th March 2011 - placesallocated on a first come, first served basis.For more details contact Ruth Wilson on01865 208252.

Conference on Mission and Ministryto Men5th February 2011 - with the Ven KarenGorham, Archdeacon of Buckingham,Professor Glynn Harrison, head of ministryat Christchurch, Clifton in the BristolDiocese, the Ven Morris Rodham,archdeacon missioner in the Diocese ofCoventry as well as many more.

To be held at Grove Parish Church. Thecost is £6 per person. To book email theRevd Paul Eddy atpaul@menandthechurch.info

Mend the GapA day for anyone and everyone who isinterested in starting, developing orsustaining work with children and youngpeople on June 18th 2011.For more details contactcarolyn.main@oxford.anglican.org.

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Sport as Salvation?Dr Dominic Erdozain, Lecturer in the History of Christianity, King’s College, London

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Children’s allotment on Countryf ileFOR children at the New Christ ChurchC of E Primary School in Reading, acommunity allotment has provided a firstchance to grow their own food.

And children and staff were thrilledwhen the project was chosen to befeatured on the BBC’s Countryfile withJohn Craven. The project was set up byFood4Families, a scheme started by theReading International Solidarity Centre,which is working to create a network ofcommunity allotments across Readingwhere parents and children will learnhow to grow their own food together.

Soft drinks company, Pepsico, whichhas a base in Reading and does voluntarywork in Reading schools helped set upthe scheme and Deloitte are helpingprovide a classroom on the site.

Maria Soulsby, headteacher, said:“There are eight beds that have beenlooked after by children and theirparents. We started just before thesummer holidays so we had our firstharvest this autumn and the children gotto take the food home to cook and eat.

“So many of our children don’t haveaccess to a garden so this has been theirfirst opportunity to grow something, andwe also have children from families who

have council allotments who are able toshare their expertise.”

The allotment is providing a chance foryoungsters to reflect on the morespiritual aspects of gardening.

“We gave thanks for our crop and ourharvest which made the annual harvestcelebrations more tangible and real tothese children,” said Mrs Soulsby.

Together with REEP, an organisationpromoting links between religions andthe environment, the school is planning

to install a spiritual garden, wherechildren can go and reflect as part oftheir regular candle time. Candle Time isa part of each week when youngsters getto reflect on the bigger issues in life.

By Jo Duckles

ONLINE

@For more information seewww.reep.org; www.risc.org.uk andwww.newchristchurchprimaryschool.org

News

An auction at AldermastonON a cold December eveningAldermaston people gathered for theirhistoric candle auction.

The event has been held every threeyears since 1815 in the Parish Hall and itis believed this is the only candle auctionin the UK that takes place as regularly asevery three years.

The event, which took place on Monday13 December, was held to determine therent of a 2.5 acre plot of land calledChurch Acre in Fisherman’s Lane. Theland was granted to the church in 1815 asthe bells rang out to mark Wellington’svictory at the Battle of Waterloo, by an actof Parliament.

An iron horseshoe nail is inserted into aspecially made tallow candle by theauctioneer. The auctioneer is in fact theRector, the Revd Becky Bevan, who isgiven special authority for the evening. Thecandle is lit and bidding commences. Toensure a festive spirit, the church wardens

have church wardenpipes, although dueto health and safetythey are no longerallowed to light them.and the public arekept supplied withpunch and mulledwine! The vicartraditionally makes thefirst bid.

Further bids aremade from the public,initially at a leisurelypace, and tensionincreases as the flame approaches the nailand the wax around it begins to soften.At this stage the bidding becomes frantic,and the bid that is live at the time the nailfalls out wins the auction. That person thenpays their bid as an annual rent for three-years, to the church. Usually, the winnerthen sub-lets the land to a local farmer.

Candle auctions have a long history. Itwas traditional to hold ship auctions atLloyds Coffee House at Tower Hill,London, and Samuel Pepys describes thesale of 3 hulks in his diary entry for 3rdSeptember 1661.From left, Andy Hall, the Revd Pete Steele,Janice MacDonald and church warden Dr ChrisNewman. Pic: Peter Oldridge.

Win tickets to see these Christmas reindeerStable Door has a family ticket for two adults and up tothree children to meet the new Reindeer at theCotswold Wildlife Park.

The winners will get to help the keepers with the thereindeer, Milk and Honey (right), as well as getting tolook around the park’s fascinating collection of birds,mammal and reptiles from around the world.

Amongst the latest arrivals are a trio of young rhinos,wolverines and giraffes.

To be in with a chance of winning, send your name andaddress to Reindeer Competition, Stable Door, DiocesanChurch House, North Hinksey, Oxford, OX2 0NB, toreach us no later than Friday 7 January. Cotswold Wildlife Park opens daily (except 25thDecember) at10am. Last admission October to February3:30pm andMarch toS e p t e m b e r,4.30pm.

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7stableDoor JANUARY 2011

Family

Hospitalchaplain,the RevdPhil

Sutton says there willbe a mix ofatmospheres atOxfordshire’shospitals over thefestive period. Phil(right) will spendChristmas Dayhelping them, while his wife, Jane andgrown-up son, Paul, will see him at workduring the day.

“They both have links with thehospitals and will join me there at somepoint on Christmas Day,” says Phil, whoheads up a chaplaincy that coversOxford’s John Radcliffe and ChurchillHospitals, the Nuffield OrthopaedicCentre and the Horton in Banbury. Hesays Paul, who is married to Kelly, hasbeen joining him in hospital from anearly age. The family expect to sit downat home for Christmas dinner late in theafternoon, but Phil will be on call forthe whole of the night.

He says: “The busy period starts for usin the days before Christmas and lastsuntil February. That’s when hospitalsreally feel the pressure.The cold spellthat hit the UK at the beginning ofDecember was a sign that the hospitalcould be particularly busy this winter,with elderly people particularly beingsusceptible to illnesses.

Phil described his Christmas Dayduties, providing Christmas Communionto patients and visiting people on the

wards who may want his help. “If someone is in hospital at Christmas

there are often significant reasons whythey may be vulnerable and anxious andoften they may have come from outsideof a church context. Sad stories arealways more poignant at Christmas. I willbe spending time in the Intensive CareUnit and trauma areas. One of mycolleagues will be spending the day inthe Children’s Hospital.

“There is never one atmosphere inhere. There will be babies being bornand last year there were some organdonations and transplants and, for somepeople, this time of year can be areminder of the gift of life and what thatmeans.

“For some patients, if they are elderlyor on their own, they are perhaps happyto be in hospital. They may be contentto be in here surrounded by warmth.”

Phil won’t be on duty on Boxing Day,but he will on New Year’s Day, and isavailable 24/7 for any majoremergencies.

“I find it helpful being in here overChristmas, because you get away fromthe madness of the consumer seasonand how inadequate all of that is to helppeople,” he added.

Grandfather-of-two the Revd AlanHodgetts will be spendingChristmas Day at Woodhill

Prison, Milton Keynes, where he is achaplain. He will leave the house at 9am,which gives him the chance to get uplater than he did when he was a parishpriest.

“All of the Anglican parishes I’veworked in as a priest we have had an8am Christmas Day service so I’d be outof the house by 7.30am at the latest. Itmeant my children wouldn’t see theirDad until after the morning service.They were very good at holding back onopening their presents. They wouldopen a few first thing in the morning,but a lot would still be wrapped up untilI came home.”

Alan, 56, who became a prisonchaplain five years ago, will be leaving

his wife home alone forthe first time this year,as his grown upchildren are spendingChristmas Day withtheir partners.

“She doesn’t mind.We are even talkingabout having smokedsalmon instead ofturkey on ChristmasDay, then having aproper get-togetherwith our children andgrandchildren later inthe week. We try not toinvest too much inexpectations atChristmas.”

At the prison, the cells will beunlocked at 9am, as usual for a publicholiday. Bishop of Buckingham, the RtRevd Alan Wilson and other localdignitaries celebrated Christmas onDecember 15th with a carol service atthe prison.

So Christmas Day will be treated as anordinary day, with new inmatespotentially facing the festive seasonbehind bars for the first time. “Somecourts are open on Christmas Eve, sonew prisoners could be admitted then.One of our tasks is to ensure we seeprisoners in their first 24-hours in jail, soI’ll be seeing people who come in onChristmas Eve and be checking on thosein the health care centre,” says Alan.

“We are a multi faith chaplaincy thatsupports prisoners pastorally because webelieve faith gives them a moralcompass. At Christmas time we use theanalogy of the three wise men, whofollowed their equivalent of a compass tofind the Baby Jesus. We hope people willpray for the work of chaplains and forprisoners, for their faith to bestrengthened so it gives them a moralcompass. Prison is about restoration andforgiveness, not just punishment.”

For Kim and Paul Walter and theirson Dominic, Christmas Day for thelast five years has meant

volunteering as a family to hold amassive community Christmas lunch atSt Mary’s, Aylesbury, (pictured above).

The event is open to anyone andattracts vulnerable people, the homelessand people from the Women’s Refuge,Age Concern and other organisations aswell as those who simply find themselvesalone due to a bereavement.

The Walters have been volunteeringtogether at the centre for five years andDominic, 20, has been with them everyyear apart from one, when he was awayin Botswana teaching English.

“Dominic comes along and he bringshis friends. They are his old schoolfriends and, now they are at university,it’s a chance for them to meet up. Theirgirlfriends come too and some of themdo some waitressing for me,” says Kim.

The family worship at St James theGreat Church, Bierton, and Kim isinvolved in the 8am service on ChristmasDay, which means getting up at 6am.She says: “Afterwards I have a fewminutes to open presents before we goto St Mary’s. We sometimes go to mysister-in-laws afterwards, but we don’tusually finish until 5pm.

“We decided to get involved with thisbecause we wanted to do something forpeople who really need it at this time ofyear,” she added.

Jo Duckles interviews threedifferent people who will getup on Christmas Day to goand help others rather thanstay in front of a warm fire,open presents and tuck intoturkey with their families.

Christmas Day duties

Win tickets to Swan Lake or JosephStable Door is offering tickets to a musicaland a ballet to the winners of this month’sprize draws.

We have three family tickets (eachadmitting four people) for the opening nightof Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoatat the Reading Hexagon on February 12011. The production stars Keith Jack, whowas chosen from thousands of wannabeesto win the lead role in front of a small screenaudience on the reality television show AnyDream Will Do.

And we have two tickets for two adults tosee Swan Lake at Oxford’s New Theatre onJanuary 10. The production comes from theRussian State Ballet of Siberia. For thechance to win, simply send your name andaddress to either Swan Lake or Josephcompetition, Diocesan Church House, NorthHinksey, Oxford, OX2 0NB. The closing datefor entries for Swan Lake is Wednesday,January 5. The closing date for entries toJoseph is Friday, January 14.

FeaturestableDoo8

In the final instalment of our 2010 series of prayer walks, Bishop John follows in the footsteps of Jesusfrom his recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Photographs by Sarah Meyrick and Alan Wilson.

At the heart of the Christmasstory we find Mary’s story.She made space in her life

to allow God to act – and herencounter with God changedeverything. It is the same for us: weneed to make space for God andallow ourselves to go on a journeyof the heart. Only when we say‘yes’ to God does the spiritualjourney begin. And that may meanemptying ourselves so that Godcan fill us with good things. WhenMary said ‘yes’ to God, it changedeverything – for ever.

Pray for the courage to say ‘yes’ toGod this Christmas.

This small door marks the entrance to the Church of theNativity in Bethlehem. Wedon’t know quite what the

phrase ‘no room at the inn’means. But the important thing isthat here or hereabouts, the wordbecame flesh and life moved onits hinges. This is the oldestchurch in the world – and a placeof absolute significance in thehistory of the world and in ourlives.

Pray for all those marking the birthof Jesus this Christmas, across theworld, that they will be touched againby the good news of Christ.

Jesus was born into the midst of a chaotic world. Today, life inthe part of the world where he grew up in the shadow of theRoman Empire is still not easy.

Hundreds of young people, like these Bethlehemschoolchildren, live in a world scarred by political turmoil anduncertainty. If they are to enjoy a better future, the cycle ofviolence and terror must be broken.

Pray for children throughout the world who have never known peace,at home or in the world. Remember those who live with daily anxietyabout what the future holds.

Much of Jesus’s ministry was lived in or around the Sea ofGalilee, where he gathered around himself ordinarypeople, fishermen who worked from boats like these.

One day Jesus taught the crowd from Simon’s boat. When hetold Simon – the expert fisherman – to cast his nets over theother side of the boat, the net was full to bursting. ‘Follow meand I will make you fishers of men,’ Jesus told them. Thefishermen trusted him and left everything they knew to tread anunknown path.

Pray for your trust in Jesus to grow and deepen, whatever the futureholds.

WhereverJesus went,the crowds

followed him tolisten to histeaching. TheChurch of theMultiplication,where you can seethis mosaic,commemorates theoccasion whenpeople startedgetting hungry. A young boy offered to share his simple lunch offive loaves and two fish – and Jesus fed the assembled crowd, withmasses to spare. This is a sign of God’s extravagant generosity,like the gallons of wine at Cana. Nothing is ever wasted when weoffer ourselves to him.

Give thanks for the abundant generosity of God. Pray that you willfind ways of living generously in a needy world.

Christians consider thatJesus’s baptism by John theBaptist in the River Jordan

marks the beginning of hispublic ministry. When Johnbaptised Jesus, a voice spokefrom heaven, saying, ‘This is mybeloved Son with whom I am wellpleased.’ Baptism is a chance toturn away from sin and towardsChrist. On our pilgrimage inOctober, many of the 116pilgrims reaffirmed theirbaptismal vows and wereanointed with oil on the banks ofthe Jordan.

Give thanks for new beginnings,for the chance to start again and thegift of God’s forgiveness for the past.

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SchoolGilead Foundations Addiction CounsellingTraining School at Risdon Farm,Jacobstowe, near Okehampton offersthe following Diploma programme covering;Restoration Ministry (11 courses) 150 hours: £385Recovery Support Counselling (17 courses) 280 hours: £530Addiction Studies (23 courses) 350 hours: £700

Gilead Foundations is also offering- Biblical Systematic theology- The Holy Spirit- The Person of Jesus Christ: £250At Gilead Foundations we use the GenesisProcess Relapse Prevention programmewith our clients. This training and theGenesis tools are used throughout theprogramme at Gilead: £318 We also have acorrespondence course on counselling byJay Adams: £954

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9or JANUARY 2011

s and brings us some reflections

When Jesus was born he was born to Jews oppressed byRoman Occupation. The Holy Land remains a place ofconflict today. This picture shows an illegal Jewish

settlement, built on occupied Palestinian land. Palestinians, manyof them Christians, are suffering acutely. To give just oneexample, the Israelis control the water supplies. Arab houses areeasily identified by the storage tanks on their roofs which areneeded when the taps are turned off. Jewish settlers have no suchneed.

Remember those throughout the world who are short of clean drinkingwater. Pray for those who work hard to bring basic supplies to the needy.

The Israelis have built this vast Wall around the Palestinianterritories. It a huge, concretemonster, 9m high and 750km

long and cost an astonishing $3.5bnto build. Architecturally, the wall is asbrutal as its existence is shocking. Yet,all along, it is decorated with graffiti,suggesting that people’s spiritsremain indomitable, however hardlife is. The Wall is a monument tofear, and a complex history of terrorinflicted on both sides.

Pray for those who are driven by fear, rather than love. Pray for a justand lasting peace , however hard that is to imagine.

The Wall severely limits thelives of those who live behindit. It cuts clean across roads,

routes that have existed for years. Sowhile it used to be possible to walkfrom Bethany to Jerusalem in fiveminutes, now a massive diversion isrequired. Queues begin to form at 4a.m. of workers trying to get to workat 8 a.m. It’s never quite certainwhether travel permits will begranted to allow passage through themilitary checkpoints.

Pray for all those who want to work,but cannot. Remember those whose livelihoods are threatened by difficultpolitical or economic times.

This iconic picture is taken from the Mount of Olives,looking across the valley to the city of Jerusalem. It is takenthrough the window of the church that marks the spot

where Jesus wept over the city: Dominus Flevit. From here it isjust a short walk to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesusprayed through the night, and wrestled with what lay aheadbefore his betrayal and arrest.

Give thanks that there is nothing so difficult facing us that Jesuscannot understand. Pray for strength for those facing trouble and sadnessthis Christmas.

This church, St Peter in Gallicantu,commemorates Peter’s denial ofJesus. Incredibly, Jesus’s great

champion denied him not once, butthree times. Peter the Rock became Peterthe Pebble. And then the cock crowed.Only hours earlier, Peter had promisedJesus his love. Now he stabbed him in theheart. The adventure that started out sowell had all gone horribly wrong. Jesuswas betrayed and would now die a lonelydeath upon the cross.

Pray for those who feel burdened by sin orwho are paying a heavy price for past mistakes.Pray that they may come to know God’sforgiveness.

At the end of our pilgrimage wecelebrated the Eucharist at theEcce Homo Convent in Jerusalem.

We walked the Via Dolorosa, in Jesus’sfootsteps, all ending at the Church of theHoly Sepulchre, where we joined in theEaster Greeting: ‘Alleluia, Christ is risen!He is risen indeed: Alleluia.’ Wecelebrated the end of one story – theempty cross – and the beginning ofanother – our own – as the pilgrimagecontinues in our own lives. ‘Peace be withyou,’ said Jesus when he appeared to hisdisciples. Peace is the gift that Jesus gives us all.

Give thanks for the Prince of Peace this Christmas.

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Deciding on a school for your children is a tremendously important choice.In many cases a child’s primary and secondary education can haverepercussions throughout life.

With growing concerns surrounding much of education in Britain today, it should come as littlesurprise that Christian schools maintain their popularity with parents, providing a strong spiritualand moral basis in all that they do. The more disciplined style of education seems to bear fruit andtheir academic results continue to impress and in many cases improve.

Faith based schools, often have waiting lists or entrance examinations to help them maintain theirstandards of excellence, or offer open days for parents and prospective pupils to look around at whatis on offer. The early months of the year often have entrance examinations or open days for thefollowing September’s intake. Most schools will give parents the option to look around outside ofopen days through an appointment through the school secretary.

It’s a very similar story with further education and whilst many students may have alreadydecided on a university or college to attend from the autumn semester, some will still be looking fora course and others will start planning for next year.

A lot of prayer and advice will be undertaken in deciding what path to follow, even when inherenttalents seem to make the choice a little more obvious. For younger Christians the path may havealready been discussed when choosing subjects for A levels but for many older Christians starting acourse could well be a part of a change in life’s direction.

There’s also the choice of college. For many, some time away from home at university can be atime of self-discovery and growing, although others may well prefer somewhere closer to home.This can be due to the commitments such as family responsibilities or commitments to the localchurch or other organisations. Travelling times are also quicker a boon for most students.

For all the challenge of full time study should prove to be rewarding and fulfilling.

Other ways of learningThe way in which we view education has changed considerably over the years with an increasing

emphasis being placed on ‘Lifelong Learning’ for people of all ages and abilities.

Christians can take part in this process through courses at universities and colleges or through oneof the increasing number of distance learning courses, which can be studied for at home as well aspart-time and short break courses.

One college offering a range of courses which may well appeal to Christians is Heythrop. Thespecialist College of the University of London, Heythrop College offers undergraduate, postgraduatetaught and research degrees in Theology, Philosophy and combinations of these with Psychology.Many of these can be studied either full or part-time.

By virtue of its specialist character, Heythrop provides a unique learning environment. Inparticular, the College offers an unusually high level of personal supervision through the running ofa one-to-one tutorial system.The Heythrop Library is one of the oldest and most important librariesof its kind in the UK.

Heythrop is a small, friendly college with nearly 1000 undergraduate and postgraduate studentsand an attractive, self-contained site, with a hall of residence, in Kensington Square, an oasis ofcalm in one of the world's busiest capital cities, yet within a minute's walk of the underground,buses, cafes, bars, cinemas and high-street stores.

There are many other colleges which offer the subject of Theology through distance learning, andis ideal for students with commitments, which stop them being involved in full time education. Forsome, Distance Learning offers the opportunity to take a specialist subject to a new level.

Of course, it is not just Theology that will be of interest to Christians. There are many othersubjects and skills that can enable them to become more efficiently involved in the work of theChurch or within society at large.

These can involve anything from secretarial skills to counselling. Developing artistic abilities canalso be put to good use in the service of God.

The real message of Lifelong Learning is that it is never too late to learn a new skill, or study anew subject or to re-investigate the opportunityto study a subject that for some reason or anotherhad to be dropped in the past.

Lectures and discussion groups enliven ourminds, giving us both an education andentertainment at the same time. There really isalways something new to learn and the process oflearning keeps us more aware of the worldaround us.

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11stableDoor JANUARY 2011

The DoorpostThe Doorpost is a free service for churches to advertise their events and is designed to behung on church noticeboards. Please send your events to doorpost@oxford.anglican.orgor by post to Church House. The deadline for the February 2011 issue is 7 January 2011.

Courses, training, conferences & workshops in January 2011

SATURDAY 1 JANUARY

ABINGDON: Christian Aid New Year’s Day Walkstarting at Christ Church, Northcourt Road,Abingdon OX14 1PL at 10am. Distance is 6.5miles across Boars Hill and Sunningwell. Pleasebring plastic bags to put over your boots toprotect the floor at the refreshment stop. Detailsfrom Jessica on 01865 246818 orjhall@christian-aid.org

SATURDAY 15 JANUARY

ABINGDON: St Helen’s Church. A perform-ance of the children’s opera Amahl and theNight Visitors. Free adminission. Begins at 7pm.Details susan.scott21@btinternet.com

SATURDAY 22 JANUARY

MAIDENHEAD: Waltham St Lawrence ParishChurch at 7.30pm to 8.30pm. The Reading malevoice choir. Tickets £10 (under 16s £5). Tel:0118 940 3209 for details and tickets.

SUNDAY 23 JANUARY

DORCHESTER ABBEY: Taize@7. Informalworship begins at 7pm. Details 01865 340007.

FRIDAY 28 JANUARY

FINGEST: Hambleden Valley, near Henley.Healing service with laying on of hands andanointing at Holy Communion at 10.15am.Details 01491 571231.

OXFORD: Unicorn Group open meeting. Allwelcome. Bishop Kallistos of the GreekOrthodox Church on the Divine Light. To be heldat 1 Canterbury Road, North Oxford from12.30pm (begins at 1pm) until 2pm.

WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY

DIDCOT: Plough Wednesday annual trainingday on rural and agricultural issues will be held atField Farm, Hadden Hill, Didcot OX11 9BJ from10am - 4pm. Booking is essential before thedeadline of 19 January. Details fromglynpe@tiscali.co.uk

SATURDAY 29 JANUARY

OXFORD: Quiet Day at Campion Hall, Oxford.Father Nicholas King, SJ ‘ The gap betweenChristmas and Easter’. Looking at connectionsbetween Nativity and Resurrection. Begins at10.30am until 4.30pm. Details from 01865276214 or email precentor@hotmail.co.uk

Tuesday 25 January: Nurturing Children’sSpirituality training day from 9.45am - 2.30pmat Diocesan Church House. A chance toexplore the nature of a child’s spirituality.Suitable for anyone involved in the life of achild. Led by the Diocesan Children’s Adviser.Cost £10 including lunch and refreshments.Details from 01865 208257 orcarolyn.main@oxford.anglican.org

Saturday 29 January: The CausewayProspects team are running this interactivecourse preparing those interested in ministeringto people with learning disabilities for worship,teaching, and running Causeway groups.Venue: St Andrew’s Church, Linton Road,Oxford OX2 6UG. Details 0118 951 6978.

Spring Term 2011 Learning for Discipleshipand Ministry courses: This is a rollingprogramme of courses that is open to alllearners of any denomination. It educates for lay discipleship, Licensed Lay Ministry, Local

Ministry ordinands and other AuthorisedMinistries. The courses begin in January. Fordetails of all the courses phone 01865 208277or email sheila.townsend@oxford.anglican.org

Core Skills - Children and Community:Saturday 29 January in the Milton Keynesarea (venue tbc) from 9.30am - 12.30pm.Training for those leading and helping in theirchurch children’s ministry . This session isabout children in the community and how wecan serve, reach and nurture them better.Details from carolyn.main@oxford.anglican.org

Courses & special events

This term’s Outreach Concert by Christ Church Cathedral School took place for the first time in theGreat Hall. Children from Wootton, Radley, Sunningwell and Church Cowley Primary Schools joinedwith the Cathedral Choristers to perform a rousing selection of songs. Pic by KT Bruce.

Services at Christ Church CathedralSundays: 8am Holy Communion; 10am Matins(coffee in Priory Room); 11.15am SungEucharist; 6pm Evensong.Weekdays: 7.15am Morning prayer; 7.35amHoly Communion; 1pm Wednesday only HolyCommunion; 6pm Evensong (Thursday SungEucharist 6pm). After Eight - time to reflect, time to pray:Contemporary liturgies for mind and spirit onSundays at 8pm.

Tel: 01865 276155 www.chch.ox.ac.uk

Children’s outreach at Cathedral

OUT NOW!Winter issue of The SonThe Son is a proactive, provocative and uncompromising newspaperwhich aims to put Jesus back at the centre of society. Written and presented in an easy to read tabloid style, based on the UK’s biggest circulation newspapers, The Son is an ideal tool to reach friends,neighbours or groups.

The Winter issue of The Son includes stories on model Mandy Smith,former wife of Rolling Stone Bill Wyman, Casualty actress Adjoa Andohand Hollywood star Gary Busey. J.John asks ‘What is the X-Factor?’and there’s sporting stories on rugby ace Ugo Monye, Fulham strikerClint Dempsey and motor racing’s Al Unser Jr. It’s an ideal tool for outreach. Why not use The Son to reach your community?

Order your copies today: by calling

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SUNDERLAND’S STRIKING SENSATION GIVES THANKS TO GOD FOR SUCCESS – SEE BACK PAGE

Miner miracleMillions of people around the world watched thedramatic rescue of 33 miners from their ‘tomb’ amile underground in Chile. After the rescue astory of prayers, faith and belief in God’s hand onthe whole drama – see pages 10 and 11

POP AND FASHION icon Mandy Smith hit the headlines asa teenager when she married Rolling Stone Bill Wyman.

Now more than 20 years later she is making the newsagain – as a committed Christian who is helping youngsters to avoid the mistakes she made and alsodoing tireless work for charity

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MANDY’S ON A NEWMISSION

12 stableDoor JANUARY 2011Advertisement Feature

13stableDoor JANUARY 2011

The Door is one of six Anglican newspapers published by Cornerstone Vision.With 35,500 copies printed monthly, excluding August, The Door offers awonderful opportunity to reach the Anglican Diocese of Oxford with details ofyour goods and services.

Taking in major cities and towns including Oxford, Abingdon, Reading, Maidenhead, Aylesbury andMilton Keynes, the Door is circulated through Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

Our regular advertising features offer an excellent opportunity to reach our readers with a discountedrate (when compared to the Media Pack rate).

For organisations who serve a broader area than The Door Cornerstone offers other titles in the groupwhich might also be of benefit. Covering the Diocese of Salisbury, The Sarum Link offers 30,000copies through way over 500 parishes. Also available are The Wey in the Guildford Diocese; ThePompey Chimes covering Portsmouth Diocese including the Isle of Wight; Rochester Link covers theRochester Diocese whilst the Diocese of Chelmsford is covered by The Month.

Features planned for 2011 include: Education, Care for the Elderly, Fairtrade and Lent in February.March sees Equip Yourselves for Life, a focus on further education; plus Retreats and Quiet Breaks. Alook at Care and Mobility is planned for April together with another look at Education and our firstPlaces to Visit focus of the year.

May gives an opportunity for exhibitors at the CRE at Sandown Park make themselves known tothose who will be visiting the major exhibition. In fact there are all sorts of focussed opportunitiesthroughout the year to advertise.

To receive a full features list or to discuss how we can be of service to you, give oursales team a call on 01752 225623.

Exciting Features planned for 2011Advertisement Feature

Advertisement Feature14 stableDoor JANUARY 2011

15

‘They found the child lying in the manger.’

Luke 2: 16.

Last Sunday there were twotiny babies in our church,both of them just threeweeks old. While the rest ofus drank coffee afterwards,

one of the dads proudly fed his littleson with a bottle of milk.

It was Advent Sunday, the first day ofthe Church‘s new year, and it seemed soright to have with us two tinyrepresentatives of what it means to be‘new’. The fact of Christmas and NewYear coming so closely together helps toemphasise this element of ‘newness’. Ofcourse no one has the slightest ideawhat day of the year Jesus was born on -why, we can’t even be sure about theyear (the favourite estimate is 5BC,which made the millennium a bit late!).

But of course he was born, and we canbe pretty sure that it happened inBethlehem, ‘David’s city’. Whenever ithappened, when he was born a newperson had come into the world. That’sthe wonder of birth - the newness. Hereis a person who simply didn’t exist ayear ago, but is now lying there kickinghis or her legs in the air and crying formilk.

We give the baby a name, register thebirth, have a ‘christening’. Aunts anduncles and cousins come to greet thenew member of the family, andgrandparents swell with pride andprotectiveness. This is a whole new life,full of potential. Who knows, it may be anew Bach, or Beckham, Einstein or Kirite Kanawa!

Newness is part of the wonder ofChristmas, because it celebrates a birth.When the divine became human, it wasnot as a grown man or woman, but as ababy. God began at the beginning! Thebaby in the manger kicked his legs andcried for milk, utterly dependent on theadults who cared for and protected him.Whatever way you look at it, this was anew idea of divinity. The world hadknown many gods, but never one thattook a risk like that! ‘See’, God says, ‘Iam making everything new’ (Revelation21:5). Bethlehem was a whole new startin the story of God and the human race.And as Christmas slides into New Year,we can share in that newness.

‘O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us,we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in, Beborn in us today. ‘

Canon David Winter is a former Dicoesan Adviser onEvangelism, former BBC head of religious affairs, abroadcaster and author of many books.

Letters & commentLETTERS

Audio version

by John Pritchard

Bethlehem, October. I’m herewith a couple of other pilgrimsand we want to get into thecave beneath the Church of

the Nativity where, by tradition, Jesuswas actually born. (What – no stable?Well, there’s no mention of it in thegospel stories. A manger is mentioned,but a manger could have been in thecave where animals were usually keptbeneath ordinary houses. Who knowsprecisely?)

We arrive at the steps by which peoplecome up out of the cave. There’s ahuge queue up to the steps wherepeople go into the cave on the otherside of the altar. What shall we do? Shallwe sneak in the wrong way – go inbackwards? Yes, why not? We won’t getin anyone’s way.

We go down into the cave with itswalls black from the smoke of a millioncandles. Oil lamps hang above thehallowed spot, marked by a fourteen-pointed star, where Jesus may have beenborn that silent night. The fourthcentury builders of the church may wellhave been guided by good localknowledge dating back to thebeginning. So we went down into thecave by the wrong route. But is thatreally possible? Surely it doesn’t matterhow we get there as long as we arrive atthe manger, bow the knee and givethanks.

We come to Christmas from alldirections. Some with firm belief anddeep joy; some with questions anddoubts; some with wistful memories;some with weary hearts. But we allarrive at December 25th by some routeor other and the door of the cave isalways open, whichever way we’ve come.

The Christmas cave has a welcomesign on the door: ‘Welcome – all theworld’. We need never feel that we areexcluded from the cave (or stable!) ofGod’s love. It’s an ‘open-access’ cave forall time, and for all time. People haveturned up at Christmas, just to look inand make sure that Jesus is still there.They may not stay long, but they needto know that God is still committed tohis world. The inn may be full, butthere’s room in the cave for allhumanity. Will you go in?

The Rt Revd John Pritchard is Bishop of Oxford.

Comment

Thought forthe month

by David Winter

Sight impairedpeople can nowget a free audio

version of The Door bycontactingGraham

Winterbourne on01884 840285

Editor: Jo Duckles Tel: 01865 208227Email: jo.duckles@oxford.anglican.orgdoornews@googlemail.comEditorial Assistant/Distribution: Debbie DallimoreTel: 01865 208225 Email: debbie.dallimore@oxford.anglican.orgAdvertising: Roy Perring Tel: 01752 225623 Email: roy@cornerstonevision.comDeadline for February 2010: Friday 7 January 2011. Published Monday 24 January 2011.The Door is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd (Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce). Theregistered office is Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford, OX2 0NB. Tel: 01865 208200.While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our advertisements, their inclusion in The Door doesnot guarantee it or mean that they are endorsed by the Diocese of Oxford.

Walkingbackwards into

Christmas

stableDoor JANUARY 2011

Comings and Goings -The Revd Teresa Ward will take uppost as Chaplain at Katherine HouseHospice; The Red David McLeod willtake up post as Associate Minister inWokingham St Sebastian; The RevdPaul Collins will take up post asChaplain at RAF Cranwell; The RevdPeter Rich will take up post as Housefor Duty Vicar at Stone with Dinton andHartwell; The Revd Tony

Cannon has resigned as Team Vicar atChipping Norton; The Revd AnthonyLury has resigned as Assistant Curateat The Churn. The following have beengiven permission to officiate: The RtRevd Stephen Pickard; The RevdProf Ernest Nicholson. We recall withsadness the death of The Revd EdwinChapman (Rector at Swyncombe withBritwell Salome 1989-1997).

Something new

Competition WinnersMrs Shaw from Thame, MrsWoods from Woodcote and KGutteridge from High Wycombewere the winners of thecompetition featured in theDecember issue of The Door.They have all won a copy of‘Countdown to Christmas withTimothy Bear’ by Brian Sears.

GamblingI read the note on page five of theDecember Door about the NationalLottery fund’s offer of grants for buildingprojects. I assume some churches maybe applying.

I believe my church is strongly againstany form of gambling. I think it would beimmoral to use money that has comefrom gullible people who think buying alottery ticket gives them a good chanceof getting something for nothing. Iwould be interested to hear the views ofother readers, including those lookingfor financial support of such a project.

Don Hinson, Emmanuel Church,Chesham.

‘Newness is part of the

wonder of Christmas.’

IN BRIEFHaving a ball

A CANDLELIT ball at St Michael andAll Angels, Beaconsfield, raised£10,000 towards a project to raise£215,000 for a Community and ChurchResource Centre.

More than 170 people attended andthe church looked breathtaking duringthe event, while remaining in theembrace of God’s presence.

The Star of Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity. Pic: Ray Rowlson

God in the life of... stableDoor JANUARY 2011

God to me, an old academic,is like a comfortable pair ofslippers. My friends and Italk about lots of newfangled ideas and theories,

but we usually end up talking about Godand we love it. No one has everencapsulated God in a neat description,or a clever equation, but that doesn’tstop us trying.

We often meet to eat fine food, drinkgood wine and talk about what we arereading and thinking. We have a greattime discussing questions like, ‘Whatdoes God look like?’ We talked about itfor hours; does God have substance or isGod only spirit? Is it possible for us toknow what God looks like? Do we needto know what God looks like? Does Godwant to be seen? These questions kept ushappily occupied for weeks.

Then one day, in great excitement,Balthazar called us all together. He hadbeen reading scripture, observing thestars and doing some calculations and hadbecome convinced that God was going tobe revealed soon, somewhere in Judea.

“Fascinating,” I said as I ate anothersamosa, washing it down with a largeswig of wine, “That will be interesting tohear about …. if it ever happens.” “Whatdo you mean, ‘if it ever happens?’”Clearly my scepticism displeasedBalthazar. “Look it’s here in scriptureand in my calculations, you tell mewhat’s wrong with my reasoning.”

“Let’s not fall out chaps,” Caspar hatedconflict, “I think we should go andinvestigate.” “What? You think we shouldgo looking for this divine revelationwhen we don’t know exactly where it isgoing to happen? You’re supposed to bewise! And anyway what about thescripture that says that anyone who lookson God will be destroyed?”

To be honest, I just didn’t want to go. Iwas happy staying at home and talkingabout God, I didn’t want to go andactually find God. I was very comfortablein my academic arguments. I was afraidthat if I saw God I might actually have toclimb off my nice comfortable fence.

“Come on Melchior, maybe God isn’tjust a subject for debate and discussion?Any true academic should always want tofind out more and if God is going to bemade manifest do you want to be thewise man who missed it because hepreferred to stay at home eating samosas

and drinking wine?” I put the samosadown. Caspar could be quite convincing.“You win,” I said, “when do we leave?”

Days later, tired, thirsty, hungry andcovered with dust we reached Jerusalem.I was feeling rather smug, I had beenright, this trip had been a waste of time,God was nowhere to be seen and wouldremain, in the life of Melchior, a subjectfor debate and discussion. I lookedforward to returning to my comfortablehome and fence.

“I am going to see Herod and ask if heknows where God is to be revealed,”Balthazar said surprisingly. Wise mendon’t usually ask for directions!Eventually, late at night we foundourselves in what appeared to be a God-forsaken little village on the outskirts ofJerusalem. I was convinced our questwas over – if God was going to berevealed anywhere, it would not be here.Rubbish blew about the dirty, empty

streets and the smell of animals andhumanity assaulted me at every turn.“Come on Balthazar, admit it, God isn’there. Clearly you have misinterpretedscripture and you’re not themathematician you thought you were.Let’s go home.”

Balthazar suddenly stopped and thenapproached a drab looking inn. Wefollowed, perhaps he was going to bookus in after all those nights on the road.But, walking past the front door, heslipped down an alley to a stable.

And that’s when we saw God.I’d like to describe clouds, trumpets,

angels, incense and tell you that we fellto our knees in shock and awe at theglory and magnificence of what webeheld. But all we saw was a mother, afather and a baby.

In the moonlight I saw fear and painin the eyes of the mother, anxiety andpride in the eyes of the father. I couldn’ttell what was in the eyes of the babybecause they were scrunched up as heyelled out letting his mother know hewas hungry. We saw vulnerability,weakness, poverty, uncertainty, but aboveall we saw love.

Unconditional love. Love binding

these three people together in a bondthat would and could never be broken.So here was God. Not a sophisticatedsolution to an academic question afterall, but love, lived and shared.

The time for academic banter wasover, my comfortable fence cracked,broke and turned to dust. I movedforward and asked if I could hold thechild. Carefully I took him and carriedhim to my friends, whispering as I kissedhis forehead, “My Lord and my God.”Melchoir was one of the Three Kings/WiseMen from the nativity story. Father MichaelSmith is vicar of the Cookhams.

16

Father Michael Smith putshimself in the robes of KingMelchior on his journey tomeet God in the form of thenew born Jesus.

‘We saw vulnerability,

weakness, poverty but above

all we saw love.’

‘...God was going to be

revealed soon, somewhere in

Judea.’

A Wise Man

This wise man is from the Aldermaston Nativity Play. Pic: Ange Boott

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