Winter 2013

LETTER FROM OUR MINISTER

Dear Friends,

It’s never easy to think of something new to say about a festival which, in many ways, thrives on being apparently unchanged over centuries - and yes, I am of course talking about Christmas!We all have our Christmas traditions. Some are shared in the wider community, like Christmas trees and decorations. Some are peculiar to a particular church, perhaps.

In this regard I am thinking of St. Luke's Methodist Church in the Drains Valley in Cornwall (near Jamaica Inn), which every year used its stables - left over from the time when preachers rode out from Liskeard or Bodmin on horseback to preach the Gospel - as a living tableau of the nativity.

Each year, the local young couple with the youngest baby would dress up as Mary and Joseph, and would sit in the stable, with a sheep, a donkey (and sometimes even a cow, I was told!) during the carol service, and groups of the congregation would take it in turns to ‘visit’ the baby Jesus (even if Jesus was played by a baby girl) as each carol was sung. Eventually, the whole congregation would crowd into the tiny stable, and at the end would share hot mince pies and tea and coffee.

Sadly, that church has closed now, but I will always remember the looks on the faces of the children (including my own) as they shared those special moments at the start of each Christmas we spent in Cornwall.

I am sure that each family also has its own Christmas traditions. In our family we have always had our own carol service each Christmas Eve, lighting up the living room by candle only, before the children went to bed, hopeful worn out by what was also a tradition - the exceptionally long walk we would always take on Christmas

Eve afternoon, trying to tire them out before bedtime!

It was a tradition I presumed my children would grow out of, but I was surprised to find that, after they had left home and married, when they came back for Christmas they still insisted on the home carol service - though as they are all now in their late twenties they refused to go to bed afterwards!

Now that we have grandchildren, and we expect some of them to be with us this Christmas, I can see the tradition continuing unbroken into the next generation as well: but to see Amber's and Noah's and Martha's faces lit up during that little service will be a cause of joy but also a salutary reminder of the passing of time (I have to confess that I often have to remind myself that I am nearer sixty than fifty... or even, sometimes, forty!).

But amidst all that tradition (which itself evolves, actually, as we would know if we studied the history of the festival) the wonder of the whole event is how God touches us anew, comes close to us again, and refreshes our hope and our sense of wonder each time we celebrate Jesus’ birth in what was just as likely to have been a cave as a specially built stable. Each time we drag out the decorations and dress up the church, each time we break bread at midnight and listen for the bells, each time we light the candles and every time we tell the story, we are reminding ourselves of a promise which has never been broken - “… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Blessings on you all this Christmas! Love, Alan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PRAYER CORNER We come again to the close of another year and we prepare to await the coming of the Christ Child into our hearts and lives. The year has brought its ups and downs. We have felt the great sadness of losing some very dear church friends

and we continue to pray for those facing uncertainties over illness and other problems. As Christmas comes near we think of all who are lonely or sad at this time. And so we wait for the Baby of Bethlehem, your gift to us, who brings light and hope to our troubled world. And we pray for that light to come bringing us joy and peace. Amen.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTES FROM THE VESTRY

It is a well known fact that the Christmas holidays are the most difficult period many people face all year. More people die during the winter months than at any other time and police are busy dealing with numerous instances of domestic disputes, shoplifting and burglaries as well as incidents of public disorder and road traffic accidents caused mainly by excessive consumption of alcohol. I have witnessed a lot of heartache and suffering in my working life at this time of year and have also experienced bereavement, so I can empathise with those who dread the festive season. When you add in the additional factors of homelessness, poverty and major disasters (both here and abroad) it can become very difficult to wish someone ‘Happy Christmas’. However these words from the well-loved carol ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ give an answer:What can I give him, poor as I am?If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;yet what I can I give him:  give my heart.This song, originally written as a Christmas poem by Christina Rosetti in 1872, was set to music in the early

1900’s. The words beautifully show both the loneliness (bleakness, empty, hard, cold) of Jesus’ birth and our human incapacity to give adequately in response to such a great gift given to us.By entering into some of the sorrow of the season, we gain greater capacity to find the delight and joy in it as well. Often the greatest joy is experienced by giving something to others, not necessarily an expensive present but just a smile, an unexpected phone call or visiting someone lonely or in need.What do we give to God for Christmas?

Isn’t the only possible gift we can give to him our own lives, in humbleness and thanksgiving.

As we welcome many people into our church over the Christmas season, may each one become aware of the real reason we celebrate, and may we all find a new and richer blessing in God’s gift to us.

Here is our chance to offer a warm welcome, friendship and tell others what Christmas really means.

Alison Ablewhite

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COLCHESTER FOODBANKDear Friends. I am writing to thank you for the food which you collected at your Harvest Festival and passed on to us. We are very grateful for this.Demand is unfortunately still increasing, and we rely entirely on the generosity of people in the Colchester area to provide food to enable us to help those who need us. Recently about 44 food boxes are given out each week.

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A large proportion of our yearly supply of food comes from churches and schools at harvest time. Our warehouse is now about full, giving us agood start to the year. We need continued giving of food as the year progresses, and if the pattern of previous years continues stocks will be run down by next harvest. We do see God's goodness though in the way food flows in as it is needed. Please would you pass on thanks as you are able to those who gave food and to those who helped organise the giving.

Wishing you every blessing, Ray Cantrell(Secretary, Colchester Foodbank) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MOVING ON

As we have only recently welcomed our new minister Alan Jenkins, I thought that this item which appeared in the ‘Hunstanton Town and Around’ seemed appropriate The letter was written by Father John the Priest and Pastor of St. Edmund’s Church.

Dear Friends,

The beginning of the month marks the start of my sixteenth year as Vicar of Hunstanton and Ringstead. I can’t help wondering how fast the years fly by. These days, clergy don’t stay so long in their churches or parishes as in times past. In my time as vicar I have seen various colleagues in the local churches come and go.

The Union Church is at this time welcoming their new minister, Sam. My neighbour at Heacham Parish Church is about to leave the area and move to Gloucester. In both churches I have seen clergy go, a new one come and go and now another change. Such is life.

Whilst we may live one kind of life style, others approach life differently. Some people enjoy constant new challenges, whilst others prefer stability and a settled life. But however much we feel like a settled life, we cannot remain so for ever. There comes a time when we have to move on.

Our Christian faith tells us that however much we like our lives or homes to be settled; we are only

here for a short time. We may feel settled in our homes but we should remember we are all on a journey through life.

For the Christian, the Bible tells us we have no abiding city but our true home lies in heaven.

When we become a Christian God calls us to journey with him, not finding our happiness in the settled things of this life, but finding our peace by following God. For it is God who is the true stable bedrock of our lives, not our homes or our possessions.

A religious song of the 1970’s had the phrase in it, “God is moving on, and I must follow”.

Maybe you have just moved into our community, or perhaps you are considering if this is the time to move on – no matter – it is our hearts and souls that need the everlasting stability.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NORFOLK TALKNorfolk roadman: “Yes, this ‘ere road is called Orkid Lane”.Visitor: “Oh, do orchids grow wild here?”Roadman: “Noo, tha’s called Orkid because tha’s so orkid to get down – all them twists and turns yer see”.

This typical Norfolk conversation is included especially for our dear friend Vivienne Riley.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DINING OUT CLUB

We will be starting another year of Dining Out on the 1 February 2014; it is very much a social occasion enjoyed by all.

We usually have about 20 people at each meal, couples and singletons, a good mix and match of people out to sample the different food chosen by our hosts.

If you feel you would like to join us, the dates for 2014 are as follows:

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Saturday 1 February – Hosts: Elaine and KeithSaturday 5 April – Hosts: Margaret and KeithSaturday 7 June – Hosts: Jenny and PeterSaturday 2 August – Hosts: Alison and PeterSaturday 4 October – Hosts: Beryl and DavidSaturday 6 December – Hosts: Gillian and Peter

The hosts chose the venue, decide whether we eat at lunchtime or in the evening and organise the menu choices. If you wish to give it a try why not speak to Gillian or e-mail: thesimpsons.stanway43@btinternet.com and I will organise for your name to be included on the circulation list of the Dining Out Club.

Gillian Simpson~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FRIENDS NO LONGER WITH US

PAMELA BERYL SPARROW11. 3. 1931 – 21. 9. 2013

Tribute by her daughter Jayne

One of the last things Mum said to me was that I was kind and I think if there is one word which we would all think of when remembering Mum, it would be kind. I think we have all been very lucky to have been fortunate enough to have known my Mum and be on the receiving end of her kind nature. I always knew that no matter what mistakes I made (and there were many) she would always be there to offer her love and support. She never interfered, but would offer her advice if asked, which was invariably sound and sensible and I know that this doesn’t just apply to me, but too many of us here today. I hope you will remember my Mum, Pam, as a wonderful wife, mum, grandma and friend and treasure your happy memories of this lovely lady.

Tintern Abbey – by Wordsworth

And passing even into my purer mind with tranquil restoration;

feelings too of unremembered pleasure; such, perhaps as may have no trivial influence

on that best portion of a good man’s life; his little, nameless unremembered

acts of kindness and of love.

JOYCE JAGGARD

Joyce died on 9 October, following a brave fight against cancer. Her funeral was held on Tuesday 22 October and the flowers the following Sunday were donated by the members of the Thursday Circle in memory of their dear friend Joyce.

DON BAKERAddress given by Rev. Ruth Ridge

Don Baker was born in 1930 on 24 May, Aldersgate Day, something that meant a lot to him in its link with Methodist heritage. He was one of five children and he grew up in the care of National Children’s Home, first at Alresford where Don was in a dormitory with his brother Ken and later in Edgeworth, where Don and Ken found themselves separated because the dorms were organised by school year. Life in the children’s home was hard, but Don later said that he was grateful for some of the discoveries he made there including his love of poetry and his faith.

Don did his National Service, which he served in Egypt, and then worked as a printer. He got to know Pat, who worked nearby and after a bit of flirting at the greengrocers they started courting and married when Pat was 19. They started married life living in a caravan in the Hythe, before moving to a caravan in Monkwick and then to a house in Normandy Avenue, which became the family home. Don and Pat had three children, Christine, Brenda and Mark and Don delighted in family life. Proud to be working to support the family, Don would get up early, light the fire and help the children to get ready for school before heading off to work on his moped

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and when he came home he was always willing to give Mark a game of football before tea.

Football was one of Don’s great loves, both watching and playing. Don was quite a sportsman and always kept himself fit. During his National Service he boxed and later he played both cricket and football in local teams. Don also kept up with the football scores each week, noting the scores in the paper next to each team and he enjoyed watching all the big games. In fact he gave the family dog a huge fright when watching England win the World Cup (the faithful pet was asleep on his feet) and as England scored Don kicked his legs out in delight, sending the poor dog flying!

Don worked hard, working at Spottiswoode’s for 40 years. In spite of several health complaints (diabetes, difficulty swallowing and a weakness in his chest) Don was never ill or at least never complained about being ill. He even went to work on one occasion the day after his foot was run over by a lorry.

As well as work, Don enjoyed many other interests. There was the sport, of course, but also gardening and walking. Don walked up to 5 miles a day and loved being out in the garden, growing vegetables in the garden of their house in Marks Tey. Don shared his love of gardening with both the children and his grandchildren, but always used to get the children to dig at the opposite end of the flowerbed to where he had work planned. Wherever he went, Don was always smart and neat and he even wore a tie whilst gardening.

Don loved family life and was a devoted husband and father. He would do the weekly food shop with Brenda, even though he hated shopping, in order to save Pat a bit of work. He loved playing board games with the children, would read them bedtime stories and was great whenever they were ill. He also loved wider family gatherings and social events, enjoying a chat and a sing song. Singing was another of Don’s loves. He sang in choirs from childhood and loved taking part in reviews and church productions. As well as singing, Don was happy to take part in a bit of ‘am-dram’ and had a great enthusiasm for poetry. He would memorise poems and recite them,

sometimes in full costume, and often led evening meetings on the subject of poetry.

Whatever Don did, he threw himself into it one hundred per cent, working hard, living family life to the full and being an active member of his church community. Don was both a steward and a communion steward at different times, as well as singing in the choir and being a regular at the men’s group here at Wimpole Road. Don’s faith was something that was real to him from his childhood and as with anything Don gave his all in following Christ. The hymns that we are singing today were chosen by Don and they show something of his trust and faith as well as his desire to praise God.

Our reading from Psalm 116 illustrates Don’s attitude to faith. He placed his trust in God and walked with Him in all that he did. Don was a faithful servant, showing his faithfulness through his love to his family and his commitment to every task that was before him and the psalm reminds us that God rewards such faithfulness with his care and protection.

As we gather to commend Don into God’s faithful care today we are reminded that God’s love carries us beyond death and into life eternal in his kingdom. For Don this new life is just begun and we pray that God will guide us safely through the troubles of life to be with him in our turn.

EULOGY by Christine Firmin

Firstly, may I thank you on behalf of the family for coming to celebrate Dad’s life with us today. He would have been very proud that you have come here for him. 83 years, you may be here for some time!

Being brought up in a children’s home gave dad his overriding, and really only ambition in his life, which was to have and to be in the midst of a family of his own for whom he could love and care, provide and protect. Donald Stanley Baker was a family man.

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The day he married our mum, was the day ‘all his Christmases came at once’. She was the light of his life. As children we heard the stories of this ‘not bad looking bloke’, hanging about on street corners, whistling and calling out ‘Hello Darling’ every time mum walked past. We believe she walked past often! He thought she was gorgeous and eventually he plucked up the courage to ask her to a dance and the rest, as they say is history. He was proud of her.

He was also proud of his three children. I, being the first was the novelty, and the continuation of the realisation of his dream. My sister Brenda was born 14 months later, and was to Dad’s delight a tomboy, so he got to play cars and trains, and a bit of rough and tumble. He was delighted when she passed her 11 plus and was accepted into the local grammar school. Then 6 years later came the ‘Boy’, our brother Mark. Dad couldn’t wait to tell everyone he had a son to carry on the family name and now he had a real reason to get the football boots out and show his son how things really were in the great big world of ‘proper’ men. He was in his element.

Dad was a ‘manly’ man. He hated smelly soap and deodorant, shampoo or jewellery, all those things were, in his opinion, for women. For him, it was good old cold tar soap, for skin and hair, the smell of disinfectant and the shine of Brylcreem upon his well covered head (one of his many boasting points) - all three of his brothers were very envious of his copious locks. Manly men are involved in manly activities and as you all know dad loved his sport.

In his youth he took up boxing, and was often seen play boxing with his grandchildren. He played table tennis at his cherished Men’s Club, and played and watched football. He shared this love of the great game with Mark, cheering on Colchester United on Boxing Day and they were united in following of the fortunes of England (he would be thrilled to know ‘Our Boys’ are off to Brazil).

But he was never happier than when he was involved in his cricket. “There’s nothing like the sound of leather on willow”, he used to say

(personally I can’t see what all the fuss is about). Dad felt huge sense of pride when he represented his work and played for the Spottiswoode’s team. Brenda remembers very clearly, going with him to Clairmont Road as a spectator (I’m not sure she always had her eye on the wicket though!) The regular gathering of the gentlemen of ‘Wimpole Road Cricket Watcher Appreciation Society’ was often the highlight of his week, and when he retired his season ticket gave him endless hours of pleasure, travelling back and forward to Chelmsford. Colchester Cricket Week was sacrosanct - no need to bother even asking him to do anything else.

He loved his garden, and all his grandchildren will remember with great pleasure, watering his plants until they were so wet they almost drowned; digging holes to plant new bulbs and seeds; gathering stones and leaves and having a thoroughly wonderful time hauling around an old watering can much bigger than them. Dad was a bit like the self seeding plants in his garden, weedy, but strong. With his bulging Popeye arms, he was very keen to show off his muscles and his stamina. You won’t have been the only person he told he walked five miles a day. His love of the outdoor gave him his distinctive summer colour. We sometimes called him ’Alfa’, because when he took his shirt off he was ‘alf brown and ‘alf white!

Dad watched a variety of sport, but his favourite from his armchair was chess and he loved to challenge his grandsons. The boys pitted their wits against granddad’s chess brain and for a long time granddad remained the grand master. They were conquered every game but when they got close to being victorious it was always the best of ... (mysteriously they used to run out of time before the crown had to be passed on).

Fondly remembered by his grandchildren was the sharing of his favourite custard cream biscuits, (still a great favourite for them today) and the treat of a spearmint polo produced from his pocket; the plates of dinner swimming in gravy and great big bowls full of yellow custard (I share a literary resemblance to the much admired Pam Ayres) .

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He loved to sing, but as his deafness took a hold, he found it increasingly difficult. No one missed his efforts, his determination to carry on was quite astounding. Seriously though, it did impair his enjoyment of social occasions, he really struggled with not being able to hear and join in.

Now it won’t have escaped your notice that today is Bonfire Night. One of dad’s attributes was a good sense of humour, and I think he would be chuckling to himself about the appropriateness of this day for a celebration of his life. Let us compare the similarities of profile between the said Guy Fawkes and D. S. Baker. That magnificent nose and pointed chin (just add a hat and beard?) and, then of course, the common thread of language. They could have spent many happy hours conversing in the style of ‘The King James Authorised Version’ of the Bible, (so well loved by dad). He loved family gatherings and social events where he was a real bright spark. Apparently his rendition of ‘lavender trousers’ was something to behold.

Bonfire Night was one of those fabulous family occasions. Meticulous preparation was given to ensuring it didn’t go with a bang! With his biscuit tin full of neatly assembled fireworks; trenches dug for his line of milk bottle rocket launches; 6 inch nails ready for the Catherine Wheels, and a wonderfully stuffed guy made from his old pyjamas, the night was ready for ‘oohs and aahs’ as he took charge, as chief ignition technician and fire stoker.

Then there was Christmas. Mum and dad always made sure, however little they had, that Christmas was a happy and memorable time. On Christmas Eve Dad finished work at lunch time. He would take us to wrap up mums present and sworn to secrecy we’d wait excitedly for the big day. We all went to bed with watches on and strict instructions not to get up until 6 o’clock. The house was plain and devoid of all things festive except for the odd Christmas card here and there. The only clue to the time of year was the electric atmosphere and sense of anticipation as he gave us one of his long socks to put at the bottom of each of our beds.

The magic hour arrived, a stocking full of goodies replaced each sock and the festivities began. We all trooped downstairs to the only day of the year we all had to eat breakfast together, (which I might add, seemed to take forever), then dad would sneak off. With the dulcet tones of Bing Crosby wafting out ‘White Christmas’, or King’s College Choir chanting favourite carols from his stereo, we tiptoed into what can only be described as Santa’s grotto. The whole place had been wonderfully transformed, paper decorations festooned the ceiling, tinsel and balloons filled every space and an enormous tree sheltered three piles of beautifully wrapped presents (goodness only knows what time they went to bed).

The only thing that lasted longer than the smell of the Christmas sprouts was dad’s cracker hat! He wore it from lunch to teatime, and then replaced it with a new one until bed time. He played games with us; helped us write our thank you letters and we were never disappointed by the attention we received.

Summers brought a trip to the favourite holiday destination, ‘Costa del Jaywick’! We shared these extravaganzas with Dad’s eldest brother and his family. As creatures of habit we stayed in the same chalet every year and enjoyed the freedom of just passing the time away, building sandcastles, swimming in the sea, eating chips from newspaper and visiting the slot machines along the front (simple pleasures bringing much joy.) Brenda and I remember well the early morning walks with Dad to the paper shop for the ‘Daily Express’, the smell of the ink on the newspapers and the sound and smell of the sea as holidays didn’t stop the world going round.

We shared many experiences under dad’s nurturing guidance: days out to London Zoo; riding on the Underground and London buses; Madame Tussauds; strolling along the Embankment and marvelling at the Houses of Parliament. We loved walking the dog on Sunday afternoon over The Wick, listening to bed time stories and being tended to when we were sick. And practical advice was always there - Brenda will always be grateful for his brilliant car parking tuition.

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So, back to 5th November, Dad had a passion for his family, especially our mum. The fire of his devotion burned in his heart all their married life. The embers of affection leave a warm glow with everyone who knew and loved him, a kind and gentle, gentleman.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ANYTHING BREAKABLE?

There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country.“Is there anything breakable in here?” asked the postal clerk.“Only the Ten Commandments”, answered the lady.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE AN ANGEL BY YOUR SIDE

May you always have an angel by your side,

watching out for you in all the things you do,

reminding you to keep believing in brighter days,

finding ways for your wishes and dreams to take you to beautiful places, giving you hope that is as certain as the

sun, giving you the strength of serenity as

your guide. May you always have love and comfort

and courage, and may you always have an angel by

your side.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CARPET BOWLS AT WIMPOLE ROAD

Many of you will know that we have started carpet bowls in the church hall every Wednesday from 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter months. This is a good opportunity to meet friends and neighbours for a game.

Bowls is one of the most ancient of games. Remember the famous story of Sir Francis

Drake playing bowls when told of the coming of the Spanish Armada? But there is also evidence that bowls has been around since the days of Ancient Greece. If you think about it, bowls is one of the easiest games to think of and organise. Rolling a ball and trying to get it near an object at the other end of a piece of ground?

The oldest known bowling green in Britain is in Southampton and dates back to 1299. King Charles II laid down the first recorded laws of the game of bowls in 1670. The laws contained twenty rules and regulations. King Henry VIII banned the playing of bowls in 1541 (Act 33). However the nobility and rich were permitted to play under licence, in the confines of their own estates. The ban remained on the statute book for more than three centuries and was only repealed in 1845.

Back to our own carpet bowls at Wimpole Road. It is hoped that we will be able to enjoy a social game of bowls with Tollgate Bowls Club in the New Year. We are grateful to Keith Groom, from Tollgate, who helped us find a mat, supplied the woods, a scoreboard and a lot of helpful advice. Keith attends Stanway Evangelical Church and is the gentleman who collects our shoeboxes every year.

A word of thanks is also due to Sarah Topple for her enthusiasm in making this new venture at Wimpole Road a reality.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEASONS OF OUR LIFEFor everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter under heaven:a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill, and a time to heal;a time to break down, and a time to build

up;a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;a time to throw away stones,

and a time to gather stones together;a time to embrace,

and a time to refrain from embracing;a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to throw away;a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to

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speak;a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace...(God) has made everything suitable for its

time...

To the season of WINTER, God said:‘To you I give the gift of anticipation and

preparation.Your task will be to prepare for new life.You shall set the patterns for colors and

hues.You shall be the one to instill

within the oak the ability to be strong,and within the rose its breathtaking

delicacy.You shall give form and shape even before

it is.You shall be the father and mother

of what will be.’

{Extracts from When God Began in the Middle, ‘Twixt Spring and Autumn’, by

Joseph Juknialis}

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4000 REASONS TO VISIT BROGDALE

Brogdale near Faversham in Kent is home of the National Fruit Collection. The collection is a treasure trove of fruits from Britain and all over the world, with the tastes and textures of 4,000 different varieties developed over hundreds of years.

The apple collection is the largest at Brogdale with over 2,200 varieties, which come from all over the world. There are varieties from almost every county in Britain. Apples can be sweet, sharp, aromatic, crispy, juicy or soft and creamy.

The pear collection has some 550 varieties from all over the world. Their rich flavours and buttery or gritty texture has meant that pears have been popular for thousands of years.

The 285 varieties in the cherry collection come from all over Europe. They have been loved since the Greeks and Romans. The collection was replanted in 1996.

The plum collection has 337 varieties from Europe, USA and Canada. Their juicy succulent flavour made them very popular with the Victorians, who developed many varieties. The hazelnut and cobnut collection has 42 varieties that come mainly from Europe. Nut trees can live for up to 100 years.

The currant collection contains 318 varieties of redcurrants, blackcurrants, pink currants and white currants from continental Europe and Britain.

Brogdale is described as the perfect group day out and perhaps it could be a place to consider for our own annual church outing.

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RHYMING PAIRS QUIZ

All the answers consist of two rhyming words e.g. ‘Unhappy youth’ = ‘sad lad’

1. Plump feline2. Comical rabbit3. Royal bird of prey4. Urban joker5. Attractive umbrella6. Bloodthirsty tale7. Poor thread8. Overweight taxi-driver9. Blonde locks10. Woman with a past11. Light-hearted jog12. Loyal Tory13. Police station14. Sooty’s spell15. Suet pudding16. Cellar fuel store

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17. Good vintage18. Classroom law19. Scattered untidily20. Intellect down plughole21. Irate superior22. Live in country leader23. Squander the glue24. Three-legged ass25. Incorrect ditty26. Cash for bee product27. Scoff at weddings28. Well-cut grass29. Tidier30. Quick ‘hello’31. Just so32. Clever grandmother33. Fed up peer34. Young lady from Zurich35. Blackberry-picker’s walk36. Birmingham mother37. Hard working Queen38. Argument over bracelet39. Saintly keeper40. Liverpool rodent

{Answers on Page 21}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE WIMPOLE ROAD BEARS

It was quite a few weeks ago now when the Bears were in Kent. They were staying in Canterbury, a city which they enjoy very much. One morning they visited the Brogdale Fruit Farm near Faversham.

After arriving the Bears went to see some animals kept there, including a very, very large breed of pig, which were lying in the sunshine.Mother Henrietta thought a cup of coffee would be nice so after enjoying this refreshment the Bears gathered with some other visitors to go on a conducted tour of the orchards.

There are hundreds of different varieties of apples, pears and plums which grow here. Some of the trees are quite old, others are newer varieties.

As they went along the different rows their guide explained what variety they were and he also offered some very nice samples taken from the trees! By the end of the outing the Bears were feeling quite full.

After walking around the orchard the Bears were able to go to the fruit shop, where they bought some very nice fruit to take home for their favourite pear and apple crumble, which Mother Henrietta likes to make and Father Archibald likes to eat!

In recent months the Bears have been looking after their neighbour’s tortoise, Thomasina. Thomasina is quite an old tortoise, who is over 50 now. Sometimes we think tortoises are quite slow, but they are very good at hiding and one day the Bears couldn’t find her anywhere, and spent several hours in the garden looking for her.Thomasina has now gone into hibernation for the winter and she is safely tucked away in a warm straw filled box until the spring.

The Bears have recently made a new friend, Barnaby the Sheep, who has just moved here from Wales. He will be at the Christmas Crib Service on 1 December so the Bears hope to see you there, and maybe during the other Christmas services.

The Bears wish you the peace and the joy of Christmas as we wait for the coming of the Christ Child. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LAYER DE LA HAYE PARISH MAGAZINE

November 1889

Month’s Holy Days:1. All Saints’ Day 3. 20th Sunday after Trinity. 10. 21st Sunday after Trinity. 17. 22nd Sunday after Trinity. 24. 23rd Sunday after Trinity. 30. St. Andrew, Apostle and Martyr.

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All Saints’ Day: The Festival of All Saints, in continental countries, is made an occasion for decorating and keeping in good order the graves of departed friends. This is a custom which might well, to some extent, be imitated amongst ourselves. Nothing surely can be more conducive to true piety than keeping fresh and green the memory of those near and dear to us, who have been called away from us in the great providence of God, but whom we believe to be ‘not lost but gone before’.

The Saints of God, life’s voyage o’er safe landed on that blissful shore,

no stormy tempests now they dread, no roaring billows lift their head. O happy Saints, for ever blest, in that calm haven of your rest.

Our neighbours – Wivenhoe: This parish stands on the River Colne, 5 miles south east from Colchester. Wivenhoe may be called (with the Hythe) the Port of Colchester. Wivenhoe also forms with Brightlingsea and Rowhedge, a member of the Cinque Port of Sandwich, in Kent. It has a good quay and the population is largely engaged in the fishery of oysters and soles. The town is lighted with gas. It is a junction station on the Great eastern Railway.

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin is large and ancient, and was restored by good friends in the year 1860 at a cost of £3000. It suffered considerably in the earthquake of 1884. Three of the curious monumental remembrances called brasses exist in this church in good preservation. They are, however, of rather late date. The finest brass in the kingdom is said to be in the Church of St. Margaret, at King’s Lynn in Norfolk. There is a good impression taken from it in the Colchester Museum.

A fair is held at Wivenhoe on the 4th September every year. In early times fairs were very large and well attended. With no railroads, very poor roads, no post office, business or trade they must have been conducted very differently from the present system.

Fairs were then a great means for disposing of goods, and providing one’s self with necessaries. The largest fair still existing in Europe, perhaps in the world, is held at Nijni Novgorod, in Russia. But even this is said to be dwindling away. Railways are being constructed in Russia and all

over the world, even in China, and the days of fairs, consequently, are doubtless numbered.

Yachts and boats for oyster dredging are built at Wivenhoe. Soil, light; subsoil, gravelly. Population in 1881 was 2219.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DUTHIE’S DIARY

As Betty has been appealing for Soup Run helpers I thought that I would devote my Duthie’s Diary to this important service and my personal experiences on Thursday 3 October.

It all began at about 7 p.m. when Christine and I arrived at Wimpole Road to fill up the flasks with hot water, collect together the rest of the food and pick up the portable plastic dining table.

The Thursday Circle ladies were all sitting in the parlour and the speaker was getting ready to give his talk. I usually wave to everyone through the glass door and everyone waves back and smiles. It is a good start to what can be a difficult but rewarding evening.

Filling the flasks and taking everything out to the car can take some time. On one of my many trips backwards and forwards I saw the security officer responsible for locking the gates of the Recreation Ground. At the time I thought that he had made very little effort to ensure that no-one was still inside. I can remember the days when a park keeper was employed by the council and it was his sole responsibility to make sure that no-one was trapped inside when it was time to close the gates.

However, despite my concerns, I continued with my task to pack up the car. The next time I came out with some more food and flasks I was surprised to see six girls stuck inside the closed gates and attempting to scale what is quite a dangerous metal fence.

I thought of the episode of ‘Dad’s Army’ where Private Pike gets his head stuck

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between the bars and he and the gate had to be taken away together. Luckily the girls had not been silly enough to try and squeeze through this particular gate.

When asked the six girls told me they had already tried the other gates and pleaded with me as a ‘knight in shining armour’ to try and mastermind their escape. Confronted with ‘six damsels in distress’ I had to think quickly as to what could be done to save them.

Immediately I came up with a solution – ladders! What I needed were two sets of steps – one to get up one side and a second to get over and down the other side of the fence. Luckily I was in the right place at the right time and knew where I could find two sets of ladders.

Unfortunately this meant disturbing the Thursday Circle’s speaker but I apologised and a few minutes later came back with a stepladder from the church hall and said ‘Sorry’ as I came back through the parlour. I already had one ladder and with both in place I was able to lead the six young ladies to a place of safety.

Some were better at clambering over the fence than others, and one girl had to be encouraged to be brave before she could be persuaded to climb up and down the step ladders. Eventually they were soon all back on the right side of the fence and able to continue their journey. They thanked ‘very much’ for my assistance in their ‘hour of need’ and disappeared into the shadows.

I think Betty was becoming a bit annoyed with me as I, once again, had to interrupt the Thursday Circle speaker and in the circumstances, quite understandable.

It was, therefore, not long before Christine and myself were on our way to the Soup Run spot behind the old St. Nicholas House in the High Street, and ready for a one hour shift making hot drinks and giving out food to those in need, many living in makeshift dwellings in a thriving town in the twenty-first century.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BBC RADIO 4 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

30 August 2013by the Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks

“This is the last ‘Thought for the Day’ I’ll be giving in my role as Chief Rabbi. On Sunday I induct my successor Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and before then I wanted to say thank you for the privilege of serving as a religious leader in a society where there’s genuine respect for other people’s religious beliefs or lack of them that understands what I call the dignity of difference. And if you were to ask me what I have cherished most these past 22 years, it’s been the chance to see the difference faith makes to people’s lives.

I’ve seen it do its work in Jewish communities throughout the commonwealth, moving people to visit the sick, give hospitality to the lonely and help to those in need. You don’t need to be religious to be moral, but it makes a huge difference to be part of a community dedicated to being a blessing to others.

I’ve seen faith help holocaust survivors to survive and not be traumatised by their memories. I saw it help my late father survive four difficult operations in his eighties, so that he, who had come to this country as a refugee, could be there to see his son inducted as a Chief Rabbi. It was the faith I learned from him that kept me going through some of the worst crises of my life.

Faith brought our people into being almost forty centuries ago when Abraham and Sarah heard God’s call to leave home and begin a journey that is not yet complete and won’t be, until we learn to make peace with one another, recognising that not just us but even our enemies are in the image of God.

Faith isn’t science. It’s not about how the world came into being but about why. I believe that God created the universe and us in love and forgiveness, asking us to love and forgive others. And though that’s often very hard, I believe faith still makes that more likely than if we

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think that the universe just happened, that humanity is a mere accident of biology and that nothing is sacred.

And yes, sometimes it seems as if we have just enough religion to make us hate one another, and not enough to make us love one another, but the answer to that is more faith, not less. Faith in God, who asks us to love others as he loves us.

That’s faiths destination, and there’s still a way to go.”

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It was not a very good morning and by the time I reached the office, I was quite angry.

I was annoyed that I reached the forecourt of the petrol station before I discovered that I did not have cash or card to fill up. Not a good start. I was even more annoyed that I had to return home for some papers I had forgotten to pick up. I was then angry that I was running late.

The morning and my mood descended rapidly as all the tractors had ganged up on me and were all on a day's outing. A road closure didn't help. Confidence returned as I discovered a short cut which would lose the tractors and the slow drivers. The success was short lived as I found the lane blocked by a tanker delivering oil.

And so it went on. It was not a good start and I was rapidly approaching giving up on this day which had given up on me. Two phone calls trying to sell me unsolicited goods did not receive a warm response. And the anger went on. Everything was wrong with the world and I, of course, was right.

The only bright part of the day was a small child who obviously thought I needed cheering up and gave me a cuddle. Sadly that moment was devalued by another child who said I looked like her granddad. He had died a few weeks earlier.

Now we've all been there haven't we? A bad day which leaves us angry and self- righteous?

When we look back on the day, all that anger has was a waste of time.

The tractors had every right to be on the road. A bad accident caused the road to be closed. People had been injured. The house in the lane

may have run out of fuel and desperately needed more to heat the house.

So often we only consider our own wellbeing, our own world and all too often we end up angry and that anger seeks to exult and justify ourselves because everyone else is wrong.

Anger is not a good thing.

But we should be angry at some things and these include injustice, violence, the suffering of children and much more. There is a time to be angry just as our Lord was angry when He saw the poor and the vulnerable not only being cheated but denied access to God.

Jerome wrote, "A certain fiery and starry light shone from his eyes and the majesty of God gleamed in His face." The result: Jesus turned the tables over and threw out the cheats and the money lenders from God's house. We should sometimes be angry but channel that anger into doing something constructive, sharing the love of Jesus.

{Reproduced by permission of the Rev. David Philo, Superintendent Minister of the North Norfolk Methodist Circuit}~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THURSDAY CIRCLEWe are well into our Autumn/Winter programme now and enjoying a good variety of evenings.

On 12 September Norma (Peckston) gave us a most entertaining evening with her Poems. However, we are extremely sorry that Norma has had to leave the Thursday Circle after very many years of membership as she was also one of our Vice President’s for many years. We all miss you Norma!

On the 19 September it was a pleasure to have a return visit of Angela Dennis and Derek Pitcher with another of their musical evenings - something which we all enjoy, especially the ‘sing along’ with them !

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3 October was another return visit of Mr Roy Waters - his talk this time being ‘Stand By Your Beds’! This was an ‘Open Evening’ so we were joined by a few of our ‘gentlemen friends’ and there were no prizes for guessing that Roy would be talking about his days of ‘doing his National Service’ ! I think it is fair to say that our ‘gentlemen friends’, in particular, enjoyed the evening and that it brought back many memories to them (whether happy or not, I wouldn’t know!)

Mention must be made of another very entertaining evening on the 10 October, when we had a visit by a Retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Bill Pirie. His talk, entitled ‘My Life as a Bobby’ probably said it all, but I know we all thoroughly enjoyed this lively evening and his very ‘lively’ stories commencing from where he was born and right through his whole working life in the police.

We always look forward to one of David (Ablewhite’s) talks, and his talk on the 17 October was no exception. he title of this talk being ‘The Men in Victoria’s Life’ - so once again David, thank you very much and we look forward to the next one!

On the 24 October, we had one of our DIY evenings when Joan (Gomer) gave us an evening entitled a ‘Bygones Quiz’. She brought along a large number of items for us to guess not only what they were, but what they were used for in days gone by. It was great fun and the vast majority of the items really did keep us guessing.

On the 31 October, it being so called ‘Halloween’ - we marked the evening with a light supper, a reading about and the meaning of ‘All Saints Day’ and ‘All Hallows’, followed by a Quiz, organised by Doris.

Coming right up to date, it was a pleasure to welcome Mr Nathan Blackaby from the Mariners Chapel in Rowhedge. His testimony and that of his and his wife’s time spent working in Brazil with the ’street children’ was most inspiring.

Our Autumn/Winter programme goes right through to the end of February, which will include a first visit by our Minister Rev. Alan Jenkins, our Christmas meal out, and of course, in the New Year, we shall have our New Year Party - so still very much to look forward to.

Betty Fothergill ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOW TO KEEP WARM THIS WINTER

As energy bills rise, do you feel nervous about turning up the thermostat at home? Well, take heart, because there are lots of things you can do. Make yourself warmer:

Wear several thin layers, rather than one thick layer. This is because they trap warm air close to the body.

Go for clothes made from wool, cotton or fleecy fabrics, if possible

Draw your curtains, as soon as it gets dark to stop the heat escaping and the draughts coming in.

Keep any windows and internal doors closed when it’s cold – this will keep heat inside, where you most need it.

A lot of heat is lost through the head and neck, so if you’re chilly indoors, try wearing a hat and scarf.

Your body keeps warm by burning food you’ve eaten, so make sure you have regular hot meals that contain carbs, such as potatoes, pasta, bread and rice. Try porridge with hot milk for breakfast and soups and stews for lunch and dinner.

If you’re sitting down, a shawl or blanket will provide extra warmth. You should also try to keep your feet up, because air is cooler at ground level.

Wear warm clothes in bed. When it’s really cold, wear thermal underwear, bed socks and even a hat.

Some longer-term things you can do to help ward off the winter chill:

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Have your heating system serviced and chimney swept.

Check your water stopcock is working properly

Get a keyhole cover – it should only cost a couple of pounds and will help keep the draughts out in cold weather.

Fit thermal linings to your curtains if you can – this will also help to keep the heat in.

Check out the benefits and grants available to help with insulation and energy efficiency, such as cavity wall insulation.

Other ways to keep the fuel bills down: Turn off lights when you’re not in the room Don’t leave electrical items, like the TV

and DVD player on standby – switch them off.

Only boil as much water in a kettle as you need.

Use a 30˚C programme on your washing machine.

Turn off any electrical chargers once your appliance is at full power, such as a laptop or mobile phone.

Don’t block your radiators – it cuts the heat they give out.

If you have a dishwasher, fill it fully before using it, so it’s more energy efficient.

(from Age UK Colchester}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~CHRISTIAN PRAYER –

HOW CAN I PRAY?

The following item is taken from a publication ‘Gospel Imprint’.

Prayer is like every human skill. It is something that we need to learn how to do.

We can use books or ask a friend, or seek the guidance of a minister. But in many ways, prayer is something that we do have to find out about for ourselves.

God has made us all different, and so we will all pray differently. We will also pray differently in different situations. Prayer is the way that we keep in touch with God.

Prayer is the way in which we open up to God, so that God can work in us. And God does always answer, although not always in the way we want.

If you love someone, you keep in touch. Prayer is the same. If we love God, we stay in touch. We talk to God and we listen to God.

It’s a conversation. To begin our conversation with God we need to get ready: to come consciously into God’s presence, to sit or kneel in a way that is at once comfortable and attentive.

Then we need to calm down. Normally our minds are full of distractions. One way of calming down is to listen to our breathing, the regular pattern of it.

Another way is to repeat over and over again, “Be still and know that I am God”.

After a while, we settle down, our minds are less full, and then we are ready to pray.

Sometimes this means continuing to listen, just letting the awareness of God to enfold us, like loving arms – we don’t need to say anything else, the contact is enough.

At other times, we need to say something. This can be anything: “Dear Father” or “Hello God, it’s me again”.

If you are going to say something (whether aloud or silently) then say

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what you want to say. God doesn’t stand on ceremony.

Traditionally Christians pray every morning and evening. The more we are in touch, the better it gets. The more time we take, the more rewarding it can be.

As we pray regularly, the more natural prayer becomes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

IDYLLIC? NOT ALWAYS Old-fashioned Sunday School pictures of shepherds carrying lambs on their shoulders have probably left many people with an idyllic and sentimental picture of life in Bible times.

In reality, though, a shepherd’s life was hard and hazardous. They faced constant danger from wild animals and rustlers. Knowledge of good pastures and water supplies was crucial to the flock’s survival.

Shepherds sometimes stayed with the same flock for up to ten years, which gave them a great understanding of their sheep.

In John’s gospel, Jesus touches on the scene that his hearers knew and understood, saying: “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep”. He compares the ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude of the hired worker to the shepherd’s care for his flock, illustrating the strength of God’s love:

“The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me”.

Psalm 23 talks about God, the Divine Shepherd, leading us safely through life’s experiences, the pleasant and the not so pleasant:

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”. Sheep usually go where they are led. Humans often do not.

When we reach the point of not knowing where to go or who to follow, we can look to the Good Shepherd, Jesus. He alone can be trusted to guide us through all the twists and turns of life.

Best of all, he knows our name – and cared for us enough to lay down his life for us, when he died on the cross.

{From ‘The War Cry’}

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO

Two thousand years ago on that very first Christmas Wise Men and shepherds were led by a star to a child.

All through the night they each made their journey some walking, some riding, keeping track of the glow in the sky.

Each in their time arrived at the stable with good wishes and presents to mark the new baby’s birth.

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Now in each part of the world as the sun wakes each country they all shout ‘Happy Christmas’ with love, and wish peace on this earth.

Norma Peckston~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A SEASONAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF A POLITICALLY CORRECTED

NATIVITY

The Rocking SongLittle Jesus, sweetly sleep, do not stir;We will lend a coat of fur,We will rock you, rock you, rock you,We will rock you, rock you, rock you:

Fur is no longer appropriate wear for small infants, due to the risk of allergy and for ethical reasons. Therefore faux fur, a nice cellular blanket or perhaps micro-fleece material should be considered a suitable alternative.

Please note, only persons who have been subject to a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and have enhanced clearance will be permitted to rock Baby Jesus. Persons must carry their CRB disclosure with them at all times and be prepared to provide three forms of identification before any rocking commences.

Jingle BellsDashing through the snowIn a one-horse open sleighO'er the fields we goLaughing all the way

A Risk Assessment must be submitted before an open sleigh is considered safe for members of the public to ride. The Risk Assessment should also consider whether the use of only one horse is appropriate - particularly if passengers are of larger proportions. Permission must be gained from landowners before entering any open fields. To avoid offending those not

participating in the celebrations, it is required that only ‘moderate’ laughter is used and not at a level to be considered a noise nuisance.

While Shepherds WatchedWhile shepherds watchedTheir flocks by nightAll seated on the groundThe angel of the Lord came downAnd glory shone around

The Union of Shepherds has complained that it breaches Health and Safety Regulations to insist that shepherds watch their flocks without appropriate seating arrangements being provided. Therefore benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs must be available. Shepherds have also requested that due to the inclement weather conditions at this time of year that they should watch their flocks via CCTV cameras from centrally heated shepherd observation huts.

The Angel of the Lord is reminded that before shining his / her Glory all around he / she must ascertain that all shepherds have been issued with glasses capable of filtering out any harmful effects of UVA, UVB and Glory lighting.

Little DonkeyLittle donkey, little donkey on the dusty roadGot to keep on plodding onwards, with your precious load

The RSPCA has issued strict guidelines with regard to how heavy a load that a donkey of small stature is permitted to carry. Also included in the guidelines are permitted feeding breaks and at least one rest break in a four-hour plodding period. Due to increased risk of pollution from the dusty road, Mary and Joseph are required to wear face masks. The donkey has expressed his discomfort at being labelled 'Little' and would prefer just to be simply referred to as ‘Mr Donkey’. Comments upon his height or otherwise are considered to be a breach of his equine rights.

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We Three KingsWe three kings of Orient areBearing gifts we traverse afarField and fountain, moor and mountainFollowing yonder star

Whilst the gift of gold is still considered acceptable - as it may be redeemed at a later date through such organisations as 'Cash4Gold' etc., gifts of frankincense and myrrh are not appropriate, due to the risk of oils and fragrances causing allergic reactions. An acceptable alternative might be a gift voucher. It is not recommended that traversing Kings should rely on star navigation, and would advise the use of AA RouteFinder or Sat. Nav. Both can provide the quickest route and advise on fuel consumption. As in the case of Mr Donkey, the three camels require regular rest and food breaks. Facemasks for the Three Kings are also advisable due to the likelihood of desert dust disturbed from the camel hooves.

Rudolph the Red Nosed ReindeerRudolph, the red-nosed reindeer?Had a very shiny noseAnd if you ever saw himYou would even say it glows.All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games.

Under the Equal Opportunities Policy, it is inappropriate for persons to make comment with regard to the ruddiness of any part of Mr R. Reindeer. Name-calling contravenes our Anti-Bullying policy and further to this, the exclusion of Mr R. Reindeer from the Reindeer Games shall be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against anyone found guilty of this offence. A full investigation will be implemented, leading to imposing sanctions, such as a ban from hanging up stockings or enjoying Christmas dinner.

Away in a mangerAway in a manger – no crib for a bed …

Immediate referral to Social Services.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SOME CHRISTMAS FACTS

1843 – Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol to highlight the issue of poverty.

1847 – Sweet-seller, Thomas J. Smith of London invented Christmas Crackers as a way of promoting his sweets. His son Walter added a paper hat and replaced the sweets with a novelty gift.

1932 – King George V started the tradition of a Royal Christmas Message by broadcasting on radio.

Why trees? This was originally a northern German custom from the 16th century, which became customary in this country during the reign of Queen Victoria, especially after her marriage to Prince Albert. The wonderful trees in Trafalgar Square are a gift from the King of Norway to say a perennial thank you for our assistance to his country during World War II.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

‘O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM’

Lewis Redner was a worried man. He had promised the children of the church where he was organist that he would compose a tune for the words of a Christmas hymn, which the minister had written.

It was the Saturday evening the night before the service and he had not written a note.He went to bed feeling that he had failed everyone.However during the night he was awakened by what he afterwards described as an ‘angel strain’ ringing in his ear.

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He quickly jotted down the melody and the next morning one of our best loved Christmas hymns ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ was sung for the first time.

Lewis Redner always insisted that the music was a gift from heaven.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“HERE’S GOD’S CHRISTMAS GIFT”… said William Booth, showing the new baby girl to his six other children on Christmas Day 1865. Neither he, nor they, imagined that their new sister would become the first woman General of the Salvation Army. As a schoolgirl, Evangeline Cory Booth, known as Eva to her family, took her first bundle of Salvationist magazines to sell in the East End of London. She learned of life among the poor and neglected and the suffering in the slum streets. Her apparent destitution whilst working as a flower girl caused an old man to advise, “Go to the Salvation Army – they’ll help you”, little knowing that he was speaking to the founder’s daughter! When Eva became the head of the Army she firmly believed that any assistance to anyone down on their luck should be given in such a way that it did not injure their self –respect, but helped to restore a belief in a personal God, who has the welfare of every human being at heart. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE CHRISTMAS CARD

The world’s first Christmas card, hand-coloured by the London illustrator John Calcott-Horsley, and sent, by a Bath- born businessman Sir Henry Cole, to his grandmother in 1843, was sold in Devizes, Wiltshire for a very merry £20,000.

Sir Henry commissioned the card from Horsley and one thousand were lithographed and sold at one shilling (five pence) each.

The 5” by 3” postcard depicts a Christmas dinner, with three

generations of a family enjoying a party. The side panels show charitable scenes, with people clothing and feeding the poor.

The Victorians were drawing their own Christmas cards before but this was the first card to be produced commercially. At a shilling each (an average man’s weekly wage) they were only bought by the upper classes.

There are only twelve of the original one thousand Christmas cards still known to exist.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHRISTMAS CAROLS – ANAGRAMS

1. Woman’s violet charms cadet(4.4.4.2.9.)

2. Man weary again(4.2.1.6.)

3. Raises the whips(1.3.5.5.)

4. A rich snake waits(10.5.)

5. Ho-Ho tingly(1.4.5.)

6. I bin terminated whelk(2.3.5.9.)

7. Sun on riotous baby(4.2.1.3.2.4.)

NAME THAT CHRISTMAS TUNE

The letters stand for the name of a Christmas carol or song.

For example O.L.T.O.B = O Little Town of Bethlehem.

1. W.W.Y.A.M.C.2. L.D.3. O.C.A.Y.F.4. S.N.5. T.F.N.6. H.T.H.A.S.7. O.I.R.D.C.

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8. D.D.M.O.H.9. J.B.10. R.T.R.N.R.11. W.C.12. G.K.W.13. T.H.A.T.I.14. A.I.A.M.15. W.T.K.16. T.T.D.O.C.17. A.F.T.R.O.G.18. O.C.O.C.E.19. D.T.H.W.B.O.H.20. G.R.Y.M.G.21. W.S.W.T.F.B.N.22. I.C.U.A.M.C.23. G.C.M.R.24. I.S.M.K.S.C.25. C.R.O.A.O.F.

{Answers on page 22} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SOMETHING GREAT TO CELEBRATE

More than a tale that is told More than a story that’s pretty and old Christmas is even much more than a

birth Christmas is heaven come right down to earth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MARY OF YOUR CHRISTMAS CARDS

I am the Mary of your Christmas cards. I listen calmly while the angel brings me news that will shake up my life beyond measure. I accept what has been ordained for me. I am young and dressed in blue.

I am the Mary of your Christmas cards. Despite travelling almost 100 miles on a donkey across the desert and giving birth in a stable, I am still immaculately clean and tidy, cradling my infant son,

unperturbed by my surroundings, I am still young and dressed in blue.

Do you have a picture of me 30 years on? Have I aged in your eyes? Am I still calm and dressed in blue? Do you see me at the wedding feast, recognising deep within that his time was coming and he would soon no longer be mine?

How I aged in those three years. But am I still young in your picture? Was I not grey haired as I stood at the foot of the cross? Do you know what it takes to watch your son being crucified? Do you have a picture of me – in tears, distraught?

Or am I still the Mary of your Christmas cards – young and dressed in blue?

You know the end – the triumph of his resurrection, the kingdom without end – and knowing this affects your picture of me.

I am always young, dressed in blue, calm, serene, humble and willing – never allowed to show fear, hurt, anger, pain and grief.

For many, I remain the Mary of the Christmas cards. If I am called to be blessed please remember all I stand for. As you receive your cards this Christmas, please look at me and remember that this is just the beginning.{Taken from Hay and Stardust, Wild Goose publication} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE RELIGIOUS SYMBOLISM OF THE

‘TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS’

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1. True love - refers to God2. Turtle Doves - refers to the

Old and New Testaments3. French Hens – refers to

faith, hope and charity – the theological virtues.

4. Calling Birds – refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.

5. Golden Rings – refers to the first five books of the Old Testament, which outline man’s fall from grace.

6. Geese-a-Laying – refers to the six days of Creation

7. Swans-a-Swimming – refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Sacraments.

8. Maids-a-milking – refers to the eight Beatitudes.

9. Ladies Dancing – refers to the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

10.Lords-a-Leaping – refers to the Ten Commandments

11.Pipers Piping – refers to the eleven faithful Apostles

12.Drummers Drumming – refers to the points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT

Christmas will always be for us a time to reflect on Christ.

The gift God gave to all the world was the gift of His life.

We know Christmas is not about tinsel nor fancy Christmas wreaths nor is it about all the decorations that adorn our Christmas trees.

And it’s not about holly or mistletoe hanging from our doors nor is it about the gifts that are left by the jolly Santa Claus.

Christmas is more than all of this and the only reason why we celebrate Christ’s birth together and the wonder of His life.

So remember as you celebrate just what it’s all about and invite the Lord to join with you instead of leaving him out.

For He will always be the reason we celebrate this day. No substitute the world may offer can take that meaning away.

{Taken from the Age UK Colchester newsletter}~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RHYMING PAIRS QUIZ – answers

1. Fat cat2. Funny bunny3. Regal eagle4. Town clown5. Jolly brolly6. Gory story7. Rotten cotton8. Flabby cabby9. Fair hair10. Shady lady11. Fun run

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12. True blue13. Cop shop14. Izzy whizzy15. Roly poly16. Coal hole17. Fine wine18. School rule19. Higgledy-piggledy20. Brain drain21. Cross boss22. Resident president23. Waste paste24. Wonky donkey25. Wrong song26. Money honey27. Deride the bride28. Shorn lawn29. Less mess30. Fleeting greeting31. Quite right32. Canny granny33. Bored lord34. Swiss miss35. Bramble ramble36. Brummy mummy37. Busy bee38. Wrangle bangle39. Holy goalie40. Scouse mouse

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REFLECTION

by Arnold Kellett Yorkshire poet and historian who died in 2009.

This is one of many Christmas poems he wrote in his long life.

If Jesus had never been born, There'd still be a Christmas by some other name: We'd brighten mid-winter, and feast, just the same, With corpulent turkey, and puddings and pies And all the brave glitter that art can devise; With satisfied stomach and contented mind We'd purr with the pleasures of pagan mankind; With greetings and gifts round the evergreen tree,

Like the jolly old Romans did, ages BC.

But we'd have no bright carols, no pealing of bells, No tidings that Christ now in Bethlehem dwells, No babe in the manger, no ox in the stall, No angels, no shepherds, no good will to all; No Mary, no Joseph, no Wise Men who came To worship a King of unparalleled fame; No Gospel to cheer us, no news to refresh, No glad proclamation of God become flesh.

Then let us keep Christmas, the birth of the BoyWho floodlights our darkness with infinite joy,For God is now with us, to seek and to save,To die for our sins and to rise from the grave,To help us, to heal us, to bring us to bliss...Yet, poorer than pagans, if, blind to all this,We grope through our winter, depressed and forlorn ...Just as if Jesus had never been born.

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NAME THAT CHRISTMAS TUNE – ANSWERS

1. We wish you a Merry Christmas2. Little Donkey3. O Come all ye Faithful4. Silent Night5. The First Nowell6. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

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7. Once in Royal David’s City8. Ding Dong Merrily on High9. Jingle Bells10. Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer11. White Christmas12. Good King Wenceslas13. The Holly and the Ivy14. Away in a Manger15. We Three Kings16. The Twelve Days of Christmas17. Angels from the Realms of Glory18. O Come, O Come Emmanuel19. Deck the Hall with Boughs of Holly20. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen21. While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by

Night22. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear23. Good Christian Men Rejoice24. I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus25. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

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CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON OF KINDNESS

May the kindly spirit of ChristmasSpread its radiance far and wideSo all the world may feel the glowOf this holy Christmastide…

And then may every heart and homeContinue through the yearTo feel the warmth and wondermentOf this season of good cheer…

And may it bring us closerTo God and to each other‘Til every stranger is a friend And every man a brother.

Helen Steiner-Rice ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

FIVE LITTLE CANDLES

Five little candles burning so brightThe first one said, “We make great light”.The second one said, “The Child is Born”.The third one said, “Our light will adorn”.The fourth one said, “We shine for Him”.The fifth one said, “Let’s not be dim”.So they stood very tall and glowed very bright, And the Christ Child smiled that very night.

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Candles are fashionable, attractive yuletide decorations.

Our ancestors sometimes used the candle as an alternative to the Yule Log.

Lighting it at dawn on Christmas Day, it would burn till midnight, ensuring prosperity and luck.

In Ireland the Christmas Candle is usually a large red one, decorated with holly. Standing in a scooped-out turnip it is placed in the main window on Christmas Eve, to guide the Holy Family to shelter.

The Christian Church uses candles to represent Christ, the Light of the World.

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A CHRISTMAS BLESSING

A prayer for you is said todayMay the love of God ever with you stay

Whoever you are, whatever you do,May the blessing of God ever rest on you.

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That in the years that are still to comeMay the peace of God be in your home

At Christmastide and in New Year tooMay God’s great love abide with you.

AN INDIAN CAROL

’Twas in the moon of wintertime when all the birds had fled, that mighty Gitchi Manitou sent angel choirs instead. Before their light, the stars grew dim, and wandr’ing hunters heard the hymn.

Within a lodge of broken bark the tender babe was found. A ragged robe of rabbit skin enwrapped his beauty ’round. And as the hunter braves drew nigh, the angel song rang loud and high.

The earliest moon of wintertime is not so round and fair, as was the ring of glory on the helpless infant there. While chiefs from far before him knelt, with gifts of fox and beaver pelt.

O children of the forest free; O sons of Manitou, the holy child of earth and heav’n is born today for you. Come, kneel before the radiant boy who brings you beauty, peace and joy.

“Jesus your King is born, Jesus is born, in excelsis Gloria.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MAY THE PEACE AND LOVE

OF THE SEASON TOUCH YOUR HEARTS

THIS CHRISTMAS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SPECIAL EVENTS

AND SERVICES ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Sunday 1 December4.00 p.m.

J.M.A. CANDLELIT CRIB SERVICE

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Saturday 7 December

FUN DAY¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Sunday 15 December10.30 a.m.

LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

Sunday 22 December 6.30 p.m.

FAMILY CAROL SERVICE with Boxted Silver Band

¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬CHRISTMAS EVE HOLY

COMMUNION11.15 p.m.

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¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬CHRISTMAS DAY FAMILY

SERVICE10.30 a.m.

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SUNDAY SERVICES10.30 am & 6.30 pm

ALL AGE WORSHIPSecond Sunday every month

THE HUB1st Sunday: 7.30 pm - Hub Homegroup 3rd Sunday: 5.30 pm - The Hub - an interactive session with refreshments, suitable for all ages 4th Sunday: 5.30 pm - Hub Café

THE LIGHTHOUSEFor children and young people between the ages of 3 yrs & 15 yrs. 10.20 a.m. – noon in Church Hall

WEEKDAY & EVENING MEETINGS

=========================MONDAYS:Toddler Group 12.45 pmBeavers 6.00 pmBrownies 6.30 pmTHURSDAYS:Thursday Circle 7.00 pmFRIDAYS:Choir Practice 6.30 pmCub Scouts 6.30 pm===================================

EDITORS: Graham Duthie, Christine Duthie and Alison Ablewhite

Visit our website at: www.wimpoleroadchurch.org.

uk WORLD LINK

Mount Zion Society of the Methodist Church in Korle Gonno in Accra, Ghana.

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